With winter firmly in the rearview mirror in the south but some of the north still seeing snowfall, Europe in Spring is a mixed bag of adventures. Easter aside, there are usually plenty of deals to be had, be it on a sun-kissed city break in southern Spain or a wildflower-lined walking holiday in Ireland.
You can splash in the slowly warming Ionian sea or take to Switzerland’s ski slopes. Come in March, and aurora sightings in Norway might wow you, while by May, the Greek Islands are ideal for a pre-season sunny escape. If you already have a month in mind, see my detailed guides for where to travel in Europe in March, April or May or read on for some more spring travel inspiration.
Switzerland
Best for cultured city breaks or skiing adventures
Few countries are as cinematic as Switzerland. The jagged peaks of the Alps, old-world cities and pristine valleys combine to create one of the most scenic places on the planet. This is especially true in spring when you can still find fresh powder on the loftiest pistes and, as the season progresses, the lush lower valleys are brightened by spring blossoms. Skiers are especially spoiled in Switzerland, as the snow usually lasts into early May in the likes of Zermatt, while heli-skiing tours can take you to more dramatic and harder-to-access ski spots even when the main runs have shuttered.
Switzerland’s culture-crammed cities are also great for a cooler city break. With abundant museums and galleries to choose from, there’s always a cultured space to escape any rain. My favourite? Basel, the nation’s third-largest city hosts its epic, UNESCO-listed carnival in late February or early March, while world-class museums, including the Kunstmuseum, Switzerland’s largest and most important collection of Fine Art, provide a season-round pull. Luzern is also an excellent second stop if you’ve time.
Sicily, Italy
Best for blossoms, beaches and food
There’s truly no bad time to go to Sicily. I spent a month there over winter and loved every second. Sure, you might not be diving into the ocean in mid-March. Still, by late April, the Mediterranean is much more inviting – especially with pretty towns like Cefalù or Taormina as a backdrop. And it’s all these gorgeous, historic towns that make Sicily so delightful in spring. Without the huge crowds that the warmer months pull, you can explore the personality-packed capital of Palermo’s Byzantine wonders or classical Catina’s landmarks without the jostle.
Sicily is even more in the spotlight this spring as the ancient city of Agrigento has been crowned Italy’s Capital of Culture 2025. Exploring the Valle dei Templi, a UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site comprising a handful of ancient Greek temples, is magnificent on any spring day. Arrive in early March 2025, though, and you’ll see even more colour when the Festival of Almond Blossoms celebrates the delicate florals with a ten-day cultural programme.
Ireland
Best for bracing Atlantic scenes and music sessions
With St. Patrick’s Day almost aligns with the start of Spring (although in Ireland, the Gaelic calendar places spring’s commencement in February), where better to celebrate this iconic festival than with a pint of Guinness in Dublin? Party aside, Ireland’s cracking capital city is packed with historic sights. Crowned a UNESCO City of Literature, the best place to start discovering it all is on a tour of Trinity College’s gorgeous, dark-panelled library. Then, dive into history at Dublin Castle, the National Museum, and Kilmainham Gaol, a former prison turned history museum.
But don’t limit your spring sights to just Dublin. The rest of the country is absolutely gorgeous later in spring when bluebells, foxgloves and various other wildflowers carpet the oh-so-green countryside. It might not be the warmest time to visit, but it’s arguably one of the most attractive times to join a guided tour of Ireland’s highlights along the Atlantic coast, like the dramatic Cliffs of Moher and the Giant’s Causeway, before retiring to a toasty pub for a live music session.
Southern Spain’s Cities
Best for a sunny city break
While northern Europe may still be warming, in Spain’s best cities, things have already begun to heat up. No matter which month of spring you’re planning to visit Europe, you’ll find a city and a celebration here with your name on it. In March, venture to Valencia. Spain’s third-largest city is renowned for its paella, a charming old town, and the contemporary City of Arts and Sciences, which encircles the exterior. A bonus is March’s Fallas celebrations, when bonfires, fireworks and ritual burnings banish winter.
Planning an Easter escape? Sensational Seville is the place to be, as the city is renowned for hosting Spain’s most impressive Semana Santa (Holy Week). April onwards is also a good time for an island city break in Palma de Mallorca. Although it’s not as warm on the Balearics as the Canary Islands, Palma’s urban beaches, cultural offerings, and mountain hiking trails provide something no matter the weather. If May is your month, look no further than Cordoba, famed for its Moorish mosque-turned-cathedral and Roman landmarks. The city hosts its Patio Festival for two weeks in May when otherwise private flower-filled interior courtyards are opened to all.
The Albanian Riviera
Best for warmer coastal hikes
I love Albania in the spring. It’s not crowded – most people visit the Riviera for summer sun, sea and sand – the weather is fairly reliable, and it’s a great place and time to get out into nature. In the Accursed Mountains (Albanian Alps), most snow should have melted by late March, allowing many of the lower hiking trails to re-open. Likewise, the tracks of Llogara National Park, situated in the sea-surveying Ceraunian Mountains, are ripe for adventure.
There are plenty of aquatic adventures to be had, too. Kayaking between secluded coves provides an easy-going aquatic exploration of the region. Snowmelt makes rafting on the Vjosa River exhilarating and faster-paced. And, if you’re lucky with the weather, those gorgeous soft sand beaches are perfect for a post-adrenaline dip.
The Greek Islands
Best for island-hopping
With cruise season yet to fully kick off and (Easter holidays aside) tourism numbers being fairly low across the islands, Spring is an excellent time to hop between some of the Greek Islands. Just keep in mind that some resorts might be shuttered until May or June. For the easiest island-hopping experience, aim to stick to just one group of islands, such as the Dodecanese, to tour volcanic Nisyros before sunning yourself on Kos. Or make the most of fewer crowds to visit the Cyclades, including show-stealing Santorini and idyllic, whitewashed Paros.
Graz, Austria
Best for a sustainable city break
Graz, Austria’s sustainability-minded second city, is often overshadowed by grand Vienna and scenic Salzburg. But those in the know will attest to Graz being one of Europe’s best spring city breaks. As soon as the sun is shining, the city feels almost Mediterranean. Pop-up bars appear along the banks of the River Mur; spring flowers add even more colour to the verdant Schlossberg, a city centre hilltop park; and restaurant terraces – Graz is considered Austria’s foodie capital – overflow with laughter as locals sip wines from the surrounding Styrian countryside.
However, what makes Graz one of the best European cities to visit in the Spring is the numerous festivals and events, especially May’s Design Month. Being a UNESCO City of Design, Graz’s celebration of all things creative is of the highest standard, and the eclectic programme takes over the city, from the forward-thinking Kunsthaus (locally known as the ‘friendly alien’) to street art walking tours.
Madeira
Best for flowers, carnivals and island trails
Portugal’s autonomous Madeira archipelago is known as the “Island of Eternal Spring” due to its moderate and welcoming temperatures year-round – so where better to plan a spring vacation in Europe? Sure, you might want to skip smaller Porto Santo, a gorgeous golden sand island that’s best saved for summer, but the main island of Madeira has it all going on. In February and early March, Funchal, the island’s main city, hosts its huge carnival bash, and there is seemingly always something going on in the following months.
One of the most impressive annual events is May’s Flower Festival when parades of flower-clad performers take to the streets, flower carpets brighten villages, and a packed entertainment program keeps all ages entertained. Add in the mountainous island’s excellent walking and hiking trails and some refreshing nature-carved rock pools, and you’ve got the perfect spring break in Europe.
The Lofoten Islands, Norway
Best for a Northern Lights retreat
Up above the Arctic Circle, Norway’s Lofoten archipelago stuns. At every turn of the winding road, I was left speechless as jagged peaks soared from the cerulean waters and turf-roofed, colourful Rorbu cabins dotted the landscape. Add in some fresh snow, and you’ve got yourself a fairytale.
Yet, while Lofoten is high up in the North Atlantic, spring can be pretty mild. The long winter nights are fading, temperatures aren’t too chilly given the geography, and being out of season, no crowds are clogging the roads. The biggest draw is to try catching the season’s last northern lights. There’s little pollution up here, and March, in particular, is deemed one of the best months for sightings. Alternatively, hop over the border to Sweden’s Abisko National Park, my favourite lapland destination.
Antalya, Turkey
Best for a sunny beach holiday
Antalya is the gateway to Türkiye’s Mediterranean south coast in Asia. However, given that part of Turkey is in Europe and Antalya’s proximity, I would still classify it as one of the best places to visit in April for a spring beach holiday. Not only do the turquoise waters offer plenty of relaxation opportunities, but there are also enough ancient sights and cultural attractions to explore if you get restless feet.
The Old Harbour is excellent for a stroll, and you’ll spot reminders of Antalya’s previous life as a Roman Port, particularly at the imposing Hadrian’s Gate. Being one of the warmest places in Europe in spring, you can expect daytime temperatures of around 21°C (70°F) in April and pretty much guaranteed blue skies.
Discover more of the best places to visit in Europe by season and month:
