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Florence in August 2025

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

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.

Recommended experiences:

  • Florence Cathedral Entry with Dome & Bell Tower Climb
  • Florence Cathedral Guided Tour & Optional Dome Climb
Explore all Duomo Florence tickets & tours

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

Recommended experiences:

  • Boboli Gardens Guided Tour
Browse Boboli Gardens tickets & tours

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.

Recommended experiences:

  • Uffizi Gallery Tickets
  • Uffizi Gallery Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
Explore Uffizi Gallery tickets & tours

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.

Recommended experiences:

  • Accademia Gallery Reserved Entry Tickets
  • Accademia Gallery Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
Browse Accademia Gallery tickets

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

Ferragosto

  • Dates: 15 August 2025
  • Event type: National Holiday
  • Location: Citywide
  • What to expect: 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
  • Event type: Horse Race
  • Location: 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 [TBC]
  • Event type: Cultural Festival
  • Location: Chiostro Grande di Santa Maria Novella
  • What to expect: Ballet and modern dance in a Renaissance cloister. Shows begin after sunset—bring a light wrap.

Estate Fiorentina

  • Dates: Ongoing through August
  • Event type: Cultural Festival
  • Location: Various venues citywide
  • What to expect: Expect concerts, street theater, and open-air performances. Full listings at tourist info centers or online.

Cinema sotto le Stelle

  • Dates: All August
  • Event type: Outdoor Film Series
  • Location: Villa Bardini, Piazzale degli Uffizi
  • What to expect: Classic and indie films under the stars. Some are free; others €5–7. Most begin 9:15 pm.

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

Florence Cathedral and Duomo with cityscape and hills in the background.
  • 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.
Visitors exploring the historic Boboli Gardens in Florence, Italy, surrounded by lush greenery and classical sculptures.
  • 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.
Piazza del Campo in Siena with Torre del Mangia and Palazzo Pubblico.
  • 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 train

The 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 #7

Hilltop 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 tour

Vineyards glisten in late-summer sun. Tour a cantina, sip chilled rosé, and enjoy a long lunch under a vine-covered pergola.

Go shopping in Florence in August

San Lorenzo Market stalls with shoppers browsing goods in Florence, Italy.
  • 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.
Via de’ Tornabuoni street view with luxury shops in Florence, Italy.
  • 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.
Ponte Vecchio bridge over the Arno River in Florence, Italy, with colorful buildings.
  • 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.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Florence in August

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