The 14 best places to visit in April 2025

Average April temp: 11C/52F

Summer does exist in Vancouver, but it’s nothing to write home about (and if you take too long getting ready, you’ll usually miss the momentary sun anyway). A trip to Vancouver is best spent feeling cosy; my best memories from my own visit are braving a cold walk over the Suspension Bridge and warming up over a bowl of udon at one of its many excellent Japanese restaurants. Plus, you’re just a 1.5 hour coach journey from Whistler, one of the world’s best skiing spots and the largest in North America.

Why go now? April is cherry blossom season, so head to the Queen Elizabeth Park or the Botanical Garden to witness this lovely city in bloom.

🏔️ Discover the best things to do in Vancouver

Average April temp: 14C/57F

France has some gorgeous scenery, but as cities go, Grenoble takes the crown for the best backdrop. It’s nestled in the Alps with the river Isère meandering through its centre, but on top of lovely mountain views, it’s got rich history, pretty architecture, and in my opinion, there’s no better time than April to pay the city a visit. The weather’s nice and balmy meaning you can experience Grenoble’s great outdoors: rent a bike and ride through the city, take the cable car to the top of Bastille for some jaw-dropping views, and even take a short trip to one of the many nearby ski stations to catch the end of the season. But don’t panic, if you’re like me and prefer to stay at sea level, you’ve got options – canoe down the winding river Isère or travel back in time as you cross the footbridge into the Italian-inspired Saint-Laurent neighbourhood.

Why go now? In April, over two weeks, the Festival of Détours de Babel will be curating a whole host of shows devoted to contemporary music and jazz.

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Average April temp: 30C/86F

Otherworldly limestone cliff bays, paradise-like beaches, national parks full of elephants, tigers, bears, and magnetic metropolitan hubs? Thailand’s got it all, but April is a particularly good time to enjoy the slower side of life on the coast when temperatures teeter at around 30C. Sunset, Maenam, Laem Haas and Railay are some of Thailand’s best beaches, and you can stretch out and sunbathe, get stuck into snorkelling, or head to one of the many, many, sparkling beachfront parties. 

Why go now? Songkran Festival, also known as Thai New Year, will take place April 13-15, 2025. You can expect enormous spreads of food, celebrations and even water fights. Yes, you read that correctly. 

🌴 Discover the best things to do in Thailand 

Average April temp: 29C/84F

Sun worshippers, get your buns to Costa Rica. April is the hottest month of the year here, with temperatures hovering in the 30s (centigrade), and there isn’t much in the way of rain to break the cycle. That makes it the perfect time to explore the beaches before finding shade in the enchanting old towns, before the onset of wetter weather in May and June. Don’t forget the sun cream, whatever you do.

Why go now? Semana Santa (the run-up to Easter) will be taking place from April 13-19, 2025. It’s one of the busiest times to be in Costa Rica, but you can expect to be spoiled with celebrations and beach gatherings.

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Average April temp: 10C/50F

April is the perfect middle-ground month for visiting Lake Tahoe. Fewer visitors, longer days, the same old beauty. What’s not to like? Lake Tahoe is peeking out of its burrow once spring comes around, and there is something truly magical about being one of the first on the scene. A decent amount of snow remains, so skiing is still an option, although rising temperatures allow for charming walks and all the rest.

Why go now? The earth deserves some celebration, right? April is Earth Month and at Lake Tahoe there’ll be a festival (of education and entertainment) which delves into how to keep the lake looking its best. 

🌲 Discover the best things to do in South Lake Tahoe

Average April temp: 11C/52F

Yes, April is easily the most popular time to visit Japan – but there’s a very, very good reason for that. Cherry blossom – or sakura, in Japanese – sweeps up the country from mid-March all the way through to May, cloaking the nation in a dusting of ridiculously pretty pink ‘n’ white petals. The season kicks off in the warmer south (Fukuoka, Kyushu and the like), before working its way north through Kansai, Kanto, Tohoku and finally Hokkaido. Hunting the blossom northwards is a great way to see the length of Japan – and now the country is finally fully reopened, there’s nothing to stop you!

Why go now? If you’re around on April 13-17, Yayoi Matsuri Festival (a 1,200 year-old celebration of the welcoming of spring) will be taking place in Nikki.

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Average April temp: 26C/79F

Belize may not have much landmass, but what it lacks in quantity, it more than makes up for in quality. It has its very own barrier reef (second only in size to Australia’s more famous one), which is where you’ll find the iconic Great Blue Hole. Inland await ancient Mayan ruins, and it is all pleasantly balmy in April.

Why go now? April is about the time of year that whale sharks arrive in Belize, so if you’re brave enough to take the plunge with some (with a trained guide nearby, obvs), now’s your chance. 

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Average April temp: 13C/55F

Ah, Porto. Land of steep hills, the beautifully tiled Sao Bento station, and a city centre packed to the rafters with quaint and colourful houses (which are Unesco protected). But what is the city most known for? Port, of course! And April is the time to pay a visit to where all that glorious stuff is produced. Head to Porto for a weekend and make sure to book a trip into the absolutely dazzling Douro Valley to learn all about how the ruby, tawny and white ports are made. And if the sun comes out while you’re back in town, grab a port-tonic from one of the many, many roof terrace bars. 

Why go now? Portugal’s national holiday Dia da Liberdade will take place on April 25, and Porto will likely be dotted with music and photography exhibitions, as well as a parade from Rua do Heroísmo to Avenida dos Aliados.

🍷 Discover the best things to do in Porto

Average April temp: 16C/60F

The ‘undiscovered’ tag attached to the Balkans is a misnomer (the summer crowds in Sarajevo, Belgrade, and the rest are proof of that), but North Macedonia remains bizarrely off the radar of most travellers. Head here in April to find your new favourite place, from the consul architecture of Bitola to the mountain beauty and monuments of Kruševo, via shimmering Lake Ohrid, kitschy capital Skopje and more. The mosque in Tetovo might be the most beautiful in the entire region. 

Why go? Dance Fest Skopje will be taking place in April as part of North Macedonia’s ‘month of dance’. Time to throw some shapes.

Average April temp: 26C/79F

Hawaii enjoys beautiful weather and comfortable temperatures year-round, with temperatures reliably staying above 26C/79F and below 31C/88F. April, however, is a particularly pleasant time to visit, slipping in between the spring and summer vacation seasons. The entire Hawaiian archipelago comprises over 100 islands, and the top draws include Maui, Oahu and Kauai.

Why go now? Calling all chocoholics: now is the time to be in Hawaii. Why? Well, because the Big Island Chocolate Festival will be taking place from April 10-12 to support local producers.

🌺 Discover the best things to do in Hawaii

Average April temp: 5C/41F

This ridiculously stylish Swedish city, spread across numerous islands linked by over 50 bridges, is a delight to visit in April: temperatures are still chilly (7C/44F, so dress warmly), but days are often bright and sunny, and by the end of the month have doubled in length (8 hours of light) compared to the start of March. Other than the views of the city itself, top attractions include the Nobel Museum and Storkyrkan Cathedral, a 13th-century masterpiece.

Why go now? Skansen Flea Market takes place every Sunday in April at the historic dancefloor in Galejan (a famous fairground), so make sure you leave some room in your suitcase. 

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Average April temp: 12C/54F

Venice, Venice, Venice. What else is there to say about arguably Europe’s most popular tourist destination? The famous city can get a little claustrophobic in summer, but spring is a surprisingly accessible time for this place. Sure, there are still plenty of people, but the air is a little thinner and the streets a little quieter, making it easier to find a way under the skin of Venice and into its poetic soul. Prices are a little lower too, which is never bad here.

Why go now? On April 6, Su e Zo per i Ponti di Venezia, an annual walk that takes place ‘up and down the bridges’ tends to attract a crowd of around 10,000 people who go for a stroll to champion friendship and solidarity.

🛶 Discover the best things to do in Venice

Average April temp: 17C/63F

Spain encompasses a vast region and topography, so the April climate will depend on where you go, but generally speaking, coastal areas – which include the Catalonian capital of Barcelona – are balmy, enjoying temperatures of around 20C/68F (brave travellers can enjoy sea-swimming). Further south, the beautiful Andalusia region is even warmer, though still comfortable enough to explore on foot its pretty villages, like Frigiliana, before the stifling heat of summer arrives.

Why go now? La Feria de Abril is a proper, authentic, Spanish celebration. Head to Seville, where the temperatures will already be reaching 27C, and prepare for some bullfighting, flamenco dancing, paseo de caballos (decorated horses), and food.

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Average April temp: 13C/56F

While Japan’s cherry blossom season seems to grab most of the world’s attention, Washington D.C. has a pretty good one too, which typically spans late March into early April. The best place to see it is the Tidal Basin, where over 3,000 trees transform into radiant blooms. The weather can be slightly unpredictable at this time of year, swinging between cold rainy days and warm sunny ones, so keep an eye on the forecast before you jet off.

Why go now? Can you smell something a bit funky? If you happen to be in DC on April 19-20, it could well be the National Cannabis Festival, an annual celebration of the end of prohibition.

🏙️ Discover the best things to do in Washington D.C.