April is weird. Honestly, it’s one of those months where you could be skiing in the morning and getting a sunburn by lunchtime depending on where you land. If you’re planning a holiday in April, you’ve probably realized that the "best of" lists are often just a regurgitation of the same five places. But there’s a nuance to April travel that most people totally miss because they’re too focused on Spring Break crowds or the tail end of ski season.
It's the ultimate shoulder season.
Most people think of April as just a bridge to summer, but if you play your cards right, you’re hitting that sweet spot where prices are plummeting in the Caribbean while the Mediterranean is finally starting to wake up. You want the truth? April is arguably the smartest time to travel if you hate crowds but love a bargain. You just have to know which hemisphere is actually cooperating.
The Mediterranean Gamble: Is it Actually Warm?
Let's be real for a second. If you head to the Amalfi Coast or the Greek Islands for a holiday in April, you aren't going to be swimming. Not unless you have a heart of ice or a very thick wetsuit. The water temperature in the Med during April usually hovers around 16°C (60°F). That is brisk.
But here’s why you should go anyway.
Places like Crete or Sicily are stunning this time of year because the wildflowers are absolutely exploding. You’ve got the ruins in Agrigento or the Palace of Knossos without the soul-crushing heat of July or the cruise ship swarms that turn narrow streets into human traffic jams. You can actually breathe. You can get a table at that trattoria without a reservation three weeks in advance.
The weather is usually a comfortable 18°C to 20°C (64-68°F). Perfect for hiking. Terrible for bikinis. If your goal is a tan, head further south. If your goal is to actually see Italy or Greece without losing your mind, April is your window.
Finding Real Sun: The Canary Islands and North Africa
If you’re desperate for a tan during your holiday in April, you need to look at the "Islands of Eternal Spring." The Canary Islands—specifically Tenerife and Lanzarote—are far enough south that they’re basically immune to the European "April showers" trope.
Tenerife is a classic choice. You’ve got Mount Teide looming over everything, and the southern part of the island is consistently dry. It’s a literal desert landscape down there. Meanwhile, Marrakech is hitting its absolute peak. By May, Morocco starts to feel like an oven, but April? It’s basically perfect. You’re looking at highs of 24°C (75°F).
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I’ve spent time in the Marrakech medina during August, and it’s a nightmare of heat and dust. In April, the gardens—like the Jardin Majorelle—are actually lush. The Atlas Mountains still have snow on the peaks, providing this wild visual contrast against the red city walls. It’s one of the few places where the "exotic" travel brochure actually matches the reality on the ground.
Japan and the Cherry Blossom Chaos
We have to talk about the pink elephant in the room: Sakura.
A holiday in April in Japan is the dream for many, but it’s also a logistical gauntlet. The cherry blossoms usually peak in Tokyo and Kyoto during the first week of April. It is beautiful. It is also incredibly expensive. Hotel prices in Kyoto can triple during the peak bloom.
If you want the experience without the $500-a-night "basic" hotel room, head north. The "bloom line" moves up the country. While everyone is fighting for a spot in Ueno Park, you could be heading to Tohoku or eventually Hokkaido later in the month.
Specifics matter here. According to the Japan Meteorological Corporation’s annual forecasts, the timing can shift by a week based on how warm the winter was. If you book for April 15th thinking you’ll see blossoms in Tokyo, you might just see green leaves. You have to be mobile. Get a JR Pass (even with the 2023 price hike, it’s often worth it for the flexibility) and follow the pink.
The US Southwest: The Brief Window Before the Burn
Utah and Arizona are world-class in April.
If you try to hike Zion or Arches in July, you’re dealing with 100-degree heat and "shuttle fatigue" from the thousands of other tourists. In April, the desert is alive. The cacti are blooming, and the temperatures are in the low 70s.
Moab is a particular standout. It’s the sweet spot for mountain biking and hiking. You’ve got Canyonlands and Arches right there. Just be aware of "Jeep Safari" week—usually held around Easter—where thousands of off-roaders descend on the town. If you aren't there for the engines, check the dates and avoid that specific week like the plague.
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Don't Get Fooled by "Low Season" in Southeast Asia
Thailand and Vietnam are interesting for a holiday in April. In Thailand, it’s the hottest month of the year. We’re talking 35°C+ (95°F+) with humidity that makes you feel like you’re breathing through a wet towel.
But then there's Songkran.
The Thai New Year (mid-April) is essentially a country-wide water fight. It is pure, unadulterated chaos in the best way possible. If you don’t mind getting soaked by a bucket of ice water while walking to lunch, it’s a bucket-list experience. If you want a quiet, relaxing beach trip, April in Bangkok or Chiang Mai might be your version of hell.
Vietnam is a safer bet for weather variety. The north is warming up, the center is dry and sunny, and the south is hot but hasn't quite hit the monsoon rains yet. It’s one of the few months where you can feasibly travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City and have decent weather the whole way through.
The Reality of Easter Travel
Let’s talk money.
If your holiday in April overlaps with Easter Sunday, you are going to pay a premium. It doesn't matter if you're going to Disneyland or a remote village in the Alps. Schools are out, and families are moving.
Crucially, in many parts of Europe (Spain, Italy, Poland), Easter is a massive religious event. In Seville, Semana Santa (Holy Week) is a spectacle of processions and tradition. It’s incredible to witness, but you need to book accommodation six months in advance. Literally.
If you want to save money, fly on Easter Sunday itself. Most people want to be at their destination by then. The airports are surprisingly quiet, and the fares often take a sharp dip for that 24-hour window.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Caribbean in April
The common wisdom is that you stop going to the Caribbean after March because of "hurricane season."
That's just wrong.
Hurricane season doesn't officially start until June, and it doesn't really get going until August. April in the Caribbean is actually spectacular. The "Winter Texans" and snowbirds from New York have mostly cleared out, but the weather is still dry and hasn't hit that oppressive summer humidity yet.
St. Lucia, Antigua, and the Grenadines are all gold mines in April. You’ll find that luxury resorts often drop their rates by 20-30% the moment April 1st hits. It’s the best time to snag a high-end villa for a price that doesn't feel like a down payment on a house.
Actionable Steps for Your April Trip
Don't just pick a spot on a map. April requires a bit more tactical planning than a summer holiday.
- Check the lunar calendar: Easter moves every year. If you want cheap, aim for the weeks after the Easter break. The "lull" between Easter and the May bank holidays is the ultimate sweet spot for flight deals.
- Layer like a pro: If you’re heading to Europe or the US High Desert, you need a wardrobe that handles 5°C at night and 22°C at noon. Think merino wool and light windbreakers, not heavy parkas.
- Book Japan "Hedge" Accommodations: If you're chasing cherry blossoms, book refundable hotels in two different cities (e.g., Nagoya and Sendai) so you can pivot based on the bloom forecast two weeks out.
- Watch for "Shoulder" Closures: In some Alpine regions, April is when ski resorts shut down but hiking trails aren't quite ready because of the mud. Check if the cable cars are actually running before you book that remote mountain hut.
- Target South Africa: It’s autumn there. The Kruger National Park is drying out, which means animals congregate around water holes, making them way easier to spot. Plus, it's not boiling hot.
April is for the traveler who likes a bit of variety and a lot of value. Whether you’re getting splashed in the streets of Bangkok or watching the mist roll off the Scottish Highlands (bring a raincoat), it’s a month that rewards the flexible. Skip the obvious traps, time your flights around the holiday rush, and you'll see why seasoned travelers prefer this month over the July madness.
The biggest mistake is waiting. By the time May rolls around, the crowds have woken up and the prices have already started their steady climb toward the summer peak. April is your chance to get there first.