April at the museums: 8 unmissable exhibitions across Italy

Why visit museums in April

Spring brings longer days and fresh exhibitions, making April an excellent month for museum visits. Below are eight notable shows across Italy with concise information to help you plan.

Exhibitions to see

• Pittura a Napoli dopo Caravaggio — Fondazione De Vito (Forte dei Marmi). Until 27 September 2026. An overview of 17th-century Neapolitan painting that explores developments after Caravaggio's influence.

• Sotto una buona stella — Casetta delle Civette (Rome). Until 27 September 2026. Exhibition focused on Paolo Paschetto's works on paper and the national emblem.

• Katsushika Hokusai — Palazzo Bonaparte (Rome). Until 29 June 2026. The most extensive Hokusai exhibition hosted in Italy, featuring prints and key works that shaped visual culture.

• Zhang Chaoyin. Luci d’alta quota — Manifattura Tabacchi, building B12 (Florence). Until 15 May 2026. A solo exhibition of the photographer known for landscape and documentary work on film.

• Bruce Gilden. A closer look — Museo di Santa Giulia (Brescia). Until 23 August 2026. A focused survey on Gilden's street photography and his distinctive close-up approach.

• Grace/Grazia. Bruce Gilden per Raffaello — Pinacoteca Tosio Martinengo (Brescia). Until 12 July 2026. A conversation between contemporary photography and Raffaello's legacy.

• 5th International Women's Biennial — Trieste. Staged across multiple venues. The biennial foregrounds artistic practices and theoretical reflection on current social questions.

• Van Dyck l’Europeo. The journey of a genius — Palazzo Ducale (Genoa). Until 19 July 2026. A major exhibition tracing the Flemish master's trajectory from Antwerp to Genoa and London.

Practical tips

Book tickets in advance when possible, check official opening times before you go and consider the first Sunday of the month for free admission options. Look into guided tours or related programs to deepen your visit.

Planning your visit

If you are combining exhibitions with a city break, group nearby sites to save time and transportation costs. Verify accessibility, ticketing rules, and any COVID-19 or special entry requirements that may apply.