April Weather and Holidays in Italy
| Title: | April Weather and Holidays in Italy | |||||||
| Category: | Weather and Holidays | |||||||
| Author: | Daniele Pintaudi | Updated: | Jan 30, 2019 | Views: | 5,450 | |||
| Tags: | April weather in Italy travel april in italy april in italy what to do in April in italy | |||||||
April is a time of awakening in Italy, With the winter behind them, Italians start to get out quite a bit more. You will begin to see spring festivals here and there, and food festivals celebrating Artichokes in many villages. The trees are beginning to blossom, the sharp winter cold is on the decline, and the sun thaws the winter soul. It will be chilly, and you will see rain, but there is an incredible spirit of life this time of year.
Weather in the North (Venice, Milan, Turin, Cinque Terre, etc.)
April is a beautiful month in Italy, but but one should still be prepared for cold and wet days. The temperature range is roughly between the low 40's to low 60's (4 to 17 C), and you should expect 'April Showers'. You will begin to see nice, warmer sunny days during which the people begin to shed their layers.
Weather in Central (Soriano nel Cimino, Tuscany, Umbria, Florence, Rome, etc.)
The Central part of Italy is a bit warmer than the north, of course. Rome is often quite pleasant, with temperatures ranging between the high 40's to mid 60's (8 to 17 C). Tuscany and Umbria will be a little colder. There is about a one in four chance of rain on any given day. When you get a stretch of sunlight in April, it is absolutely beautiful as you heat up in the direct sunlight with a chill in the air.
At our home-base of Soriano nel Cimino, expect the temperatures to be about 5 degrees cooler than Rome, and we do get more rain this time of year than can be expected in Rome. We are not as cold as Tuscan cities like Florence.
Weather in the South (Naples, Sorrento, The Amalfi Coast, Sicily, etc.)
You should expect temperatures ranging between the mid 50's to mid 60's (13 to 18 C). You will experience more sunshine as you travel south, but don't expect weather nice enough for the beach just yet.
How to Dress
Always dress in layers this time of year. You may find days during which a light sweater will be enough, but you may want something heavier in the evenings. Be sure to have an umbrella with you in April.
Best Places to visit
Just about anyplace you visit in Italy at this time will be wonderful. However, the further north you go, the more you should expect rain and cold. Additionally, Tuscany and Umbria may be uncomfortably cold.
What's Special About This Time of Year
Nature: Driving in the countryside this time of year is truly special. As the trees begin to blossom, there are fresh, new colors beginning to appear. This is the time of year to find farmers working the land in the early mornings as the morning mist dissipates through rays of sunlight.
Holidays/Festivals: Easter usually falls in April. If this is the case, Easter in Italy is wonderful. Many towns hold beautiful Good Friday processions, and some do full-scale plays that enact the stations of the cross. If you are in Rome for Easter, there is special Easter mass at the Vatican, and a 'Via Crucis' celebration near the Colosseum on Good Friday, in which the there is a giant cross surrounded by burning torches as the stations of the cross are performed, followed by a blessing by the Pope.
If you are in Florence for Easter, you will discover Scoppio del Carro (The Explosion of the Cart). During this tradition, a large decorated wagon is rolled through the city by oxen until they reach the Santa Maria del Fiore Basilica in central Florence. An Easter mass follows, then the Archbishop fires a dove-shaped rocket into the cart, which sets off all of the fireworks in the cart. After the fireworks are set off, a themed medieval parade follows.
Following Easter Sunday, Italians celebrate the 'Pasquetta' holiday. This literally translates to 'Little Easter', but better translates to 'Easter Monday'. While some towns hold small festivals on this day, it is really a day of family and friends. Everything closes today and families get together for feasts, or have picnics if the weather is good.
On April 21st, if you find yourself in Rome, celebrate Rome's Birthday. You can expect festivals and concerts today.
On April 25th, you will encounter Liberation Day. Some towns may hold small festivals and concerts, but for the most part it is a 'day off' for everyone, and you will find most businesses are closed today.
Crowds: Tourism is on the rise in April. You will start to see more and more people in the popular tourist centers, but it will not be overwhelming just yet.
Food: You will still see winter dishes on menus, but you will find more recipes that are artichoke-based. You will find pastas with richer sauces, lots of amazing soups and more fatty recipes. Be sure to try Italian Hot Chocolate. The rich and thick hot chocolate that is truly incredible. It is something between our hot chocolate and pudding, and leaves every visitor wanting for more and more and more.