April marks the true beginning of springtime in Bel Paese, or the Beautiful Country that is Italy. The rainy, gloomy, weather conditions are replaced by blue skies and longer hours of sunshine with every passing day, and you can see flowers blossoming in an explosion of colors in most parts of the country.
Although large crowds are to be expected in Florence and Rome during the week leading up to Easter and on Liberation Day, April, overall, is still largely free of never-ending groups of tourists that flock down during the peak travel months of June and July. With the exception of the two holidays, Easter and Liberation Day, prices remain reasonable during most of April.
Warmer April temperatures also mean that having to pack thick winter coats to survive the harsh winters of Italy are not a concern for the time being, and that a few favorite sweaters, jackets, and scarves ought to suffice.
Pair those with comfortable sandals or walking shoes, shirts and dresses, and bathing suits and towels if you're planning on going to the famed beaches of Sicily, and you've got yourself the perfect packing list for an ideal April in Italy!
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- 1. Weather Overview
- 2. Weather by Region
- 3. Best Places to See
- 4. Crowds and Costs
- 5. What to Wear
- 6. April Events
Italy Weather in April Overview
- Average temperature range: 5°C-20°C (41°F-68°F)
- Season: Pleasant but Moderately Rainy
- Rainfall: 64 mm (2.5 inches) in Rome, 75 mm (3 inches) in Venice, 66 mm (2.6 inches) in Naples
- Rainy days: 10 in Rome, 12 in Venice, 12 in Naples
April Weather by Region
Weather conditions in Italy during April can range from perfect to poor depending on which part of the country you're in. By studying the country's three separate climate regions described in detail below, you'll have a much better idea of what to expect as far as expected precipitation and average temperatures are concerned.
Northern Italy: 5°C-17°C (41°F-63°F)
Northern Italy and its major metropolitans such as Milan, Venice, and Turin are all characterized by weather conditions that are comfortable yet mildly damp during April. The average daytime maximum temperature in northern Italy is 17°C (63°F) whereas the average nighttime minimum temperature is 5°C (41°F).
Moderate amounts of rainfall can be expected in these northern parts of the country during April. About 12 days of the month are marked by periods of rainfall, averaging in at 75 mm (3 inches). The rest of the month sees periods of occasional sunshine.
Central Italy: 9°C-19°C (48°F-66°F)
The capital of the country and the hub of activity in central Italy, Rome is marked by excellent weather conditions during April. The average maximum temperature in the central region of Italy lies closer to the 19°C (66°F) mark while the average minimum temperature in the region lies closer to the 9°C (48°F) mark.
While a monthly average of 64 mm (2.5 inches) of rainfall is expected in central Italy for about a third of the month, most of April is pleasant and spectacularly sunny.
Southern Italy: 10°C-20°C (50°F-68°F)
The further south you go, the warmer the weather gets in Italy. The average maximum temperature in southern Italy during the month of April is around 20°C (68°F) and the average minimum temperature is around 10°C (50°F).
While an average of 66 mm (2.6 inches) of rainfall can be expected for about a third of the month depending on which part of southern Italy you're in, you can look forward to generally sunny and warm weather conditions for most of April.
Best Places to See in Italy in April
1. Rome and the Vatican
There's nothing quite like attending Easter celebrations in Rome. The capital comes alive with pleasant weather and the springtime blossoming of flowers, while also providing the perfect base for further exploration. Once you've visited all the iconic museums the city has to offer in the days and weeks preceding Easter, you can make your way to the Vatican City to experience Easter mass at St. Peter's Square.
2. Florence
If there's one city that can compete with the Easter celebrations that take place in the Vatican and Rome, it's the Tuscan city of Florence. The city is home to a spectacular centuries-old Easter Sunday tradition known as the "Explosion of the Cart" wherein a massive decorative cart full of fireworks are set off to signal the arrival of spring, much to the delight of locals who hope for a bountiful harvest season.
3. Naples and the Amalfi Coast
If you're looking to explore the ancient city of Pompeii or visit the picturesque coastline of Amalfi, using Naples as a base to transfer from is a great idea. But that being said, don't just use the metropolitan for this purpose. Naples is home to not just some of the best food on the planet, but also mighty Mount Vesuvius, and the arrival of spring means April allows you the opportunity to explore the region surrounding the active volcano without it being uncomfortably hot or cold.
4. Catania
If your ideal vacation involves ample hours soaking up the sun on the beach, be sure to visit Catania. The Sicilian city is not just home to some of the best beaches Italy has to offer, but also incredibly pleasant weather conditions during April. It might rain for a few days here and there but overall, it's nice and sunny, making it the ideal place to enjoy the seaside as you take in amazing views of Mount Etna, Europe's tallest active volcano.
April Crowds and Costs
April remains a great time to travel in Italy. Being a spring shoulder season month, April in Italy sees bigger crowds than would be present during the preceding winter months, but it's still nowhere near as crowded as it would be during the peak high-season months of June and July. As such, prices are generally nominal and much lower than they'd be during the months that follow.
There are, however, two exceptions to the general rule: Holy Week and Easter, and Liberation Day.
During the auspicious period of Holy Week and Easter in Italy, you can expect it to be extremely crowded in major cities like Rome and Florence, with throngs of tourists queuing up in long lines to get inside their favorite museums, before dotting the streets during the religious parades and processions during Good Friday and Holy Saturday.
That being said, Easter isn't always observed in April. It changes year by year depending on the appearance of the first full moon of spring. That being said, if your travel plans do coincide with an April observance of Easter, do keep in mind that prices are also likely to surge during this important week nationwide.
Liberation Day in Italy falls on April 25 every year. Just like the week leading up to Easter, it's going to be very crowded in most major Italian cities, especially Rome, Florence, and Milan.
What to Wear in Italy in April
April in Italy is much warmer than the months preceding it and there is no need for you to bring a thick coat with you. You can spend most afternoons in most places in a light shirt and comfortable pants, or in a dress.
Once the sun sets, though, it can get chilly, and so, we suggest you pack some sweaters or jackets, and of course, the quintessential Italian fashion staple: a few trendy scarves!
Apart from these, don't forget to bring with you your basic items such as comfortable sandals or walking shoes, sunglasses, plenty of shirts or dresses, and if you plan on spending time on the beaches that dot the southern part of the Italian Republic, your bathing suits and towels.
April Events in Italy
Holy Week and Easter: Easter and the Holy Week leading up to it aren't always observed in April and the exact date of observances depend on the year, specifically on the appearance of the first full spring moon that year. As such, dates differ every year. That being said, it does usually fall in April most years.
It's a lovely time of year to be in Italy and the best celebrations take place in Florence and Rome. You can look forward to seeing long religious processions and parades, before enjoying huge feasts and celebrations in most parts of the country.
Easter is one of the most important festivals in Italy and you can expect many businesses to halt their operations on the day, or even during the week leading up to it. While many restaurants will remain open in especially touristy areas so as not to miss out on trade, most will. Furthermore, you can expect disruptions or changes to take place in public transportation schedules.
Liberation Day: Liberation Day takes place on April 25 every year and is observed to commemorate the Italian Republic's liberation from Nazism and Fascism at the end of the Second World War. It is a public holiday and most Italian families will use the day off to spend time with family and friends, or if possible, combine it with the upcoming Labor Day holiday in early May and travel.
Although most government offices, schools, and small businesses will take the day off, you can expect restaurants in tourist-heavy parts of cities to still keep their doors open. If you're in Rome, do attend the parade to take in the national spirit of the occasion!
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