March may be the official start to spring, but April’s when things really begin to bloom. From the cherry blossoms in Tokyo to the sun-drenched shores of the Caribbean and Mediterranean seas, our list of the April travel destinations is sure to arouse spring fever.
Spending April in Asia’s best cities
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is awash with bright lights all year, but cherry blossom season in April gives the city a more peaceful color palette.
Perfect for: Neon lights, long nights, and natural sights
Average April Weather: 49 – 66 degrees, 11 days of rainfall
What to do
- Witness the frenzy of an early-morning tuna auction at Tsujuki market
- Cross the famed Shibuya intersection scramble and shop in the nearby Shibuya 109 mall
- Relax among the hundreds of cherry trees at Shinjuku Gyoen park
- Visit the Meiji shrine, a somber Shinto temple built in commemoration of the emperor and empress who opened Japan to the western world
- Sing your heart out at a karaoke bar in Shinjuku, Tokyo’s trendy nightlife district
Taipei, Taiwan
Marked by the influences of mainland China, Japan, and South Korea, Taipei is a synthesis of eastern Asian cultures.
Perfect for: Experiencing the best of Asia all in one place
Average April Weather: 66 – 75 degrees, 15 days of rainfall
What to do
- Snack on a bao while browsing Ximending, a popular shopping district
- Examine thousands of years of Chinese art at the National Gallery
- Stand atop the observation deck at one of world’s tallest buildings, the Taipei 101
- Wander through the historic shops of Dihua Street
- Check out the incredible rock formations shaped by wind and waves at Yehliu Geopark
Manila, Philippines
As the world’s most densely populated urban center, there’s no shortage of attractions in Manila.
Perfect for: Seeing the Philippines beyond its beaches
Average April Weather: 77 – 84 degrees, 3 days of rainfall
What to do
- Eat with your hands at a Kamayan-style dinner, a communal meal served on banana leaf
- Explore Intramuros, the walled city center encompassing Spanish colonial-era landmarks like San Agustin Church and Fort Santiago
- Walk through an underwater tunnel surrounded by over 200 sea creatures at Manila Ocean Park
- Take in the of the city’s busy streets on a jeepney—Manila’s favorite mode of public transportation
- Immerse yourself in Filipino art and anthropology at the National Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of the Filipino People
Warming up to a European vacation
Nicosia, Cyprus
Nicosia bears the influence of the many Mediterranean powers that have ruled Cyprus over the centuries. Ottoman mosques mingle with British and French colonial architecture, and the beaches are never too far away.
Perfect for: Island living and ancient history in the same trip
Average April Weather: 50 – 76 degrees, 4 days of rainfall
What to Do
- Circle the snowflake-shaped Venetian walls that form the outer perimeter of the city’s old quarter
- Browse the extensive collection of Ottoman art and iconography at the Byzantine Museum
- Hang out among the lively crowds of Nissi beach or the natural solitude at Governor’s beach
- Work up a sweat in the Turkish baths of Ömeriye Hamam, which date back to the 14th century
- Spend an afternoon at Machairas Monastery, a hillside 12th century convent
London, England
London might be infamous for its rainy and foggy weather, but things start to dry off in April.
Perfect for: Exploring the crown jewel of the British Empire
Average April Weather: 42 – 58 degrees, 9 days of rainfall
What to do
- Find a spot near the London Bridge to watch the Marathoners race around the River Thames
- Celebrate the dragon-slaying patron saint in Trafalgar Square on St. George’s Day
- Admire classical art at the National Gallery or contemporary works at Tate Modern
- Get an aerial view of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and other landmarks from the London Eye Ferris Wheel
- Catch some top-flight soccer at an English Premiere League match
Belgrade, Serbia
Belgrade’s brutalist architecture might feel austere and off-putting, but the people that walk its boulevards and dance in its nightclubs foster a much more welcoming atmosphere.
Perfect for: Dancing and sightseeing in a resurgent eastern European city
Average April Weather: 47 – 64 degrees, 13 days of rainfall
What to do:
- Marvel at the medieval Kalemegdan Citadel fortifications, where more than 115 battles have been fought
- Dance the night away on a plavovi, a floating raft bar on the Sava River
- Visit Belgrade’s oldest building, the Saint Sava temple
- Learn about the life of one of history’s greatest inventors at the Nikola Tesla museum
- Amble through the restaurants, galleries and cafes in the bohemian Skadarlija neighborhood
Naples, Italy
Naples is the birthplace of pizza. For some, that’s reason enough to visit. Throw in Roman ruins, Renaissance art and a magnificent coastline, and you’ve got the makings of a bellissimo vacation spot.
Perfect for: Gourmands and patrons of the arts
Average April Weather: 47 – 65 degrees, 9 days of rainfall
What to do
- Grab a slice of Neapolitan pizza in the buzzing city center
- Investigate Pompeii, an ancient Roman city frozen in time since Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 C.E
- See works by artists ranging from Michelangelo to Andy Warhol at the National Museum of Capodimonte
- Attend the opera at one of the world’s oldest and most ornate Opera houses, Teatro di San Carlo
- Stroll along the Via Caracciolo, a bayside boardwalk with views of Vesuvius
Coastal Relaxation
Algiers, Algeria
Algiers has been an intriguing North African enclave since its days as a hideout for Barbary pirates. From the streets of its Casbah to the Mediterranean views of its coastal quays, Algiers begs to be seen up close.
Perfect for: Architectural historians and Francophiles
Average April Weather: 48 – 70 degrees, 14 days of rainfall
What to do
- See the elaborate stained glass windows of the Notre Dame D’Afrique basilica
- Rewind time to the early days of Algerian society at the Musée National de Bardo
- Wander the narrow streets and architectural gems of the Casbah
- Inspect the Ottoman rooms that that now serve as the Centre des Arts et de la Culture at the Palais des Raïs
- Lounge amidst 1,200 species of plants in botanical garden at Le Jardin d’Essai du Hamma
Havana, Cuba
Getting to Havana still requires a bit more planning than your average vacation. But with airlines now offering direct flights from the U.S. to Cuba, there’s never been a better time to go.
Perfect for: A look into the Caribbean of the past
Average April Weather: 70 – 84 degrees, 3 days of rainfall
What to do
- Walk among the vintage cars and neoclassical buildings of Old Havana
- Learn about Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, and Cuba’s communist history at the Revolution Museum
- Revel in the music and spontaneous celebrations along El Malecón
- Test your cigar rolling skills at the Romeo y Julieta factory
- Shop for art, clothing, jewelry and other souvenirs at Almacenes San José craft market
St. George’s, Grenada
Life on “the spice island” is anything but bland. From the red-tiled roofs to clear blue waters, St. George’s is a feast for the eyes.
Perfect for: Sampling the flavors of island life
Average April Weather: 80 – 86 degrees, 7 days of rainfall
What to do
- Browse the local crafts at St. George’s Market Square, open on Saturday mornings
- Climb up Fort George for magnificent views of the harbor
- Dive off the ten-meter cliff at Annandale Falls just a short drive from downtown
- Sunbathe, snorkel, and kayak along the three kilometers of Grand Anse Beach
Smell fresh nutmeg, vanilla, and cinnamon at the Dougaldston Spice Estate, a working plantation where visitors can learn about Grenada’s spice trade
