Where to Go in March and April

With spring just around the corner, there’s plenty to look forward to in Europe, especially if you’re planning a last minute escape or a surprise getaway.

Need some inspiration? Take your pick from these top destinations – from action-packed city breaks to paradise islands, we’ve got you covered …

Dublin: Get yourself to Dublin for Ireland’s biggest party of the year, the St Patrick’s Festival. Kicking off on 16th March to the diddley-eye beat of the Festival Céilí, celebrations continue on 17th March with the festival’s highlight, the St Patrick’s Day parade. And the craic doesn’t end there – there are tonnes of cultural events taking place all over the city right up until 19th March. 

Flights to Dublin

Madrid: Spring breathes new life into Madrid’s parks and plazas. In fact, it’s not unusual for March temperatures to simmer around the 20C mark, making conditions just right for a wander around the city’s tapas bars, museums, galleries and shopping streets.

Flights to Madrid

Tenerife: It might only be March but there’s no reason why you can’t get a head-start on summer. Head to southern Tenerife hotspots such as Playa de Las Americas and Los Gigantes and enjoy up to 7 hours of daily sunshine and highs of around 22C.

Flights to Tenerife

Valencia: Whether you’re a pyromaniac or just looking to enjoy a weekend of fiery fiesta fun, you’ll find plenty of action at Valencia’s Las Fallas this March. Featuring extravagant fireworks displays, giant papiermâché puppet parades and blazing bonfires, this annual event is a photographer’s dream. 

Flights to Valencia

Munich: There’s no need to wait until September to get a taste of an authentic Bavarian beer festival. Munich’s Starkbierzeit festival may not grab headlines like Oktoberfest, but it sure knows how to pack a punch when it comes to its beer offering – most of the beers served at the festival are 7% alcohol or above. 

Flights to Munich

Santorini: Clear skies, fewer tourists and reasonable accommodation rates make April the perfect month to soak up the island vibes of Santorini. Explore the moon-like landscapes of the caldera, sample the delicious seafood and enjoy the stunning Aegean views without the coach-loads of tourists of high summer. 

Flights to Santorini

Amsterdam: April is tulip season in the Netherlands and there’s nowhere better to see mother nature work her magic than at Keukenhof, the gardens in Lisse (around 25km from Amsterdam) which are blanketed in up to 7 million flowers each spring. Back in the city centre, King’s Day (27th April) sees Amsterdam locals donning their brightest shade of orange in preparation for the city’s wildest day of the year.

Flights to Amsterdam

Seville: Seville goes all out in April, hosting its two biggest festivals of the year. Visit in the week just before Easter and you’ll be privy to the city’s famous Semana Santa parades. Expect huge floats festooned with flowers and religious works of art (most date back to the 17th century) as well as sombre processions through the streets of the city centre. Two weeks later, the Feria de Abril (Seville Fair) rolls into town. This extravaganza of Andalusian culture runs for 7 days on the city’s Real de la Feria site. Ole!

Flights to Seville

Zadar: Late April sees temperatures warming up in northern Dalmatia, meaning you can look forward to around 10 hours of sunshine on the Zadar coast.  While you’re there, don’t miss the unique Sea Organ and Greeting To The Sun sculptures. 

Flights to Zadar

Bonn: Jet into Cologne-Bonn Airport for Bonn’s spectacular cherry blossom season.  Each April, the narrow streets of the city’s Altstadt neighbourhood are transformed into beautiful tunnels of pink petals.  Special street festivals and markets are usually held in the area at the end of the month to coincide. Cameras at the ready!

Flights to Cologne 

- Fiona Hilliard