Visiting Florence in winter is an excellent alternative to the summer, and this guide shares all you need to know for a trip to Italy in December, January, or February.
Florence is famously known as the birthplace of the Renaissance and is home to an unbeatable art, architecture, and design scene. Everywhere you turn, you’re greeted with historical sights that’ll blow your mind—not only because they’re so beautiful, but because they’re SO OLD!
And while there’s no denying that seeing these iconic landmarks in Florence during the summer means more sunshine and warmer weather, there are many pros to coming in the off-season. From fewer crowds, lower prices, and an opportunity to experience uniquely wintertime things, there’s a lot to love about winter in Florence!
I had the pleasure of visiting for three days in January and had a fantastic time. And now I’m here to share all you need to know so you can have the best experience visiting Florence during winter, too!
Read More: An Ultimate Florence 2 Day Itinerary
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Table of Contents
Is Florence worth visiting in winter?
Typical Winter Weather in Florence
What to Wear in Florence in Winter + a Packing List
Where to Stay in Florence
5 Reasons to Visit Florence in Winter
Overview of the Best Things to Do in Florence
Is Florence worth visiting in winter?
In my opinion, Florence is absolutely worth visiting in the winter. As a city famous for art museums and historic buildings, many things to do in Florence require being inside. What could be more perfect on a cold and cloudy day?
Not to mention, Florence’s winter weather is pretty mild and not all too cold or rainy/snowy.
Read More: 75+ Travel Tips: A Complete Guide to Traveling to Europe for the First Time
What is Florence’s winter weather like?
Winter temperatures in Florence average between 35°F-52°F (2°C-10°C). These highs, coupled with sunshine, made for a comfortable experience walking around the city during the day. But I will say that the mornings and evenings were pretty chilly, but nothing a little layering can’t fix!
Here’s a summary of the average winter temperatures in Florence each month:
Florence in December sees average temperatures of 38°F-52°F (3°C-10°C) and an average of rain on 5-8 days.
Weather in Florence in January is a bit rainier and chillier, with temperatures around 35°F-48°F (2°C-9°C) and about 8 days of rain on average.
For February weather in Florence, you can expect averages of 37 °F-51°F (3°C-11°C) and about 5-7 days of rain.
I visited in January and enjoyed blue skies, sunshine, and 50-degree weather for most of my time there. It was perfect weather for walking around in jeans, a sweater, and a light coat. My last day was a bit cloudy and rainy in the afternoon, but it thankfully didn’t dominate my entire day and wasn’t unbearable.
Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Solo Travel in Europe
What to Wear in Florence in Winter
When packing for Florence in winter, you should prepare for warm temperatures in the middle of the day and cool weather in the mornings and evenings. Bringing layers is a good call to ensure you stay comfy all hours of the day. It’s also a good idea to prepare for the possibility of rain.
Florence Winter Packing List
- Pants, jeans, warm bottoms
- Warm dresses/skirts plus fleece tights
- Sweaters and warm tops
- A jacket or coat
- Umbrella and/or rain jacket
- Rainboots and warm socks
- Hat, gloves, scarf for the mornings and evenings, especially if you get cold easily
Where to Stay in Florence + Best Florence Hotels
The best place to stay in Florence is near the Duomo and downtown, which is closest to many of the city’s top attractions. Staying in the city center will also save you time spent in the cold or rainy weather if that’s a concern for you.
But in general, here are some of the best places to stay in Florence!
- Best Florence Hostel: YellowSquare Hostel Florence: An artsy hostel with a rooftop pool offering dorm beds and spacious privates ideal for larger groups, 10 minutes from the Santa Maria Novella train station.
- Best Budget Hotel in Florence: 3110 ArtHotel Florence: A hip 3-star hotel with nice accommodations priced at reasonable rates located about a 20 min walk from Duomo.
- Best mid-range Hotel in Florence: 25hours Hotel Florence: A higher-end, mid-range hotel rated 4-stars with a sauna and fitness center near Strozzi Palace.
- Best Luxury Hotel in Florence: Plaza Hotel Luchessi: A 4-star luxury hotel with a rooftop pool along the Arno River just outside the city center.
- Where I stayed during my winter visit: Room Mate Isabelle: A hip 4-star hotel five minutes from the Duomo, with very reasonable nightly rates in January. I picked it for it’s nice balance of price, location, and ratings.
Read more: Best Areas to Stay in Florence, Italy: Best Neighborhoods + Florence Hotels
5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Florence in Winter
If you’re planning a trip to Florence and wondering when is the best time to visit, summer is often the winner in terms of weather. But here are five reasons why you should consider a trip to Italy in the winter.
1. It’s way cheaper to visit Florence in winter than summer
Traveling to Florence in winter is less expensive by a long shot. Two of your biggest expenses, flights and hotels, are generally just a fraction of what people pay in summer! This is simply due to demand.
For example, I booked a single room at the Room Mate Isabelle hotel for about $75 per night. This four-star hotel is in a fantastic location central to both the train station and the Duomo, within walking distance of everything. It has a hip interior and comfy beds. Now in the middle of July, that same room is going for over $220 per night. That’s a huge difference!
2. The winter in Florence sees smaller crowds
Florence is one of Italy’s most beautiful destinations, and just in general, Italy itself is a pretty popular travel destination. That means it’s common for the streets to be crowded, for Florence attractions to have long lines, and for hotels and restaurants to book up quickly.
But if you visit outside of peak season, you are giving yourself a rare opportunity to see Florence with (slightly) fewer crowds. When I visited in mid-January, Florence was still pretty popping. However, I noticed that I didn’t have to worry much about booking things like the Uffizi Gallery and Accademia in advance, as recommended in the summer.
3. Experience unique things to do in Florence in winter
The winter sees many holidays and special events that you can’t witness during the summer! Some of the best things to do in Florence in winter include:
- Christmas markets may be traditionally attributed to Germanic countries, but they’re a fun thing to do in Florence in winter too!
- Firenze Light Festival: Throughout December and into January, Florence’s top attractions, including the Vecchio Bridge, are lit up with incredible designs and colors.
- New Year’s Eve is a big celebration, and the city’s main squares usually come alive with musical concerts, food trucks, events, and fireworks at midnight.
- The Epiphany: Sometimes referred to as “Three Kings Day,” the Epiphany celebration is typically on Jan 5th and 6th and is celebrated with a parade, various events, and a visit by La Befana, a witch who gives children gifts and goodies.
- The Carnival of Florence is hosted in mid-February and is a party to remember. Locals dress in various costumes and fun outfits and spend the day partying and walking in parades, much like Halloween.
4. Winter weather in Florence is mild and pleasant
There’s no denying that a country’s summer months are almost always the best time to visit. And I hate the cold and try to avoid traveling in the winter when possible.
But Italy’s winter months are pretty mild, in my opinion. And although it’s typically rainier in the winter, I found it manageable and easy to avoid the rain thanks to most of Florence’s attractions being inside art museums and palaces. To give you some peace of mind, Florence’s rainiest seasons are actually fall and spring!
5. You can’t beat the wintertime sales for those itching to shop in Florence
As is the case for much of Italy, Florence is a fantastic shopping destination. The city has long been known for its thriving leather industry, crafting exquisite pieces ranging from bags to jackets. And as the birthplace of the Renaissance, it lives up to its name as a designer hot spot.
While not all luxury brands partake in the sales, it is still a great place to be for a variety of shopping. Winter sales in Florence and the rest of Italy typically begin after the Epiphany holiday (around January 5th/6th).
An Overview of the Best Things to do in Florence in Winter
Regardless of when you visit Florence, the best things to do include:
- Stroll through the Piazza della Signoria and see sculptures at the Loggia dei Lanzi.
- See works of art at the famed Uffizi Gallery.
- Cross the medieval Vecchio Bridge.
- Admire Italian landscaping at the Boboli Gardens and Pitti Palace.
- Snap photos of Michaelangelo’s David at the Accademia Gallery.
- Catch the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo.
- Soak up all the history of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and climb the Duomo and Bell Tower for unbeatable views from above.
- See leather craftspeople create beautiful pieces at the Scuola del Cuoio S.r.l., Florence’s hidden gem.
- Walk to the Piazza di Santa Croce and see the tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo in the Basilica of Santa Croce.
- Witness the 800-year-old history of perfumery at the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella.
- Grab dinner and drinks at the hip Mercato Centrale Firenze.
- Eat and drink local Florentine, Italian, and Tuscan goodies and be sure to knock on one of Florence’s little wine windows.