Where to Travel in April

In many parts of Europe, April is the sweet spot. The weather is mild and Easter brings parades, regattas and charming cultural quirks all over the continent, while the Middle East and North Africa offer some enticing options for a more adventurous break. For guaranteed sunshine, the beaches of Mauritius and the Seychelles are basking in 30ºC heat. Whether it’s a quick trip or a holiday of a lifetime, here’s where to travel in April.

Linger over springtime Paris

The Eiffel Tower, Paris (Photo: Getty Images)

Paris is a delight in April: the Champ de Mars park is festooned with cherry blossom, the Eiffel Tower pierces blue skies, and it’s just warm enough to sip chocolat chaud in the spring sunshine. Now is the perfect time to savour France’s capital: to stroll the streets of Montmartre, pore over masterpieces in the Louvre, order crêpes in a Seine-view café, and grab that perfect photo of the Notre Dame cathedral. Even if you’ve visited before, the city always has something new to discover – whether it’s fabulous fashions, literary legends, or April’s lively Paris Marathon.

Follow the sun to Mauritius

Mauritius (Photo: Getty Images)

Farewell, rainy season: early April brings a lower chance of showers in Mauritius, though the days are still long and hot (22–30ºC). With its dazzling white sands and secluded bays, the coast is ideal for a beach holiday in April, but there are myriad inland treasures too: don’t miss its patchwork of tea plantations, the peaks and waterfalls of Black River Gorges National Park, or the maritime museums and history of Port Louis. The JW Marriott Mauritius Resort puts you within easy reach of it all, with a luxurious array of suites and villas right on the beach.

Celebrate Easter in Greece

Greece is glorious in every season, but spring is particularly special. The weather is warm (around 20ºC in Athens), the sights are quiet, and the Easter celebrations bring a riot of colour, music and incredible food. Each region has its own customs: in Santorini, Pyrgos Castle is lit by thousands of lanterns on Good Friday; while on Corfu, locals throw botides (clay jars) from their balconies on Holy Saturday. Celebrations on Patmos feature a flame brought especially from Jerusalem – the Holy Fire – while Crete gathers on Easter Sunday for feasts of roasted lamb. Wherever you venture, it will be a spectacular trip.

Join the parade in Seville

Plaza de España, Seville (Photo: Getty Images)

Spain, too, goes all-out for Easter, paying homage to Semana Santa – Holy Week – with elaborate parades in even the smallest of towns. Sevilla’s processions are among the most impressive, featuring religious icons atop huge gilded platforms, which are carried on the shoulders of marching costaleros (they’re so heavy, it can take a hundred men to lift each one). To the beat of a sombre drum, the crowds move through the streets every day – and night – of Semana Santa, dressed in hooded robes and mourning veils. As the week progresses, the mood lightens and the city takes on a celebratory air, with the most joyous and lively parades on Easter Sunday. For front-row views and magnificent lodgings, stay at Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seville; it was commissioned in the 1920s by the king of Spain, to host visiting dignitaries and royals.

Take a hike in Morocco

Before Morocco’s summer heatwave begins, April is a magical month to explore the frenetic city of Marrakesh, or wander through Fes as the call to prayer cloaks the medina. Or, for a more rural getaway, the Atlas Mountains are at their most beautiful, with blooming spring flowers and vibrant blue skies: ideal for hiking, biking, and touring the remote Berber villages. The coast, too, is sunny and clear (15–30ºC), which is perfect for visiting Rabat, Essaouira and Casablanca – either as a relaxing beach break, or as part of a cross-country adventure.

Hit the beach in the Seychelles

For guaranteed sunshine and gorgeous beaches, where to travel in April? You can’t go wrong with the Seychelles, whose soft sands and turquoise coves bask in temperatures of 25–30ºC this month. Happily, the trade winds have subsided, leaving peaceful seas and ideal sunbathing conditions, while the occasional tropical shower keeps things feeling refreshed. For scuba divers and snorkellers, the underwater visibility is excellent – and the calm weather makes boat trips a joy. For the ultimate escape, North Island, a Luxury Collection Resort, Seychelles has just 11 ocean-view villas, tucked between swaying palm trees and fine-dining restaurants. It sits on a beach-fringed private island, which is accessible only by helicopter.

Safari and swim in Victoria Falls

The Victoria Falls (Photo: Getty Images)

To see Victoria Falls in peak flow is to witness nature at its most powerful, as 625 million litres of water cascade over the cliff edge every minute with a roar that you’ll never forget. April is the best time to visit, as the falls are at their fullest, fed by months of rain in the upper reaches of the Zambezi River. Known as Mosi-oa-tunya (‘the smoke that thunders’) in the local Kololo and Lozi languages, the falls sit on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, near the wildlife-rich Chobe, Hwange and Zambezi national parks. You can hike around the falls, swim in the Devil’s Pool – a natural infinity pool – or admire them from above (and spot elephants, giraffes and more) on microlight flights. Protea Hotel Livingstone is the perfect base, just a few minutes’ drive from the falls and the Livingstone Museum, with rooms overlooking its lush landscaped gardens.

Visit Munich’s spring beer fest

In April, Munich celebrates Frühlingsfest, also known as Springfest. It’s smaller than the October shenanigans, taking place across just two tents (rather than Oktoberfest’s seventeen or more) and a large beer garden, but still has all the free-flowing beer and sizzling bratwurst you could wish for. It usually runs from mid-April until May, and is free to enter: simply follow the sound of the oompah bands and clinking steins to the Wiesn fairground, and you’ll find the party in full swing. April is also a great time of year to explore the city, with its magnificent ​​Munich Residenz museum, beautiful English Garden, and the Gothic grandeur of Marienplatz.

Discover Doha’s many treasures

Doha, Qatar (Photo: Getty Images)

For a city break with a difference, look to Doha: the futuristic, glamorous capital of Qatar. It’s full of stunning skyscrapers and five-star restaurants – yet the Souq Waqif historic quarter reveals a glimpse of ancient Arabia, too. In West Bay, at the top of the Corniche waterfront, the Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel is best placed for sightseeing, and has a beautiful white-sand beach to relax on. While you’re in Doha, don’t miss the strikingly modern Museum of Islamic Art: designed by I.M. Pei, this is a world-leading cultural institution, full of exquisite art and ceramics.

Published: July 26, 2022

Last Updated: March 27, 2024