Italy in April: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, & More

Average Temperatures in Rome, Italy: 67°F High • 49°F Low

April brings moderately warm temperatures across most of Italy, with a mix of sun, clouds, and showers. Temperatures remain cooler in the mountains and far north, while they are higher in southern regions like Sicily. With proper layers, the weather is quite comfortable for sightseeing, dining al fresco, exploring small hill towns, and even a quick dip in the sea in the south.

Learn more: Southern Italy Itineraries & Tours

Rome • Best Place for Sightseeing

In April, Rome emerges from winter ready to showcase its magnificent sights in more moderate temperatures and with fewer crowds. Stroll past historic monuments and fountains bathed in warm spring sun, stop to people-watch from a cafe patio, explore Vatican City without the endless lines of summer, and discover charming neighborhoods like Tridente and Parione.

With fewer crowds, you can linger in legendary sites like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Roman Forum to feel history come alive. As spring breathes new energy into the Eternal City’s streets, April is an ideal time to experience Rome’s captivating blend of ancient ruins, artistic treasures, and lively culture.

Learn more: Best Places to Visit in Rome

Puglia • Best Place for Great Weather

The southern region of Puglia basks in gloriously mild springtime weather in April. It's an ideal time to explore the region’s charming seaside towns, among them Santa Maria di Leuca, with its caves, beaches, and beautiful architecture; relax on uncrowded beaches along the Salento peninsula; and wander through quaint piazzas, where you can watch the world go by over an espresso or enjoy the allure of boutique shops.

April also brings festivals and celebrations during which you can connect with traditional culture and cuisine. With a pleasant climate and natural beauty, Puglia is perfect for peaceful and picturesque spring getaways.

Learn more: Best Time to Visit Southern Italy

Sardinia • Best Place for Families with Children

With its sunny spring weather and blooming wildflowers blanketing the countryside, Sardinia is an ideal destination for families in April. The island offers plenty of kid-friendly beaches and coves for swimming and sandcastle building in mild weather.

Away from the seaside, Sardinia has ancient ruins like the Bronze Age nuraghe, megalithic edifices that are unique to the island, and quaint hilltop villages that bring history alive. For those wanting to experience nature, the Gennargentu National Park is great for hiking in April’s pleasant temperatures.

Learn more: Italy Family Vacations & Tour Packages

Florence • Best Place to Avoid the Crowds

Florence shakes off its crowded high-season status and returns to a more relaxed pace in April, perfect for taking in the city’s beauty and charm. With the summer swelter not yet arrived and fewer queues at top sites like the Uffizi Gallery and Duomo, visitors can leisurely appreciate masterpieces by the likes of Michelangelo and Botticelli. The city’s iconic Renaissance architecture, including landmarks like the Ponte Vecchio bridge, appears even more enchanting against a backdrop of clear skies and gentle sunshine.

The cultural scene in Florence also flourishes at this time of year, and art enthusiasts can enjoy the annual International Handicrafts Trade Fair, which showcases the craftsmanship of local artisans.

Learn more: Tuscany Tours & Vacations

Venice • Best Place for Couples or Honeymooners

In April, Venice emerges from winter with warmer days perfect for hand-in-hand strolls along winding alleys and over arched bridges. The summer crowds have yet to arrive, leaving restaurant visits and gondola rides blissfully unhurried. And with spring blooms coloring buildings, the dreamy city exudes a special magic.

As evenings bring music from street performers and moonlight dancing on water, romance fills the air. Without the summer heat and tourists, April in Venice delivers an idyllic, one-of-a-kind backdrop for lovers young and old to connect to and embrace la dolce vita.

Learn more: Most Romantic Places in Italy for Couples

Celebrate the Patron Saint of Venice

The Festival of San Marco celebrates the patron saint of Venice, Saint Mark. Held annually on April 25, the holiday commemorates Saint Mark’s relics being brought to Venice in 828. Highlights of this centuries-old festival include the colorful Flower Parade, a gondola regatta on the Grand Canal, and a mass in Saint Mark's Square.

Centered around the floating city's famous cathedral and main square, the festivities blend Venice's spiritual heritage, time-honored traditions, and ornate boats into an unforgettable religious and cultural celebration. Vivid colors, splendid costumes, and medieval pageantry are on full display during this iconic spring festival.

Learn more: Top Things to Do in Venice

Taste Your Way Through the Romanesco Artichoke Festival

The Romanesco Artichoke Festival takes place every April in Ladispoli, a coastal town north of Rome. During the weeklong festivities, locals celebrate the bounty of artichokes grown in the region by hosting artichoke-themed events and competitions. Highlights include an artichoke sculpture contest, an artichoke food festival with tasting menus at restaurants, and a parade featuring floats decorated with oversized artichokes.

The festival pays homage to Ladispoli's history as an artichoke production center and promotes the Romanesco variety, prized for its uniquely succulent flavor and texture. Food, art, and community intermix during this quirky event that brings out locals' pride in one of their iconic crops.

Learn more: Italy Food & Wine Tours

Indulge in the Fruit of the Vine

Held every April in Verona, Vinitaly is an internationally renowned wine exhibition that showcases the finest Italian offerings. Over four days, thousands of wine producers and aficionados converge to walk the vast halls of the fair, sampling new vintages and discovering new wineries. Amateur and professional wine tasters attend guided tastings, seminars, and food-pairing demonstrations to deepen their oenological knowledge.

As a benchmark event for the Italian wine industry, Vinitaly provides the perfect opportunity for Italian and foreign buyers to discover emerging wine trends, network with top winemakers, and experience first-hand the country’s rich winemaking tradition and innovations. Its timing in April makes it an especially attractive springtime event for wine lovers.

Learn more: Best Wine Regions of Italy

Immerse Yourself in History at Archaeological Sites

April is an ideal time to explore Italy's wealth of ancient archeological sites. As the spring shoulder season slowly builds toward summer, the weather is mild and sunny in regions like Campania, making trips more comfortable and memorable.

Major sites like Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum, and the Catacombs of Rome tend to be far less crowded during spring, yet still offer peak visibility into the remnants of the Roman Empire and classical civilizations. Those interested in history will find roaming through the well-preserved ruins of once-vibrant cities frozen in time deeply evocative and rewarding in April's pleasant temperatures.

Learn more: Historical Tours & Vacations

Celebrate Rome’s Birthday

Legend has it Rome was founded on April 21, 753BC, by its first king, Romulus. Every year on this date, the Eternal City celebrates its mythic origins. Festivities kick off with a costumed reenactment of Romulus and Remus’s discovery by the Capitoline she-wolf. Other highlights include historical reenactments in Circus Maximus, gladiator shows at the Colosseum, and a fireworks display over the Tiber River.

Locals and visitors flock to downtown Rome to partake in the city’s birthday bash by raising a glass to its antiquity. Blending folklore and revelry, Rome's annual birthday party offers a vibrant glimpse into the city's storied past.

Learn more: Rome Travel Guide

April in Italy brings warmer temperatures and budding flowers, making it an ideal time to explore the country's beautiful landscapes on Italy tours & vacations. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to Rome's ornate piazzas, Italy comes alive in spring, when you can experience its history, culture, and cuisine comfortably.

For more inspiration on making the most out of Italy in the springtime, from what to explore to the top things to do, see our Italy travel guide.