With springtime sweeping across the continent in a riot of color, April is a spectacular time to travel in Europe. Whether you want to experience two seasons in one cruise in Norway or the natural theatre of springtime in the Netherlands, read on to discover the best destinations in Europe to visit in April.
Where To Go When
View BookCelebrate Easter in Athens
Greece’s spell-binding capital offers crumbling ancient ruins, world-class museums and cobbled streets packed with cute cafés. And if you’re in Athens for Easter, you’re in for an extra treat. On Good Friday, church bells toll eerily all day, and in the evening candlelight processions wind slowly through the streets. At midnight on Saturday, locals meet outside churches with candles to watch fireworks. Celebrations culminate on Easter Sunday with music resounding through the streets.
Getting there: Athens International Airport is about 45 minutes by taxi from the centre. There’s also a metro link which takes 40 minutes
Getting around: Sights are closely packed and easily walkable, though there are buses and a useful metro system
Weather: Sunny and pleasant with an average temperature of 20℃ / 68℉
Getting there: Athens International Airport is about 45 minutes by taxi from the centre. There’s also a metro link which takes 40 minutes
Getting around: Sights are closely packed and easily walkable, though there are buses and a useful metro system
Weather: Sunny and pleasant with an average temperature of 20℃ / 68℉
DK Top 10 Athens
View BookTake a Fjord Cruise in Norway
Set sail from Bergen, where spring is in full bloom, to Kirkenes, deep in the Arctic North, and experience two seasons in one amazing voyage. This 12-day round trip on a Hurtigruten (Coastal Voyage) ship will take in pristine fjords and plunging waterfalls, the iconic Lofoten Islands and the unforgettable Arctic city of Tromsø.
The hop-on hop-off service means you can jump ashore and embark on city tours, venture into glacier country, hike steep mountain passes and encounter the Sámi way of life. This trip is truly a unique voyage of discovery.
Getting there: Pre-booked cruises sail from Bergen, served by Bergen Airport, Flesland
Getting around: Bergen Light Rail links the airport to the city
Weather: Sunshine, rain and snow above the Arctic Circle with an average temperature of 6℃ / 42℉
The hop-on hop-off service means you can jump ashore and embark on city tours, venture into glacier country, hike steep mountain passes and encounter the Sámi way of life. This trip is truly a unique voyage of discovery.
Getting there: Pre-booked cruises sail from Bergen, served by Bergen Airport, Flesland
Getting around: Bergen Light Rail links the airport to the city
Weather: Sunshine, rain and snow above the Arctic Circle with an average temperature of 6℃ / 42℉
DK Norway
View BookQuaff Basque cider in San Sebastián
Lovers of the good things in life will feel at home in San Sebastián. One of the top culinary destinations not only in Spain but anywhere in the world, this seaside city is rightly celebrated for its pintxos (Basque tapas), its seafood and its wine.
Gazing out over the Bay of Biscay with a glass of txakoli (sparkling wine) and joining the txikiteo – a crawl of the Parte Vieja’s tapas bars – are the perfect ways to fall into the rhythm of local life. Even better, in April you’ll catch the end of cider season and there will be plenty of opportunities to sample this celebrated local tipple.
Getting there: San Sebastián Airport is east of the city centre, which can be reached by bus, car or taxi
Getting around: San Sebastián is well connected by a bus network and cycle lanes, with various car and bike hire outlets
Weather: Mild with showers. Average temperature is 16° / 9°
Gazing out over the Bay of Biscay with a glass of txakoli (sparkling wine) and joining the txikiteo – a crawl of the Parte Vieja’s tapas bars – are the perfect ways to fall into the rhythm of local life. Even better, in April you’ll catch the end of cider season and there will be plenty of opportunities to sample this celebrated local tipple.
Getting there: San Sebastián Airport is east of the city centre, which can be reached by bus, car or taxi
Getting around: San Sebastián is well connected by a bus network and cycle lanes, with various car and bike hire outlets
Weather: Mild with showers. Average temperature is 16° / 9°
DK Northern Spain
View BookDrive Italy’s Amalfi Coast
A drive along the Amalfi Coast is best enjoyed in April, when villages shake off the winter slumber, sun-warmed lemons hang plump and heavy, and the scent of citrus blossom lingers in the air.
Set off from Naples and enjoy some of Italy’s most exquisite landscapes. Expect sharp turns and sweeping vistas of kaleidoscopic towns tumbling down the cliffs toward sparkling turquoise waters. The final stretch of road, from Amalfi to Salerno, holds the most stunning scenery. Here, dramatic gorges and emerald caves pass by as the road climbs heavenwards to the garden-draped terraces and cliffside villas of Ravello.
Getting there: Naples airport is the nearest to the coast
Getting around: A hire car is the best way to explore the Amalfi coast
Weather: Days are sunny and warm with some showers. Average temperature is 16℃ / 61℉
Set off from Naples and enjoy some of Italy’s most exquisite landscapes. Expect sharp turns and sweeping vistas of kaleidoscopic towns tumbling down the cliffs toward sparkling turquoise waters. The final stretch of road, from Amalfi to Salerno, holds the most stunning scenery. Here, dramatic gorges and emerald caves pass by as the road climbs heavenwards to the garden-draped terraces and cliffside villas of Ravello.
Getting there: Naples airport is the nearest to the coast
Getting around: A hire car is the best way to explore the Amalfi coast
Weather: Days are sunny and warm with some showers. Average temperature is 16℃ / 61℉
DK Naples and the Amalfi Coast
View BookExperience the world’s greatest flower spectacle in the Netherlands
Beginning in January, Bollenstreek’s flowering season peaks in late spring when the show-stopping tulip fields erupt in a riot of colour. Most tulip tours of the region – known as the Netherlands’ “Garden of Eden” – start in the charismatic city of Haarlem. From here the Bollenstreek stretches southwards for 40 km (25 miles), providing plenty of opportunity to soak up the perfume and natural theatre of springtime.
The undoubted highlight of the region is the Keukenhof, the celebrated flower garden of Lisse, which opened in 1949 and has some 17 km (10 miles) of pathways carpeted with row upon row of flowerbeds.
Getting there: Haarlem is served by Schiphol Airport
Getting around: Hire a car or a bike and cycle between fields, everything is well signposted
Weather: Sunshine is common, as are light showers. Average temperature is 13℃ / 55℉
The undoubted highlight of the region is the Keukenhof, the celebrated flower garden of Lisse, which opened in 1949 and has some 17 km (10 miles) of pathways carpeted with row upon row of flowerbeds.
Getting there: Haarlem is served by Schiphol Airport
Getting around: Hire a car or a bike and cycle between fields, everything is well signposted
Weather: Sunshine is common, as are light showers. Average temperature is 13℃ / 55℉
DK Eyewitness The Netherlands
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