Florence
Florence is the Renaissance city of Tuscany, known for its Duomo dome, the Uffizi Gallery and Michelangelo's David, with Chianti vineyards just south of the city.
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Florence (Firenze) is the capital of the Tuscany region in central Italy, about 275 km northwest of Rome. It is often described as the birthplace of the Renaissance, and its historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. Most first-time visitors come for the Duomo and the dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, which is still the largest brick dome in the world, along with the Uffizi Gallery and Michelangelo's David at the Galleria dell'Accademia.
Plan several days for the main sights, and buy Uffizi and Accademia tickets online ahead of your visit, since they often sell out. Tourists outnumber residents in the center from April to October, so expect crowds then. Winters are cool and damp. The historic center is a limited traffic zone, so leave the car outside and walk. Chianti vineyards lie just south of the city for day trips.
Florence in five
- Book the Uffizi and the AccademiaBoth sell timed tickets online. The Uffizi is closed on Mondays, so check the Accademia's closing day when you plan your week.Uffizi tickets
- The dome climb needs a slotClimbing Brunelleschi's dome is by booked time, sold through the cathedral's official ticketing. Reserve before you arrive and check what the cathedral visit itself includes.
- Fast trains to Rome and VeniceRome is about 1.5 hours and Venice about 2 hours from Santa Maria Novella.Italy by train off-peak
- Do not drive into the centerThe historic center is a limited traffic zone, and cameras fine rental cars.
- Spend afternoons in OltrarnoCross the Arno after lunch for artisan workshops, small trattorie and the Boboli side of the city, where the crowds thin out.
Things to do in Florence
See all attractions in Florence
Need to know
- Airport
- Florence (FLR), about 20 min by tram to Santa Maria Novella
- Getting around
- On foot; buses and trams beyond the center
- Best base
- Santa Croce or Oltrarno
- Day trips
- Siena, Lucca, Chianti
- Time needed
- 2–3 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh10°Low3°Cold, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 100 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Cool, few crowdsFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 103 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, few crowds
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh15°Low5°Mild, quietMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh19°Low8°Easter crowdsAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Easter crowds
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh22°Low11°Warm, busyMayRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- JuneClear6 rainy daysHigh29°Low16°Hot, long daysJuneClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, long days
- JulyClear4 rainy daysHigh32°Low19°Hot, crowdedJulyClear
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 31 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, crowded
- AugustClear6 rainy daysHigh32°Low19°Hot, some closedAugustClear
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, some closed
- SeptemberClear10 rainy daysHigh27°Low15°Warm, grapesSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 128 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, grapes
- OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Mild, harvestOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 132 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, harvest
- NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°Rain, quietNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 168 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, quiet
- DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Lights, coldDecemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 128 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Lights, cold
Average daily high and low in Florence, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Apr Maggio Musicale Fiorentino · May Maggio Musicale Fiorentino · Jun Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
Right now in Florence
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%
Fiesole
10:14 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
- Jun–SepSaracen JoustArezzo, a day trip
- Jul–AugFestival PucciniPisa, a day trip
Day trips by train
Day trips from Florence, the full guideBefore you go to Florence
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Rules for Florence, checked
- The Uffizi is closed on Mondays, 1 January and 25 December; tickets are sold online on the official site.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
Plan around Florence
Regions, rail, entry rules and money
Read the guideSienaThe medieval rival: the Campo and the Duomo
Read the guidePisaThe Leaning Tower, about an hour by train
Read the guideTuscanyHill towns, wine country and the best bases
Read the guidePisa day trip from FlorenceA timed plan by train
Read the guideSiena day trip from FlorenceBus and train options and a timed plan
Read the guideItaly by train off-peakA route that avoids the summer rush
Read the guideFlorence FAQ
How many days do you need in Florence?
Two full days cover the Uffizi, the Accademia, the Duomo and Oltrarno. Add a third for a day trip to Siena or Pisa.
Where should I stay in Florence?
Santa Croce or Oltrarno for evenings on foot at fair prices, or near Santa Maria Novella for early trains. Avoid the lanes right beside the Duomo if you want quiet nights.
Do I need to book the Uffizi in advance?
Yes, especially in spring and summer. Buy a timed ticket on the official site, and remember the museum is closed on Mondays.
Is Florence a good base for Tuscany day trips?
Yes. Siena takes about 1.25 to 1.75 hours by bus or train, Pisa about an hour by train and Lucca a little more. All three work without a car.
Can you drive in Florence?
Avoid it. The historic center is a limited traffic zone with cameras that fine rental cars automatically. Park outside the center and walk or take the tram.