From Amsterdam to Istanbul: Here’s where to head in Europe this Easter

08.03.2024 - 23:49 / euronews.com / Antoni Gaudí / Saskia ODonoghue

Spring has well and truly sprung and we’re just a few weeks away from Easter. As the flowers bloom and temperatures heat up, many of us are planning to make the most of the season and go on the trip of a lifetime.

This year’s Easter break is set to run from the 29 March to 12 April and if you’re still undecided on which destination to head to, we can help.

Travel company Expedia has released its annual trending trips list - the Easter Travel Outlook - as well as inside information on exactly when to travel and how to get the best value for money for your springtime escape.

While far-flung locations like Bangkok, New York and Tokyo are officially the hottest places to visit this Easter, some of Europe’s most iconic cities are also set to be hugely popular.

At the top of Expedia’s seven-strong list is the ever-popular Amsterdam. That won’t necessarily make the most encouraging reading for the Netherlands, which has been trying to shake off the image of the capital as a ‘party’ city which attracts drunk British tourists.

Euronews Travel has been delving into how possible the Dutch government’s ​​‘Renew Your View’ campaign - which encourages tourists to see the city through a local’s eyes - really is. Read about it here.

Nevertheless, the ‘Venice of the North’ is always a popular choice for tourists in the spring, with its mild climate, seemingly endless cultural offerings and millions of tulips popping up at nearby Keukenhof.

Ahead of this summer’s Olympics being held in the city, Paris comes in at number two on the list. Emerging from the chill of winter, the City of Lights really comes into its own in the spring. From enjoying a hearty French onion soup at a boulevard cafe to seeing the always-iconic Eiffel Tower through the branches of nearby cherry blossoms, Paris really is always a good idea.

It is known for being a rather expensive city, however, although it absolutely can be done on a budget. Read our suggestions for a wallet-friendly visit here.

Third on the list is Barcelona, arguably the ultimate city for sightseeing. Temperatures will be in the high teens by the end of March - perfect for the thousands of steps you’ll no doubt take.

The Spanish favourite is inextricably linked to legendary Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi thanks to his input around the city and tourists this year will be in for even more of a Gaudi-themed treat. Barcelona has recently celebrated his masterpiece, the iconic Sagrada Familia basilica, opening up two new towers.

If you pay a visit to the structures dedicated to the Evangelists Matthew and John, you’ll be one of the first to see them completed, some 142 years after construction started. Read more about the process here.

The Eternal City is eternally on top European destination