Spring is the ideal time to visit many of the world's most popular vacation destinations. Before the peak summer crowds roll in, travelers can often find pleasant temperatures, fewer tourists and affordable lodging and airfare rates. Based on traveler votes and editor analyses of weather, crowds and events, among other factors, U.S. News assembled a list of the best places to visit in spring. Explore our top spring vacation destinations and vote for your favorite spots below.

St. Lucia
#1 in Best Places to Visit in Spring for 2025
Plan a spring getaway to St. Lucia before the island's wet season starts in June. Daytime temperatures consistently sit in the 80s on this Eastern Caribbean island, so visitors can spend their days soaking up some sun on the palm-fringed beaches and hiking the volcanic Pitons. Visiting late in the season has added perks, including cheaper airfare and hotel rates (making it easier to splurge for that all-inclusive resort) and the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival, which takes place from late April to early May.

Machu Picchu
#2 in Best Places to Visit in Spring for 2025
Spring is a time of transition at Machu Picchu, and each month offers a different experience. Those who want to avoid crowds and don't mind cloudy skies can visit in March when the Inca Trail reopens for the season. Meanwhile, April offers a solid balance of temperate weather and moderate tourist volume. Trekkers looking for ideal weather can book a trip in May, the beginning of this Peruvian heritage site's dry season, though booking a few months out is recommended for this popular month. No matter when you visit, you'll be glad you came as you set eyes on the roughly 600-year-old Inca citadel, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Lisbon
#3 in Best Places to Visit in Spring for 2025
Lisbon's striking architecture and colorful neighborhoods are best beheld in spring. You may deal with the occasional rain shower during this season, but you'll find lower hotel rates and fewer tourists, as well as comfortable daytime temperatures in the 60s and 70s. Meander the hilly streets of the Alfama district or take in the sights from above at one of the city's many rooftop bars. Nearby destinations like Sintra (which is home to the vivid National Palace of Pena) and the beach-filled Cascais are also equally enjoyable come spring.

Costa Rica
#4 in Best Places to Visit in Spring for 2025
March and April are two of Costa Rica's driest and warmest months, offering near-constant sunshine and daytime temperatures in the high 70s to low 90s, depending on the location. During these months, you can take advantage of heart-pumping activities like whitewater rafting tours on the Pacuare River or zip lining excursions through the rainforest in Manuel Antonio National Park. Meanwhile, May is the time to go surfing thanks to top-notch conditions. Because most of spring falls within Costa Rica's peak tourist season, hotels often fill up months in advance (especially around spring break and Easter), so be sure to plan accordingly.

Honolulu - Oahu
#5 in Best Places to Visit in Spring for 2025
On Hawaii's most populated island, both rainfall and tourist volume start to drop come spring – a win-win for those who want to hike Le'ahi (Diamond Head) or lounge on some of Hawaii's top beaches. What's more, the island hosts a variety of fun festivals this season. Arrive in March to enjoy the Honolulu Festival's cultural events, including dance performances and parades, or plan a May vacation to attend traditional festivities like the Lei Day celebration and Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawai'i.

Madrid
#6 in Best Places to Visit in Spring for 2025
Madrid gets extremely hot every summer – so much so that residents often vacation away from the city to beat the heat. As such, spring is the best time to visit if you're looking to experience Spain's capital while it's comfortably warm. You can walk to and from the city's best attractions, including El Retiro Park and Plaza Mayor, without breaking a major sweat. If you don't want to rub elbows with lots of people, avoid visiting during Semana Santa (Holy Week) in March or April.

Maldives
#7 in Best Places to Visit in Spring for 2025
This island nation in the Indian Ocean promises pristine beaches and a bevy of outdoor activities in every season, including spring. In March and April (the final months of the Maldives' dry season), visitors will find great snorkeling conditions, the start of surf season and clear skies ideal for lounging on idyllic, sandy private islands. Though the chance for rain increases in May, squalls typically pass quickly, and you're likely to score more affordable accommodations during this low-season month.

Arches National Park
#8 in Best Places to Visit in Spring for 2025
Spring is a popular time to visit this otherworldly national park in Utah – and for good reason. With temperatures ranging from the 60s to the 80s (a far cry from the triple digits encountered in the summer months), you'll be comfortable while exploring the park's 2,000-plus arches or biking along its scenic paved roads. If you're willing to risk a cold front, you can avoid the crowds during a March trip. During the peak months of April and May, you'll need to secure a timed entry reservation – an easy trade-off for near-perfect weather and seeing desert blooms sprout across the sandstone terrain.

London, England
#9 in Best Places to Visit in Spring for 2025
London is always crowded, so you might as well visit when the trees and plants within the city's many beautiful parks and gardens are blooming. Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Regent's Park, Kew Gardens and St. James's Park (to name a few) will be unforgettably lush during spring. For a one-of-a-kind seasonal experience, get tickets to the incredibly eye-catching RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which takes place every May. Or, book a cruise on the River Thames to admire the city's landmarks from the water.

Montreal
#10 in Best Places to Visit in Spring for 2025
By midspring, Montréal's snow has melted and daytime temperatures hover in the 50s, making this season the perfect time to stroll up and down Old Montréal's cobblestone streets. You'll also want to see the hundreds of tulips in bloom at the summit of Mount Royal and the Montréal Botanical Garden. The city hosts a handful of spring events as well, including Montréal Museums Day, when admission into participating museums is free. But keep in mind you may want to avoid National Patriots' Day, a long weekend for Canadians near the end of May when crowds and room rates increase.

Sydney
#11 in Best Places to Visit in Spring for 2025
Avoid Sydney's peak summer season (from December through February) by booking a spring vacation to Australia's most populated city. From March through May, Sydney's autumn season, you'll enjoy more elbow room while checking out top landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Plus, you won't have to sacrifice too much temperature-wise; highs are normally in the 60s and 70s. Another bonus: The water at the city's incredible beaches, including world-renowned Bondi Beach and its Bondi Icebergs Club pool, is warm enough for swimming throughout the season.

Lake Tahoe
#12 in Best Places to Visit in Spring for 2025
This year-round destination on the California-Nevada border is at its most serene in spring. By mid-April, most skiers have left Lake Tahoe's mountains – though those looking for one last run can still hit Palisades Tahoe's slopes through May. Plus, the summer boating crowd hasn't arrived yet, making it the perfect place to find some peace and quiet as you hike along the Tahoe Rim Trail. But remember, you'll still encounter a nip in the air (think: evening temps in the 20s and 30s), so be sure to bring cold-weather attire with you.

Yellowstone National Park
#13 in Best Places to Visit in Spring for 2025
As the snowfall starts to slow down, baby animals emerge in Yellowstone, making this national park an excellent place to spot wildlife in spring. Trekkers can hike (or snowshoe) on the lower elevation trails that open in April and May, while those who love mammals can keep their eyes peeled for bears coming out of hibernation with their cubs. What's more, crowd sizes remain low throughout the spring months. As some park roads remain closed through most of the spring season, visitors may want to stay near the park's north or west entrances for the best accessibility.

Puebla
#14 in Best Places to Visit in Spring for 2025
This city in central Mexico (about 85 miles southeast of Mexico City) attracts visitors with its UNESCO-recognized historic structures, array of museums and culinary delicacies like mole poblano. Spring marks the final few months of Puebla's dry season before a rainy summer, and temperatures average in the 70s – just right for strolling through the Zócalo, the city's main square, or admiring baroque architecture like the intricate Capilla del Rosario at the Templo de Santo Domingo. Plus, Puebla goes all out for Cinco de Mayo (which celebrates Mexico's victory in the Battle of Puebla), with a monthlong celebration that includes battle reenactments and a parade.

Seoul
#15 in Best Places to Visit in Spring for 2025
A spring visit to Seoul offers the perennial charms of this South Korean city – cultural sites galore and an exceptional food scene – with the added backdrop of vernal blooms. Seoul is chock-full of ancient attractions, including palaces like Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung. Plus, culinary epicenters like Gwangjang Market make it easy to sample Seoul's iconic street food. Those who want to see Seoul's cherry blossoms, which bloom in late March or April (depending on the year), should book early and expect thicker crowds. For a quieter trip, don an extra layer and arrive in early March, when high temperatures hover between the mid-40s and mid-50s.

Sedona
#16 in Best Places to Visit in Spring for 2025
Sedona's red rocks and colorful desert vegetation are most vibrant in spring. Plus, this Arizona destination's 200-plus hiking trails are more comfortable to traverse during this time of year thanks to average daytime temperatures that hover between the mid-60s and low 80s. Because spring is Sedona's peak travel season, you'll want to make reservations well in advance. No matter when you visit in the spring, you'll be treated to a handful of local festivals, including the Sedona Mountain Bike Festival in March, the Spring Open Studios gallery event in April and the Sedona Yoga Festival in May

Naples
#17 in Best Places to Visit in Spring for 2025
If you're keen on visiting Florida but want to stay far, far away from spring breakers, Naples is a fantastic option. This laid-back yet luxurious city overlooking the Gulf of Mexico offers dreamy white sand beaches with few tourists, plus high-end digs with plenty of availability. What's more, the season brings comfortable temps and little rain compared to summer, so you can enjoy outdoor attractions like the 170-acre Naples Botanical Garden and tour the marshlands of the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (located about 30 miles northeast of Naples).

Grand Canyon National Park
#18 in Best Places to Visit in Spring for 2025
Skip the summer crowds in favor of visiting this phenomenal Arizona natural wonder in early spring. You'll have easier access to the Grand Canyon's stunning lookout points along the South Rim, plus hiking will be more enjoyable with average daytime temperatures in the 50s and 60s. Keep in mind, though, that exact temperatures vary depending on where you are in the canyon, and North Rim roads remain closed through mid-May. To save some money, plan your trip in April on the first day of National Park Week, when admission fees are waived at every national park in the country.

Victoria Falls
#19 in Best Places to Visit in Spring for 2025
As the largest curtain of falling water in the world, Victoria Falls is a sight to behold. After months of heavy rain, this natural wonder on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border flows at its mightiest in March, April and May. Feel the ground shake under your feet as you take in the 16 viewpoints along the Rainforest Walk on the Zimbabwe side. Just prepare to get wet from the powerful spray. To stay dry and get a better view above the mist, consider a helicopter tour.

New Orleans
#20 in Best Places to Visit in Spring for 2025
Festive events and warm temperatures in the low 70s to high 80s draw numerous travelers to the Big Easy every spring. While a spring visit means you may miss New Orleans' Mardi Gras festivities (usually held in February or the first week of March), you'll find plenty of other opportunities to "let the good times roll." Attend the Louisiana city's lively St. Patrick's Day celebrations in mid-March, arrive in late April for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival or experience the Mid-City Bayou Boogaloo in May. While you're here, don't miss a spring stroll through the bustling French Quarter and an airboat tour of the surrounding swamp.