As the start of the tourist season across most of the Mediterranean, you’ve got plenty of warm destinations to choose from if you’re looking to jet off to hot countries in April. Say goodbye to those dreaded showers because there’s plenty of opportunities to work on your tan with pleasant temperatures promising snug beach days. Whether you’re looking for a post or pre-Easter break sunnier climes are calling your name, from the idyllic Greek Islands to Italian city breaks guaranteeing a culture fix. So, if you’re wondering where you should be heading this spring, take a look at where is hot in April.
1. Marmaris, Turkey
You can enjoy pleasant days in Marmaris during April with an average maximum of 21°C and minimum of 15°C. Forget April showers, there is a decrease in rain compared to March, which sees 81mm over nine days drop to 73mm. Extended sunshine hours are also expected with 11 hours to bask in. After its adverse winter, April is the first month which guarantees sunbathing sessions and dips in the sea with balmy afternoons promising rising temperatures.
Why go?
With a lively reputation to live up to with its bustling bars, Marmaris is one of Turkey’s most thriving destinations. As much as it’s known for its upbeat offerings, the resort is also home to a sprawling national park that stretches over 70 acres of land and is often best expired by horseback. Its pretty harbour is where you’ll find boats taking you to its neighbouring hotspots and even Greece if you fancy some county hopping. And you can’t miss its castle which sits at its core on the highest spot in Marmaris. The main beach is packed with watersports with jet skis and banana boats gliding across its waters.
Best beaches in Marmaris
- Marmaris Beach
- Long Beach
- Icmeler Beach
Things to do in Marmaris
- The Dancing Fountains
- Carian Rock Tombs
- Marmaris Castle
- Marmaris Marina
- Atlantis Waterpark
- Marmaris National Park
Flight time to Marmaris
4 hours
Suggested hotels in Marmaris
Labranda Mares Marmaris: When you’re not admiring this hotel’s location with the sparkling Aegean Sea and pine trees making up your surroundings, you’ll be tucking into delicious dishes from its range of onsite restaurants with Italian and Asian among its offerings. The main pool complete with a slide is the best place to soak up the sun during those warmest sunlight hours.
Green Nature Diamond Hotel: With a beach just footsteps from your hotel and a short distance from Marmaris’ bustling centre, this hotel takes up a prime spot. Kids will love its curved poolside and playground, while adults will love trips to its spa where Turkish baths are on the menu.
2. Kos
April is a great time to hit the Greek island of Kos with temperatures heating up and a decrease in rainfall. Expect maximums of around 18°C during the day and as you approach the end of the month you may even see highs of 20°C. When it comes to showers, the likelihood that it will rain is around 30% with just 35 mm over a five-day period, so you don’t have to worry about packing an umbrella. This is also a great time for beach days with the island’s sands slowly hotting up and sea waters at 17°C – a two-degree increase compared to March.
Why go?
Belonging to the Dodecanese island group and the birthplace of Hippocrates (the Father of Medicine), Kos is an island full of surprises. Whether you come here to soak up its lively port, sunbathe on its unspoilt beaches or visit historic landmarks dating back to the Neolithic Era, this Greek gem will lure you in at every turn. The island’s capital Kos Town is jam-packed with mesmerising architecture influenced by a mix of cultures. It’s also home to a 290-kilometre coastline made up of hidden stretches and lengthy draws backed by amenities. When you’re not exploring its quaint hillside villages, you could be hitting its biggest party towns for some late-night action.
Best beaches in Kos
- Kefalos Bay
- Paradise Beach
- Lambi Beach
- Marmari Beach
- Tigaki Beach
- Agios Fokas
Things to do in Kos
- Lido Waterpark
- Asklepion
- Hippocrates Plane Tree
- Nerantizia Castle
- Zia Village
- Plaka Forest
Flight time
4 hours and 15 minutes
Suggested hotels in Kos
Mitsis Family Village: Placed among the lively charms of Kardamena, this family-focused beach resort comes with 219 spacious rooms, a 24-hour all inclusive programme and a striking seaside setting. The main pool is decorated with slides when your little ones want to make a splash and there’s a Creperie & Gelateria for those with a sweet tooth.
Ikos Aria: As part of the prestigious Ikos brand, you can expect great things from this luxury hotel. Found in the resort of Kefalos this epic complex spans across 47 acres and offers seven a la carte restaurants and nine bars. It’s also jam-packed with activities whether you’re looking for relaxing yoga sessions or something more hardcore like mountain biking.
3. Algarve, Portugal
The Algarve sees some weather improvements when it comes to April with temperatures gradually increasing throughout the month. As one of the sunniest regions in Europe, you can expect eight hours daily. Found on Portugal’s southern coast, you can anticipate mild days during this spring month with temperatures peaking at 20°C. As the day draws to a close, it can start to feel a little chilly with evenings as cold as 12°C. At just 16°C, the sea may not be warm enough to swim in, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a day at its famous limestone backed beaches. There’s a 28% chance of rain, which is a stark contrast to the amount of participation you’ll see back home.
Why go?
With stunning sea caves, limestone cliffs and golden sands decorating its beaches, the Algarve is a must-visit if you’re seeking a beach holiday in Portugal. There’s so much to be discovered among its landscape, from the rural delights of Serra de Monchique mountain range to the party hotspot promising nights to remember and Moorish castles sitting in coastal towns. It’s also a surfing paradise with some of the most consistent waves in Europe. Families love its child-friendly attractions, not to mention its tips to Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, where lagoons stretch for 60 kilometres housing bountiful wildlife.
Best beaches in the Algarve
- Praia da Marinha
- Praia da Rocha
- Ponta da Piedade
- Praia de Benagil
- Praia da Falésia
- Ilha Deserta
Things to do in the Algarve?
- Serra de Monchique
- Oceanico golf course
- Silves castle
- Zoomarine
- Albufeira Strip
- Faro Old Town
Flight time
2 hours and 45 minutes
Suggested hotels in the Algarve
Adriana Beach Club Hotel Resort: This all inclusive property close to Albufeira has everything you could possibly need for a stay in the Algarve with a duo of pool and a handy beach location. There are three restaurants to choose from when you’re feeling hungry with one specialising in Portuguese fare alongside a sunset bar whose position next to the pool couldn’t get much more convenient.
Pestana Blue Alvor Hotel: Designed with adults and children in mind, this 5-star All Inclusive invites guests to relax in pure luxury. And it certainly packs a lot in with two bars and three restaurants alongside six pools. As for rooms premium comes as standard with free Wi-Fi, LCD TV and a walk-in showe
4. Rome, Italy
April is a popular time to visit Rome with plenty of festivities to mark the Easter period. Days may start off on the cooler side, but by the time the afternoon comes around you could be sipping an aperol spritz from one of its pavement cafes while soaking up highs of 20°C. You may get caught in a quick downpour with 65mm over 13 days of the month, but this won’t dampen your experience with some of the world’s most famous monuments at your fingertips. What’s more, if you do experience a shower this is a great time to visit the city’s indoor sights.
Why go?
With around 10 million tourists every year, Rome is a city that never fails to impress. With world-famous masterpieces at every turn, sweet-smelling pizzerias awakening your senses and Italian piazzas perfect for people-watching – this ancient gem never gets old. No two days are the same here, take a trip to the Sistine Chapel and admire ceiling frescoes painted by Michelangelo, toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain and make a wish or hit Rome’s imposing Colosseum and step foot inside the largest amphitheatre in the world!
Things to do in Rome
- The Colosseum
- Trevi Fountain
- St. Peter’s Basilica
- Spanish Steps
- Sistine Chapel (The Vatican)
- Trastevere
Flight time
2 hours and 30 minutes
Suggested hotels in Rome
Morgana Hotel: In the heart of Rome’s historic centre with some of the city’s biggest sites just a couple of metro stops away. Home to 120 stylish rooms decorated with elegant furnishings and traditional Italian touches. Breakfast is served each day with the finest cappuccino on the menu – the perfect pick-me-up before you take on the busy metropolis by foot.
Ars Hotel: With an Art Deco style and a rooftop terrace offering panoramic views of your tranquil surroundings. Away from the main tourist drag, you can relax away from the city buzz with plenty of transport links on hand when you want to explore the centre. Your room comes equipped with all the essentials from satellite TV to a mini bar and safety deposit box.
5. Bulgaria
Corfu is a fantastic choice for a spring break with tourists just starting to descend on its scenic shores. There’s no need for layers when you come here with highs reaching the 19°C mark and seven hours of sunshine daily – the longest day is 30th April, so we suggest visiting at the end of the month for prolonged daylight hours. As one of Greece’s greenest islands, you may see some light rainfall with 70mm expected over the month. The sea hasn’t quite warmed up to its summer temperatures yet at just 17°C, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a dip on the island’s hottest days.
Why go?
Surrounded by the Ionian Sea, Corfu is one of Greece’s most idyllic destinations with beautiful cypress trees coverings its terrain, rural villages offering an authentic vibe and coastal superstars surrounded by myths. When you’re not getting lost in its green backdrop, you’ve got big-name party spots like Sidari and Kavos jam-packed with nightlife offerings. There are some beautiful examples of the island’s past in its centerpiece Corfu Town, from its Venetian architecture to its Neoclassical statues. It’s also home to a number of monasteries with Vlacherna and Paleokastritsa among its most visited.
Best beaches in Corfu
- Sidari
- Canal D’Amour
- Dassia Bay
- Paleokastritsa
- Agios Gordios
- Acharavi Beach
Things to do in Corfu
- Corfu Old Town
- Achilleion Palace
- Sidari Water Park
- Paleokastritsa Monastery
- Mouse Island
- Corfu Trail
Flight time
3 hours
Suggested hotels in Corfu
Aeolos Beach Resort: Positioned in the low-key resort of Perama and surrounded by the island’s greenery, take in beautiful Ionian Sea views from the hotel’s infinity edge or spend your days relaxing on a private beach. There’s a buffet spot with show-cooking stations alongside a oceanside Italian. Little ones are also taken care of with a kids’ club and mini discos come evenings.
Mareblue Beach Resort: Showing off Corfu’s quiet side in the tame resort of Aghios Spyridon, sea views are yours for the taking at this seaside hotel. There are three swimming pools inviting you to soak up the Greek sunshine as well as a deluxe spa where you’ll find an extensive treatment menu.
6. Playa del Ingles, Gran Canaria
Packing light is advisable when you come to Playa del Ingles in Gran Canaria. Known for its consistently warm days, you can expect temperatures higher than they are in the north of the island. Average highs in April have been known to reach a tropical 21°C, while its sunlight hours have been known to peak at a lengthy 11 hours by the end of the month. If you hate getting caught in a downpour, you’ll be happy to know the rainfall has almost halved when compared to the previous month with just 6mm on average. Should you fancy a trip to the resort’s beach, which is among the island’s most popular, 19°C waters are luring you in for a dip.
Why go?
If you’re looking for a beach holiday with an injection of nightlife, Playa del Ingles is just the spot! With its LGBT-friendly party scene with the animated Yumbo and the Kasbah pumping late into the night, after-dark fun is guaranteed. Home to the third largest beach on the island, this lengthy stretch makes for roomy sunbathing stints. Walk its palm-lined promenade and stumble across a good helping of bars and restaurants or hit its commercial shopping scene where you’ll be able to pick up all kinds of duty-free bargains. This hotspot is also nestled between two of Gran Canaria’s biggest resorts – Maspalomas and San Agustin, perfect when you fancy a change of pace.
Best beaches in Playa del Ingles
- Playa del Ingles beach
- Maspalomas beach
Things to do in Playa del Ingles
- Yumbo Centre
- Paseo Maritimo
- Templo Ecumenico de San Salvador
- Kasbah Shopping Centre
- Palmitos Park
Flight time
4 hours
Suggested hotels in Playa del Ingles
Labranda Playa Bonita: Conveniently located close to the beach, this modern hotel has swanky look throughout with a chill-out bar accessorised with slick white furnishings. Most people congregate around the large pool area during the day, while evenings come with a variety of shows. Or, you’re just a short walk from the resort’s bars when you fancy heading out.
Suitehotel Playa del Ingles: Just a five-minute walk to the nearest beach, this hotel has an excellent location on its side. Not to mention, it comes with a swanky adults only status, so no little ones allowed. But the biggest highlight has to be its rooftop hot tubs – a luxury addition when you want to soak up the sun in style. On the dining front, you have a tasty buffet spot serving a range of cuisine alongside a well-placed pool bar.