Milan is a bustling city that offers great history and culture. It has a variety of museums, historic buildings, and landmarks that are a must-see for tourists visiting. The Piazza del Duomo sits at the heart of the city and is an ideal place to start exploring. The place is home to the famous Milan Cathedral, the Royal Palace of Milan, and some of the prominent buildings in Milan.
Milan offers both bus and walking tours that ensure you see the best of the city. April is a great time to visit and has a number of annual events and holds outdoor art exhibitions. So, if you are planning to visit Milan in April, we can help you with this quick travel guide.
What makes Milan in April special?
April is a great time to visit Milan in the Northern Lombardy region of Italy, if you wish to beat the high-season crowds, though it can be a little busy during Easter time. The temperatures during the day will be somewhat pleasantly cool and the nights will still be quite chilly, so expect a mix of sunny and rainy days ahead.
Milan in April is quite special as the festivities and events are in full swing in spring celebrations. Whether you like a flea market, a flower event with art and food, or an opera performance, you will find plenty to see and do in April in Milan. The calendar of events is rather rich and offers important street manifestations and trade shows as well.
During this month, Milan and Italy celebrate Easter, or Paqua in Italian, an important festive holiday. With the arrival of spring, it is time to wake up from winter lethargy and spend time outdoors.
Milan in April: Weather
The spring season is on the threshold but the weather is still quite unstable. The city will give you beautiful days with pleasant temperatures from mid-April. The weather in Milan will make a drastic turn from March’s cold and rainy days to bright and sunny ones. The nights are still expected to be slightly cooler and it is hence recommended to carry some warm layers during the April Milan trip.
Milan in April: Things to do
1
The Last Supper
The Last Supper is Italy’s prominent and iconic mural that is hidden away on a wall of the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie. This famous artwork by the Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci, is a hard miss as it depicts Christ and his disciples at the dramatic moment when he’s aware of his betrayal. If you plan on making a trip to Milan in April, don’t go without witnessing this iconic masterpiece.
April timings: Tuesday to Sunday from 8:15am to 7pm
Santa Maria delle Grazie
Getting There ›
2
Duomo di Milano
The Duomo Milan is a 600-year-old extravagant Gothic cathedral, that tells stories of faith and art. It has a pearly white façade adorned with 135 spires, 135 gargoyles and 700 figures, and 3400 statues. The structure has exquisite interiors that are highly impressive, with three enormous stained-glass apse windows.
April timings
Duomo Milan Cathedral and Archaeological Area are open Monday to Sunday from 9am to 6pm
Rooftop is open Monday to Thursday from 9am to 7pm and Friday to Sunday from 9am to 8 pm
The Duomo Museum is open Monday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm
P.za del Duomo, 20122 Milano MI, Italy
Getting There ›
3
National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci
The National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci is the largest of its kind in Italy, and one of most important ones in Europe and the world (at large). At the museum you can discover exhibitions, digital installations and interactive workshops on astronomy and space, energy, materials, transport, food science, genetics, biotechnology, and particle physics. The Galleries houses the largest permanent exhibition dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci engineer and humanist, with 170 historical models, works of art, ancient volumes and immersive installations to discover da Vinci’s life and works.
April timings
Tuesday to Friday from 9:30am to 5pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9:30am to 6:30pm
Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo , Via San Vittore, 21, Milan
Getting There ›
4
Hop Onto a boat on Lake Como
Book a day trip from Milan to Lake Como which will take you about 2 hours to cover. Surrounded by the majestic Rhaetian Alps, overlooking pristine foliage, Lake Como is a favorite destination amongst visitors to Milan. With the weather starting to warm up, the weather at the lake in April is warm and the trees start to bloom.
April timings
8:45am to 6:30pm
Note:Tours are not available everyday. Kindly check the booking calendar.
Via Lungo Lario Trieste n28 Como,
Como, Milan
5
Villa Necchi Campiglio
Designed by the Italian architect Piero Portaluppi, Villa Necchi Campigliom was built between 1932-35. Located at the heart of the city, this villa was a status symbol (back in the day), complete with a swimming pool and a tennis court. Built as a family home for the Necchi Campiglio family, this Villa went onto become one of the architect's most important works.
April timings
Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm
Via Mozart, 14, 20122 Milano MI, Italy
Getting There ›
6
Sforza Castle
Constructed in the 14th century, the Sforza Castle as you see it today, was expanded and rebuilt several times before it got its square design and corner round towers. Today it contiues to remain a trasured landmark in Milan, with a rich history (as can be seen through its architecture) and home to several museums displaying numerous historic displays and art by famous artists like Leonardo da Vinco and Michelangelo.
April timings
Daily from 7am to 7:30pm
Piazza Castello, 1 Milano MI, Milan
Getting There ›
7
Marvel at the wonder of Renaissance
Get set to discover and marvel at the beauty of the glorious city of Milan through its Renaissance treasures of history. Know all about the cultural and historical heart of Milan by soaking yourself into the excellence of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, Bramante’s Tribune, Little Cloister of the Frogs and more.
April timings: Thursdays at 2pm
Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie 2,
Milan, Milan
8
Take a day trip to the Swiss Alps
Travel a magical train route on the Bernina Express, as you continue your journey to discover the wonderful Swiss Alps. Explore the various towns in the vicinity and take in the Swiss town that are popular for their chocolatiers and cafes. This is a unique experience that provides you with the most natural scenic beauty. Don't skip it!
April timings: Tuesdays and Fridays at 7:15am (this is a 12-hour experience)
Largo Cairoli 18, at the corner with Via Cusani MM1 Cairoli,
Milan
Milan in April: Events to look out for
Alcova
April 15-21, 2024
Alcova, now in its 7th edition, is a platform for designers, companies, institutions and researchers investigating the future of living and making. Set to take place in two of Milan's well known villas - Villa Borsani and Villa Bagatti Valsecchi. Villa Borsani, Alcova is a part of Milan Design Week and brings together people defining design culture.
Salone Del Mobile 2024
April 16 - 21, 2024
This is Milan's annual furniture exhibition that showcases the latest furniture and designs from more than 180 countries around the world. The event displays new products and technology by furniture and lighting designers.
miart
April 12-14, 2024
Now in its 28th edition, miart is Milan's international modern and contemporary art fair, which will host galleries who present contemporary art in its strictest interpretation as well as galleries presenting works produced before the year 2000.
Milan Marathon
April 7, 2024
Now in its 22nd edition, Wizz Air Milano Marathon welcomes back more than 25,000 runners, amateurs and athletes to compete on one of the smoothest loop routes of 42.195 km.
Milan in April: Essentials
LanguageItalian
Time zoneGMT+2
Country Code+39
Socket Type C, F and L
CurrencyEuro (€)
Where to stay in Milan in April?
Choose your pick from the selective hotels:
Luxury stays: Maison Milano, Excelsior Hotel Gallia, and Palazzo Cordusio
Economical stays: Château Monfort, Meliá Milano , and Radisson Collection Hotel, Santa Sofia
Budget stays: Ostello Milano, Ostelzzz , and Combo, Milano
What to pack for Milan in April?
Since the weather is just beginning to warm up in April, it is quite tricky on what to pack in this month. There will be warm days, cold days, and wet days.
As per the locals, it's best to have layering options packed into your bags, which will allow you the freedom either to add or subtract clothes, depending on the weather on a particular day. For footwear, go pack sneakers and sandals.
Getting around Milan in April
The best way to get around Milan is through a public transportation system called the ATM. This system of buses, subway and trams is far-reaching and affordable. An alternative is the use of metered taxis, although they can be expensive.
The ticket prices are the same on the subway, tram and bus and are valid only for 90 minutes after purchase. If you wish to use the ATM during your stay in Milan, book 10 tickets at a cost of 13.80€.
Although walking through the entire city is not possible, unless your stay is near the Duomo, it is best to take a walk as there are few iconic landmarks all within a mile apart.
Milan in April: Seasonal delicacies
Minestrone Milanese is one of the signature dishes in Milan. How is it different in Milan is that they use rice in place of pasta. Together with all types of vegetables – cabbages, celery, spinach, tomatoes and more, depending on the season, the rice is cooked in a noteworthy broth.
Try this dish here: Trattoria Mirta serves an excellent bowl of minestrone garnished with goat cheese.
Panettone is served everywhere during the holiday season, with boxes stacked up in bakeries and filling up aisles in supermarkets. There are plenty of pastry shops that bake panettone and have notoriously mastered making this difficult bread, pumped with candied citrus and raisins.
Try this dish here: Pasticceria Cucchi has the best panettone in town. It is an elegant shop on Corso Genova that is pleasantly preserved in time.
When cooked right, Polenta is a comfort food to eat. A lot of northern Italians are quite serious in preparing this dish, to the point that a lot of societies were founded in the 18th and 19th century to celebrate its place in Italian culture.
Try this dish here: Al Cantinone, a restaurant close to the Duomo offers fabulous Polenta that is paired with a combination of delicious appetisers.
Piadina is a thin flaky Italian flatbread that resembles a quesadilla, but is slightly thicker than a flour tortilla. This dish is stuffed with meat, cheeses and vegetables. You are likely to see this lunch staple all over the city and is arguably more popular than the world-famous panino.
Try this dish here: You can find the best Piadina at Piadineria Artigianale Pascoli, a shop near Milan Central railway station.
The Cotoletta alla Milanese is a breaded cutlet fried in rich butter and found almost everywhere in Milan, unlike the other traditional recipes that are often the realm of the home cooks. The dish is rich without being over the top and can be eaten regularly.
Try this dish here: Try this dish at Trattoria del Nuovo Macello in Calvairate.
Milan in April: Visitor tips
- Milan's weather in April fluctuates. So it's best to carry layering options, which inculdes water-resistant jacket and shoes.
- Although the peak tourist season is around the corner, April is a great time to visit Milan because the summer crowd isn't there yet, allowing you to enjoy sites and landmarks, without being jostled around.
- If you enjoy the outdoors, April is a great time for an outdoor picnic in Milan. Pack a picnic hamper at a deli and head to Parco Sempione (Milan's largest park) and enjoy your day out.
- Never order a cappuccino after lunch in Milan. Drink it before 11am or risk looking like a foreign fool.
- On the first sunday of each month, Milan's civic museums offer free admission.
FAQs
Yes, it is a great time to visit Milan during the months of April to May or September to October. The spring and fall months straddle the city’s peak tourism season.
The average temperature in Milan during this time typically ranges from a high of (18°C) to a low of 46°F (8°C). It is moderately chilly yet humid, at the same time.
We recommend you to spend at least 3 complete days in Milan to explore the significant attractions as well as enjoy a relaxed time in the city, without being rushed.
You can get from Milan to Lake Como within an hour by opting for a train that goes to Como Nord Lago.
There is a decent amount of rainfall experienced in the city during April, but is much lesser than what falls in March. Expect a shower or two over 14 days of the month.
