1. Costa Brava, Spain from £38
See the secret side of the Costa Brava in Begur, a world away from the buckets and spades of Salou. The cool new kid on the Costa block, bijou Begur is where trendy types from Barcelona luxe it up in boutique hotels and fine seafood restaurants. Get there before it’s discovered.
2. Majorca, Spain from £44
Majorca’s popular family-friendly beach resorts like Alcudia and Puerta Pollensa are much quieter early season, so there’ll be plenty of space for sandcastles and soaking up that spring sunshine. The more actively-inclined could head inland to hike in the island’s mountainous interior.
3. Costa Smerelda, Sardinia from £46
Sardinia is a favourite celeb holiday spot, but with a choice of cheap flights, and out-of-season hotel prices, you don’t have to be loaded to load up on southern spring sun in Sardinia. Have the beach to yourslef on the idyllic Isla Mortoria on the Costa Smerelda.
4. The Algarve, Portugal from £50
Family favourite the Algarve is more popular with golfers than holidaymakers in spring so the beaches and waterparks won’t be too busy, making it a good bet for taking the kids somewhere sunny in their Easter hols.
5. Dubrovnik, Croatia from £57
Lord Byron declared Dubrovnik to be the ‘pearl of the Adriatic’ so take his word for it or see it shine for yourself. It gets pretty hot in summer but should be most pleasant early in the season. Take a boat trip out to one of the many islands nearby with forest-backed beaches and dazzling blue seas.
6. Mykonos, Greece from £57
The party won’t be starting yet in glamorous Mykonos, so while it can get pretty full-on in peak season, spring is a fine time to visit this picturesque island. Really escape the rat race on the unpopulated neighbouring island of Delos.
7. Almeria, Spain from £64
It’s hot, hot, hot in Almería. Andalucía is the sunniest part of a sunny country and warms up nicely into the 20s, even in April. The region boasts many gorgeous beaches, such as Genoveses, a long sweep of sand backed by mountains.
