Coming to Florence in September? You are in luck, September is one of the most beautiful months of the year to visit Florence.

The city is coming back to life after the sleepy August holidays. Plus, there is a touch of fall crispness in the evening air that makes it a wonderful time to enjoy Florence to its fullest, day and night.

Here’s what you need to know about coming to visit Florence in September:

• What’s the weather like?
• What to pack for visiting Florence in September?
• Is September a good time to visit Florence?
• What food is in season in September in Florence?
• What are some things to do in Florence in September?

The weather in September is (almost) perfect. September is mostly a summer month as fall officially starts on September 22.

It’s strange but I find that nearly every year, around the first of September, the weather does in fact change. The days are still blue-sky, summer-hot but the nights are enjoyable and no longer uncomfortably hot and sticky. This lasts about 2-3 weeks into September.

From the middle of September, or right around the beginning of fall, the weather seems to change like clockwork. It’s still lovely, hot but comfortable during the day, and crisp evenings with that hint of autumn just around the corner.

Florence’s September average temperature is just right for sightseeing, day and evening.

Packing tips for September in Florence

Packing for Florence in September is all about being flexible. The start of September is still very warm during the day but the evenings are starting to cool down, so bringing some slightly heavier layers like a cardigan or light pullover that you can carry in your day bag is a good idea.

Towards the end of September the chances of an occasional shower of rain get higher so I’d recommend packing a travel umbrella just in case you need it, along with a light rain jacket.

Throughout September you’ll want clothes made with lighter materials. Locals won’t be wearing shorts but you can if you want to, just remember to bring suitable options for going inside churches as well.

What to wear in Florence in September

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.

As September is still mostly a summer month, you may think you will stay cool by wearing light sandals or flip flops. But the paved and cobbled streets are killer on your feet if you don’t have sturdy enough shoes, and I find I actually feel hotter wearing flip flops.

I recommend bringing some sturdy walking sandals or good quality sneakers that give your feet enough support.

Rule 2: Dress in Layers

The next rule is: dress in layers.

While the September weather in Florence is mostly warm, especially at the beginning of the month, the evenings will feel cooler. You’ll want some slightly warmer layers to combat the cooler evenings, as it’s still lovely to be outside.

I’d also recommend a light rain jacket for trips in late September, as we do get some rain showers, so having this layer ready to go in your backpack is a great idea.

In September you can expect beautiful weather, not too hot and not too cool, very little rain and fairly long summery days.

You will be able to enjoy the sights in Florence without sweltering in the heat, lots of things are open late and you can still enjoy a lot of outdoor and nighttime events and openings. You may be surprised to find Florence in September is packed to the gills however.

How crowded is Florence during September?

The very first time I was in Italy in September, I remember traveling with a friend, making our way down from Venice…and finding all the hotels in Florence, Siena, and Rome fully booked.

I could not understand it. I thought, but summer is over, everyone should be gone by now. Well yes. The summer tourists were indeed gone, making it a beautiful time of year for the kind of visitor to Italy who craves a quieter, slower-paced experience here.

These are the people whose vacations are not based on a school-year vacation schedule. And they come in droves to avoid the summer crowds. This makes September high season in Florence, and the crowds don’t really go away until November.

This being said, the very beginning of September is not quite high season yet. For about the first 5-6 days, you can expect mid-season rates on hotels, crowds that are not yet at their peak, and a nice sense of a city re-awakening.

Most of the restaurants have reopened from their August closure or are just reopening, and the city center has the air of something about to happen.

A lot of delicious summer fruits and vegetables are still in season in September, so you are pretty spoiled for choice.

What’s coming into season in September?

September is the height of fig season so expect to find fig gelato, and a very popular panino, fresh figs with prosciutto on pizza bianca.

Grapes have already been available but really come into season in September. Remember, harvest time is just around the corner.

September holidays and special dates in Florence

There are no public or religious holidays in September in Florence. But there are some interesting Florence events that take place in September.

September 7 – Rificolona

The Florentine festival of Festa della Rificolona takes place each year in the evening of September 7, which dates back centuries.

Watch as the streets of Florence are lit up by people carrying paper lanterns in a procession that ends at Piazza della Santissima Annunziata (close to the Accademia Gallery).

This tradition started when pilgrims from the surrounding countryside would come into the city center along the Arno river to celebrate the day the Virgin Mary was born, September 8. The pilgrims would often arrive the evening before, carrying goods for sale and for the church, and would be traveling with lanterns for safety.

The religious significance of the pilgrimage is no longer so important to the Florentine people, but the procession of decorated and colorful paper lanterns is a lovely sight to see.

Carro Matto – Fourth Saturday in September

Another Florence festival that dates back a long time is the Carro Matto, which takes place on the fourth Saturday of every September.

During the Florentine Republic it became tradition for the first cart of wine for the season to be brought into Piazza della Signoria from the nearby towns and presented to the rulers of the city to start the wine harvest.

Nowadays the Carro Matto (Mad Cart) with its stacked pile of straw-wrapped wine bottles is paraded through the streets of Florence pulled by two white oxen, along with people dressed in historical costume, drummers and more.

Free Things to do in Florence in September

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 are very popular, so plan to arrive early to be sure you get in.

More ideas for things to do in Florence in September

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: