Italy in April

In April everyone in Italy is happy. Winter has given way to spring, everything is green and in bloom. In Italy, various festivals and activities are being organized this month and you can also sit on a terrace. Yes, Italy in April is actually a very good idea.

If you visit Italy in April, you will feel the excitement of the warmer season to come. Local residents, tourists and nature come back to full color and life. People are happy that the sun is showing itself more and more and the rain less.

In this article we would like to give you some insider tips for planning your Italy trip in April.

April is still low season

April is actually one of our favorite months to travel to Italy. Especially at the end of the month, when the Dutch May holiday arrives and the children sometimes have 2 weeks off school.

Of course, the May holiday that often starts around King's Day will continue in the month of May. This is a great time to visit Italy. The sun often shows itself during this period, but at night it can still be cold. You have to take this into account if you want to go to the campsite in the north of Italy.

The big advantage of a trip to Italy in April is that it is still really low season. You enjoy low prices for accommodation, whether you go camping, book a hotel or rent an apartment through Airbnb.

You therefore also see many compatriots who take advantage of the May holiday. But in Italy the children don't have a day off. Some campsites are not even open yet. Others are already open, but many facilities (swimming pool, shop, entertainment) are not yet available.

💡Saving tips: looking for a cheap Italy holiday? read this.

The weather in April

April is a real spring month. The weather is still unpredictable. You have to take into account cold nights, especially in the north of Italy. But: the sun is already showing itself regularly this month and temperatures can easily rise to more than 20 degrees.

You can still have rainy weather in April (and even in May), but the chance of sunny days and good weather is a lot higher than in March. With a bit of luck, the (rain)coat can be left off and the sunglasses on!

In the middle and south of Italy you can count on temperatures around 18 degrees Celsius. So those are good temperatures for cycling, walking or sightseeing.

The average temperatures in Italy in April are:

• Northern Italy: 5-16°C
• Central Italy: 10-18°C
• Southern Italy: 13-18°C

The highest average temperatures for the city of Rome come in at around 18 degrees Celsius, but normal is also around 13 degrees. If you really travel to the deep south, such as Sicily, you can already encounter summer values ​​in April in terms of temperature.

What kind of clothes do you pack?

In April, the weather in Italy is unpredictable. You can be lucky to hit just a week with 20 degrees and sun. But it can certainly rain during this period. You are never guaranteed sun during the May holidays. The chance of this is greatest the further south you travel.

So what kind of clothes do you put in your travel bag or suitcase? Summer clothes as well as a few warm sweaters and of course sunglasses and rain gear. Yes, a little bit of everything.

Italians tend to dress according to the season rather than the weather. Once it's officially spring, they dress lighter. The spring wardrobe is out again. You may want to keep that in mind if you don't want to look too much like a tourist.

💡Tip: before you travel to Italy take a look at the expectations via weather.it. You can then quickly see whether it is getting a little too cold or a little too warm for the season.

Activities in April

In April it is still low season, but you can tell from everything that the new tourist season is approaching. There are also more outdoor activities than in previous months.

Below we outline a number of activities that you can encounter in Italy in April.

Easter in Italy

The month of April is also largely dominated by Holy Week. The week leading up to Easter, the most important feast in the Catholic tradition.

During Holy Week, there are many processions throughout Italy, but especially in the deeply religious south of the country. It all starts on Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter. With long processions, crucifixes and reenactments the agony of Jesus Christ is reenacted.

Palio della Ranac

In Fermignano, a town in The Marches, the weekend after Easter Sunday, there is the Palio della Rana or the race of the golden frogs, where participants race their frogs in small wheelbarrows. Prior to this, fireworks displays and processions in medieval costumes are held.

Rome's birthday

On April 21, 753 BC. the twin brothers Romulus and Remus founded the city of Rome. The birthday is celebrated in a big way in the Eternal City. Count on concerts, Roman historical costumes, parades and special events.

April 25: Liberation Day in Italy

On April 25, Italy celebrates its liberation from the German occupier and from the fascist rule of Mussolini. This day is a day off in Italy and events and parties are organized everywhere. Nice to experience if you are in Italy around this time!

Last Sunday of the month

The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel in Vatican you can visit every last Sunday of the month for free. Keep in mind that it will be even busier than usual. So get your tickets on time!

Festival of San Marco

Are you romantically inclined? On the same day as Liberation Day is the Festival of San Marco in Venice. San Marco is the patron saint of the city, so you understand that this festival is important for the inhabitants.

The festivities mainly take place in the central San Marco square. People give each other roses and there are many performances of drama and music. There is also a beautiful procession that crosses Piazza San Marco to the basilica.

Feasting around the harvest time

Spring is also the time of the first harvest. If you're visiting Italy in April, you'll find spring crop festivals and festivals all over the country. The asparagus and artichoke feasts are usually celebrated in April, so you're sure to find a festival or two dedicated to that. There is a popular artichoke festival near Rome in Ladispoli and a festival dedicated to the famous white asparagus in Verona.

Travel tips for a visit to Italy in April

Which destination do you choose if you want to travel to Italy in April? We have listed a few travel tips for you, but most destinations within Italy are recommended in April.

lake como

It is still a bit cold in April to camp there, but there are plenty of hotels and holiday homes where you can go. Lake Como is one of those beautiful places in Northern Italy where nature is at its best in April. Of course this is also the more of the rich and famous, but you don't need a lot of money to experience a nice holiday in the area around the lake yourself.

Dolomites

The Dolomites are in fact a fossilized seabed of high coral reefs. A long time ago there was a primeval sea here. Today this area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Dolomites offer a great environment to enjoy outdoor sports and many other activities. The mountains are at their best in spring. You just have to see that!

Aosta Valley

The Aosta Valley is more than just a beautiful ski area in the northwestern tip of Italy. This smallest region of Italy has a lot to offer in terms of culture, nature and gastronomy. The people here speak French and Italian. And here you will find one of the most beautiful national parks in all of Italy: Gran Paradiso.

Cinque Terre

Always wanted to see the colorful houses and harbors of those 5 special towns on the Italian Riviera of Flowers want to visit? April is the time to take a walk between 2 or more of these scenic towns. It is quieter than in summer and nature is at its best. Forget the mundane too Portofino not, one of those prettiest old fishing villages.

Tuscany

Tuscany is one of the most beautiful regions in Italy, especially in spring. Drive your rental car between the rolling green hills and visit the vineyards. Or rent a bicycle or scooter to discover medieval villages at your leisure. This is also the time for cooking lessons or an Italian language course.

In April it is wonderful to stroll through famous art cities such as San Gimignano, Siena, Pistoia or Cortona.

Sicily and Sardinia

Do you want to enjoy the spring sun and good temperatures? Then you have to go to Sardinia or Sicily. In April it is a great place to stay and you still have all the options to visit the sights during the day at your leisure. The sea is usually still too cold for swimming, but there is more than enough to do to make an island visit worthwhile.

City trip to Rome, Milan, Naples, Florence

It goes without saying that you can also take a city trip to one of the major cities of Italy in April. Rome, Milan, Naples or Florence, they are all very worthwhile.

It is never really quiet in the major cities of Italy, but the tourist season really gets going again in April. At the popular attractions you should therefore also take into account waiting times and booking tickets in advance.

An additional advantage of a trip in April: there is a good chance that you can sit on a terrace in the sun between shopping and sightseeing.

Attention: low season

We've said it a few times, but we'll say it again: April is still low season.

Traveling to Italy in April (for example during the May holiday) means that you have to take into account that some attractions are still closed. No activities are yet organized on campsites and the swimming pool is still closed.

For many people, on the other hand, spring is an ideal time to travel to Italy. The hills are green, the flowers are blooming, the people are happy and the weather is not too hot to do anything.

Are you traveling by car? Keep in mind that winter tires may be mandatory in certain areas until April 15. These are indicated with blue or green signs and this is especially important in the Alps or Dolomites.

In the second half of April you should have summer tires fitted to your car. After all, temperatures can rise again during the day, even in the mountainous north.

Do you ever go to Italy in April? Do you have any tips for other Italy lovers? Leave your comment below.