If you’ve been thinking about visiting Florence in winter, you’ll get to experience way more than just Christmas markets and twinkling lights.

With thinner crowds, budget travelers can experience the museums, piazzas, and famous sculptures in this gorgeous Italian city without feeling overwhelmed.

It’s no secret that Florence is one of Italy’s most stunning cities, always at the top of the list with Rome, Venice and Milan. From the beautiful Uffizi Gallery to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Ponte Vecchio, art is everywhere and every corner has a history.

The winter months are a gorgeous time to see Florence, particularly if you want to do a lot of sightseeing.

The weather will be colder and wetter than if you were visiting Florence during the summer (as you’d expect). But you can stroll through the tourist attractions and Christmas markets without being overwhelmed by crowds of people.

The festive atmosphere lasts through December and into January with nativity scenes and stunning Christmas decorations all over the city. Even after the holidays are over, the sale season makes up for the lights coming down and the quiet streets in late January make it easy to get around.

Is the winter low season in Florence?

Far fewer tourists tend to visit Florence in winter. This usually means that Florence hotels reduce their prices to stay competitive. For the same reason, flights tend to be cheaper (except around Christmas and New Year’s).

Because fewer people are visiting the city, you’ll also deal with smaller queues at major attractions around the city center. During the summer and fall months, you’ll need to grab tickets for top sights like the Accademia and Uffizi Gallery way in advance.

You can still book ahead in the winter, and it’s sensible to do so around the holidays, but I’ve found you can typically get away with purchasing tickets at the last minute.

Although Florence in winter is chilly, it’s not as bitterly cold as in other parts of Europe. You should expect average highs and lows of 12°C/3°C and 53°F/37°F in early December. Into January, things get slightly colder with highs and lows of 11°C/2°C and 51°F/35°F.

By February, you’ll inch up to December’s temperatures before hitting more pleasant highs and lows of 16°C/5°C and 60°F/41°F.

Throughout December, you should expect relatively regular rain. So make sure you have a travel umbrella to hand. Snow is possible when it gets very cold, but generally a winter visit to Florence does not result in snowy scenes.

Visiting Florence in winter can be tricky to pack for, but it’s generally all about thermal layers, rain gear, and comfortable shoes. You should plan for slightly warmer daytimes, cool weather in the evenings, and several rain showers.

So, bringing accessories like hats, warm scarves, and gloves can help you feel comfortable if temperatures fluctuate throughout the day. You’ll also want easily-removable gear for when you go into the museums and other indoor attractions to avoid overheating.

5 things to bring with you no matter the season

• A hat: You can lose a lot of body heat through your head. To conserve heat, try a simple beanie or fluffy hat (it’ll keep your ears cozy too).
• Comfortable shoes: You’ll be navigating potentially slippy surfaces and lots of steps when visiting Florence in winter. I recommend bringing sturdy, waterproof walking boots and wearing relatively thick socks underneath. This should keep your feet warm and comfortable.
• A scarf: Not only is a scarf a major Italian fashion statement, but it’ll keep your neck protected from the winter wind. Wool or cashmere is ideal, but any large scarf will work.
• Anti-theft bag: Pickpocketing is extremely common in large Italian cities, and they work quickly. A sturdy locked backpack or a secure crossbody should deter most thieves.
• Travel insurance: You don’t want to go anywhere without travel insurance in case you’re faced with cancellations, a medical emergency, or lost luggage. You can grab basic insurance for your trip, but a comprehensive option with great repatriation terms and medical cover are good to have.

Packing for a winter trip to Florence Italy

Winter in Florence isn’t too difficult to pack for as the temperature and rainfall levels are pretty stable. You’ll want a pair of warm waterproof shoes, a thick scarf, and thermal layers that are easy to peel off. I also recommend going for neutral colors to make matching easier (and packing lighter a breeze).

Early winter is usually slightly milder, and you can grab lighter layers and a trusty heavy coat to see you through.

As you head into January and February, you’ll want to wear heavier sweaters, jackets, and socks to keep you warm. Things typically start warming up as March hits, but it’s still very much coat weather.

Regardless of which month you choose to visit Florence in winter, you’ll always want to carry a travel umbrella. The rain can be quite unpredictable, so don’t be caught out.

There are several events to put in your diary if you’re visiting Florence in winter. Just be warned that events around Christmas time and New Year will be particularly busy.

December 8: Immacolata

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is an Italian public holiday, marking the start of the festive season. Italians usually commemorate this Catholic holiday by attending mass and laying floral wreaths at statues of Mary. It shouldn’t impact your trip much as major sites stay open.

Early December to January 6: Nativity at The Duomo

If you want to see a life size nativity scene, then you need to head to the Florence cathedral in Piazza del Duomo at Christmas. This scene depicts the arrival of the Three Wise Men and is made entirely using terracotta figures which I adore.

Just FYI, you’ll see 2 nativity scenes here; the terracotta set is outside next to the big Christmas tree and there’s another inside the cathedral.

Christmas

December 31: New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve in Florence is always a major affair. You’ll see plenty of fireworks in the historical center along with lots of other events to liven up those pre-midnight hours. Check out our page for lots more information.

January 6: Epiphany and Befana

Epiphany is a Christian feast day that commemorates the visit of the Magi and the baptism of Jesus. This is usually celebrated with a large parade from Palazzo Pitti that crosses to Ponte Vecchio and through to the Piazza del Duomo.

The costumes are marvellous and it’s entirely free to attend (it’ll just be VERY busy). Befana is the name of a friendly old witch who brings children presents on this day. If you’re in Italy this time of year, you’ll see lots of stockings appear in the shops, which are traditionally given in January not December here.

Early to mid-February: Carnevale

The annual Florentine Carnival starts the week before Lent begins and through to Shrove Tuesday (the dates vary depending on when Easter falls). There are plenty of events all over the city so look for local listings before you visit.

I highly suggest hitting some of the following places as they are must-visit attractions, whatever time of year your trip is:

• Uffizi Gallery
• Piazzale Michelangelo
• Ponte Vecchio
• Basilica of Santa Croce
• Duomo Complex
• Accademia Gallery
• Palazzo Pitti
• Piazza della Signoria
• Basilica of Santa Maria Novella

But if you’re looking for seasonal things to do, here are a few ideas:

Firenze winter park

Grab your ice skates and head to the Florence Winter Park this festive season, one of my favorite winter things to do here. This event runs almost every day from mid-November to mid-February just outside the historic center.

This annual event offers everything from tasty drinks to ice skating and Tuscan food. Plus, the ice rink is right by the Arno River (which is perfect for a post-skate stroll on Christmas Eve).

Christmas market in Piazza Santa Croce

Piazza Santa Croce hosts the largest Christmas market in Florence each year and runs from mid-November to just before Christmas. Underneath the candy-striped roofs, you’ll find handmade decorations, toys, mulled wine, gingerbread, bratwurst and everything in between. It’s been running for a very long time, so the market is certainly worth a visit.

Green Line festival

Get into the Christmas spirit with Florence’s famous Green Line Festival (previously the Florence Light Festival). It usually runs from early December to just after Epiphany, with the lights turning off after midnight each day.

This takes Christmas lights to the next level and sees mapped lighting effects projected onto Florence’s famous buildings. The Ponte Vecchio’s projections are especially stunning, but keep an eye out for the Museo Galileo and Piazza San Lorenzo too.

Hit the winter sales

Florence’s winter sales begin in early January each year. You’ll get to pick up locally made Italian garments for a fraction of their usual cost.

But designer boutiques will have massive markdowns too, so now’s your chance to hit Gucci and Versace for new threads. Oh, and don’t forget to check out the area’s artisan leather goods which will be very fairly priced. Via de’ Tornabuoni is the place to head for designer picks, while Via del Corso is best for artisan boutiques.

Grab an Italian hot chocolate

In my opinion there’s nothing better than seeing Florence in winter with a smooth and creamy Italian hot chocolate in hand. Rich and thick, it’s essentially liquid chocolate in a cup.

One of the best places to go is Rivoire, a historic cafe and chocolate shop on Piazza della Signoria. Take a seat and enjoy a traditional hot chocolate and a pastry for the ultimate indulgent treat.

You can also pick up boutique boxes of chocolates to bring home, or go for a coffee or tea if the rich chocolate doesn’t appeal to you.

Seasonal eating is a big thing for most Italians as they value ingredients at their freshest. So, you’ll usually find veggies like radicchio, cabbage, kale, beans, and oranges making an appearance in winter.

If you head into local restaurants, you’ll probably see ribollita (soup with bread and veggies) and peposa, a peppery beef stew on the menu.

For pasta fans, make sure you order a plateful of Tagliolini al tartufo nero. It’s pasta with black truffle shavings and it’s utterly delicious. And although you’ve missed prime grape and olive harvesting seasons, you’ll still find plenty of great Tuscan wines around.