Where to go at Easter
Easter falls on different dates each year and that changes which destination makes sense. Here it is by number of days and by April's real climate.
The date matters more than you'd think
Easter can fall anywhere from late March to late April. That month of difference is enormous for the Mediterranean: in late March the water is 15 degrees, in late April it's close to 18. Check the actual date before deciding.
If you have 3 or 4 days
A city break in Spain or Portugal. Seville, Granada, Porto or Lisbon are at their best in April: 20 to 24 degrees and none of the summer heat. Note that Seville is packed at Easter because of the processions.
If you have a week
The perfect moment for Italy, mainland Greece or Morocco. Temperatures of 20 to 25 degrees, everything open and prices well below summer. Greece in April is one of the best value windows of the year.
If you have ten days or more
Easter is one of the few windows where a long trip is possible without using up full holiday allowance. Japan is in cherry blossom, Jordan and Egypt have their best weather, and Southeast Asia is coming out of the dry season.
Beaches at Easter
Difficult on the Spanish mainland: the water is cold. The Canaries work year-round, and the Canaries or Egypt are the only realistic options for comfortable swimming. Almería and Murcia are the mainland's best bet for sun, even if swims are short.
What to avoid
Ski destinations, which are closing their season. And Spanish cities with famous processions if what you want is quiet, because the centre becomes impassable.
Book ahead
Along with August, it's the highest-demand period of the year in Spain. Two or three months ahead is sensible; in the final month prices are already high.
Keep reading
Browse every winter destination, or go back to the board and filter by month.