Best Places to Visit in Spring
Spring (roughly March to May) is a genuinely good window for a specific reason at each of these destinations — not just mild weather in general, but a particular seasonal event or gap between extremes that makes this the time their own guides point to.
Kyoto, Japan
Cherry blossom season, typically late March to early April, is Kyoto's single most famous seasonal draw — Maruyama Park and the Philosopher's Path are both built around it, though it's also the city's most crowded and expensive stretch of the year.
Marrakech, Morocco
Spring is one of Marrakech's two genuine sweet spots: daytime temperatures sit in a comfortable range for the extended medina walking the city is built around, without summer's extreme heat, and the Jardin Majorelle's plantings are particularly vivid this time of year.
Paris, France
April to June brings mild, comfortable weather for the walking a Paris visit is built around, with noticeably thinner crowds than the peak summer months that follow.
Rome, Italy
April to June offers comfortable temperatures for covering ancient Rome and Vatican City on foot, ahead of July and August's genuine heat and the biggest crowds of the year.
Barcelona, Spain
April to June brings comfortable temperatures for both the Gaudi sights and the beach, without summer's peak heat and crowds.
Santorini, Greece
Late May marks the start of Santorini's best window — warm enough for the sea and full sightseeing days, just ahead of July and August's peak heat, prices, and crowds.
Looking for a different season? See our guides for summer, autumn, and winter.