Are you planning to visit the famous city of Florence Italy in August? Well, we just went ourselves and are here to tell you all about it! Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to travel plan, there is only select dates that will work. This is what brought us to Florence Italy in the summer when we would typically avoid it at all costs. Yes, it’s unreal hot… but it may not be as busy as you’d expect. Here’s the honest truth about what Florence is like during August.
How Hot is Florence Italy in August?
We really can’t sugarcoat this one. It’s PIPING HOT during the summer in Florence Italy!
Specifically during the months of July and August, temperatures range between 33-38 C (91-100 F) and can even exceed 40 C on some days. This is obviously not ideal, especially if you’re as susceptible to heat as Brigitte is.
It reminded us of our days backpacking in Thailand, when we were constantly searching for air conditioning and trying desperately to stay hydrated throughout the day.
The main obstacle to overcome with our visit was we only had two days to experience all that Florence has to offer. Of course, this meant we wanted to be out exploring as much as possible and making the most out of our time.
Beware of Closed Shops
You might think everything is in full swing for the summer in Florence. Yet, one thing to be aware of is that some shops and restaurants are actually closed.
Ferragosto is a national holiday in Italy that takes place on August 15th. However, many Italians choose to take weeks, or even the entire month off from work!
We were a little bit shocked that some of the best pizza places were closed during our visit. Luckily, we still had some great food, including a sandwich from the world-famous All’Antico Vinaio.
We’re not saying you’re going to go hungry or thirsty during August in Florence Italy. Just keep in mind that many spots might not be open this time of year.
What About the Crowds During August in Florence?
Another warning for August in Florence is that it does get very busy. This goes for many of the most popular cities in Europe, and Tuscany is no different.
This means you’ll want to book your hotels and museum entries as far in advance as possible. While we didn’t find it too overwhelming, the crowds at some places can be no joke.
This was definitely true for sunset at the popular Piazzale Michelangelo (more on this later). If you’re heading up there, make sure to go early to get a good seat on the steps!
Don’t worry, there are still plenty of ways to beat the heat and have an enjoyable time. Let us give you some helpful tips from our own visit during summer in Florence Italy.
5 Tips For Florence Italy in August
1. Book Indoor Tours & Activities
Fortunately, there are plenty of museums and things to do in Florence to escape the heat inside. It’s a city that boasts some of the best museums in the world if you didn’t know!
You’ll want to visit La Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze (where the statue of David is) and the Duomo for the peak afternoon hours when it will be the hottest. Just be sure to book in advance, as it requires you to put a time in for your entry.
Although the Duomo is a must, you may want to save the climb to the top of the bell tower for another time. We can’t imagine doing the 400+ steps in that Florence summer heat!
In addition, you should book any walking tours (like this one) of the historic city for early in the morning if possible.
2. Stay in the Historic Centre
We highly recommend staying as close as possible to all the main attractions in Florence. If possible, book your hotel somewhere in between the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio bridge along the Arno River.
This will make it easy to duck back to your room and take a siesta in the mid-afternoon when temperatures are peaking. Our friends stayed at Hotel della Signoria and loved the location!
Some highly-rated hotels in the city center are Borgia di Firenze and Maison Santa Croce to check out before your visit. Prices during August in Florence Italy can often be higher, so be sure to add that into your Italy itinerary budget.
3. What to Pack For Florence Italy in August
Another tip for summer in Florence is to keep your clothing as comfortable as possible. We wrote a complete guide with the best Florence Italy outfits to give you some fun ideas.
Definitely bring good shoes for walking the steps and uneven stone streets. This means no high heels unless you’re just taking a short walk from your hotel!
Public transportation isn’t super reliable and the prices of taxis and Ubers can add up quick. You’ll want to bring loose fitting clothing, sunscreen, and some type of hat for shade.
A major key for Florence in August is to also stay as hydrated as you can. Always pack a water bottle and keep any eye out for the drinking fountains sprinkled around Florence to refill.
→ 10 Perfect Italy Outfits to Pack For Every Season
4. Go Out in the Mornings & Evenings
The sun will typically peak between 1pm and 6pm during the summer in Florence Italy. This makes the best time to be out and avoid the heat is the morning and night.
I know it’s vacation, but it’s so important to wake up early and get out and seize the day! During the hottest hours, you can either go to a museum or head back to your hotel to take a break.
After that, regroup and head out to Piazzale Michelangelo to experience the world-renowned Florence sunset.
We recommend bringing a bottle of wine and snacks to have on the steps. They eat late in Italy, so you’ll have plenty of time to go out for a delicious Tuscan dinner afterwards.
5. Beat the Heat with Aperitivo
Don’t miss out on the aperitivo culture if you’re visiting Florence in August! This is a special time of day when it’s typical to have a snack and drink before dinner.
An aperol spritz is the perfect drink to cool you down on a hot August day. We’ve enjoyed aperitivo everywhere from the Milan canals to the streets of Rome and Bologna!
Something interesting about Florence is that they also have secret wine windows. You can order your drink through a small slot in the wall, and many restaurants even serve cocktails to go.
It would also be impossible to miss out on a gelato in Florence. It seemed like there was a store around every corner serving up this delicious dessert.
If you have time, be sure to stop at Vivoli Gelateria for an affogato as well. The gelato with espresso poured over the top makes for the ultimate dessert during summer in Florence.
What’s the Best Time to Visit Florence?
Now that you know all about our trip to Florence in August, what’s actually the best time to go? The spring is a nice time to visit, as the months of April and May aren’t too hot.
You won’t see nearly as many tourists during this time as the peak summer months. We also love visiting Tuscany in the fall during the wine harvest season.
It starts to cool down in late September, and the tourists begin to sparse out. This makes it a great time of year to visit some of the smaller towns of Tuscany and include Florence in your itinerary.
We fell in love ancient villages like Pitigliano and Montepulciano, perched high atop cliffs with delicious wine and food. Don’t miss out on the Saturnia Hot Springs either once the weather cools down!
Is Summer in Florence Italy Worth It?
We can’t lie and say there weren’t some brutal moments in the hot sun. In fact, I think we may have had borderline heat stroke for a couple days after!
With that said, it was the only time we were able to go ,and still had such an amazing visit to Florence in August. There’s so many fun things to do in Florence, even in the heat of the summer months.
If you have a more flexible schedule, we highly recommend going in spring or fall instead. As long as you stay hydrated and plan your day wisely, you’re sure to have a great visit either way.
Have any question about our trip or want to share your own tips? Let us know in the comments!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
