Where to go in April
17 destinations at their peak in April, plus 5 more that are still a good choice.
At their best in April
Paris
France · best Apr–Jun, Sep–OctBoulevards, bakeries and the best people-watching on earth.
London
United Kingdom · best Apr–SepFree museums, royal parks and a food scene drawn from the whole world.
Rome
Italy · best Mar–May, Sep–OctThree thousand years of history, and dinner at nine.
Barcelona
Spain · best Apr–Jun, Sep–OctGaudí, the Mediterranean and dinner after ten.
Lisbon
Portugal · best Mar–Jun, Sep–OctSeven hills, yellow trams and the sweet ache of fado.
Istanbul
Türkiye · best Apr–May, Sep–OctWhere two continents meet over tea on the Bosphorus.
Tokyo
Japan · best Mar–May, Oct–NovNeon, temples and the most precise bowl of noodles you will ever eat.
Kyoto
Japan · best Mar–Apr, Oct–NovSeventeen World Heritage sites and a thousand quiet gardens.
Bali
Indonesia · best Apr–SepRice terraces, temple ceremonies and surf at sunset.
Singapore
Singapore · best Feb–AprA garden city where Michelin stars sit beside hawker stalls.
New York City
United States · best Apr–Jun, Sep–OctFive boroughs, eight million people and a pizza slice on every block.
Mexico City
Mexico · best Oct–AprAztec ruins, leafy colonias and tacos at every hour.
Cusco and Machu Picchu
Peru · best Apr–SepThe Inca capital and the citadel in the clouds.
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil · best Apr–Jun, Sep–OctMountains, beaches and samba between them.
Buenos Aires
Argentina · best Mar–May, Sep–NovTango, steak and grand cafés that stay open until dawn.
Marrakech
Morocco · best Mar–May, Oct–NovSouks, riads and the Atlas Mountains on the horizon.
Sydney
Australia · best Feb–Apr, Sep–NovThe world's best harbour and a beach for every mood.
Also good in April
Santorini, Reykjavík, Dubai, Vancouver, Cape Town.
Festivals and events in April
Easter at the VaticanRome
Holy Week services and papal blessings in St Peter's Square. Rome guide
Natale di RomaRome
Rome's birthday, with historical re-enactments. Rome guide
Sant JordiBarcelona
Books and roses exchanged across the city. Barcelona guide
Tulip FestivalIstanbul
Millions of tulips in parks such as Emirgan. Istanbul guide
Orthodox EasterSantorini
Candlelit processions and celebrations in the villages. Santorini guide
Cherry blossom seasonTokyo
Hanami picnics in Ueno, Shinjuku Gyoen and along Meguro River. Tokyo guide
SongkranBangkok
Thai New Year and a city-wide water fight. Bangkok guide
Semana SantaMexico City
Holy Week processions, especially in Iztapalapa. Mexico City guide