Where to go in April
Full spring in the north, and the month Songkran sets all of Southeast Asia moving.
April is one of the best-looking months in Europe and East Asia: much longer days, blossom, and temperatures that allow walking all day. Southeast Asia, meanwhile, enters the hottest month of its year alongside Songkran. Given the choice, put the trip where spring is arriving and save Southeast Asia for a cooler month.
8 places this month suits
Japan
Blossom peaks in the main cities and moves north through the month. The air is comfortable, but rooms are the hardest to book all year with prices to match.
Japan plansSouth Korea
Spring warms quickly and the cities fill with blossom, with long, walkable days — and noticeably cheaper than Japan in the same weeks.
South Korea plansItaly
The right weather before summer heat, with shorter queues than the month after and the small country towns fully open again.
Italy plansGreece
The islands open their season without being full yet. The sea is still cool for swimming, but this is the best month of the year for walking and for the ancient sites.
Greece plansSpain
The south is warm and dry with days long enough for both the cities and the coast, and prices have not yet reached summer levels.
Spain plansNepal
The main trekking season: good visibility and every route open before the monsoon. It is still cold at altitude, so pack properly.
Nepal plansNetherlands
Flower season with daylight stretching fast; the cities are easy to cycle and outdoor events return after winter.
Netherlands plansPeru
The end of the wet season, when the landscape is greenest and visitor numbers are still below the dry season. High-altitude routes are returning to normal.
Peru plansWhat this month does to a data plan
Songkran packs roads and stations in Thailand for a week, and water is a real risk to a phone. If you will be in it, use a waterproof pouch and get the plan activated before the festival days — setting one up on a wet street is no fun.
What to skip this month
Southeast Asia is in the hottest month of its year; unless the festival is the reason, pick another month. In Japan, the end of April runs into Golden Week, which makes domestic travel very tight.
Where to go in April
How should I prepare for Songkran?+
A waterproof pouch for the phone, rooms booked ahead, and extra travel time — many roads close or crawl all day.
Is April wet in Europe?+
Rain comes in short spells rather than all day, especially in the north and west. A light rain jacket is enough; you rarely have to change the day's plan.
When does Golden Week start?+
Late April into early May — a long holiday when Japan travels at once: bullet-train seats sell out ahead and room rates climb visibly.