There’s something about spring in Europe that makes everything look and feel more special. European destinations turn into magical places that come back to life after a long, cold winter.
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The sun shines brighter, and the atmosphere is warmer, making flowers bloom and trees turn a lush green. Warmth spread throughout the beautiful cities right before the sweltering heat of the summer months.
There are a few reasons why the spring season in Europe is the best time to go. First, the mild temperatures bring sunny spring days, and from there, it only gets warmer and warmer. March and April are typically lean months, which brings us to our next reason: you get to save a lot when travelling in spring in Europe. Peak season crowds and prices don’t kick in until early June. So, you get to enjoy charming towns, rolling hills, and spring blossoms in mild temperatures and without the summer crowds.
A spring trip to Europe sounds perfect, especially for spring break. The only question is, where do you want to go?
Here’s a list of the best places in Europe to visit in spring break:
Paris, France
Average Temperature: 13°C (55°F) to 20°C (68°F)
Spring Season: March to June
The most romantic city in the world is easily one of the best spring destinations in Europe. During spring time, the temperature in Paris starts to warm up. The best part: there are spring blooms all around.
We love exploring Paris on foot. It’s the best way to appreciate the beautiful architecture and to catalogue the spring flowers in full bloom.
While you can’t miss the Parisian landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Champs Élysées, the Louvre Museum, and the Arc de Triomphe, if you visit Paris in the spring, the city itself is already such a sight to see.
You’ll find tulips planted in rows along manicured gardens, while in April, pink cherry blossoms start to flower. A good spot to stop and smell the spring flowers would be the Trocadero Gardens, Parc du Champ-de-Mars by the Eiffel Tower, and Square Jean XXIII by Notre Dame. If you want to take some flowers home, head to the daily flower market at Marchè aux Fleurs on the Ile de la Cité.
Art appreciation is also in season during the month of May. It’s a long-standing tradition that museums in Europe stay open until late at night on the third Saturday in May to celebrate the Night of the Museums. Over 150 Parisian museums and galleries are joining, including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Pompidou Centre, and Museum of Modern Art.
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Amsterdam, Netherlands
Average Temperature: 10°C (50°F) to 20°C (68°F)
Spring Season: Mid-March to end of May
Postcards of the wonderful city of Amsterdam often feature bright-coloured buildings, windmills, the River Amstel, and their most famous exports, tulips. In the spring, you get those picture-perfect scenes practically anywhere you look–whether that’s in the city or the surrounding countryside.
Trees along the Amsterdam canals turn green, beautiful flowers bloom, and parks and terraces are quickly populated with people who want to savour it all. Blooms start as early as March and last well until May.
If you want to see Holland’s world-famous tulip fields, a visit to the Keukenhof Garden is a must. You can also plan your trip in April so you arrive just in time for Amsterdam’s annual Tulip Festival.
Cherry blossom trees are also in season from late March to early April. These spring blooms colour Blossom Park in Amsterdamse Bos a soft cherry pink. The warm weather is perfect for setting up a picnic in the park and spending the whole day there to see what the night’s fanfare is.
Spring invites a lot of outdoor events, ranging from theatre, art fairs and exhibitions, Sunday markets, festivals, and celebrations for national holidays.
Another park we recommend visiting is Vondelpark, the largest urban park in Amsterdam. It’s full of paths, sculptures, and greenspaces, making it a great destination for a morning coffee or a lunch picnic.
In case it rains and you find yourself needing to fill your itinerary with an indoor activity, you can’t miss the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, and the Leidseplein, which is the centre of Amsterdam’s entertainment scene.
READ NEXT: Best Things to do in Amsterdam
Barcelona, Spain
Average Temperature: 10-15ºC (50-59°F) to 16-24 ºC (60-75 ºF)
Spring Season: March to May
In Barcelona, spring starts off sunny with slight chances of rain. March is the start of seasonal warming, but it’s the second half of the season, and that’s a great time to visit the city. It’s one of the best places to go in Europe in April or May.
Top sights to see include the works of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, like the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, Park Güell, and La Pedrera.
As a culturally rich city, you can’t visit Barcelona without visiting at least one museum. Choose from the National Art Museum of Catalonia, the Picasso Museum, the Joan Miró Foundation, or the European Museum of Modern Art. Barcelona also joins in on the Night of Museums, with their heritage landmarks and museums staying open from 7pm to 1am.
Spring in Barcelona is all about the terraces. Sunny spring days mean restaurants open up their al fresco seating areas, and the locals will agree that most meals taste better under the sun. Whether it’s tapas, dinner, or wine, everyone basks in the pleasant weather out on the terrace.
Another stop to visit would be the beaches. There’s San Sebastían in Northern Spain, Bogatell, and Nova Icària. The best part about going between March and May is that these beaches aren’t crowded at all. The summer crowd doesn’t get here until July, so savour it while you can!
Barcelona also celebrates holidays and festivals in the spring, including the most romantic day of the year. Also known as Catalan Valentine’s Day, Sant Jordi’s Day falls on the 23rd of April. People often exchange books and roses with their partners, friends, and family as part of the holiday tradition.
READ NEXT: Best Day Trips from Barcelona, Spain
Florence, Italy
Average Temperature: 16ºC (60 ºF) to 24 ºC (75 ºF)
Spring Season: March to May
The beautiful city of Florence blooms even more in spring. Lots of spring time colours, smells, and flavours abound.
As you can expect, most of the best things to do in Florence are outdoors. Explore Florence’s gardens and markets, like the quaint Giardino delle Rose, the green and relaxing Giardino dell’orticoltura, or the Giardino di Boboli.
Strolls are meant to be slow and leisurely, and you can go at your own pace since there are fewer tourists around. Alternatively, you can take a lovely walking tour throughout Florence that hits the mainstream landmarks and even some hidden gems.
Another thing you must do in Florence is eat to your heart’s content! Enjoy aperitifs while out on a Florentine terrace, or stock up on fresh produce for cheaper. A lot of fruits and vegetables are in season during spring, so visiting a food market like Mercato Centrale and Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio is a treat.
If it rains in Florence, add some indoor stops to your itinerary. We suggest a trip to any museum—there are plenty to choose from. There’s the Uffizi Gallery, Piazzale Michelangelo, Duomo, Palazzo Pitti, Palazzo Vecchio, and Galleria dell’Accademia, to name a few. Lines will be shorter compared to other seasons, anyway, so it’s not all too bad.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Average Temperature: 15ºC (59°F) to 25ºC (77°F)
Spring Season: Early March to May
Spring in Europe comes at different times, and it just so happens that in Dubrovnik, spring comes early. While the rest of Europe is cold and dark, this city in Croatia starts to see clear blue skies and warm sunshine. In April, the weather is lovely, warm, and at its highest of the year.
On top of the consistent weather, Dubrovnik isn’t as crowded as other destinations in Europe, and it’s just opposite Italy, making it a great spring destination.
Historic facades, rolling hillsides, city walls, and dramatic views of the Adriatic Sea have made Dubrovnik a favourite spot for Hollywood productions. Some scenes from Game of Thrones and Star Wars were filmed here, and walking down the cobblestone streets, you can see why. The views are better appreciated from above, which you can do by riding a cable car that takes you up on the side of Mount Srđ.
You can also explore the busy Old Port or find the side market behind the Cathedral called Gundulićeva poljana, where you can buy seasonal produce, wine, and some of the freshest fish. Around the port area, there are boats parked that can take you on day trips or half-day excursions to nearby islands like Elafiti or Lokrum.
READ NEXT: Best Beaches in Dubrovnik, Croatia
Prague, Czech Republic
Average Temperature: 17°C (63° F) to 20s°C (low 70s °F)
Spring Season: Mid-March to Early June
Pink cherry trees, snow-white apple trees, and chestnut avenues greet tourists in Prague during spring months. Although March can be a little unpredictable—sometimes, snow flurries come in the middle of the month—conditions in April tend to be much better.
The main highlight during spring is that the Vltava River comes to life again. While some cruises do run throughout the year, it’s the longer Prague river cruises that restart in the spring. One of these cruises begins at one of Prague’s best-known landmarks, the Rašínovo nábřeží riverbanks.
Don’t skip a visit to Petřín Hill, where a hundred white blossom trees are planted among the lower slopes, making the view a perfect destination for spring. Another garden worth a visit is the Vrtba Garden, High Baroque and built into the base of Petřín Hill. The panoramic views of Prague are stunning.
Sunny days in spring also mean people get to go out again. Prague nightlife carries on outdoors, especially around Náplavka. Lots of beer gardens also reopen by April. The Letna beer garden is extremely popular, as it also gives guests great city views from high above the river.
READ NEXT: Best Things to do in Prague
Crete, Greece
Average Temperature: 15 °C (59 °F) to 23 °C (73 °F)
Spring Season: March to May
Crete has everything from mountain ranges to beautiful beaches, and even extensive olive groves, plateaus, lakes, rivers, canyons, and palm tree forests in between. Here, spring is an exciting time when nature takes centre stage.
It’s rare for Crete’s beaches to be empty, but without the summer crowd, it’s a welcome sight. Head to the beach and dip your toes in if you don’t find the water too cold! Locals and even some foreigners swim all year round on the island, but it might be a little too cold for some in spring. Head to Elafonisi, Balos, or any beach in West Crete and enjoy the peace and quiet–perfect for a quiet spring break.
Outdoor activities like trekking, hiking, and biking are some of the best things to do in Crete. There are great trails across the Lefka Ori, the Ida Range, and the Dikti Mountains that reward you with great views. If you’re not a fan of strenuous hikes, there’s an easy stroll around Lake Kournas or Lasithi Plateau that might be a better fit.
There are also significant archeology sites in Crete that are a treat to explore when you’re not elbowing your way through thick tourist crowds. The most popular landmark is the Palace of Knossos, but there are many sites and ruins to check out. A day trip to the traditional mountain village is worth the trip, here you can see a glimpse of the community’s authentic lifestyle.
When it comes to produce, herbs like thyme, sage, and oregano are in season and it’s possible to forage them on your own. It’s also orange picking season in Crete until May, so taste a piece of the town’s widely celebrated fresh oranges! If you’re in town by March, you might just make it in time for the Orange Festival in Fodele.
READ NEXT: Best Beaches in Crete You Have to Visit
Belfast, Ireland
Average Temperature: 10 °C (50 °F) to 15 °C (59 °F)
Spring Season: Late March to early June
Belfast is probably best known as the place where the Titanic was built, or perhaps as the filming location for a few scenes from Game of Thrones. This lovely historical town is a great spring destination and one of the livelier Easter destinations. Europe celebrates Easter and St. Patrick’s day in the spring, and the latter in particular isn’t just a day. Ireland goes all out with performances, floats, and more.
The days in Belfast get longer, and the weather becomes more pleasant, though rain is likely to make an appearance each month. Still, you won’t run out of things to do indoors and outdoors – just make sure you arrive with an umbrella.
Within the city, you can check out Belfast City Hall, drop by the Cathedral Quarter, the Linen Quarter, the Grand Opera House, and then the Titanic Quarter. If you want to check out the seasonal offerings, head to St. George’s Market. They sell fruits, vegetables, food, spices, as well as arts and crafts, souvenirs, books, and more.
If Dublin is well known for Phoenix Park, Belfast’s equivalent must be the Belfast Hills. These hills provide a stunning backdrop, clean air, and fantastic views of the city. There are tons of wildflowers that bloom here during the spring season.
Budapest, Hungary
Average Temperature: 17 °C (62 °F) to 25 °C (77 °F)
Spring Season: Mid-March to Late June
Budapest is another perfect destination for a European spring. The gorgeous weather here means warmer temperatures and sunnier skies. Though rainfall and storms are common, they don’t last very long and it never gets too cold.
The snowdrops or hóvirág are in full bloom from March to early April, while cherry blossoms come out by April. You can catch these at the Tóth Árpád promenade near Buda Castle, Gellért Hill, Margaret Island, and the Füvészkert Botanical Gardens.
Definitely spend some time on the Danube Bank, where you can relax in the area of Kopaszi Dam and József Antall Id. Bank and spot many major sights of the city. You can also buy tickets to a Danube boat cruise to see the beautiful architecture, structures, and buildings of Budapest.
Drop by the local farmers’ market to get a taste of their seasonal offerings. You’ll find organic produce, dairy, sweets, nuts, honey, and snacks from local vendors. A well-known market is called Szimpla, while there’s a newer one called Éleszto known for terrific craft beers.
If you have a bit of time, consider staying for the Budapest Spring Festival. Their program includes bringing a diverse range of musical performances to the city. Over 100 events from. Classical music, opera, jazz, world music, dance, contemporary, and more, are happening at over 40 venues in the city.
Lisbon, Portugal
Average Temperature: 15 °C (59 °F) to 25 °C (77 °F)
Spring Season: March to May
Portugal is known for its mild climate throughout all seasons. In Lisbon, rainfall is expected, although it’s not constant or excessive. There’s a fair mix of sunny and rainy days, with the northern part of the country receiving more rain.
So what is there to do in Lisbon? Top of the list is to stroll through gardens, parks, and monuments. You can sip coffee at the esplanade or walk under the shade in vibrant parks. The Lisbon Botanical Garden is a beautiful sight, as are the boulevards. All around, you’ll see the flowers start to bloom. One of the biggest icons of spring in Lisbon is the purple and sweet-smelling jacaranda trees.
To celebrate spring, there’s a festival called Festa da Flor that takes place in Madeira. They go all out with flower carpets and blossoming floats, perfuming the air. Imagine the sight and the fragrance!
You can also go for trips to ancient ruins and hike along coastal cliffs. There are colourful wildflowers and fragrant orchards in the countryside, which you can pass through at your own pace and without the rush of heavy summer crowds.
Explore historic neighbourhoods and monuments in Lisbon, such as the Baroque-style Clérigos Tower and the Manueline Belém, or spend a nice afternoon strolling past Évora’s UNESCO-recognized intricate azulejo tilework.
