Where to go this month.
Kyoto cherry blossom week, Morocco/Jordan/Egypt at their best, and pre-summer Europe before the peak-pricing curtain.
April in Kyoto (April 1-8 typically) is the travel industry's singular cultural moment — if you haven't booked by now, it's too late. April is also the best month for North African and Middle Eastern travel — Morocco, Jordan, Egypt all hit their ideal 22-25°C daytime temperatures. Europe begins its shoulder-to-peak transition: the first half of April remains shoulder; mid-April onward approaches peak pricing. Spring in the Netherlands (Keukenhof tulips early-mid April) and Washington DC (cherry blossom on the Tidal Basin, peaks late March). India is hot (pre-monsoon), Southeast Asia is hot (pre-monsoon humid), and Australia is pleasant as it transitions to autumn.
Peak this April
Kyoto sakura peak
Japan's defining travel moment. Book 6+ months ahead for any hotels; restaurant reservations lock 2-3 months ahead.
Our 7-day Japan itinerary →Morocco / Jordan / Egypt
Mid-20s daytime temperatures, cool nights, low humidity. Camel treks to the Sahara at their most comfortable.
Our 10-day Morocco itinerary →Netherlands tulip season
Keukenhof Gardens open late March through mid-May; peak mid-April. Best visited Tuesday-Thursday to avoid weekend crowds.
Washington DC + Japan elsewhere
Washington Cherry Blossom Festival peaks late March-early April; DC trip pairs well with the NYC spring weekend market culture.
Australia autumn
Sydney 20-24°C, Melbourne 18-22°C. Last comfortable weeks before winter. Uluru at its most photographable; daytime temps drop to manageable 25-28°C.
Day-by-day plans that fit April
Plan ahead this April
- →Summer Mediterranean — Final call for Amalfi, Greek islands, Balearic Islands
- →Iceland Ring Road in summer (May-August), book 2-3 months ahead
- →Japan autumn-foliage trip (November) — 6 months ahead
Consider avoiding
- !Japan Golden Week (April 29 - May 5) period — domestic tourism doubles
- !Holy Week / Semana Santa in Spain + Latin America — hotels surge 40-80%
Looking ahead · May
Europe's shoulder-to-peak moment, Costa Rica's green season shoulder, and the last ideal window for the North African classical circuit.
See the full May outlook →The data behind these picks
Our editor picks above cross-reference four proprietary indices — when destinations are at their peak, where the dollar goes furthest, who can visit where, and where it's still quiet.