Spring break

Approximately 4.7 million overnight stays for the 25 April long weekend

Positive trend in arrivals from abroad, while for compatriots it will be all about out-of-town trips

by Enrico Netti

24 April 2026

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

International customer trends
Italians on the road

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Touch and go for the 25 April 'Bridge' and above all, the values of 2025 are reconfirmed when the calendar was much more favourable and with just a few days off one could do two weeks, from Easter to 1 May, away from home.

International Customer Trends

According to surveys by the Ministry of Tourism, after a first quarter of growth, both 25 April and 1 May, the classic spring break, show a performance already at last year's levels, with an average price that is around 7% lower and an average online travel agency saturation rate in line. Furthermore, for spring, travel intentions to Italia are growing from the USA and more markedly from Germany, the United Kingdom and India, with moderate increases also from China, Japan and the Netherlands. Among the destinations, the weight of Milan grows as a result of the Milan Design Week. Venice is confirmed as one of the most solid destinations. In the week of 20 April, the average price is still lower than 2025 (-12.0%), but saturation is already higher (+7.6%). In the week of 27 April, the price is broadly in line with saturation still rising (+6.7%). In the week of 04 May a strong acceleration is observed (saturation +19.5%), showing a particularly robust demand.

The capital shows a very solid dynamic, particularly on the saturation front. In the week of 20/04, there is a reduction in the average price (-9.1%) but a significant increase in saturation (+14.0%). In the following weeks, the price remains slightly lower than 2025 (-5.8% and -5.2%), while saturation continues to be higher (+6.5% and +3.9%). This indicates a present and active demand, with pricing still slightly more cautious than in 2025.

Florence shows a similar trend to that of Rome. In the week of 20 April, the average price is lower than 2025 (-11.1%), with saturation higher (+6.0%). In the week of 27 April the price gap narrows (-3.2%), while saturation increases further (+7.9%). In the week of 04 May, the price gap remains slightly smaller (-4.0%) with saturation still positive (+3.7%). The city ranks among the most solid art destinations in terms of demand. Palermo shows a particularly interesting dynamic, being among the destinations closest to 2025 levels already in the bridges. Price variations are contained (-2.0%, -1.7% and -2.5% in the three weeks analysed), while saturation is generally in line or higher, with the exception of the week of 04 May.

Italians travelling

The calendar does not help, but the weather triggers the desire for a weekend away from home, but without exaggerating because of high petrol prices. Thus, for the weekend of 25 April, the average saturation rate of the accommodation available on online portals stands at 80%, with an estimated 4.7 million overnight stays in Italian accommodation facilities. They will mainly be micro-vacations, of short duration and towards nearby destinations, but sufficient to give a boost to spring tourist consumption. This is what emerges from the monitoring conducted by the Florence-based Tourism Studies Centre for Assoturismo Confesercenti. Demand will focus mainly on nearby destinations: cities of art, villages, outdoor resorts, sea and mountains. The best performances are recorded in mountain areas, where the saturation of the offer available online reaches 89%, followed by cities and art centres at 85% and coastal resorts. It will be the sea for 84%.

The values for lakes, 75 per cent, spa resorts, 74 per cent, and rural and hillside areas, 73 per cent, are more contained. According to Assoturismo data, differentiated trends also emerge on a territorial level. The highest rates are found in the North East and North West, both at 83%, driven in particular by Trentino-Alto Adige and Lombardy. Central Italy stands at 80%, with Tuscany in the lead, while the South and Islands stop at 75%, with better results for Sardinia, Apulia and Sicily. However, the picture remains marked by strong uncertainty. Geopolitical tensions, the energy crisis and transport price volatility are affecting travellers' choices and could reshape tourist behaviour in the coming months. The trend already visible is that of shorter stays, greater attention to budgets and a preference for destinations considered safer and reachable even by own means. This is a wake-up call because already in recent years Italians have shortened the duration of their holidays, going down to less than seven days.

This is also why for 25 April, says an analysis by Coldiretti/Ixè, one in two Italians will treat themselves to a picnic, a trip to the sea or the countryside, or alternatively a reunion with friends and relatives. Around 2 million will manage to treat themselves to a short holiday. In agritourisms, according to forecasts by Campagna Amica and Terranostra, around 350 thousand guests are expected, with wine tourism experiences in strong growth, but also beer, oil and dairy tourism. Visitors curious to learn from producers, including wellness, yoga, cooking courses and rural walks.