Europe in April will provide you with a gorgeous menu of unforgettable travel experiences. The Mediterranean specifically begins to come to life with delightful weather and dozens of cultural events with the onset of spring.
For example, Barcelona’s colorful Sant Jordi festival, with the streets buzzing with book stalls and roses given as gifts, is an April favorite for locals and visitors alike. Athens will also welcome you with its milder temperatures, ideal for exploring marvels like the Acropolis, minus the summer crowds.
Athens, Greece
Acropolis in Athens, Greece
One of the best places to visit in Europe in April is Athens, Greece. This region, which enjoys a lovely Mediterranean climate, is full of ancient Greek landmarks worth visiting, like the Parthenon, made even more pleasant without the intense summer heat.
April also sees neratzia, or bitter orange tree, plus the Judas tree come into bloom. Bitter orange trees, with fragrant flowers and orange fruits, are all over Athen’s neighborhoods and public squares, filling the air with a citrusy aroma. The Judas trees add a splash of color to the city as well, with their pink or purple flowers.
Mount Lycabettus in Athens, Greece
If you miss April but arrive in May, you can enjoy the Athens Street Food Festival’s local cuisines and lively atmosphere. April is a great time to trek up Mount Lycabettus for panoramic views of Athens too, just as the plants and flowers begin to bloom.
Read: Best Places to Visit in Europe in May
Naples, Italy
Naples, Italy
In Naples, as the April weather warms this part of Italy, you can go for relaxed strolls along the Lungomare Caracciolo di Napoli coastal promenade, soaking in the ambiance, accompanied by superb views of the Bay of Naples.
The historical sites of this Italian region, like the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, should make your April travel list as well, as you won’t have to deal with the intensity of summer. Depending on when Easter falls, April is when Holy Week celebrations commence, marked by vibrant religious processions.
Castel dell’Ovo in Naples, Italy
As spring awakens, historic sites like the Archaeological Museum and Castel dell’Ovo exude even more charm against a backdrop of flowering gardens and milder temperatures.
The city hosts the Maggio dei Monumenti cultural event in April too, showcasing art, unfettered public monument access, theater performances, multimedia installations, and more.
Amalfi, Italy
Nature rouses in nearby destinations like the Amalfi Coast, south of the city, in the spring, offering you breathtaking vistas of the sea, budding flora, and the intoxicating fragrance of blossoming lemon groves, which provide lemons for the region’s refreshing limoncello liqueur.
Read: Insider’s Guide to Naples’ Spanish Quarter
Mykonos, Greece
Mykonos Town, Greece
April in Mykonos is a time of true beauty, bound to please all of your senses. As spring emerges, Mykonos boasts reasonable temperatures, great for an unhurried exploration of this picturesque island in the Aegean Sea.
As you ramble around, you can learn about Mykonos’ legendary windmills and whitewashed buildings (with colorful blue accents) that stand against a sun, sand, and sea backdrop. The beaches of Mykonos, although quieter and cooler than the peak summer season, will provide you with tranquility, plus exquisite vistas for your springtime relaxation.
Mykonos Town, Greece
As the island emerges from its winter slumber, you can check out the pretty cobblestone streets, adorned with blossoming bougainvillea. One of the best things to do in Mykonos is to visit the charming Little Venice area and watch as the island prepares for the commotion of summer.
In April, in the Town of Mykonos, also known as Chora, you can experience the island’s Orthodox Easter traditions, which include lively processions full of flowers, plus holiday foods like roasted lamb, and lazarakia bread, which is shaped like a resurrected version of the biblical Lazarus.
Read: Best Beaches to Visit in April
Florence, Italy
Florence, Italy
Come April, Florence begins to turn into a city of colors and fragrances, exemplified by the purple blooms of the wisteria, which are especially prominent in the Bardini Gardens.
Bardini Gardens in Florence, Italy
These hillside Italian Renaissance gardens, on the southern side of the Arno River, feature outstanding views of the entire city.
While you’re in town, you can take part in cultural events like the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, a venerated ballet, music, and opera festival, hosting classical performances in iconic venues like the Opera di Firenze. The festival runs from late April to June.
Duomo in Florence, Italy
Of course, April is also an excellent time to explore the attractions and impressive architectural structures that Florence is known for, like the Duomo and Uffizi Gallery, a different story from the hotter, busier summer months.
Kotor, Montenegro
Kotor, Montenegro
If traveling in Europe during April, Kotor in Montenegro is bound to impress with the springtime blossoms along its medieval streets and surrounding mountainsides.
Embrace bright, sunny days in late spring. One of the best things to do in Kotor now is to walk around the UNESCO-listed Old Town, inhaling the aroma of jasmine, rosemary, and wisteria. Come late March and early April, the picturesque Camellia Festival takes place in Stoliv, also located inside the Bay of Kotor.
Old Town in Kotor, Montenegro
April’s milder climate allows for leisurely hikes up the surrounding hills for panoramic views of the Bay of Kotor, letting you enjoy the area’s natural beauty from an elevated vantage point. Hike along the old city walls, soak up the Adriatic coast’s abundant charms, and revel in the elegance of this Eastern European city with the onset of spring.
Nice, France
Old Quarter in Nice, France
April in Nice is a time of year that will offer you a superb opportunity to bask in the city’s cultural festivities, savor its culinary delights, and rejoice in the city’s beauty.
If Easter falls in April, make sure you catch the candlelit procession in Nice’s Old Quarter on Good Friday. And for body art lovers, visit the Nice International Tattoo Festival, also in April.
Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France
During spring’s onset, the shores of the Mediterranean bask in warm, sunny weather, ideal for enjoying sites such as the Promenade des Anglais, Castle Hill, with breathtaking views of the Bay of Angels, and cultural highlights like the Matisse Museum.
During April, you can also delight in splendid gardens like the lavish Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, located in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, a brief distance from central Nice.
Read: Best Things to Do in Nice
Rome, Italy
Colosseum in Rome, Italy
April unveils Rome, Italy’s capital, as a prime European destination, showcasing its ancient and Baroque wonders. These include the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and others, amid the gentle, blossoming charm of central Italy.
While immersing yourself in Rome’s renowned landmarks, you can also take in the cherry blossoms (gifted from Japan) in pretty parks like the lakeside Laghetto dell’Eur or Rome’s Botanical Gardens.
The Birthday of Rome, Italy
Cultural festivities such as the Birthday of Rome infuse the city with energy and vibrancy in April. The Birthday of Rome, or Natale di Roma, celebrates the city’s traditional founding date on April 21, 753 BC, by Romulus. This festival features parades, historical reenactments, concerts, and cultural activities held across this beautiful Italian city.
Vatican, Italy
Depending on when Easter falls, April also heralds the Vatican’s Easter celebrations, bringing in pilgrims from around the globe to witness the rituals at St. Peter’s Basilica.
Zadar, Croatia
Church of St. Donatus in Zadar, Croatia
April graces Zadar, by the Adriatic Sea, with a serene vibe beckoning you to indulge in its fusion of culture and ancient heritage.
Prominent attractions like the Roman Forum and the grand circular Church of St. Donatus will beckon you to call upon them in the spring. Croatia’s northern Dalmatian region also features abundant cherry blossoms and fragrant Mediterranean flora this time of year.
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
With its pleasing climate, April sets the stage for exploring nearby natural marvels like Plitvice Lakes National Park, with cascading waterfalls and pristine lakes.
Croatian food
The season also invites you to relish appetizing meat and seafood delicacies, accompanied by invigorating cocktails and regional wines at the Zadar Street Festival’s spring edition, held from late April to early May.
Istanbul, Turkey
Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul comes to life in April with the vibrant Istanbul International Tulip Festival, which features millions of tulips blooming across the city’s parks, gardens, and public spaces, including Emirgan Park and Gulhane Park.
Amenable spring weather also makes sightseeing at European attractions like the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque a joy. Moreover, April brings the Istanbul International Film Festival, offering cinephiles a wide-ranging cinematic experience.
Istanbul, Turkey
Take a boat tour along the Bosphorus to admire Istanbul’s bustling energy, cultural heritage, and natural beauty from the water; this is a great time to visit Istanbul.
Santorini, Greece
Santorini, Greece
April in Santorini marks the beginning of this Greek island’s springtime ambiance, casting a mesmerizing spell over its iconic white-washed buildings, stunning crescent-shaped caldera, and the blue Aegean Sea.
Akrotiri in Santorini, Greece
You can tour the Bronze Age Akrotiri settlement in April in the relative cool of spring. You can also experience Santorini’s Easter celebrations, including haunting candlelit processions around the village of Pyrgos and other parts of the island.
Santorini features different wildflowers during the spring, including poppies, chamomile, daisies, wild irises, Mediterranean cyclamens, and bougainvillea. Normally stark, the island emerges as one of the most beautiful places in Greece.
Barcelona, Spain
Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is the perfect spring destination. The city’s temperate climate sets the perfect background for exploring imaginative gardens like Park Güell, a mosaic-adorned haven envisioned by Antoni Gaudí, filled with vivid designs and verdant landscapes.
A standout in Barcelona in April is the infectious spirit of Sant Jordi’s Day—also known as The Day of Books and Roses—celebrated annually on April 23rd. This beloved occasion, which is Catalonia’s “Valentine’s Day,” fills streets with book stalls and exchanges of fragrant roses among loved ones.
Barcelona, Spain
April’s gentle weather will also summon you for strolls along the bustling La Rambla promenade and further afield to the Costa Brava, offering breathtaking views of the vast Mediterranean Sea.
Read: 3 Days in Barcelona
Rhodes, Greece
Lindos in Rhodes, Greece
If you head to Rhodes in the spring, you can visit this Greek island’s ancient sites, including the Acropolis of Lindos and the Palace of the Grand Master in the Old Town of Rhodes, with fewer people around.
Nature embellishes the landscape here with flora and wildflowers, including pine forests, sage, wild thyme, pomegranate trees, jasmine, and more.
Tsoureki
April is also the season for the Greek Orthodox Easter celebrations, infusing the city of Rhodes with religious fervor and traditions, from solemn processions to exuberant festivities and candlelight parades.
Sicily (Messina), Italy
Messina in Sicily, Italy
April in Sicily, particularly in Messina, is a time of Holy Week festivities, punctuated by parades, religious observances, and lively street performances. Notably, cities like Palermo, Catania, and Syracuse also hold processions, religious rituals, and other ceremonies throughout Holy Week.
The city’s historical treasures, like the Messina Cathedral and the expansive Regional Museum, an important art repository, will offer you some profound insights into Sicily’s heritage during your April stay.
Astronomical Clock Tower of Messina in Sicily, Italy
April is also a good time to explore other landmarks, like the Astronomical Clock Tower. Springtime beautifies the towns of Sicily with a kaleidoscope of colorful blossoms, from bougainvillea to fragrant citrus orchards.
Mt. Etna, Sicily
Mt. Etna in Sicily, Italy
Another Sicilian highlight in April not to be missed is Mt. Etna, with the gentler spring weather summoning adventurers to roam around Europe’s largest active volcano. The melting snow unveils landscapes shaped by recent eruptions, juxtaposing lava fields with vibrant wildflowers like gorse, Etna barberry, edelweiss, and more. Walking with a guide on the still-warm lava is an otherworldly experience.
With fewer crowds than in summer, April on Etna promises an intimate, soul-stirring experience atop one of Italy’s best hikes.
The Lefka Ori (White Mountains), Crete
The Lefka Ori (White Mountains), Crete
The Lefka Ori (White Mountains) in Crete serves up a striking landscape in April, perfect for hiking enthusiasts. These snow-capped mountaintops start to thaw with the arrival of spring, revealing blooming wildflowers and diverse flora, making it an ideal time for outdoor fun.
As the trails winding through Crete’s White Mountains become more accessible, you’ll be exposed to exquisite panoramas stretching out across the western part of the island. There are tiny farming communities dotted around but otherwise, you’ll feel wonderfully alone and able to commune with nature.
Santorini, Greece
Explore different Mediterranean destinations in Europe with Celebrity Cruises in April. Browse our European cruises in April to find your dream springtime escape.
