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 sees the city in full swing up to the Befana holiday and then things calm down a little
Florence in January
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:
January weather in Florence Italy
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.)
In January you might get some rain, but you will have plenty of cold sunny days like this too
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.
Curious to know more, or want to share your own tips? Leave a comment!
What to pack for Florence in January
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.
Discover all our must-have items for any trip to Italy in the winter:
General Florence packing tips
These are a few of my essential packing recommendations, any time of year:
- Sunglasses! Yes it can be rainy in Florence occasionally, but the sun will be shining more often than not so you’ll want a good pair of sunglasses.
- Any medications you take, along with a list of these medications. I would recommend keeping these with you in your carry-on in a dedicated organizer, rather than packing them in your checked luggage.
- Photocopies or clear photographs saved on your phone of your passport – much safer than carrying your actual passport around Florence!
- Plug converters for your dual-voltage appliances. Voltage in Italy is 220, and in the US and some other countries, it’s 110. Most electronic devices will default to dual voltage, but you will need a plug adapter as the plug shapes are different here. This universal adapter covers you in multiple locations, perfect for travel to different parts of the world.
- Carrying a well-stocked first-aid kit gives you peace of mind when traveling. I always like having one with me when I travel, it’s very handy for when you need something quickly.
Finally, travel insurance isn’t something to pack per se, but it is something you should not forget!
It is not uncommon these days for visitors to have to deal with lost luggage or cancelled or delayed flights, and your credit card coverage may not be as extensive as you think.
Chances are you are not covered for what you need when these things happen!
What to wear in Florence in January
There are two rules for what to wear in Florence year-round, and really, anywhere in Italy.
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.
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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.
Want to know more about what to pack for a trip to Florence?
Check out our guide dedicated to what to pack including recommended and must have items, and our personal tips from years of travel experience:
Is January a good time to visit Florence?
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.
Florence is very festive during the holidays, which go until early January.
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.
Once the holiday season ends in January, Florence crowds drop considerably.
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.
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Florence Seasonal Food in January
January is a great time to enjoy all the seasonal winter foods like artichokes, chicory, broccoli, cabbage, apples, pears, citrus fruits, and persimmons.
Ribollita is one of the best ways to warm up on a cold January day in Florence
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.
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What to do during January in Florence
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 is a great way to find bargains on Italian fashion and other souvenirs
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.
The celebration of the Fiorita di San Zanobi is a fun thing to watch if you happen to be in Florence on January 26.
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.
Michelangelo’s David is free to see on the first Sunday of each month in the Accademia Gallery
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:
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To sum up…
Florence in January is quieter and more peaceful than any other point in the year, making the colder temperatures and chance of rain worth it. Make the most of the low crowds and explore the city’s most popular sights before enjoying a tasty Florentine meal in a cosy restaurant.
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