Last Updated on April 18, 2025 by mulamagnet1

There are best spring travel destinations that hit differently—places where the world seems to wake up and stretch after winter’s long nap. I’ve spent many years chasing springs around the globe, and let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like witnessing a landscape transform from dormant to vibrant in what feels like a collective exhale. After four decades of passport stamps and countless springs in transit, I’ve narrowed down where to travel in spring to the spots that make me want to book a one-way ticket every time February winds down.

Why Spring Is the Ideal Travel Season

The dirty little secret about spring travel that nobody tells you? While everyone’s busy planning their summer vacations, you’re slipping into destinations just as they’re putting on their best clothes—minus the crowds that make you question your life choices. The sweet spot between winter’s chill and summer’s sweltering crush comes with perks that veteran travelers guard like family recipes.

When it comes to best spring travel destinations, you’re looking at that magical window where prices haven’t yet surged to their summer peaks. Hotels still want your business, restaurants have tables available, and locals haven’t yet developed that thousand-yard stare they get during high season. I once spent Easter weekend in Barcelona and had the Sagrada Familia nearly to myself—try that in July and you’ll be sharing your spiritual awakening with approximately 10,000 other sweaty pilgrims.

Spring also delivers the kind of weather that travel brochures promise but rarely deliver—warm enough to ditch the heavy coat, cool enough to actually enjoy that walking tour. For those hunting spring break travel ideas beyond the typical beach madness, this season offers the gift of spontaneity without the punishment of peak-season prices.

The Top 7 Spring Destinations

1. Kyoto, Japan — Cherry Blossoms and Temples

My first taste of Kyoto in spring nearly ended my travel career then and there—because how do you top perfection? When those cherry blossoms hit their peak (usually late March to early April), Kyoto transforms into a scene so ethereal it borders on hallucinatory. The Philosopher’s Path, lined with hundreds of sakura trees, becomes a tunnel of soft pink snow that makes even the most jaded traveler struggle for words.

“You have terrible timing,” a local monk told me with a smile as I stood transfixed outside Kiyomizu-dera Temple. “Once you see Kyoto during hanami, everywhere else will disappoint you.” Three weeks and countless photographs later, I realized he wasn’t entirely wrong. The juxtaposition of ancient temples against explosions of pink blossoms creates the kind of views that make you forget to blink. Pro tip: Rise before dawn to experience the gardens at Ryoan-ji without the crowds—the morning mist among the blossoms will make you question whether you’ve accidentally wandered into the afterlife.

2. Lisbon, Portugal — Sunny Culture Before the Summer Rush

Lisbon in spring feels like you’ve discovered a secret European capital that everyone else hasn’t caught onto yet. The city shimmers under that particular Portuguese light that has seduced painters for centuries, without summer’s crushing heat that turns those charming hillside walks into personal endurance tests.

I stumbled into Lisbon one April after a winter of too many gray skies, and the city’s pastel buildings and tiles practically vibrated with color. “April is when Lisbon actually belongs to us again,” my taxi driver Paulo confessed as we wound through Alfama’s narrow streets. “By June, it becomes Europe’s playground, but now? Now it’s authentic.”

Spring in Lisbon means enjoying custard tarts at Pastéis de Belém without the infamous queue, finding seats at fado shows that would be booked solid come July, and being able to ride the iconic Tram 28 without feeling like you’re participating in a sardine-packing competition. The mild temperatures (think pleasant 65-75°F days) make it ideal for exploring the city’s seven hills without arriving at viewpoints looking like you’ve just completed a triathlon.

3. Sedona, Arizona — Red Rocks in Full Bloom

When considering where to travel in spring, desert landscapes rarely top most lists—until you’ve witnessed Sedona during wildflower season. Those famous red rock formations take on an almost surreal quality when framed by blooming prickly pear cactus and desert mariposa lilies. The contrast between rust-colored earth, clear blue skies, and delicate wildflowers creates landscapes so striking they appear Photoshopped.

My introduction to Sedona’s spring charm came after a late March rainstorm, when the normally rusty earth seemed to exhale perfume from every pore. “This only happens for about three weeks,” my hiking guide Marianne explained as we paused on the Cathedral Rock trail. “The whole desert shows off, then goes back to being its stoic self.” Her timing was impeccable—the trail was bordered by golden poppies and purple lupines that seemed impossibly vibrant against the red rock backdrop.

Spring also delivers those perfect mid-70s temperatures that make Sedona’s extensive hiking network accessible without the heat exhaustion warnings of summer months. You can actually complete the Devil’s Bridge hike without feeling like you’ve made a deal with the devil himself. The energy vortexes? Still there. The Instagram crowds? Significantly thinned out.

4, Amsterdam, Netherlands — Tulips, Bikes, and Canals

Amsterdam in spring isn’t just a destination—it’s a celebration. When those famous Dutch tulips transform the landscape into technicolor ribbons, you understand why Van Gogh was so obsessed with color. My first visit to Keukenhof Gardens coincided with what locals called “the perfect tulip spring,” and I spent an entire day in a state of chromatic euphoria that no photo could possibly capture.

“Americans always ask why we’re so cheerful in spring,” laughed Marieke, my canal boat captain. “Try living through our dark winters—by April, we’re ready to throw a party just because we can see the sun again!” That celebratory spirit infuses everything in springtime Amsterdam. Cafés spill onto sunlit sidewalks, parks become impromptu concert venues, and the famous canals reflect blossoming trees and colorful houseboats.

Among all best spring travel destinations, Amsterdam has mastered the art of the seasonal festival. From King’s Day (April 27) when the entire city transforms into a giant orange-themed street party, to the tulip festivals that run through April and May, timing your visit right means participating in collective joy rather than just sightseeing. The temperate weather means biking—the transportation method of choice—becomes a pleasure rather than the endurance sport it can be in summer’s humidity or winter’s bite.

5. Cusco, Peru — Pre-Summer Adventures to Machu Picchu

While the northern hemisphere is celebrating spring, Peru is actually transitioning from its wet season to its dry season—creating the perfect window for exploring Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. April and May deliver that sweet spot: landscapes still lush and green from the recent rains, but with increasingly stable weather patterns and dramatically fewer tourists than the June-August high season.

My trek along the Inca Trail in late April remains one of my most vivid travel memories—not just for the majestic ruins, but for the mist-shrouded mountains and wildflowers that created an almost mystical backdrop. “The Incas understood timing,” my guide Mateo explained as we watched the morning fog lift from Machu Picchu. “This place has different spirits depending on the season. In spring, it feels alive, still wild. By July, with thousands of people, it becomes something else.”

The magic extends beyond just the famous ruins. Cusco itself, with its blend of Incan and Spanish colonial architecture, comes alive during spring festivals. Streets fill with traditional dancers, markets overflow with seasonal produce, and the surrounding hillsides turn emerald green. The spring shoulder season allows for more spontaneous trip planning, with permits for the Inca Trail still available without booking a year in advance, and accommodations in Cusco offering reasonable rates before the summer surge.

6. Seville, Spain — Flamenco and Orange Blossoms

If I could bottle one smell and take it with me through life’s darker moments, it would be Seville in April: orange blossoms, freshly baked bread, and just a hint of sherry lingering in the warm evening air. Spring transforms this Andalusian capital into a sensory masterpiece that makes you want to throw away your return ticket and start researching apartment rentals.

“Spring is when Seville shows off,” Carmen told me as we navigated narrow cobblestone streets lined with bitter orange trees in full bloom. “It’s like the city dresses up in its finest clothes and perfume.” She wasn’t exaggerating—the scent of azahar (orange blossoms) permeates everything, creating an olfactory experience that enhances the already stunning visual feast of Moorish architecture and colorful tilework.

Spring in Seville also means Semana Santa (Holy Week) and Feria de Abril (April Fair), two spectacular festivals that showcase different aspects of Andalusian culture. The solemn processions of Semana Santa contrast dramatically with the exuberant dancing and revelry of the Feria just two weeks later. The spring timing means you can witness these centuries-old traditions without suffering through the punishing summer heat that regularly pushes thermometers past 100°F. When pondering where to travel in spring, few places deliver such a complete package of sensory delights.

7. Vancouver Island, Canada — Whales and Wilderness

My introduction to Vancouver Island’s spring magic came courtesy of a massive gray whale breaching just 50 yards from my kayak—a welcome-to-the-island moment that still gives me goosebumps. Spring marks the annual migration of these leviathans along the Pacific coastline, and Vancouver Island offers front-row seats to nature’s greatest show.

“We wait all winter for this,” my kayak guide Jamie confided as we paddled through Clayoquot Sound’s misty waters one April morning. “The whales return, the forests explode with green, and the island feels like it takes a deep breath.” That renewal is palpable everywhere from Victoria’s immaculately manicured gardens—where tulips and cherry blossoms create carpet-like displays—to the ancient rainforests of Tofino, where spring’s misty mornings give way to increasingly sunny afternoons.

The island sits in that perfect spring sweet spot: tourist facilities are open after winter closures, but the summer crowds have yet to descend. You’ll find lower rates on everything from seaside cabins to wilderness lodges, and locals who still have time to chat rather than hurriedly serving the next customer. Wildlife viewing opportunities extend beyond whales to black bears emerging from hibernation and bald eagles nesting along coastal cliffs. For best spring travel destinations that combine untamed wilderness with charming towns and superb dining, Vancouver Island delivers without the premium summer price tag.

Tips for Planning Your Spring Getaway

The golden rule of spring travel that I’ve learned through two decades of seasonal wandering? Be flexible with your dates but firm with your must-sees. Weather can be mercurial during shoulder seasons—that’s part of the adventure—but it also means being willing to shuffle your itinerary to catch those perfect blooming days or clear-sky mornings.

Most seasoned travelers I know maintain a “spring list” of destinations paired with optimal timing windows. Cherry blossoms in Kyoto? Last week of March through first week of April. Keukenhof Gardens in full Dutch tulip glory? Mid to late April. Having these windows identified helps you pounce when flight deals appear, often 2-3 months before your travel dates.

Another advantage of spring travel is the opportunity for last-minute finds. Hotels and tour operators eager to kick-start their season after winter lulls frequently offer deals that disappear once summer booking frenzy begins. I’ve found some of my most memorable accommodations—a former lighthouse in Portugal, a renovated shepherd’s hut in the Scottish Highlands—through spring promotions that simply don’t exist during peak months.

For those seeking spring break travel ideas beyond the collegiate beach scenes, consider urban-nature combinations: Amsterdam plus Dutch countryside tulip fields, Vancouver plus Vancouver Island whale watching, Kyoto plus Japanese Alps hiking. These pairings deliver variety without requiring extensive travel between destinations.

Spring Travel on a Budget

Perhaps the most beautiful thing about spring travel—besides the actual beauty—is how it stretches your travel dollar without feeling like a compromise. The same €200 that barely covers a cramped Paris hotel room in July might secure you a charming apartment with Montmartre views in April. That exclusive restaurant requiring reservations weeks in advance in summer? Walk-in available during spring weeknights.

When researching where to travel in spring, leverage the seasonal advantages. Many destinations offer shoulder season promotions that include significant discounts on accommodations plus added perks like wine tastings, cooking classes, or guided tours. I’ve received complimentary airport transfers, welcome baskets, and even room upgrades simply by traveling just before the summer rush.

Transportation costs also reflect the seasonal advantage. The same flight that might cost $1,200 in July often hovers around $800 in April or May. Train passes and car rentals similarly drop to more reasonable rates. This budget stretching allows you to either save money on the same itinerary or upgrade your experience—spring is when I splurge on that boutique hotel that would be painfully out of reach during peak months.

For the budget-conscious, spring also opens up free or low-cost experiences that become either unbearably crowded or unbearably hot in summer. Hiking trails that require timed entry passes in July are often freely accessible in April. Authentic cultural experiences without admission fees can be had at street festivals, neighborhood markets, and community events.

Parting Thoughts…

As I sit writing this from a small café in Lisbon, watching spring light play across the city’s iconic tiles, I’m reminded why these transitional seasons continue to call me around the world. There’s something deeply rewarding about experiencing a place as it stretches and awakens—something that the glossy heights of summer tourism can never quite match.

These seven best spring travel destinations offer windows into places at their most authentic and vibrant—moments of transition and renewal that reward the traveler who arrives at precisely the right time. Whether you’re drawn to cherry blossoms or whale migrations, ancient ruins or desert wildflowers, spring delivers experiences with a freshness that other seasons simply cannot match.

So pack light, stay flexible, and consider this your invitation to experience the world during its most hopeful season. After all, there’s nothing quite like witnessing a place as it becomes its best self—which is, perhaps, the true gift of spring travel.