Florence has something different to offer during each season, ensuring that each has features that make it a dreamy time to explore this dreamy city. However, as summer fades into our memories and the colder months approach, we think that winter escapes in the city, in particular, are due some love. So, if you can’t wait until summer 2027 for your next vacation in Tuscany then discover why we think you should book your holiday rental in Florence for this winter...
1. Crowds thin
This is an obvious one but as Florence is a major tourist destination, it makes sense that it is the busiest during the tourist season. During the shoulder season just after the summer, many are still visiting the city but between November and March, these crowds thin out considerably. Not only does this mean that you’ll have to queue less to get into tourist attractions or to get a table in a famous historic coffee shop but it also gives you more literal space to enjoy the splendour of the Birthplace of the Renaissance.
2. Chillier conditions are better for taking it all in
While sunshine and heat can be enjoyable at the beach or at a villa in Tuscany with a swimming pool, the increasingly hot summers can make taking in all that Florence has to offer a little more challenging. For those who really want to maximise their time in the city, strolling around during the cooler months is infinitely more doable. You won’t have to plan around the hottest part of the day, or worry about sweating or sunburn. You won’t have to bring something to cover up if you’re dressed lightly but are planning on visiting churches or other religious buildings. And any pit-stops can be for pleasure – to enjoy a coffee or sit and people-watch for a while – rather than out of desperate necessity for water or shade. In the winter is is much easier to hit up the Duomo, the Uffizi, and the Boboli Gardens in one day while walking around the city and taking in spots like the Piazza Signoria along the way, grabbing some gorgeous meals and snacks en route, and capping it all off while taking in sunset over the skyline from the Piazzale Michelangelo without being drenched in sweat.
3. Christmas cheer makes everything prettier
If you’re in the city in the run up to Christmas or the immediate aftermath, you’ll also be able to benefit from twinkling lights and more elaborate decorations set up by the city, pretty displays in shop windows, festive concerts and events, Christmas markets, seasonal delicacies, and a general Christmas cheer that makes everything prettier and that much more exciting. We have written extensively about the special events and traditions of the season in Florence on our blog and there is no shortage of Christmas wonder that makes this grand city a more magical place each December.
4. Snow in Florence is utterly magical
While it is not an annual affair by any means for snow to actually stick in Florence and more significant snowfalls can, in fact, slow down the entire city, you may be lucky enough to enjoy a little dusting that makes everything just a little bit more magical in the winter. Nearby areas like Fiesole that are elevated get consistent snow unlike low-lying and mild Florence so it is possible to go snowboarding or skiing on a day-trip while in the city. However, just a sprinkling of snow as you step out of a museum or a restaurant and look up at the grand skyline of the city is a pretty special experience, indeed.
5. Getting Cosy and Eating Well
Whether you’re hanging out in one of our beautiful vacation rentals in Florence or you’re dining in a family-run restaurant, having a morning espresso and pastry in a historic café with grand interiors or sipping a cocktail in a chic bar with views of the skyline and Duomo, you’ll find that Florence is a city with lots of cosy spots to watch the world go by in winter. After wandering around and taking the place in at its most pared back and starkly lovely in the winter months, Florence rewards with hearty local specialities including grilled and roasted meats, beans, and a variety of tasty vegetables that are sure to warm you up. Use the cooler temperatures and a need to stay warm as a perfect excuse to dive thoroughly into the city’s incredible cuisine and follow it up with delicious wines from the surrounding area and famous cocktails like the Negroni that were invented in Florence itself.