Spring is well underway in April, offering mild, sunny days, blossoming flowers, and religious events—with the entire country coming out for Easter festivities. Tourist numbers are low and prices for accommodation and flights remain attractive, making this an ideal time to sightsee less crowded popular attractions as well as take advantage of outdoor activities.

Weather

Temperatures start warming up in April with average daily temperatures ranging between 46-66°F (8-19°C) across the region. If you plan on visiting Florence, the capital of Tuscany, you can expect similar averages, though the first half of the month sees unpredictable, more typically wintery weather: rainy, cold days alternating with mild and sunny.

Dress in layers to counter all kinds of weather and have your raincoat and umbrella on hand. Though if you plan on getting in some skiing/snowboarding, it’s best to plan your holiday for the first week of the month and bring the appropriate warm clothing. And while sea temperatures are still too cold to bear, pack your swimsuit as the days could be sunny and warm enough for a lie out on the beach.

Crowds & Costs

April combines the convenience of peak season attractions and transportation schedules with pleasant enough weather, while bargains are still to be had on airfare and hotels. Bonus, while visitors are beginning to trickle back, this is a great month to enjoy Tuscany in relative solitude still.

The exception is Holy Week and Easter when Italians will be traveling within the country during this time for religious celebration. If it happens to fall during April, you can expect prices to spike during this period, so if you're planning on traveling here during Easter, be sure to book all reservations far in advance, including the ferry to and from Elba (if you plan to bring your rental with you).

Where to Go

Most travelers begin or end their stay with a few days in Florence to visit famous attractions like the Uffizi Gallery, the Pitti Palace, and Galleria dell'Accademia, which displays Michelangelo's David. And if you happen to be in Florence during the Easter weekend, you’ll be rewarded with explosive festivities, like Scoppio del Carro, the "Explosion of the Cart." Every Easter Sunday the city lights off a large ornate cart filled with fireworks signifying good luck for the coming harvest.

Alternatively head to Rufina, just 20 minutes away for a similar experience, though with fewer crowds. No matter where you are in Tuscany something is going on: processions, Passion plays and re-enactments, fireworks, picnics, and Easter egg hunts. Grassina hosts the Easter Passion Play with over 500 costumed locals re-enacting the Passion of the Christ or Antica Giudeata in southern Italy’s Chianciano Terme for a smaller version of the former. Many gardens open to the public for Easter egg hunts like Giardino Storico Garzoni in Collodi and Parco della Villa Reale di Marlia in Lucca—fun for the whole family.

To get around most efficiently between these locales, be sure to take the train. It is much more efficient than other forms of public transport, which are often unreliable. Also, during Easter, regional transport can be a headache as many buses and ferries will be fully booked. Make all travel plans within the country in advance during this period. 

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What to Do

Warmer weather (though unpredictable) and new summer transportation schedules make April a good month to head outdoors and explore Tuscany by foot with plenty of options for hiking, biking, and sightseeing. Take advantage of the lighter April crowds and hit up some of Tuscany’s great museums and outdoor historic sites. While Italy is never totally tourist-free, you can count on shorter lines for entry to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Siena and the Leaning Tower in Pisa, as well as the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Of course, plan on these sites being at peak capacity during Holy Week. Still, this won't affect accessibility—Museums in Italy are open 363 days per year. 

Toward the end of the month is the time to explore the countryside as Tuscany begins to see blossoming flowers along the road and in the fields: forsythia, almond and cherry trees, and wisteria to name a few. Take a stroll through the many parks and gardens, like Villa Pfanner in Lucca and while there, ride a bike or take an evening walk along the city’s encircling walls.

Lace up your hiking boots and head to the foothills of the Apennines in Orecchiella Nature Reserve Park to tramp along its numerous trails. Hiring a car or joining a bike tour is another great way to capture the stunning Tuscan landscapes, such as the Val d'Orcia in southern Tuscany and quite often the imagery conjured when most visitors think of Tuscany with its rolling hills dotted with cypress trees.

Events in April

Easter and Holy Week. Because Easter follows the liturgical calendar, that means it doesn't fall on the same day each year. Sometimes it doesn't even occur in April. That said, it typically does fall in this month, and celebrations and processions occur throughout the nation.

Liberation Day. This national holiday falls on April 25th and signifies the end of the occupation of Italy during WWII. Celebrations occur throughout the country. 

Traveling to Tuscany in April? Check out this great itinerary.

Explore Tuscany - 7 Days. With peak-season attractions open again, and great airfare and hotel deals, April is a great time to hit the highlights of Tuscany. Start your trip in Florence, then climb the iconic leaning tower in Pisa. Celebrate with gelato before heading to the Tuscan countryside to see 13th-century churches in Siena and try the renowned Chianti wine. End in Lucca where you'll learn why handmade pasta tastes better and enjoy a sunny afternoon in a medieval courtyard, a glass of wine in hand. 

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