As winter comes to an end and we tentatively pack our bulky coats away, our minds turn to balmy, sun-kissed afternoons that flow into aperitivo hour and al-fresco feasting. Where to go on holiday in spring depends on exactly what you seek from a trip. Are you ready to don the swimwear on Portugal’s best beaches as things heat up? Feast along Paris‘ streets with a chic jacket over your shoulder until the sun sets and things get nippier? That said, the sun’s not for everyone, and there’s no judgement if you’re craving a few extra chilly days under billowy duvets – consider checking out a Norwegian cabin if that’s the case. From long-haul adventures on Africa’s tip to the best places for short-haul sun, this is where to go on holiday this spring, according to our expert editors.
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Getty ImagesCape Town, South Africa
Amber Port, senior audience development manager
I love spring blooms but can do without the persistent rain, so I’m heading to Cape Town this spring to spend some much-needed R&R with my family. March is my favourite month in Mother City – the crowds have eased, and the temperatures are in that perfect sweet spot before winter draws nearer. The weather is the ideal time for exploring the surrounding areas – I’ll be hiking one of the Silvermine Nature Reserve trails surrounded by the famed Fynbos landscapes before finding my way back to the dam for a (cold) swim. I’m looking forward to seeing where the day takes me – maybe a Constantia vineyard, sun lounging on Beta Beach, or perhaps I’ll head to Bree Street for a tipple. What’s for sure is that I’ll be enjoying the sun on my face in a city that is undoubtedly full of life.
Where to stay: I’d recommend Ellerman House (a Gold List 2025 winner) in Bantry Bay. It is ideally situated to explore all sides of Cape Town, not to mention a stunning Edwardian mansion with impeccable rooms blessed with sea or mountain views and meandering hillside gardens.
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Getty ImagesOaxaca, Mexico
Abigail Malbon, global audience development manager
After a winter spent in rainy London, by the time spring comes around I’m desperate for some sunshine. This year I don’t plan on taking any risks, and will be heading further afield for a complete change of pace and weather I can rely on. Mexico has been my dream destination for years now, and I’m finally making it a reality with a trip to Mexico City and Oaxaca. In the latter, I’ll be soaking up as much sun and culture as possible, with trips to Monte Albán and mezcal tastings, plus as much mole as I can possibly stomach. Aside from that, I’m going with a relatively loose itinerary in the hopes I’ll be swept along in the magic of last-minute plans. What could be more memorable?
Where to stay: Escondido Oaxaca offers everything I look for in a city hotel: a central location, chic design (from architect Alberto Kalach) and unique touches, such as locally made olive bedspreads and a rooftop pool, for days when the appeal of that much-awaited spring sunshine takes over.
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Getty ImagesLisbon, Portugal
Connor Sturges, digital assistant
One of my fondest springtime escapes involved lots of steps, sightseeing, and peri peri chicken – in the Portuguese capital, of course. It was my first time in Lisbon, so it was a no-brainer to check out all of the museums and popular viewpoints between long lunches and cocktail sipping. April was a great time to visit, as the days were long and the weather was balmy, even if we stuck to exploring the coastal town of Sinta rather than braving a dip in the sea.
Where to stay: I’m sure I’ll be returning to Lisbon soon enough, and I’ve got my eye on The One Palácio da Anunciada – in part, because of that spectacular swimming pool.
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Getty ImagesBali, Indonesia
Charley Ward, commerce writer
Last April, I visited Bali for the first time. While it was technically still the rainy season, risking the odd rainshower has its perks. There are fewer tourists, quieter roads and better prices – and given Bali’s off-season ends in May, the weather is (mostly) dry by this point.
Where to stay: I checked into Jumeirah Bali in Uluwatu, so when my plans were occasionally rained off, I switched beach days and temple-hopping for a massage in the spa or a sunset cocktail. The hotel is designed so that sunsets are viewable from every angle, which feels like an indulgent treat at any time of year.
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Getty ImagesPoros, Greece
Lucy Bruton, social media manager
Let’s face it, we all love a scorching Grecian escape in summer (not exactly reinventing the wheel here), but when I visited the charming beach town of Poros in the spring, I found myself falling in love all over again. Due to its proximity to Athens, Poros is a favourite in peak season for locals and travellers alike, but visit in the late spring, and you can enjoy empty beaches (save for the occasional nosy goat), walk-in tavernas and moderate temperatures in the low 20s. If you feel like having a real adventure, forgo the standard car rental and opt for a quad bike instead. They’re perfect for scooting down narrow dirt tracks and accessing the more secret beaches and coves around the island. And, if you can tear yourself away from the array of lovely waterfront restaurants for a meal or two, head to the morning fish market to take your pick from the delicious ocean bounty brought in fresh that day. With fewer visitors to jostle with, you’ll have no trouble having first dibs on the most delicious fish on offer.
Where to stay: You’ll find New Aegli Resort Hotel a stone’s throw from award-winning beaches and crystal clear waters – it’s a fabulous low-key option for a shoulder season escape.
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Hampshire, UK
Lauren Burvill, commerce editor
As the mother of two young children, it’s not so much the destination but the accommodation that is now my number one priority when planning a trip. I’ve become an expert at searching for places on Airbnb, and The Granary in Hampshire is probably my favourite find so far. Built in 2021, the rustic cabin is slick yet cosy, with an open-plan living area and fully equipped kitchen. But it’s the outside, set within acres of farmland, where you’ll find the real wow factor. Take your morning coffee outside to spy roe deer, pheasants, foxes, badgers and red kites, and enjoy a sundowner from the wood-fired hot tub, followed by a splash around in the outdoor copper bath. During the day, there are miles of countryside walks to take, plus the historic town of Winchester is only three miles away.
Where to stay: If you’d rather skip the self-catering vibe, look no further than Lime Wood Hotel, an uber-luxe hotel home with classically beautiful rooms, suites, and cottages.
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Getty ImagesVienna, Austria
Olivia Morelli, senior digital writer
During a spring visit to Vienna, I was welcomed with clear, blue skies, strong sunshine and tourist-free streets. The city is really walkable and it’s a real cultural hub, so spend days strolling through the districts and popping into different museums and galleries – there are more than 100. The Belvedere Palace is home to the world’s largest collection of Klimt, and the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien is the country’s largest gallery, where you’ll find masterpieces by Rubens, Titian, Rembrandt and Brueghel. Plus, the recently opened Albertina Modern has lots of exciting contemporary exhibitions planned – I saw Ai Wei Wei’s latest collection, In Search of Humanity, showcasing some of his activist work over the years. For a break from art, head beyond the city and go hiking in the Alps, where you can channel your best Julie Andrews in majestic mountain surrounds.
Where to stay: The Rosewood Vienna remains one of the city’s most luxe addresses. Crash out on billowy beds in opulent suites, unwind in the Ayaya Spa, and savour world-class flavours in the rooftop Neue Hoheit Brasserie.
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Getty ImagesLos Angeles, USA
Sarah Allard, digital director
April is the perfect time for a trip to La La Land. The weather is a comfortable 23 degrees, so it’s ideal for brunch outside hip Silverlake hangout Sqirl, afternoons exploring Abbot Kinney Boulevard or micro-breweries in the Arts District, and evenings sipping cocktails on the rooftop of Downtown’s Perch.
Where to stay: The Hoxton’s DTLA spot – complete with Instagrammable interiors and rooftop pool – is where I’ll be checking in during my next visit.
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Getty ImagesLake Como, Italy
Sophie Knight, senior visuals editor
The four-day Easter break was the perfect amount of time to explore and chill out with an Aperol on my first visit to Lake Como. I enjoyed sailing the waters and hopping off at the colourful towns on the water’s edge – Bellagio and Verenna are my favourites.
Where to stay: Check into Villa Lario and dive into their infinity pool at the first chance. Alternatively, pencil in a bucket list stay at Passalacqua, one of the best hotels in the world.
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Getty ImagesSouth of France
Sarah James, deputy digital editor
I normally visit the South of France every year. After a two-year, pandemic-induced break, I returned at the end of April for a springy, sunshiny long weekend of the palest rosé and gooey goat cheese salads and tramps through vineyards.
Where to stay: High on my list is booking a room at La Maison d’Ulysse, a farmhouse near Uzes, a hidden Provençal town.
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Getty ImagesReykjavík and Westfjords, Iceland
Becky Lucas, contributing editor
I headed to Iceland for the first time in spring, right at the tail end of April and into early May. Although the wisest time to visit the Arctic state is said to be between June and August due to the burning midnight sun and warmer weather, going in May helps to keep the cost of visiting the relatively expensive destination down, while it also shouldn’t be so very cold or so crowded at the Golden Circle or Blue Lagoon, or on the various whale-watching, volcano crater or glacier snowmobile tours from the country’s capital.
Where to stay: The Retreat at Blue Lagoon is a bucket list experience for any wellness enthusiast.
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Getty ImagesKyoto, Japan
Simon Leadsford, chief business officer
The cherry blossom in Japan during March and April must surely be the spring event. This incredible season is complemented by the amazing gardens and palaces to be found in the city of Kyoto. If you are looking for the real Japan, this city is the perfect starting point.
Where to stay: In a secret garden at the heart of a forest, Aman Kyoto is one of Japan’s best hotels and spa resorts within reach of several UNESCO attractions.
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Barry MurphyZermatt, Switzerland
Tabitha Joyce, contributor
For me spring is all about skiing and, for a snow-sure ski trip before the end of April, the best place has got to be Zermatt. With access to three varied ski domains including Italian Cervinia, there are lots of family-friendly runs, as well as extensive off-piste options. The town itself is prettier than most: it’s car-free and full of wonky narrow streets and horse-drawn sleighs. There’s even a surprising but thriving gourmet restaurant scene both on and off the slopes: head to Chez Vrony for risotto with ceps and white truffle – and views of the Matterhorn to boot.
Where to stay: Hotel Monte Rosa feels more like a Swiss palace that a hotel, complete with cosy chalet-style rooms and a sprawling, picturesque spa.
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Getty ImagesMunich, Germany
Karin Mueller, senior picture editor
As the weather warms up in Munich, locals spill outside to make the most of sunny days after blistery winters. The place to try is Gelato Naturale. It’s tiny, but the ice cream is, without a doubt, the best in town. They are made from all-natural ingredients, with no artificial flavourings. My favourite flavour is salted peanut. Ice cream is best when it’s fresh, and the owner knows this – he will tell you which flavours have just been made.
Where to stay: The highly-anticipated Mandarin Oriental Munich is the sleekest place to stay in the city since its recent opening.
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AlamyArendal, Norway
Steve King, contributor
There’s probably a medical term for it, but don’t you, sometimes, secretly long, not to throw yourself into the warm, fragrant embrace of spring, but instead to hunker down and enjoy a few more cosy minutes snuggled up beneath the duvet with winter? If so, Northern Europe is the place to be; and as good a place as any in Northern Europe to be at such a time is one of the simple waterfront cafés in the quiet Norwegian town of Arendal, a clapboard paradise on the coast a few hours west of Oslo, with a woolly blanket on your lap, the sunlight low on the water, a reassuring chill in the air and the promise of spring nothing more than an idle rumour.
Where to stay: We love the look of this cosy Norwegian cabin for a blissful spring escape.
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Matthew BuckCapri, Italy
Matt Buck, global visuals director
Beach Club Il Riccio in Capri is set on the cliff face directly over the Med and is a wonderful spot for a lazy lunch. A reservation is not always essential but advisable, thanks to its Michelin Star, as well as the exceptional menu of fresh seafood and Willy Wonka-esque ‘dessert room’. It’s a good idea to arrive a little earlier than your booking time as you can while away the wait time with a few drinks on the terrace, just as Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon did in The Trip.
Where to stay: J.K. Place Capri, just above the busy port of Marina Grande, is one of the grandest addresses favoured by Capri’s glitziest clientele.
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