Weather in Italy in April

April climate overview

Daytime highs across Italy in April run from 16.1°C (Taormina) to 19.3°C (Sicily). Even in Sicily only 1% of days reach 25°C. Nights average 9.4°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Taormina fall to 8°C or below.

Rainfall in April

Expect around 11 rainy days (1 mm or more) in April, with Sicily the driest (8 days) and Verona the wettest (13 days). The wettest April at Sicily between 1991 and 2020 was 2003 with 113 mm; the driest was 2018 with 6 mm.

Sea temperature

The sea averages 14.9°C around Italy in April - warmest at Sicily (15.6°C). That is cold for swimming without a wetsuit.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 6.3 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 13.0 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).

April against the rest of the year in Italy

April is the 7th warmest month of the twelve in Italy. It is 3.1°C warmer than March and 4.2°C warmer in May. The hottest month here is August (29°C) and the coolest January (10°C).

Which part of Italy in April?

• Most sunshine: Sicily, 7.2 h a day.
• Driest: Sicily, about 8 rainy days.
• Warmest sea: Sicily, 16°C.
• Hottest: Sicily, 19°C by day.
• Coolest (better for walking and cities): Positano, 16°C.

What to pack for Italy in April

Based on the averages: proper layers and a jacket - daytime highs average only 17°C; a warm layer for evenings, when it drops to around 9°C; a rain jacket - roughly 11 wet days.

Similar weather elsewhere in April

Within 1.5°C of Italy's April daytime average: Marbella (19°C, sea 16°C), Saranda (19°C, sea 16°C), Madeira (18°C, sea 18°C), La Palma (18°C, sea 20°C), Rhodes (18°C, sea 17°C). See the full ranking for April.

Where to go for the best April weather

Sicily is the strongest choice for warmth, with daytime temperatures averaging 19°C and 8 rainy days. Sardinia shares that rain figure but is slightly cooler at 18°C, so both suit travellers who want mild outdoor weather without making swimming the priority. Rome and Naples also average 18°C, though their 11 rainy days make flexible plans sensible. Puglia offers similarly mild days and nights of 11°C, but its sea is colder. Northern options are still reasonable for exploring: Milan and the lakes average 17°C by day. Florence and Verona reach 18°C, although cooler nights and more rainy days mean the daytime figure is only part of the picture.

What to wear and how to plan your days

Think layers rather than a summer wardrobe. The national average of 17°C by day is comfortable for walking, but 9°C at night means a jumper and jacket deserve space in your bag. That evening chill is more noticeable in Florence, Milan, Lake Garda and Lake Como, where nights average 7°C. A waterproof outer layer is useful too, with 11 rainy days across the country. Keep outdoor plans flexible rather than assuming every afternoon will stay dry. April is better suited to travellers who prefer mild conditions to strong heat; even Sicily's warmer average does not justify packing only shorts and light tops.

Good for coastal time, less convincing for swimming

April's coastal weather is more appealing for spending time beside the sea than for staying in it. Sicily has the warmest sea in the supplied destinations at 16°C, but that is still cool for a leisurely swim. Sardinia, Rome and Naples average 15°C, while Puglia is cooler at 14°C. If swimming is central to your holiday, April is a compromise rather than a reliable choice. If you mainly want coastal walks and mild afternoons outdoors, it works better. Bring a layer for when temperatures drop, and judge your plans by the air and water temperatures separately: a pleasant afternoon does not mean warm water.