Are you thinking about visiting Florence, Italy? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Florence worth visiting?
Florence is worth visiting for two to seven days so that you can explore everything that the city has to offer. Florence is the capital of Italy's famous Tuscany region. It's a city filled with some of the world's most famous and beautiful art and architecture. There are many iconic sights including the famous Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, and the The Galleria dell'Accademia where you'll find Michelangelo's David. The city is also filled with cafes and shops where you can buy fine Italian items or souvenir knockoffs. During our first trip to Florence in the fall of 2008, we fell in love with its beautiful ambiance and iconic Italian beauty. We've come back several times since then to experience it even more. It's often mentioned as one of the best places to visit in major publications, such as in U.S. News World's Best Places to Go in 2023.
Florence
Reasons to Visit Florence
Museums
Because of it's important role in the Renaissance, the city has many world-renowned museums that you can visit. Famous sights and landmarks include the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo, and the Academy Gallery.
Food
Once you've worked up an appetite exploring museums and churches, you'll find many amazing local restaurants around town. Local dishes incorporate a lot of hearty vegetables and meats. Famous dishes include a Florentine steak dish, rabbit, and a bean bed and cabbage soup.
Historical Sights
The historic center of the city is where you'll find many of the most beautiful buildings, art works, and quaint streets. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it was at the heart of the Renaissance period.
Shopping
There are many shops in the tourist heart of the city. Most are geared specifically to tourists so you may have to search to find a more authentic shopping experience. Famous items available in the city include gold jewelry, ceramics, leather, and perfume.
Nightlife
You'll find the most active nightlife in the Santa Croce neighborhood. The area attracts study abroad students as well as tourists who party late into the night.
Is Florence worth visiting in the Summer?
The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 25°C (77°F) with daily high temperatures often more than [No Data].
The peak season for travel is summer in Florence, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This is an extremely popular destination, and in the high season it's busier than usual as this is when most people are able to travel. Expect large crowds of tourists, longer lines, and higher prices for hotels. On the other hand, you'll find that everything is open and you'll have a wide array of activities, things to do, and places to eat.
You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. This is a great time of year to browse the museums, admire the historic sights, and dance the night away.
Summer Weather in Florence
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| August | 24°C (75°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| September | 21°C (70°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Is Florence worth visiting in the Autumn?
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Florence. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 16°C (61°F).
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to take in the beautiful scenery, browse around the old town, and spend time at the museums.
Autumn Weather in Florence
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 16°C (61°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| November | 11°C (52°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| December | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
Is Florence worth visiting in the Winter?
This is the low season for travel in Florence. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the low season you'll still see plenty of other travelers when you visit, but less than other times of the year. Good deals are to be found on hotels and tours because it's not the best time of year to visit.
The weather in Florence can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 7°C (45°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
During this season it's fun to experience the museums and landmarks, the cuisine, and the historic old town. Also, you can check out the nightlife.
Winter Weather in Florence
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 7°C (45°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| February | 8°C (46°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| March | 10°C (50°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
Is Florence worth visiting in the Spring?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 14°C (57°F).
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Florence, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.
The city this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. This is a great time of year to browse the shops, wander through the museums, and take in the beautiful scenery. Also, you'll be able to admire the historic sights and enjoy an evening out.
Spring Weather in Florence
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 14°C (57°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| June | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Florence
Lots of Tourists
Florence sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Florence might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Florence here or see if Florence is expensive here.
Related
What is Florence most famous for?
Florence is most famous for its iconic beauty, world-renowned Renaissance art and architecture, and beautifully maintained gardens. People visit this impressive city for its great museums, food, and historical sights. It's also known for shopping. And many travelers come for the nightlife, as well. It is often described as alluring, historical, artistic, and iconic.
What is the most famous sight in Florence?
The most popular sight in Florence is The Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore). You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Florence on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore) and other attractions here.
How touristy is Florence? Is it a popular city to visit?
Florence is a very touristy city that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- DAVID and Accademia Gallery Private Tour in Florence: $97
- The History of Famous Historical Families Private Tour: $159
- Skip the Line: Uffizi Gallery PRIVATE!: $217
- Authentic Culinary Experience in a Tuscan Family Estate: $251
- Private WALKING TOUR in Florence: $130
- 2-Hour Guided Tour to Uffizi Gallery and its Symbols: $55
- 3-Hour Accademia Gallery Skip-the-Line & Florence Walking Tour: $207
- Uffizi Gallery Tour With Skip The Line Ticket: $163
How long should I spend in Florence?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Florence is two to seven days. Since Florence has a variety of activities such as museums, dining, and historical sights, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Florence?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Florence?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Florence?.
More Things to Do in Florence
- Is The Florence Duomo Worth Visiting?
- Is The Ponte Vecchio Worth Visiting?
- Is Piazza della Signoria Worth Visiting?
- Is Galleria dell'Accademia Worth Visiting?
- Is Uffizi Gallery Worth Visiting?
- Is Museo Galileo Worth Visiting?
- Is Mercato Centrale Worth Visiting?
- Are The Bardini Gardens Worth Visiting?
- Is Piazzale Michelangelo Worth Visiting?
- Is Museo dell'Opera del Duomo Worth Visiting?
- Are Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens Worth Visiting?
- Is Palazzo Vecchio Worth Visiting?
- Is Cappelle Medicee Worth Visiting?
- Is Bargello Museum Worth Visiting?
- Is Palazzo Medici-Riccardi Worth Visiting?
- Is San Miniato al Monte Worth Visiting?
- Is Gucci Garden Worth Visiting?
- Is Museo Novecento Worth Visiting?
- Is Palazzo Strozzi Worth Visiting?
- Is The Basilica di Santa Croce Worth Visiting?
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.