Ten Cheap Places to Visit in April Which Are Sunny

The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop above the city of Athens. It contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historical significance, the most famous being the Parthenon. April is warm and sunny, with temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius. You avoid the scorching summer heat and the massive July cruise crowds. Tickets are cheaper in winter, but in April they double to the full summer price of 20 Euros. Accommodation in Athens is still reasonable, costing around 60 Euros a night for a basic hotel room. Watch out for the steep, slippery marble steps when walking up to the ruins.

Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal located in the Atlantic Ocean, about 805 kilometers southwest of mainland Portugal and north of the Canary Islands. April has mild temperatures averaging 19 degrees Celsius and low rainfall. It is great for hiking along the stone water channels that crisscross the island. Flights can be expensive because it is an island. A budget hotel room costs about 70 Euros per night, and meals are cheap if you avoid the tourist harbor in Funchal. The main drawback is that ocean waters are still too cold for swimming in April.

Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal, located on the northern shore of the River Tagus. It is one of the oldest cities in the world and sits close to the westernmost point of continental Europe. April brings reliable sunshine and temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius. It is much easier to walk the steep streets now than in the hot summer months. Lisbon is no longer a secret cheap destination. While food and public transit remain cheap, hostel beds now cost 40 Euros and simple double rooms start at 90 Euros. April also brings Easter crowds, which drive up prices.

The Annapurna Massif is a giant mountain range in the Himalayas of north central Nepal. It includes one peak over 8000 meters and several others over 7000 meters. April is one of the best trekking months because the snow has melted from high passes and the weather is clear and dry. The rhododendron forests along the trail are in bloom. This is a very cheap destination once you arrive. A bed in a trail teahouse costs under 5 US dollars per night, though you must buy your meals there. The real expense is the mandatory trekking permit and the cost of reaching Pokhara from Kathmandu.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is a national forest park located in Hunan Province, China. It is famous for its tall sandstone pillars and is part of the larger Wulingyuan Scenic Area. April brings spring green to the forest and temperatures average 20 degrees Celsius. The heavy winter fog lifts, giving you clear views of the pillars. The entry ticket costs about 30 US dollars and is valid for four days. While local food and hotels in Zhangjiajie city are cheap, English is rarely spoken and you will need translation apps to get around.

Ranthambore National Park is a wildlife reserve in Rajasthan, India, bounded by the Banas and Chambal rivers. It is named after the historic Ranthambore Fort inside the park. April is dry and hot, which forces tigers out of the brush to drink at the remaining water holes. Your chances of seeing a tiger are much higher than in cooler months. Safaris are cheap if you book the shared open top trucks, which cost about 20 US dollars. Hotels nearby range from cheap guesthouses to luxury tents. The downside is the heat, which often exceeds 38 degrees Celsius in the afternoon.

Boracay is a small resort island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines, located just off the coast of Panay Island. April is the peak of the dry season with hot days and calm, clear seas. It is the best time for sitting on the white sand. Accommodation is more expensive than on other Philippine islands, with basic rooms starting at 45 US dollars. Food and drinks are cheap if you walk a block away from the main beach path. The island gets very crowded during Easter week, which drives up flight prices.

Ha Long Bay is a bay in northeastern Vietnam filled with thousands of limestone karst islands of various shapes and sizes. April weather is warm and dry, avoiding the winter fog and the summer typhoons. Overnight boat cruises are the main draw, costing from 120 US dollars per person for a mid tier boat. Day trips are cheaper but crowded. The bay suffers from visible floating plastic waste, which disappoints many visitors.

Hội An is a historic port town and UNESCO World Heritage Site in Vietnam, known for its preserved architecture and wooden houses. April has plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperatures before the extreme summer heat arrives. Hội An is incredibly cheap. You can find a good hotel room with a pool for 25 US dollars and street food meals cost under 2 US dollars. The main drawback is the crowds on the narrow streets of the old town during the evening lantern lightings.

Kyoto is the cultural capital of Japan, located in the Kansai region. It is home to thousands of classical Buddhist temples, gardens, and imperial palaces. April is cherry blossom season, making the city exceptionally beautiful with mild, sunny spring days. Despite its reputation as a classic destination, Kyoto is not cheap in April. Hotel prices triple, and you must book months in advance. Main temples are extremely crowded, making it hard to walk or take photos.