The best spring travel destinations
In 2018 we recommended five spring cities you should visit before summer crowds take over. Now we’re checking what became of those tips-and which of them still make the cut for spring 2026.
Spring is the honest travel season. The air is mild, the squares are still uncrowded, and a city reveals itself before peak summer turns it into sweat and queues. In 2018 we put five destinations on your radar at exactly this sweet spot. Eight years later the list hasn’t aged a day-in fact, Sofia, Valencia, Lisbon, Dubrovnik and Milan are even more popular today. We’re revisiting each one, telling you what’s changed and what to watch for in spring 2026.
- Valencia is the spring highlight: Las Fallas runs 1-19 March 2026, with the grand Cremà finale on 19 March.
- Lisbon stays the relaxed classic. The yellow Tram 28 trundles 7 km from Martim Moniz to Campo de Ourique; the on-board ticket costs €3.20.
- Sofia and Dubrovnik play to their pre-season strengths: you’ll practically have the old towns to yourself.
- Milan pairs cleverly with a train ride-the Swiss route is half the adventure.
- Rule of thumb for all five: book early in spring; that way you’ll catch the best weather and prices.
Valencia: Europe’s loudest spring
When a city celebrates spring, it’s Valencia. Every March, Las Fallas transforms the Spanish port city into a Gesamtkunstwerk of gunpowder smoke, giant effigies and fire. In 2026 the festival runs from 1 to 19 March, with the main spectacle unfolding between 15 and 19 March. Each day at 14:00 the Mascletà on Plaza del Ayuntamiento unleashes a rhythmic wall of explosions you feel in your ribcage more than hear. On 19 March the elaborate fallas figures go up in flames during the Cremà, and that controlled demolition is the whole point: Las Fallas builds for a year and dismantles everything in a single night.
Our 2018 verdict-that Valencia’s spring festival makes the American Spring Break look tame-still holds. One thing to know now: accommodation during Fallas week is scarce and pricey. If you prefer calm, visit late March or April; Valencia still delivers with its City of Arts and Sciences, long seafront promenade and mild 20 °C for an extended weekend.
Las Fallas builds for a year and burns to the ground in one night. Few cities embrace spring with such radical flair.
Lisbon: the effortlessly enduring favourite
Lisbon featured on our 2018 list and remains a fixture on every relaxed-spring-city shortlist. The reason is simple: 16-22 °C, light that makes the pastel façades on the seven hills glow, and none of the summer crowds. The iconic yellow Tram 28 trundles its 7 km from Martim Moniz through Alfama’s narrow lanes to Campo de Ourique; the on-board fare is €3.20. Grab a seat early-ideally at Martim Moniz terminus-or you’ll be standing the whole ride.
Lisbon is a city where nothing needs to be forced. A Pastel de Nata in Belém, a viewpoint, a glass of Vinho Verde, and the day takes care of itself. Want to dive deeper? We’ve profiled Lisbon in detail elsewhere (see cross-link below).
Sofia, Dubrovnik and Milan: three very different spring faces
Sofia remains the hidden gem it was in 2018. Bulgaria’s capital doesn’t demand you join the tourism circus. You can wander between the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Roman ruins smack in the city centre and cafés that still quote honest prices. In spring the city is green, affordable and wonderfully unhurried.
Dubrovnik plays its best card in spring. The walled old town is overrun by cruise-ship hordes in high summer; in April and May you’ll have it almost to yourself. Swimming is still off the menu-the Adriatic needs until early summer-but the city-wall circuit with sea views is far more enjoyable at 18 °C than in scorching heat.
Milan is the pragmatic entry. You can fly in cheaply, yet the real reward is the train ride: from Frankfurt through Switzerland, past Lake Lucerne and the Gotthard, until the Milanese highlight awaits at the end of the line. What starts as a city trip becomes a mini European experience, and you arrive more relaxed than any budget flight would allow.
What has changed since 2018
The most honest update isn’t about the cities themselves, but the pressure on them. Overtourism has moved from a fringe issue to a political question; Barcelona, Venice and Dubrovnik are debating visitor caps. That’s exactly why spring has gained value as a travel window: fewer crowds, fairer prices, and you experience a city in everyday mode rather than in crisis. Our five picks work in 2026 for the same reasons they did in 2018-only the case for pre-season timing is stronger than ever before.
Good to Know
▸When does Las Fallas take place in Valencia 2026?
Las Fallas officially runs from March 1 to 19, 2026. The main events will take place between March 15 and 19, with the Cremà, featuring the burning of the figures, on March 19.
▸Which of the five destinations is suitable for a quiet spring trip without crowds?
Sofia and Dubrovnik. Sofia is less touristy year-round, and Dubrovnik is almost crowd-free in April and May, without the summer cruise ship masses.
▸How much does Tram 28 in Lisbon cost?
The ticket for Tram 28 bought on board costs 3.20 Euro (as of 2025). You’ll travel cheaper with a day or multi-day public transport ticket.
▸Is the train journey to Milan really worth it?
If you have time, yes. The route from Frankfurt through Switzerland is a scenic experience in itself, and you’ll arrive in Milan without airport stress and more relaxed.
Read more on InspiredByLuxury:
- Uncovered Pearls of Europe: The 7 Best Insider Tips for Your Next Road Trip
- Lisbon: The City of Light
