April is one of the smartest months to book leisure travel. The climate is blissfully mild in many parts of the world at this time of year. And since many spring break holidays fall in early April this year, you can expect fewer crowds later in the month, which means more affordable flights and accommodations and easier access to 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 and trilling birds to longer stretches of daylight, signs of nature springing back to life are everywhere.
Ahead are 10 of the best places to travel in April this year — plus tips for putting your points and miles to use in these destinations.
Istanbul
For comfortably cool weather in the low 50s to high 60s and spectacular spring scenery, plan an April vacation to Istanbul. One of the city's most beloved events is the Istanbul Tulip Festival, a month-long celebration featuring more than 30 million tulips. Symbols of abundance and renewal, the flowers were cultivated by the Ottoman Empire long before becoming popular in Europe. You can find them planted throughout the city's green spaces, including Emirgan Park and Sultanahmet Square.
When the city is less crowded, sightseeing at top attractions, like Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern, is also far more enjoyable.
To include Istanbul in a multi-destination vacation, consider Viking's "Ancient Mediterranean Treasures" sailing aboard the Viking Vesta. The upscale line's newest all-veranda ocean ship, which debuted last year, carries just 998 guests for a more intimate experience.
TPG tip: Opened last September in the trendy neighborhood of Karakoy, Aloft Istanbul Karakoy is a 107-key hotel geared toward savvy travelers. Guests enjoy many of the perks of a higher-end stay — such as a fitness center, spacious rooms featuring local art and a restaurant serving excellent Turkish fare — at far more reasonable rates. Rooms start at $130 or 18,500 Marriott Bonvoy points per night in April.
Another smart choice is Moxy Istanbul Taksim, one of our best new hotels that opened in 2025.
Houston
As America's fourth-largest city, Houston boasts a wealth of cultural, culinary and entertainment options. The Houston Art Car Parade (April 9-12), which debuted in 1988, showcases 250-plus creative vehicles. On April 11, the family-friendly annual Houston Latin Fest will feature live music (salsa, reggaeton and cumbia) alongside food and craft vendors.
Houston's art scene is nothing short of thrilling. Rothko Chapel and the nearby Menil Collection are must-stops for contemporary art fans, while Meow Wolf Houston and Pop Air Balloon Museum offer more playful, interactive experiences.
Thanks to Houston's incredible diversity, the city is home to tantalizing regional eats — such as Viet-Cajun and Tex-Mex — as well as acclaimed hot spots like the Asian-American diner Agnes and Sherman.
With daytime highs ranging from the mid-60s to the low-70s, April is a sublime time to be outdoors. Experience peak wildflower season at Buffalo Bayou Park, where you can spot bluebonnets, upright prairie coneflowers and pink evening primroses. For cherry blossoms, head to the Japanese Garden at Hermann Park Conservancy.
TPG tip: One of the city's newer stays, Thompson Houston blends resort-style luxury with a prime urban setting just minutes from downtown. For wellness and relaxation, there's the one-acre rooftop, Thompson Spa and an infinity pool with cabanas. The globetrotting Sol 7 and swanky French brasserie Chardon have all your meals covered from breakfast through dinner. April rates start at $310 or 17,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
Copenhagen
While most people descend upon Denmark's capital during the summer months, April is when the city suddenly springs back to life after a long winter, making it an equally lovely (read: less crowded) time to visit.
The annual Copenhagen Sakura Festival, a two-day celebration of the cherry blossoms in Langelinie Park, takes place from April 18 to 19. Meanwhile, Tivoli Gardens has reopened after its winter break.
April is an opportune time to take advantage of the city's world-class dining scene. Koan, the two-Michelin-starred fine dining hot spot by Korean-born, Danish-raised chef Kristian Baumann, is a top pick. Copenhagen is also undergoing an Italian food renaissance, with the swanky Japanese-Italian Restaurant Levi and Surt by Sicilian pizzaiolo Giuseppe Oliva leading the wave. Don't forget to drop by Noma Projects for edible souvenirs, like Mushroom Garum and Pumpkin Bushi, to take home.
TPG tip: A member of Amex's The Hotel Collection, the new 1 Hotel Copenhagen is a sanctuary of sustainability with 282 guest rooms cocooned in reclaimed wood. Guests can also look forward to the produce-driven restaurant Fjora, helmed by chef Chantelle Nicholson, as well as the Bamford Spa. Rates start at $302 per night 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 subtropical South Korean leisure destination is famed for its abundance of native king cherry trees, whose fluffy, 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 resort featuring a striking design by Bill Bensley, a restorative spa and several enticing restaurants, including The Flying Hog. Rooms are available from $725 or 55,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night in April.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is an appealing destination year-round, but April is especially underrated for visiting. 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, runs from March 29 to April 5. 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 and eco-friendly Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique, which opened last May on the country's northern Pacific coast. In April, rates start at $1,118 or 120,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
Northern Territory, Australia
Included in TPG's list of the best places to go in 2026, Australia's vast and remote Northern Territory is the heart of Aboriginal culture. One of the best ways to learn more about how Indigenous Australians shaped the region is at Parrtjima in Alice Springs (Mparntwe). The free 10-day art and light festival (April 10-19) 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 (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (Mount Olga) rock formations to round out a trip here. Dropping by Alice Springs' Kangaroo Sanctuary is a necessity for animal lovers.
TPG tip: With an outdoor pool, three restaurants — including the popular pan-Asian eatery Hanuman — and a neighboring 18-hole golf course, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs has everything you need for a comfortable stay. April rates start at $113 or 33,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
Hoi An, Vietnam
Often bypassed by tourists heading to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An is the gateway to Central Vietnam. This 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 Vespa Adventures tour; you'll see lesser-known parts of the city and sample local dishes like White Rose Restaurant's delicate flower-shaped dumplings.
TPG tip: Situated on a tranquil stretch 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 $930 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-Colombian archaeological site, to the Maras Salt Mines, where salt harvesting even predates the Inca Empire.
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: Urubamba's Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Valle Sagrado offers a locally inspired stay with garden-fresh Peruvian cuisine, a restorative spa and a biophilic design. Accommodations are available from $520 or 53,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night in April.
Botswana
Botswana should be on your radar if your dream vacation means being surrounded by nature. An astonishing 40% of the country's land is protected, ensuring that its diverse ecosystems, including savannas and wetlands such as 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.
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 — the next Lyrid meteor shower is expected to peak on April 11 — 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, blending 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, Voco The Tuxon has rates starting at $105 or 21,000 IHG One Rewards points per night in April.
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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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