Seaside towns that are better in the spring
Get ahead of the crowds by visiting these five destinations before May.
The other week, I spoke with dozens of well-travelled friends to create a list of places to avoid and where to go instead. I realized during that process how common it is to dismiss a destination as overrated when the real problem is when you decide to visit.
Some places aren’t worth a visit at any time of the year, I think, but others completely change their nature in high season, as Zurich-based photographer Linard Baer puts it. Close enough to summer, you can find great weather, things to do, and fair prices.
1. Venice, Italy
Average temperatures: Between 8°C and 16°C in April, and 13°C and 21°C in May.
Annual visitors per year: 20 million, a record-breaking 364 for every resident.
When it’s really busy: Escape to the island of Lido di Venezia for a nearby retreat.
It’s no secret that Venice struggles with overtourism: roughly 60,000 visitors descend on the fragile city each day, equalling the foot traffic of a Disney resort. And between the crowded streets and packed restaurants, it kind of feels like one too. This year, the bi-annual Venice Biennale launches on May 10, offering a perfect opportunity to visit.
2. Malaga, Spain
Average temperatures: Between 10°C and 20°C in April, and 14°C and 23°C in May.
Annual visitors per year: 14 million in Costa del Sol and the wider Malaga province.
When it’s really busy: Escape to nearby resort town of Nerja, just 56 kilometers east.
I originally meant for this list to cover all of the spring months, but I’ve recently found ultra-popular destinations like Venice and Malaga are getting busier much earlier in the year. In 2023, for instance, Museo Picasso Málaga saw 779,279 total visitors, a record, and by late April you couldn’t get in without reserving tickets days in advance.
3. Nice, France
Average temperatures: Between 10°C and 16°C in April, and 14°C and 20°C in May.
Annual visitors per year: 5 million, many from large cruises (which are now limited).
When it’s really busy: Visit the nearby beach towns, Eze and Villefranche-sur-Mer.
Nice’s tourism website proudly states that it’s the most-visited city in France after Paris, despite being about half the size. Several people have warned me against going to Nice in the summer months, citing high prices and crowded beaches. In the spring, you can still enjoy the Mediterranean climate and famous Promenade des Anglais.
4. Santorini, Greece
Average temperatures: Between 14°C and 20°C in April, and 18°C and 24°C in May.
Annual visitors per year: 3.4 million, or about 170 people for every island resident.
When it’s really busy: One boat stop away is the larger and quieter island of Milos.
Imagine walking down a quiet pedestrian path in the centre of Fira Town, the capital of Santorini, and into a cliffside restaurant where you’re seated without a reservation. Such is life on Greece’s most-visited island during the spring months, when you can enjoy the island’s postcard views and historical sites without the summer crowds.
5. Porto, Portugal
Average temperatures: Between 10°C and 17°C in April, and 12°C and 20°C in May.
Annual visitors per year: 3.4 million, all fitting into roughly 41 square kilometres.
When it’s really busy: Slightly inland, between Lisbon and Porto, you’ll find Coimbra.
Portugal’s tourism numbers continue to smash records year after year. And judging by my own Instagram feed, the city of Porto has become an essential stop for people’s journeys up the coast. The city is known for its known for its historic charm, vibrant culture and scenic landscapes that are just as enjoyable during the spring months