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Where's hot in April for a last-minute holiday?
April is arguably one of the best months to travel, when holiday hotspots north of the equator begin heating up and tourist attractions remain relatively crowd-free.
Whether you just want to hop over to Europe or you’re willing to put in the flight time, we’ve found seven destinations which are ideal to visit this month.
Experience small-town charm in Provence, see for yourself why Lefkada is rated one of the best Greek islands, or go all-out with a Bali adventure. We’ve also suggested a Portuguese city break, an American road trip, and found the hottest sunbathing spots in Spain and Australia.
Find out which airlines are rated best and worst by Which? readers
Where's hot and cheap for a European holiday?
By travelling to some of Europe's hotspots in April, you'll be dodging the swathes of tourists (and steeper prices) of the high season. If you can, avoid the school holidays to get cheaper rates. And if you are tempted by a last-minute deal, make sure you're not sacrificing flexible cancellation policies for a lower price.
Save money during your holiday by avoiding these six spending mistakes
Where's hot in Europe in April?
Fuerteventura, Spain
Average maximum temperature: 22°C
With island-wide highs of 22°C and little to no rainfall, April allows for sunbathing without compromising your personal space on the beaches of Fuerteventura. Water parks will keep the kids busy, while adults can enjoy coastal walks and bike rides, lazy days by the pool and fresh tapas on the seafront.
Feeling active? You may enjoy a hike to the Calderón Hondo volcano, where you can peer into the caldera, or explore Parque Rural de Betancuria to spot birds of prey.
Check with booking.com to easily compare and find accommodation deals in Fuerteventura.
Booking.com is the top-rated hotel-booking site in our survey and received five stars for its flexibility. Most bookings can be cancelled at short notice without penalty. The only way to be sure you've found the best rate is to call or email the hotel directly.
Find a Fuerteventura holiday with a Which? Recommended Provider: Hays, Jet 2, Kuoni, Trailfinders
Lefkada, Greece
Average maximum temperature: 18°C
One of the lesser-known isles, Lefkada sits just above Kefalonia off Greece's west coast. Visitors can enjoy scenic walks through mountain villages, a choice of 22 beaches and traditional tavernas serving fresh local dishes.
Lefkada scored the full five stars for its scenery and food and drink in our latest Greek Islands survey. Pair that with pleasant highs of 18°C and you've got a relaxing sunny break within four hours' flight time.
Check with booking.com to easily compare and find accommodation deals in Lefkada.
Find a Lefkada holiday with Which? Recommended Provider Jet 2
Porto, Portugal
Average maximum temperature: 18°C
Porto in April offers mellow highs of 18°C, historic architecture and plenty of opportunities to sample port wine.
Portugal's beginnings as a nation started in Porto around the mouth of the Douro River. The city has grown up around its ancient castles, cathedrals and cobbled streets throughout the centuries, making it a prime destination for any history buff.
After a day of exploring, head to the Cais da Ribeira for a spot of dinner and some of the best views of the riverfront.
Check with booking.com to easily compare and find accommodation deals in Porto.
Find a Porto holiday with a Which? Recommended Provider: Kuoni, Trailfinders
Provence, France
Average maximum temperature: 17°C
From the white-capped Alps to the glamourous French Riviera, Provence is one of France's most alluring regions. If you don't mind missing out on the lavender fields in bloom (June-August), April is a good time to visit with fewer tourists and climes of 17°C.
Watch yachts bobbing among old fishing boats in Saint-Tropez or bask in the hot spring baths of Aix-en-Provence. Arles, too, is worth a visit for its Roman amphitheatre. If it's peace and quiet in the countryside you're craving, Hautes Alpes has rustic chateaus and mountain trails aplenty.
Check with booking.com to easily compare and find accommodation deals in Provence.
Find a Provence holiday with a Which? Recommended Provider: Hays, Saga, Trailfinders
Long-haul destinations for hot weather in April
Bali
Average maximum temperature: 31°C
Temples, beaches and rice terraces: Bali is a stunning destination. While the temperature dances around 30°C all year, April is the start of the dry season (until October), which means you can dodge the tropical rainstorms before tourist levels begin to surge.
Head to the bohemian town of Ubud for traditional markets, spas and rice terraces. There's also the chance to take a sunrise hike to the top of Mount Batur if you're feeling adventurous. Canggu is the place to try surfing and relax in a beachside villa, while top-class temples include Pura Batan, Lempuyang Temple (where you'll find the 'gates to heaven') and Tanah Lot (the sea temple).
While Covid-19 restrictions have eased Indonesia, Brits visiting for tourism are still required to show evidence of being fully vaccinated. They must also be prepared to have their temperature taken on arrival. Find instructions on how to prove vaccination status in Indonesia at Gov.uk.
Check with booking.com to easily compare and find accommodation deals in Bali.
Find a Bali holiday with a Which? Recommended Provider: Kuoni, Trailfinders.
California, USA
Average maximum temperature: 22°C
There's everything from lively cities to national parks filled with towering red woods across California's 12 counties. Walk the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, enjoy a tipple or two in Wine Country, or marvel at the ancient sequoia trees and granite cliffs of Yosemite.
Either settle in one place or head on a road trip to discover what the Golden State has to offer. There are lots of well-established routes - including the iconic Route 66 from Santa Monica to Needles.
In April, you'll find averages of 22°C. But depending where you go, it could get as hot as 31°C in Death Valley in April and as cool as 7°C in Yosemite. Napa and Santa Monica sit at around 20°C and San Francisco at 19°C.
There are still Covid-19 travel restrictions in place in the USA. Currently, only the fully vaccinated (or those medically exempt) can visit the USA for tourism. Be aware that each state may also have its own entry requirements and Covid-19 restrictions on the ground. Check what they are on the CDC website. There's more information about the USA's entry requirements for UK travellers on Gov.uk.
Check with booking.com to easily compare and find accommodation deals in California.
Find a California holiday with a Which? Recommended Provider: Hays, Kuoni, Trailfinders.
Gold Coast, Australia
Average maximum temperature: 26°C
April is an ideal time to experience the Gold Coast with balmy highs of 26°C and fewer crowds during shoulder season.
Some of the highlights include Surfers Paradise beach and Tamborine Mountain. For families, there are a number of theme parks, such as Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet 'n' Wild and Sea World, not to mention an array of water sports on the beaches.
Nature enthusiasts will find plenty to marvel at too. Hike in the hinterland or take a daytrip to Springbrook National Park, while hippy, celebrity hotspot Byron Bay is an hour's drive down the coast.
Check with booking.com to easily compare and find accommodation deals in Gold Coast.
Find a Gold Coast holiday with a Which? Recommended Provider: Kuoni, Saga, Trailfinders
Weather data from Weather2travel.com.
Know before you go
Although travel restrictions have been lifted in many destinations, you should still be prepared for them to change at the last minute. Always follow the latest advice from the FCDO. To alleviate some of the stress if your trip gets cancelled or you can no longer travel, we recommend booking a package holiday through a provider with flexible policies.
Travel insurance is a must and our research finds that the best cover isn't always the most expensive.
Of course, a package holiday won't suit everybody's plans and you might only need flights. Before booking with an airline, check if they continue to have good flexibility now that Covid restrictions are easing.
