Few months suit travel better. North of the equator, frozen landscapes turn into blooming gardens. Canal-side terraces reopen, and towns take to the streets for lively festivals.
The best places to visit in April line up with big seasonal events. You might pick the tulip fields around Lisse in the Netherlands or the water fights of Thailand's Songkran New Year.
The weather helps too: days are long, afternoon sun warms the old stone piazzas, and airlines add summer routes before the heatwaves reach southern Europe and North America.
Data from the National Park Service and Keukenhof show why April brings some of the year's best flower displays.
Below are five standout places to go in April, with the weather, festival dates and realistic budgets for each.
The best places to visit in April compared
This list covers a lot of ground: Dutch canal festivals, Washington's cherry blossoms and spring gardens in Rome. As of October 2026, our mid-range estimates assume two people sharing a hotel room, eating local food and using public transport:
| Spring destination | April temperatures | What to experience | Typical daily cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam & Lisse, Netherlands | 5°C to 14°C (41°F to 57°F) | Keukenhof tulip peak & King's Day | €140–€210 ($150–$230) |
| Chiang Mai & Bangkok, Thailand | 24°C to 36°C (75°F to 97°F) | Songkran water festival (Thai New Year) | 2,000–3,400 THB ($60–$100) |
| Rome & Vatican City, Italy | Mild highs reaching 19°C (66°F) | Rome's birthday (21 April) & wisteria blooms | €130–€200 ($140–$220) |
| Washington, D.C., USA | 8°C to 19°C (46°F to 66°F) | National Cherry Blossom Festival | $160–$250 |
| Seville, Spain | 11°C to 23°C (52°F to 73°F) | Feria de Abril & flamenco pavilions | €120–€190 ($130–$205) |
1. Amsterdam and Keukenhof, Netherlands, for tulips and King's Day
If you want to experience the Netherlands at its most joyous, April is the undisputed top month on the Dutch calendar.
Garden schedules from Keukenhof show its seven million hand-planted bulbs (tulips, daffodils and hyacinths) at their peak from mid-April to early May. You can cycle the flower strip (Bollenstreek) past rows of scarlet, gold and purple blooms.
In Amsterdam, tree-lined canals are framed by fresh green foliage, and open-air canal cruises operate under clear spring sunshine.
On 27 April, the entire country celebrates Koningsdag (King's Day). Millions dress in orange. The streets turn into one giant flea market (vrijmarkt), with boat parties on the canals and DJs on every corner.
2. Chiang Mai and Bangkok, Thailand, for Songkran
April is Thailand's hottest month. It's also when the country throws its happiest, rowdiest holiday: Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year.
Held annually from 13 to 15 April, Songkran transforms every town and city into a massive, friendly nationwide water fight. In Chiang Mai, crowds line the four-kilometer city moat with water guns and buckets, soaking passing pickup trucks and motorbikes in a good-humored blessing of cleansing and renewal.
In Bangkok, major celebration zones center around Silom Road, Khao San Road, and Sanam Luang. Beyond the water battles, Songkran is a deeply spiritual holiday. Locals visit historic Buddhist temples (wats) to pour scented water over Buddha images (Rod Nam Dum Hua) and pay respect to family elders.
Foreign visitors benefit from Thailand's 30-day visa exemption, making it straightforward to fly into Bangkok or Chiang Mai for the water festival.
3. Rome and Vatican City, Italy: spring gardens and Rome's birthday
Rome is at its best now. Summer hits 35°C (95°F), but April sits near 19°C (66°F), so you can walk the ruins in comfort.
Easter falls early in 2027, on 28 March, so the Holy Week rites come just before April. If you can arrive in late March, Turismo Roma lists the events.
On Good Friday, the Pope leads the solemn torchlit Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) procession outside the Colosseum. On Easter Sunday, tens of thousands gather in Saint Peter's Square for the Papal Mass and the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing.
In Rome's old districts (rioni), purple wisteria spills over ochre walls, and the city rose garden on the Aventine Hill opens its gates. On 21 April, Rome celebrates its founding (Natale di Roma) with gladiator parades and historical reenactments around the Circus Maximus.
4. Washington, D.C., USA: the National Cherry Blossom Festival
Spring in the American capital is synonymous with soft pink clouds of Yoshino cherry blossoms encircling the Tidal Basin.
The roughly 3,800 cherry trees, first given to Washington by the Mayor of Tokyo in 1912, usually peak in late March or the first week of April. The National Park Service monitors flowering stages closely, drawing over 1.5 million international and domestic visitors.
Walk the loop around the Tidal Basin to photograph the Jefferson Memorial and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial through tunnels of pink blossom.
The four-week festival includes a big downtown parade, Japanese street fairs, kite flying at the Washington Monument and fireworks on the Southwest Waterfront.
5. Seville, Spain, for the Feria de Abril
Two weeks after Easter, Seville hosts Spain's most glamorous spring fiesta, the Feria de Abril (April Fair). In 2027 it's expected to run from about 12 to 18 April.
Set on an enormous fairground in Los Remedios, the fair features over 1,000 striped canvas tents (casetas). By day, riders in short traditional jackets parade on Andalusian horses, often alongside women in ruffled flamenco dresses (trajes de flamenca). Horse-drawn carriages clatter across the sandy avenues beneath miles of illuminated paper lanterns (farolillos).
Evenings are for chilled manzanilla sherry mixed with lemonade (rebujito), fried tapas and dancing sevillanas until the early hours.
Highs sit near 23°C (73°F), and it rarely rains, so you can eat outside every night.
Practical advice for planning your April vacation
- Account for Easter holiday surges: Easter falls on 28 March in 2027, but school holidays in many countries run into early April. Expect higher hotel rates and busy trains in Italy, Spain and France, so reserve major museum slots early.
- Pack waterproof gear for water festivals: If attending Songkran in Thailand, invest in a submersible phone pouch and quick-dry shoes so you won't ruin your electronics.
- Stay online during canal walks: Install a convenient travel eSIM to track Amsterdam tram arrivals and GPS directions effortlessly.
- Review entry rules before flying: Use our visa checker tool to verify your passport requirements for European Schengen states and Southeast Asia.
- Compare seasonal airfares: Check long-haul flight pricing across international routes with our guide to affordable flight destinations.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best places to see flowers in April?
The Keukenhof gardens in the Netherlands and the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. offer world-famous floral displays in April. At Keukenhof you'll see about seven million spring bulbs, while Washington has thousands of flowering cherry trees.
Is April a good month to visit Europe?
Yes. April is one of the best months to explore southern and central Europe. You'll enjoy mild temperatures around 15°C to 22°C (59°F to 72°F), blooming gardens, and significantly lower crowds and hotel rates compared to the peak summer months of July and August.
What should you expect during Songkran in Thailand?
During Songkran (13 to 15 April), expect massive, friendly water fights in every city center, with people splashing water from buckets, hoses, and water guns. Most shops and businesses close for the three-day national holiday, though restaurants and convenience stores remain open.
How warm is Seville in April?
Seville in April experiences delightful spring weather, with average daytime highs of 23°C (73°F) and cool evening lows around 11°C (52°F). It's warm enough for short sleeves during the afternoon, but you'll want a light jacket for outdoor dining at night.
