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What to Expect in Florence in August: Weather, Events & Tips

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In August, Florence swelters under the Tuscan sun, but there's a unique upside: locals flee for coastal retreats, leaving quieter museums and shorter queues. Yes, it’s hot—31 °C / 88 °F isn't rare—but smart scheduling (early mornings, long siestas) and an ice-cold spritz make it manageable. Use the emptier city vibe to linger at art spots or take shady garden walks. Mid-month closures are real, so double-check hours before heading out.

Florence in October 2025 at a glance

🌧️ Weather:

Dry, sunny, and hot—expect highs of 32 °C / 90 °F and balmy nights.

☀️ Daylight

14 hours; sunrise ~6:15 am, sunset ~8:20 pm.

🎉 Key events

Ferragosto (Aug 15), Palio di Siena (Aug 16)

👥 Crowds:

Tourists steady; fewer locals in town, quieter vibe mid-month

🛋️ What to pack:

Breathable clothing, sunscreen, water bottle, a fan or parasol.

🍽️ Seasonal treats

Fig gelato, cold pappa al pomodoro, late-summer tomatoes

How August Compares

Category

July

August

September

Weather

Scorching (avg 32 °C), dry

Equally hot, with humidity

Cooler (avg 27 °C), drier

Crowds & vibe

Packed with tourists & locals

Still busy, but more tourists

Tour groups return, lively

Key events

Musart Festival, sales start

Ferragosto, Palio di Siena

Rificolona, grape festivals

Best for

Night owls, concert lovers

Gallery-goers, slow travelers

Wine lovers, culture buffs

Book early?

Yes, especially lodging

Major museums only

Yes, harvest tours fill fast

Transport notes

Citywide buses & trams run

Ferragosto causes closures

Smooth service resumes

Budget

Peak rates, hotel demand high

Slight Airbnb dips mid-month

Still high early in month

Top things to do in Florence in August

Climb the Duomo before the heat

  • When: Early morning entry slots
  • Tags: Outdoors, Tour
  • Be first in line at 8:15 am to beat both heat and crowds. Brunelleschi’s dome climb rewards with 360° views and cooler temps before 10 am.

Escape to Boboli Gardens

  • When: Morning or post-5 pm
  • Tags: Outdoors, Explorer
  • Tucked behind the Pitti Palace, these shaded Renaissance gardens offer fountains, grottos, and photo-worthy vistas. A peaceful refuge from the mid-afternoon sun

Cool off inside the Uffizi

  • When: Anytime
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Tour
  • With air conditioning and masterpieces by Botticelli, Caravaggio, and more, the Uffizi is both a cultural essential and a heat reprieve.

Browse San Lorenzo Market

  • When: Mornings
  • Tags: Family-friendly, Explorer
  • Pick up handmade leather, crafts, and summer hats. The food stalls nearby serve easy Tuscan lunches under umbrellas—grab a panino or fresh fruit.

Walk Ponte Vecchio at sunset

  • When: 7:30–8:30 pm
  • Tags: Romantic, Outdoors
  • Golden hour here glows. Buskers play live music, windows sparkle with gold jewelry, and breezes off the Arno offer sweet relief.

Visit the Accademia midday

  • When: 12–2 pm (quieter slot)
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Tour
  • While most are lunching or napping, see Michelangelo’s David without the crowd surge. The gallery is compact—plan ~60 minutes.

Gelato crawl through Oltrarno

  • When: Evenings
  • Tags: Family-friendly, Explorer
  • From Gelateria La Carraia to Sbrino, cool down with Florence's finest scoops. Cross the river and sample small-batch flavors until you find your favorite.

Climb to Piazzale Michelangelo

  • When: Sunset
  • Tags: Outdoors, Adventure
  • A 20-minute uphill walk pays off with unbeatable Florence views. Bring a drink, grab a spot, and watch dusk settle over terracotta rooftops.

Offbeat experiences in August

See a film under the stars

Outdoor cinema in historic settingsCatch Italian and international films in open-air pop-ups across Florence, like in piazzas or villa gardens. Bring a cushion and arrive early—some screenings are free.

📍 Where: Arena di Marte or Villa Bardini

Visit the Rose Garden

Summer blooms and shaded benchesWhile spring is peak season, roses linger through August. This small Oltrarno garden offers panoramic city views and a breeze from the hillside.

📍 Where: Viale Giuseppe Poggi

Browse artisan studios in San Niccolò

Handmade meets historyFew tourists venture into this artsy neighborhood. August afternoons are quiet—watch jewelers, bookbinders, and printmakers work behind open doors.

📍 Where: Via San Niccolò and nearby lanes

Hop a tram to Cascine Park

Urban forest picnic escapeFlorence’s largest park runs along the Arno, great for a shaded afternoon walk or a cheap rental bike spin.

📍 Where: Tram T1 to Cascine stop

Join a rooftop aperitivo

Skyline sipping, summer-styleBeat the heat with a 7 pm spritz at a rooftop bar like SE·STO or Angel Roofbar. The view? Pure Renaissance.

📍 Where: Piazza Ognissanti or Via de’ Brunelleschi

Festivals and events in Florence this August 2025

Festivals

Date

Event type

Location

What to expect?

Ferragosto Dates

15 August 2025

National Holiday

Citywide Expect closures as locals leave town.

Museums stay open but restaurants and shops may not. Plan museum-heavy days.

Palio di Siena Dates

16 August 2025

Horse Race

Piazza del Campo

Siena This historic bareback race is electric. Arrive by midday for a good view. Trains to Siena fill fast—book ahead.

Florence Dance Festival Dates:

Through mid-August 2025

Cultural Festival

Chiostro Grande di Santa Maria

Novella Ballet and modern dance in a Renaissance cloister. Shows begin after sunset—bring a light wrap.

Estate Fiorentina Dates

Ongoing through August

Cultural Festival

Various venues citywide

Expect concerts, street theater, and open-air performances. Full listings at tourist info centers or online.

Highlights for different traveller types

Couples

Evening gelato strolls in Oltrarno feel romantic and relaxed. Sunset views from Piazzale Michelangelo wow every time. For a date night, catch a rooftop aperitivo or an open-air film screening

Culture vultures

Dive into the Uffizi, Accademia, and Palazzo Pitti while it’s cool inside. Check out Estate Fiorentina events for music, poetry, or theater across piazzas.

Solo wanderers

Browse artisan shops in San Niccolò or journal from a shaded garden bench. Join a walking tour early, then picnic solo in Cascine Park. Evenings are ideal for outdoor cinema.

Your perfect 3-day Florence in August itinerary

  • Morning: Climb the Duomo as doors open to avoid the heat. 
  • Breakfast: Cappuccino and pastry at Caffè Scudieri, right near the Baptistery. 
  • Midday: Head to the Uffizi; enjoy AC and masterpieces. 
  • Lunch: Grab a panino from I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti nearby. 
  • Afternoon: Visit the Accademia to see David while it’s quiet. 

Evening: Stroll Oltrarno for sunset, dinner, and gelato.

  • Morning: Walk the San Niccolò area, visit artisan workshops. 
  • Breakfast: Espresso and yogurt bowl at Ditta Artigianale. 
  • Midday: Picnic in the Rose Garden or Boboli if shaded. 
  • Lunch: Traditional fare at Trattoria La Casalinga. 
  • Afternoon: Cool off with a nap or tram to Cascine Park. 
  • Evening: Rooftop aperitivo at Angel Roofbar + outdoor film.
  • Morning: Train to Siena for the Palio (Aug 16); walk to Piazza del Campo early. 
  • Breakfast: Espresso and pastry at the Siena station bar. 
  • Midday: Watch historical parades and grab a shaded spot. 
  • Lunch: Pici pasta and chilled white wine at Antica Osteria da Divo. 
  • Afternoon: Return to Florence and visit Mercato Centrale. 
  • Evening: Light dinner at Mercato’s upstairs stalls, then a quiet passeggiata.

Best day trips from Florence in August

Siena (Palio di Siena)

🚋 Travel time: ~1.5 h by bus or trainThe medieval center buzzes on August 16 for the famous Palio. Heat and crowds peak, so arrive early, hydrate, and bring sun protection.

Fiesole

🚌 Travel time: ~25 min by bus #7Hilltop breezes and Roman ruins await just north of town. Ideal for a half-day break from the Florence heat. Visit the open-air theater or hike shaded paths.

Chianti wine country

🚗 Travel time: ~1 h by car or guided tourVineyards glisten in late-summer sun. Tour a cantina, sip chilled rosé, and enjoy a long lunch under a vine-covered pergola.

What to eat in Florence in August: Seasonal delicacies

Strozzi Palace exterior with Renaissance architecture in Florence, Italy.
Strozzi Palace exterior with Renaissance architecture in Florence, Italy.
Strozzi Palace exterior with Renaissance architecture in Florence, Italy.
Strozzi Palace exterior with Renaissance architecture in Florence, Italy.
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Pappa al pomodoro

A chilled bread-tomato soup, August-perfect when tomatoes peak.

Where to eat: Trattoria Sergio Gozzi, Piazza San Lorenzo

Fresh fig gelato

Late-summer figs turn into luscious seasonal scoops.

Where to eat: Gelateria dei Neri, Via dei Neri

Panzanella

Tuscany’s bread salad with cucumbers, onion, basil—served cold. Refreshing and easy to find in August.

Where to eat: Trattoria da Rocco, Sant’Ambrogio Market

Crostini di fegatini

Classic liver pate on toast—a rich starter best shared.

Where to eat: Trattoria Cammillo, Borgo San Jacopo

Know Before You Visit Florence in August

  • When: Year-round
  • Where: Near Basilica di San Lorenzo
  • Outdoor stalls sell leather goods, souvenirs, and straw hats. Early morning is coolest and least crowded.
  • When: Year-round
  • Where: Historic center
  • Florence’s designer boulevard—Gucci, Ferragamo, Prada. Even window-shopping here is a luxe experience. Look for end-of-summer sales.
  • When: Year-round
  • Where: Across Ponte Vecchio
  • Artisan shops stay open for tourists even if locals leave. Browse ceramics, prints, and handmade shoes in shaded alleys.

Pro tips for visiting Florence in August

1.Visit major sites before 10 am or after 5 pm—the sun and lines are brutal midday.

2.Some family-run restaurants close mid-August. Always check hours or book.

3.Drink from the free city fountains (nasoni). Water is cold and clean—bring a refillable bottle.

4.Avoid the ZTL fines—don’t drive in the city center unless your hotel registers your plate.

5.Siena’s Palio draws huge crowds. Book train and museum tickets early if visiting mid-August.

6.Public trams run normally on Ferragosto, but many bus routes cut frequency—check ATAF schedules.

7.Bring a travel fan. Many interiors lack strong AC, including churches and small shops.

8.Dress codes apply at churches: no bare shoulders or short shorts—carry a wrap or wear light layers.

9.Florence WiFi gives 2 hrs/day free access. Register once, then log in automatically each time.

10.Rooftop bars get busy post-7 pm. Reserve ahead or show up early for the view.

FAQs: Florence in August 2025

Is Florence too hot to visit in August?

It can be, mid-day. Plan indoor activities for afternoons, start early, and take breaks in the shade or air-conditioned spots.

Are most places open during Ferragosto?

Big museums stay open, but many small shops and family-run restaurants close for the holiday week.

Can I drink tap water in Florence?

Yes. The water is safe and clean. Refill your bottle at public fountains (nasoni) around the city.

Do I need to pre-book museums?

For the Uffizi and Accademia, yes. Walk-ups can mean long lines, even in August.

Is it safe to walk around at night?

Yes. Florence is very walkable and safe, even late. Stick to lit areas and keep an eye on belongings.

How do I get to the Palio in Siena?

Take a train (~1.5 hours) or direct bus. Book early—August 16 is high-demand.

Do locals speak English?

Many do, especially in tourism zones. Basic Italian greetings are appreciated, though.

Will I need cash?

Cards are widely accepted, but carry some euros for markets, small cafés, and gelato shops.

What do I wear to churches?

No bare shoulders or short shorts. Pack a light shawl or wear sleeved tops and longer hemlines.

Are there mosquitoes?

Yes, especially near the river at dusk. Bring repellent and keep windows screened.

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