Venice in April: weather and climate tips

Joanne Owen

written by
Joanne Owen

updated 25.03.2024

If you’re looking for a spring break that delivers culture, fine food and unforgettable art in equal measure, you might want to consider visiting Venice in April. Before you decide to take the plunge, arm yourselves with our guide to that very subject. It'll inform you about what to expect of the weather in Venice in April, and arm you with inspirational itinerary suggestions.

Venice in April at a glance

  • Weather in April in Venice tends to be mild and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from around 8°C to 17°C (46°F to 63°F).
  • April in Venice marks the transition from the cooler winter months to the warmer spring season, resulting in fewer tourists compared to the peak summer months.
  • While occasional rain showers are possible in April, they are typically brief and interspersed with sunny periods, providing for sightseeing without significant disruptions from weather.

Is April a good time to visit Venice? 

In short: yes! April is arguably one of the very best months to visit Venice. First up, April sees spring ramp up. The weather is markedly warmer, the days longer and sunnier – all the better for strolls, gondola rides and visiting the Venetian lagoons.

At the same time, while April heralds warmer weather, it lies just outside the start of the city’s peak period. This means you’ll experience shorter queues for top attractions, and can enjoy more favourable accommodation prices than you’ll find through the summer months. Of course, all those world-class museums and galleries are still on hand if a spring shower strikes and you want to take shelter.

That said, you’ll still want to book accommodation well in advance. With that in mind, read up on where to stay in Venice.

Thinking of visiting Venice in April? Browse our inspirational Italy itineraries to start planning your dream trip.  

Grand Canal, Venice, Italy © Apple Kullathida/Shutterstock

Come April, the weather in Venice is warming up. Grand Canal © Apple Kullathida/Shutterstock

Air and sea temperatures in Venice in April

If you’re wondering what to expect of the weather in Venice in April, the good news is, temperatures are on the rise to rather clement levels. We’re talking an average of 17 °C. Some days, you might get to bask in 20 °C.

As for the sea temperature, this averages a still-chilly 13 °C. For context, July sees an average sea temperature of 25 °C. 

For more info, read up on the weather in Italy in April, and when to go to Italy.

St Mark's Square from the Grand canal. Venice, Italy © volkova natalia/Shutterstock

St Mark's Square from the Grand canal. Venice, Italy © volkova natalia/Shutterstock

Is it sunny in Venice in April?

With twelve hours of daylight, April brings lighter, brighter days in Venice. Your chance of seeing a sunny day is pretty much 50/50 with the chance of mixed sun and cloud. 

That said, without wishing to (ahem) rain on your parade, we’re duty bound to tell you that the weather in Venice in April means you are likely to experience some rain. On average, it rains for 13 days of the month. So, bring a brolly, and have back-up plans for when those spring showers strike. Venice isn’t short of glorious galleries and museums to shelter in, in stunning style.

What’s more, downpours present the perfect reason to stop off for a coffee or glass of Prosecco.  

Decided to take a trip in April? Discover more of the best places to visit in April.

Venice landmark, Burano island canal, colorful houses and boats, Italy © StevanZZ/Shutterstock

The weather in Venice in April brings brighter days © StevanZZ/Shutterstock

Unforgettable, fully customisable Venice itineraries 

To spring into the warmer season with an experience you’ll never forget, browse our Italy itineraries, some of which have Venice at their heart. 

Created in conjunction with a local expert, they take the hassle out of planning and booking. What’s more, the following itinerary suggestions can be tailored to your exact needs, as with each and every Rough Guides trip.

  • Romantic Venice: seeking an enchanting spring break? Check out our Romantic Venice trip. Featuring a gondola ride and immersive walking tour, you’ll also have free time to enjoy romantic strolls and dinners. You could even make time for an island excursion. 
  • Treasures of Italy: like the sound of seeing a stack of Italy’s top attractions in a single week? Take a look at our Treasures of Italy trip. It includes Venice, Florence and Rome, with a rewarding mix of cultural experiences that can be totally tailored to your tastes. 
  • Grand Tour of Northern Italy: looking to take a two-week Easter trip? View our Grand Tour of Northern Italy itinerary for inspiration. This will see you soak up Venice’s canals and islands, Milan’s medieval beauty and modern buzz, along with Florence’s fabulous Renaissance gems.
Souvenirs and carnival masks on street trading in Venice, Italy © Lukasz Janyst/Shutterstock

Venetian masks © Lukasz Janyst/Shutterstock

What to do in Venice in April

We have good news if Venice is on your radar as an April travel destination! This month sees the city host a few one-of-a-kind events you can witness or take part in.

Of course, these come in addition to exploring Venice's top attractions. By which we mean the likes of St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, Museo Leonardo da Vinci, and the Rialto Bridge and market.  

Su e Zo per i Ponti di Venezia 

Su e Zo per i Ponti di Venezia ("Up and Down the Bridges of Venice") is a non-competitive event that sees around 10,000 participants run, walk or stroll the city.  

With no timekeeping or results lists, it’s a fun, friendly, relaxed affair that kicks off on Piazza San Marco. While the route varies from year to year, it’s around 12km and crosses in the region of 50 bridges. If that sounds too much like hard work, there are shorter routes, too, all of them lined with musicians and places to get refreshments. 

St Mark’s Day and Liberation Day

25th April is a big date in the Italian calendar. Firstly, it’s Liberation Day, a national holiday that commemorates the victory of the Italian resistance movement against Nazi Germany and the Italian Social Republic.  

In addition, 25th April sees Venice celebrate its patron saint with the Feast of St. Mark. An ancient tradition with origins in the transportation of St. Mark’s remains to Venice, today the feast day brings parades and concerts. 

Visit the Venetian lagoons 

Spring is the perfect time to explore the Venetian Islands to see exactly why Venice’s lagoon has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pretty darn pretty at any time of the year, the light in April is especially beautiful.  

Head to Burano to be charmed by colourful, picturesque buildings. Take a glass-making tour in Murano, or be wowed by Torcello’s Byzantine churches and archeology. Better still, visit all three!

Looking for more options for your holiday in April? Find the perfect holiday destination with our top suggestions.

If you'd prefer to forget the hassle of planning and booking, contact our Italy travel experts to create your dream trip.

Venice carnival © Calin Stan/Shutterstock

Venice makes for a stylish spring city break © Calin Stan/Shutterstock

Joanne Owen

written by
Joanne Owen

updated 25.03.2024

Joanne is a Pembrokeshire-born writer with a passion for the nature, cultures and histories of the Caribbean region, especially Dominica. Also passionate about inspiring a love of adventure in young people, she’s the author of several books for children and young adults, hosts international writing workshops, and has written articles on the Caribbean and inspirational community initiatives for Rough Guides. Follow her @JoanneOwen on Twitter and @joanneowenwrites on Instagram.

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