April is a weird month for travel. Some places are still cold. Others are already crowded. And a few hit the perfect sweet spot between good weather and low season. This list picks the 10 best honeymoon destinations in April based on three factors: climate, crowd levels, and romance potential. No fluff. Just the places worth your time and money.
Why April Is a Tricky Month for Honeymooners
April sits between seasons. In Europe, spring is just starting — expect rain in Paris and London. In Southeast Asia, the heat is building toward monsoon. The Caribbean is drying out but prices are still high from winter.
The mistake most couples make? They book a “summer” destination expecting summer weather. April in Santorini? Average high of 18°C (64°F). That’s jacket weather, not bikini weather.
The real trick is matching your destination to what you actually want to do. Beach honeymoon? Go south. City exploration? Go north. Adventure? Go to the shoulder season spots that are empty right now.
Three Questions to Ask Before Booking
- What temperature do you actually enjoy? Not “beach weather” — be specific. 25°C? 30°C? 18°C?
- How important is solitude? April has Easter and spring break crowds in some places. Others are ghost towns.
- What’s your budget? April is high season in Japan (cherry blossoms) and low season in the Maldives (rain). Pick accordingly.
Japan — Cherry Blossoms and Cultural Immersion
Japan in April is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The cherry blossoms (sakura) peak in early April across Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. The weather is mild — 15-20°C — perfect for walking without sweating.
The downside is crowds and cost. Cherry blossom season is Japan’s busiest. Hotels in Kyoto book out months ahead. A standard room at the Park Hyatt Kyoto (around $800/night) is nearly impossible to find in April unless you book by January.
Alternative strategy: skip Kyoto and go to Kanazawa or Hakone. Kanazawa has a stunning garden (Kenroku-en) with cherry blossoms, but fewer tourists. Hakone gives you Mt. Fuji views and onsen (hot spring) baths. A ryokan stay at Gora Kadan costs about $600/night with dinner and breakfast included.
When NOT to Go to Japan in April
If your honeymoon is in the second half of April, the blossoms are gone in most cities. You’ll pay peak prices for regular weather. Go to Hokkaido instead — blossoms peak there in late April to early May, and crowds are minimal.
Greece — Empty Islands and Affordable Luxury
April in Greece is the secret sweet spot. The weather is warm enough for exploring (18-22°C in Crete, 16-20°C in Santorini) but not hot. And here’s the key: the crowds haven’t arrived yet.
Santorini in July is a nightmare. 10,000 cruise ship passengers a day. April? Maybe 2,000. You can walk the streets of Oia without elbowing strangers. Dinner at Ambrosia Restaurant (about $80 per person for a tasting menu) is bookable the same day.
Best islands for April honeymoons:
- Crete — warmest weather, historical sites, great food. A rental car costs $30/day.
- Naxos — less touristy than Santorini, bigger beaches, lower prices.
- Milos — dramatic coastline, sea caves, empty beaches.
The one catch: Some hotels and restaurants don’t open until May. Always check opening dates before booking. The Cavo Tagoo Santorini (iconic infinity pool suites) opens in mid-April, but book early — it fills up fast.
Budget Breakdown for a 7-Day Greek Honeymoon (April)
| Item | Budget Option | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flights (round trip from US) | $1,200 | $1,800 | $3,500 |
| Accommodation (7 nights) | $700 (Airbnb) | $2,100 (4-star hotel) | $5,600 (5-star resort) |
| Food (per day for two) | $50 | $100 | $250 |
| Activities & transport | $200 | $500 | $1,000 |
| Total | $2,150 | $4,400 | $10,350 |
Morocco — Warm Days, Cool Nights, and Colorful Souks
Morocco in April is perfect. Daytime temperatures in Marrakech hit 25-28°C. Evenings drop to 12-15°C — comfortable for rooftop dinners. The summer heat (45°C) hasn’t arrived yet.
Start in Marrakech. Stay at La Sultana (from $350/night) — a former palace turned hotel with a rooftop pool overlooking the Atlas Mountains. Spend two days getting lost in the souks, visiting the Bahia Palace, and eating tagine at Dar Yacout ($60 per person, fixed menu).
Then drive to the Atlas Mountains or the Sahara Desert. A two-day desert tour from Marrakech costs about $150 per person and includes camel rides, dinner under stars, and a night in a luxury tent camp. The Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp has proper beds, hot showers, and electricity — not roughing it.
What most guides won’t tell you: April is windy in the desert. Bring a light jacket and scarf. The sand gets everywhere.
Costa Rica — Rainforest, Beaches, and Wildlife
Costa Rica has two seasons: dry (December-April) and green (May-November). April is the tail end of the dry season. You get sunny mornings, brief afternoon showers, and fewer tourists than January or February.
Split your honeymoon between two regions:
- Arenal Volcano area — hot springs, ziplining, hanging bridges. Stay at The Springs Resort (from $450/night) with 28 hot spring pools of varying temperatures.
- Manuel Antonio — white-sand beaches, howler monkeys, sloths. Stay at Hotel Parador (from $250/night) with a private nature reserve and infinity pool overlooking the Pacific.
The failure mode: April is the driest month on the Caribbean side (Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero). But the Pacific side (Guanacaste) can be dry and brown by late April. Check current conditions before booking.
Portugal — Spring Sunshine Without the Crowds
Portugal in April is a sleeper hit. The Algarve coast hits 18-22°C — not swimming weather for most, but perfect for hiking the cliffs and eating fresh seafood. Lisbon is 16-20°C with fewer tourists than summer.
Best value move: Skip the Algarve coast and go to Comporta, 90 minutes south of Lisbon. It’s what the Algarve was 20 years ago — empty beaches, rice fields, and rustic-chic hotels. Sublime Comporta (from $300/night) has standalone villas with private pools.
What to Eat in Portugal in April
April is the tail end of sardine season. Grilled sardines (sardinhas assadas) are at their best. Also look for cataplana (seafood stew) and pastéis de nata (egg tarts) from Manteigaria in Lisbon — $2 each and worth the line.
Thailand — Northern Mountains Over Southern Beaches
April is the hottest month in Thailand. Southern beaches (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui) hit 34-38°C with high humidity. It’s uncomfortable for lounging.
Better option: Go north. Chiang Mai and Pai are cooler (28-32°C) and April is the tail end of the burning season — the air quality improves by mid-April. Stay at Raya Heritage in Chiang Mai (from $200/night) — a boutique hotel on the Ping River with traditional Lanna architecture.
April 13-15 is Songkran (Thai New Year). The entire country turns into a massive water fight. If you want a relaxing honeymoon, avoid these dates. If you want fun, join in — just know you’ll be soaked for three days straight.
Italy — Art Cities Without the Summer Crush
Italy in April is cool (12-18°C in Rome, 10-15°C in Florence) but the crowds are thin. The Vatican Museums? 30-minute wait instead of 3 hours. The Uffizi Gallery? Book a day ahead, not a month.
The romantic play: Spend 3 days in Rome (stay at Hotel Locarno, from $250/night — old-world charm, rooftop bar), then train to Florence (stay at Hotel Davanzati, from $180/night — family-run, free walking tours).
Skip Venice in April. It floods (acqua alta) during spring tides and the canals smell. Go to Bologna instead — better food, fewer tourists, and the same porticoed streets.
Maldives — Low Season, Low Prices, Higher Rain Risk
April is the transition month in the Maldives. The northeast monsoon ends, and the southwest monsoon starts. You get mixed weather — sunny mornings, afternoon thunderstorms. But here’s the upside: prices drop 30-50% compared to January.
A water villa at Constance Moofushi costs about $600/night in April versus $1,000 in January. The rain usually passes in 30 minutes, and the water is still warm (28°C).
When NOT to book: If you want guaranteed sun every day, skip April. Go in February. But if you’re flexible and want a deal, April is the best value in the Maldives all year.
Hawaii — Best Island for April Weather
Hawaii is consistent year-round, but April has specific advantages. Whale season ends in March — fewer boats on the water. Spring break crowds are gone by mid-April. And the weather is perfect: 25-28°C, low humidity, occasional trade wind showers.
Best island for April: Kauai. It’s the rainiest island overall, but April is one of its drier months. The Na Pali Coast is less crowded. Stay at Grand Hyatt Kauai (from $500/night) — huge pool complex, saltwater lagoon, and direct beach access.
Skip Oahu in April unless you want to hike Diamond Head early morning (before 7am to avoid heat and crowds).
France — Provence in Bloom, Paris in the Rain
April in Provence is stunning. The lavender won’t bloom until June, but the poppies, irises, and almond blossoms are out. The weather is 15-20°C — perfect for cycling through vineyards.
Base yourself in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Stay at Hotel Château des Alpilles (from $350/night) — a 19th-century manor with gardens and a pool. Spend days visiting the Roman ruins in Arles, the markets in Aix-en-Provence, and the hilltop village of Les Baux.
Paris in April? It rains 12 days out of 30. If you go, pack an umbrella and book indoor activities (Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, cooking classes). The upside: tulips in the Tuileries Garden and fewer tourists than summer.
Quick Comparison — Which Destination for Which Couple?
| You want… | Go here | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Beach + solitude | Kauai, Hawaii | 25°C, low crowds, whale-free waters |
| Culture + cherry blossoms | Japan (early April) | 15-20°C, iconic sakura, book by January |
| Warm + affordable | Morocco | 25°C, $150/night riads, desert adventure |
| Empty islands + low prices | Greece (Crete or Naxos) | 18-22°C, no cruise ships, cheap flights |
| Luxury + deals | Maldives | 30-50% off peak, rain passes fast |
| Food + art + no crowds | Italy (Rome + Florence) | 12-18°C, thin crowds, world-class museums |
