Planning a trip to Rome in April? This is one of the most pleasant months for walks in the Italian capital – temperatures are moderate, and the weather is changeable.
To feel comfortable and look good – whether you're sightseeing, visiting the Vatican, or strolling the cobblestone streets – we've prepared a practical list of clothing and accessories tailored to the weather, local fashion, and tourist needs.
April is quite rainy in Rome, so packing requires a bit more than just throwing in a few colorful clothes suitable for warm weather.
When packing for Rome in April, you won't need to fill your bags with heavy clothes, but you'll need enough items that you can layer depending on the weather.
I recommend bringing vests and jackets so you can quickly layer up when the sun gives way to evening chill.
How Hot Is Rome in April?
Rome in April is usually warm, but definitely not hot.
Temperatures steadily rise with each passing day; what you can expect are sunny days and occasional rain.
When packing for Rome in April, don't bring heavy coats, but remember that this still isn't quite the right time for summer clothes and sandals.
During the day you'll most likely be in short sleeves. Once the sun sets though, you'll need a warm sweater and even a light jacket and scarf.
Rome is surprisingly humid, so after the sun sets, even at moderate temperatures it can get uncomfortably cold. It's not uncommon for temperatures to drop sharply after rain, so be prepared.
In Rome in April, the average temperature is 9°C (48°F), the high is 19°C (66°F), and there are an average of 8 rainy days.
April is the perfect time to visit the Colosseum. To buy Colosseum tickets, click here.
What to Wear in Rome in April to Be Stylish
If you want to blend in with the locals while visiting Rome in April, here are a few tips.
What Colors to Wear in Rome in April
April in Rome is a time for neutral and pastel colors. At this time, women choose beige and tan for tops, jackets, and shoes.
April usually isn't warm enough for summer dresses. However, bright summer colors, such as red linen pants/shorts, would be appropriate on a sunny day.
For men, this is the time for polo shirts and light sweaters: Italian men love colors and are often seen in mustard yellow or terracotta red.
Dresses and Skirts in Rome: Church Rules
Visiting churches is part of every trip to Rome, and this is especially true in April, when you might want to experience some of the preparations for Easter celebrations.
>>> Also see everything you need to know about Rome during Easter. <
The best dresses for Rome's churches are below the knee and clothing that covers your shoulders and doesn't have revealing necklines or backs. You don't need to be completely covered; however, it's best to choose modest clothing, especially for papal basilicas.
As for temperatures, most Italian women will still be wearing tights at this time.
Modest clothing rules also apply to men.
The strictest dress code rules are for the Vatican: I recommend familiarizing yourself with them here:
>>> Vatican Dress Code <
The Best Shoes for Rome in April
The one clothing item you need to choose correctly in Rome in April is shoes, and not for style reasons, but for comfort and safety.
No matter how you plan your Rome itinerary, you'll walk a lot in the city and often move along cobblestone streets, so proper shoes are essential!
One of the craziest pieces of advice I see on the internet about what to wear in Rome is that you can't wear sneakers. This is absolutely crazy and not true!
Romans are pragmatic above all else, and sneakers are very common and acceptable in a city where feet are the means of transportation and cobblestones are everywhere.
What you should actually avoid in Rome are athletic sneakers or those types of sneakers that are designed more for the gym than for walking (you know the type: high soles, fluorescent colors, etc.).
The sneakers you want to wear in Rome are fashionable ones, like New Balance or Vans.
For older Rome visitors, however, styles like Camper shoes or Ecco urban shoes may be even more appropriate.
What to Pack for Rome in April: Essentials
- Not too heavy or light jacket - recommending a specific type of jacket for Rome in April is very difficult, as the weather is neither cold nor hot, leaving a lot of room for personal interpretation of how warm or cold it is. In general, I think it's safe to say that Rome in April feels hot if you're coming from a cold climate, and just fine if you're coming from a warmer climate. Locals tend to wear medium and light jackets. I personally love wearing my light down jacket in April: it's warm enough for nighttime and light enough to tie around my waist during the day. Leather jackets are also great temperature-wise, but make sure they can withstand rain, as rain in Rome in April is common.
- Stylish scarf - the scarf is my must-have accessory in Rome in all seasons, and in April you'll need it, especially in the evening. Besides being useful for sudden temperature drops, scarves are a favorite item for women in Rome and are a great fashion solution.
- Crossbody bag - the best type of bag for Rome is a crossbody that you can keep close to your body with room for all your essentials. It's essential to never leave your bag unattended or open because in busy city spots there may be pickpockets who are fast!
- Paper map - Despite claims that Rome has Wi-Fi everywhere, this is not the case at all. If you don't want to drain your phone battery with constant Google Maps checks, get a good paper map to navigate the city quickly and easily.
- Pocket Italian dictionary and phrasebook - Italians usually understand English (not always), but a little effort on your part can be generously rewarded. Besides basic politeness, the phrasebook can be useful if you need to communicate with owners of smaller establishments or with official authorities.
- Good/comfortable walking shoes - we've already talked about this, but it's worth repeating! You'll walk a lot in the city and need to protect your feet from the city's charming but difficult-to-walk-on cobblestones. Go for shoes with rubber soles and closed toes. In April it's unlikely you'll wear sandals, unless you're used to low temperatures or are in Rome toward the end of the month: locals will still be wearing winter shoes.
- Tech essentials - don't forget your phone, charger, camera, and adapter for Italy. Bring a backup battery and cards if you're using your phone for photos.
Tech essentials you may want to include in your Rome April packing list are:
- Phone
- Chargers
- Adapters
- Portable backup battery
- Headphones (if you use them)
- iPad (if you think you'll need it)
- Cash - without overdoing it, always make sure you have some cash while in Rome. Larger hotels and restaurants accept credit cards, but smaller establishments don't, and using cards for small purchases is usually prohibited (you can't buy gelato for a few euros with a credit card, for example). Carry small and medium bills and try to avoid €50 notes or larger: shops are reluctant to break them and you'll find yourself in a difficult situation when trying to make a small purchase.
- Travel documents for Rome - similar to cash, you want to strike a balance between what's necessary and what's safe. While you don't want to have all your documents on you, carrying ID at all times is mandatory in Italy, so make sure you won't be caught unprepared if authorities request it. Due to current regulations, it's also essential to carry your vaccination certificate/card with you: it will be required for entering attractions, using public transport, and all hospitality establishments (only for those over 12 years old).
- Fashion accessories - women in Rome love accessories. Choose a colorful necklace, earrings, and sunglasses to add class and color to your daily outfits.
- Refillable water bottle - Rome has many fountains with drinking water. >>> Read everything about Rome's tap water here <<< Carrying your own water bottle means you can save money by not having to buy water, and you'll help the environment tremendously, as well as help reduce one of Rome's biggest problems: garbage disposal.
Here's My Packing List for Rome in April:
When packing for Rome in April, make sure you have:
- Light jacket, ideally capable of withstanding rain
- Scarf
- Short-sleeved tops
- Vest
- Jeans/long pants
- Skirt and tights
- Underwear
- Socks
- Button-down shirts for men
- Sleepwear (pajamas, nightgown: cotton or similar, doesn't need to be fleece, but not summer pajamas either)
- Blazer for men (for smart casual during the day or for dinner)
- Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Travel documents (passport, visa if needed)
- Travel insurance
- Basic medications and prescriptions (translated or with the generic active ingredient name - brand names in Italy are usually different from those in other countries)
- Copy of all reservations
- Crossbody bag
- Wallet with cash and cards
- Reusable water bottle
- Your phone and charger
- Travel adapter for Italy
- Extra battery
- Portable phone charger
- Camera if different from your phone + extra memory cards
- Italian phrasebook - Top tip!
- Umbrella
What to Pack for Rome in April with Kids
If you're traveling to Rome with children, I recommend checking out our family guides:
1. Tips for visiting Rome with a toddler
2. Complete family guide to planning a Rome trip with kids
My must-haves for visiting Rome in April are:
- Baby carrier
- Stroller suitable for cobblestone streets
- Rain cover for stroller (some good options are here)
- Jacket
- Blanket
- Extra pair of shoes
- Well-stocked diaper bag
- Baby sleepwear
- Baby daytime outfit
- Hat - lightweight, more for sun than cold
- Sippy cup
- Pacifier
- Travel-ready toys (stacking cups, sticker books, magic boards, etc.)
- Stuffed toy/teddy bear
- Toiletries - I love keeping all my toiletries in a travel bag that I can hang in the hotel bathroom. Usually it contains:
1. Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss
2. Body wash/soap (I recommend solid soap for travel)
3. Shampoo and conditioner
4. Deodorant
5. Tweezers
6. Comb and brush
7. Face and body moisturizers
8. Sun protection products
9. Lip balm
10. Feminine hygiene products
10. Perfume/body spray
11. Makeup
12. Shaving cream, razors and accessories
13. Hair ties
Accessories and Items Nice to Have When Visiting Rome in April
The best accessories I recommend for Rome are:
- Sunglasses - in April the sun can be very bright, make sure your eyes are protected
- Necklaces to enhance your outfits: Italian women love necklaces!
- Earrings, again popular Italian fashion
- Scarf - for warmth and looks
- Eye mask for the plane
- Travel pillow for the plane
Best Luggage
The best luggage is spacious enough to store your bulkier clothes and shoes, yet light and sturdy enough that you can move quickly and easily through airports and, if walking, over uneven cobblestone streets. For larger suitcases I recommend:
- Samsonite Omni Carry-on expandable luggage with spinner wheels
- Samsonite Omni Full Size spinner bag (for checking)
- Osprey Farpoint 40 Carry-on travel backpack
I hope this packing list has been helpful and has helped you decide what to pack for Rome in April.