We won’t lie to you. Florence is hot in summer. The kind of humid heat that sticks to your skin. In July and August temperatures can reach 37/38 degrees C (99 F), which can make sightseeing pretty unpleasant. Having said that, if you’re travelling to Florence in summer there are ways to enjoy the city, without being overwhelmed by the heat. Here’s how we do it.
Florence in Summer – Things to do
Early morning walks
Rise with the sun in the Summer to make the most of the early morning hours. This is the best time to take respite from the heat and beat your fellow tourists to the attractions, enjoying beautiful spots in the city while the city is still getting up. But if you’re not an early riser, leave your walking for late afternoon. You can take a scenic walk along the Arno, starting from the Ponte Vecchio and heading to San Niccolò, or stroll around our favourite spot – the maze of narrow streets behind Piazza Signoria. You can leave the indoor visits to the hottest hours.
See a Museum with a Guided Tour
If you’d like to visit the most popular museums, it’s highly advisable to book a guided tour, so you don’t have to wait in a queue (generally unpleasant but more so under the scorching sun!). Visiting the Uffizi or the Accademia (where you can see the statue of David) with a guide will also make it more enjoyable. There’s so much to see that a bit of explanation will help you appreciate it all.
With this Uffizi & Accademia Guided Tour you can see the two most popular museums – the artistic highlights of Florence – with an expert guide, and make the most of your day in the city.
Dine at one of the bars or restaurants along the Arno
In Summer the Lungarni – literally ‘the streets that run along the river Arno’ – reveal a welcoming side, and become the perfect spot to spend a few hours in relaxation. A few ideas for your Summer in Florence?
Lungarno 23, in Lungarno Torrigiani, is the top place to enjoy a burger made with local Chianina meat, a few steps from the Ponte Vecchio. Favourite with locals is the SantaRosa Bistrot, on the Lungarno Santarosa, that offers a green space where you can get a drink or a meal, and it’s child-friendly. Dogana beach is the place to go for an aperitivo, or you can check out the River Urban Beach that offers a real ‘beach feel’ right in the middle of the city => check the official site to see when it’s open.
Savour every flavour of gelato
Summer is synonymous with gelato in Italy, and Florence has got its fair amount of excellent gelaterie. A great snack to cool you down with every flavour under the sun from pistacchio to lemon and basil, and all Mediterranean fruit flavours that give off the perfect Summer vibe.
Check out the Top Gelaterie in Florence.
Insider’s Tip => Florence’s most typical flavour is Buontalenti, or ‘crema fiorentina‘ a gelato with its own long history – the recipe was invented in the 16th century!
Try Panzanella, a cold dish straight from nonna’s kitchen
If you see panzanella in the menu, just order it. It’s one of those local grandmother’s dishes that are often eaten in Tuscan kitchens during the Summer. A cold mix of Tuscan bread soaked in water, tomatoes, cucumber, fresh basil, onion, dressed with olive oil and vinegar. Heavenly.
One of the places that is well-known for the traditional panzanella is Ristoro dei Perditempo (we love the name: the place for those who love wasting time!) in Borgo San Iacopo, with view of the Arno and the Ponte Vecchio.
=> Florence for Foodies: 12 Top Experiences in Florence for those who love food!
For those who like food and cooking, it could be a good idea to join a Cooking Class => in this Pizza and Gelato making Class in a Tuscan estate near Florence a professional Italian chef provides a fun hands-on cooking lesson that culminates in a 3-course feast of appetizers, pizza, and gelato.
Check out less explored museums or spots
Because Florence’s historic centre can get extremely busy in Summer, it’s a good idea to alternate more popular sights with less travelled spots (there’s still a few!). A few ideas? Marino Marini Museum is a top-class contemporary art museum dedicated to a Tuscan artist, Casa Buonarroti is a small museum in the house where Michelangelo used to live, the Secret Passage Tour of Palazzo Vecchio to learn about the secrets of the most handsome Florentine palace.
Buy yourself a cappello di paglia
In Florence you’ll find plenty of stalls and shops selling the typical straw hat. In Florence artisans have been making these hats for at least two centuries. Check out the ones at the Porcellino Market, or the historic shop Grevi Cappelli (from 1875!) in Via dei Fossi.
Join a Vespa tour, enjoy the breeze
Let the breeze cool you down and the view intoxicate you!
Ride a Vespa through the Florentine hills on this Vespa Tour from Florence. A local guide leads the way up through the scenic hills, where you pass the famous Piazzale Michelangelo and the Church of San Miniato al Monte. Afterward, head back to a country estate for a traditional Italian meal. It’s one of the top Cool Things to do in Florence.
Get amazed by the Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo
The view from Piazzale Michelangelo, the panoramic terrace above Florence, is spectacular at any time of the year. But with the sun going down, the Summer light colours the city with soft orangey nuances that are a real balm for the eyes, and the soul.
=> Check out 10 Non-Touristy Things to do in Florence
Things not to do in Summer in Florence
And now a few ‘don’ts’, to take note of if you don’t function well in the heat.
Firstly do not hang around in the middle of the day, organise your time to have the central hours of the day to rest or have lunch in a covered place, or visit a museum that has air conditioning. Bring something for the air conditioning (you might want to cover your shoulders like I do!).
Don’t forget to hear sunglasses and a hat.
Do not turn up at a popular museum without booking, you might end up wasting hours queueing in the sun.
A few more things to be aware of…
When you visit Churches you cannot go inside dressed for the beach – most of the churches (and some museum) have signs at the entrance that forbid entry if you’re not properly dressed – bring something to cover you legs or shoulders if you’re wearing shorts or dresses without sleeves.
Do not pack your days with millions of activities, bare in mind that the city is crowded at this time of year.
New rules forbid eating in the area near the Uffizi => see the new rules applied in Italian destinations in 2023.
Avoid sitting in front of monuments or bathe in the fountains (it seems obvious, but it does happen!), as you’ll risk a fine.
=> Unusual Things to do and see in Florence during your stay
=> Most Beautiful Churches in Florence
