Europe provides up an alluring vary of causes to go to in April. The continent’s warmest spots are starting to welcome again seashore guests as temperatures rise. Easter makes locations akin to Seville and Braga among the many greatest locations to go to in April in Europe for seasonal celebrations. And maybe fairly importantly, some low season offers are nonetheless to be discovered.
The beginning of spring in Europe can also be a good time to take pleasure in metropolis breaks earlier than the crowds arrive. Nonetheless, do not forget that Easter in 2026 is on April fifth, which is able to enhance costs and customer numbers throughout the college holidays. In consequence, a few of the hottest European cities to go to in April, akin to Paris, Rome, Barcelona, and plenty of of Spain’s best cities, can be busy.
However, fairly than proposing the sometimes crowded capitals as a pre-summer suggestion, I’ve tried to transcend the obvious locations and spotlight different April options, every providing a seasonal speciality. After all, a key consideration when planning the place to go in Europe in April is deciding whether or not you need a beach escape, cultural journey, city break or journey trip. As such, I’ve damaged down my strategies for the very best locations to go to in Europe in April into 4 classes.
Warmest locations in Europe in April for a seashore vacation
If you wish to discover the warmest place in Europe in April, you’ll want to go south to a few of the best beach destinations in Europe. Whereas temperatures are beginning to rise throughout the continent, there’s nonetheless an opportunity of gray days and showers in northern Europe – though spring wildflowers convey the color. So, to (nearly) assure beach-friendly climate, you’ll need to take into account a few of these greatest locations to go to in April in Europe.
Cyprus
Solar-seekers can’t go flawed with Cyprus, one of many warmest locations in Europe in April, for a seashore vacation. Not solely are the island’s golden sands and turquoise waters normally basking in a nice daytime 22°C (71°F), however there are additionally loads of experiences away from the seashores.
From the traditional archaeological points of interest of Pahos – such because the 4th-century BC Tombs of the Kings – to the border-defined metropolis of Nicosia’s museums, Cyprus’ best attractions are different and engaging. Although, tearing your self away from these attractive coastal spots akin to Nissi and Aphrodite’s Seaside would require a little bit of willpower!
April highlights: Cypriots love a celebration, and there are many festivals in Cyprus all year long. Orthodox Easter is a big occasion on twelfth April 2026, and the one-day-only Latchi Fish Competition (normally the third Saturday of the month) can also be value having fun with in case your go to aligns.
Make it occur: Larnaca and Paphos are Cyprus’s two predominant airports, served by legacy and price range airways in Europe. Flight-free choices embrace ferries from Greece and Turkey.
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Best islands to visit
Dodecanese Islands, Greece
Who wouldn’t need to spend spring break consuming halloumi, island hopping, and consuming crisp, chilled wine whereas watching epic sunsets? Effectively, that’s exactly what you possibly can count on whereas exploring Greece’s Dodecanese Islands. Located within the Aegean Sea, the Dodecanese archipelago consists of the 12 largest and best-known islands, plus a couple of hundred smaller isles, and mixing a pair guarantees an ideal Greek multi-destination vacation.
Every of those has its personal attraction – and crystal-clear waters – so deciding the place to go in Europe in April will depend upon whether or not you need a extra volcanic and distant island outpost akin to Nisyros, an reasonably priced sun-kissed resort escape in Kos, or a mixture of tradition, heritage, and seashore on the biggest island, Rhodes.
Whereas these islands are among the many warmest in Europe in April, with highs sometimes round 20°C (68°F), the evenings might be chilly. Nonetheless, in case you keep away from the Easter holidays, it may be an unimaginable time to go to and expertise these whitewashed Greek corners with out the crowds!
April highlights: The Feast of Agios Georgios in Pastida is widely known throughout many islands round April twenty third – Rhodes’ celebration begins on the twenty second and lasts for 2 days.
Make it occur: Being widespread throughout the college holidays, you’ll need to e-book your Greek getaway effectively upfront. Olympic’s Greece package holidays begin from £274pp, together with UK flights, and might be simply filtered by the island that can assist you discover the very best deal.
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Nisyros Island, Greece
Antalya, Türkiye
Antalya is the gateway to Türkiye’s Mediterranean south coast in Asia. Nonetheless, on condition that a part of Turkey is in Europe and Antalya’s proximity, I’d nonetheless class it as probably the greatest locations to go to in April in Europe for a seashore vacation. Not solely do the turquoise waters supply loads of rest alternatives, however there are additionally sufficient historic sights and cultural points of interest to discover in case you get stressed toes.
The Outdated Harbour is superb for a stroll, and also you’ll spot reminders of Antalya’s earlier life as a Roman Port, notably on the imposing Hadrian’s Gate. Being one of many warmest locations in Europe in April, you possibly can count on daytime temperatures of round 21°C (70°F) and just about assured blue skies.
Make it occur: Lodging choices can be found for all, starting from luxurious resorts to extra laid-back, budget-friendly stays. You’ll discover extra laid-back resort locations alongside the coast, akin to Belek and Facet.
Greatest European cities to go to in April
In the event you’re searching for a metropolis break fairly than a seashore getaway, these are my picks of the very best European cities to go to in April. After all, exterior the Easter holidays, most main capitals are nice to go to earlier than the pre-summer rush, however these spots even have one thing further to supply in April.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ljubljana is without doubt one of the greatest locations to go to in April in Europe. Not solely will you be greeted by a compact and cute capital metropolis, however loads of lovely day journeys into nature can be found on the town’s doorstep. Certain, Ljubljana isn’t actually a hidden gem in Europe anymore, however it will likely be much less busy than close by Venice or Dubrovnik over the Easter college holidays.
Due to the pedestrianised centre, it’s a delight to discover, together with with youngsters. Whether or not you’re stress-free at a wine bar alongside the canal banks – strive the native Zelen grape from the Vipava Valley, it’s scrumptious – climbing to the fortress excessive above, or just wandering between unbiased shops housed behind vibrant facades, it’s a problem to not fall beneath Ljubljana’s quirky, artsy spell. With a considerable college inhabitants and loads of stylish espresso and wine bars within the centre, an evening out right here can also be nice enjoyable.
April highlights: April occasions in Ljubljana embrace the ‘Slovenian Music Days’ – a classical live performance occasion from the seventeenth April, celebrating its fortieth anniversary in 2026.
Make it occur: In the event you’re struggling to search out direct flights to Slovenia (Ljubljana Airport is small), take into account different close by cities, akin to Trieste and Zagreb, after which use a switch service. A flight-free journey from the UK will take round 30 hours on FlixBus.
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Why visit Ljubljana?
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
If you wish to mix the very best of an April seashore journey with grand structure and plenty of points of interest, take into account a city break in Palma. Whereas the mercury is slightly decrease within the Balearic Islands than within the Canary Islands – daytime temperatures normally attain round 18°C (70°F) – Palma de Mallorca is about rather more than the seashores.
Of the cultural and architectural choices, essentially the most spectacular is Palma Cathedral, which towers above the city. The spiritual masterpiece, well-endowed with Gothic grandeur, took almost 400 years to assemble. Different notable sights embrace the Royal Palace and the intriguingly spherical Castell de Bellver. Artwork can also be effectively represented in Mallorca, particularly the works of Balearic creatives. The very best collections are on show at Es Baluard and Fundació Miró. Mix this with the compelling eating scene and first-class nightlife – a far cry from close by Magaluf’s revelry – and also you’ve bought every little thing you want for a metropolis break.
Palma can also be probably the greatest European cities to go to in April, as you can make it a week-long keep and luxuriate in simple day journeys to a few of Spain’s hidden gems, such because the Serra de Tramuntana, or the idyllic harbour village of Port de Sóller, reached by a rickety classic prepare.
April highlights: Alongside the Easter celebrations of Semana Santa, or Holy Week (twenty ninth March to fifth April 2026), native occasions embrace the end-of-month Palma Worldwide Boat Present and regional foodie occasions in Andratx and Alcudia. Close by mountaineering is tempting as a result of wildflowers alongside the extra rural trails.
Make it occur: Mallorca airport is one in every of Spain’s most important and busiest, a testomony to it being one of many best islands to visit in Europe for a metropolis break. Due to this fact, you’ll discover loads of flight choices from regional UK and EU airports and a brand new direct service from New York. A flight-free possibility is accessible by taking the in a single day ferry from Barcelona or Valencia.
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Why visit Mallorca?
Copenhagen, Denmark
With temperatures thawing and the times getting longer, Copenhagen is without doubt one of the greatest European cities to go to in April. Not solely are rain showers a lot much less doubtless, however there are greater than 50 glorious museums in Copenhagen and close by to go to if the rain does come. On a fast weekend metropolis break, you’ll be capable of go to a few these glorious museums – the SMK Artwork Museum is a standout – and discover architectural treasures akin to Christiansborg Palace, one in every of Denmark’s royal residences, and the Kastellet, a well-preserved fortress.
As Copenhagen was named the World Capital of Architecture in 2023 by UNESCO, you’ll even have loads of trendy structure to understand as you cycle across the metropolis. Different highlights embrace the colorful facades lining Nyhavn’s canal and the Tivoli Gardens, an in depth amusement park that opened in 1843, which helped make Copenhagen (alongside LEGOLAND) a family-friendly destination.
After all, one other advantage of visiting earlier than the summer time season is that lodging costs are normally decrease, which may also help in case you’re attempting to go to Copenhagen on a budget. Provided that the prices of travelling in Scandinavia can shortly drain your pockets, saving some Danish Krone in your lodging is actually welcome.
April highlights: Flowers are a characteristic, with Tivoli Gardens opening for the season at first of April, and Copenhagen’s Sakura Competition (cherry blossoms) takes place on the 18th and nineteenth April 2026.
Make it occur: Copenhagen Airport is effectively linked, with nonstop companies to the US. The journey by prepare from the UK can take near at some point.
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Two days in Copenhagen
The place to go in Europe in April for adventures
In the event you’re crying out to benefit from the return of longer and hotter days, however on a mountaineering, biking or crusing journey fairly than a seashore, these are a few of the greatest locations to go to in Europe in April.
Jurassic Coast, England, UK
Let me introduce you to the area the place I grew up, Dorset’s Jurassic Coast in South West England. This UNESCO-listed stretch of coast continues into East Devon and is arms down one in every of England’s best destinations. Why? Effectively, the clue to what makes this coastal marvel so fascinating is within the title. Filled with geological options, numerous fossils – some relationship again greater than 180 million years – have been discovered right here. Even now, once you stroll alongside the seashore, you may come across one your self.
The Jurassic Coast can also be nice for outdoor adventure holidays in the UK. Whereas April isn’t precisely seashore climate in England, the wildflowers mixed with extra dependable climate make the coastal trails very inviting throughout this era. I’d counsel attempting to keep away from the first week of the UK’s Easter college holidays when it will likely be busy, however early or later within the month, it’s probably the greatest locations to go to in April in Europe; from Could onwards, England’s coastal locations begin to get a lot busier. In the event you’ve bought extra time, proceed additional south to discover a few of the best places to visit in Cornwall earlier than the summer time crowds descend.
Make it occur: One of the best ways to discover the Jurassic Coast is to rent a automotive. Nonetheless, you possibly can hop between the primary sights utilizing public transport. Weymouth would make a good base in case you don’t have a automotive, and it may also be reached by a direct train service from London. In the event you’ve bought extra time, proceed additional south to discover a few of the best places to visit in Cornwall earlier than the summer time crowds descend.
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Dorset’s Jurassic Coast
Albania
It won’t be one of the crucial apparent selections, however in case you ask me, Albania is without doubt one of the greatest locations to go to in Europe in April, particularly if you wish to take pleasure in outside adventures. Whereas the coast is beginning to heat up – daytime temperatures may attain 20°C (68°F) – and summer time crowds are but to descend, the nation’s lovely seashores aren’t the primary motive to go to in April. As an alternative, I’d counsel specializing in inland adventures – or certainly coastal, akin to paragliding excessive above the shoreline – to get your early-spring adrenaline kicks.
Within the towering Accursed Mountains (Albanian Alps), the winter snow ought to have melted primarily by late March, opening up some epic mountaineering trails. The snowmelt additionally helps white-water rafting and kayaking on the Vjosa River. Lake Komani is one other breathtaking spot for a ship trip or rural keep, and the Nationwide Parks of Theth and Valbona present loads of outside actions. Albania’s UNESCO websites – together with the picturesque cities of Gjirokastra and Berat – are prepared and ready for a facet of tradition.
Not solely is Albania probably the greatest locations to go to in April in Europe, however you possibly can proceed the journey to close by Balkan international locations with a road trip to Montenegro or Bosnia & Herzegovina.
April highlights: Whereas Albania has no official faith, Eid al-Fitr and Easter (Catholic and Orthodox) are celebrated in Albania.
Make it occur: Tirana is the primary airport getaway to Albania. Nonetheless, you too can verify the price range flight choices to Tuzla or take into account flying to Corfu (Greece) and taking the quick ferry to southern Albania. Not solely is Albania probably the greatest locations to go to in April in Europe, however you possibly can proceed the journey to close by Balkan international locations with a road trip to Montenegro or Bosnia & Herzegovina.
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Albania in photos
The place to go in Europe in April for Easter
Whereas places near Rome, akin to Vatican Metropolis, might sound the obvious selection for the place to go in Europe in April for Easter, there are various different locations with main seasonal celebrations throughout the continent. Simply do not forget that in some years, Easter sometimes falls in March, so it’s value checking which dates sure celebrations, occasions, and festivals happen in case you’re planning greater than a 12 months forward.
Braga, Portugal
It’s truthful to say that a lot of Portugal is neglected by worldwide guests, with most individuals selecting a weekend in Porto or Lisbon for his or her Portuguese metropolis break. Nonetheless, having lived on this magnificent nation for 5 years, I can inform you that’s a giant mistake. One among Portugal’s greatest locations to go in Europe in April is the northern metropolis of Braga. Not solely is that this college house to one in every of Portugal’s most impressive UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the staircase-heavy Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga, but it surely additionally hosts Portugal’s most important Easter celebrations.
Throughout Semana Santa (Holy Week), which begins on the twenty ninth March 2026, Braga is awash with occasions and festivities, together with the legendary Lent procession, pilgrimages, and live shows in spiritual areas. Chanting echoes by way of the streets, decorations add to the medieval metropolis’s attraction, and the night candle and torch-lit procession – led by the standard donkey, no much less – is especially spectacular. Past, there are sufficient museums and points of interest to maintain you busy for a weekend a minimum of – the palatial Biscainhos Museum is an effective place to begin –, and it’s an excellent introduction to the tradition of North Portugal past Porto and the Douro
April highlights: Alongside Semana Santa celebrations, April twenty fifth is Portugal’s Freedom Day, when parades and occasions are held in honour of the army coup that restored democracy to the nation.
Make it occur: Porto is the closest airport to Braga, which is served by quick and long-haul flights, whereas Lisbon can also be a good decide because the prepare connection takes only a few hours. You might additionally sail into Northern Spain with Brittany Ferries to journey flight-free from the UK. In that case, sail together with your automotive and make it right into a two-country highway journey, stopping at San Sebastian and Oviedo en route.
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Portugal travel guide
Seville, Spain
In relation to celebrating Easter in Europe, a weekend in Seville actually strives for the highest spot. This alone makes the capital of southern Spain’s Andalucia area probably the greatest locations to go to in April in Europe. The Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations in Seville run for the whole Easter week, and the streets are taken over by processions elevating statues of Virgins in direction of the heavens. Numerous clocked figures will solemnly go by the crowd-lined streets. I discover the night processions maybe essentially the most charming, even whether it is in a haunting means.
With all of the totally different Brotherhoods internet hosting their very own procession and an Andalusian spin as a result of saetas – a kind of flamenco-style spiritual tune hailing from the area – nowhere else in Spain can examine to Easter. Nonetheless, Valladolid additional north, has a equally revered occasion, if barely extra solemn. Past the April celebrations, Seville nonetheless serves up all of its famed points of interest. Take pleasure in a flamenco present, go to the Alcázar of Seville – a patio-heavy fortress-turned-palace – and climb to the highest of the towering cathedral for far-reaching cityscapes.
Make it occur: Seville’s airport doesn’t have the widest selection of flights, so in case you’re struggling to search out connections, you can additionally verify Faro (Portugal) after which arrive by bus or Madrid (particularly for inter-continental connections) and take the high-speed rail to the town. Semana Santa is one in every of Spain’s most important occasions, so that you’ll need to e-book your resort and pre-book tickets to the city’s major attractions effectively upfront.
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Two days in Seville
Alghero, Sardinia
Sardinia is house to a few of the most underrated cities in Europe, particularly since Italy’s attractive Mediterranean Island is greatest recognized for its seashores and dear resorts. However away from the costly Costa Smeralda, you possibly can nonetheless discover loads of extra reasonably priced getaways. As with the remainder of Italy, la Pasqua, or Easter, is a giant deal, making the nation one in every of Europe’s greatest April locations. In Sardinia, the seaside metropolis of Alghero, which was traditionally Catalan, is the place to be. Mixing Italian and Catalan celebrations, the week main as much as Easter options torch-lit parades, statue-carrying processions, and conventional people costumes on show. Inland, mural-heavy Orgosolo additionally has some healthful celebrations.
Easter apart, Sardinia is pleasant in spring. Daytime temperatures in April can attain round 18°C (65°F) with loads of sunny days. Whereas it won’t be the very best season for seashores and all-day swimming periods, the climate is ideal for exploring the backstreets of the most important cities, akin to cultural Sassari and capital Cagliari, or having fun with hinterland mountaineering trails and Nuragic archaeological sites.
April highlights: Except for Easter, there are a number of different occasions in Sardinia, together with the Nuoro Nougat Competition and Sardinia’s Nationwide Day on April twenty eighth.
Make it occur: Alghero has a world airport, so that you won’t have to fly to Cagliari. Once I visited, I took the ferry from Genoa to Porto Torres, however you too can take French ferries for another, flight-free connection.
Uncover extra of the very best locations to go to in Europe by season and month:
April is a superb time to go to Europe. The climate is warming, exterior actions are returning, and costs are nonetheless pretty cheap. Nonetheless, attempt to keep away from the Easter college holidays (dates fluctuate) if you wish to snag the very best bargains.
In the event you’re searching for the warmest place in Europe in April, it’s best to head south. A few of Europe’s greatest locations to go to in April are Cyprus, Malta, the Canary Islands and southern Spain and Portugal.
The very best nation to go to in April relies on what you’re searching for. If you would like seashores, head to Cyprus, Malta or Spain’s islands. The very best European cities to go to in April embrace Palma de Mallorca for a city-cum-island break, Seville and Braga for Easter celebrations, and Copenhagen for a pre-peak season museum metropolis break.
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