2024 Updates:
In spring, everything is waking up, the warmth is coming back to the world, and it’s also that time of year when school is out for Easter break and many families can arrange a vacation. So, when is Easter 2024? This year, Easter falls on March 31, 2024.
It’s one of those holidays which doesn’t occur on the same date every year, so don’t feel bad for having to look this one up. There are complicated rules about when Easter happens involving the sun and moon cycles, set by the Nicean Council in 325 AD, but luckily we can just look on any calendar.
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What is the weather in Italy in April?
Parts of Italy will remain cloudy in April, with some rainy days. April weather has been largely nice, especially with the sightseeing. Sunny weather is complemented by a cool breeze so it will never get too hot while walking in the center of town.
A month in April has been the rainiest month in northern Italy. The Italian city of Turin experiences about 8-10 days of rain each April. Average temperatures in this region range from the 40s to 70 s (7-8 C). In Central Italy in April, showers are very probable too. So don’t forget your rain jacket.
The land is a peninsula that is just out into the Mediterranean Sea, which affects the heat and humidity of the climate over the four seasons. Plus, it has many mountains, especially in the Alpine region, making its regional climates very diverse.
Is April a Good time to visit Italy?
Yes! April is a wonderful time for a trip to Italy, although you will probably want to bring a sweater or coat and perhaps even a raincoat. The good news is that temperature variations across the country are most obvious in the winter months, and the weather in Italy in April is more stable across the country in summer.
There is still some unpredictable weather in the springtime, as you would expect anywhere. Rome’s birthday is also in the month of April, on April 21, to be exact. According to Rome Wise ” Known in Italian typically as ‘Natale di Roma’ or (occasionally) ‘Compleanno di Roma’, the city’s founding is marked on April 21 every year.”
How to Pack for Visiting Italy in April
Packing for Italy in the spring isn’t hard but one must be flexible. After all it is a time for transitional weather, meaning that you will also need transitional items. Transitional clothing pieces are those that can be used both in warm and cold weather. Examples are:
- Cardigans
- Leggings
- Ankle Boots
- Rain Jacket
- Maxi Dresses
If you want more help with what to pack for your Italy April trip, grab my free check list below and also visit this other blog post: Italy Vacation Outfit Ideas.
How do Italians Celebrate Easter?
In Italy, Easter is known as Pasqua. It is the second-most important holiday after Christmas. Although it’s commonly known as the day to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, for Italian Catholics, it is a day to commemorate the women of the sepulcher who returned to the tomb of Jesus and found it empty. Italy’s history is strongly Catholic (i.e. the Vatican City), and its influence on society is still very visible today with thousands of churches, and 900 of them just in Rome.
Check out The 5 Tickets You Need for the Vatican and How To Get a Pilgrim Stamp at St Peter Cathedral, Rome
Only a little less than 16% of the population of the country identifies as non-Christian, so you could guess that Easter celebrations would be happening everywhere, and you’d be right. So, how do Italians celebrate Easter? You wouldn’t expect to visit another country and see the same things that you do at home. Actually, most celebrations in Italy happen over the Thursday, Friday and Saturday prior to Easter, when processions are held in towns across the country, and parade participants dress in ancient costumes.
Things to do in Italy on Easter Holiday
Being heavily Catholic, of course, special masses and religious rituals are happening in the churches. In addition to the local parades on the days leading up to Easter, there are local traditions that vary between cities and towns. For example, in Florence, Easter is celebrated with the explosion of an oxen cart. A wagon carrying fireworks is pulled through the city by white oxen until it reaches the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. At the end of the Easter mass, the Archbishop sends a rocket into the wagon, igniting the fireworks for an exciting display.
Easter Monday
The celebrations don’t end on Easter Sunday in Italy, though. The Easter Monday after is called Little Easter, or Pasquetta, and food, festivities and games are the focus. While some towns play games with eggs, in Panicale, in Umbria, people play a game called ruzzolone, where big wheels of cheese are rolled around a course.
Easter Food in Italy
But like other holidays and celebrations in Italy, expect a lot of focus on food and traditional feasts. According to Food Tour Rome, boiled eggs, Easter bread, casatiello, torta al formaggio, torta pasqualina and chocolate eggs are usually offered for breakfast on Easter in Italy, almost the only day of the year there when breakfast is a big deal.
Italian Easter Dinner
A typical Italian Easter dinner will often include soup, salad, risotto, fish, pasta and lamb, served with veggies and plenty of wine. And if that didn’t sound filling, there is a must-eat cake called Colomba di Pasqua, made in the shape of a dove. It’s a sweet, eggy yeast bread filled with candied fruits or chocolate, often sprinkled on top with almonds and sugar. Most Italians get theirs at a bakery, so you should be able to find one to try.
It’s expected that the next day, on Pasquetta, there are picnics involving leftovers of the great Sunday meals. Families will commonly go out into natural areas to relax and enjoy the winding down of Easter week and to welcome spring. It’s a lovely tradition, but what this means for travelers is that traffic in and out of cities will be heavier, and the parks and beaches will be full, so keep that in mind as you plan your trip.
Get your 10-Day Italy Itinerary Guide and plan the perfect trip!
National Holidays and Festivals in April in Italy
Gelato Festival, Florence
Nothing describes Italy more than gelato and nothing describes Florence more than Piazza Michelangelo. You can put both together and get a good combo. The Gelato Festival has brought together the finest Italian gelato makers in an open contest for coveted best gelato title in Europe. Please read: These beautiful spots only last two weeks in Italy.
If your visit is in April, you will have an opportunity to experience this country’s vibrant colors! This will help you prepare your Italy trip itinerary.
Sagreb
Sagra (Festival of the Foods) in April is a unique moment to explore artichokes (carciafi) and asparagus in several parts of Italy. One of the best Artichoke Festivals in Rome is Ladispoli near Rome during the second half of April. The widely recognized White asparagus of Bassagno Grippe in Verona has seven days of occasion towards April. List some of the best places in Italy to visit in 2024..
Vinitaly, Verona
It is a major national event celebrating wine with nearly 3,000 producers from 29 countries. Although it takes place in April, the joys spill into Verone’s streets before the week’s end. Wine tasting, food with accompaniment as well as music are scheduled for all participants. Read Recommended: Honeymoons in Italy: Full-Function Guides to planning your romantic trips in 2023.
Aprils Fool’s in Italy
As per an American in Rome: April 1st is celebrated by pranksters in many countries as April Fool’s Day and even Italy has its own version of April Fool’s known as Pesce d’Aprile. In other words, instead of April Fool’s, Italy has April Fish. Instead of several pranks and lies on April 1st, Italians draw a small fish on paper, cut it out and tape it to a friend’s back without them seeing it. If you are visiting Italy on April 1st, keep your eye out if you see anyone with a tag on their back shaped like a fish.
April 25th
Italy celebrates “Liberation Day” or “Festa della Liberazione” on April 25 as a national holiday to commemorate the end of the Nazi occupation during World War II. Throughout the nation, especially in Florence, this day is commemorated with parades, speeches, and cultural displays. Due to the public holiday, many establishments, including government buildings, will be closed.
The patron saint of Florence, Saint Mark, also has a feast day on April 25. To honor him, religious services and processions are held all across the city. As a result, you can anticipate a celebratory atmosphere across the city as well as numerous patriotic decorations and flags.
It’s important to keep in mind that many stores, eateries, and other attractions can be closed or have limited hours because it’s a national holiday. Therefore, it’s best to inquire beforehand and make appropriate plans. This year’s April 25th will fall on a Tuesday.
Things to do in Italy in April
You may not want or be able to travel during holy week, and there may be other reasons you want to avoid it, like that public transportation might be more limited and some museums might be closed. But the good news is, April in Italy has that same energy of the world waking up after the winter months, and where better to take part in that than one of the most beautiful places in the world?
You could literally visit anywhere in Italy in the spring and have an amazing, memorable trip, but here I give you some ideas for what to do in Rome, Venice and Florence, plus the amazing Amalfi Coast
Things to do in April in ROME
Rome has so many outdoor activities that it has to be at the top of the list to visit in springtime. The flowers are already blooming in April, and everywhere you look is a beautiful scene. Italy’s weather is also pleasant but can be chillier at night; this shouldn’t stop you from visiting a rooftop bar or walking around and visiting iconic places like the Trevi Fountain,
The Colosseum, and of course, the piazzas. Piazza Navona: Take a stroll through Piazza Navona, a picturesque square in Rome known for its stunning architecture and vibrant atmosphere. Enjoy the beauty of this historic site while exploring nearby attractions.
Discover Rome’s beauty on innovative e-bike tours with Starbike. They offer various city and park tours in multiple languages, as well as gastronomic and evening tours. You can also rent high-quality Italian e-bikes for your own exploration.
If you are looking for what to do with Teens in Rome, check out my article7 Tips for Planning a Trip To Italy With Teens. Or check out this other blog post called: Traveling to Italy With Kids.
Italian cuisine is deeply connected to seasonal ingredients. April marks the beginning of artichoke season, especially celebrated in Rome. Enjoy dishes like “carciofi alla romana” (Roman-style artichokes) or “carciofi alla giudia” (Jewish-style artichokes). Spring also brings fresh peas, fava beans, and asparagus to the table, not to mention the start of gelato season as the weather warms up.
Florence in April
A lovely time to visit Florence, Italy is in April when the weather is moderate and the flowers are in bloom. Visit the Uffizi Gallery, ascend to the pinnacle of the Duomo, and wander around the Boboli Gardens are a few things to do.
Try typical Tuscan fare like bistecca alla Fiorentina and ribollita soup. Additionally, make sure to try some gelato from one of the city’s many gelaterias.
There are numerous religious services and processions held around the city on Easter Sunday, including the well-known Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart) ritual. A cart loaded with fireworks is set off as part of the ritual, which takes place in front of the Duomo.
If you want to spend your time in Florence in a more leisurely manner, take a stroll through some of the city’s many attractive areas, such as Oltrarno and Santa Croce, and enroll in a cooking class to learn how to prepare typical Tuscan cuisine.
Last but not least, keep in mind to pack a pair of comfy shoes because you’ll be walking a lot about the city. Additionally, reserve your lodging in early because Florence is busy at this time of year.
Southern Italy in April
Some hotels and restaurants on the Amalfi Coast and neighboring cities close in October and don’t reopen until April. As Easter is earlier in April this year, make sure to check with your favorite venues for their opening date and do it first before making travel arrangements. Another tip is to contact the venue as they may make an exception and take you earlier. This has happened to me when booking a trip to Tuscany.
If you are going to the Southern region in April, I recommend staying in Sorrento or Salerno. These are great base cities, so you can visit some top places like Positano, Capri, Ravello, and the Almafi Coast. These cities will also be easier to get to from Naples airport or train station.
Northern Italy in April
Northern Italy will be a bit chillier, but it is still a fantastic place to visit. I always admire how much the Italians enjoy the outdoors regardless of how cold it can be. Depending on where you live in the USA, you won’t find it cold, I am a Floridian and easily cold so I always have a cardigan at night. Some of my favorite places to visit are Florence, Montepulciano, and Chianciano.
If you visit Venice in April, there are events at San Marco Basilica during Easter weekend. The average temperature is 65° high and 45 low.
One thing I love to do in Tuscany is to visit natural hot springs. This is a great activity if you travel as a couple or as a family.
Explore Vineyards in April
Wine regions like Piedmont, Tuscany, and Veneto are in full swing in April. Take a vineyard tour to learn about the winemaking process and taste the local varietals. The landscape, dotted with blooming flowers and budding vines, provides a stunning backdrop for wine tasting sessions.
If you want to learn more about what to do in Tuscany, check out these blog posts:
7 Romantic Things to do in Tuscany
4 Tuscany Cities to Visit for Couples
Overall, Italy is fantastic in the spring.
