Looking for the best places to go in April?
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There are a few reasons why it’s the perfect time to take those vacation days and go somewhere new. As we head into April, the northern hemisphere gears up for spring (spring break, anyone?) while the south welcomes autumn. Perfect conditions are brewing for outdoor adventures and lots of beautiful seasonal colours all around the world. If wanderlust has you itching for the best vacation spots in April, we hear you!
Finding the best places to travel in April is a challenge because there are too many good choices. In this article, we’ve at least narrowed down our best April vacations to each continent to give you some April vacation ideas. Hopefully, this will help you start planning those April getaways.
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Let’s get to it–here are the 5 best places to visit in April:
Best Places to Go in April 2024
Asia: Tokyo, Japan
Why visit in April? Cherry blossoms, cultural experiences, a chance to visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site
A fun fact about cherry blossom season in Japan: it happens on a national scale. That means whether you go late March, mid-April, or towards the end of the month, there’s still some part of the country that sees the cherry blossoms in full bloom. With proper planning, you can have your own hanami party (cherry blossom viewing) anywhere—all you need is a comfy spot and drink of choice. For the full cherry blossom experience, visit the castle grounds at Hirosaki Park in Aomori to celebrate the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.
Now, there are tons of cities and prefectures to explore in Japan, but Tokyo is a great place to start for first-timers. The country is home to 23 UNESCO World Heritage sites, like the iconic Mount Fuji, Himeji Castle, the Atomic Bomb Dome, national parks, ancient temples, shrines, and more. You can find 2 of these within the Tokyo Prefecture: Ogasawara Islands and the National Museum of Western Art.
As you go around Tokyo, you can’t help but be impressed by the amazing public transport, stunning architecture, perfect blend of tradition and futuristic technology, and the world-class culinary scene. As April draws spring to the archipelago, mountainous national parks that were closed during the winter also start to reopen. Tokyo is a dream for both city and nature lovers, making it one of the best places to visit in April.
READ NEXT: 15 Important Japan Tips for First-Time Visitors
North America: Los Cabos, Mexico
Why visit in April? Warm weather, pristine beaches, lively nightlife
In Mexico, April brings with it the spring break crowd—young, energetic, and ready to party. If you’re on the lookout for a hip party scene, a chance to go out and mingle, or work on your tan in an exciting coastal city, then Los Cabos might be right up your alley.
Cabo San Lucas is in its sunny season and receives almost no rain in April. The warm weather is perfect for exploring beautiful beaches like Medano Beach and Lover’s Beach, as well as planning trips to attractions like El Arco. Watersports like diving, parasailing, and snorkelling are great to try, too, and if you can, don’t miss a chance to go whale-watching.
If you’d rather kick back and relax, sunny days are great for grabbing margaritas and finding a spot to watch the city’s stunning sunsets. For that, we recommend making reservations at a rooftop restaurant or booking a sunset cruise tour.
A side trip to San Jose del Cabo can add a little more culture to your party itinerary. This town is known for their cool art galleries. There’s an Art District downtown that has a lot of traditional Mexican artworks and a shopping mall called Plaza Artesanos where you can shop for souvenirs and pieces by local artists.
Tip: If you’re looking for something on the Caribbean side of Mexico, check out Conzumel–we highly recommend going for a scuba dive!
READ NEXT: 12 Best Things to Do in Los Cabos
South America: Patagonia, Chile
Why visit in April? Ideal weather for outdoor adventures, stunning wildlife
Nature lovers searching for outdoor activities to try that don’t involve navigating thick crowds should set their sights on Patagonia, Chile. By April, autumn is at its peak, and the landscape is being painted a fiery red with shades of amber. The season comes with cooler temperatures, the occasional rainfall, and winds, but on the flip side, you won’t have to share the scenery with tourist crowds. Visiting Patagonia during the shoulder season means you’ll save a lot on tours and accommodations.
Visit in April and see sights like Perito Moreno, Tierra del Fuego National Park, Torres del Paine National Park, or Los Glaciares National Park without the peak season rates and large crowds. There are fewer chances of people getting in the way of that Instagram-worthy shot, that’s for sure!
For ideal weather, stick to the northern parts of the region. There, you can go on long hikes, explore mountain and bike trails, and see the rushing rivers, turquoise lakes, and massive glaciers. Don’t forget to be on the lookout for wildlife—a lot of them tend to come out during autumn.
There are also some festivals in Patagonia during April, like the annual chocolate festival in Bariloche coinciding with the holy week or Easter holidays and the National Trout Festival that happens in the first half of April.
READ NEXT: Responsible Guide to Torres Del Paine National Park
Africa: Cape Town, South Africa
Why visit in April? Beautiful nature sights, mild weather, fewer crowds
In Cape Town, April is right in the middle of shoulder season, too. You can expect fewer crowds, and milder temperatures perfect for enjoying the outdoors. There are big events scheduled within the month that workout enthusiasts might be interested in, like the Two Oceans Marathon and Cape Town Cycle Tour. Easter weekend also calls for a big celebration in Cape Town. As you can see, there’s lots of activity all throughout the month.
If you don’t want to swing by for the bigger events, you can also head out on a winelands tour, ride a cable car up Table Mountain National Park, or visit a nearby safari experience. Outside occasional showers, the pleasant weather promises a lovely time in Cape Town.
The best part about visiting South Africa during April is enjoying the country’s natural beauty with quieter crowds and cheaper prices. That goes for most of the country, too, whether you’re planning to see the sights in Cape Town, the massive reserve in Botswana, or even Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
READ NEXT: The 2024 Ultimate Garden Route Itinerary
Australia: Central Australia
Why visit in April? Rainy Season or autumn is ideal for multi-destination road trips
In Australia, shoulder season in autumn can mean more rain than usual, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If anything, it makes exploring the city and the outback more manageable thanks to mild weather and cooler temperatures! No need to suffer under scorching outback temperatures this time.
It’s an ideal time to visit destinations in the Red Centre, which includes Alice Springs, the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site!), and Kings Canyon. The cooler conditions are great for outdoor activities like hiking, stargazing, and camping. You can also add a stop at Kimberley and catch a glimpse of the roaring waterfalls at the end of the wet season.
There are national holidays to celebrate this month, too. On April 25th, Australians gather at dawn to celebrate ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day. On this day, the two countries remember the fallen soldiers from the First World War and honour living veterans through breakfasts, ceremonies, parades, marches, and even a football rivalry game.
READ NEXT: Ultimate Australia Itinerary: 2-Week and 4-Week Suggestions
Europe: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Why visit in April? Flowers in full bloom, great weather, no summer crowds, lots of festivals
Another one of the best places to visit in April is Amsterdam. The tulips are in full bloom, the weather is fantastic, and the month is jam-packed with events and activities!
By April, spring had sprung, and street markets were packed with vendors selling fresh flowers, various food and local delicacies, and little trinkets. Some of the best ones are Albert Cupy Market, Westerstraat, and the floating Bloemenmarkt, which stands out in spring.
April is also a great time to visit the famous Keukenhof Gardens, one of the world’s largest and one of the best sights to see in Amsterdam during spring. The gardens are known for their unique flowers arranged in whimsical shapes and designs, which you have to see for yourself.
Cherry blossoms are also in full bloom on this side of the world. Spring brings out the best in nature, and people love to soak up the sights by setting up picnics, biking around parks and gardens, or taking a walking tour through the city.
You can expect art, live music, and culinary events happening every weekend throughout the month of April. Stick around until the end of the month and you can even join in on Amsterdam’s King’s Day Celebration on April 27th. This city-wide carnival brings out all sorts of parties—boat parties, street parties, house parties, bar parties—and has everyone partying out into the streets and canals. A great way to wrap up an eventful April in Amsterdam!
