April used to be low season in Florence. You could enjoy having quiet dinners in trattorie, wandering around Piazza del Duomo without crowds, and walking into museums without reservations.
Well, people caught on… April is a lovely time to be in Florence!
Yes, we do tend to get rain in April (April showers bring May flowers, right?), but we still have plenty of sunny, umbrella-free days.
If you’re okay with having other people in your Ponte Vecchio photo or sharing the sunset view from Piazzale Michelangelo, you’ll fare well in Florence in April.
Stare at David’s… strong hands, walk amongst irises and wisteria, and have aperitivo at an outdoor café – in April a Firenze.
I’m a mamma of three living just outside Florence and we’re exploring in the city twelve months of the year. I’ve also worked in Florence, lived in Florence, and spent plenty of time here in my 2+ decades of living in Italy… including in April! You can rely on my advice based on extensive first-hand experience here.
I’ll walk you through:
- Typical April weather in Florence
- Reasons to visit Florence in April (or skip it)
- Things to see and do here in April
- April holidays and events
- What to see and do near Florence in April
- How to get around the city in April
- Where to Stay in Florence in April
- What to wear (I’ve included my spring packing list)
- Not-to-miss foods in April in Florence
- Tips for visiting Florence with kids in April
Andiamo – let’s go!
NOTE FOR 2025: It’s a Jubilee Year, so expect to see more visitors throughout Italy (especially Rome). April will be even busier because Easter falls in April this year. So, expect larger than usual crowds in Florence during this period.
Check out my monthly guides to visiting Florence: January – February – March – April – September – October – November – December
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Table of Contents
Typical April Weather in Florence
April in Florence tends to be mild/warm, with a mix of sunny days and grey days.
While weather has been a little all over the place in Florence and Italy the past few years, we do have some historic weather to help you make a decision.
Typical temperatures in Florence in April range from 46-66 °F (8-19 °C) and the city sees around 3 inches (78 mm) of precipitation. Source: Il Meteo (ilmeteo.it)
Why You Should Visit Florence in April
While you won’t be the only visitor to Florence in April, you will find fewer crowds than summer months and early fall.
You’ll find slightly cheaper rates on hotels and flights (to Florence Peretola) than busier months like May through September.
Floral Florence is in full bloom – you can visit the iris garden, rose garden, and Bardini gardens (wisteria).
April is a fabulous month to combine Florence with a Tuscan countryside visit. Smaller Tuscan villages are back to life after a dormant winter, and the countryside’s vineyards and hillsides are a vibrant green with pops of colorful flowers.
April typically means more outdoor seating at restaurants and cafés, along with a bounty of spring produce.
If Easter falls in April, you can celebrate with typical Easter foods and the Scoppio del Carro in Piazza del Duomo.
Helpful Tip: If you’ve got a site, museum, or activity on your must-do list or you need to visit on a specific day, be sure to purchase your tickets in advance. Sell-outs can happen any month in Florence.
Reasons to Skip a Visit to Florence in April
The weather can be poor – with rain and cool temperatures, especially in early April. It’s not as nice to stroll the streets when you have to dodge puddles and carry an umbrella. If you’re visiting as a family, it can also be tough to keep kids dry and mud-free in April.
If Easter falls in April, Florence will be more crowded (with Italians and other visitors) and expensive.
Things to See & Do in April in Florence
This isn’t a list of every possible thing you can do in Florence in April… just some of my favorites.
Walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo – Along with winter, early spring is one of the best times of the year to walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo. You may even end up alone, which is unheard of in summer months. The sunsets are still gorgeous (although earlier, so check the sunset timing before you head up so you’re not walking in the dark) and while the piazza is more crowded now than in winter months, you can still find a spot.
If you’ve still got pep in your step when you get to Piazzale Michelangelo, you can keep walking up to San Miniato al Monte for a higher viewpoint (and check out the frescoes inside the church too).
Read more about Visiting Piazzale Michelangelo
Explore Florence’s Gardens – Leave the museums and city streets behind and get some fresh air on a stroll in one of Florence’s giardini (gardens).
It’s the best time of year to visit them! The Iris Garden is only open from late-April into May, and the Bardini Gardens have the picturesque wisteria-covered walkway. Check out the Rose Garden and Boboli Gardens too (look for wild, purple crocus in the lawns or join a visit of the Camelia Garden).
Read my guides to
Boboli Gardens
Gardens in Florence
The Best Views in Florence
Climb Giotto’s Bell Tower – Giotto’s bell tower climb is our family’s favorite climb in Florence and an April climb means you won’t be sweating profusely as you make your way up to the top!
If you like views, you can also climb the Duomo or have a rooftop aperitivo!
Visit Florence’s Museums – April is still a great month to explore Florence’s museums without extreme crowds. Head to the classics like the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery, or find a new love:
- Stibbert Museum
- Leonardo da Vinci Interactive Museum
- Palazzo Strozzi
- Palazzo Vecchio
- Galileo Museum (have some one-on-one time with Galileo’s finger)
Helpful Tip: If you’d like to visit the Accademia Gallery and/or the Uffizi, I recommend purchasing your tickets in advance. Your chosen day/time may sell out if you wait.
Good To Know: The first Sunday of the month, Florence’s national museums participate in Domenica al Museo, which means you can enter for free.
Take a Cooking Class – Join a cooking class and learn typical dishes that you can recreate at home. We love Jacopo & Ana’s classes, and we’ve enjoyed others like this pasta and gelato class with Towns of Italy.
Eat Truffle Panini and Sip Wine at Procacci – This place is a great find, but it’s tiny so it can be tough to get a spot to sit. In April, I still recommend calling ahead if you can, but you can always try to walk-in. Sip some vino toscano and sample Procacci’s mini truffle sandwiches… and then go window shopping on Via Tornabouni.
Hang Out in the Odeon Bookshop – It’s a cinema… and a bookshop! Head upstairs and sit in the theater seats if you need a break from museums and walking around Florence. Unfortunately, you can’t eat up in the cinema seats, but don’t worry, there’s a café adjacent to the bookshop.
Pick up a Tuscan cookbook or a book on Michelangelo to take home with you.
Good To Know: You can also see a film at the Odeon, and they’re often in English (with Italian subtitles).
Go to a Fiorentina Soccer Match – The season’s about to finish, but you still have a chance to put on your purple and head to Franchi stadium to cheer on Florence’s team, Fiorentina. Before heading to a match, read my guide to Going to a Soccer Game in Italy.
Taste Tuscan Wines – Park yourself in an enoteca or restaurant in Florence and sip on Tuscan vini. A few places to check out:
- Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina
- Le Volpi e L’Uva (tip: order crostini to go with your wine)
- Cantinetta Antinori
Try Florentine Street Food – Head to Il Trippaio di Sant’Ambrogio for a lampredotto panino, Pugi for schiacciata, Il Coccolo for takeaway coccoli, or Semel for panini.
April Holidays Events in Florence
Take note of these dates because you may want to plan your trip to Florence to catch them or avoid them.
Easter (date varies) – The Easter holiday is celebrated on Sunday, and we also celebrate on Monday (Pasquetta, or ‘little Easter’).
Both are public holidays, so expect to see Italians exploring Florence and the countryside, and dining in restaurants with friends and family.
The main Easter event in Florence is the Scoppio del Carro (explosion of the cart) in Piazza del Duomo.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, buy a chocolate egg (uovo di Pasqua al cioccolato) or a colomba (an Easter cake).
Liberation Day (April 25th) – Italy’s Festa della Liberazione commemorates the end of the Nazi occupation of Italy and the fall of the fascist regime.
This is a big holiday in Italy (including Florence), and it’s a national one. Many Italians ‘fare il ponte,’ or ‘make a bridge’ if the holiday falls close to the weekend – for example, if the 25th is on Tuesday, they’ll take Monday off and have a long weekend. Schools also fanno il ponte. For example, if the 25th falls during the week, our kids get the 24th and the 26th off of school. Italians will also combine the holiday with another big Italian holiday – Primo Maggio, or Labor Day (on May 1st).
Florence will be crowded during this period. Reserve any must-see activities and restaurants.
What to Do Near Florence in April
There are so many things to see and do near Florence in April, it’s almost overwhelming! Take your pick:
Explore Tuscan Villages – Road trip around Chianti and other parts of Tuscany, stopping in hilltop villages. Opt for popular stops like San Gimignano or Greve in Chianti, or sneak into lesser-known gems like Peccioli, Pietrasanta, Pitigliano, Montemerano, or Volpaia. Try to catch a spring sagra (food festival).
Soak in Hot Springs – Hop in the car and head to Tuscan hot springs. Popular Saturnia is quieter this time of year, as well as Bagno Vignoni.
Look for the First Wildflowers and Blooms – April is the month to enjoy poppies, irises, wisteria, and cherry blossoms.
Go for a Drive in the Crete Senesi – Spring is my favorite time of year to drive in the Crete Senesi near Siena. The bright green hills look like a computer screensaver.
Explore the Val d’Orcia – Head to the Orcia Valley to sample pecorino cheese in Pienza, wander through quiet Monticchiello, or sip Vino Nobile in Montepulciano.
Take a Cooking Class in the Tuscan Countryside – While you can easily do this in Florence, you could also head into the countryside to take a class. I enjoy Toscana Mia’s class, as well and Jacopo & Anna’s classes.
Go for a Hike – If the weather looks good, head out into the Tuscan countryside and go for a walk!
Go for a Bike Ride – You can join up with a day tour into the countryside (leaving from Florence), or rent a bike and explore on your own for one or more days. While die-hard Tuscan cyclists ride year round, April is the month you really begin to see riders come out in full force. The Tuscan countryside in April is gorgeous, and one of the best ways to see it is by bike!
Go Wine Tasting – Visit Tuscan wineries to sample vino toscano at the source. Be sure to contact wineries in advance to make sure they’re open for tastings.
Take a Last-Minute Trip to the Cinque Terre – I say last-minute because you should make sure the weather forecast looks decent before you commit. You can take a day trip from Florence on your own or head to the Cinque Terre on a group tour.
Shop at Tuscan Outlets – The Mall has a collection of luxury brands (but heads up, it’s outdoors, so come prepared with an umbrella if the weather looks iffy). You can take a special bus from Florence or drive your own car. Prada fan? Don’t miss the Space Outlet (you’ll need to drive there). The Barberino and Valdichiana outlets (north and south of Florence, respectively) have a mix of Italian and international fashion brands. Both can be reached by car.
Take a Venice Day Trip – Yes, it’s about 2 hours by train (each way), but early April tends to still be okay crowd-wise in Venice.
Take a Rome Day Trip – If the weather looks good, take advantage of it and take a fast train to Rome for the day. April is one of my favorite months to be in Rome (sunshine, green grass and flowers growing amongst Rome’s ruins, outdoor dining).
Head to Bolgheri – If you’re a fan of Super Tuscans,make your way to Bolgheri and its surrounding vineyards. Tenuta dell’Ornellaia, Tenuta Guado al Tasso, and friends are all waiting for you.
Eat Your Way Through San Miniato – This little town east of Florence is a foodie paradise. Have aperitivo and dinner or come early and visit Enoteca Marilu for a tasting or cooking class.
Visit San Casciano and Antinori – San Casciano Val di Pesa is easy to reach by bus (or car) from Florence, and it’s a real town (not set up for tourism). Have a meal with locals, stroll the charming pedestrian center, and check out the views of Chianti. This is also a great pick with kids, as it has one of the best playgrounds in Chianti! Wine lovers with a car can head to nearby Bargino, home of Antinori’s Chianti Classico winery.
You may want to check out
Day Trips from Florence
Family Day Trips from Florence
Florence to Cinque Terre Day Tour
Florence to Cinque Terre Day Trip
How to Get Around Florence in April
If you’ve got the energy and are able to – walk! Florence’s historic center is small and it’s easy to get everywhere by walking. It’s a flat city, but it’s surrounded by hills. The hill you’re most likely to walk up is the one to Piazzale Michelangelo. And, while you’re up there, walk through the Rose Garden and the Iris Garden (on either side of the Piazzale).
Take public transport when needed. For example, walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo and take the bus down if it’s rainy and you’re worried about slipping on the walk down.
If you’re coming to Florence by car, you can park in one of the city lots and walk into town. Or, park at Villa Costanza and take the tram into the city center.
If you’re flying into Florence Peretola, you have multiple ways to get into town, including by tram, taxi, or private driver (see my guide in the link below).
Read more about
Parking at Villa Costanza & Taking the Tram into Florence
Renting a Car at the Florence Airport
Traveling from the Pisa Airport to Florence
How to Get From the Florence Airport to the City Center
Where to Stay in Florence in April
No matter the time of year, I always recommend staying in the city center. Florence is very walkable and it’s so nice to be able to reach your hotel on foot after a fabulous dinner. Or, to wake up in the morning and stroll over the Ponte Vecchio or into Piazza della Signoria.
You can find my recommendations on neighborhoods and specific hotel recommendations in Where to Stay in Florence and Where to Stay in Florence with Kids.
April is also a lovely month to base yourself in the Tuscany countryside. While it’s not warm enough to jump in the swimming pool, you’ll be surrounded by green vineyards and colorful wildflowers. You can then drive into Florence, park, and walk in.
What to Wear in Florence in April – Printable Packing List
I’m including my printable Florence spring packing list below, and here are some things to keep in mind when you’re packing for your April trip to Florence.
- April in Florence = layering, especially if you’re visiting in less-predictable early-April
- I recommend dark colors, so spills (that delicious pasta) and dirt (from the puddle on the cobblestone street) don’t show up on your clothing.
- Have at least one pair of water-resistant shoes in case your visit to April has rain. This is more advice for early April, as I find it tends to warm up a bit and dry out later in the month (but always check the forecast!). I wear leather sneakers often because I can wipe them off if they get dirty and they aren’t too tough to dry if they get a little wet. Also, make sure your shoes have good tread because wet streets, stairs, and museum or shop floors can be slippery.
- Lightweight scarf – I still often wear one in April. You can also use it as a picnic blanket.
- At least one warm layer like a fleece or sweater. Make sure it’s one that doesn’t smell funny after one wear (you’re giggling right now, but trust me on this one). I find cashmere sweaters work well as do high-quality fleeces (like Patagonia).
- A jacket that you really like because it will likely be what’s showing of your outfit most of the time. I take my jacket off in restaurants and cafés but if it’s chilly I leave it on inside museums and shops.
- I still avoid long skirts (with tights) in early-April because I find my skirt always gets wet – either by brushing up against something wet or when I sit down it ends up on the wet ground. But, later in the month, I may break out a skirt or two.
- Have a just-in-case plan for the rain that covers you and your bag/purse/backpack. For example, an umbrella will cover you and your bag. If you wear a rain jacket, make sure you can fit your purse (or even a waist pack) underneath your jacket so it doesn’t get wet.
Not-To-Miss Foods in Florence in April
April is a transition period in Florence, as we move from wet, chilly weather to sunny, warmer days. While you’ll still be able some of Florence’s cold-weather foods like ribollita and pasta al ragù di cinghiale, it’s a nice time to sample:
- Pasta dishes with asparagus (asparagi)
- Baccelli e pecorino (fava beans with pecorino cheese)
- Insalata di carciofi (finely-sliced raw artichokes with shaved parmesan cheese) – My husband, who isn’t even a big fan of artichokes, waits all year for this
- Colomba pasquale (Easter cake)
- Uovo di Pasqua (Easter chocolate egg) – A must if you’re traveling with kids… or let’s be honest, it’s for anyone who loves chocolate!
- Piselli alla fiorentina (fresh spring peas cooked with pancetta)
- Fragole (strawberries) – Okay, they’re not coming from Florence (rather, from southern Italy), but they’re so delicious! Grab some to share for a picnic, or to enjoy on the lawn in Boboli Gardens or the Rose Garden while you marvel at the view of Florence.
And remember, when you’re in Italy, any time is gelato time. These are my recommendations for the Best Gelato in Florence.
Florence in April with Kids – A Few Tips
Our kids are in school for all of April, except for:
- Easter Break – There’s no school on Pasquetta (the Monday after Easter Sunday), plus usually a couple of days before and after. This year, my boys have Easter Break from 17-22 April.
- 25 April – Liberation Day is a national holiday.
Other than these breaks, you’ll see local kids going to and from school and playing at playgrounds in the afternoons (as long as the weather cooperates).
Have at least one pair of water resistant shoes. For example, choose leather sneakers over more breathable sneakers with netting and fabric.
Layers are especially important for Florence in April, as the weather can vary quite a bit. My boys often have coats or jackets in the morning, but come home in the afternoon in t-shirts.
I always make sure to carry some extra tissues or baby wipes for inevitable mud on clothes and shoes and wet playground equipment.
Have a map or list of a few options for the day. If it starts raining, look at your map and make your way to an indoor option.
Visit a Florence garden. I like to take my boys to Boboli Gardens if they need to run around. The Rose Garden has a fish pond, some art, beautiful views of the city, and grassy areas for reading or playing UNO. Instagram-loving teens may want a shot in the wisteria arches of the Bardini Gardens.
Be sure to check out
Visiting Florence with Kids
Things to Do in Florence with Kids
Kid-Friendly Museums in Florence
Florence Bookshops for Kids
Our Favorite Toy Stores in Florence
Where to Get a Snack in Florence with Kids
What to Do with Kids on a Rainy Day in Florence
I hope this has helped you work through whether or not you should visit Florence in April. And, if you are coming, that you’re full of good ideas for how to spend your time in bella Firenze!
Read more about
Tuscany in the Spring
Best Times to Visit Tuscany – Month-by-Month
