If you’ve followed my advice or read any of my guides, you know that I like to ‘keep it real.’ While Florence is incredible, it’s not incredible 100% of the time, and August happens to be one of those moments.
August in Florence is hot, hot, hot.
Not hot like ‘sweat glistening off your sunkissed skin as you sip your spritz in the shade of the Duomo.’
It’s hot as in ‘someone threw fire into a balloon and shoved you inside, shook you around, and then threw you into onto an empty, paved parking lot.’ Without a spritz.
But wait… I know some of you can only visit Florence in August (families, I’m looking at you). Don’t stress, because there are still ways to have an enjoyable visit to Florence in August. You just need to be strategic.
So, let’s take a look at how you can have a pleasant visit to Florence in August.
I’m a mamma of three living just outside Florence and we’re exploring in the city twelve months of the year. I’ve also worked in Florence, lived in Florence, and spent plenty of time here in my 2+ decades of living in Italy… including in August! You can rely on my advice based on extensive first-hand experience here.
I’ll walk you through:
- Typical August weather in Florence
- Reasons to visit Florence in August (or skip it)
- Things to see and do here in August
- August holidays and events
- What to see and do near Florence in August
- How to get around the city in August
- Where to Stay in Florence in August
- What to wear (I’ve included my spring packing list)
- Not-to-miss foods in August in Florence
- Tips for visiting Florence with kids in August
Andiamo – let’s go!
NOTE FOR 2025: It’s a Jubilee Year, so expect to see more visitors throughout Italy (especially Rome, but also places like Florence).
Check out my monthly guides to visiting Florence: January – February – March – April – August – September – October – November – December
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Table of Contents
Typical August Weather in Florence
As I mentioned above, it’s hot in Florence in August!
While weather has been a little all over the place in Florence and Italy the past few years, August remains consistently toasty.
If you look at Florence’s position, it’s like a little bowl surrounded by hills… and the heat just hangs out in the city. It’s a humid heat.
Typical temperatures in Florence in August range from 63-88 °F (17-31 °C) and the city sees around 3 inches (76 mm) of precipitation. Source: Il Meteo (ilmeteo.it)
Why You Should Visit Florence in August
You’ll find fewer crowds than other summer months, because there’s an August exodus of Florence locals (they head to the mountains or the sea). But note that it’s still high season.
August is a great month to combine Florence with a Tuscan countryside stay. Relax at your agriturismo during the day (cool off in the pool!) and sneak into Florence for aperitivo and dinner in the evening.
You can find good deals on hotels and activities in August.
Helpful Tip: If you’ve got a site, museum, or activity on your must-do list or you need to visit on a specific day, be sure to purchase your tickets in advance. Sell-outs can happen any month in Florence.
Reasons to Skip a Visit to Florence in August
It’s really hot.
Mosquitoes are a fact of life in the summer in Florence.
Some restaurants and restaurants are closed as owners take their annual vacation in August.
Good To Know: When shop or restaurant owners close up in August, you’ll typically see signs on the doors – chiuso per ferie. This may be the only way you’ll know about the closure. Not all businesses update Google Maps.
Things to See & Do in August in Florence
This isn’t a list of every possible thing you can do in Florence in August… just some of my favorites.
Eat Gelato – Kind of a given on a hot day in Italy!
Check out my Favorite Gelaterie in Florence
Morning or Evening Walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo – You won’t be alone for sunset, but it’s a lovely view of the Florentine skyline, the Arno River, and the Ponte Vecchio.
If you’ve still got pep in your step when you get to Piazzale Michelangelo, you can keep walking up to San Miniato al Monte for a higher viewpoint (and check out the frescoes inside the church too).
Or, save your energy and head to the Loggia behind Piazzale Michelangelo for a sunset aperitivo.
Read more about Visiting Piazzale Michelangelo
Explore Florence’s Gardens – Leave the museums and city streets behind and get some fresh air on a stroll in one of Florence’s giardini (gardens).
Don’t expect blossoming flowers and lush, green lawns in August. Do expect a break from concrete, some greenery, and often great views of Florence.
Morning and evening are best, as days are hot and there’s no shade to hide in.
Read my guides to
Boboli Gardens
Gardens in Florence
The Best Views in Florence
Visit Florence’s Museums – Museums will be crowded and hot in Florence in August. Try to visit early in the morning or at night (if evening openings are offered). Head to the classics like the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery, or find a new love:
- Stibbert Museum
- Leonardo da Vinci Interactive Museum
- Palazzo Strozzi
- Palazzo Vecchio
- Galileo Museum (have some one-on-one time with Galileo’s finger)
Helpful Tip: If you’d like to visit the Accademia Gallery and/or the Uffizi, I recommend purchasing your tickets in advance. Your chosen day/time may sell out if you wait.
Good To Know: The first Sunday of the month, Florence’s national museums participate in Domenica al Museo, which means you can enter for free.
Take a Cooking Class – Join a cooking class and learn typical dishes that you can recreate at home. We love Jacopo & Ana’s classes, and we’ve enjoyed others like this pasta and gelato class with Towns of Italy. Double-check that the location has air-conditioning.
Eat Truffle Panini and Sip Wine at Procacci – This place is a great find for evening aperitivo, but it’s tiny so it can be tough to get a spot to sit. In August, I recommend calling ahead if you can, but you can always try to walk-in. Sip some vino toscano and sample Procacci’s mini truffle sandwiches… and then go window shopping on Via Tornabouni.
Hang Out in the Odeon Bookshop – It’s a cinema… and a bookshop! Head upstairs and sit in the theater seats if you need a break from museums and walking around Florence. Unfortunately, you can’t eat up in the cinema seats, but don’t worry, there’s a café adjacent to the bookshop.
Pick up a Tuscan cookbook or a book on Michelangelo to take home with you.
Go to a Fiorentina Soccer Match – The season’s just getting started in August, so put on your purple and head to Franchi stadium to cheer on Florence’s team, Fiorentina. Before heading to a match, read my guide to Going to a Soccer Game in Italy.
Taste Tuscan Wines – Park yourself in an enoteca or restaurant in Florence and sip on Tuscan vini. August is the perfect month for a glass of rosato (rosé). A few places to check out:
- Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina
- Le Volpi e L’Uva (tip: order crostini to go with your wine)
- Cantinetta Antinori
Things I Don’t Recommend Doing in Florence in August:
- mid-day walks up to Piazzale Michelangelo (hot)
- looking for flowers in Florence’s gardens (nothing’s blooming, and it’s hot)
- climbing Giotto’s bell tower or the Duomo (hot, crowded)
- eating Florentine street food (much of it is warm/hot, which doesn’t go down well in August)
August Holidays & Events in Florence
Take note of these dates because you may want to plan your trip to Florence to catch them or avoid them.
Ferragosto (August 15th) – Ferragosto is a public holiday in Italy, and you’ll find many shops and restaurants and sites closed on the 15th. There are also closures surrounding the holiday (and much of August) as Florentines take their annual vacations and head to the mountains and seaside.
Read more about Ferragosto
Good To Know: There will still be some things open in Florence on Ferragosto. For example, the Uffizi, the Accademia, and the Boboli Gardens are just a few places that remain open on the holiday.
Concerts – Many artists and bands tour Europe during the summer, and Florence is often a stop. Check TicketOne.it and Ticketmaster.it for August concerts in Florence.
Outdoor Music – One of my favorite things about August in Florence is stumbling upon live music outdoors in piazzas. Go for a walk post-dinner and keep your ears open!
What to Do Near Florence in August
You’ll probably want to get out of the city if you’re visiting in August. You’ve got plenty of options for things to do.
Explore Tuscan Villages – Road trip (in your air-conditioned car) around Chianti and other parts of Tuscany, stopping in hilltop villages. Opt for popular stops like San Gimignano or Greve in Chianti, or sneak into lesser-known gems like Peccioli, Montefioralle, Pietrasanta, Pitigliano, Montemerano, or Volpaia.
Learn more about Renting a Car in Tuscany
Lounge by a Pool – Whether it’s at the agriturismo you’re staying at, or you get a day pass to the pool area, take the opportunity to stay cool in the Tuscan summer heat. This is one of our favorite summer activities in Tuscany!
Eat Gelato – It’s not just an activity for Florence.
Find the Best Gelato in Tuscany
Head to the Beach – Join the Florentines and make your way west to the sea.
Read more about
Visiting Forte dei Marmi
Marina di Pietrasanta
Castiglioncello
Beaches Near Florence
Day Trips from Florence
Explore the Val d’Orcia – Head to the Orcia Valley to sample pecorino cheese in Pienza, wander through quiet Monticchiello, or sip Vino Nobile in Montepulciano.
Go for a Morning Hike – If the weather looks good, head out into the Tuscan countryside and go for a walk!
Go for an Early Morning Bike Ride – You can join up with a day tour into the countryside (leaving from Florence), or rent a bike and explore on your own for one or more days. It’s really hot during the day, but if you get out early in the morning, it’s quite pleasant, and you can ride with Tuscan cyclists!
Go Wine Tasting – Visit Tuscan wineries to sample vino toscano at the source. Be sure to contact wineries in advance to make sure they’re open for tastings during August.
Take a Day Trip to the Cinque Terre – It will be warm, but you can jump into the sea! It will be crowded (just to manage your expectations). You can take a day trip from Florence on your own or head to the Cinque Terre on a group tour.
Shop at Tuscan Outlets – The Mall has a collection of luxury brands. Their connected by outdoor walkways, so you’ll be in the sun/heat when you’re not in a shop. You can take a special bus from Florence or drive your own car. Prada fan? Don’t miss the Space Outlet (you’ll need to drive there). The Barberino and Valdichiana outlets (north and south of Florence, respectively) have a mix of Italian and international fashion brands. Both can be reached by car.
Head to Bolgheri – If you’re a fan of Super Tuscans,make your way to Bolgheri and its surrounding vineyards. Tenuta dell’Ornellaia, Tenuta Guado al Tasso, and friends are all waiting for you. Pair it with a trip to the seaside.
Eat Your Way Through San Miniato – This little town east of Florence is a foodie paradise. Have aperitivo and dinner or come early and visit Enoteca Marilu for a tasting or cooking class.
Visit San Casciano and Antinori – San Casciano Val di Pesa is easy to reach by bus (or car) from Florence, and it’s a real town (not set up for tourism). Have a meal with locals, stroll the charming pedestrian center, and check out the views of Chianti. This is also a great pick with kids, as it has one of the best playgrounds in Chianti (but there’s not much shade)! Wine lovers with a car can head to nearby Bargino, home of Antinori’s Chianti Classico winery.
You may want to check out
Day Trips from Florence
Family Day Trips from Florence
Florence to Cinque Terre Day Tour
Florence to Cinque Terre Day Trip
Things I Don’t Recommend Doing Near Florence in August:
- day-tripping to Venice or Rome (too hot & crowded)
- looking for outdoor art (hot, unless you can see from your air-conditioned car)
- countryside cooking classes with no a/c (hot)
- visiting hot springs (hot, crowded)
- hiking or riding bikes mid-day (hot)
How to Get Around Florence in August
If you’ve got the energy and are able to – walk! Florence’s historic center is small and it’s easy to get everywhere by walking. It’s a flat city, but it’s surrounded by hills. The hill you’re most likely to walk up is the one to Piazzale Michelangelo.
Take public transport if it’s really hot out and you need a break. For example, take a bus (or taxi) up to Piazzale Michelangelo and then walk back down.
If you’re coming to Florence by car, you can park in one of the city lots and walk into town. Or, park at Villa Costanza and take the tram into the city center.
If you’re flying into Florence Peretola, you have multiple ways to get into town, including by tram, taxi, or private driver (see my guide in the link below).
Helpful Tip: We love walking around Florence in the evening in August. The streets are quiet, and the temperatures are manageable.
Read more about
Parking at Villa Costanza & Taking the Tram into Florence
Renting a Car at the Florence Airport
Traveling from the Pisa Airport to Florence
How to Get From the Florence Airport to the City Center
Where to Stay in Florence in August
Stay in the city center (my recommendation for every month of the year). Florence is very walkable and it’s so nice to be able to reach your hotel on foot after a fabulous dinner. Or, to wake up in the morning and stroll over the Ponte Vecchio or into Piazza della Signoria.
Important For August: Make sure your hotel has air-conditioning. You’ll want to be able to come back to your room during the hottest part of the day and a/c will help you cool off. Also, if you have air-conditioning, you won’t need to open your windows, which means you can keep our lethal mosquitoes (zanzare) out.
You can find my recommendations on neighborhoods and specific hotel recommendations in Where to Stay in Florence and Where to Stay in Florence with Kids.
August is also a prime month to base yourself outside of Florence. You can come into the city in the early morning or evening (best) when it’s much cooler. Enjoy a Tuscan countryside property during the day – cool off in the swimming pool!
What to Wear in Florence in August – Printable Packing List
I’m including my printable Florence summer packing list below, and here are some things to keep in mind when you’re packing for your August trip to Florence.
- August in Florence = staying cool, but being ready for air-conditioning. For example, wear that adorable sundress to your cooking class, but have a light scarf handy in case it’s chilly inside.
- Avoid light colors because smudges and stains are inevitable. It’s tough to stay spotless in Florence. If you want to wear light colors, try clothing with patterns (like florals, polka-dots, or stripes).
- Make sure you have at least one pair of comfortable walking shoes that have good tread. Florence’s cobblestone streets are uneven and can be slippery. For sandals, avoid thin soles (recipe for stubbed toes and dirty feet) and soles with a slick surface.
- A lightweight scarf can be your layer in a/c situations and a shoulder cover-up at the Duomo. It can also be a picnic blanket.
- If you have a preferred mosquito repellant, August is the time to use it in Florence. Spray some on before your evening aperitivo and outdoor dinner.
Not-To-Miss Foods in Florence in August
Summer eating in Florence (and all of Italy) is all about fresh produce and cold dishes. It’s a nice time to sample:
- Panzanella – bread and vegetable salad
- Insalata di riso – cold rice salad with a variety of additions like olives, capers, salame, and more (one of my favorite summer dishes)
- Insalata caprese – layered, sliced tomatoes and mozzarella, with olive oil and basil; not Florentine, but widely available on menus here in the summer
- Frutta – get your hands on fresh fruit like plums, peaches, and watermelon
- Gelato – if there was ever a time to eat gelato in Florence, it’s in August
- Picnics! – Grab picnic supplies at a market (like Sant’Ambrogio) or the grocery store and enjoy a meal in a garden or grassy area
Don’t miss
Best Gelato in Florence
Beautiful Gardens in Florence
Florence in August with Kids – A Few Tips
Our kids are out of school in August (we don’t go back until mid-September), but many Florentine kids head to the beach or the mountains for extended periods of time in the summer (with their parents, grandparents, or friends).
I’m not a huge fan of exploring Florence in August with my kids because it’s so hot.
If you can, sleep in the Tuscan countryside and visit Florence in the morning or evening. Having a pool at an agriturismo or countryside hotel is key in August! Or, if you really want to stay in Florence, book a hotel with a pool or take advantage of Florence’s public pools.
Read more about Staying Cool in Florence in the Summer Heat
Try to be indoors/resting midday, whether you’re in an air-conditioned museum, cooking school, bookstore, or toy shop.
Take plenty of gelato breaks. They do wonders!
Look at your plans/itinerary and remove half of it. You’ll need time to rest and relax in August.
Embrace your stroller. It can be really hot for a baby in a carrier.
Even though you’ll be in the city, come prepared with sunscreen, sun hats, and sunglasses.
Be sure to check out
Visiting Florence with Kids
Things to Do in Florence with Kids
Kid-Friendly Museums in Florence
Florence Bookshops for Kids
Our Favorite Toy Stores in Florence
Where to Get a Snack in Florence with Kids
What to Do with Kids on a Rainy Day in Florence
If you’ll be spending time outside of Florence, take a look at
Chianti with Kids
Tuscany Activities for Families
70+ Things to Do with Kids in Tuscany
Where to Stay in Tuscany with Kids
I hope this has helped you work through whether or not you should visit Florence in August. And, if you are coming, that you’re full of good ideas for how to spend your time in bella Firenze!
Read more about
Tuscany in the Spring
Best Times to Visit Tuscany – Month-by-Month
