Florence in October is one of the most beautiful times of the year. The weather is mostly warm during the day, and comfortably cool at night.
With summer over and the holidays around the corner, October is one of the liveliest times of the year to be in Florence.
October in Florence Italy is possibly the best time to visit, especially in late October with thinner crowds – like here at the Ponte Vecchio
October in Florence
Here’s what you need to know about coming to visit Florence this time of year:
October average weather in Florence Italy
Florence weather in October can vary a lot from the beginning of the month to the end.
The beginning of October is still close to the summer months ending in September. Days can be really warm, and sitting outside enjoying lunch or drinks is very comfortable.
During the day it’s usually sunny, with average temperature highs during the day of about 74-78 Fahrenheit/23-25 Celsius, and in the evenings it can still be pretty mild, with lows (at night) averaging 60-64 Fahrenheit/16-18 Celsius.
Golf carts are a fun way to get around at this time of year – they offer a convenient way to see major landmarks and some shelter from the occasional rain shower
Towards the end of October, we get close to the end of Daylight Saving Time (the clocks go back the last weekend of the month) and closer to real fall weather with a higher chance of rain. The days and evenings are still mild though so you don’t need to get your winter jackets out.
Curious to know more, or want to share your own tips? Leave a comment!
What to pack for Florence in October
Packing tips for October in Florence
Packing for Florence in October is pretty straightforward as the weather is consistent across the month. The sun is shining most days but it isn’t overly hot, with mild days and comfortable, cooler nights, with the average rainfall being pretty low.
You’ll want at least one pair of jeans or heavier cotton pants that you can wear during the day and in the evening, as well as a jacket to add to your outfits when needed.
Bring plenty of layering options, like cardigans, pullover or light jumpers along with t-shirts and blouses. A travel umbrella and light rain jacket are also good to include in your packing as the chance of rain increases later in October.
Discover all our must-have items for any trip to Italy in the fall:
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 October
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, not to mention good quality socks, as you will do more walking than you think. Don’t let painful feet slow you down so only bring shoes you have already broken in and bring a couple of options so you can change out between days.
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Rule 2: Dress in Layers
The next rule, which is crucial for October, is: dress in layers.
Check the weather before you head out each day, but it’s almost always a good idea to carry a light jacket, or pullover, and a scarf. This is true especially for mornings and evenings.
It can be really warm and sunny during the day, but the temperatures drop a lot when the sun is gone, so layering, and being prepared are always a good idea.
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 October a good time to visit Florence?
If you come to Florence in October, you will find lovely weather, not too hot, not too cold, ideal for exploring the city. And this means you will find Florence packed.
Yes, October is high season, not shoulder season or low season, in Florence.
Visiting the Accademia Gallery, one of the most famous art museums in the world and one of the top Florence attractions, allows you to see amazing pieces like this painting by Botticelli
How crowded is Florence during October?
Everyone always seems shocked when I tell them this, but it’s just the way it is.
Many schools in Europe have a break around the third week of October. Halloween and All Saints Day (November 1) are now celebrated together, making these dates in October a fun, yet busy time here, particularly if they fall on or near a weekend.
Fall is harvest season in Italy, which means it’s a lively time of year with a lot of food and wine festivals all around Italy.
October is a warm fall month, nowhere near winter, and the sun is still out until fairly late in the day.
So is it any surprise everyone wants to come to Florence in October?
Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio are always busy in October, especially at the start of the month
I always suggest reserving the popular things to do in Florence in advance. This is especially true during high season in October. Restaurants, particularly the ones on all the foodies’ blogs and top-ten lists, will be booked out for days (yes, lunch and dinner.)
The Uffizi Gallery will be impossible if you don’t book well in advance, and the Duomo will always be crowded. So if you know what you want to do in Florence, and you can book it ahead, do so.
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Florence Seasonal Food in October
As you might be able to tell from reading some of the other pages on my site, I love talking about food in Italy. And October is definitely a great month for foodies.
Pasta with truffles, the perfect fall dish for cooler temperatures
October is a great month for lovers of fall fruits and vegetables. And in Florence, where we (try to) eat seasonally, you will find these fantastic foods starting to appear in the markets and at restaurants in October:
- White truffles – these are a delicacy and usually only available from September through December. They are never cooked, only served raw, often grated over pasta. They should cost a lot, like 30-40 Euros for a pasta dish. But that’s how you know they are authentic.
- Pumpkin – zucca in Italian
- Mushrooms – funghi in Italian
- Radicchio – a white and red bitter leaf, which goes so well in risotto with gorgonzola cheese.
- Persimmons – called cachi (pronounced “kakee”) in Italian, there are many types of these and they are in full readiness by November. But in October, I can already start getting them in my market. The vanilla ones are superb to eat plain, as long as they are nice and ripe.
Many other fall fruits and vegetables are available as well of course, such as apples, pears, grapes, plums, figs, carrots, potatoes, beans etc.
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What to do during October in Florence
October holidays and special dates in Florence
There are no official holidays in October in Florence, but there are some other events that take place this month.
As well as visiting Florence’s many beautiful churches like this one in Piazza Santo Spirito, what else is there to do in October?
October 8 – Festa di Santa Reparata
This festival is a Florentine tradition. It is dedicated to Santa Reparata who is credited with helping the Christian army repel invaders in the 400’s and allowing Florence to remain an independent, Christian city.
The Duomo was built on the location of the church of Santa Reparata in the Piazza del Duomo, and the crypt of this ancient church was preserved because of how important it was to the Florentine people.
Every year on October 8 there is a medieval procession from Piazza di Parte Guelfa to the Duomo, with people dressed up in medieval dress and historical costumes to commemorate the victorious battle.
Halloween in Florence
While Halloween is not really a thing in Italy, in recent years it’s grown more popular, especially in the major Italian cities like Rome, Naples and Florence.
If you are in Florence for Halloween and want to get into the Halloween mood, there are plenty of spooky themed events that take place, some suitable for kids as well. You’ll be sure to see a lot of pumpkins around.
End of Daylight Saving Time
In Europe, we turn our clocks back one hour on the last Sunday of October, and return to Standard Time.
We gain one hour when this happens, so keep it in mind when it comes to booking transfers or entrance tickets for the Sunday.
Free Things to do in Florence in October
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, Accademia Gallery and many more.
These free entrance events on the first Sunday are very popular, so plan to arrive early to be sure you get in.
The Uffizi Gallery is completely free on the first Sunday of every month in Florence, but while it is one of the top things to do, it is very busy on this day
More ideas for things to do in Florence in October
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 tourist attractions, there are lots of great things to see and do in Florence. 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 October is a fantastic time to travel, with beautiful early fall weather and tasty seasonal produce everywhere. This is no secret so you can expect to find Florence full of other people looking to make the most of the city, so plan ahead for the things you really want to do.
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First, I want to tell you that we stumbled upon your videos on YouTube. They have provided us with the best information for our upcoming trip. My wife and I have been invited to a close friend’s wedding in England on October 25th. We decided to add few weeks before our trip and visit Italy. We will be arriving in Rome on September 27th and going by train to England via Florence & Paris. For the first half of the trip our daughter will join us to celebrate her 60th birthday. We have rented a place to stay in the Trastevere area of Rome and we will take the train to Florence on October 3rd. Thru VRBO we have found a wonderful apartment on the river that is close to all the sights. We fly to Paris on the 8th.
I have watched all of your videos on Florence and I would like your suggestions for a 5 day Itinerary. I have discovered that the Uffizi is closed on both Sunday & Monday.
Ciao Floyd and thank you for your message, and kind words! Your trip sounds fantastic and the autumn is a great time to come to Florence – I would personally recommend for 5 days here to use our 3 Day itinerary – https://www.florencewise.com/day-trips-itineraries/florence-in-3-days-getting-the-most-out-of-your-trip/ – and then using the extra days for day trips beyond Florence – https://www.florencewise.com/day-trips-itineraries/discover-all-the-fun-day-trips-from-florence/ or to revisit any of the things you enjoyed previously during your trip. You could even return to Rome on one of those days, or make the trip south to see Naples – if you opt for latter, be sure to check out our partner website Napleswise – https://napleswise.com/