Are you thinking of coming to Florence in January? Yes, it’s cold but it’s also quiet and almost tourist-free, so January is a great time to explore Florence.

January is one of my favorite months to be in Florence.

Why is this? It’s pretty simple, there are virtually no crowds and the city is at its most peaceful. At least, this is the case after the 6th…

Here’s what you need to know about coming to visit Florence this time of year:

• What’s the weather like? Is it likely to be raining or snowing?
• What to pack for visiting Florence in January? How to dress in wintertime in Florence?
• Is January the best time to visit Florence?
• What food is in season in January in Florence?
• What are some things to do in Florence in January?

January is one of the coldest months in Florence, but while it will feel cold, winters here tend to be on the milder side. At the start of the month there’s a slight possibility it will snow in Florence, but if it does, the snow will not be heavy. The average temperature starts to slowly climb as the month progresses into February, so it’s far more unlikely for it to snow at the end of January.

The chance of rainfall is at its highest in January so you will definitely want to come prepared (see below for what to pack.)

The weather in Florence in January is on the cooler side, with lows (at night) averaging 38-40 Fahrenheit/3-4 Celsius, and highs during the day of about 48-50 Fahrenheit/9-10 Celsius.

The days are still pretty short, being winter, but they are already getting longer after the winter solstice on December 22.

Packing tips for January in Florence

Packing for Florence in January is easy as the weather is pretty consistently wintry cold. It can be surprisingly warm for a short few hours during the middle of the day when the sun is out, but it gets cold quickly, which is why you should pack plenty of layers.

Think jeans or cotton pants and long-sleeved tops, waterproof jackets and a heavier cardigan or pullover. Adding t-shirts or thermal base layers is a good idea, particularly if you’re planning on exploring the Tuscan countryside.

Gloves, warm scarves and a hat are a good idea in January, as well as plenty of warm layers. The chance of rain is also pretty high so you’ll want a heavier waterproof jacket and a travel umbrella ready just in case.

What to wear in Florence in January

Rule 1: Be Comfortable

My number one rule for sightseeing in Florence, at any time of year: be comfortable.

This is most important when it comes to your shoes, it is crucial to wear good walking shoes, and good quality socks. I would recommend only bringing shoes you have already broken in, and don’t worry about looking like a tourist – that’s exactly what you are.

Rule 2: Dress in Layers

The next rule, which is definitely relevant for January is: dress in layers.

Since the weather can change significantly throughout the day, and it sometimes rains unexpectedly, it’s necessary to wear layers that you can take off and put on easily. You don’t want anything too bulky therefore.

Also, when you go inside a museum or restaurant with heating, you’ll want to take off a layer or two. It’s a good idea to wear a backpack as you travel around Florence, so you can have a place to stow your layers if you take them off.

Once the festive season ends on January 6, Florence becomes much quieter, with low visitor numbers, so exploring the different parts of the city center is easy. It’s one reason I love Florence in January, as mentioned at the top of this page.

While it’s definitely winter-cold, it’s not so extreme as to stop you from exploring. I just bundle up and happily walk around.

How crowded is Florence during January?

You might expect January, being a winter month, to be pretty quiet in Florence.

That depends on which part of January you are here. The first week of January is high season in Florence, and very crowded. First of all, it’s still part of the New Year’s Eve and general holiday season.

January 6 is a national holiday in Italy and other Catholic countries: it’s the Day of the Kings (the day the Magi brought gifts).

In Italy, this national holiday is mostly about kids, and is known as Befana, which is the name of a not-very-pretty witch, who is actually nice, and who flies around bringing gifts to the kids.

The Christmas holiday season officially ends on the 6th of January (although you will still see some lights up around Florence through late January) so there are still Christmas markets and a festive atmosphere in early January.

Most major tourist and historic sites, and even shops, are open on January 6. However, schools and a lot of offices are closed through that date. And often, this will stretch through whatever the following weekend is.

Then everything gets back to “normal” the following Monday, so until then, Italian families are traveling and visiting Florence. And that makes it pretty crowded here.

And, finally, winter sales begin sometime at the start of January, and Italians will flock to their favorite stores that day, so it’s yet one more reason you will see Florence’s streets very busy in those first few days of January.

After that, Florence tourism drops to almost nothing, so you can count on having a lot of sites to yourself. If you’re looking to escape the crowds of people at the Duomo, Uffizi, Accademia Gallery and Ponte Vecchio, January is the perfect time of year to enjoy the city.

January is a great time to enjoy all the seasonal winter foods like artichokes, chicory, broccoli, cabbage, apples, pears, citrus fruits, and persimmons.

Some of my favorite seasonal things to eat in Florence in the winter include the hearty Tuscan ribollita soup, as well as everything truffle-based. Truffles are everywhere this time of year.

January holidays and special dates in Florence

Besides the obvious holiday dates of New Year’s Day and January 6, there are a few other important Florence events in January to note:

January 1 – New Years Day

January 1, New Year’s Day, is a bank holiday as well as a religious holiday. Many shops are closed, but sites are generally open for visitors.

No matter what day of the week January 1 falls on, Florence is busy on the dates surrounding it and pretty much throughout the first week of January.

January 6 – Epiphany/Befana

January 6 marks the end of the Christmas holidays. In some countries, including Italy, it’s known as the Epiphany or as the Day of the Kings.

Within Italy, it’s also known as the Befana, who is an ugly but good witch who goes around bringing toys to children. In fact, many Italian children expect to open gifts on this day as opposed to December 25.

Epiphany is a particularly popular festival in Tuscany and Florence, with lots of events taking place to celebrate. Every year there is a procession through the city center ending at the Piazza del Duomo recreating the journey of the three kings of the Magi (the wise men) to Bethlehem, complete with historic costumes and animals.

Winter sales

In Italy, we have big sales twice a year, once in summer and once in winter, look for the signs that say “Saldi.”

Winter sales generally start on the first Saturday in January, running until the end of February. The better stuff goes early so if you want to make the most of the sales, try and plan your trip for earlier in January.

La Fiorita di San Zanobi

Saint Zenobius (San Zanobi or Zenobio in Italian) was the first bishop of Florence. He lived from 337–417 and several miracles that include bringing the dead back to life are attributed to him.

On January 26, 429, Saint Zenobi’s remains were transferred from the basilica of San Lorenzo to the new cathedral of Santa Reparata (today underneath the Florence cathedral where he is currently buried).

According to legend, an old dying elm tree in Piazza San Giovanni miraculously sprang to life as the saint’s remains were carried past it. To commemorate this event, a column was erected outside the Baptistery in 1384.

Every year on January 26, you can watch a show and historical procession put on by the Florentine Republic, the Bandierai of the Uffizi and the city authorities.

Free Things to do in Florence in January

On the first Sunday of each month you can access Florence’s state-run museums, archeological parks and cultural sites for free – yes, completely free. This includes the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Pitti, Boboli Gardens, Galleria Academia and many more.

These free entrance days are very popular events so plan to arrive early to be sure you get in.

More ideas for things to do in Florence in January

Maybe it’s your 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) time in Florence. Or you have more than 3 days here. Or you just want to see and do lots of fun things.

Besides the obvious must-see Florence attractions, there are lots of great things to see and do. While you can of course look at a day trip to the Tuscan countryside, Rome or even Naples, here are some ideas for your visit: