Blooming flowers, longer days, and light breezes: spring is a wonderful time of year to travel. And, with winter fast approaching, many of us will be thinking about booking our next escape.
So, if you want to experience everything a place can offer, without the summer price tags and huge crowds, here are eight of the best travel destinations for spring.
1. Portugal
With its fantastic cuisine and beautiful beaches, Portugal is a popular holiday destination – and it’s particularly lovely in spring.
Nature lovers will love the Portuguese island of Madeira. Nicknamed the Floating Garden thanks to the blanket covering of forests and flowers, blossom starts appearing in spring and temperatures remain pleasantly warm. In the capital, Funchal, the locals have created a beautiful botanical garden with a range of particularly impressive blooms. It’s the ideal place for a tranquil wander.
Madeira is actually closer to Morocco than mainland Portugal, which is reflected in its warm climate – and the island isn’t short on beaches where you can make the most of it. However, many are pebbly, so if you’d prefer a sandy stretch, Ribeira Brava or Calheta’s man-made beach are some of the best options.
Portugal is also a top holiday choice for golfers, as it offers some of the best golf courses in the world. In spring,the greens are often quieter and, with many of the best courses located in Portugal’s Algarve region, you can stretch your legs with a round or two when you’re not kicking back on the beach. Alternatively, get your walking boots on and explore some of the Algarve’s fantastic hiking routes, which take you along rugged coastline and picturesque countryside.
2. Cape Verde
Located off the west coast of Africa, the archipelago of Cape Verde is made up of 10 islands. Dubbed the ‘African Caribbean’ due to its tropical climate, Cape Verde’s turquoise waters and golden sands are the ideal place to get a taste of island life without a lengthy flight. In fact, flights to the islands of Sal and Boa Vista take around six hours from London.
Temperatures consistently hover between 24℃ and 30℃ year-round in Cape Verde; and, in spring, you’ll be clear of the wet season, which runs from July to September. Plus, similar to the Canary Islands, the heat rarely feels too intense, due to the island’s refreshing breeze.
Even better, Cape Verde is yet to experience mass tourism, so you can look forward to tranquil days on the beach with your own spot of secluded sand. The island of Sal’s beaches are particularly beautiful – and you’ll find one of the world’s top five surfing spots at Santa Maria Beach in the island’s north. What more could you ask for?
3. Cyprus, Greece
Unlike some European holiday destinations, Cyprus remains consistently warm and sunny throughout the year. Set in the far south of the Mediterranean, the island has – on average – an impressive 340 days of sunshine a year, so blue skies are the standard here.
However, summer temperatures can soar to around 40 degrees. So, many people prefer to visit between March and June, when temperatures typically range from 20℃ to 31℃.
If you’re after a beach break, swimsuit temperatures kick in as early as April. And, with over 70 Blue Flag-certified beaches sweeping the island’s coast, whether you’re after a relaxing or lively resort, you won’t be short of choice. Inland, you’ll find quiet villages, beautiful forests, and the breathtaking Troodos Mountains – which are ideal for sightseeing and hiking in the spring.
4. Italy
With great weather, an iconic history, and one of the most beloved cuisines in the world, Italy is popular any time of year. But spring is undoubtedly one of the best times to visit, whether you’re hoping to explore one of its stunning cities, bask in beautiful countryside, or relax along the coast.
The historic cities of Rome, Florence, and Venice are sun-kissed but it isn’t yet hot enough to make walking around their famous landmarks a chore. There’ll also be fewer crowds, so you might enjoy a better view.
Beyond seeing bucket list sites like the Colosseum, the Vatican, and the Uffizi Gallery, visiting these cities in spring offers a few exclusive extras. Between April and June, beautiful gardens begin to blossom. Rome’s Rose Garden is home to over 1,100 species of roses and, in Florence’s Garden of the Iris and Garden of Roses, you’ll find swathes of colour and refreshing floral scents.
If you’re after a beach break, Italy has plenty of options. But, admiring the wonders of the Amalfi coast is particularly lovely in spring. Campania’s sun is already hot enough to enjoy a dip in the sea; and its proximity to ancient sites like Pompeii and Herculaneum makes it an ideal base for day trips too.
In the beautiful Italian countryside, meadows and vineyards flourish with new life and fresh ingredients. April and May are particularly ideal for visiting the ever-prized Orcia Valley where you’ll find infinite landscapes of lush green fields, sunflowers, olive groves, and rolling hills. Nearby, you’ll also have easy access to ancient villages like Pienza and San Quirico d’Orcia.
5. Marrakech, Morocco
Perched in Morocco’s north-west, Marrakech is the second African destination on our list, and it’s not one to miss. Nicknamed the ‘Paris of the Sahara’, this colourful city rarely gets cold. Many people find it too warm during summer (when temperatures can soar to around 40℃), so it can be better to visit in spring.
With temperatures averaging the mid-to-late 20s, it’s ideal for getting on your feet and exploring – and there’s much to see. Plus, longer days with eight to nine hours of sunshine allow for more sightseeing and chances to soak up local culture.
Wander the enchanting streets of Marrackech’s UNESCO medina, soak up the atmosphere of its lively souks and traditional architecture, or wander through the bustling Jemaa el-Fna square, where you can watch lively street performances and browse traditional food markets.
Marrakech is a stunning contrast of colours in spring; with orange blossoms, bright pops of mimosa, and soft purple jacaranda trees lining the streets. It’s particularly enchanting during rose harvest season (late April to mid-May) when nearby valleys burst into life. Slightly further afield, the Festival of Roses in El Kelaa M’Gouna celebrates the region’s rose plantations, with parades and folk music that reflect Morocco’s traditions.
If you’d like to get active, why not explore Marrackech’s stunning surroundings while hiking through the Atlas Mountains or the Ourika Valley? If you’re up for a challenge, the hike up Mount Toubkal offers particularly spectacular views of the Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert.
6. Seville, Spain
Temperatures can be intense in Seville during the summer. But if you visit in spring, you’ll get a good dose of Spanish sun while exploring all the city’s offerings in more comfortable 20℃ heat.
You can marvel at Seville’s Gothic cathedral, explore the beautiful palace complex at the Royal Alcazar of Seville, and soak up the unique blend of Renaissance and Moorish-inspired architecture in Plaza de Espana. For a unique plaza tour, hop on a boat ride on the miniature canal that snakes around its interior.
If you visit Seville in April, you can enjoy late-night music, dancing, fairground rides, and parades at one of Spain’s most colourful festivals: Feria de Abril (the Seville Fair). Lasting six days, you can grab a glass of Rebujito (the Andalucian cocktail), gaze into the sea of colour formed by flamenco dresses, and enjoy a spectacular fireworks display on the final night.
7. The Caribbean
There’s never really a bad time to visit the Caribbean, but if you’re after sunny weather and minimal chance of rain, spring is a great time to go. Peak season runs from December to April, so while it might be busier in early spring, there’s a reason so many people decide to holiday here.
Your most difficult decision will be choosing which Caribbean island to go to. The soft pink sands of Harbour Island in the Bahamas await; the beauty of the Baths in the British Virgin Islands is otherworldly; and, in Barbuda and Antigua, you’ll have a choice of 365 beaches, each with warm, azure waters.
Peak season is also the best time for whale watching in the Caribbean. Dominica is the region’s whale-watching hotspot and the only country where sperm whales can be seen year-round. The French island of Guadeloupe is also home to 15 species of whales and whale-watching trips typically run until May.
If you’d like to get active with some watersports, you’ll have your fill of everything from windsurfing and scuba diving to paddleboarding here.
8. Japan
Japan was voted the best country in the world in the 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards – and it’s not difficult to see why. Although this diverse country is stunning year-round, spring can be a particularly wonderful time to visit – the main reason being that it’s cherry blossom season.
Home to over one million sakura trees, Japan has the highest concentration of cherry trees in the world and every year, from the end of March right into May, these beautiful blooms spring to life. Sweeping from the south of the country to the north, bright sprays of candyfloss pink take over almost every park, street, and temple in a truly breathtaking spectacle.
But the blossom isn’t only beautiful – it carries cultural significance too. As one of Japan’s national flowers, the cherry blossom is a powerful symbol of renewal, optimism, and the transience of life. The Japanese celebrate it with a custom called hanami, meaning ‘flower viewing’, when people gather to eat, drink, and celebrate under the cherry blossoms.
To see the blossoms in all their glory, Kyoto is generally the most popular destination – however, Tokyo arguably gives it a run for its money! Check out our list of 10 of the best cherry blossom spots in Japan for more.
While much of Japan begins to warm up during the early months of spring, the northernmost island of Hokkaido remains relatively chilly and open for snowsports if you’re not ready for a sunny break just yet. The trails in Furano, Niseko, and Rusutsu are among the most popular and stay open well past March.
Whether you see yourself walking under the cherry blossoms in Japan, exploring European cities, or kicking back on a beach in the Bahamas, your next adventure awaits.
For more off-peak holiday inspiration, you might like to check out our guides on where to travel by month. Alternatively, head over to the travel section of our website where you’ll find information on everything from staycations to long-haul holidays.
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