Fiesole
Fiesole is a hilltop town about 5 km northeast of Florence, known for Etruscan and Roman ruins, villa gardens and views over the Arno valley.
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Fiesole is a hilltop town and comune in the Metropolitan City of Florence, on heights just northeast of the city above the Arno valley. The town is about 5 km from Florence city centre, and from the heights you can look down on the city. The site has been settled since the Neolithic, and it was an important Etruscan city before the Romans made it Faesulae. Fragments of its Etruscan town walls still survive.
The main sights cluster around Piazza Mino da Fiesole. The Cathedral of San Romolo holds the shrine of St Romulus and an altarpiece by Pietro Perugino, and the Roman theatre below it has 19 tiers of stone seats. Villas and formal gardens line the slopes, and wealthy Florentines have used the town as a countryside retreat since the 14th century. Bus line 7 from Piazza della Libertà in Florence is the main route up, and a half-day visit works well for the hilltop sights and views.
Fiesole in five
- Take bus 7 from Piazza San MarcoThe city bus climbs to Piazza Mino in roughly 25 minutes. Check the operator's current ticket rules, since fares and where to buy change, and sit on the right side for the view.Florence travel guide
- Visit the archaeological areaThe Roman theater, baths and Etruscan temple sit together beside a small museum. Check the official site for hours and ticket details, since opening days vary by season.
- Go in the late afternoonMidday crowds thin by late afternoon, the light on the city is better and the air is cooler. Take a layer, because the hill can be breezy after sunset.
- Walk down only with the right shoesA footpath leads back toward Florence through olive terraces in about 1 to 1.5 hours. Wear sturdy shoes, take water and check you have the daylight to finish.
- Skip the carParking at the top is tight and the old center restricts traffic. Take the bus or a taxi, and leave the car in Florence.
Need to know
- Airport
- Florence (FLR) about 40 min via the city
- Getting there
- Bus 7 from Piazza San Marco, roughly 25 min
- Getting around
- On foot; the town is small
- Best base
- Florence for most visitors; Fiesole for quiet nights
- Time needed
- Half a day
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh10°Low3°Cool, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 100 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Cool, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 103 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh15°Low5°Spring startsMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring starts
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh19°Low8°Spring, flowersAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, flowers
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh22°Low11°Mild, clearMayRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, clear
- JuneClear6 rainy daysHigh29°Low16°Warm, long daysJuneClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, long days
- JulyClear4 rainy daysHigh32°Low19°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 31 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear6 rainy daysHigh32°Low19°Hot, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberClear10 rainy daysHigh27°Low15°Mild, calmSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 128 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calm
- OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Autumn lightOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 132 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn light
- NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°Cool, rainNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 168 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, rain
- DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Cold, quietDecemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 128 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
Average daily high and low in Fiesole, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Fiesole
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
12
- Feels like
- 8°
- Humidity
- 63%
- Wind
- 20 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 3%
Florence
11:39 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today13°9°3%Monday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Tue14°10°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed14°10°11%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Thu15°11°8%Thursday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Fri16°10°19%Friday: Rain. High 16°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 19%.
- Sat13°9°14%Saturday: Rain. High 13°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Sun15°6°21%Sunday: Rain. High 15°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 21%.
Updated 07:30 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Feb–MarCarnival of ViareggioLucca, a day trip
- Apr–JunMaggio Musicale FiorentinoFlorence, a day trip
- May–JulRavenna FestivalRavenna, a day trip
- Jun–SepSaracen JoustArezzo, a day trip
- Jul–AugFestival PucciniPisa, a day trip
Day trips by train
Before you go to Fiesole
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Rules for Fiesole, checked
- EU citizens can enter with an ID card or passport. Many non-EU nationals need a passport and may need a visa; check esteri.it before you book.Source
- Italy is in the Schengen area. Visa-free non-EU visitors may stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period, counting all Schengen countries.
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Restaurant bills may include a coperto (cover charge) or service charge. Check the bill first.
Plan around Fiesole
Regions, rail, entry rules and money
Read the guideFlorenceThe city below, an easy bus ride away
Read the guideLuccaWalled city with a cycle path on the ramparts
Read the guideArezzoPiero della Francesca frescoes, an hour away
Read the guidePisaLeaning tower and a lively university city
Read the guideItaly by train off-peakA rail route that avoids the crowds
Read the guideFiesole FAQ
Is Fiesole worth visiting from Florence?
Yes, for a half day. The views over the city are among the best, the air is cooler and the Roman theater is a quiet contrast to Florence's crowds.
How do you get from Florence to Fiesole?
Bus 7 from Piazza San Marco takes roughly 25 minutes. Taxis are faster but cost more. Check the bus operator for ticket rules, because they change.
How long do you need in Fiesole?
Two to three hours cover the archaeological area and the viewpoint. Add time for a walk down or a long lunch, and start by early afternoon to enjoy the light.
Is Fiesole better than Florence?
No, it is a complement. Florence has the major art museums, and Fiesole offers views, ruins and calm. See Florence first, and use Fiesole as a break.
Can you walk from Fiesole to Florence?
Yes, in about 1 to 1.5 hours on footpaths and lanes, with steep stretches. Take water, avoid the midday heat and check you have daylight to finish.