Average highs reach 31 °C / 88 °F with strong sun; expect dry, sizzling afternoons.
What to eat in Florence in July: Seasonal delicacies
Florence buzzes with energy in July. The city hums with late-night events, seasonal menus, and open-air concerts in Renaissance piazzas. Extended museum hours and long daylight stretch your days. Skip midday queues by starting early or booking night tours. July’s heat pairs best with shaded cloisters, wine cellars, and breezy Tuscan views.
Average highs reach 31 °C / 88 °F with strong sun; expect dry, sizzling afternoons.
15 h; sunrise 5:45 am, sunset 8:45 pm.
Florence Dance Festival, Apriti Cinema, Festa di Sant’Anna.
Peak season—expect queues at all major attractions by 10 am.
Light clothing, sunblock, water bottle, walking sandals.
Panzanella, wild boar salami, fig gelato, chilled Vin Santo.
Florence’s rooftops come alive in July’s golden hour. Head to places like La Terrazza at Hotel Continentale or SE·STO on Arno for sweeping Duomo views with spritzes in hand. Arrive before 7 pm to snag a seat and soak in that soft-lit skyline.
Uffizi Gallery stays open late on Thursdays. Beat the daytime rush and wander Botticelli-lined halls in cooler air. Book timed-entry tickets online to avoid queuing. The vibe after 7 pm feels calmer, letting you linger at iconic works without elbowing for space.
Recommended experiences:
Apriti Cinema transforms the Piazzale degli Uffizi into an open-air movie theater. Films screen nightly after 9:45 pm in original languages with Italian subtitles. Bring a light jacket, grab a seat early, and enjoy art house, global, and local picks under the stars.
Take the steps or bus #12/#13 to Piazzale Michelangelo for sweeping sunset views. July skies cast golden hues over the city’s terracotta rooftops. Street performers and vendors pop up near dusk. Stay post-sunset for magical twilight moments with fewer crowds.
Skip the tourist-heavy Mercato Centrale and head east to Sant’Ambrogio. Local Florentines shop here for cheese, produce, and leather goods. The outdoor stalls wind around the covered market. Grab a porchetta sandwich and browse quirky homewares and Tuscan delicacies.
Florence’s summer music calendar includes chamber performances in historic cloisters like Santa Croce or Santo Spirito. Concerti al Chiostro and Florence Chamber Music Festival host intimate sets with natural acoustics. Book tickets online, and arrive early for shaded seats.
Hop a 25-min ATAF bus ride to hilltop Fiesole. Wander Roman ruins, snap skyline shots, and visit the Bandini Museum’s frescoes. Fiesole is cooler than Florence mid-afternoon and ideal for lazy lunches with a breeze. Great half-day refresher from city heat.
Boboli Gardens open at 8:15 am—go early to beat the heat. The shady lanes, grottoes, and fountains are a lush escape behind Palazzo Pitti. Entry is included with most Pitti Palace tickets. Bring water and wear grippy shoes for the gravel paths.
Recommended tickets:
Fragrant views with early peaceSet just below Piazzale Michelangelo, this compact garden opens at 9 am but is quietest before 10. The July blooms are fading, but early risers catch the last whiffs of Rosa banksiae and find shady benches to enjoy city views. No ticket needed.
📍Where: Viale Giuseppe Poggi, 2
A quiet Renaissance house museumSkip the crowds and explore this compact museum with period furniture, paintings, and ceramics collected by Herbert Horne. A gem for design buffs and calm seekers. Tickets cost €5, and it’s blissfully air-conditioned.
📍Where: Via dei Benci, 6
Florence’s oldest civic holidayHeld annually on July 26, this holiday celebrates the city's liberation from the Duke of Athens in 1343. Expect costumed processions and bells ringing across the city, especially around the Piazza Santissima Annunziata.
📍Where: Citywide; core at Piazza Santissima Annunziata
Monks, Medici, and mysteryBadia Fiorentina is one of Florence’s lesser-known churches with frescoes by Filippino Lippi and monks chanting vespers. Entry is free, though quiet hours are best for reflection.
📍Where: Via del Proconsolo, 6
Contemporary art in a former prisonThis converted prison now houses art exhibitions, poetry readings, and live jazz. It’s air-cooled and rarely packed. Come mid-evening for cooler air and local energy.
📍Where: Piazza delle Murate
🚌 Travel time: ~25 min by bus #7
Trade the city heat for Etruscan ruins and sweeping valley views. Fiesole’s Roman theater and archaeological museum shine in summer light. Pack a picnic or grab lunch at a hilltop trattoria. Wear sun protection—the views are sunny and unshaded.
🚗 Travel time: ~45 min by car or private tour
July is perfect for sipping Sangiovese among Tuscan hills. Vineyards are lush, and cellar tours offer shady relief. Join a guided tasting with lunch in Greve or Castellina. Book ahead for vineyard access—some require reservations in peak season.
🚄 Travel time: ~1 h by train from SMN Snap your
Leaning Tower pic early to beat crowds. July skies are blue, but the Campo dei Miracoli has little shade. Explore the Duomo, Baptistery, and try Pisa’s riverside cafés before heading back. Bring water and a hat.
🚄 Travel time: ~1 h 20 min by train Lucca’s tree-shaded
Renaissance walls are a walker’s paradise in summer. Rent bikes or stroll with gelato. The central piazza, once a Roman amphitheater, buzzes with café life. Fewer crowds than Pisa, and more relaxed. Ideal for a low-key day.
Florence’s luxury street flaunts top Italian labels—Gucci, Ferragamo, and more. July kicks off summer sales (saldi), so even high-end boutiques drop prices. Go early in the day to avoid the heat and crowds.
Leather bags, scarves, and souvenirs line the stalls here. Step inside the Mercato Centrale upstairs for artisanal foods and air-conditioned bites. July weekends are packed—shop weekdays if you can.
Watch craftspeople restore antiques, hand-bind books, or shape silver. Many close mid-day—aim for late morning or early evening to browse ceramics, jewelry, and paper goods.
Small local makers and vintage vendors often set up seasonal stalls with jewelry, prints, and indie fashion. Check posters or city event listings for exact dates.
Sightsee early, rest midday. Duomo dome opens at 8:15 am—climb before the sun turns the staircase into a furnace. Aim for museums from 9–11 am, then break.
Evening hours = crowd hack. Uffizi and Accademia extend openings some July nights—book these twilight slots for cooler air and fewer tour groups.
Use mosquito repellent. Dusk brings bites, especially near the Arno or Boboli Gardens. Spritz ankles and arms before evening walks or open-air dinners.
Carry a scarf or shirt. Churches like Santa Croce and the Duomo enforce modest dress codes—no bare shoulders. Toss on a layer to enter.
Tap water is safe—and cold. Refill bottles at public spouts marked “acqua potabile.” Florence water is famously good, and you’ll need to hydrate constantly.
Take tram T2 from airport. Skip taxis. The €1.50 tram from Peretola takes ~20 min to city center and runs every 5–10 min—air-conditioned, too.
It’s hot, but manageable. Sightsee early, rest during midday heat, and enjoy evenings outside. Air-conditioned museums help.
Yes—absolutely. July lines are long, and same-day slots are rare. Book online to skip the wait.
Most stay open in July. Closures are more common in August. A few family-run spots may shut for a week—check ahead if it’s a favorite.
Modest attire: covered shoulders and knees. A scarf or light shirt solves it. No flip-flops or crop tops.
Yes. Chianti is ~45 min away. Many wineries require reservations—join a guided tour or book tastings directly.
Yes, but cobblestones + heat = fatigue. Wear breathable shoes, and plan AC breaks. Public transport and trams help for longer hops.
Call or use the “APP Taxi Firenze” app. You can’t hail them on the street. Taxi stands are at SMN station, Duomo, and key piazzas.
Most do—Uffizi, Accademia, and Palazzo Pitti included. Smaller churches may not. Bring a handheld fan just in case.
Only if visiting 5+ major museums in 72 hours. Otherwise, individual skip-the-line tickets offer more flexibility.
There are no central public pools, but some hotels and rooftop clubs offer day passes. Consider day-tripping to the coast or spa towns if you need a dip.
This chilled tomato and bread soup is a summer staple in Florence—thick, garlicky, and bright with basil. It’s comfort food made for hot nights.
Where to eat: Trattoria Cammillo, Borgo San Jacopo 57/r
Sweet cantaloupe and silky Tuscan ham offer the perfect no-cook starter. In July, melons are at peak ripeness—fragrant and juicy.
Where to eat: Il Santo Bevitore, Via Santo Spirito 64
Best shared, this thick-cut steak is grilled rare and served sizzling. Go for an evening seating—hot days call for slow dinners.
Where to eat: Trattoria Sostanza, Via del Porcellana 25
Fresh peaches marinated in chilled red wine—light, fragrant, and refreshing after a long summer day.
Where to eat: Buca dell’Orafo, Via dei Girolami 28
