April is one of the best months to travel from the UK. Prices have not yet reached their summer peak, the weather across southern Europe is warm and largely settled, and the beaches and old towns are quiet enough to actually enjoy. Here are four destinations that deliver in April, each with a different character.
See the Where’s Hot Each Month guide for the full year, or read on for the April detail.
| Destination | Avg Temp | Flights from UK | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algarve | 21°C | 2.5 hrs | Beach, walking, cliffs, pre-season value |
| Seville | 22°C | 2.5 hrs | City breaks, Easter traditions, architecture |
| Malta | 19°C | 3 hrs | Easter breaks, history, good-value packages |
| Split, Croatia | 17°C | 2.5 hrs | Old town, Adriatic, shoulder-season prices |
Algarve, Portugal
April is one of the best months to visit the Algarve. Temperatures average 21°C, there are around eight hours of sunshine per day, and the wildflowers that bloom along the clifftops and in the countryside make it genuinely beautiful. The Algarve in April is the pre-season sweet spot: good weather, reasonable prices, and enough visitors to keep restaurants open without the summer crowds.
The sea sits around 17°C in April, cool for swimming but warming quickly. Most visitors focus on the dramatic coastal walks around Lagos and Sagres rather than beach time. The inland Alentejo region is also at its most attractive in spring: green hills, cork forests, and very few other tourists. Flights from most UK airports take around two and a half hours. Ryanair, easyJet and TAP all operate direct routes.
Prices for April are noticeably lower than May and June, particularly for holiday rentals and small hotels. Check our Portugal travel guide for month-by-month comparisons and what to budget.
Seville
Seville in April is the most vibrant month on the Spanish calendar. Semana Santa (Holy Week before Easter) fills the old streets with elaborate processions, brass bands and vast crowds. The Feria de Abril, usually two weeks after Easter, brings flamenco, horses and an atmosphere unlike anything else in Europe. If your dates fall outside both events, you will find a quieter, sunnier Seville at 22°C with moderate hotel prices.
The key is checking your dates before booking. Semana Santa and the Feria de Abril can push room rates up by a factor of three or more in centrally located hotels. Book well ahead if you want to be there for the events, or look at the shoulder days either side for better value. Flights take around two and a half hours from most UK airports.
April is arguably the finest month to walk Seville’s neighbourhood streets: the orange trees are flowering, the temperatures are warm without being harsh, and the bars are full but not heaving. See our guide to booking cheap flights for tips on finding the best Seville fares.
Malta
Malta in April hits a comfortable 19°C. The sea is around 17°C and still cool for most swimmers, but the island itself is very pleasant to explore. April is also one of the most culturally interesting months: Malta has a strong Catholic identity, and Easter is celebrated with a level of ceremony that is genuinely impressive. The Good Friday processions in Valletta and the smaller towns are worth planning around if your dates allow.
Malta is a short break destination that punches above its size. Valletta, the smallest EU capital, has a density of fortifications, baroque churches and viewpoints that takes several days to appreciate. The Three Cities across the Grand Harbour are quieter than the capital. The island of Gozo, a short ferry crossing away, is green and rural in April. Flights take around three hours from UK airports.
Package deals to Malta in April offer good value. Check our all-inclusive holidays guide for Malta resort options, or look at self-catering apartments in Valletta for a more independent trip.
Split, Croatia
Split in April is quiet, affordable and atmospheric in a way that July and August cannot replicate. Daytime temperatures average 17°C, the Adriatic sea sits around 15-16°C, and Diocletian’s Palace, the Roman Emperor’s retirement home turned city centre, is almost entirely yours to explore without the crowds that fill it in summer. The restaurants lining the Riva waterfront are open and relaxed.
April is a good base for day trips along the Dalmatian coast. Trogir, the UNESCO-listed fortified town, is 30 minutes west by bus. The Krka waterfalls are accessible and strikingly beautiful in spring when the water levels are high. Plitvice Lakes National Park is further north but worth the journey if you have a car. See our Croatia budget guide for costs and what to expect.
Flights from UK airports to Split take around two and a half hours. British Airways, easyJet and Jet2 all operate the route. Prices in April are substantially lower than July and August, when demand from the sailing crowd drives everything up significantly.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to go in April from the UK?
The Algarve is the most reliable warm destination in April, with temperatures around 21°C and direct flights from most UK airports. Seville is the best city break option, particularly if your dates avoid the Semana Santa crowds.
Is April a good time to visit Malta?
Yes. April is one of Malta’s best months: temperatures average 19°C, the island has fewer visitors than summer, and Easter is celebrated with genuine ceremony across Valletta and the smaller towns.
Is Split worth visiting in April?
April is a good time to visit Split if you want the old town without summer crowds. Temperatures average 17°C and the city is pleasant for walking and day trips, though the sea is too cold for most swimmers.
How warm is Seville in April?
Seville averages 22°C in April. Check your dates against Semana Santa and the Feria de Abril, as both events bring large crowds and much higher hotel prices.
What is the weather like in the Algarve in April?
The Algarve in April averages 21°C with around eight hours of sunshine. Sea temperatures sit around 17°C, cool for swimming but warming quickly through the month.
