Where to travel in April

April sees a variety of joyful celebrations take place around the world in the run up to Easter, from religious parades across Peru to themed craft markets all over Prague in the Czech Republic. Elsewhere, flowers burst into colour as spring takes hold in the Northern Hemisphere: tulips bloom across Istanbul and California is filled with wildflowers of every shade imaginable. Time it right and visitors can also catch South Korea’s delicate cherry blossoms turning its parks pink. One of the month’s most joyous parties takes place in Thailand, where revellers fill the streets to usher in Thai New Year. Here are some of the best places to visit for an unforgettable April adventure.

California, US

Weather: 20-23C
Why now: Flower fields and festivals

Life moves outdoors in April in California. Temperatures in the early twenties are ideal for city sightseeing in LA, hiking in Joshua Tree National Park and touring the just-budding vineyards of Temecula Valley. Fields across the state blaze with wildflowers, especially at Carlsbad Ranch in Southern California, where 55 acres of farmland are carpeted in colour, and there’s still time to catch the end of the grey whale-watching season in San Diego. There’s a festival to suit every taste, too, from the world-renowned Coachella and country music extravaganza Stagecoach to smaller events including the Fallbrook Avocado Festival (19 April) and the Encinitas Spring Street Fair (25 April), with its food trucks, craft beer and live music.

Like a local: Don’t pack too much into your itinerary. Los Angeles County alone comprises a mammoth 88 cities, each with its own mayor, so getting around can take longer than you might think.

(Explore the LA neighborhood that offers a slice of Japan.)

Thailand

Weather: 30C, humid
Why now: Songkran and snorkelling

Temperatures soar across Thailand in April, but the country cools down in style with the world’s biggest water fight. Celebrated over 13-15 April in 2026, Songkran marks the start of the traditional Thai New Year with ceremonies, parades and the chance to soak everyone in sight with a water pistol. Join the festivities in Silom Road or Siam Square in Bangkok or Tha Phae Gate in Chiang Mai. To keep the fun going, head to Pattaya, where the festivities last for a full week and include beach parties and live music. The sunny days and bath-warm sea water make it a great time to snorkel and island-hop, too, especially in spots like Samae San Island or Phuket’s Merlin Beach, with their kaleidoscopic coral reefs and white-sand beaches.

Like a local: Wear shoes that slip off easily, as they’ll need to be removed before entering temples, small shops and even some restaurants.

(What it's like to sail Thailand's wild Andaman Coast onboard a catamaran.)

Prague, Czech Republic

Weather: 12-14C
Why now: Easter markets and beer gardens

Prague is known for its twinkly Christmas markets, but the ones held to celebrate Easter are just as much of a treat. Featuring stalls selling hand-painted eggs, handicrafts and traditional food such as roast ham and sugary waffles, the biggest markets are in Wenceslas Square and the Old Town Square in the shadow of the city’s 15th-century Astronomical Clock. Prague’s beer gardens also open for the season; magnolia trees blossom in parks; and the city rings with the sound of classical concerts held at the grand Rudolfinum and the baroque Clementinum. Stay until the end of the month for Čarodějnice (Witches’ Night) on 30 April, when straw effigies of witches are burnt on blazing bonfires and revellers celebrate with music performances, sausages and fireworks.

Like a local: Unsure what to drink? Simply order a velky pivo (big beer) or maly pivo (small beer) and they’ll bring you the best house beer.

(10 of the best hotels in Prague, from neighbourhood boltholes to castle-view rooms.)

Türkiye

Weather: 15-21C
Why now: Istanbul Tulip Festival

Türkiye bursts into life in springtime. The beach resorts of Antalya and Bodrum open for the season and warm sunny days are perfect for hiking the wildflower-flanked Lycian Way near Fethiye before summer’s oppressive heat descends. Istanbul is covered in Crayola-bright blooms as the city hosts its annual month-long Tulip Festival, while sights such as the domed Hagia Sophia and 15th-century Grand Bazaar, with its 2,000 stalls, are less crowded than later in the year. It’s also a great time to visit Unesco-listed Cappadocia, as the calm cool mornings are perfect for hot air ballooning over the region’s towering rock formations and deep gorges, which seem all the more dramatic when set against the backdrop of the vivid spring greenery.

Like a local: Dine in a lokanta, a traditional, often family-run restaurant that serves affordable Turkish dishes.

(9 of the best restaurants in Istanbul.)

Peru

Weather: 20-23C
Why now: Semana Santa

This year, Semana Santa (Holy Week) falls in the first week of April and is celebrated across Peru, including in its capital Lima, with candlelit processions and feasting. In the Andean city of Cusco, the gateway to Machu Picchu, celebrations peak on Easter Monday with Señor de los Temblores, which honours the city’s patron saint with an elaborate parade through the cobbled streets and sprawling squares. April is also the end of Peru’s rainy season, so is perfect for hiking to Machu Picchu or cruising the Amazon, where still-high water levels make it possible to kayak through flooded forests to spot wildlife such as sloths, caimans and macaws.

Like a local: Peruvians love pollo a la brasa (marinated roast chicken with fries and a spicy green sauce). Try it at the no-frills Los Toldos Chicken in Cusco.

(You can see Peru's Sacred Valley by bike—here's how.)

South Korea

Weather: 15-18C
Why now: Cherry blossoms

Japan might be known for its sakura, but South Korea is a pretty pink-petalled alternative, with dedicated festivals in Jinhae, Jeju City and Seoul’s Yeouido Park. If you miss the flowers at their peak, there are plenty of other colourful options beyond the capital. These include the Taean Tulip Festival, which showcases more than 1.5 million flowers, and the Goryeosan Mountain Azalea Festival, where hiking trails are lined with vibrant pink azalea blooms. Mild days and low humidity mean this is also an ideal month for exploring this fascinating country with its traditional villages, mountains and palaces. Still, there’s plenty to do in Seoul itself — walk up Namsan Hill for panoramic city views, cycle along the park-lined Han River or mooch around the century-old Gwangjang Market to sample some amazing street food.

Like a local: Download the Subway Korea app to help navigate Seoul’s excellent subway system. Stations also have numbers, which makes it easy to plan routes and get around, and most trains have wi-fi.

(How South Korea is emerging as an alternative destination for cherry blossoms.)