April is excellent for Florence in terms of weather but demands advance planning because of crowds. The city is at one of its most beautiful points, the rolling Tuscan hills beyond the city are green and alive, and Easter brings some genuinely atmospheric religious spectacles. It also brings a lot of people. Come with your museum tickets booked and a plan, and it is one of the best months to be here.

Weather

April in Florence is warm and pleasant: daytime temperatures of 16C to 19C, cool evenings around 9C. Sunshine is common, with some spring showers. This is walking weather at its best. The Oltrarno neighbourhood and the climb up to Piazzale Michelangelo are particularly good in April light.

Crowds and Prices

Florence is one of Europe's most visited small cities and April is firmly in busy season. The Uffizi Gallery, Accademia (home of Michelangelo's David), and the Duomo complex are popular year-round, and in April they run at high capacity. All require advance booking. Easter week is particularly intense: Italian domestic tourism combines with international visitors, prices rise sharply, and queues form early. Book accommodation weeks ahead.

What's On

Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart) takes place on Easter Sunday in the Piazza del Duomo. It is a centuries-old Florentine tradition involving a cart of fireworks, a mechanical dove, and a spectacular crowd. Unique to Florence and genuinely worth seeing. The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, one of Italy's oldest music festivals, begins in late April and runs through May and June.

One Thing to Watch

Uffizi and Accademia tickets during Easter week can sell out days or weeks in advance. Do not leave them until you arrive. The same applies to the Duomo terrace and Brunelleschi's dome climb, which requires a separate timed ticket. Florence rewards preparation more than almost any city we cover.

Our Florence guide is in progress, but the practical advice on museums and city logistics applies year-round.