As the Easter holidays approach, travel website Expedia has the inside scoop on the most popular spring vacation destinations.
Spring has sprung, and Easter is only a few weeks away. As the flowers bloom and the temperatures rise, many of us intend to take advantage of the season and embark on an unforgettable journey.
This year’s Easter vacation will run from March 29 to April 12, and if you’re still undecided about where to go, we can help.
Expedia has issued its annual popular trip list, the Easter Travel Outlook, as well as exclusive tips on when to travel and how to get the best value for money on your springtime getaway.
While far-flung destinations such as Bangkok, New York, and Tokyo are officially the most popular places to travel this Easter, some of Europe’s most historic towns are also expected to be extremely popular.
The perennially popular Amsterdam tops Expedia’s seven-strong list. That may not be the most encouraging reading for the Netherlands, which has been working to overcome the reputation of its capital as a ‘party’ city that attracts inebriated British tourists.
Nonetheless, the ‘Venice of the North’ remains a favorite spring destination for travelers, thanks to its moderate climate, seemingly infinite cultural events, and millions of tulips blooming at nearby Keukenhof.
Paris and Barcelona
Paris is ranked second on the list ahead of the city’s hosting of the Olympics this summer. After the chill of winter, the City of Lights really comes into its own in the spring. Paris is always a fantastic idea, whether it’s having a substantial French onion soup at a boulevard cafe or witnessing the famed Eiffel Tower through the branches of neighboring cherry blossoms.
It is well-known for being an expensive city, yet it is certainly possible to visit on a budget.
Barcelona is ranked third, and it is widely regarded as the ultimate sightseeing destination. Temperatures will be in the upper teens by the end of March, ideal for the thousands of steps you’ll undoubtedly take.
The Spanish staple is intrinsically linked to famed Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi’s contributions to the city, and visitors this year will be treated to even more Gaudi-themed treats. Barcelona recently celebrated his masterwork, the magnificent Sagrada Familia cathedral, by unveiling two new towers.
If you visit the structures dedicated to the Evangelists Matthew and John, you will be among the first to see them completed, 142 years after work began.
Rome and Malaga
The Eternal City is always on top European destination lists, and with good reason. Rome is one of the world’s oldest cities, with world-famous landmarks like as the Colosseum and Roman Forum, but there’s so much more to it than its architectural monuments.
Last month, Euronews Travel chatted with historian Alexander Mariotti, who shared his top suggestions for avoiding crowds but still getting the most out of the Italian city.
Spain is the only country on Expedia’s list that appears twice. This time, it’s Malaga in the south, which is being marketed as a top destination.
Its climate is great year-round, allowing tourists to enjoy subtropical weather with scorching summers and pleasant winters. Spring is probably the greatest time to visit, before the temperatures get too high.
Plus, with a recent proposal to expand a new train route from Malaga to Fuengirola along the Costa del Sol, visiting some of Spain’s most attractive beach cities and villages may become much easier.
Istanbul and Lisbon
Istanbul, ranked sixth on Expedia’s list, has a really favorable location on the outskirts of Europe and is well-known for being the entrance to Asia.
If you prefer sticking on dry land, see the renowned Byzantine Hagia Sophia. It was formerly a church and now serves as a mosque, with a genuinely spectacular 6th-century dome and rare Christian mosaics, both of which demonstrate how diverse and fascinating this city is.
Expedia concludes its list with Lisbon. The Portuguese city has always been popular, but the surge of digital nomads has amplified its appeal.
With practically guaranteed weather all year, it is a budget-friendly vacation with something for everyone, from modern art hubs to some of Europe’s best cuisine.
Despite its slopes, it’s also very walkable, and, fortunately for those who don’t want to walk, public transportation is unusually iconic. Take the number 28 tram to explore Graça, Alfama, and Baixa neighborhoods, as well as historical sites.
Best times to visit
Expedia predicts that the most affordable flight date will be March 30, which is Easter Saturday.
That was also true in 2023, when the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday had the lowest average ticket price for both foreign and domestic flights.
If you need a break during school holidays, there are still reasonable solutions available.
According to an Expedia spokesman, avoiding the busiest travel days can save you money and time. Wednesday departures are the most expensive, but Saturday departures are the lowest for both international and domestic flights, with prices typically 15% lower based on historical travel data.”
They also recommend avoiding Tuesdays if you don’t like crowded airports and flights, and that Saturdays and Sundays are the least crowded days to travel.