Planning to visit Florence in summer?

Well, it’s the time to throw on sturdy sandals, stay hydrated, and search for the shadow while enjoying a glorious aperitivo. While the heat can be intense, the buzzing atmosphere, longer opening hours, and endless evenings will make your Italian trip one to remember.

I’ll come right out and say it, summer in Florence is very hot, and there’s virtually no way to escape it. But you can visit Florence at this time of year without losing your cool.

If you don’t mind crowds and hot weather, then summer is a great time for visiting Florence. You’ll get long days, extended opening hours for many museums, and you can enjoy all the gelato you can eat.

Plus, you can’t beat the delicious local specialities, fun summer festivals, live music concerts, and bustling atmosphere if you’re a first-time visitor. If you’re not sure about the heat, you can book a visit in June or early September when the heat is slightly less intense.

Is the summer high season in Florence?

Summer is the high season for tourists in Florence and Italy, with cities such as Rome, Naples and Florence being at their busiest during the summer season in July.

From June to early September, I highly recommend booking all of your activities in advance. Not only will this help you skip the queues and cover more ground, but you won’t risk tickets being sold out.

August is still busy, but you’ll find some restaurants and stores shutting their doors for the Italian summer holidays and a lot less Florentines in the city.

There IS a plus here though, as many of the main attractions extend their hours for the summer giving you time to cram more into a single day. Don’t let the visitor numbers put you off planning your trip however, Florence in summer is a wonderful time of year.

Florence in summer is hot! You can expect temperatures to peak in July with humidity levels regularly over 90% on some days.

The start of June or the beginning of September offers good weather that’s tough to beat. June is especially lovely, as the end of spring means the scorching heat has not started but the days are long and sunny, with comfortable temperatures at night.

From July until mid-August, you’ll need a break from the sun during the hottest hours of the day. Towards the end of August and the start of September, the temperatures ease off again, while still being very warm.

Average temperature highs during June are in the mid 20’s Celsius/mid 80’s Fahrenheit. It’s pleasantly mild in the evenings, so you may want a light cardigan or jacket.

In July and into August Florence gets significantly hotter, with highs up to the mid 30’s Celsius/mid 90’s Fahrenheit. So it’s important to wear plenty of sunscreen, drink lots of fluids and avoid the hottest part of the day.

Become an early riser and get out before the city heats up, take a break at lunchtime and then head back out to explore some more. Open air sites like Piazzale Michelangelo, Boboli Gardens and the Piazza del Duomo are much more enjoyable this way.

Summer in Florence can be unpleasantly hot and sticky, but you can counter the worst of the heat by packing correctly.

Lightweight summer clothing is what you’ll want to wear to explore Florence, but you may want to bring a couple of light layers for the cooler evenings or early morning hours. I’d also recommend focusing on comfort over style, there’s nothing worse than tackling the cobblestones in heels or sweating through silk.

5 things to bring with you no matter the season

• A hat: A wide brim hat or cap (with SPF) will protect your skin from the city’s brutal sun in the late afternoon.
• Comfortable shoes: You might be tempted to throw on flimsy flats or a pair of flip flops to protect yourself from the heat. But you’ll want to wear sturdy shoes or well-built sandals to tackle the uneven paved streets in Florence, even with the hot weather.
• A scarf: A light scarf can work wonders for keeping you comfortable during the cooler evenings in June and September. Stick with moisture-wicking light cotton to avoid feeling suffocated.
• Anti-theft bag: The pickpockets of Florence will be up for a challenge whatever the weather. Make sure you bring an anti-theft fanny pack, backpack or messenger bag to keep your belongings safe.
• Travel insurance: You should never travel anywhere without insurance, and Florence is no exception. Do your research and opt for a policy with excellent medical, cancellation, and repatriation cover.

Packing for a summer trip to Florence Italy

Summer in Florence is great for sightseeing as long as you plan ahead. You should be comfortable in light clothing and a pair of sturdy shoes. Remember to choose breathable fabrics like cotton and linen.

You’ll need to bring respectful cover-ups for visiting churches, but you can stick with loose pants, a cotton tee, a midi skirt or a dress on most days. While most Italians don’t tend to wear shorts in the city, you can if you prefer.

As the sun will be intense, it’s important to have a hat on hand, especially for when queuing in places without shade like for the bell tower climb. Oh, and don’t forget sunglasses with excellent UV protection.

While the evenings stay very comfortable, you may want a light cardigan or scarf for the night time.

June 24: Festa di San Giovanni

Festa di San Giovanni is an annual celebration that celebrates the patron saint of Florence and is a big deal here.

There’s lots of events throughout the day, including a historical procession from Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio to the Baptistery in Piazza del Duomo.

There’s also a reenactment of the Calcio Storico Fiorentino (the medieval Florentine football game) and a big fireworks display which is best seen from the banks of the Arno river.

August 15: Ferragosto

Ferragosto is an Italian public holiday that marks the feast of the Assumption in the Catholic calendar, but is so much more than this. It has a long history, but most Italians see Ferragosto as an excuse to close up shop and head to the coast to cool off.

So, you should expect to see lots of people enjoying beach days and parties across Florence and Tuscany. This does mean that shops and some restaurants will be closed, although major sites generally remain open for visitors.

Early September: Firenze Jazz Festival

Firenze Jazz Festival is a musical festival that runs across 2 weeks in September.

It typically hosts over 100 artists and more than 35 different events take place in absolutely gorgeous locations around the city.

I highly suggest hitting some of the following hot spots as well as exploring Florence’s seasonal sights, as they are must-visit attractions whatever time of year you visit:

• 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:

Hit the summer sales

Italy has very strict rules around sales in stores and they only happen twice a year, January and July. So you can get hold of some amazing bargains during the summertime.

The summer sales usually start on the first Saturday in July, so you could easily snag a bargain to take home, with everything from clothing to purses and shoes heavily discounted.

Escape the heat indoors at Florence’s churches and museums

I completely understand that Florence’s weather can be overwhelming if you’re walking around in the heat for a few hours. So make the most of the skilled builders of Florence’s past and escape the heat in a church or museum.

Churches especially are naturally cooler, and offer a welcome respite from the sun, so duck into one of Florence’s many churches when you have the chance.

Air conditioning is not as widespread in Italy, or set as cold as you might be expecting. While there is air conditioning in some rooms of the Uffizi Gallery, Accademia, Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti, it doesn’t always work that well, especially at busy periods.

Try some of Florence’s smaller museum options instead where there are less people, such as the Bargello museum.

Take in some events at the Estate Fiorentina

The Estate Fiorentina is an event showcase that runs every year in Florence between June and September. It features an enormous summer calendar of music, theater, and dance from hundreds of organizers.

You’ll also spot a major promotion of books taking place, with readings being held in parks across the city.

Check out the Florence Folks festival

Fans of folk music will absolutely adore the annual Florence Folks Festival that takes place in early September each year. It’s designed to educate and entertain the local community with an amazing collection of folk music.

You’ll find the festival inside the Manifattura Tabacchi and it usually runs for just 3 days, so be quick.

Seasonal eating is all the rage in Italy, and Florentines feast on summer peppers, wild berries, eggplant and delicious fresh tomatoes during this time of year.

June is when you’ll find zucchini everywhere, and a fior di zucca (fried zucchini) tastes incredible on its own or stirred into risotto.

Panzanella (a Tuscan bread salad with onion, tomato, and basil) and melanzana alla parmigiana (eggplant parmesan) are also great options as all the ingredients will be in season.

If you prefer fruit, strawberries, wild blueberries, apricots, and melons (especially cantaloupe) will be all over the markets.

Heading here in September? Eat porcini mushrooms with Parma ham on pizza and grab a few figs for dessert.

Oh, and make sure you grab a scoop or two of gelato or granita during the summertime. There will be gelato spots open on every corner, but you can’t beat Perché No, Gelateria dei Neri, and Vivoli.