Florence travel guide

🇮🇹 Florence · When to go

The best time to visit Florence

Florence is best in the shoulder seasons — April–May and September–October — warm and sunny but without the brutal summer heat and crush of crowds. Summer is hot and packed; winter is cool, quiet and cheap, and a great time to enjoy the art without the queues.

Best overall

April–May and September–October — warm, sunny and lighter crowds.

Best weather

Spring and early autumn (April–June, September–October).

Fewer crowds

November–March (outside Christmas and Easter).

Lowest prices

Winter (November–February, outside the holidays) is cheapest.

When to avoid

July–August for scorching heat and the heaviest crowds at the galleries.

Found your dates? Lock in your Florence trip

Florence season by season

SpringApr–JunPeak season

Warm, sunny and gorgeous — the most popular time; Easter week is especially busy.

SummerJul–AugPeak season

Hot to scorching and crowded, with long museum queues; book tickets and start early.

AutumnSep–OctShoulder season

Warm, golden and a touch quieter, with the Tuscan harvest nearby — one of the best windows.

WinterNov–MarLow season

Cool and quiet, the cheapest time, with short museum queues — apart from the Christmas and Easter peaks.

Key events & holidays

Easter and the Scoppio del Carro (Easter Sunday), the summer arts and music season, and the autumn Tuscan grape and olive harvests.

Where to stay in FlorenceCompare Booking, Expedia, Agoda & more →Flights to FlorenceSearch dates & deals →
Book top experiences in Florence on GetYourGuide

Plan your Florence trip — free

Tell Wavvia your dates and how you travel, and it builds a day-by-day Florence plan with real places, the best areas to stay and safety built in.

Plan my Florence trip — free

Best time to visit Florence — FAQs

When is the best time to visit Florence?

April–May and September–October — warm, sunny weather with lighter crowds than high summer.

Is Florence too hot in summer?

July and August are often scorching and crowded; sightsee early, pre-book galleries and take a midday break.

What is the cheapest time to visit Florence?

Winter (November–February, outside Christmas and Easter) is cheapest and quietest, with the shortest museum queues.

Should I book the Uffizi and Accademia in advance?

Yes — especially spring to autumn, when queues are long; reserved tickets save hours, particularly for the David.

Florence travel guideThings to do, safety & where to stay →Build a free Florence itineraryTailored to your dates & style →

Weather, prices and event dates vary year to year — always check current forecasts and schedules before you book. Some links are affiliate links; Wavvia may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.