Where to go for Easter Holiday Break: Destinations in UK, Europe and All Over the World
13 March 2026
Easter 2026 falls on Sunday 5 April, giving UK travellers a four-day bank holiday weekend -from Good Friday (3 April) to Easter Monday (6 April).
Add a few days of annual leave and you have a full week away. Still wondering where to go for your easter holiday? You’re in the right place.
April is one of the best months to travel: spring weather is settling in across Europe, crowds are manageable, and prices are well below summer peaks.
In this guide to the best easter holiday destinations in 2026 you’ll find warm beach breaks, European city escapes, family-friendly picks and a selection of brand-new routes just launched from London Stansted. Check our bank holidays and long weekends 2026 guide to plan your days off strategically.
Many of these destinations fly direct from Stansted - and getting there is easy with the Flibco shuttle bus from London to Stansted Airport. Can we chat about the use of the word Shuttle Bus. I see us use coach, shuttle and bus.
Warm Places in April: Some Easter Holiday Destinations
If you’re looking for places with guaranteed sunshine, Atlantic and Mediterranean destinations are your best bet: the weather is already estival, the beaches are never as crowded as in summer, and prices are significantly lower before the high-season rush.
Lanzarote
Few places feel as otherworldly as Lanzarote in April.
If you can’t decide where to go on holiday for Easter, the Canary Islands consistently top the list - and Lanzarote stands out even among them, with temperatures already hitting 22°C and very low humidity.
The volcanic landscape of Parque Nacional de Timanfaya, the black and golden sand beaches, and the artistic legacy of César Manrique (Jameos del Agua, the Cactus Garden) make it far more interesting than your average sun destination.
Try the local biodynamic wines and soak in the scenery.
The Algarve, Portugal
The Algarve is one of the best warm places in April if you want sunshine while staying on the European mainland.
Temperatures hover between 18 and 22°C - warm enough for the beach, mild enough for coastal walks along the dramatic cliffs of Ponta da Piedade and Praia da Marinha before the summer rush arrives.
It’s one of the best holiday destinations in April for couples and adults who prefer landscape and food over a pool complex: Lagos and Albufeira deliver everything from fresh seafood and pastel de nata to a lively evening scene.
Easter Weekend Breaks: Where to go on Holiday in Europe
Easter is one of the finest times for weekend breaks.
Streets are busy but not overwhelmed, spring markets and Easter celebrations add to the atmosphere, and the cultural offer - museums, galleries, restaurants - is in full swing.
The destinations below are among the best easter holiday destinations in Europe - all within three hours’ flight from London Stansted.
Lisbon
Lisbon is consistently one of the top answers to the question of where to go in Easter holidays - and April is the perfect month to visit.
Spring light hits the tiled façades of Alfama and Belém beautifully, the city buzzes with outdoor energy, and historic tram routes and miradouros make even an aimless walk a pleasure.
Stop at Pastéis de Belém for the original pastel de nata. Compared to other European capitals, Lisbon remains genuinely good value, making it an excellent pick if you’re looking for a cheap easter holiday destination. Check flights from Stansted to Lisbon before booking.
Paris
Paris is always a strong contender for an easter break - and in 2026 it gets even more compelling. EasyJet is launching a new route from London Stansted from March, making the French capital one of the best destinations you could choose.
April means the Tuileries and Jardins du Luxembourg are in bloom, the chocolatiers go all out for the Salon du Chocolat de Pâques, and the recently reopened Notre-Dame may be hosting Easter Mass for the first time in years - worth checking the 2026 programme. Book your Flibco shuttle to Stansted early to make the most of it.
Rome
Rome in April is simply one of the hottest holiday destinations in Europe, and Easter weekend is one of the best times to visit.
The city is alive with spring energy: golden light on the ochre facades, outdoor tables spilling onto cobblestones in Trastevere, and the major sights - the Colosseum, the Foro Romano, the Vatican Museums - all at their best before the summer heat and crowds arrive.
Spend a morning wandering the Borghese Gallery, an afternoon getting lost between Campo dei Fiori and the Pantheon, and an evening working your way through a long Roman dinner.
One practical note: accommodation fills up quickly over the Easter long weekend, so book as early as possible. Flights from Stansted connect to both Rome Fiumicino and Rome Ciampino, and Flibco runs direct shuttle services from both airports straight to Roma Termini.
Best Easter Holiday Destinations for Couples
Easter weekend is one of the most romantic times to travel - long enough to properly escape, short enough to not need weeks of planning. Whether you're after sunshine and beaches or something more laid-back and exploratory, these three destinations are our top picks for couples departing from London Stansted this spring.
Tenerife
Tenerife is one of the best hot Easter holiday destinations in Europe for couples who want guaranteed warmth without a long-haul flight.
Temperatures sit at a perfect 22–24°C in April - sunny enough for the beach, but never oppressively hot. Spend your days between the black sand beaches of the north and the wide golden stretches of Playa del Duque, take the cable car up Mount Teide at sunrise, join a whale watching tour along the southern coast, or simply find a good restaurant and stay there.
Tenerife rewards couples who go beyond the resort strip.
Majorca
Majorca in April is a different island to the one you could see in high season.
The summer crowds haven't arrived yet, prices are noticeably lower, and the temperatures - pleasant at 18 - 21°C - are ideal for exploring rather than just lying down.
Palma is one of the most enjoyable city breaks in the Mediterranean: a cathedral that rises straight out of the waterfront, a tight old town full of wine bars and independent restaurants, and a coastal promenade perfect for a slow morning.
Hire a car, drive the Serra de Tramuntana, and discover why Majorca has always been a favourite among couples who like their holidays with a bit of character.
Dublin
Dublin is an underrated choice for an Easter couple’s getaway - easy to reach, easy to enjoy, and consistently warm in the way that only Irish hospitality can be.
The city is compact and walkable, with a pub, a bookshop or a great restaurant around every corner.
Spend a morning exploring the independent boutiques and markets of Temple Bar and George's Street, an afternoon in the National Gallery or a gallery hop through the Liberties, and an evening working your way through the neighbourhood bars of Stoneybatter or Ranelagh.
It’s a genuinely good city to spend a long weekend in with someone you like.
Easter Holiday Destinations 2026: New Routes from London Stansted
Spring 2026 brings a new wave of flight connections from London Stansted, making these exciting destinations ready to be discovered. If you’re looking for something beyond the usual choices, these are the freshest routes to have on your radar this spring.
Istanbul, Turkey – Turkish Airlines (from March 2026)
Turkish Airlines is launching 15 weekly services between London Stansted and Istanbul from March 2026.
Istanbul straddles two continents: the Bosphorus strait, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and a food scene that rivals any city in Europe. One of the most compelling new 2026 easter holiday destinations for adventurous travellers. Check entry requirements for UK citizens - an e-visa is required before arrival.
Malmö, Sweden – Ryanair (from April 2026)
Ryanair adds Malmö to its Stansted network from April 2026.
Sweden’s third-largest city is quietly one of the most creative in Scandinavia: The Turning Torso skyscraper, the regenerated Västra Hamnen waterfront and a Nordic food scene well worth the trip.
Better still, Copenhagen is just 20 minutes away by train across the Øresund Bridge - easy to combine both cities in a long Easter weekend.
Rotterdam, Netherlands – Transavia (from April 2026)
Transavia begins flying from Stansted to Rotterdam from April 2026.
If Amsterdam feels overrun, Rotterdam is the answer: bold Cube House architecture, the spectacular Markthal food hall and a port that defines the city’s entire identity. Easter weekend is a great time to explore it before the summer tourist season gets underway.
Pula, Croatia – Jet2 (from Spring 2026)
Jet2 brings Pula to the Stansted network this spring.
The Istrian gem is home to one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world, a crystalline Adriatic coastline and a food culture built around truffles and Malvasia wine.
In April the sea is still cool for swimming, but the city is perfect for cultural visits and food exploration.
Bergerac, France – British Airways (New Route)
British Airways introduces Bergerac as a new destination from Stansted.
The Dordogne and Périgord regions are a France most visitors never see: medieval châteaux, foie gras markets, Cahors wine and a pace of life entirely unlike the cities.
An ideal Easter break for those looking for something genuinely off the beaten track.
Greek Islands – Jet2 (Poros, Aegina, Leros, from Spring 2026)
Jet2 expands its Greek portfolio from Stansted with three new island destinations: Poros, Aegina and Leros.
These are the Greek islands beyond Santorini and Mykonos - quieter, more authentic and ideal for travellers who want whitewashed villages, clear blue water, and genuine local hospitality without the crowds.
Combine with a night in Athens for the best of both worlds.
How to Get to London Stansted Airport with Flibco
For easter holiday destinations UK travellers, London Stansted is the natural starting point - one of the busiest departure hubs for low-cost flights across Europe and beyond.
Whatever easter weekend break you’ve chosen, getting to the airport without stress is exactly what Flibco is built for.
The Flibco bus from London to Stansted Airport runs direct - no changes - from Liverpool Street and Stratford, with new stops at Redbridge (launching from March) and Finsbury Park (launching from April).
High frequency means you choose the departure that fits your schedule. On the way back, the Flibco shuttle from Stansted to London gets you home smoothly after a long travel day. Book online in minutes, enjoy flexible tickets and arrive at the airport without the last-minute rush.
Ready for Easter 2026?
Whether you’re after guaranteed sun in the Canaries or the Algarve, a cultural city break in Lisbon, Paris or Rome, a break with your partner in Tenerife or Majorca, or one of the exciting new routes launching from Stansted this spring - Easter 2026 has something for everyone.
Book early, plan your days off around the bank holidays and let Flibco handle the journey to the airport. Book your shuttle from London to Stansted now and travel without stress this Easter.
Banner & Cover Image Credits: Tanaya via Pixabay
Lanzarote Image Credits: neufal54 via Pixabay
Paris Image Credits: INNA_VOLK via Pixabay
Rome Image Credits: JEROME CLARYSSE via Pixabay
Majorca Image Credits: Thomas G. via Pixabay
Istanbul Image Credits: oktay karataşoğlu via Pixabay
Malmo Image Credits: Laura Åkerblom via Pixabay
Rotterdam Image Credits: Mark de Rooij via Pixabay
Greek Island Image Credits: ivabalk via Pixabay
