Florence When to Go

When to Go

Florence, practically speaking, is an ideal city destination at any time of year when considering the climate.  As with most major european cities, one finds that their journey is not blighted by excessive heat or cold, and as such, Florence is too marked by this generalisation.  That said, however, the very best time to see the city falls in the spring or early autumn, when there is befallen upon the city a tolerable warmth, and habitual blue sky making visits to the Boboli Gardens and San Miniato al Monte etc. all the more pleasant.  Considering visiting the city at the peak of summer is a tricky call, since although the midday heat can become unbearable and establish a sense of nausea at times, the perfect evenings often more than afford the discomfort of the daytime.

If, however, the issue is not the weather, but rather the touristic appeal, circumstances differ.  The whole of the month of August is unofficially considered to be a national holiday, and the cities are abandoned by their inhabitants in favour of the countless beautiful shores which are the affront of most Italian regions.  Tuscany's best beaches are so accessible and yet remain, for the main part, unspoilt, that their lucrative appeal truly does leave only tourists and the tourism workers around the city.  Nightlife is non-existent, and particularly around Ferragosto (15th August), the unknowing visitor will find it difficult to find a tabaccheria open, let alone most of the restaurants.  Bizarre considering the magnitude and scope of potential earnings to be couped from the somewhat ridiculous number of visitors the city receives in this period.  This writer would advise that the visitor stays away from the city in this month, and come in April/May/June when people, places and the feeling in the air is in an anticipatory mode, awaiting the stagnant delicacy of the summer peak. 

The visitor who comes in June/July will also afford themself the opportunity to witness the spectacle that is the Calcio Storico (Historical Football).  The tournament, which could be (rightly?!) considered as rather brutal, is a celebration of Florentine heritage and is a time-honoured tradition, encapsulating the spirit of a city born out of passion and its' pride thereof. 

Aside from this there are many other local events which occur throughout the year.  Naturally, owing to the city's proud claim to being the birthplace of the Renaissance, many of these events have affilitations with the arts.  If not, they are likely to be food orientated.  As with most/all Italian regions, degustation is entertainment to be enjoyed at leisure, and to a certain extent, could also be considered an art form to the same degree as music.  The Advent period sees an influx of activity in the piazze and streets surrounding them as the excitement for Christmas mounts. 

To surmise, avoid August and opt rather for the cusp of spring/summer, summer/autumn.