Last Updated on April 19, 2024 by Ingrid & Alex

I love Italy in every season, and I’ve returned over and over again for almost 20 years now. But if I had to choose, my favorite would be spring. Still, packing for Italy in spring isn’t always easy: a lady should carefully consider the place and the time, as well as prepare for any occasion.

This post contains affiliate links to products and services that I may be compensated for, at no extra cost to you. Read more about this on our disclosure page here.

Packing for Italy in spring: How’s the weather?

No matter which part of Italy you decide to visit next, spring is always a good idea.

Although we visited more than once, our best time in Puglia was in March, on the Amalfi Coast and Genoa in April, and in Tuscany in May.

The north might be a bit colder, but if you head there in April or May, you’ll likely have plenty of sun.

When heading to the south of Italy, you can easily expect spring vibes as early as February (depending on your luck). Alex and Baby Iris bathed in the sea of the Salentine coast in the second week of April, for instance. I admit the water was too cold for me, but they seemed to have a lot of fun.

Since Italy is a large country (at least by European standards), the temperatures can vary depending on your location.

I’ll share a few general guidelines (also, check out the average temperatures at the end of the post). Remember, though, to always check the weather forecast before and during your trip. This way, you’ll be prepared for any eventuality.

March

The weather is colder, more often wet and cloudy rather than sunny, especially in the north. Temperatures are higher further south.

For instance, in Milan or Rome, you should expect a maximum of 13 degrees C (56 degrees F), while in Palermo and Cagliari, prepare for 15 degrees C (58 degrees F) or above. 

Due to global climate change, there have been recent cases of heat waves in late January and early February (up to 30 degrees C). Unbelievable! Still, don’t count on that; while milder, winter is still winter, even in the south of Italy.

That said, if you travel in March, bring an umbrella, a warmer jacket, and some waterproof shoes.

April

One of the best months in Italy is April.

It is usually sunny, and the travel destinations are not as crowded as in the summer. And even though it isn’t vacation season yet, everything worth visiting opens in early April at the latest.

Be warned, though, that April can be capricious. You can swim in the sea one day and huddle under warm bedsheets and cover the next one.

Admittedly, April is the most complicated month from a packing perspective. Depending on your luck, you might need everything from warm jackets to bathing suits.

May

With temperatures over 20 degrees C (64 degrees F), May is the beginning of beach season, even for a cold-intolerant person like me.

Come prepared with many layers so you can lose some at noon and put them on again as the sun goes down.

Best time to travel to Italy

All in all, I believe April and May (as well as September and early October) are the best months to travel to Italy. However, packing for Italy in spring is a bit more complicated than preparing for the scorching summer.

Travel insurance – Our go-to travel insurance is EKTA – they offer great deals for people who travel. Everyone between the ages of 3 and 85 can buy it online on their website and save lots of time (and money).

Packing for Italy in spring: Travel essentials

When it comes to style, since Italy is the birthplace of high-end fashion, you might expect that locals are fancy dressers. That’s not entirely true!

It’s not like Italians don’t care about what they wear. They do, but comfort is equally (if not more) important than style. And that should be the first thing on your mind when you are wondering what to wear in Italy in spring. 

Of course, in bigger cities such as Milan, Florence, or Rome, you’ll see well-dressed people enjoying aperitivo in the afternoon. Most probably, they just clocked out from one of the nearby offices.

You, however, are on vacation, and you should aim for comfort with a touch of style. So, don’t dress like you are heading to the gym, but also avoid being too fancy – exploring ancient streets in high heels is far from easy.

Obviously, your travel style will heavily influence the size and content of your luggage.

Personally, I aim to be photogenic while still being able to walk over 20 kilometers a day. In my humble opinion, I manage to do that most of the time. 🙂

Pain was my teacher: my whole body hurt when I packed too many things, and my feet blistered from wearing inappropriate shoes. Not to mention Alex’s incessant complaining every time I had an extra bag and he had to carry it on top of his own (and the baby’s, in more recent times).

So that’s why I decided to write this post: to help you avoid my mistakes and know exactly what to wear in Italy in spring.

Bring some (Converse) sneakers or trainers

Yes, I’m a big Converse sneakers fan. And I honestly think they are the best when it comes to traveling to Italy. 

I can wear them with almost anything, and they still look nice. Of course, any kind of trainers are a good choice whenever you have to walk up and down stairs and cobblestone streets (e.g., visiting the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre).

If this is your first trip to Italy – or Europe, in general – you should know that having the right shoes is crucial for a great vacation. Most of the places you’ll want to visit are old (some are thousands of years old), so the streets and floors are uneven, slippery, or potholed. Furthermore, proper footwear (not flip-flops or similar) is mandatory for entering religious buildings (e.g., churches, monasteries, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican).

Comfortable pants with casual tops

Honestly, nothing can beat a pair of comfy pants assorted with a casual top. Just keep in mind the sleeves and cleavage when you are planning to visit religious buildings and monuments.

Even though you can never have too many casual tops, depending on the length of your vacation, it is good to have at least 3 pieces with you.

You can mix and match, and you can style it up with a sweater for when it gets a bit chilly. I always have a white or black cardigan with me, which acts really great as an extra layer for when it gets cooler. 

A few comfortable casual dresses

As I’ve said, I love feeling free and comfortable, but I also want to take Instagram-perfect pictures.

Luckily, there are plenty of options that will give you the freedom to move while making you look lovely. 

I recommend colorful midi dresses that can be worn with a shirt on top if needed.

Mind the length, though, if you are about to visit religious monuments (that’s almost always the case when exploring Italy). The usual requirement is for it to cover your knees.

A cashmere scarf or a wrap

No matter where I am, I always carry a cashmere scarf. When we lived in Asia, I also used it during summer because the AC was blowing everywhere.

In Italy, especially in spring and fall, I wrap it around my neck or even wear it over my shoulders when the temperature goes down.

It does not take up much space, and it comes in handy during long-haul flights, too. You can style any outfit with it.

A small crossbody purse or a backpack

Whenever I travel, I carry a small crossbody purse. That way, I can easily carry my money, card, mobile phone, and ID. 

A crossbody purse is a must in Italy in spring because it gives you more control over your belongings. I love straw bags. They are fashionable and can be assorted with almost anything.

Understandably, I always travel with my camera. Sometimes, I carry a good leather backpack so I can deposit my extra lenses and whatnot.

This will also come in handy for carrying napkins, medicine, or sunscreen. Actually, since we travel with our baby daughter, the size of our backpacks has increased significantly.

Sunglasses

Never forget your sunglasses when in Italy, no matter the season. You’ll be glad to have them when you travel to Italy in spring. Moreover, a nice pair of sunnies will make you look more stylish. 

I prefer spending less on dresses, skirts, or pants and investing in some good-quality sunglasses.

A leather, suede, or denim jacket 

Once evening approaches, temperatures drop. A leather or suede jacket will come in handy.

I am a leather jacket kind of girl, but sometimes, I like to be more casual and opt for a denim jacket. 

Leather, suede, or denim go well with casual dresses and sneakers. You can even wear them over a more stylish dress for when you dine at a fancier restaurant.

A straw hat

A straw hat not only protects you from the sun but is also a great picture prop.  “Do it for the gram” when you go for hikes or explore ancient sites. 

The sun in Italy is pretty strong whether you go in March or June. Thus, a straw hat is a great idea no matter when you travel.

An elegant dress

It doesn’t have to be too fancy; a black dress would do just fine. But you will need something nice when you go out for a romantic Italian dinner at a fancier restaurant.

A black dress with a colorful cashmere scarf (you already have the scarf) could turn out to be a great option for an evening at a Michelin-star restaurant in Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast.

A pair of comfortable jeans 

Jeans are my go-to option, especially in moody weather. Since the weather can be unexpected in spring, you better be safe than sorry.

A great pair of jeans can be worn with a T-shirt, a hoodie, or a fancy blazer. 

A colorful umbrella

I always have an umbrella in my travel bag. You never know what the weather will be like, especially in spring.

After being forced to buy several not-so-good umbrellas at inflated prices in Rome, London, or Budapest, I’ve learned to prepare properly.

Look at the bright side: it is not only handy when it starts to rain, but it can also be a great photography prop.

Packing for Italy in spring: Extra tips

• Never wear brand-new shoes on your trip to Italy. Break them in first!
• Make sure your shoes don’t have a smooth sole. Otherwise, you’ll be slipping on the stone pavements.
• Don’t bring high heels, especially when visiting a place with many stairs like the Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast. I wouldn’t recommend it for Rome or Florence either since most streets have cobblestone.

I think you are ready now for your vacation, so start packing for Italy in spring.

Italy Average Temperatures

Milan Average Temperatures

Month	Min temp ©	Max Temp ©	Min temp (F)	Max temp (F)
February	0	9	32	48
March	4	14	39	57
April	7	17	45	63
May	12	22	54	72
June	15	26	59	79

Venice Average Temperatures

Month	Min temp ©	Max Temp ©	Min temp (F)	Max temp (F)
February	1	9	34	48
March	4	13	39	55
April	8	16	46	61
May	13	22	55	72
June	16	25	61	77

Florence Average Temperatures

Month	Min temp ©	Max Temp ©	Min temp (F)	Max temp (F)
February	2	13	36	55
March	5	16	41	61
April	7	19	45	66
May	12	24	54	75
June	15	28	59	82

Rome Average Temperatures

Month	Min temp ©	Max Temp ©	Min temp (F)	Max temp (F)
February	3	13	37	55
March	5	15	41	59
April	8	18	46	64
May	12	23	54	73
June	16	28	61	82

Palermo Average Temperatures

Month	Min temp ©	Max Temp ©	Min temp (F)	Max temp (F)
February	9	15	48	59
March	10	16	50	61
April	11	19	52	66
May	15	23	59	73
June	19	27	66	81