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Best April holiday destinations
Spring has arrived, bringing sunshine and flowers to much of Europe in April, as well as a chance for adventures and wildlife-spotting further afield.
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Madeira, Portugal
Madeira’s gentle climate means it’s rarely too hot or too cold, but April is a lovely month to visit the island with its spring flowers in bloom. Discover some of the plants which flourish in Madeira’s subtropical weather at the Botanical Gardens in Funchal, as well as Monte Palace Tropical Garden. It’s also a great month to explore the island’s levadas, former irrigation channels turned walking routes, with routes passing ancient forest and leading to spectacular viewpoints.
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Crete, Greece
The largest of the Greek Islands is packed with sights, from ancient palaces to Venetian lighthouses, beaches galore and dramatic mountains – you can even see the birthplace of Zeus, among other tempting highlights of Crete. And April is a perfect month to go, with the sun shining, temperatures warm enough to explore the historic sites but not too hot, plus with Orthodox Easter often falling during April, you could experience the island’s celebrations during your visit.
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Malta
This Mediterranean island may be small but you won’t be short of things to do and see on Malta, from temples older than the pyramids to the golden mansions once inhabited by Crusader Knights in Valletta. Discover some of its long history in the former medieval capital of Mdina and the prehistoric site at Hagar Qim, or combine sightseeing with a chance to cook traditional Maltese dishes and sip local wine, all in April’s pleasant 20C sun.
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Turkey
If you can’t decide whether you want history, city sights or wonderful scenery on your holiday, Turkey has it all and April is the perfect month to discover it on a tour of the country. Explore Istanbul’s enticing old districts and Topkapı Palace before the searing heat of summer, walk the ancient streets of Ephesus and the site of Troy, tour Greek theatres and a Roman spa, and visit poignant First World War battlefields at Gallipoli.
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Sicily, Italy
Known for its history, its scenery and its mouth-wateringly delicious food, April is one of the best times of year to visit Sicily with warm weather and plenty of sunshine ahead of the worst of the summer heat. Visit Greek temples, the gleaming limestone palaces of Syracuse and wander through the winding lanes of Taormina as you explore this jewel of the Mediterranean. Then relax by the waves with a glass of Etna wine or venture to the base of the volcano itself.
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Douro Valley, Portugal
April is an ideal time to visit Portugal, with long sunny days even in the north of the country, making it the perfect time for a cruise through the vineyards of the Douro Valley. Start with a few days in Porto to learn more about its famous port wines and discover the winding streets and intricately tiled station before setting off to explore Roman ruins, pretty medieval villages and the area’s UNESCO-listed wine terraces, where wine has been made for 2,000 years.
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Egypt
Avoid the searing summer temperatures and the crowds of the winter peak months with a visit to Egypt or a Nile cruise in April. Board a classic cruise ship or sail on a traditional dahabiya boat and explore the country’s ancient sites and cities as you journey through Egyptian history from ancient Alexandria, home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the equally iconic Pyramids of Giza to the Valley of the Kings in Luxor.
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Morocco
From the endless dunes of the Sahara to the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas mountains, the palm-lined valleys to the twisting labyrinthine alleys of the medinas in the historic cities, not to mention Roman remains and a palace that once rivalled Versailles, Morocco is eternally alluring. And there are few better months to appreciate it all than April, when flowers bloom in the foothills, and when there’s glorious sunshine without the punishing heat of summer.
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Jordan
To avoid the intense heat of summer, this is the ideal time to travel to Jordan, where you’ll go on an extraordinary historical journey. A destination full of ancient wonder, epic desert landscapes, and welcoming people, you can also enjoy the native wildflowers that leave a blanket of extraordinary colours across the country in April, along with iconic sites such as rose red Petra, the Dead Sea, Roman Jerash and biblical history at Mount Nebo.
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Japan
Japan is deservedly famous for its cherry blossom, and the clouds of pink petals begin to decorate city streets, parks and temple gardens this month so join the locals and picnic beneath the branches of a blossom tree. The weather is also perfect for sightseeing in Tokyo and Kyoto, and venturing further south to Fukuoka. Discover picturesque towns, an 8th century temple, take part in a traditional tea ceremony and lose yourself in Japan’s ancient heritage.
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Borneo
The dry season is underway in Borneo but the biggest crowds have yet to arrive, so it’s a great time to visit key attractions like the orang-utan rehabilitation centre in Sepilok as well as enjoying lush rainforest after the rains. There’s more than wildlife to discover here, with Jungle Book landscapes and silky white beaches and coral reefs on the coast, although it’s a perfect month to see Kinabalu National Park and proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants by the Kinabatangan River too.
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Namibia
Starkly beautiful deserts, deep-red sand dunes, lively safari plains and eerie coastlines lend a mysterious, almost fairytale-like aspect to Namibia. And April is one of the best times to discover this remarkable country, with the rainy season coming to an end but lush green landscapes to enjoy. Nights tend to be cool but days are enjoyably sunny for cruising along the coast, venturing into the desert, or seeing the animals in national parks such as Etosha.
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Costa Rica
The natural treasures of Costa Rica are what set this small country apart, and with the final weeks of the dry season, April is a fantastic month to see the bottle-green rainforests and cloud forests shrouded in mist, brooding volcanoes watching over hot springs and pineapple plantations. One of the most bio-diverse countries in the world, there’s an almost endless variety of wildlife including at Manuel Antonio and Tortuguero National Parks, or the jewel-bright quetzals at San Gerardo de Dota.
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