5 art exhibitions to visit in Italy in April 2026

5 art exhibitions to see in Italy in April 2026

April is a great month for museum and gallery visits across Italy. Below is a concise guide to five exhibitions currently on display, with dates, locations and practical information to plan your visit.

Impressionism and Beyond — Museo dell'Ara Pacis, Rome

Why go: a curated selection of European masterpieces from the 19th and 20th centuries featuring artists such as Degas, Renoir, Matisse and Van Gogh. Ideal for those interested in the evolution of modern painting.

Dates: on view until 3 May 2026. Ticket (approx.): €15 full price, reduced rates available.

GAZA — Fondazione Merz, Turin

Why go: an exhibition that pairs archaeological finds with contemporary artworks to convey Gaza’s historical depth and cultural identity. The display includes artifacts and photographic material to keep the memory of ancient civilization alive.

Dates: 21 April — 27 September 2026. Check the Foundation's website for visiting hours and program details.

I am an architect. Ettore Sottsass — Palazzo Buontalenti, Pistoia

Why go: drawings, objects and archival documents tracing about 30 years of Sottsass’s work, with sections on ceramics and his collaborations with industry.

Dates & hours: open until 26 July 2026; Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00–19:00. Ticket (approx.): €10 (reductions available on official channels).

Vico Magistretti and Japan — Vico Magistretti Foundation, Milan

Why go: an exploration of exchanges between the Milanese designer and Japanese aesthetics, presenting more than twenty projects that highlight balance, color sense and restrained elegance.

Dates & hours: available from 16 April 2026; open Tuesday (10:00–18:00), Thursday (14:00–20:00) and the last Saturday of the month (11:00–15:00). Ticket (approx.): €5.

0-99. Design for Play — Palazzo Arese Borromeo, Cesano Maderno

Why go: a survey of the board game as a design object: faithful historical reproductions, oversized versions and limited-edition pieces that trace the development of play through design history.

Dates & hours: 10 April — 10 May 2026; daily 10:00–13:00 and 15:00–18:00. The exhibition is included with palace admission.

Visitor tips

• Book ahead: many shows require timed-entry tickets or have limited capacity, especially on weekends.
• Check opening days: some venues have restricted schedules or special opening times.
• Discounts: look for student, senior and group reductions on the official event pages.
• Plan your time: allow 60–90 minutes for medium-sized exhibitions; more time for comprehensive retrospectives.

This roundup spans different exhibition types — from historical painting to contemporary design — to help you choose visits across Italy. Always verify times and visitor rules on the hosting institutions' official channels before travelling.