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Why July is a vibrant time to explore Florence

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.

Florence in July 2025 at a glance

🌦️ Weather

Average highs reach 31 °C / 88 °F with strong sun; expect dry, sizzling afternoons.

☀️ Daylight

15 h; sunrise 5:45 am, sunset 8:45 pm.

🎉 Key events

Florence Dance Festival, Apriti Cinema, Festa di Sant’Anna.

👥 Crowds

Peak season—expect queues at all major attractions by 10 am.

🧳 What to pack

Light clothing, sunblock, water bottle, walking sandals.

🍴 Seasonal treats

Panzanella, wild boar salami, fig gelato, chilled Vin Santo.

Top things to do in Florence in July

Take a rooftop aperitivo at sunset

  • When: Evenings throughout July
  • Tags: Outdoors, Cultural experience

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.

Explore Uffizi during extended evening hours

  • When: Thursdays in July until 10 pm
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Tour

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:

  • Uffizi Gallery Tickets

Catch a film at Apriti Cinema

  • When: Nightly, 26 June–29 July 2025
  • Tags: Festival, Family-friendly, Outdoors

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.

Climb to Piazzale Michelangelo for twilight cityscapes

  • When: Late afternoons and evenings
  • Tags: Outdoors, Explorer

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.

Browse artisan stalls at Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio

  • When: Mornings, Monday–Saturday
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Explorer

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.

Enjoy an evening concert in a Renaissance cloister

  • When: Select dates in July
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Seasonal, Tour

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.

Escape to Fiesole for frescoes and breezes

  • When: Any clear day in July
  • Tags: Outdoors, Explorer

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.

Visit the Boboli Gardens early in the day

  • When: Mornings, daily
  • Tags: Outdoors, Family-friendly

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:

  • Boboli Gardens Guided Tour

Offbeat experiences in July

Tour the Rose Garden at dawn

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

Visit the Museo Horne

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

Attend Festa di Sant’Anna

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

Discover hidden frescoes in Badia Fiorentina

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

Explore Le Murate art complex

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

Festivals and events in Florence this July 2025

Apriti Cinema

  • Dates: 26 June–29 July 2025
  • Event type: Cultural Festival
  • Location: Piazzale degli Uffizi
  • What to expect: International films screen nightly in the open air. Arrive by 9:15 pm to grab a free seat—many locals bring cushions and snacks.

Florence Dance Festival

  • Dates: 20 June–20 July 2025
  • Event type: Cultural Festival
  • Location: Chiostro Grande, Santa Maria Novella
  • What to expect: Ballets and contemporary works staged in cloister courtyards. Reserve tickets early; evening shows draw global crowds.

Festa di Sant’Anna

  • Dates: 26 July 2025
  • Event type: Cultural Festival
  • Location: Piazza Santissima Annunziata
  • What to expect: Historical parade with costumed participants and church bells. Expect road closures from mid-afternoon and packed piazzas.

Florence Folks Festival

  • Dates: 24–28 July 2025 (TBC)
  • Event type: Music Festival
  • Location: Manifattura Tabacchi
  • What to expect: Folk and indie concerts, local food trucks, and artisan stalls fill this hipster hub. Family-friendly with late-evening DJ sets.

Highlights for different traveller types

Couples

  • Must-experience: Sunset views from Piazzale Michelangelo—Bring wine and sit on the steps as the city glows.
  • Better in July: Aperitivos at rooftop bars—Share spritzes with Florence’s skyline.
  • Romantic detour: Evening concerts in Renaissance cloisters—Echoes, candlelight, and timeless ambiance.

Families with kids

  • Must-experience: Apriti Cinema’s outdoor screenings—Pick animated nights or family films.
  • Midday break: Boboli Gardens and shade-filled play—Ideal for strollers.
  • Refresh tip: Afternoon gelato tour—Try fig, stracciatella, or lemon basil.

Culture vultures

  • Must-experience: Night tours of Uffizi —See classics without jostling crowds.
  • Dive deeper: Museo Horne and Badia Fiorentina—Quiet, historic, and under-the-radar.
  • Seasonal hit: Florence Dance Festival—See ballet where monks once prayed.

Night-owls

  • Must-experience: Apriti Cinema—Films under the stars past 10 pm.
  • After-hours treat: Cloister concerts—Cooler air and acoustic magic.
  • Urban scene: Florence Folks Festival—Grooves and craft beer until late.

Explorer

  • Must-experience: Hilltop Fiesole—Roman ruins with panoramic Tuscan views.
  • Hidden route: Rose Garden and stairwalk to Piazzale Michelangelo—Best done at dawn.
  • Local pulse: Le Murate—Florentine fringe culture in a repurposed jail.

Your perfect 3-day Florence in July itinerary

  • Morning: Start at the Duomo when doors open (~8:15 am). Climb Brunelleschi’s dome before it heats up, then visit the Baptistery and Giotto’s Bell Tower nearby.
  • Breakfast: Grab a sfoglia pastry and espresso at Scudieri (Piazza San Giovanni) with views of the cathedral.
  • Midday: Walk to Piazza della Signoria for Palazzo Vecchio . The shaded courtyard is a cool break before heading to the Uffizi Gallery (prebook entry ~12:30 pm).
  • Lunch: Try traditional Tuscan dishes at Trattoria ZaZa (Piazza del Mercato Centrale), just a 10-min stroll through San Lorenzo.
  • Afternoon: Cross the Ponte Vecchio and wander artisan Oltrarno streets. Visit Santa Felicita Church for quiet Renaissance frescoes.
  • Evening: Head up to Piazzale Michelangelo for a sunset panorama. Stay for dinner at La Loggia for Tuscan cuisine with a view.
  • Morning: Begin at the Boboli Gardens when gates open (~8:15 am). Stroll shaded paths and peek inside Palazzo Pitti’s galleries.
  • Breakfast: Fuel up with a fruit-topped crostata and cappuccino at Pasticceria Ruggini (Via Romana).
  • Midday: Take the shaded walk to Santo Spirito Church. Pop into artisan shops before cooling down at the Brancacci Chapel (reserve ahead).
  • Lunch: Have lunch at Osteria Santo Spirito—try their truffle gnocchi with a chilled Vernaccia.
  • Afternoon: Rest in the Bardini Garden or visit the Galileo Museum near the river for a break from the heat.
  • Evening: Book an aperitivo cruise on the Arno (around 7:30 pm). Follow with riverside dinner at Golden View Firenze, overlooking the Ponte Vecchio.
  • Morning: Take a train (~1 hr) to Pisa. Visit the Leaning Tower early, followed by the Duomo and Baptistery before midday crowds hit.
  • Breakfast: Pick up a pastry and coffee at Pasticceria Salza near Piazza dei Miracoli once you arrive in Pisa.
  • Midday: Return to Florence (~1:30 pm). Rest indoors—your hotel or a café near SMN station like Ditta Artigianale.
  • Lunch: Light Tuscan fare at Mercato Centrale upstairs—AC, artisan vendors, and no reservation needed.
  • Afternoon: Visit the Accademia Gallery (book 4:00 pm slot) to meet Michelangelo’s David. Cool, uncrowded, and iconic.
  • Evening: Cap your trip with a rooftop aperitivo at Angel Roofbar & Dining, then a twilight walk along the Arno for your farewell view.

Best day trips from Florence in July

Fiesole

🚌 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.

Chianti wine country

🚗 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.

Pisa

🚄 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.

Lucca

🚄 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.

Go shopping in Florence in July

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.

Pro tips for visiting Florence in July

  1. 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.

  2. Evening hours = crowd hack. Uffizi and Accademia extend openings some July nights—book these twilight slots for cooler air and fewer tour groups.

  3. Use mosquito repellent. Dusk brings bites, especially near the Arno or Boboli Gardens. Spritz ankles and arms before evening walks or open-air dinners.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

Frequently asked questions about Florence in July

Is Florence too hot to visit in July?

It’s hot, but manageable. Sightsee early, rest during midday heat, and enjoy evenings outside. Air-conditioned museums help.

Do I need to book Uffizi and Accademia in advance?

Yes—absolutely. July lines are long, and same-day slots are rare. Book online to skip the wait.

Are restaurants closed for summer holidays?

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.

What should I wear to churches?

Modest attire: covered shoulders and knees. A scarf or light shirt solves it. No flip-flops or crop tops.

Can I visit vineyards as a day trip?

Yes. Chianti is ~45 min away. Many wineries require reservations—join a guided tour or book tastings directly.

Is Florence walkable in summer?

Yes, but cobblestones + heat = fatigue. Wear breathable shoes, and plan AC breaks. Public transport and trams help for longer hops.

Are taxis easy to get?

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.

Do museums have AC?

Most do—Uffizi, Accademia, and Palazzo Pitti included. Smaller churches may not. Bring a handheld fan just in case.

Is the Firenze Card worth it in July?

Only if visiting 5+ major museums in 72 hours. Otherwise, individual skip-the-line tickets offer more flexibility.

Can I swim anywhere in Florence?

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.