The best places to visit in April 2025

April is one of the smartest months to book leisure travel. In many parts of the world, the climate is blissfully mild during this time of year. And since kids are in school for most of the month, you can expect fewer crowds — which translates into more affordable flights and accommodations, and easier access to a destination’s key attractions.

For those in the Northern Hemisphere, the best reason to travel in April is to enjoy the outdoors after winter’s cold and darkness. From budding branches to longer stretches of daylight to trilling birds, signs of nature springing back to life are everywhere.

Ahead are 10 of the best places to visit in April.

Jeju Island, South Korea

If you want to be surrounded by stunning cherry blossoms while avoiding the crushing crowds of Yoshino, Japan, and Washington, D.C., Jeju Island is the answer. This cherished South Korean leisure destination with a subtropical climate is famed for an abundance of native king cherry trees whose fluffy and vibrant blooms cascade across the island.

Though the fleeting flowers are weather-dependent, they typically peak in early April. Take advantage of the spectacular natural backdrop by hiking the iconic volcanic mountain Hallasan (don’t worry, it’s dormant), and fuel up afterward with local delicacies like black pork, galchi (hairtail fish) and abalone.

TPG tip: Set on the coastline overlooking Beomseom Island, JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa is a 197-room luxury resort featuring a sleek design by Bill Bensley, a restorative spa and several enticing restaurants, including The Flying Hog. Rooms are available from $715 or 52,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night in April.

San Antonio

Once overshadowed by Houston and Austin, San Antonio has emerged as a vibrant Texas travel destination — and April is one of the best months to visit. Fiesta San Antonio (April 24 to May 4) is an annual 11-day festival with more than 100 events, including Cornyation 2025: The Court of Marmalade Morass Madness (April 29-May 1), an adults-only satire whose proceeds benefit HIV and AIDS research and other LGBTQ+ causes.

With daytime highs from the mid-60s to the low 80s, April is also a wonderful time to be outdoors. Experience peak wildflower season (bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, primroses) at Phil Hardberger Park or cycle down the San Antonio River Walk to the San Antonio Missions, Texas’ only UNESCO World Heritage site.

For some of the best eats in town, check out the James Beard Award-nominated restaurants Best Quality Daughter and Cullum’s Attagirl.

TPG tip: Canopy by Hilton San Antonio Riverwalk is a 195-room lifestyle hotel on the River Walk. In April, rates start at $195 or 58,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is an appealing destination year-round, but April is an especially underrated time to visit. The month may signal the end of the country’s dry season, but the weather, particularly in the western and central regions, remains comfortably hot and sunny for outdoor pursuits such as surfing on the Pacific Coast, hiking Rincon de la Vieja National Park and spotting wildlife like nesting sea turtles and humpback whales.

Semana Santa, or Holy Week, occurs April 13-19. It is one of Costa Rica’s most cherished occasions, with ceremonies and special food. Be sure to try dulce de chiverre, a marmalade featuring the native sweet squash, served in traditional desserts during the weeklong festivities.

TPG tip: Book your stay at the luxurious Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, which opens in February on the Papagayo Peninsula. In April, rates start at $1,665 or 143,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Northern Territory, Australia 

Australia’s vast and remote Northern Territory is the heart of Aboriginal culture. One of the best ways to learn more about how Aborigines shaped the region is at Parrtjima in Alice Springs (Mparntwe). The free 10-day art and light festival (April 4-13) is unlike any other in the world. Ancient traditions converge with modern technology, showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage through dazzling light installations, captivating artworks and lively performances. Explore the iconic Uluru and the Kata Tjuta (Olgas) rock formations to round out a trip here. Dropping by Alice Springs’ Kangaroo Sanctuary is a necessity for animal lovers.

TPG tip: Check in to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs for a convenient stay. April rates start at $95 or 24,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Sao Paulo 

Though Brazil’s largest city, Sao Paulo — included in our “Where to go in 2025” list — has always pulsed with energy, April brings even more reasons to plan a trip there. The Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo will finally unveil its sweeping $43 million renovation and expansion, nearly doubling its space.

Every April, Sao Paulo Fashion Week presents the designs of industry heavyweights alongside up-and-coming talent and is widely considered Latin America’s most influential fashion event. Many shows are invitation-only, but the city is humming with parties and other social events offering unique opportunities to people-watch and soak up the city’s cosmopolitan style.

While you’re in town, don’t forget to make dinner reservations at some of Sao Paulo’s mainstays, like Mocoto, Tuju and Shin-Zushi.

TPG tip: Unveiled in January, W Sao Paulo marks the brand’s first location in Brazil while ushering fresh energy into the city’s business district. Rooms are available from $409 or 34,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night in April.

Hoi An, Vietnam 

Often bypassed by tourists heading to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An is the gateway to Central Vietnam. The historic port town brimming with cultural treasures is also near several uncrowded beaches — try An Bang for its sugary sands and crystal-clear waters.

Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Hoi An’s Old Town is a portal to the past, when trading merchants from Asia and Europe shaped the city into a cultural melting pot from the 15th to the 19th century. The neighborhood comes alive at night when paper lanterns illuminate the Hoai River and the Night Market’s stalls clamor for your attention.

Dive into the region’s rich food culture on a guided tour with Vespa Adventures; you’ll see lesser-known parts of the city and sample local foods like White Rose Restaurant’s pretty flower-shaped dumplings.

TPG tip: Situated on a tranquil strip of Hoi An Beach, the legendary Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam — a member of American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts — stretches across 86 lush acres and features dreamy villas with outdoor showers. Rates start at $966 per night in April.

Sacred Valley, Peru

Located in Peru between Cusco and Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley is a 62-mile expanse of fertile land irrigated by the Urubamba River and surrounded by the Andes Mountains. The region has plenty to experience, from Pisac, a stunning pre-Hispanic archaeological site, to the Maras Salt Mines, where salt has been harvested since pre-Inca times.

It’s also a smart jumping-off point for Machu Picchu. With five departure stations from the Sacred Valley (Wanchaq, San Pedro, Poroy, Ollantaytambo, Urubamba), PeruRail‘s glass-domed Vistadome train whisks you to the mystical UNESCO World Heritage site and back in comfort and style. April is an ideal time to go because it’s the beginning of the dry season, but well before the peak crowds arrive from June to August.

TPG tip: Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Valle Sagrado in Urubamba offers a locally inspired stay with garden-fresh Peruvian cuisine, a restorative spa and a serene design. Accommodations are available from $493 or 45,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night in April.

Botswana

Botswana should be on your radar if your dream vacation involves immersing yourself in nature. An astonishing 40% of the country’s land is protected, which ensures its diverse ecosystems, including savannas and wetlands like the iconic Okavango Delta, can flourish.

As April shifts from the wet to the dry season, you can look forward to warm days followed by brisk nights and ample opportunities to spot breeding herds of elephants and antelopes. Fewer crowds and more affordable rates than you’d find during the peak travel months between June and October make visiting this time of year even more memorable.

TPG tip: Comprising 12 intimate cottages, andBeyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge is famed for its understated luxury, personalized service and unbeatable location within the Okavango Delta. In April, the all-inclusive overnight rates start at $2,680.

Amsterdam 

Though April is one of the busiest travel months for the Dutch capital, its singular springtime landscape warrants a visit when the Amsterdam Tulip Festival (March 20 to May 11) transforms the already postcard-perfect city into a wonderland of kaleidoscopic blooms.

For a truly unforgettable viewing experience, plan a day trip to the world’s largest flower park, Keukenhof (your best bet to avoid crowds is arriving right at opening). Alternatively, you can check out the lesser-visited Poldertuin, a flower garden in Anna Paulowna, or Flevoland’s tulip fields. Both are a little farther away but still accessible via public transport.

The spring blossoms coincide with King’s Day on April 27, a national holiday jam-packed with rambunctious outdoor parties and street markets. (Be sure to wear something orange, as the locals do in honor of the Dutch royal family.)

The city will also be celebrating its 750th anniversary in 2025. As part of the yearlong festivities, the culinary history exhibit “Amsterdam Eats” opens April 11 at the Allard Pierson Museum.

TPG tip: Continue the spring theme even while you sleep at Pulitzer Amsterdam‘s ornate Flower Collector’s Suite, where April rates begin at $1,478 per night. Receive daily breakfast for two, late checkout and more when you book via the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program.

Tucson

April is a smart time to visit Arizona’s second-largest city because there are fewer crowds than during winter’s high season, and it’s not too hot yet. Located in the Sonoran Desert, Tucson is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts who want to take advantage of the area’s hiking, stargazing and wildlife viewing.

Food lovers should also consider planning a trip. In 2015, Tucson became America’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy for its unique culinary scene that blends Mexican and Native American traditions. Some of the best old-school spots to savor local cuisine (and history) include El Charro Cafe, which opened in 1922, and El Minuto Cafe, which opened in 1936.

TPG tip: Centered around a boomerang-shaped pool and recently reflagged as an IHG property, Voco The Tuxon has rates starting at $92 or 17,000 IHG One Rewards points per night in April.

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