Florence enjoys a transitional Mediterranean climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and often humid, with highs frequently above 30°C, while winters are mild but can be chilly and damp. Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant weather, with comfortable temperatures and vibrant city life. Rain falls throughout the year, peaking in autumn and early spring.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Florence’s climate is shaped by its valley setting, resulting in hot, humid summers and cool, damp winters. Summer (June–August) brings average highs of 31–33°C, with July and August often experiencing heatwaves and little rainfall. Nights remain warm, and humidity can make the heat feel more intense. Sunshine is abundant in summer, with up to 10–13 hours per day, while rain is scarce, especially in July. Despite the heat, the city buzzes with festivals and outdoor dining, though locals often escape to the coast in August.
Winters (December–February) are generally mild, with average highs of 10–12°C and lows near 2–4°C. Snow is rare but possible, and rain is more frequent, especially in November and December. Fog and chilly mornings are common, but sunny days can occur in any season. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the most comfortable times to visit, with temperatures ranging from 15–25°C and vibrant city life. Rainfall increases in autumn, peaking in October and November, and occasional thunderstorms can occur. Florence receives about 2,400 hours of sunshine annually, with breezes from the north (tramontana) sometimes bringing cooler, windy days in winter and spring.
| Average climate data for Florence, Italy | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 11 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 27 | 21 | 15 | 11 | 32 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 60 | 63 | 64 | 87 | 69 | 57 | 37 | 56 | 79 | 103 | 113 | 81 | 869 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 8 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 88 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Average UV index | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
The best time to visit Florence is from mid-April to mid-June and in September to early October. During these months, the weather is pleasantly warm (18–27°C), the city’s gardens are in bloom or glowing with autumn colours, and crowds are smaller than in peak summer. Outdoor events, festivals, and comfortable evenings make these periods ideal for sightseeing and enjoying Florence’s vibrant atmosphere.
July and August are the least favourable months for visiting Florence due to intense heat, with highs often exceeding 35°C and high humidity. Many locals leave for holidays in August, leading to some shop and restaurant closures. November can also be challenging, as it’s the rainiest month, with frequent showers and cooler, cloudier days that may limit outdoor activities.
Florence has hot, dry summers (31–33°C), mild but damp winters (10–12°C), and pleasant spring and autumn seasons. Rain is most frequent in autumn and early spring, with July being the driest month.
Snow is rare in Florence, but brief snowfalls can occur in winter, typically once every few years. Most winter precipitation is rain, and frosty mornings are more common than heavy snow.
Autumn, especially October and November, is the wettest period in Florence. These months see the most rainfall, so packing an umbrella and waterproof shoes is recommended if visiting in late autumn.
Florence enjoys about 2,400 hours of sunshine annually. Summer months (June–August) are the sunniest, with up to 10–13 hours of sunshine per day, while winter months have shorter, cloudier days.
Bring light, breathable clothes for summer, layers and a rain jacket for spring and autumn, and a warm coat for winter. Comfortable shoes are important year-round, and an umbrella is handy in autumn and spring.
July and August can be very hot and humid, with highs above 35°C. Sightseeing is best done in the early morning or evening, and it’s important to stay hydrated and take breaks indoors or in shaded areas.
Florence is least crowded in late autumn (November), winter (except around Christmas), and early spring (February–March). These periods offer quieter streets and attractions, but weather may be cooler and wetter.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (31.5 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (10.8 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 20.4 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (17.8 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 9.3 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is November (113 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is July (36.7 mm). Over the whole year there are 869.4 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is April (9.7 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is July (3.6 days). Over the whole year there are 88.3 days of rain on average.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 10.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 2.9 h). Over the whole year there are 6 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 8). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.4.
