Summer days in Florence can get really, really hot. Even though it’s easy to find a bit of shade here and there when walking through the historic center, something to cool the sun’s rays a bit and keep yourself protected (a hat or cap, some sunglasses) can be a godsend.

But besides just comfortable, light clothes to wear during the daytime, don’t forget to bring something a bit more elegant and stylish to go out at night, perhaps for an aperitivo (Italian happy hour) in one of the numerous exclusive locales with panoramic terraces or riverfront seating. Balmy summer evenings in Florence mean magnificent colors reflecting on the surface of the Arno and inevitably more opportunities for romantic moments. Don’t miss them!

 

Autumn is probably the season that can vary the most, moving from the near-summer days of September to the first weeks of December, when the cold starts to make itself at home.  

 

It’s also notoriously the season for rainfall so a light rain jacket or windbreaker is a suitcase essential, particularly if you plan to make an excursion in the Chianti area.

Come autumn, the vineyard vines take on enticing colors and the temperatures are just perfect for a tour or tasting at a winery. Book a tour but don’t stop there: take along a notebook so that you can mark down all the different wine types, labels and producers you sample, or any delicious dishes you try. Most producers, tour guides, or restaurant personalities (the latter when prompted) will spill secrets or tell anecdotes about the different products’ and dishes’ origins and the traditions and meaning attached. You won’t want to forget these when you’re telling stories (preferably over Tuscan wine) to your friends back home—carrying a notebook will allow you to jot down the highlights.

 

Winter in Florence can be a bit harsh; you’ll definitely need heavy clothing if you want to enjoy your stay in the city. If you arrive during the Christmas period, in the most renowned streets of the historic center you’ll be wrapped up in the warmth of the lights, or the revelry at the Christmas Market in piazza Santa Croce; the merry window displays are also great mood lifters!

But beyond Christmas and all its assorted celebrations, you can use this time to explore the numerous museums and monuments spread throughout the city and its surroundings. There’s no better way to do so than with the FirenzeCard, an indispensable pass that grants entry to 72 museums over a 72 hour period, with priority entrance (want to skip straight to the front of the line?

This is just your ticket—just remember that if you want to climb to the top of Brunelleschi’s dome, you need to book!). Plus, with just a few extra euro, you can tack on a transportation pass.

Indispensable for other seasons too? Well, yeah. Make that one a year-round “must!”

 

While you should remember the “musts” listed above, don’t overpack – remember that Florence is a major international destination and you can easily pick up anything you leave behind at home. Nothing makes traveling and moving through airports and train stations more tedious and stressful than having to haul around huge suitcases! Plus, don’t you want to save some room for souvenirs in your bags?

From the Florence airport, it’s easy to reach the city center in a taxi or with the ATAF buses in just around 15 minutes. If you’re instead arriving in Pisa, you can take the train to reach Santa Maria Novella, Florence’s main railway station, in just about an hour’s time.

 

Downtown Florence is easy to get around on foot: most of the major attractions are within walking distance of one another and there’s a good bike sharing service (make sure to download the Mobike app on your phone ahead of time). To visit towns nearby, apart from some being reachable by ATAF bus, you could try the car sharing service explained in detail on our “Getting Around” page.

Perhaps most importantly, don’t forget to bring with you an open mind—traditions, foods, customs and language are different, otherwise, what would be the point of traveling?—and a sense of humor for when something unexpected throws off your plans, or you take a few wrong turns and end up in a postcard-perfect square across town from your hotel. Oftentimes, this is when the best discoveries of all are made, and the most memorable stories come out of them!

Whatever time of year you travel here, Florence is always ready to surprise and amaze: whatever your plans may be, book your stay and find other helpful information on our Destination Florence.