10 Best Places to Travel this Spring

The 10 best places to travel this spring are undoubtedly in the Mediterranean, as the cooler (yet still warm!) weather and nearly non-existent crowds make these popular hotspots the ideal destinations for outdoor adventure. Spain, Portugal, the Greek Islands, and Italy are all at the top of this year’s list of the 10 best places to travel this spring.

The spring season is a great time to get the jump on your travel competition, hitting up all of the best destinations before the crowds of summer inevitably begin to arrive and put a strain on the tourism infrastructure. For this reason, the following list of the best places to travel in spring will be focussed mostly on the Mediterranean, as this is the time to experience some of the most sought after destinations without throngs of other tourists hanging around!

That isn’t to say that other destinations around the world aren’t perfect for travel in March, April, and May – far from it. In fact, we’ve included several other destinations elsewhere in Europe and further afield that offer some incredible adventure opportunities! So whether you are looking to explore the old world charm of the Mediterranean coast or want to take your holiday closer to the equator to soak up the sun, there are plenty of incredible adventures waiting for you in every corner of the globe. With all of that in mind, here is the list of the 10 best places to travel in spring 2023:

The 10 Best Places to Travel this Spring Ranked

Galicia, Spain

#1 in Best Places to Travel this Spring

This past year saw an incredible volume of travellers along all of the various camino routes leading to Santiago de Compostela in the northwest of Spain, and we don’t expect this year to be any different! If you are looking to undertake the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela but would like to avoid the crowds of the peak season, why not set out in the spring to get a jump on the competition? Not only will you avoid the crowds, but also the intense heat of the summer season – that’s a win-win in our books!

Favourite Tour in Galicia, Spain: Camino de Santiago Luxury Tour

The Portuguese Coast

#2 in Best Places to Travel this Spring

The Portuguese coast has proven to be another popular spring destination this year, not only for those who want to complete the Camino Portuguese, but also for countless adventurers looking to cycle along the coast. If you want to experience the natural beauty of Portugal’s coastline without having to encounter the influx of travellers that come with summer, then the spring season is the ideal time for your trip!

Favourite Tour on the Portuguese Coast: Porto to Lisbon Cycling Tour

Cinque Terre, Italy

#3 in Best Places to Travel this Spring

Along with the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre has become an increasingly popular Italian travel destination during the summer months; so much so that it can be extremely challenging to find accommodations during the peak season unless you book well in advance. Our solution? Book your trip for the spring when crowds are at a minimum and average temperatures are still warm enough to get out and explore (15-22℃).

Favourite Tour in Cinque Terre, Italy: Portofino to Porto Venere Trek

Cyclades Islands, Greece

#4 in Best Places to Travel this Spring

Another Mediterranean destination that has grown in popularity in recent years, the Cyclades Islands are the perfect place to visit in the spring. While winter will see much of the tourist infrastructure close down, the warm weather of late-spring will once again see things flourish, providing a small window of opportunity for uninterrupted travel (particularly to the popular islands of Santorini and Mykonos) before the summer rush begins.

Favourite Tour in the Cyclades Islands, Greece: Island Walking on Naxos and Santorini

The Dolomites, Italy

#5 in Best Places to Travel this Spring

The Dolomites are a popular travel destination in both the winter and summer months, thanks largely to the world-class ski slopes and incredible hiking trails that can be found throughout the region. However, we are seeing more and more people booking tours (particularly cycling adventures) during the late-spring. The month of May can still see plenty of snow at higher elevations, but lower cycling trails are often clear, allowing travellers to enjoy the natural beauty of the Dolomites before the hot weather and busy tourist season set in.

Favourite Tour in the Dolomites, Italy: Dolomites to Lake Garda Cycling Tour

Saxony, Germany

#6 in Best Places to Travel this Spring

Saxony is an incredibly beautiful part of Germany, and in our minds is a real hidden gem when it comes to hiking regions around the world. This densely forested and mountainous part of the country is picking up in popularity, thanks to the rugged beauty of the Harz Mountains and the great infrastructure along the Malerweg Trail, so the late-spring season is a great time to get out and explore with a bit less foot traffic. If you are looking for a fantastic hiking destination that won’t be super crowded, Saxony is a great choice!

Favourite Tour in Saxony, Germany: The Complete Malerweg Trail

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

#7 in Best Places to Travel this Spring

Costa Rica is always a popular place for travellers during the early months of the year, as many people are looking to trade in the cold of winter for tropical heat and plenty of adventure. The Guanacaste region, located in the northwest of Costa Rica, experiences some of its hottest temperatures of the year during March, making this a great early-spring destination if you enjoy the heat.

Favourite Tour in, Costa Rica: Beaches and Volcanoes of Guanacaste Tour

The Netherlands

#8 in Best Places to Travel this Spring

The Netherlands is a beautifully scenic country that can be explored more or less year-round if you don’t mind the rain; however, it is truly a magical place to visit during the spring season. Eye-popping tulips, bustling street markets, and terraces packed with people enjoying the (often limited) sunshine all make this charming country come alive during the spring.

Favourite Tour in The Netherlands: Pearls of Holland Cycling Tour

Borneo, Malaysia

#9 in Best Places to Travel this Spring

Spring in Borneo marks the start of the dry season, making it the perfect time of year to get out and experience this beautiful destination to its fullest. Temperatures during the spring will range from 21-32℃ and weather conditions will be dry, meaning you can set out to explore the jungle or the coast while viewing the diverse range of wildlife that can be found here.

Favourite Tour in Borneo, Malaysia: Sarawak Rainforest Multisport Tour

Kruger National Park, South Africa

#10 in Best Places to Travel this Spring

With South Africa being located in the Southern Hemisphere this feels a little bit like cheating, as the country experiences its autumn season during the Northern Hemisphere's spring; however, it is a popular travel destination for many people in the Northern Hemisphere so we figured to include it anyway!

Hot and dry weather can be experienced in the park during April and May, making this a great time to take in a variety of wildlife species, including a host of migratory birds. If you want to experience the diversity of wildlife on an incredible safari, then spring in Kruger National Park is a great choice!

Favourite Tour in Kruger NP, South Africa: South African Hiking and Kruger Safari Tour

Travel Opportunities for Other Seasons

Spring may be a great time to travel for many people looking to avoid the crowds, but what if you are keen on a summer adventure, or have your heart set on winter sport activities? No matter where in the world you want to go or when you want to set out on your next trip, 10Adventures has a wide range of adventure tours to match your style and personality.

Not planning on travelling this spring? Keep an eye out for our upcoming summer article, when we uncover all of the best travel destinations for June, July, and August! Alternatively, you can discover the best travel destinations by month below:

Best Places to Travel in December

Best Places to Travel in January

Best Places to Travel in February