Florence by season
When to visit Florence
Florence is small and popular, so the season decides how much of your trip is spent in queues. Spring and autumn are the best walking weather but busy. Summer is hot and crowded. Winter is cold, quiet and the easiest time to see the Uffizi without a crush. Here is what each season is like.
March · April · May
Florence in Spring: Gardens, Easter and Long Walking Days
Best all-round"The gardens are at their best and so are the crowds: book early and start early."
- –Scoppio del Carro outside the Duomo on Easter Sunday
- –Iris garden near Piazzale Michelangelo in bloom (late April–May)
- –Maggio Musicale Fiorentino festival season
- –Busy from Easter on: book museums ahead
June · July · August
Florence in Summer: Heat, Calcio Storico and Long Evenings
Peak season"Museums at midday, the river at night, and never the dome climb at two in the afternoon."
- –Calcio Storico and San Giovanni fireworks (June)
- –Long evenings for sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo
- –Hot afternoons: plan museums for midday
- –Some restaurants close around Ferragosto (15 August)
September · October · November
Florence in Autumn: Harvest, New Oil and Thinner Crowds
Smartest choice"September is still busy; by November you get the city, the food and the light with half the queue."
- –Grape harvest in Chianti (September–October)
- –New-season olive oil (November)
- –Comfortable walking weather
- –Crowds ease after October
December · January · February
Florence in Winter: Quiet Museums and Ribollita Weather
Best value"Cold, sometimes grey, and the best time of year to stand in front of a Botticelli."
- –Shortest museum queues of the year
- –Christmas market in Piazza Santa Croce
- –Ribollita and bollito season
- –Pitti Uomo trade fair can fill hotels in January
At a glance
| Season | Months | Crowds | Prices | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Mar – May | Moderate → High | Mid to high | First-timers, gardens, walking |
| Summer | Jun – Aug | High | Peak | Long evenings, festivals, day trips to the coast |
| Autumn | Sep – Nov | High → Moderate | Dropping | Food, wine, Chianti day trips |
| Winter | Dec – Feb | Low | Budget | Budget travellers, museums, slow trips |