Best holiday destinations in April

April is an excellent time of year to holiday: things start to heat up closer to home and it's before the madness of summer and school holidays, making it that much more affordable to getaway.

Best beaches in Antigua and Barbuda
Best beaches in Antigua and Barbuda © Irstone - Dreamstime.com

Looking for April holidays in the UK? Check out our handpicked list of destinations to consider for staycations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Top five destinations in April for the best weather

The prospect of longer days and rising temperatures, particularly in the Mediterranean, heralds the start of the European holiday season. Although warming up and very pleasant, it's not yet hot in April, so those looking for a real beach holiday will still have to fly that bit further.

1. Agadir, Morocco

  • Flight time from London: 4 hours
  • Daily high: 21°C
  • Daily hours of sunshine: 9
  • Sea temperature: 17°C

One of the closest warm and sunny destinations to the UK in April is Morocco. While people often flock to Marrakech, Agadir, on Morocco's Atlantic coast, is becoming more popular with holidaymakers after a mix of sea air, sunshine and souks.

Agadir sits in a crescent bay lined with cafés and restaurants overlooking the sea, backed by the Atlas Mountains, and with ample to do nearby from golfing to hiking.

The beach in Agadir, Morocco
The beach in Agadir, Morocco © Maciej Czekajewski - Fotolia.com

Weatherwise, Agadir offers warm days with loads of sunshine and no heat and humidity to battle. You can expect almost unbroken sunshine, just watch out for the very high UV rays.

The sea is perhaps a little too cold for swimming, so look for accommodation with a heated pool if you fancy taking a dip, and bring an extra layer or two for evenings when temperatures can drop to around 12°C.

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2. Cyprus

  • Flight time from London: 5 hours
  • Daily high: 22°C
  • Daily hours of sunshine: 9
  • Sea temperature: 18°C

From the beginning of April, many destinations in the Mediterranean are really warming up with plenty of sunshine, especially in the east.

A reliable option is Cyprus. It's comfortable at this time of year, feeling slightly warmer and sunnier than the average summer's day in the south of England. It's also only the start of the holiday season so remains uncrowded.

Chrysochou Bay, western Cyprus
Chrysochou Bay, western Cyprus © Davekinder - Dreamstime.com

It's probably a bit early to be swimming in the sea, although there's plenty of hotels with pools, not to mention loads of other things to see and do in Cyprus. Be cautious of the high UV rays at this time - make sure you slap on the sun cream.

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3. Dubai, UAE

  • Flight time from London: 7 hours
  • Daily high: 32°C
  • Daily hours of sunshine: 10
  • Sea temperature: 25°C

If you're yearning to feel sand between your toes and enjoy a full-on beach break, then Dubai is arguably the closest destination to the UK with sufficiently warm temperatures - by warm, we mean hot; gloriously hot without the burn of the later summer months.

Dubai Museum
Dubai Museum © Chuckas_McFly - Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Beach holidays aren't for everyone though; thankfully Dubai has a wealth (literally) of shops and restaurants, theme and water parks, not to mention galleries, museums (the Dubai Museum is a real highlight), aquariums, and plenty to do for all the family.

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4. Orlando, USA

  • Flight time from London: 10 hours
  • Daily high: 28°C
  • Daily hours of sunshine: 9

Orlando is a firm favourite with families and theme park enthusiasts, not to mention great at this time of year. If you want somewhere with great weather and an endless list of things to do, then Orlando should definitely be on your radar, as should much of southern and central Florida, which has long sunny days with little chance of rain.

You'll need a good SPF to battle the high UV, but there's only moderate heat and humidity to contend with and, as Orlando is inland, it does cool at night dropping to around 15°C.

Walt Disney World Florida
Walt Disney World Florida © Disney - courtesy of VISIT FLORIDA

If you're thinking of heading stateside to visit ride the roller coasters of Walt Disney World Resort or scour the sets of Universal, don't forget to check out FloridaTix, which has some fantastic offers on entry to the biggest and best theme parks.

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5. Cancun, Mexico

  • Flight time from London: 10.5 hours
  • Daily high: 32°C
  • Daily hours of sunshine: 8
  • Sea temperature: 27°C

Cancun is known for its long white beaches, pristine waters and lively nightlife. Perched on Mexico's Caribbean coast, it's a popular choice with holidaymakers after a touch of the exotic without breaking the bank, and April's a great time to visit.

Isla Mujeres, the island just off Cancun
Isla Mujeres, the island just off Cancun © Tose - Dreamstime.com

Just about everywhere in the Caribbean has very good weather in the spring, so it's definitely one for the list. April's the last month of the dry season not to mention one of the sunniest of the year with the rains generally holding off until May. Cancun enjoys hot and sunny days, making it the ideal beach holiday destination.

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Alternative destinations for April 2024

If you're yet to find somewhere that really floats your boat in April, we have a few long haul suggestions up our sleeve. To start with, Los Angeles resembles a good summer's day in the UK with daily highs of around 22°C, no heat and humidity, and 10 long hours of sunshine.

You might catch a shower but you'd be unlucky, and as this is the showbiz capital of the world, you won't be stuck for things to do. From visiting downtown studios to shopping, fine dining and hiking in the Hollywood Hills, there's something for everyone in the City of Angels.

View from the Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles
View from the Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles © FiledIMAGE - Fotolia.com

Looking again at the Caribbean, Antigua offers a taste of the tropics in April. Days are hot at up to 29°C with eight hours of sunshine, high heat and humidity, and warm waters at 26°C - great conditions for hitting the beach. Just remember to seek out some shade as the UV is extreme and therefore unforgiving at this time.

If you're after a bigger dose of beach, you might want to consider the Indian Ocean. Here, island paradises such as Mauritius and the Seychelles are bathed in exotic conditions as their hot and humid summer seasons come to an end.

In Mauritius, things are similar to Antigua with daily highs at 29°C and warm water at 27°C with perhaps a higher chance of seeing some rain and only moderate heat and humidity.

Anse Cocos Beach, La Digue Seychelles
Anse Cocos Beach, La Digue Seychelles © Yykkaa - Dreamstime.com

In the Seychelles, things are even hotter with daytime temperatures reaching 30°C matched only by the water that can also peak at 30°C, which is incredibly inviting. The high heat and humidity can make it feel even hotter, while UV is set to extreme, so pack your best SPF.

In true tropical style, there's also more chance of seeing a passing shower here, but don't be put off. If you're looking for somewhere a little luxurious like this, splash the cash and indulge in a stylish resort with every amenity, from spas to private infinity pools.

As you can see, April provides plenty of options, preceding summer with plenty of holiday spots both near and far away.

If you're still wondering where to go on holiday in April, have a look at our weather in April page for a more detailed breakdown of conditions and destinations, while our holiday deals and discounts show you the best ways to get there for less.

Destination ideas for April 2024

  • Month: April
  • Daytime temperature: 22 - 28°C [remove]
  • Sunshine hours: 8 hours or more [remove]
  • Sea temperature: 25°C or warmer [remove]

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Rank Rating Score Destination
1 Weather Score for Bahamas in April is 100% 100% Bahamas
  Weather Score for Florida in April is 100% 100% Florida, United States
  Weather Score for French Polynesia in April is 100% 100% French Polynesia
  Weather Score for Guadeloupe in April is 100% 100% Guadeloupe
  Weather Score for Hawaii in April is 100% 100% Hawaii, United States
  Weather Score for Jamaica in April is 100% 100% Jamaica
  Weather Score for Martinique in April is 100% 100% Martinique
  Weather Score for Puerto Rico in April is 100% 100% Puerto Rico
  Weather Score for Turks & Caicos in April is 100% 100% Turks and Caicos
10 Weather Score for Brazil in April is 97% 97% Brazil
  Weather Score for Madagascar in April is 97% 97% Madagascar
  Weather Score for Mauritius in April is 97% 97% Mauritius
  Weather Score for New South Wales in April is 97% 97% New South Wales, Australia
  Weather Score for Queensland in April is 97% 97% Queensland, Australia
  Weather Score for South Africa in April is 97% 97% South Africa
16 Weather Score for Antigua in April is 94% 94% Antigua
  Weather Score for British Virgin Islands in April is 94% 94% British Virgin Islands
  Weather Score for Cuba in April is 94% 94% Cuba
  Weather Score for Mozambique in April is 94% 94% Mozambique
  Weather Score for St Kitts & Nevis in April is 94% 94% St Kitts and Nevis
  Weather Score for St Lucia in April is 94% 94% St Lucia
  Weather Score for St Vincent & the Grenadines in April is 94% 94% St Vincent and the Grenadines
  Weather Score for Virgin Islands in April is 94% 94% Virgin Islands
24 Weather Score for Indonesia in April is 92% 92% Indonesia
25 Weather Score for Western Australia in April is 90% 90% Western Australia, Australia
26 Weather Score for Anguilla in April is 89% 89% Anguilla
  Weather Score for Bali in April is 89% 89% Bali, Indonesia
  Weather Score for Barbados in April is 89% 89% Barbados
  Weather Score for Curacao in April is 89% 89% Curacao
  Weather Score for Dominica in April is 89% 89% Dominica
  Weather Score for Dominican Republic in April is 89% 89% Dominican Republic
  Weather Score for Ecuador in April is 89% 89% Ecuador
  Weather Score for Grenada in April is 89% 89% Grenada
  Weather Score for Panama in April is 89% 89% Panama
  Weather Score for Philippines in April is 89% 89% Philippines
  Weather Score for Seychelles in April is 89% 89% Seychelles
  Weather Score for St Barthelemy in April is 89% 89% St Barthelemy
  Weather Score for Trinidad & Tobago in April is 89% 89% Trinidad and Tobago
39 Weather Score for Mexico in April is 88% 88% Mexico
  Weather Score for Red Sea in April is 88% 88% Red Sea, Egypt
41 Weather Score for Fiji in April is 86% 86% Fiji
  Weather Score for Malaysia in April is 86% 86% Malaysia
  Weather Score for Papua New Guinea in April is 86% 86% Papua New Guinea
  Weather Score for Samoa in April is 86% 86% Samoa
  Weather Score for Vietnam in April is 86% 86% Vietnam
46 Weather Score for Cayman Islands in April is 83% 83% Cayman Islands
  Weather Score for Kenya in April is 83% 83% Kenya
  Weather Score for Lombok in April is 83% 83% Lombok, Indonesia
  Weather Score for Maldives in April is 83% 83% Maldives
  Weather Score for Palau in April is 83% 83% Palau
  Weather Score for Sri Lanka in April is 83% 83% Sri Lanka
52 Weather Score for China in April is 81% 81% China
  Weather Score for Costa Rica in April is 81% 81% Costa Rica
  Weather Score for Japan in April is 81% 81% Japan
  Weather Score for Tanzania in April is 81% 81% Tanzania
56 Weather Score for Cape Verde in April is 80% 80% Cape Verde
57 Weather Score for Aruba in April is 78% 78% Aruba
  Weather Score for India in April is 78% 78% India
  Weather Score for Kerala in April is 78% 78% Kerala, India
  Weather Score for Mexico's Caribbean Coast in April is 78% 78% Caribbean Coast, Mexico
  Weather Score for Oman in April is 78% 78% Oman
  Weather Score for Thailand in April is 78% 78% Thailand
  Weather Score for Venezuela in April is 78% 78% Venezuela
64 Weather Score for Texas in April is 77% 77% Texas, United States
65 Weather Score for Singapore in April is 75% 75% Singapore
66 Weather Score for Cambodia in April is 72% 72% Cambodia
  Weather Score for Goa in April is 72% 72% Goa, India
  Weather Score for Jordan in April is 72% 72% Jordan
  Weather Score for Pakistan in April is 72% 72% Pakistan
  Weather Score for UAE in April is 72% 72% UAE
71 Weather Score for Peru in April is 71% 71% Peru
72 Weather Score for Antalya Coast in April is 67% 67% Antalya Coast, Turkey
  Weather Score for Bermuda in April is 67% 67% Bermuda
  Weather Score for Cook Islands in April is 67% 67% Cook Islands
  Weather Score for Cyprus in April is 67% 67% Cyprus
  Weather Score for Egypt in April is 67% 67% Egypt
  Weather Score for El Salvador in April is 67% 67% El Salvador
  Weather Score for Fuerteventura in April is 67% 67% Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain
  Weather Score for Georgia (USA) in April is 67% 67% Georgia, United States
  Weather Score for Israel in April is 67% 67% Israel
  Weather Score for Lanzarote in April is 67% 67% Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
  Weather Score for Namibia in April is 67% 67% Namibia
  Weather Score for South Australia in April is 67% 67% South Australia, Australia
  Weather Score for South Carolina in April is 67% 67% South Carolina, United States
  Weather Score for Tonga in April is 67% 67% Tonga
  Weather Score for Tunisia in April is 67% 67% Tunisia
87 Weather Score for Algarve in April is 61% 61% Algarve, Portugal
  Weather Score for Bodrum & Izmir Coast in April is 61% 61% Bodrum and Izmir Coast, Turkey
  Weather Score for California in April is 61% 61% California, United States
  Weather Score for Costa Blanca in April is 61% 61% Costa Blanca, Spain
  Weather Score for Costa de la Luz in April is 61% 61% Costa de la Luz, Spain
  Weather Score for Dalaman & Marmaris Coast in April is 61% 61% Dalaman and Marmaris Coast, Turkey
  Weather Score for Gran Canaria in April is 61% 61% Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
  Weather Score for Hong Kong in April is 61% 61% Hong Kong
  Weather Score for Morocco in April is 61% 61% Morocco

Metric (°C / mm)  |  Imperial (°F / inches)

Where to go on holiday for the best weather

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Kirsten Henton

Kirsten Henton

Kirsten Henton is Weather2Travel.com's editor. Kirsten writes, commissions and edits our travel features, liaising with our contributors and ensuring copy is spick-and-span. A member of the British Guild of Travel Writers, Kirsten also freelances writing articles on travel, history and the outdoors for titles such as Scotland Magazine and BBC Travel.

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