Where To Go In April 2025
Spring is firmly in the air and we’re looking forward to sun-dappled city breaks across Europe and the US, as well as shoulder month stays in the Italian and Portuguese countryside.

New York City
The Big Apple comes into its own in April. Cafes and bars spill onto sidewalks, rooftops are revived and it feels like a time for lovers. Stay in Manhattan at the newly opened The Twenty Two New York City, housed in the landmarked Margaret Louisa Home in the heart of Union Square, The Twenty Two New York City offers 77 exquisitely designed rooms, including 17 suites, each a sanctuary of refined luxury and dedicated to the art of lingering.
Athens, Greece
In the summer months, it’s tempting to overlook Athens as merely a gateway to her glittering multitude of islands. But the dynamic Greek capital, humming with creating energy and new openings, is fast becoming a destination in its own right — and early spring is just the time to visit. Stay at Mona, which is so much more than a gorgeous boutique hotel in a transformed 1950s factory: it doubles as a cafe, speakeasy bar, rooftop members’ club, and art gallery. Set in the Psirri neighborhood, you’ll have views over the Acropolis and are moments from the Agora and Monastiraki, where you’ll find Athens’ sprawling antique market. Spend your days getting a handle on the new, modern Athens, making time for the National Museum of Contemporary Art and dinner at the Greek-Asian fusion joint, Nolan. If you do want to tack on an island getaway, Syros is one of the best all-year-round destinations. The capital of the Cyclades, it’s home to a seriously handsome Venetian chora and the super chi, art hotel, Aristide.
Alentejo, Portugal
South of Lisbon towards the Spanish border and stretching out towards the Atlantic, the Alentejo region remains the unsung hero of Portugal. Undeveloped and dotted with cork forests, wildflower meadows, and white-washed villages, it is a rough and ready rural idyll where time seems to stand almost still. The place to stay is São Lourenço do Barrocal, a quietly luxurious farmhouse surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, which sits under the ancient hilltop town of Monsarez. Barns and workers’ rooms on the eighth-generation family estate have been transformed into rustic chic rooms that are designed to be symbiotic with the local vernacular, while guests can make the most of the foodie landscape with foraging, cooking workshops, olive oil, and wine tastings.
Madrid, Spain
First-class museums, imposing Baroque architecture, a buzzing gastronomic scene, and countless vermouth bars, the Spanish capital is one to keep in mind for a spring city break. Stay at the iconic Bless Madrid, which is located on the ‘Golden Mile’ in the desirable Salamanca neighborhood and inspired by the latter’s elegant, 19th-century houses with interior design by Lázaro Rosa Violán.
Start your day with a little shopping: El Rastro flea market for vintage and antique finds; Tado for unique pieces by Spanish artists and makers; Casa Hernanz for handmade espadrilles; and Maleza for bespoke hats. Then make time for the Prado Museum, a walk through Retiro Park, the royal family’s former retreat, and flamenco at Corral de la Moreria. And, of course, then it’s all about the food: O’pazo is a much-loved, old-school seafood restaurant; and Bodega de la Ardosa has been deep-frying croquettes since 1892. For more of a contemporary vibe — with a side of sustainability and economic justice, try Mo de Movimiento.
Puglia, Italy
An authentic slice of rural Italy, we love Puglia more and more as each year passes — and April is a wonderful time to visit as the landscape starts to bloom. Make one of the Masseria Moroseta villas, Casa Maiora or Casa Guaceto, your stylish base for a spring break. Both are located near Carovigno and Ostuni, one of the Citta Bianca and our favorite spots for coffee, aperitivo, and dinner. Spring in Puglia is all about making the most of nature’s larder and your villa kitchens, bike rides across vineyards and olive groves, ceramics shopping, and, if you are brave, bracing swims in the sea in the Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve.
84 Rooms recommends: : Most Stylish Hotels In New York City, and The Best Hotels & Casas In Puglia.