What to wear in Rome in April. Complete packing list for Rome in April: what to pack for April in Rome to stay comfortable, stylish and safe at all times.
April is one of the most pleasant months for visiting Rome.
A spring month, April usually comes with mid temperatures and bright skies; however, April is also rather rainy in Rome so packing for it requires a little more than just embracing pastel colors and summery tops.
When packing for Rome in April, you won’t need to fill your bags with heavy clothing but you will need layers.
I recommend you opt for easy options like cardigans and jackets, so you can wrap up when the sun gives way to the chill of the evening.
Today, we share our complete packing list for Rome in April with tips on what to wear for comfort and style.
With it, you can be sure you will be appropriate at all times (including in churches and dinners out) as well as comfortable while sightseeing in the Eternal City.
Please note: this post contains affiliate links. Should you make a purchase through them, we might make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases
How hot is Rome in April?
Rome in April usually sees warm but not scorching hot temperatures.
The thermometer shows steadily increasing temperatures as the month progresses and, in general, you can expect sunny days and the occasional rain shower.
When packing for Rome in April, you can usually do without heavy coats. However, this is not quite the time for summer clothes and sandals yet.
During the day, you will be most likely find yourself in short sleeves; however, as soon as the sun goes down, you will want a good sweater and even a light jacket and scarf.
Rome is surprisingly humid so once the sun sets, even mild temperatures can feel chilly and unpleasant and rain can also mean a significant and sudden drop in temperature, so being ready is essential.
These are the official temperatures in Rome in April:
| Average Temperature Max | Average Temperature Max | Avg. n. rainy days |
| 19C / 66F | 9C / 48F | 8 |
What to wear in Rome in April: style tips
One of the questions I receive most often, about packing for Rome, is what to wear not to stand out as a tourist and look like a local.
It is easy to understand the reason behind this concern however, I hope I can set your mind at ease with a couple of considerations .
The first is: if you are sightseeing in Rome, you will look like a tourist not matter what. I am from Rome and even I, to an extent, look like a tourist when I sightsee, all Italians do!
This is because you will need an attire that is suitable to walking long hours and staying outdoors: do not compare you style with that of locals going to the office, it would put on you undue stress and it will be uncomfortable, as well as unnecessary.
The other thing is: there is no such thing as local style, there are many different styles just like anywhere else. In Rome, you can be yourself in terms of style, it is a big city and we have all types of personalities.
The only times when attention to what you are wearing are important are in churches, in upscale restaurants (like back home) and if you are going to Rome for work or en event: in these cases, you will want to blend in more and the tips below will help.
Staying safe from Pickpockets in Rome
The desire not to stand out as a tourist often comes from fear of pickpockets, which indeed operate in Rome’s busiest tourist spots.
To stay safe, the recommendation is the same for locals and tourists and the mantra is: make it hard for the pickpocket to get to your stuff.
Pickpockets operate on the basis of opportunity: they will target first easy things like a phone in a pocket or a backpack they can open without the person noticing.
To minimise the chances of this happening: do no keep phones, wallets of valuables in your pockets. If using a backpack, move it to your front in busy areas and on public transport.
if you have a crossbody bag, put it in front of you with the zip closed and put your hand on the opening in busy areas. If it gives you peace of mind, consider an anti theft bag or carabiners to close your bag.
Keep all valuables inside inner pockets and never leave your bag unattended (this includes not leaving it on a chair in a restaurant – basically never give an option for it to be taken by a passer by).
What colors to wear in Rome in April
You can wear very much whatever you feel like in Rome, feel free to express yourself!
If you are curious about what locals wear, these are quick notes about what to expect.
April in Rome is a time that goes from chilly to pleasant and locals tend do use a color palette that goes from winter colors (dark blue, jeans etc) to neutral and pastel colors on hotter days, with splashes of brighter ones like hot pink, yellow (very fashionable lately)!
At this time, you will find women in offices usually opting for beige and light brown for tops, jackets and shoes and embracing colors such as pale pink and taupe.
April is usually not warm enough for summer dresses. However, bright summer colors such as red linen pants/trousers would be appropriate on a sunny day.
For men, this is a time for polo shirts and light sweaters: Italian men love colors and mustard yellow or terracorra reds are common.
Good to know! Athletic wear is not common for adults outside of the gym and usually the giveaway of the American Tourist. There is nothing wrong with it though! We have so many overseas visitors in Rome, you won’t stand out so if this is your style, go for it! The only places where athletic wear may not be appropriate are upper scale restaurants but in the vast majority of places, nobody will have an issue with what you are wearing.
Dresses and skirts in Rome: rules for churches
Visiting churches is part of any trip to Rome and this is particularly true in April, when you may want to experience some of the preparations and celebrations for Easter.
See also >>> all you need to know about Rome at Easter.
The best dresses for churches in Rome are below the knee, they cover your shoulders and do not have revealing necklines or backs.
You won’t need to be fully covered up; however, opting for modest attire is best, especially for the Papal basilicas.
In terms of temperatures, most Italian women will still be wearing tights at this time.
The rules about modest attire apply to men as well.
The strictest dress rules are for the Vatican: I recommend you familiarise with them here >>> Vatican Dress Code.
The best shoes for Rome in April
The one item of clothing you need to get right in Rome in April is shoes and this is not for style but for comfort and safety.
No matter how you plan your Rome itinerary, you will walk a lot while in the city and you will often be on cobbled streets so proper shoes are paramount!
One of the craziest pieces of advice I see on the web about what to wear in Rome is that you cannot wear sneakers. This is absolutely mad and not true!
Romans are sensible more than anything else and sneakers are very common and acceptable in a city where feet are the transport of choice and cobblestones ubiquitous.
If you are sightseeing and going to casual restaurants, any type of sneaker will do. For casual gathering with friends, you will see locals opt for fashion sneakers rather than full on gym ones but it is very much a personal style choice.
You can wear your favorite sneakers in all but the more upscale restaurants.
You can find my list of recommended shoes for Rome travel here.
What to pack for Rome in April: essentials
One medium / light jacket
Recommending a specific weight of jacket for rome in April is very hard as the temperature is neither cold nor hot, leaving plenty of space for personal interpretation on how or cols it actually is.
In general, I think it is safe to say that Rome ins April feels hot if you come from cold climates and just ok if you come from anywhere else.
You are unlikely to experience Rome in April as very hot or very cold, unless in the care of a freaky weather event!
Locals tend to wear medium to light jackets.
I personally love to wear my light down jacket in April: it is warm enough for night and light enough to stay around my waist during the day.
Leather jackets are also great temperature-wise but make sure they can take the rain as rain showers in Rome in April are common.
A stylish scarf
A scarf is my must-have in Rome in all seasons and you will need one in April, especially in the evening.
As well as being useful with sudden drops in temperatures, scarves are an item Rome women love and a great fashion statement: a lightweight pashimna is usually a very versatile thing to have.
A cross body bag
The best type of purse to have in Rome is a cross-body one that you can keep close to your body and with space for all your essentials.
I don’t believe you need to invest in an anti teeth bag. However, this is very much a personal choice and if it adds to your peace of mind, it can be worth it.
What is paramount is that you never ever leave you bag unattended or open. Pick-pocket exist in busy areas (Trevi Fountains gets shoulder to should crowds) and they are fast: they do however go for easy targets such a backpocket.
A standard crossbody bad kept zipped up and in front of you with a hand on the zipper goes a long was as a deterrent and is how locals do it.
A map that loads without wifi
Despite claims of wifi being everywhere in Rome, this is not at all the case.
If you don’t have a local SIM card especially, make sure you download your maps ahead of time or even opt for a paper one.
An efficient Italian dictionary/ phrasebook
Italians usually understand English (not always) but a little effort goes a long way.
Aside from basic politeness, a phrase book can come in handy if you need to communicate with owners of smaller establishments or with any official authority. You can find here >>> useful Italian phrases for travelers (free, it’s an online article)
Good walking shoes
We have already covered this but it is worth repeating it!
Shoes are the one item you need to get right in Rome.
You are going to do a lot of walking in the city and you must keep yer feet protected from the charming yet exhausting cobblestones of the city.
Go for rubber soles and closed toes shoes. In April, you are unlikely to wear sandals unless you are used to frigid temperatures or you are in Rome very late in the month: locals will still be wearing winter / mid season shoes.
Tech essentials
Don’t forget your phone, charger, adapter and CONVERTER for Italy.
Need to know! If you come for a country with a different voltage system, you will need a converter as well as an adaptor for items such as hair straighteners. I find the easiest and most convenient purchase is a universal travel adaptor and converter you can use in all your travels.
In terms of sockets/ plugs, we have two types in Italy: two prongs and three prongs, in a line (so, not the 3 prongs like the UK)
Bring a spare battery with you if using your phone for photos or maps as Rome will give your charge quite a workout!
Tech essentials you may want to have on your April packing list for Rome are:
- Phone
- Chargers
- Power adapters
- Portable spare battery
- Headphones (if using)
- Ipad (if using)
Cash
Without going overboard, always make sure you have some cash on you while in Rome.
Most establishments now accept its but it is good to have a backup, especially for smaller purchased when cash is still common. Also, you cannot leave tips by card: it is customary (but not compulsory) to leave a small tip at the end of a good meal if you appreciated the experience – coins are perfect for this, as it is a token of appreciation and not a percentage of the check.
With cash, opt for small to medium notes and try avoid 50 Euro note or bigger for small purchases: shops are not happy to break them up for you and you will find yourself stuck when trying to make a small purchase
Travel Documents for Rome
Depending on where you are from, you will need different documents to come to Rome, which may include passport, visa, permit etc. Ask the relevant authority with good notice so you can be sure you have everything you need.
Need to know: having ID on you at all times is compulsory in Italy, so make sure you are not caught unprepared if asked by the authorities.
Depending on your circumstance, necessary ID may be a EU National ID card, passport (for non EU visitors), visa, permit etc.
Fashion accessories
Rome women love accessories. Opt for colorful necklace, earrings and sunglasses to immediately give a touch of class and color to your everyday outfit
A refillable water bottle
Rome has many drinkable water fountains providing delicious fresh water.
Read here >>> all about drinking Rome’s tap water.
Bringing your own water bottle means you can save money avoiding having to buy bottles and you will help the environment immensely as well as helping reduce one of the biggest problems in Rome: rubbish disposal.
Summarizing, my packing list for Rome in April:
When packing for Rome in April, make sure you have:
- Light jacket, ideally able to withstand the rain
- Light scarf
- Short sleeve tops
- Cardigan
- Jeans / long trousers such as chinos etc.
- Skirt and tights
- Underwear
- Socks
- Button-down shirts for men if going to upper scale establishments. Otherwise polos or shorts are ok
- Nightwear (Pijama, nightgown: cotton or similar works well, no need for fleece but no summer pijamas either)
- A blazer for men for more upscale restaurants
- Closed toe, walking shoes
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Travel documents (Passport, visa if needed)
- Travel insurance
- Essential medications and prescriptions (translated or with the name of the generic active principle – Commercial names in Italy tend to be different for abroad)
- Copy of all your reservations/tours
- A crossbody bag
- Purse with money and cards
- A reusable water bottle (foldable ones like this one work amazingly well!)
- Your phone and charger
- Italy travel adaptor
- Portable power bank/battery pack
- Camera, if different from your phone + extra photo cards
- Italian phrasebook – Top tip! You can find here >>> a comprehensive, handy list of basic Italian expressions for travel (free)
- Portable travel umbrella
- Wet/dry bags
What to pack for Rome in April with kids
If traveling to Rome with kids, I recommend you check out our family guides:
Tips for visiting Rome with a toddler
Complete family guide to planning a trip to Rome with kids
Walking kids will only need mid-season clothing in April in Rome. Pre walkers may need to wrap up a little more, especially in the evening.
In terms of style of clothing for kids, children can wear absolutely whatever they want, especially if very young. Athletic wear and tracksuits with hoodies are very common with locals and not a problem in the vast majority of places.
Leggings are popular with girls but really, whatever your kids are comfortable in, it will be ok!
My must-have for April in Rome are:
- Baby carrier
- Cobbled-street ready stroller
- Rain cover for the stroller/ pushchair (some good options are here)
- Jacket
- Blanket
- A change of shoes for rainy days
- Well stocked baby changing bag
- Baby Nightwear
- Baby Daywear
- Hat – light one, for sun more than cold
- Sippy cup
- Soother
- Teether
- Travel-ready toys (stacking cups, sticker books, magic boards etc.)
- Cuddly toy/ teddy
Good to know: you can find daily essentials for kids (diapers, food etc) in grocery stores and pharmacies. Read here >>> where to buy baby essentials in Rome.
Toiletries
I like to keep all my toiletries in a travel toiletry bag to hang in my hotel bathroom. I usually stock it with:
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
- Shower gel / soap (I recommend solid soap for travel)
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Deodorant
- Tweezers
- Comb and brush
- Face and body moisturizers
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Women sanitary supplies
- Perfume / skin scent
- Make up
- Shaving cream, blades and accessories
- Hair ties
Accessories and nice to have
The best accessories I recommend for Rome are:
- Sunglasses –April can bright and lovely, make sure you protect your eyes
- Necklaces to dress an outfit up or down: Italian women love necklaces!
- Earrings, again a popular Italian fashion statement
- Scarf – for warmth and look
- Eye mask for the plane
- Travel pillow for the plane
The best luggage for Rome in April
The best luggage for Rome is spacious enough to keep safe your bulkier winter clothes and shoes yet light and resistant enough for you to safely manoeuvre it in airports and, if walking, on bumpy cobbled streets.
In terms of larger bags, I recommend:
- Samsonite Omni Carry on expandable luggage with spinner wheels
- Samsonite Omni Full Size spinner bag (for checking in)
- Osprey Farpoint 40 Carry on travel backpack
I hope you found this packing list useful and it helped you decide what to wear in Rome in April: safe travel planning!
What to wear in Rome in April packing list – pin this!
This post was published in 2022 and has now been fully updated.