Tuscany in Spring, Plan Your Trip with our Insider's Guide

What could be better than Tuscany in Spring? The countryside’s in full bloom. The weather is perfect for sightseeing and spending time outdoors. The beaches are warming up. And all those fabulous (and delicious) Easter traditions are getting underway. Could it be the perfect time to visit Tuscany? Let’s take a closer look.

Spring can get quite busy, mainly in Florence and the more popular destinations. May and June are some of the most popular times to visit our region. But if you add some of the lesser known, but equally charming, areas and towns to your itinerary, crowds are not going to be an issue. You’ll find plenty of trip ideas and suggestions in this article to help you get the most out of Spring in Tuscany!

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Tuscany in Spring – Best Places to See and Things to do

Magical Countryside, Explore Chianti and Val d’Orcia

When Spring arrives, the Tuscan countryside prepares a few surprises for us. Almond and cherry trees paint the lanscape with their delicate pink and white touches. Yellow forsythia and daisies dot the fields, and wisterias explode with colour. The purple irises, the elegant flower that is a symbol of Florence, make an appearance too.

Gardens and fields are alive with activity and vivid colour. Days are getting longer and warmer. The heady scents of rosemary and juniper are in the air, and everywhere there is a sense of magical expectation. For anyone looking to enjoy Tuscany’s countryside this is one of the best times to visit Tuscany.

If you’re planning to drive around, Spring will reward you with enchanting views. The most scenic drives in Tuscany include picture-perfect Val d’Orcia and the Chianti, Tuscany’s acclaimed wine region.

Hilltop Towns for Every Taste

Tuscany in Spring means spending time outside. On sunny days you’ll find it’s the perfect temperature for spending time outdoors as it’s never too hot. Sitting in a square having lunch, or walking around the cobbled streets in one of Tuscany hilltop towns is the perfect way to spend a day. You can choose famous San Gimignano and Volterra, or undiscovered gems like Pitigliano or Massa Marittima in Southern Tuscany.

For those who are looking for authentic and crowd-free experiences, we recommend exploring the lesser known parts of Tuscany. Don’t limit yourself to the more popular destinations and Tuscany’s top sights, but take your time to explore the delightful hilltop towns of Maremma, Poppi with its wonderfully preserved medieval castle, or Barga surrounded by the Garfagnana woods.

* 3 Scenic Small Towns to Visit in Spring

Wine Tasting with a View in the Chianti

Wine tasting around the Chianti gives you the chance to experience the landscape at this special time of year. Chianti in Spring is at its greenest, with vines growing under the Tuscan sun to prepare for the grape harvesting in September. The views are nothing short of glorious, very much like the Chianti wine that is produced here.

There are plenty of guided tours organised by local wineries that offer intimate wine tasting experiences. In this excellent Wine Tasting Tour at the Heart of the Chianti Classico, in the scenic location between Radda and Panzano, you can taste organic chianti wine and learn about wine making. Discover the history of Sangiovese grape and tour their scenic vineyards, on this Family-run Winery Tour and Tasting in Greve in Chianti, pairing your wine with locally produced cheeses and affettati.

One curious fact – As you drive around the hills, you’ll often see roses planted in vineyards at the beginning of each row of vines. This isn’t just a bit of quirky gardening. Roses were traditionally planted next to vines to detect a fungal disease which effect both roses and vines. If the roses were affected, the winemaker had a chance to protect the crops.

Favourite Gardens and Flower Festivals to Visit in Spring

Passionate about gardens? Don’t miss these lovely examples during the Spring months. Starting with Villa Marlia near Lucca, the place to go for the best camelia viewing in Tuscany, best time second half of March. Visit La Foce for spectacular views over ultra green Val d’Orcia at the time when it’s at its greenest.

If you’re visiting Tuscany in April, a trip to the Villa Bardini’s garden in Florence rewards you with a long wisteria-covered pergola and a view of the city beyond. The Florentine Rose Garden can be found on the way up to the panoramic terrace Piazzale Michelangelo, and May is the ideal time to come.

Flower Festivals are another way to enjoy the rebirth of nature in Spring, and you’ll find many in cities and small towns selling and showcasing flower displays. ‘Pienza e i Fiori’ and ‘Lucca Saint Zita traditional festival’ are among the top Spring Flower Festivals in Tuscany.

Easter Traditions and Treats

Easter falls between the end of March and 25th April. The Catholic feast that celebrates Christ’s resurrection coincides with the beginning of Spring, the time of year where Nature is reborn after Winter. The symbols and meanings behind all Easter’s traditions are linked to fertility rites, recognising the victory of life over death. Many very ancient traditions, that follow centuries old rituals, are still part of Tuscan life today.

The most spectacular of all is the Scoppio del Carro, ‘Explosion of the Cart’, that takes place in Florence Cathedral Square every Easter Sunday morning (another, smaller version is in Figline Valdarno). People traditionally would witness the ‘flight’ of the colombina in the hope for a good crop. See more things to do at Easter in Florence.

On Good Friday there are processions in many Tuscan towns. In Grassina near Florence you’ll see a weirdly atmospheric reenactment of Christ’s passion played out in historical costumes.

When it comes to treats, Easter offers the almond-flavoured colomba cake (shaped like a dove, you find in pasticcerie and every supermarket) and an endless supply of chocolate eggs!

Where to go Walking, Cycling… and Flying!

If you’re up for an active holiday, then Spring is a great time to visit Tuscany with its ideal weather, long daytime hours and lush green landscapes. From the northern mountainous terrain of Garfagnana and out-of-the-way Lunigiana, to idyllic countryside in the areas of Val d’Orcia or Chianti where you can hike or cycle enjoying breathtaking views of vineyards and rolling hills. Or you can explore the Maremma Nature Park ‘Uccellina’ in the southern coast, where you find some of Tuscany’s best beaches.

Be adventurous and fly above the Tuscan hills aboard a hot air balloon. One hour ride in the Chianti sky, starting from San Casciano in Val di Pesa, unique experience!

Local tour operators organise plenty of Tuscany Bike Guided Tours to enjoy the views on two wheels.

Walking tours are another great way to enjoy the Tuscan landscape: make like a pilgrim on the Via Francigena by joining this Hiking Tour from Siena. This tour includes some wine tasting in the suggestive Medieval village of Monteriggioni.

* More trip ideas for your Spring holiday in Tuscany? Check out our favourite Day Trips in Tuscany during Spring.

Weather in Tuscany during Spring

From the end of March throughout April, the weather can be unpredictable, with rainy days interrupted by lovely sunshine. Temperature from 7/9 C degrees (44/48 F) minimum to 18/20 C degrees (64/68 F) maximum. It gets cooler in the evenings and on grey rainy days. By the end of April, the weather gets lovely, with balmy temperatures. If you’re travelling to Tuscany in May temperatures in May are ideal, averaging 24 degrees (74 F) max and 12/13 degrees (55 F) min.

June is when swimming pools usually open in hotels and agriturismi. And it’s also when you can start enjoying days at the beach, with fewer people and pleasant temperatures. Temperatures in June go from 14/15 degrees (59 F) to 27/28 (81 F), but on sunny days it can feel hotter. The coast enjoys cooling breezes and pleasant evenings and the same goes for the countryside. Mountainous areas are a few degrees lower, especially at night.

Practical Tips for Planning your Trip to Tuscany in Springtime

How busy is Tuscany in Spring

Spring is a popular time to visit Tuscany, from around mid-April is when Florence gets very busy and bus tours start appearing around the region. Prices tend to go up, especially in the most sought-after destinations, and you should book accommodation or sightseeing tours in advance.

Easter is a very busy time, as Italians take holidays. Keep in mind that the week between 25th April and 1st May (which are both bank holidays) are especially busy too.

Can I swim in Tuscany in Spring?

Good beach weather starts from June. The sea is still a bit cold, but you can definitely swim. You can get lucky and get good warm weather also at the end of May, but it’s a bit hit and miss! The benefit of a beach holiday in early June (before school holiday start, around 15th June) is that prices are cheaper, there’s less people about, but all amenities like beach establishments and restaurants are open.

Tuscany in Spring, Plan your Trip with our Insider’s Guide