Are you wondering what to wear to Italy in April? In this guide we will look at what should be on your Italian Spring packing list looking at the weather and the differences between different parts of Italy and special events and places that may influence your Italy outfit selection.
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Weather in Italy in April
Italy in April is definitely classified as spring. Wherever you go in this beautiful country you will find the blossoms out and the temperatures starting to rise.
Having said that however, it really does depend on whether you are traveling to the North, the South or an Italian island on what weather and temperatures you can expect.
If I were to generalise the weather in Italy in April I would say that the weather is certainly warming up but there is still a chance of some light rain and wind depending on where in the country you are.
Does it Rain in Italy in April
The famous “April Showers” are very much a thing in Europe and you will find northern parts of the country can get around 8 days of rain per month in April. Fun fact – April is actually the third rainiest month in Italy.
The cities that tend to get rain in April are:
- Bologna
- Milan,
- Florence,
- Rome
- VEnice
The Southern parts of Italy on the other hand will get less rain, typically around 6 days.
To get a more accurate weather overview, be sure to check out our monthly city what to wear guides:
- What to Wear to Rome in April
- What to Wear to Venice in April
- What to wear to Pompeii
- What to wear to Cinque Terre
- What to wear in Sicily
- What to wear in Lake Como
- What to wear on the Amalfi Coast
- What to wear in Positano
And if your trip spans two months be sure to check out our other monthly Italian guides:
What to Wear to Italy in April for Women
When putting together you wardrobe for Italy in April I recommend trying to pack a capsule wardrobe to reduce space. However some key pieces that should be part of your what to wear to Italy in April wardrobe are:
Jeans
Although Italians are renowned for their style, jeans are still perfectly acceptable to wear in April, especially earlier in the month.
I would select the pair carefully though if you don’t want to look like a tourist in Italy. Therefore I recommend packing a pair of jeans that are more fitted and are in a darker colour.
You won’t find many pairs of loose baggy jeans being worn by Italians so a form fitting pair is definitely the way to go.
Trousers
I would also add to your packing list a pair of smart casual trousers such as Chinos for evenings. These are good for going out for dinner in Italy.
Longer length skirts
I would put short skirts on the what not to wear in Italy list. However I recommend taking at least one longer length skirt with you as the perfect day to night transition item.
However if you want to wear them in a church be sure there isn’t a slit that reveals a knee as this would be inappropriate in churches in Italy.
Blouse
A blouse works for the cooler days and nights. Italians are a smart bunch so a nice blouse is the perfect Italian Spring Packing List addition.
T Shirt
Whether you are using t shirts as a base layer or as your top will depend on whether you are visiting in Early or Late April and whether you are in the north or south.
I would recommend having a good mixture of long and short sleeve t shirts with you so you are prepared whatever the weather.
I also recommend sticking to plain and dark colours instead of t shirts that have a graphic or text and that are in loud colors as this will make you look like a tourist in Rome.
Cardigan or Jumper
Although the weather in Italy in April on the whole tends to be pleasant, it can get cold in the evenings we therefore recommend having a jumper or cardigan with you for cooler days or evenings.
Jacket
While April has relatively good weather throughout Italy it is worthwhile packing a jacket for those cool Spring nights.
I personally think a blazer is actually the perfect item for Italy in April.
Pashmina
It doesn’t matter where I am traveling, a pashmina is always on my packing list especially for Italy. t can act as a scarf or lovely accessory on warmer April days but can double up as an added extra layer in early April or help provide some added modesty for churches ir required.
PJs
Depending on which part of Italy you are traveling to will depend on the thickness of PJS you will require.
Waterproof Jacket (optional)
If you are traveling to Northern Italy in April you may want to consider adding a waterproof jacket to your packing list for those inevitable rainy days.
Underwear and Socks
What to Wear in Italy in April for Men
For men visiting Italy in April, I actually recommend actually keeping things similar to the ladies packing list. But for me any Italian Spring Packing list for guys should include
Chinos/Jeans
Having a couple of Pairs of smarter jeans and chinos with you are essential. If you have a smarter tailored pair of jeans or chinos this will be the perfect day to night transition item.
Again as with the packing list for women in Italy we recommend sticking to jeans that are of a smarter more fitted variety to help you look less like a tourist in Italy.
T Shirts and Shirts
During the day t shirts are great. Again I would recommend avoiding anything with a graphic or slogan or in overly loud colors if you want to fit in with the locals.
As April is a shoulder season the weather can vary especially from the beginning and end of the month. Therefore we recommend having a mix of long and short sleeve t shirts with you.
You should also pack at least one button down shirt with you for Italy in April for going out to dinner.
However if shirts aren’t your thing then be sure to pack a smart polo on top of
Blazer
A blazer is a perfect to a men’s Spring Packing List for Italy as it is perfect attire for restaurants and will double up as an extra layer for those cooler spring days.
Waterproof Jacket
Italy In April can be rainy so be sure to have a waterproof jacket with you just in case you get caught in the rain especially if you re traveling to the North.
Best Shoes for Italy in April
Sneakers
For some reason there is a belief that you can’t wear sneakers in Italy. But I am here to tell you that this is absolutely not true.
In fact sneakers are absolutely my go to shoe for April in Italy. Any vacation in Italy will involve a lot of walking. On top of that it doesn’t matter whether you are in the north, south or the islands such as Sardinia or Sicily you will find the streets to be uneven and cobbled so you need a shoe that can cope with the terrain.
The sneakers I like to wear in Italy are:
- Hoka,
- Sketchers Go Walks or
- All Birds
Click here to shop good sneakers
If you buy shoes especially for this trip then be sure to wear them in before you go as there is nothing worse than getting a blister during your vacation.
Also depending on whether you are in Northern or Southern Italy in April, and the forecast I would bring either a pair of sandals or a pair of lightweight ankle boots.
What Else to Pack for Rome in April
How to dress in Italy in April for special Events
There are a few special events in Italy in April that you should be aware of because they will affect your Italian outfit choice.
These include:
Easter
Unsurprisingly Easter is widely celebrated in Italy. If you plan to celebrate or visit Italian churches on your April trip be sure to pack some modest attire as there is definitely an Italian church dress code as well as there being a strict dress code at famous churches such as the Vatican City, Pantheon and the Duomo to name but a few.
The two other significant dates in the Italian calendar in April are:
- Rome’s Birthday – 21st April
- Liberation Day -25th Rome
However neither of these dates have a specific dress code attached to them.
Have you been to Italy in April? What did you wear? We would love to hear in the comments.