All you need to know for a trip to Rome in April. What to expect from the weather, what to pack and what to do in Rome in the spring. [Updated in 2025 with current recommendations for tours and activities for April 2026]
April in Rome is a wonderful month albeit a very busy one.
Spring has well and truly started in Rome in April and despite frequent showers of rain, this is one of the glorious months when Rome fills with blossoms, its otherwise unkept green areas becoming a triumph of flowers and perfumes.
April is also the time when, often, you have Easter celebrations in Rome.
This means the Eternal city becomes especially appealing to those who want to celebrate this religious festivity as well as those who can get precious time off.
The result is a time that sees city perfection and crazy busy crowds: this is our guide to help you make the most of April in Rome.
Good to know: Rome is very busy during the Easter week. Advance booking of Colosseum and Vatican ticket is a must. The busiest areas in Rome at this time are Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. I highly recommend to plan a little longer in Rome at this time so you do not find yourself only in the middle of crowds if only seeing Rome most famous attractions.
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Why visit Rome in April
April in Rome usually brings mild weather, with the occasional rainy day. Rome doesn’t usually experience extreme weather in Aprill so you are unlikely to find it too hot or too cold. You are most likely to have a mix of dry and rainy days.
Outdoors options (but expect some rain): Rome is a very green city and April can be a wonderful time to explore its parks, the Appian Way, Ostia Antica etc, as well as just enjoying strolling Rome’s beautiful city center. Rain is possible so I wound’t commit to just outdoors stuff but there is a good chance of at least some dry days or most likely dry parts of most days.
Terraces and outdoors dining: Spring is a wonderful time to enjoy an aperitivo with a view in one of the beautiful city terraces especially at lunchtime / brunch.
Why not visit Rome in April
The main reason why you may want to skip Rome in April is the crowds, especially if like in 2026 Easter falls in April.
Easter brings to Rome immense numbers of tourist so planning around this is paramount. I recommend you read here my tips to escape the crowds in Rome and also consider the following point.
Need to know: the worst advice you can get is to come quickly to minimise exposure to crowds. It is the complete opposite! If you only stay 2/3 days in Rome in spring, you will ONLY SEE CROWDS! With 2/3 days you’ll need to follow the most efficient route to see the top sites which is exactly what mass tourists do and you will be in a snake of people, theme park style. Stay at least 4 days for a truly beautiful stay at a busy time such as this! Find more tips to escape crowds in Rome here.
The weather in Rome in April
The weather in Rome in April is pleasant, with mild temperatures and a mix of sunny and rainy days.
April is spring in Rome and you can expect lovely weather with mild temperatures and the occasional shower of rain.
The weather is changeable at this time and you will need to dress in layers however, this is one of the best times for sightseeing since you will not have to battle the otherwise relentless Rome sun.
The average temperature in Rome in April is 14C/58F with a range from 20C/68F to 8C/46F degrees.
Usually you have about 9 days of rain in Rome in April and this tends to be heavy downpours rather than a drizzle.
A travel umbrella will be your best friend at this time although rain tends to come in forms of showers so, usually, you can simply find refuge somewhere and quickly resume sightseeing.
What to wear in Rome in April
April in Rome sees changeable weather but usually mild temperature. Early mornings and evenings tend to be cold and you will need to wrap up a little more but overall, mid-season clothes and layers should suffice.
You can find here >>> my full packing list for Rome in April
Last year in April, we had some very warm sunny days that called for short sleeves and sunglasses followed by others with grey sky and temperatures calling for a light jacket in the evening.
If you are traveling to Rome in April, it is important to pack:
- Good walking shoes, waterproof (ankle boots or winter sneakers are perfect) – you can find my recommended shoes for Rome here.
- Socks and tights
- Long trousers
- Long sleeve tops
- Short sleeve ones
- Sweaters (woolen and lighter)
- Winter coat if used to warm climates, mid-season waterproof jacket if used to cold weather.
Find our full packing list for Rome in the spring here
Dates of notice in Rome in April 2026
April 2026 has important dates you need to be aware of as the will impact your visit.
2 April Maundy Thursday and 3 April 2026 Good Friday – Good Friday is one of the most significant days of the year for the Catholic Church but unlike most other religious events, it has a very specific and noticeable impact on the city of Rome at large as this is the day of the Pope’s Way of the Cross.
The Way of the Cross is a celebration that sees the Pope going from the Vatican to the Colosseum and this means a few things:
The Colosseum usually closes on this day. Annoyingly, they never seem to tell people in advance but I am from Rome and I can tell you from experience: On Good Friday, the Colosseum normally closes and tickets sold get refunded. As much as possible, I recommend you do not book on this day to avoid potential disruptions. If you have no choice, morning sometimes sees the place open.
The city center becomes security central; traffic is diverted, there are closures and police is everywhere to secure the place. This will impact your ability for to get a taxi.
Need to know: security starts being in place from the day before. Make sure you ask your hotel about potential closures should you be counting on a taxi
4 April 2026 Easter Saturday – low impact on most activities, but do keep an eye on religious sites as these may be closed or have limited visiting hours due to the festivity.
5 April 2026 Easter Sunday – A very significant day for Christians, the day sees massive celebrations art the Vatican but is also a day off when locals often go our for lunch. It is crucial to book ahead anything you may want to do on this day. Some places will be closed for the festivity.
6 April 2026 Easter Monday – a day off for locals not involved in tourism and a significant day for Christians, this day may impact your ability to visit the Vatican and is a very busy one around the city. Make sure you book ahead anything you may want to do on this day.
See also: my guide to visiting Rome at Easter.
21st April, Natale di Roma, Rome’s birthday: the 21st of April is the day when Rome celebrates its birthday, usually with events across the city and free access to its civic museums. You can read all about Rome’s birthday here.
The best things to do in Rome in April
The best things to see in Rome in April are a mix of sightseeing, shopping and food experiences.
Visit the Colosseum
The Colosseum is fantastic to visit in April.
At this time, the days are likely to be mild and the view over the forum, under Rome’s bright sky, stunning.
However, this is an exceptionally busy time for visiting the Colosseum and advance booking (i.e.months in advance or at least weeks) is paramount.
There are many different ticket options for the Colosseum (entry only / tour / family tour/ underground access etc).
For ease, I have summarised here >>> all the best tickets for the Colosseum
Take a stroll in the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
April is also a good time to visit the Roman Forum and Palatine hill.
The main area of the Forum is lovely at this time, devoted of the cold temperatures of the winter and the scorching heat of the summer, and you truly feel like you are strolling in Ancient Rome, just like a local would have done, with the temples and the columns all around you.
Up on the Palatine, April brings lovely blossoms and green lawns, that are the perfect framing and backdrop for the Palace of Emperors’ impressive ruins, and the bright spring air is perfect to catch a view over the Circus Maximus just below.
Visit the Vatican Museums and Vatican City
April can be a wonderful time for a visit to the Vatican City and the Sistine chapel but do be aware that, should you get here during Easter Break, the crowds will be almost unbearable.
Make sure you get tickets in advance and read up all our tips for visiting the Vatican to avoid the worst of the congestion.
In April, it is also worth visiting the beautiful Vatican Gardens: the gardens are at the back of St Peter’s basilica and are wonderful in spring, when the flowers come back to life with blossoms and fragrances. You can read how to book the Vatican Gardens and tips for visiting here.
Top tip! If you have a generous budget, there is one special tour of the Vatican Museums that allows to see them without the crowds. the tour is called Vatican Key Master Tour and allows very early access to the museum with the key holder: you accompany them as they turn the light on and have the museums almost entirely for yourself!
Enjoy Rome with a vespa sidecar tour
A fantastic thing to do on a spring day in Rome is to explore the city on a vespa sidecar tour which is as fun as it sounds and significantly more comfortable than you may expect!
The LivTours vespas are super stable and comfy and they come with a guide who zips you around the city showing you top sites, parks, viewpoints and treating you to amazing cappuccino on the way. Also a fantastic way to avoid crowds as you see them and you’re gone!
You can take this tour alone or with kids and it is guaranteed fun! Info and prices here
Visit Caracalla’s Baths
The Baths of Caracalla are a huge thermal complex dating back to the III century AD and a wonderful Rome landmark to visit in the spring.
The baths are an outdoor attraction and they are stunning in April when the dark green of fantastic pine trees of this area is complemented by the violet hues of wisteria.
Not to be missed – you can find our guide to Caracalla’s Baths here.
Take a golf cart tour
Golf carts are a touristy yet cool way to get around Rome as they allow you so see a lot without having to walk. They are excellent for all ages and more suited than vespas for young kids or if you have difficulties sitting in a low sidecar.
My favorite golf cart tour in the city is this one by LivTours.
See the cherry blossoms
This may come as a surprise to many, but Rome in April is one of the best places in Italy to admire cherry blossoms!
There are 4 main places in Rome where to savour a little bit of Japan in the Eternal city and they are perfect for all types of visitors.
Families with kids or anyone looking for a lovely park for a picnic can head to the Eur Laghetto (park)or to the wonderful and child friendly Botanical Gardens of Rome that also has areas devoted to other species worth seeing.
Those who are good at advance planning should not miss the garden of Rome’s Japanese Cultural Institute, only open on limited dates yet stunning.
You can find our guide to seeing cherry blossoms in Rome here.
Go on a Bike tour of the Appian Way
A fantastic good weather activity in Rome in spring is to get e-bikes and explore the Appian Way. The Appian Way is one of the most ancient, significant and beautiful ancient Roman roads and it is now largely a protected and car free park.
Exploring by bike is a fantastic way to mix learning about Rome with a stunning and not strenuous outdoor pursuit. You can find info and prices here.
Go on a food tour to experience Rome’s spring produce
Spring is a lovely time to go on a food tour, partially for weather and partially because you can taste some of Rome’s seasonal specialties.
On a food tour at this time of year, you will taste Roman staples like carbonara and suppli but you will also have fresh fruit ice-cream and seasonal pizza toppings. One of the best moments of the year to get a taste of Rome! Fantastic food tours in Rome I love are this one by DevouTour and this one by LivTours: outstanding!
In Rome in April, the traditional Rome food in season that you are likely to try is:
In this season I recommend:
- Carbonara, Gricia, Amatriciana pasta: a must all times of the year, these are perfect for an Easter buffet!
- Abbacchio scottadito (lamb cutlets), a traditional Easter dish
- Pizza Pasqualina, an Easter specialty that no! It is not pizza but rather a vegetable and egg pie
- Seasonal vegetables, asparagus and chicory in particular
- Suppli, fried balls of rice with a melting mozzarella heart
- Eggs, real and chocolate to celebrate Easter
- Colomba, a typical Easter cake with almond crust
Explore Rome’s main piazzas and hidden gems
The spring is a glorious time to visit Rome’s famous piazzas.
I highly recommend you go and visit the most famous ones such as Piazza Navona, Piazza del Pantheon, Campo de’ fiori, the Trevi fountain, but also allow yourself to wander off the beaten track and explore hidden gems and areas a little off the beaten track (one of my favourites is Quartiere Coppede’).
April is the month when the Spanish Steps get decorated with flowers: a lovely time to see this wonderful monumental staircase!
Go to the park
Rome has beautiful parks and there is no time like the spring to enjoy them.
For grand and beautiful choose Villa Borghese (here you have the famous Borghese Gallery but also the small Rome zoo, a pond and playgrounds for kids) or get off the beaten path.
Some lovely green areas I love and don’t usually feature on visitors’ maps are Villa Torlonia, a nice park with interesting architecture and exhibition spaces as well as a children museum) and Rome’s botanical gardens, hidden in plain site in one of the most charming streets of Trastevere.
You can find a list of some of our favorite gardens and parks in Rome here.
Visit the Borghese Gallery
The Borghese Gallery is one of the most beautiful art museums in Rome and a must-see for art lovers.
Located inside the beautiful Borghese Gardens, a large patrician park in Rome City center, the Borghese Gallery has masterpieces by masters such as Bernini, Canova and Raffaello, just to name a few, and is a feast for the eyes.
I highly recommend you plan a visit here and then cross the gardens to treat yourself to a hot drink with a view in Casina Valadier, a panoramic restaurant and cafe’ overlooking the Pincio Terrace offering some of the best views over Rome.
Advance purchase of Gallery Tickets is mandatory: you can book your ticket here.
Visis Castel Sant’Angelo
Castel Sant’Angelo is the mausoleum of Roman Emperor Hadrian, then turned castle and Papal Fortress.
It is one of the most interesting yet often underrated sights in Rome and it is an absolute delight in spring. Its bastions and terraces offer fantastic views over the city, even more pleasant in mild April weather.
You can read here >>> our guide to Castel Sant’Angelo
Visit Nero’s Domus Aurea
The Domus Aurea is Emperor Neros’ palace and one of the most interesting archaeological sites in Rome.
The imperial palace dates from the I century AD and historians describe it as the biggest and most lavish building ever seen.
The Domus is stunning, however, do not imagine a castle or a lavish palazzo!
Immediately after Nero’s death, his palace was destroyed and it is now an archaeological dig, entirely underground!
As you enter it now, you find yourself in a series of tunnels and spaces, once filled with natural light, and still preserving hte magnitude of the vision of their creator and some of the original decorations.
This is a fantastic attraction to visit on a cold afternoon. You can find my full review of my visit and tips for planning your own here >>>> a practical guide to visiting Nero’s Domus Aurea.
Visit Rome’s protestant cemetery
one of teh most beautiful places to visit in Rome in April is the non-catholic cemetery of Rome or the protestant cemetery as it is also called.
the cemetery is a small, very pretty monumental graveyard tucked away behind Rome’s Pyramid (itself worth seeing) and it is a delightful place in spring.
Here, you find beautiful sepulchral monuments surrounded by luscious greenery, trees and pretty wisteria branches framing the graves, among others, of Gramsci, Camilleri, Keats and Shelley.
read my guide to the protestant cemetery of Rome here.
Catch a spring sunset
April’s spring temperature make staying out in the evening to admire the sunset in Rome is a real pleasure however, you need to know where to go!
While Rome bathed in the orange light of the setting sun is stunning anywhere, there are some areas where the eternal city turns truly magical at this time. Find out where to see the sunset in Rome in our local guide.
Go to the opera or a concert
Rome has a good opera and ballet program.
Music lovers should also check out the program at Auditorium Parco della Musica, a wonderful music venue in the eternal city
Go shopping
April is the time when Rome windows dress up in spring clothing. If you are in the mood for a shopping spree, make sure you take the time to go visit Rome’s main shopping streets to catch the new trends as soon as they are out.
Follow the footsteps of Caravaggio in churches and museums
Caravaggio spent may year in Rome and you can still see many of his masterpieces in the Eternal City.
If you love his art, a fantastic way to experience the city is to go on a tour of some of his most famous work. In April, this can be a special way to experience the city, the weather being perfect for strolling and the occasional church stop.
You can learn here >>> where to see Caravaggio in Rome
Go church hopping
Visiting churches is one of the best things to do in Rome any time of the year but it becomes exceptionally pleasurable (and handy!) in case of random rain showers
Some I love and recommend seeking out are Santa Prassede (mosaics), San Luigi dei Francesi (Caravaggio), Santa Maria della Vittoria (Bernini), San Pietro in Vincoli (Michelangelo’s Moses) and Santa Sabina but really: when you see a church in Rome, peek in as chances are it is worth a stop!
You can find here >>> my shortlist of ten of the best churches in Rome
As mentioned above, before Easter Rome churches do dress up their chapels with purple drapes, in preparation for Easter.
Visitors are welcome however, do keep in mind that this is a special time for the Christian church and so extra attention to your attire and celebrations that may be taking place in the church is a must.
Visit Ostia Antica
Ostia Antica is the ancient port of Rome and now a wonderful archaeological site. Located immediately outside Rome City center, Ostia Antica is often compared with Pompeii and, indeed, it feels little like it, with its ancient theater, shops and mosaics.
You can find here >>> our guide to Ostia Antica
Go on a day trip
April is a wonderful time to go on day trips around Lazio, the region of Rome. Some of my favorite this time of the year are to the lakes (Bracciano, Martignano) or to the thermal springs of Saturnia, in Southern Tuscany, which you can reach by car.
If you prefer not to drive, there are several good day trips you can take from Rome by train. Some I particularly recommend are Orvieto (hilltop town with a stunning duomo and gorgeous medieval streets), Sperlonga (whitewashed coastal town) and Gaeta – these last two have glorious sandy beaches and make a wonderful destination for a day by the sea.
You can find our best suggestions for day trips from Rome here
April in Rome with kids
You can find here >>> 50+ of my favorite things to do in Rome with children in April.
Some we particularly recommend are:
Visit Rome’s main sites
Rome’s most important sites are family friendly and, in many cases, great fun for kids.
Those we love the most are:
The Colosseum. Find here >>> tips for visiting the Colosseum with kids. Make sure you also stop at the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill: they feel like a park and they are stunning!
Castel Sant’Angelo: see above
Villa Borghese (Borghese Gardens): a fantastic, large park with a pond, playground, option to rent bikes and go-karts, food stops and more. Find our guide to Villa Borghese here.
The Domus Aurea; especially for kids 9 and up, who may enjoy the stories connected to it
Have fun in Ikono Rome
Ikono is a really fun, immersive museum for kids (and adults) perfect to break up sightseeing. Here, you walk across several rooms with interactive installations and fun hot backdrops suitable and fun for all ages. Find info and tickets here
Go to Explora
Explora is Rome’s children museum and probably my kids’ favourite place in Rome bar none.
In April, this is an exceptionally handy place to know for a rainy day or any time the weather doesn’t seem suitable for extended hours in the park
Eat chocolate eggs
Rome hasn’t got huge Easter traditions when it comes to kids (we don’t traditionally do Easter egg hunts for instance) except for one: Easter for kids is all about chocolate eggs!
You can find them everywhere in the city, in many different sizes and at different price points. You can buy them in any supermarket or gourmet shops, the price and quality varying accordingly.
Take an art class
Indoor activities can be a lifesaver in Rome on the odd rainy day and one we adored was an art class we took with the wonderful people of Arte al Sole.
The one we chose was a mosaic making class which was perfect for crafty kids. It is also close to the city’s botanical gardens which are lovely at this time (young kids go free)
Take a pasta or pizza-making class
For a hands-on experience in typical Rome surroundings, I recommend a pasta or pizza class.
Those I recommend for families with kids are:
Pasta making with Lucilla >> read here out review <<< If you contact her on Instagram and tell her I sent you, she’ll give you a special price! Tell her you found her on MamaLovesRome!
Pasta making class and gelato demonstration with Devour Tour / City experiences >>> read our review here<<< a fantastic class in Trastevere especially suitable for families with teens.
With kids, we did just that with a local pizza class for families followed, of course, by tucking into our own creation! Book here >>> pizza class for kids in Rome <<<
You can find many more of our recommendations on great family tours in Rome here
I hope you enjoyed this post and it helped you plan your spring trip to Rome. Safe travels!
This post was originally published in 2019 and has been regularly updated ever since.