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Italy in April - Which holiday to avoid?

Hi all

As I was reading another post this morning, I realized that in my attempt to avoid Easter, I completely neglected to research other Italian holidays in April..including Liberation Day on the 25th.

I've been in the early stages of planning for next year and currently only have one completely refundable hotel booked so if I need to pivot, now is the time.

We are planning for 16 days, and our original dates were to fly in overnight on the 13th, arriving on the 14th, and flying home on the 30th.

I see now that the final week is likely to be mayhem due to the other un-researched holiday on May 1st (I know..learned my lesson 😑).

So..which holiday do I avoid? Easter or Liberation Day? The only dates that would sort of skirt both would be April 9-25th but could that make our arrival and departure days tough transportation wise?

We don't want to go in May as the humid heat would not be enjoyable for us. We do have flexibility to go in March but I've read it's quite damp and chilly and that Amalfi and Capri are less than desirable at that time of year with reduced ferry options too.

Our itinerary is Venice, Florence, Salerno and Rome, hopefully with an open jaw flight into Venice and out of Rome if that makes any difference.

Thank you so much for all your help

PQ

Posted by
1806 posts

The weather in May in Italy is often perfect, heaven on earth, neither hot nor humid. Whenever the iris blooms, the traveler will be pleased - in Italy that's May. The holidays are not a big deal for the cities, however May 1 is on a Monday in 2023, so that weekend will be big in the resort areas if the weather's good, and the cities may be less busy.

Posted by
11647 posts

We were in Venice on April 25 one time. It was mobbed with visiting Italians who had a day off for Liberation Day which is also the Feast Day of St. Mark, Venice’s patron saint. It was a double whammy! You could hardly cross the foot bridges due to crowds. Avoid April 25 in Venice.

Posted by
3812 posts

I agree with Mike about May weather, but I must say that I'd take some days off in late April only to visit a city or to go abroad. Resorts will be as crowded as cities, not more.

In Rome the Unions will organize the traditional free concert on May 1, the historic center will be overrun with teens.

Avoid Rome during Easter.

Right decision

Posted by
511 posts

We were in Italy one year for 2 weeks that included April 25 and May 1. Didn't notice anything much about April 25 (we were in Milan) but for May 1 (we were in Florence) the crowds were high and many regular shops etc. closed with the steel curtains which made it also rather glum. If I were to do again I would plan to have countryside time over the May 1 like Tuscany or Umbria. But I wouldn't avoid Italy altogether.