Best time to visit Florence: weather, crowds, and climate curiosities
Before you book that trip to Florence, consider this: the weather is warming, the crowds are shifting, and 2024 has already broken records. Here’s a month-by-month guide to the best times to visit—whether you're chasing quiet streets or artisan craft.
Sunglasses, trench or scarf? it’s up to you
Florence in 2024 was the hottest year since 1955, with over 50 days of African heat and 46 tropical nights. Curious when to go? This guide walks you through temperature, rainfall, tourist trends, and why shoulder season might be your new best friend.
This page answers best time to visit Florence queries with practical month-by-month advice.
Short answer:
The best time to visit Florence is April–May and September–October for mild weather and lighter crowds; avoid mid-June–August for peak heat and queues.
At a glance
Best months: April–May, September–October — pleasantly warm, ideal for strolling and shopping without the summer crowds.
Quieter windows: late January–early March, mid-October–early December — a slower pace, softer light, fewer tour groups (and easier dinner reservations).
Heat-sensitive? Mid-June through August can be intense — both in temperature and tourism. Still beautiful, but best tackled early in the day (then siesta).
The heat is On: Florence’s warmest year on Record
Tuscany’s regional climate report crowned 2024 as the warmest year since 1955, with a +1.35°C anomaly over the 1991–2020 average. Florence clocked 53 days of "caldo africano" and 46 tropical nights, meaning overnight lows didn't drop below 20°C (68°F).
The average temperatures by month in Florence 2024 were approximately:
Jan: 6°C
Apr: 15°C
Jul: 27.5°C
Oct: 17°C
An early spring and a lingering autumn made April, May, September, and October ideal for mild weather—without the oven-baked streets of high summer.
Rainfall: a drying city with wet surprises
Florence recorded about 85 rainy days in 2024, with only 30 qualifying as heavy rain. Summer was unusually dry, with 36% less rainfall than the norm. But June surprised with 45.2mm of rain, slightly above average, suggesting a city where seasons aren't what they used to be.
Monthly rainy day averages in 2024:
Jul/Aug: just 3 days each
Apr/Oct: 8 days
Nov: 9 days (the wettest month)
Travel tip: Bring a compact umbrella in spring and fall—but don't expect biblical floods.
Tourist Trends: 15 Million and counting
Firenze welcomed an estimated 15 million tourist presences in 2024, continuing a strong post-pandemic rebound. The city saw a +12.9% increase in tourist stays in the first half of the year alone.
Monthly tourist presence (estimated in thousands):
Jan: 500k
May: 1.4M
Jul/Aug: ~1.8M each
Dec: 600k
The best times to visit for fewer crowds:
Late Jan to early Mar
Mid Oct to early Dec
The worst? Mid-June through August, unless you enjoy long lines and heatstroke.
Prices: Flights and stays generally peak from mid-June to late August and ease during late winter and the shoulder months.
Curious Patterns and Seasonal Oddities
June 2024 had more rain than May, despite being drier historically.
August had fewer rainy days than April, but also hotter nights.
March was cooler than expected, delaying early-bloom tourism.
Summer 2024 saw more "code red" heat advisories than any previous year.
Climate is no longer predictable, which makes smart timing and sustainable planning essential.
Shop Slow, Travel Smarter: Florence Factory’s Ethos
As Florence heats up, the case for slow travel and low-impact shopping gets stronger. At Florence Factory, we prioritize:
Vegetable-tanned leathers (natural, non-toxic)
Plant-based PLA 3D printing (biodegradable, recycled)
Choosing to visit in the shoulder season (spring or fall) isn’t just practical—it’s a vote for sustainability. It means:
Fewer emissions from off-peak flights
Less pressure on Florence’s fragile infrastructure
More time to appreciate detail, process, and craft
Come See Us (Off-Season Is Best)
Florence Factory — Via dei Neri 6/8R, near Santa Croce
Open most days. For same-day pickup or custom requests, message or call us first.
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April–May or September–October for pleasant temps and manageable crowds.
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July–August are the hottest months with frequent heat advisories and longer lines.
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Late January to early March, and mid-October to early December.
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November typically sees the most rainy days.
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Late winter and the shoulder seasons often bring better rates on flights and stays.
Florence Factory tips:
Florence is always a beauty but… Avoid the summer slog. Visit in April, May, September, or October—and discover the best of Florence’s craft and climate.
Or shop online: our makers ship globally.
