My Top Places to Visit in April
April is here! The clocks have gone back. It should start to feel more spring-like. Now is a great time for a holiday! Whether it’s spending time together during the Easter holidays, or just a break to put the spring back in your step (see what I did there), there are plenty of options available. Need a bit of inspiration? Here are my top places to visit in April.
Amsterdam
First on my list of top places to visit in April is Amsterdam. The city must be one of the most accessible places to get to from the UK. I can’t think of any airport which doesn’t have at least one flight to Amsterdam a week. Somebody correct me if I’m wrong! If you’re lucky enough to live close to a larger airport, there’s up to 2 or 3 flights a day. So, it’s perfect for a long weekend away, a midweek break or as a gateway to The Netherlands in general. If you don’t want to fly, you can also get to Amsterdam via Eurostar from London St Pancras. There are also various ferry routes from the UK.
When you think Amsterdam, you might think stag do’s, ‘special’ cafes and the Red-Light District. But Amsterdam is actually very family-friendly and does cater to most needs. It’s super easy to avoid the parts of the city which maybe aren’t on your must-see list, and there’s plenty to do to keep you entertained. Take a canal boat tour through the waterways of Amsterdam and see the city from a new perspective. If the weather is on your side, the Vondelpark is a must-see, and there’s also the botanical gardens. Of course, you could just spend some time wandering the streets, taking in the atmosphere. Pop into the many shops and boutiques. Or enjoy a drink or meal at one of the many cafes and restaurants.
Art lovers will love the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. If you have kids with you, the Anne Frank House is a must-see. Make sure you book in advance as it can be busy. The NEMO Science Museum is also great for kids and very hands-on. Beer lovers can take a tour of the Heineken Experience. And if you’re a foodie, you have to visit the Foodhallen. It’s a massive food market in a former tram depot. There’s everything from Dutch cuisine to Vietnamese and Mexican, a beer bar, and a gin and tonic bar. You can’t go to Amsterdam without trying Poffertjes (mini pancakes), Stroopwafels and some Dutch cheese!
The Tulip festival is celebrated throughout April, the whole city is decorated with colour. The Keukenhof Gardens (a 30-minute drive away) are at their most spectacular and you can visit the tulip fields too. It’s amazing flying into Amsterdam when the tulips are in bloom. It’s a bit like flying over a jigsaw puzzle of different colours all blending together. And if you happen to be in Amsterdam on the 27th of April, don’t forget to wear something orange! It’s King’s Day in the Netherlands which is a national holiday where the streets turn into a giant party!
Ibiza
Peak season in Ibiza is from May to October. April is a brilliant time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds. The Old Town and many of the main resorts such as Santa Eulalia start to open up in early April. There will be plenty of restaurants and bars open for you to experience during your stay. If you have a specific restaurant or attraction you would like to visit, it’s probably worth doing a quick check to make sure they’re open before you book! For a more authentic experience, head to the north of the island. It’s much more untouched than the southern resorts. Here you can take advantage of rugged landscapes for walking and cycling, well away from the crowds. That’s why it’s another of my top places to visit in April.
Temperatures in Ibiza in April reach an average of low to mid-20s. Towards the end of the month, it gets warm enough to brave a dip in the sea! You might need a jacket with you for any cooler days, and the temperatures can still drop during the evening. But this makes it the perfect climate for exploring more of what the island has to offer. It’s a great time of year to explore Ibiza Town where you can visit the walled fortress Dalt Vila. It’s a UNESCO-protected heritage site which is a maze of cobbled streets. It can be very hot and overwhelming to visit in summer. If you get all the way to the top of the fortress, the views are stunning!
Other activities to take advantage of whilst the island is quieter include Ibiza food tours in Ibiza Town taking in the sights, sounds and tastes of the island’s capital. The Cap Blanc Aquarium is also great for families to visit. It’s located in a natural cave where seawater flows in and out, with the animals living in their natural habitat. There’s also a sea turtle rehabilitation area. Sea turtles are nursed back to health before being released back into the wild. If you get a hot sunny day, the Aguamar Water Park is perfect for cooling down. There are slides and attractions to keep the whole family entertained.
If you’re looking for a relaxing break, either as a couple or solo, there are plenty of wellness events taking place on the island during April. Enjoy a beach yoga class. Book yourself into one of the many retreats on the island. Spend a day at a spa, many of which are set in beautiful natural surroundings to lose yourself in. If you want to relax and spend some mindful time together as a family, a visit to Can Muson could be what you’re looking for. The ecological finca and farm offers the opportunity to learn about nature. Families can check out the vegetable gardens and spend time with the farm animals on site.
Cuba
Next on my list of top places to visit in April is somewhere that has been on my travel wish list for a while now, Cuba! I’d absolutely love to visit Havana. I want to explore the city, take in the food, the rum, and the music, and then spend some time relaxing on one of Cuba’s many beautiful white sand beaches.
April is a great time to visit Cuba. You’re pretty much guaranteed sunshine. The average temperatures hit as high as 27 degrees, and don’t drop below the low 20s. The rainy season starts in May so the weather will be great for exploring. The main Christmas and winter visitors have left so it’s not too busy. The prices are reasonable at this time of year (as long as you avoid Easter week).
You can get to Cuba from many UK airports either as a package through a tour operator or by putting together your own perfect trip. Or get an amazing travel agent to do it for you!!! There are also many guided tours on offer. These will take you around the main sites of Havana, Cienfuegos and Trinidad. You can also incorporate a beach stay somewhere like Varadero. Or visit the Zapata Peninsula to see the native wildlife. I’d recommend taking in Havana with another town/city and then spending a few days getting your breath back in a beautiful beach resort.
Cuba is a very family-friendly destination. Whether you’re spending your time relaxing in a beach resort, or visiting one of the towns and cities. There are also special guided tours and trips for families which are suitable generally for children aged over 7. They’re a great way of experiencing somewhere new as a family, and Cuba is a very unique destination. Havana feels like it’s still stuck in the 1950’s. There are national parks such as the Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt. And the UNESCO heritage site of Trinidad is definitely worth a visit.
If getting outdoors and doing something different is your idea of holiday heaven, there is plenty in Cuba to keep you happy. The stunning reefs of Cayo Largo are perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving. April is a great month for seeing some of the best sea life off the coast of Cuba. The Gran Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra is the place to spot some of Cuba’s native birds.
Seville
Another destination which has been on my travel wish list for a long time, and not just for the oranges! The architecture in Seville looks beautiful. I’d love to spend my days wandering through the old streets, and then people watching at one of the pavement cafes.
Seville is packed with Roman ruins, Moorish towers, and beautiful parks so there will be plenty to keep you busy. Summer sees an influx of tourists but springtime is much quieter so it’s the perfect time to explore the city. Plaza de Espana, built for the World Fair in 1929, is one of the main sites to visit in the city. It’s a recognisable landmark which has appeared in many films. It’s also used on almost all of the promotional material for Seville. The wider park, Parque de Maria Luisa, is a beautiful place to spend a few hours. You’ll be surrounded by the famous orange trees, pavilions and a moat where you can hire a rowing boat.
Visiting Seville in April means you get to take in the beautiful orange blossoms. There are nearly 40,000 orange trees in the city all displaying beautiful white blossoms and a sweet scent. With average temperatures of around 24 degrees, it’s the perfect temperature to explore the streets and enjoy a drink or tapas sitting outside of a café. Seville is the birthplace of tapas, so there will be plenty of options. If you’re shopping for souvenirs, visit the Mercado El Postigo for homemade souvenirs to take home. They’re all created by local artists.
Although spring in Seville is quiet, it can also be one of the more expensive times to visit due to the festivals taking place. If you’re in Seville around Easter, you can take part in the Holy Week celebrations. There are brass bands, processions and traditional ceremonies. Then two weeks after Easter, you might be lucky enough to take in the Feria de Abril. It’s a week-long festival with colourful costumes and flamenco dancers. If you’re travelling with the family, a day at the Isla Magica theme park, which opens for the season in April, could be on the cards. The theme park has all kinds of shows, restaurants, shops, rides and pools to keep the whole family happy.
Crete
The final destination on my top places to visit in April list is Crete. Crete is one of the more southern Greek islands, so the temperatures rise earlier here than other islands. Average temperatures in April are low to mid-20s. Although it is the last month of the low tourism season, there is still plenty to do on the island. Orthodox Easter typically falls in April so towns and villages will be busy with festivals and celebrations. Some of the smaller beach resorts may not be open. If you stick to the larger resorts or towns such as Rethymno there will be plenty of restaurants and bars available.
April is the perfect time to explore more of Crete’s nature. Hiking in the mountains is a popular activity at this time of year. The natural beauty of the island shines during spring with wildflowers blooming and lush greenery. The further south you head, the more you will be able to experience a more traditional side to Crete. It’s a great time to take a guided tour of the island, or you can do it yourself. Hiring a car is a great way of getting out and seeing this side of the island, especially if you’re staying in one of the larger resorts to the north. Visit some of the smaller Cretan villages and their traditional tavernas for home-produced bread, cheese and wine.
If getting away and spending a week or two relaxing as a family is your plan, there are plenty of family-friendly resorts to choose from. Whether you want to spend your week in an all-inclusive resort for simplicity. Or somewhere close to a town so you can get out and about. There’ll be an option for you. Crete has some stunning luxury family hotels (many with waterparks on site) which cater for every member of the family. Prices in April are much lower than in the summer months. So you can really make the most of the luxury offerings whatever your budget! It’s definitely been a popular choice this Easter, with many families booking some amazing family breaks.
Top Places to Visit in April Round-Up
April is a great time for exploring somewhere new. With temperatures warm, but too hot, and crowds generally a little lower, it’s a great time to visit some of the most popular attractions. If you love the great outdoors, then April is also a great time to get yourself out in nature. Many destinations offer opportunities for a more active holiday of hiking, cycling and sightseeing.
So what do you think of my top places to visit in April list? As I always say, this is just a very small snapshot of destinations which are good for an April getaway. These are based on enquiries I get and also the most interesting destinations I read about in trade publications, or the places I would love to visit. Turkey is another popular choice at this time of year. I have quite a few families travelling there this month.
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Happy travels. Michelle
