A Complete Guide to Visiting Florence in September

Planning a trip in September? You’re in luck, Florence in September is one of the best times of the year to visit.

The city is coming back to life after the August holiday, and temperatures are finally cooling down, with a touch of fall crispness in the air.

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

• Where to stay in 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?

Sant’Ambrogio is the place to be in Florence during September. This neighborhood is centered around its amazing Mercato Sant’Ambrogio, where stalls overflow with seasonal produce at this time of year.

The area is also home to the celebrated Cibrèo restaurants and café, a must for anyone who wants to taste some of the best food Florence has to offer. 

It’s close enough to walk to the Duomo or Santa Croce, yet just far enough outside the busiest streets to give you a quieter base to return to after a busy day of sightseeing.

You can’t really get much better than the weather in September in Florence. Fall officially starts on September 22nd, but I find you notice a change by the end of August.

It’s always such a relief when the heat breaks and a walk around the city becomes something to enjoy, rather than the cause of your third shower of the day.

The beginning of September you can expect long and sunny days, still summer-hot but not unbearably humid and sticky. Towards the end of the month is when those lower temps start to appear, bringing crisper evenings with the promise of fall around the corner.

Packing tips for September in Florence

After a long hot summer, we are back to packing some layers. Since the weather can be slightly unpredictable this month, it’s a good idea to have a light cardigan or wrap in case it’s a bit chilly at night. 

There also can be chances of rain towards the end of the month, so packing a travel umbrella definitely isn’t a bad idea. 

Also, don’t forget sun protection like sunscreen or sunglasses. It is cooling down but the sun is still out and shining, and I always think its better to be on the safe side.

What to wear in Florence in September

I love September in Florence because of the flexibility you have with what you wear. Sundresses are still acceptable if it’s on the warm side, but I always love to break out my jeans on a cooler day. 

Personally, I don’t think you will need shorts, but if that’s what you’re most comfortable in, bring a pair along. Sandals are great, but I love a nice pair of flats in September, and of course a pair of sneakers for long walking days. 

As a fall weather person, I think this is one of the best seasons to see Florence. September is a unique month, because you still get the summer weather with a much milder feel. 

You’ll be able to sightsee without sweltering heat, and things still stay open late, so you can enjoy a lot of outdoor and nighttime events/openings.

How crowded is Florence during September?

As always, with the nicer weather, come the crowds. Honestly, I was pretty surprised to see just how crowded the city was my first September in Florence, especially since August is so quiet.

While the summer crowd tends to be people working around a school-year vacation schedule (plus Australians escaping their winter), the fall crowd is made up of travelers who come precisely to avoid those summer masses.

As a result, September is considered high season in Florence, and it will be difficult to last-minute book accommodations, restaurants, tickets, and more. It’s essential to book things in advance when coming this time of year.

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 there are still plenty of options.

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 coming up.

On the vegetable side, September marks the arrival of porcini mushrooms, a true Tuscan gem, you’ll find grilled or folded into pasta and risotto.

Summer isn’t quite over either: it’s the tail end of peach season (some of the year’s best), tomatoes are still at their peak, and the first local apples begin appearing in the markets.

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

If you’ve checked off the major sites and you’re looking for somewhere beautiful to spend an afternoon, the Museo Bargello is the perfect choice.

Set up in a stunning medieval palace (that once was a prison and barracks), it holds one of the finest collections of Renaissance sculpture in the world, including Donatello’s David and works by Michelangelo.

It’s an overlooked spot in Florence, and the best part is you’ll get all the artistic wonder of Florence’s bigger museums, but without the long lines and crowds of the Uffizi or Accademia.