written by Joanne Owen
updated 16.01.2023
Planning ahead and wondering about the best places to visit in April? Our run-down of exactly that will help you find your perfect spring break.
Whether you’re seeking a far-flung trip of a lifetime, adventures closer-to-home, or a chilled-out break in the country, we've got you covered. For more inspiration, read our guide to the best travel destinations in 2023. And wherever you decide is the best place to visit in April, there's almost certainly a Rough Guide to help you plan.
Kanazawa's Kenrokuen Garden is one of the jewels of the city’s dazzling crown. One of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, it’s been casting an enchanting spell for some two hundred years.
Though spectacular all year round, it’s especially magical when cherry blossom season unfurls in late March/early April. In 2023, Kanazawa’s peak bloom week is predicted to run from 30th March—5th April.
Blossoms aside, Kanazawa boasts several incredible historic districts. These include Higashi Chaya District, where old geisha houses sit centre stage.
Nagamachi District is a must-visit for travellers interested in samurai history. Here you can visit the restored residence of one of Kanazawa’s most influential samurais. Namely, Nomura Denbei Nobusada.
Find more places to stay in Kanazawa, Japan.
Cherry blossom in Kanazawa, Japan — one of the best places to visit in April © Shutterstock
Rolling countryside. Bubbling brooks. Impossibly quaint villages of thatched cottages and traditional tearooms. The Cotswolds exude archetypal English charm.
And all the better to visit in spring before peak crowds descend, when the region’s woodlands and gardens are at their most blooming beautiful.
One of the best walks in March and April is the Daffodil Way. This 10-mile circular trail traverses magnificent meadows, orchards and woods.
Love literature? Chipping Norton Literary Festival runs from 27th April 2023.
Meanwhile, if you’re into music, Cheltenham Jazz Festival will have you jiving and bopping from 26th April until 1st May.
.Check out more accommodation in the Cotswolds, England.
Castle Combe, the Cotswolds — one of the best places to visit in April for scenic strolls and festivals © Alxcrs/Shutterstock
Blessed with paradisiacal beaches and lush forests, Bohol island is part of the Visayas — the central island group of the Philippines.
Here, the dry season runs from December to May, with April presenting the lowest chance of rainfall.
As such, Bohol is one of the best places to visit in April for a tropical break that offers beach-chilling, wildlife-watching and hiking.
Talking of which, this is arguably the best time to walk the trails of Bohol’s iconic Chocolate Hills. At this time of year, the 1000+ mounds of this UNESCO World Heritage Site take on their most chocolate-y hue.
As for that unique wildlife, visit the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary to see the world’s smallest primates in a protected forest.
Meanwhile, the marine life around Panglao Island offers out-of-this-world snorkelling and diving experiences.
Browse more places to stay on Bohol Island in the Philippines.
Bohol's Chocolate Hills — one of the best places to visit in April © Shutterstock
Cordoba — Argentina's second city — is undeniably vibrant. This is partly due to its large student population, and also thanks to its old-meets-new architecture and culture.
The city's well-preserved microcentro boasts a bounty of colonial-era churches, monasteries, and municipal buildings. Meanwhile, the Centro Cultural Córdoba adds modern architectural panache.
Beyond the busy capital, the region of Cordoba is ripe for world-class horse-riding adventures. Visit Estancia Los Potreros to enjoy exactly that.
Then, for something very different, head to kitsch Villa General Belgrano. The town was founded in the 1940s by survivors of a Nazi battleship that sank off the coast of Argentina. To this day its streets are lined by Alpine-style buildings. Expect sausages, sauerkraut and strudel to loom large on menus.
As for why Cordoba is one of the best places to visit in April — this is a month of low rainfall, with temperatures averaging in the pleasant mid-20s.
Sounds just about perfect for mixing exploring the city with out-of-town adventuring.
Find more places to stay in Cordoba, Argentina.
Cordoba, Argentina © Shutterstock
Mysterious moors and mountains. Craggy cliffs and castles. Windswept beaches and lochs. Scotland’s Isle of Skye is the perfect place to get back to nature in spring.
First up, April heralds the start of puffin-watching boat trips. It's also a prime time to visit the enchanting Fairy Glen. Think emerald valleys, mini mountains and babbling brooks that seem conjured from a picture book.
For more natural magic, make your way to the Fairy Pools in the south. Not only is this a breathtakingly beautiful site, but it's also one of the best places in Britain for wild swimming.
Love your grub? Skye is celebrated for its shellfish, meats and locally-produced cheeses. Simply amble the island's picturesque capital, Portree, to find plenty of places to eat, drink and make merry. All the merrier if you drink a few drams of locally-crafted Talisker whiskey.
What's more, you voted Skye one of the most beautiful places in Scotland, and our writers decreed it one of the 100 best places on earth.
Find more places to stay on the Isle of Skye, Scotland.
Isle of Skye, Scotland — one of the best places to visit in April © Daniel Kay/Shutterstock
Madagascar — AKA the Great Red Island — is an undeniably majestic destination. Renowned for its astonishing biodiversity, this Indian Ocean island is a bona fide bucket list destination.
Given that this is the start of the dry, cool season that runs until October, Madagascar is one of the best places to visit in April.
To see the island at its most scenic, trek the canyon trail through Isalo National Park. More experienced hikers will want to tackle the Piscine Naturelle Circuit. There's a pretty, palm-fringed pool to cool off in along the way.
Famed for its indri lemurs, spending time in Analamazaotra National Park is essential. In addition, the wider rainforest area hosts the world’s highest concentration of frog species.
If that wasn't enough, it also boasts a significant chameleon population, giant boehmei day geckos, and over 100 species of bird.
You’ll also want to hit the island’s beautiful beaches. The sand is sublime for stretching out on after swimming and snorkelling with turtles.
Discover more places to stay in Madagascar.
If you want to see giant geckos, Madagascar is one of the best places to visit in April © Artush/Shutterstock
Two pillars of quintessentially Dutch culture take place in April, and each is more than enough reason to head to the Netherlands.
Firstly, April marks the last month to enjoy the country’s famed tulip season. Flowers grow in the easily accessible northern regions, where the dull of winter transforms into a vibrant patchwork of rainbow rows.
Secondly, April 27th is King’s Day — Holland’s biggest national event. It also happens to be one of the best free best parties in the world.
Expect concerts, markets, fairs and a sea of orange-clad celebrants flooding Amsterdam’s scenic sidewalks, spilling out onto the boats bobbing on the canals.
Find more places to stay in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
King's Day in Amsterdam, Netherlands © Anton Ermachkov/Shutterstock
April is (generally) the end of the rainy season in Bolivia. During the rains, the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s biggest salt lake, becomes partly submerged.
Flanked by mountains and smouldering volcanoes, May sees its blistering white plains transformed into a shimmering mirror. The reflection of the peaks and sky is so perfect that the horizon disappears. This leaves the mountains looking like islands floating in the sky.
It's a truly unique experience, and one keen photographers won't want to miss.
The lake is also home to strange and tenacious ecosystems that survive around its arid and salty margins. These include colonies of cacti, rabbit-like viscachas, and flamingos that nest here during the rainy season.
Explore more places to stay in Uyuni, Bolivia.
Salar de Uyuni's springtime reflections © Vladimir Mielnik/Shutterstock
Want more spring inspiration? Read up on the best places to visit in spring around the world and the best places to visit in March and the best places to visit in May.
In the market for a UK staycation? Discover the best UK places to visit in spring. Also find more ideas for your spring holiday with our guide to the best places to visit in spring.
And remember, wherever you're thinking of heading, there's sure to be a Rough Guide to enhance every step of your journey from the moment you start planning.
Alternatively, if the thought of planning is holding you back, browse our customisable tailor-made trips.
We may earn commission when you click on links in this article, but this doesn’t influence our editorial standards. We only recommend services we genuinely believe will enhance your travel experiences.
Header image: Sainte Marie island, Madagascar © Shutterstock
written by Joanne Owen
updated 16.01.2023
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