- Why this month: It only happens on Easter Sunday, and it’s one of Florence’s most local large-scale traditions.
- Best time: 8:45am–11:30am
- Book by: No ticket needed, but arrive early for position
- Crowds: High, especially around the south-side colonnade
- White oxen, the Brindellone cart, and a mechanical dove turn the Duomo square into pure Florentine theatre.
- Don’t miss: The Colombina launch during the 11am Mass
- Insider tip: Stand facing the Baptistery by 9am if you want a clear free view.
Florence in April: Weather, crowds, events and things to do
Florence in Spring: How April compares
| Category | March | April | May |
|---|---|---|---|
Weather | 8–16°C (46–61°F) | 12–19°C (54–66°F) | 15–23°C (59–73°F) |
Crowds | Moderate, rising late month | Moderate to high, spiking around Easter and April 25 | High, especially on weekends |
Atmosphere | Early spring, quieter museums, cooler evenings | Full spring, outdoor dining returns, more event energy | Warmer, greener, busier, more polished tourist flow |
Key events | Rothko in Florence opens March 14, 2026; Florentine New Year on March 25 | Scoppio del Carro, Florence Cocktail Week, Maggio Musicale opening, Iris Garden opening | Iris Garden peak bloom, Maggio Musicale peak month, Mugello weekend crowds |
Public holidays | None city-shaping beyond regular weekends | Easter Sunday on April 5, 2026; Easter Monday on April 6, 2026; Liberation Day on April 25, 2026 | Labour Day on May 1, 2026 |
Budget | Better value than peak spring | Higher around Easter and late-April holiday windows | Strong spring demand, especially around big events |
Best for | Art-first trips, lighter queues, cool-weather walking | Balanced first visit, Easter traditions, gardens, museum days | Garden lovers, warm-weather city breaks, countryside add-ons |
Book early? | Uffizi and Accademia if visiting late month | Yes — Uffizi, Accademia, Dome, and central hotels | Yes — hotels and headline performances |
Transport tips | Smooth overall; less pressure on trains and buses | Expect congestion around Duomo on Easter Sunday and more day-trippers on holiday weekends | More regional traffic toward Tuscany day-trip spots |
Top things to do in Florence in April
Offbeat experiences in April
Planning your April visit
| Lead time | What to book | Why & when | Seasonal price change |
|---|---|---|---|
2–3 months ahead | Central hotels for Easter weekend and April 25–27 | April 5–6 and April 25 weekend drive the sharpest spring demand | Easter weekend and April 25–27: +20–35% vs early-April weekdays |
3–4 weeks ahead | Florence Duomo with Brunelleschi Dome Access | Early-morning dome slots go first; April weather makes them extra popular | 8am–10am slots: often +10–15% vs later off-peak timed options |
3+ weeks ahead | Uffizi Gallery Timed Entry Tickets | April is peak museum-booking season; fixed time slots matter | Weekend and holiday-adjacent slots: +10–20% vs midweek mornings |
2–3 weeks ahead | Accademia Gallery Priority Entry Tickets | David sells fast around Easter and school-break periods | Easter week and weekends: +10–15% vs regular weekday demand |
1–2 weeks ahead | Pitti Palace & Boboli Gardens Timed Entry Tickets | Good-weather days push garden visits late; timed entry still helps | Sunny weekends: modest uplift, usually +5–10% vs weekdays |
1–2 weeks ahead | From Florence: Chianti Wineries Tour with Wine Tasting | Spring countryside tours fill once the forecast settles | Weekend departures: +5–15% vs weekday departures |
1 week ahead | Maggio Musicale Fiorentino seats | Festival opening from April 19 lifts evening demand | Better seats rise fastest near performance dates; late booking narrows value |
3–5 days ahead | Restaurants for Easter weekend, Santo Spirito aperitivo zones, and cocktail week events | April 16–22 and holiday weekends tighten table availability | No major menu-wide surge, but premium time slots disappear first |
April highlights: Must-do experiences for different travellers
Florence in April: Your perfect 3-day itinerary
Best day trips from Florence in Apil
Go shopping in Florence in April
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