Is November a good time to visit Florence? What’s the weather like? If you’re looking for fewer crowds and cheaper deals, then coming to Florence in November is always a good idea. The weather isn’t that cold (min 6 degrees C/42 F – max 15C/59F), so you can get in all your sightseeing, even if it’s not the right time for outdoor dining.
For art lovers, November is a good time to enjoy Florence’s many museums as you can indulge your passion in relative peace and quiet. Florence is never really empty of tourists, however November is one of those months when the crowds thin out. As it’s off-peak tourist season, you can save some money too as some museums charge reduced tickets, and accommodation also gets a bit cheaper.
Here we explore what’s on in Florence throughout November, and give you some ideas for things to do and day trips to take.
Good to know => The 1st November is a public holiday in Italy (known as Ognissanti, All Saints’ Day), so check out opening times for attractions.
LAST UPDATE: October 2024
Florence in November – What to expect
Visit Florence’s famous museums with less crowds
And save some money too! To see the most famous Florentine museums in low season you pay less, half price in some cases. This tariff differentiation has been implemented to encourage people to visit Florence out of the high season. By way of example, you pay only 12 Euro (instead of 25) to visit the Uffizi Gallery from 10th November to 15th December. Pitti Palace reduces the ticket to 10 Euro (instead of 16), Boboli Gardens 6 Euro (instead of 10).
=> Florence in 3 Days Complete Itinerary
Check out an art exhibit
Florence is not all about the Renaissance, and November is a good time to explore its contemporary art offering. Check out the program of Palazzo Strozzi, Pitti or Museo Novecento. This year you can see the work of Helen Frankenthaler’s, in dialogue with other contemporary artists at Palazzo Strozzi, from 27th September to 26th January 2025.
This November (from 8th October 2024 to 1st December 2024) Palazzo Pitti presents “Carlo Maria Mariani. Arte beyond time”, an exhibition of sixteen works by the internationally acclaimed Italian contemporary painter.
=> See all the Best places to see Contemporary Art in Florence.
Enjoy a hot chocolate or cappuccino in a historic cafe
One of the pleasures of Florence in November is spending some time at its historic cafes, like elegant Caffè Concerto Paszkowski in Piazza della Repubblica (they know their way around a coffee, just tell them you would like to try their specialties!).
Or try a luscious hot chocolate at Rivoire in Piazza Signoria. Other hot spots for chocolate lovers are: the Cioccolateria Hemingway in Piazza Piattellina in the heart of the groovy San Frediano neighbourhood, or L’Arte del Cioccolato near the Duomo in Piazza Santa Elisabetta.
Festive Feeling in Santa Croce
Around mid-November the streets and shops start getting dressed up for Christmas, and this year from the 23rd November 2024, the scenic Piazza Santa Croce Square hosts the Christmas Market (it’s on until mid December). When Florence is bathed in golden Christmas lights, it seems to get more magical than ever.
=> Our favourite Aperitivo Spots in Florence
Ognissanti All Saints’ Day with a view
November 1st is All Saints’ Day and Italians traditionally visit their departed at the cemetery. If you are in the mood for something contemplative, you can visit the Cimitero delle Porte Sante. This 19th century monumental cemetery is located behind the Church of San Miniato al Monte, above the panoramic terrace Piazzale Michelangelo. The views of Florence are stunning, and while you there you can pay homage to Collodi, the father of Pinocchio.
To stay on theme, you could also visit the Ognissanti (All Saints’) Church, where you can admire a fresco by Botticelli among other artworks, all for free.
Art lover? => Check out where to see amazing Botticelli’s works in Florence!
Traditional Food products to try in November
November is also the month where the olive harvest happens, and the new olive oil is produced. To have a taste of this year’s olio nuovo, you can browse the Fierucolina Olio Nuovo in Santo Spirito Square, on 17th November 2024, from 9am to 7pm.
This is also truffle time in Tuscany, so look out for interesting dishes that make tartufo their king. Some excellences in town: Restaurant Borgo San Iacopo that has an excellent Autumn-inspired menu, or the famed Cibreo or Buca Orafo, where people come in droves to taste the historic dish tagliolini e uova al tartufo. Book in advance!
* 5 Delicious Tuscan Dishes You Must Try in Autumn!
Day Trip from Florence – some ideas for November
Enjoy the Chianti region in Autumn
Visiting the Chianti wine region in November is a pleasure for the senses. The colours of Autumn are at their best in the first half of the month, when the vineyards turn bright orange and yellow.
On this Full Day Chianti Tour from Florence you’ll travel through the Tuscan hills on a 4×4 off-road vehicle, stopping to visit a wine estate and a Chianti Classico wine cellar. Including lunch and wine tasting.
Traditional Market in Figline Valdarno | 8th-10th November 2024
Figline Valdarno, a small historic town 35 km from Florence, every November hosts Autumnia, an event dedicated to agriculture. Events and a market where producers (local and from other Italian regions) sell traditional food, all inspired by Autumn. Easy to reach via train from Florence. More info on the official site.
Discover beautiful woods near Florence
If you love nature, and you have a few days to spend in Florence in November, you might like the idea of exploring the beautiful woods surrounding Vallombrosa Abbey, one of the best places to see fall foliage in Tuscany. Autumn makes a great spectacle here, and the nature reserve is a great place to hike and relax.
Nearby, the small town of Reggello hosts the annual Rassegna Olio di Reggello (New Olive Oil Festival) from 1st to 3rd November 2024, with olive oil tasting and events.
Lucca Comics
On a different note, the town of Lucca (less than 2 hours by train from Florence) becomes the bewitching setting for Lucca Comics. A famous community event dedicated to comics, fantasy novels and films, anime, cosplay.
More ideas for your trip? => Discover the Best Things to do in Tuscany in November!
Florence in November – Weather and Temperatures
Temperatures in Florence in November go from 6 degrees C/42 F (min.) to 15C/59F (max). During the day it’s still pleasant, getting colder at night. Typically temperatures begin to drop towards towards the end of the month. November traditionally gets quite a bit or rain (an average of 10 days of rain). Indoor heating is on from the 1st November.
Sunrise: between 7 and 7:30 – Sunset: between 5pm to 4:40.
Check out what to wear in Autumn in Tuscany.
