Florence in Winter: Quiet Museums and Ribollita Weather

Winter is Florence's quiet season, apart from the Christmas holidays. It is cold and the days are short, but the museums are calm, the city feels like its own, and hotels are often cheaper.

At a glance

• Weather: typical daytime highs are around 10°C, with colder mornings and nights. Rain and fog are possible. Snow in the city is rare. The sun sets before 17:00 in December.
• Crowds: busy from mid-December to the first days of January, then the quietest months of the year.
• Best for: museums, budget travellers, short city breaks, and anyone who dislikes crowds more than cold.
• Plan outdoor sightseeing for the middle of the day, and keep the evenings for dinner.

Month by month

December is festive and busy. Streets are lit, markets are open, and the days leading up to Christmas fill hotels. Public holidays include 8 December, 25 December and 26 December, and some places close.

January begins with the holidays and then empties out. The menswear fair Pitti Uomo fills hotels for a few days. Winter sales usually begin in early January. After the first week it is one of the best times to see the major museums.

February is the quietest month and often the cheapest. Carnival falls in February or early March depending on Easter: in 2027 Fat Tuesday is on 9 February.

What is on

• Christmas market. In recent years a German-style market has run in Piazza Santa Croce. Listings give 14 November to 20 December 2026, free entry, with more than fifty wooden stalls. Check the dates.
• Lights and trees. The city lights its streets and large Christmas trees, and the cathedral square has a nativity scene. One listing gives 8 December for the lighting. Check the date.
• Epiphany (6 January). The Cavalcata dei Magi, a costumed procession from Piazza Pitti to the cathedral square, has been run by the cathedral's Opera in recent years. One listing says the 2025 edition did not take place, so check with the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore before planning around it.
• Carnival. Florence's Carnival is lower-key than in other Italian cities. The local sweet is schiacciata alla fiorentina.
• Pitti Uomo. Held in January and again in June. Check its calendar before you book.

Dates change every year, so check current details before you plan around an event.

Holidays and closures

The Uffizi is closed on 25 December and 1 January. Other museums, shops and restaurants change hours around Christmas and New Year, and some close for the holidays. Check each place before you go, and book dinner for 24 and 31 December well in advance.

What to eat

Winter is ribollita season: a thick soup of bread, beans and cavolo nero. Also look for bollito misto (boiled meats), stews and polenta. New olive oil is still on the menu in December, poured over toasted bread. Many trattorias are at their best when the menu turns heavy. See the food guide.

What to wear and bring

• A warm coat, a hat and gloves. Stone floors and cold churches are chilly.
• Waterproof shoes with grip.
• Layers for warm cafés and museums.

How to use the quiet

Winter is the time to do what the crowds make hard in other seasons. Book the first slot at the Uffizi and the Accademia, then add the smaller museums in our museums guide. A long lunch is an event in itself. If it rains, the rainy day guide covers indoor days. For prices, see Florence on a budget.

Is winter right for you?

Choose winter if you care about art and calm more than weather. Avoid the days between Christmas and New Year if you dislike crowds. If you want long days and gardens, come in spring instead.