Are you wondering what to wear in Venice in April? In this guide we will look at what you can expect from the weather in April in Venice and how it affects what you should pack for Venice in Spring.
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Weather in Venice in April
Venice in April is one of my favourite times of year to visit because of the weather. I personally find Venice in summer to be very hot and the smell and bugs around the canals can make for a less pleasant experience. Whereas Venice in April you are rewarded with cooler temperatures and the perfect sightseeing weather even though you might experience some rain.
What is the temperature in Venice in April? Is it cold in Venice in April
The average temperature in Venice in April tends to hover around the 12-16C mark during the day and around 7C in the evening (In Fahrenheit that is around 60F and 40F respectively).
Therefore when walking around Venice in the evening it can definitely feel a bit chilly so you will want layers on your Venice spring packing list.
Does it rain in Venice in April?
Venice in April is not the rainiest month – that honour goes to Venice in June. On average you can expect between 8-12 days of rain in the month of April with about 71mm or 2.8inches of rain falling on the city.
We therefore recommend packing some rain related wear with you if you are visiting April in this month.
Note: the weather between months changes quite dramatically and there are always special events in Venice in certain months. If your trip spans a couple of months then please be sure to check out our other monthly guides:
And if you are traveling to other cities and regions in Italy be sure to check out our other monthly guides:
How do people dress in Venice?
In answer to how do people dress in Venice I have to say it varies. Like any of the European capitals there isn’t a hard and fast dress code but some things are more commonplace than others.
As with many of the cities in Italy, Venice is a stylish place. The locals seem to adopt a smart casual dress code when going about their business however that isn’t to say that you won’t see jeans and sneakers amongst the locals in Venice.
Evenings tend to be slightly more smart with most people opting for a smart casual attire for eating out than say sneakers and jeans but for more information on what to wear to dinner in Italy check out this post.
Similarly to what not to wear in Paris, I would say that sportswear is usually reserved for doing sports in Venice and you want see much athleisure wear on a day to day basis.
Note: Wondering what to wear in Venice at a particular time of year – check out our monthly what to wear guides
Best Shoes for Venice
Shoes are probably the most important part of any Venice packing list. You will explore most of Venice by boat or by foot and as such you will do a lot of walking. As such it is important to have really comfortable shoes especially as on top of the amount of walking you will be doing you will also have to contend with cobbled and uneven streets, lots of bridges with slopes or steps and walking surfaces that get very slippery when wet.
The top of our what not to wear in Venice list are flip flops are they provide little arch support or grip on slippery surfaces. We therefore recommend leaving these off your Venice packing list.
Instead we recommend packing a pair of sneakers. These will be most comfortable for doing lots of walking and will give you some grip on slippery or steep surfaces.
Exception: I personally think April in Venice is too cold to spend time relaxing on the beaches however if there is a particular heat wave and you plan to spend a day on a Venetian beach they flip flops are perfectly acceptable here.
On top of that I would also pack one pair of sandals that have good grip and no heels so you have something to wear to dinner in Italy. You will see some sneakers in restaurants in the evening however I would personally normally switch shoes for dinner.
What to Wear in Venice in April Packing List
Now we know what to expect from the weather in April in Venice and the expected dress code so you won’t look like a tourist in Venice we will turn our attention to what to put on your what to wear in Venice in April Packing List.
Jacket
A jacket that is perfect for shoulder season is a great idea for Venice in April. A leather jacket or something water proof would be perfect for the changeable April weather.
Jeans
For some reason we have seen people are hesitant to pack jeans for Italy. But it is perfectly acceptable to wear jeans in Italy even in churches (so long as they aren’t ripped in inappropriate places).
Now most Italians will wear jeans that are more fitted and darker in color. Baggy jeans aren’t something you normally see being worn by Italians.
As the weather in April in Venice is so changeable jeans are the perfect thing to put on your packing list for spring in Venice.
Long Trousers
On top of jeans I would recommend having another pair of smart or smart casual trousers with you. These will be the perfect transition item from day to night in Venice.
Long and short Sleeve T Shirt
Depending on whether you are visiting at the beginning of April of the end of April we recommend packing a good mixture of long and short sleeve t shirts for wearing during the day in Venice.
Please note: so you don’t look like a tourist in Venice we recommend wearing t shirts that are plainer rather than graphic Tees or t shirts with slogans in neon colors.
Blouse
As the evenings in Venice are still relatively chilly we recommend having a nice blouse with you that you can dress up with some costume jewelry and a pashmina to wear for dinner in Venice.
Pashmina
Pashminas are always on my packing list no matter the season or city I am visiting and Venice is no exception. Pashminas are perfect for those visiting Venice in April as they can be used to dress up an outfit for dinner or be an extra layer if you get a bit cold.
Underwear and Socks
This should go without saying
PJs
April is a changeable month so having PJs that work well whatever weather.
Sneakers
Whenever we are walking around Venice we always take sneakers with us as they are most comfortable on cobbled streets and for the high step count you will be doing.
Sandals
We do not normally wear sneakers in restaurants in Italy so we always pack one other pair of shoes with us. For Venice in April we recommend a pair of sandals however if when you check your weather forecast you see that you are going to have an unusual cold snap for your visit then we would recommend taking some thick heeled and well soled boots instead of sandals for your evening attires.
Sunglasses
Venice can be a dazzling city and some Aprils are brighter than others. No matter what month I travel to Venice I always pack sunglasses.
What to Wear in Venice in Spring Packing List for Men
The Venice Spring Packing list for men is larger similar to that for women. We recommend packing
- Fitted smart jeans
- Pair of Trousers
- Mixture of long and short sleeve t shirts for day time
- Jacket – leather or waterproof
- Sunglasses
- Sneakers
- Smarter Pair of Shoes or Boots for dinner
- Pjs
What to Pack for Venice in April (Non Clothing)
- Umbrella and Waterproof wear for rainy Aprils
- Toiletries
- Insect Repellant
- Camera
- Charging Equipment
- Battery Pack
- Travel Adaptor for electronics
- Crossbody Bag – anti theft type
FAQS About What to Pack for Venice in April
What to Wear to dinner in Venice?
Venetians are not particularly formal when it comes to going out in the evening for dinner. We recommend picking something that fits into the smart casual bracket. Pants and long sleeve shirts are perfect for men in the evening and for women I would recommend long pants and a nice blouse or a long dress. I would also pack a pashmina or a jacket for those chillier April nights in Venice.
I would only pack formal wear if you are going to somewhere very high end or have an event that requires a specific dress code.
What should I wear to Venetian Churches?
No matter what part of Italy you are in you will find there is a dress code for Italian churches and Venice is no different.
The main things to remember when visiting a church in Venice is that you must
- keep your shoulders covered
- keep your knees covered
And this dress code applies to both men and women.
When you are in Venice the church which you are most likely to visit is St Marks Basilica in St Marks square. The normal dress code rules apply here and it is worth noting that you will have to leave your bags – including fanny packs on entry.
Are there any special events in Venice in April?
There are no big events like Carnival in Venice in April. However 25th April is Liberation day. Liberation Day in Italy does not have a special event dress code however you will see a lot of Italian flags on this date.
Have you been to Venice in April? What did you wear and how would you change your Venice Packing List next time? Let us know in the comments.