The time has finally come to store your winter coat in the back of your wardrobe for another year, as spring starts to make its long-awaited appearance. Longer days, warmer temperatures and colourful blooms mark the end of the hibernation season, and for many, this is the beginning of outdoor adventures.
While sleepy cobbled streets all around Europe are waking up and becoming livelier, the fewer tourist crowds compared to the peak summer season make spring the perfect time to travel.
Giving you the inspiration you need, here are some of the best springtime destinations to consider.
1. Madrid, Spain 🇪🇸
Credit: JW Marriott Hotel Madrid
Attracting more than 10 million visitors annually, the bustling capital of Spain is a must-visit destination all year round, but springtime specifically is a great season to glimpse a quieter version of this historic city before it fully wakes up.
Promising a world of history, culture and delicious cuisine, Madrid is the perfect place to visit if you wish to gaze upon treasures and dine in some of the world’s best restaurants.
Becoming even more beautiful in spring, this city promises fun festivals, street parties, religious celebrations, the pretty pink cherry blossoms in the parks and more. Whether you stroll in one of its 150 parks and gardens, hire a bike to cycle through the streets, explore one of its many museums or galleries, or even just enjoy some tapas on a terrace in the sun, Madrid is sure to be a memorable choice.
Where to stay: JW Marriott Hotel Madrid
Where to eat: Desde1911
2. Cinque Terre, Italy 🇮🇹
Credit: Grand Hotel Portovenere
Comprising five villages (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore), this region in the Ligurian Sea coastline is overflowing with charm. While crowds flock to this region in the summer months, springtime sees a much more peaceful version where you’ll find romance around every corner.
Characterised by the terraced land and a cascade of colourful houses that seem like they’re tumbling down the cliffside, these villages promise beautiful trails for hiking with spectacular views, panoramic train routes and winding roads, and little eateries — a perfect choice for those looking for a more laid-back trip without sacrificing those postcard-perfect views.
Where to stay: Grand Hotel Portovenere
Where to eat: Ristorante Miky, Monterosso
3. Bay of Kotor, Montenegro 🇲🇪
Credit: Forza Terra Boutique Hotel & Spa
Nestled in southern Europe, Montenegro has near-perfect temperatures during the spring months, boasting sunny days with an average of 16°C which often reaches the low twenties.
An increasingly popular destination during the summer months, the Bay of Kotor borders the Adriatic Sea so visiting during these quieter months will help you avoid the bustling crowds. Also known as the Boka, The Bay region is under the protection of UNESCO thanks to its rich cultural heritage and outstanding natural beauty.
Lined with chic boutiques, traditional restaurants promising delicious cuisine, historic churches for culture-hungry travellers and several noteworthy towns nearby, this destination makes a great choice for a springtime getaway.
Where to stay: Forza Terra Boutique Hotel & Spa
Where to eat: Konoba Bonaca
4. Colmar, France 🇫🇷
Credit: Hôtel Le Maréchal
Waking up from the hibernating winter season, Colmar comes alive during springtime, especially at Easter when it's beautifully decorated in spring colours and inundated with flowers.
Spring in Colmar means the appearance of markets in the streets where you can find all manner of fresh produce and knick-knacks. Part of the Spring Festival held between the 6th-30th of April, the market creates a wonderful buzz across the city and visitors can expect to also see classical and jazz concerts as well as Master chocolatiers displaying their elaborately decorated chocolate eggs and top chefs presenting their new mouthwatering menus.
If you step into this beautiful city, you’ll be sure to step into an atmosphere of good vibes all around.
Where to stay: Hôtel Le Maréchal
Where to eat: La Maison Rouge
5. Ibiza, Balearic Islands 🇪🇸
Credit: Atzaró Agroturismo Hotel
While the White Isle is sometimes mistakenly classed solely as an island of excess and partying, and we suppose that for many it is, Ibiza is so much more. Oozing a hippy charm with a sense of laid-back nostalgia that overflows from the pretty whitewashed villages, hidden coves and rural landscapes, this island offers a memorable getaway this spring.
In spring, the island starts waking up from the sleepy winter season as restaurants and hotels start reopening, ready to welcome eager travellers back. With its staggering natural beauty, the island offers countless hike trails to explore, many leading to secret little coves hidden from the tourist crowds.
Spend your days swimming and snorkelling in the clear waters, rent a boat and visit the nearby treasure of Formentera, wander through the UNESCO heritage site of Dalt Villa and get lost within its ancient walls, or simply lie on the beach with a good book — sounds perfect, doesn’t it?
Where to stay: Atzaró Agroturismo Hotel
Where to eat: La Paloma
Comments