If you’re contemplating a February trip to Florence but can’t quite commit – I get it. February isn’t the month that typically pops up when you imagine strolling the Renaissance city’s streets or sipping on a glass of Chianti Classico wine in a Florentine piazza.
February in Florence is cold and it can be rainy. But, it’s also a great time to see Florence without hordes of other visitors. You can stop in to see David at the Accademia… and you don’t have to elbow your way up to the front to see him. Walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo and marvel at the Florence skyline… all by yourself (yes, it happens!). Tuck into a cozy restaurant and know that you’re in on a little secret – Florence in February can be fabulous!
I’m a mamma of three living just outside Florence, and I’ve been experiencing Florence in February since 2003 – as a traveler, guide, trip planner, and resident of bella Italia. I’m not just visiting for a week a year or looking at weather reports online. So, read on for my first-hand experience with Florence in February!
Table of Contents
Why Visit Florence in February?
You love art and want to soak up Florence’s museums without the crowds. The top photo was taken inside the Accademia in February – yes, that’s David with just 3 people looking at him.
You’re fine putting on raingear (or carrying an umbrella) and warm clothing to tackle the poor weather.
You want to experience Florence without many tourists.
You’re traveling on a budget. You can save on hotels, car rentals, and air fare in February.
Florence in February is cozy. Escape the cold and head inside a restaurant, bookshop, museum, or café. Sip on hot cocoa (cioccolata calda) or tuck into a platter of peposo or pappa al pomodoro.
You want to see Carnevale (Carnival) in Florence.
You’re looking for a romantic place to spend Valentine’s Day with your love.
Why Skip Florence in February?
It’s cold and rainy. If you want to be outdoors, have pleasant strolls along the Arno – visit later in the spring or even better, in the early summer.
The city isn’t very lively. If you’re imagining ‘movie scene’ Florence with people dining outdoors on the piazza or stumbling upon a concert or event, February’s not your month.
You’re visiting with kids. It’s a pain to deal with the puddles, cold, and rain with kids while traveling.
You want to combine your visit to Florence with time in the Tuscan countryside. Many small Tuscan villages close up for the winter (outside of some that have Christmas festivities). If you want charming, lively Tuscan villages, visit from late spring through early fall.
Florence Weather in February
Florence weather in February is cold, wet, and sometimes windy.
Typical temperatures in Florence in February range from 37-54 °F (3-12 °C), not quite as cold as December and January. The city sees a little over 2.5 inches (69 mm) of precipitation.
Good To Know: Daytime temperatures can be low, but if the sun is shining, you may be tempted to sit at an outdoor café in short sleeves (speaking from experience).
Source: Il Meteo (ilmeteo.it)
What to See & Do in Florence in February
Visit Florence’s Museums
February is one of the best moments to visit Florence’s museums without feeling like you’re elbow-to-elbow with other visitors. 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 (I adore being in here in the winter when it’s empty, especially in the Hall of the 500)
- Galileo Museum
Helpful Tip: If you must visit a museum on a particular day, reserve your ticket in advance, even if it’s not a busy time of year. Sell-outs can happen, even in February!
Good To Know: A few Florentine museums participate in Free Sundays at the Museum, so if you want to avoid crowds, don’t visit on the first Sunday of the month.
Experience Carnevale
It may not get the press that Venice does, but we do have a Carnival celebration in Florence! In 2025, it takes place on the 8th and 9th of February. See the schedule of events and activities on the official Carnevale di Firenze website.
Have a Romantic Valentine’s Day
Yes, we do celebrate Valentine’s Day in Italy, although not to the extent of the celebrations in the US. If you’ve got a restaurant in mind, be sure to make a reservation! If you’re looking to get fancy, check out Florence’s (and Tuscany’s) Michelin-star restaurants.
Drink Hot Chocolate & Eat Pastries
If February weather gives you the chills, take a seat and sip on thick Florentine hot chocolate. A classic spot is Rivoire on Piazza della Signoria (perfect people-watching spot too). Satisy your sweet tooth at a fancy pastry shop like Iginio Massari.
Mangia, Mangia (Eat, Eat)
Order warming dishes like ribollita, peposo, pastas with sugo di cinghiale, pappa al pomodoro, or crostini (especially those at Le Volpi e L’Uva). Sample Florence’s Carnevale sweet cake – schiacciata alla fiorentina. And, get your hands on fresh produce like clementines, blood oranges, and other citrus fruits. True, they’re coming from southern Italy, but they still taste amazing! And yes, you can still get a gelato in Florence in February.
Walk in Boboli Gardens
Wander through the Medici’s former back yard on a chilly February day. Be sure to check out the views of Florence from the hill above the Pegasus statue.
Read more about Boboli Gardens
Taste Tuscan Wines
While you can head out into the Tuscan countryside to visit wineries, you can also park yourself in an enoteca or restaurant in Florence and sip on Tuscan vini. A few places to check out:
- Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina
- Le Volpi e L’Uva
- Cantinetta Antinori
Walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo
Winter is one of the best times of the year to walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo. As I mentioned earlier, you may even end up alone! The sunsets are still gorgeous (although earlier, so check the sunset timing before you head up so you’re not walking in the dark) and the piazza isn’t packed with people and vendors.
Read more about Visiting Piazzale Michelangelo
See Florence from Above
In addition to Piazzale Michelangelo, you can get views of Florence from up high on a February day by:
- Climbing the Florence Duomo (Florence cathedral)
- Riding the ferris wheel
- Enjoying a rooftop aperitivo
- Climbing Giotto’s bell tower or the Arnolfo tower
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 recently took a pasta and gelato class with Towns of Italy.
Chill (or Warm Up) at the Odeon Bookshop
Head to this cinema / bookshop just around the corner from Piazza della Repubblica. Find a cozy seat upstairs and enjoy the unique setting.
Good To Know: You can also see a film at the Odeon, and they’re often in English (with Italian subtitles).
Go to a Concert or Performance
Florence has multiple venues, including Teatro Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (calendar), Teatro Verdi (calendar), Teatro del Sale (website), and Teatro della Pergola (calendar).
Cheer on Fiorentina at a Soccer Match
Root for the home team, Fiorentina, at a calcio match at the city’s home stadium, Artemio Franchi. Before heading to a match, read my guide to Going to a Soccer Game in Italy.
Check Out a Church
Take the chance to see some of Florence’s churches without the crowds:
- Basilica di Santa Croce – The burial place of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Macchiavelli, among others.
- Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore) – My favorite way to see the Duomo is by climbing it and seeing the inside of the dome up close. You also get amazing views of Florence and the countryside from the top (outside).
- Medici Chapels – More works by Michelangelo
- San Miniato al Monte – Catch the views of Florence out front (it’s a climb from the historic center) before heading inside.
Go Shopping
Even though you’re a little late for the January bi-annual sales (some may run into the first week of February), there’s still plenty of shopping to be done. Not sure where to go? Try:
- Via dei Calzaiuoli – at this point, it’s mostly international brands and shops, but it’s a nice pedestrian street to stroll in the winter
- Via Tornabuoni – designer shops galore, from Gucci to Ferragamo (check out the shoe museum inside!)
- Ponte Vecchio – gold and jewelry; it’s not a tourist trap – my husband and I bought our wedding rings here
- Mercato dei Pulci – a tiny flear market in the Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood; if you’re patient, you may find a treasure
- Via Santo Spirito – artisan and antique shops
- Via Gioberti – a local’s shopping street with clothing, homewares, bookshops
- Rinascente and Coin – Florence’s department stores
- Il Perseo – Leather boutique with high-quality pieces for fair prices
- SOTF Firenze – The best shop in Florence for sneaker addicts
What to Do Near Florence in February
Head to Viareggio’s Carnevale. After Venice, it’s one of Italy’s most well-known Carnevale festivals. If you’re not visiting during the Carnevale dates, you can still check out Viareggio’s Carnevale museum and workshop area. Foiano della Chiana, in southern Tuscany, also hosts the longest-running Carnevale in Italy.
Relax in Tuscan Hot Springs. Along with the late fall, this time of year is my favorite to soak in Tuscany’s hot springs. The chilly weather is perfect for a dip in thermal waters, but know that a visit will take up all day (they’re a ways from Florence). Read my guides to:
Join a Cooking Class
While you can easily do this in Florence, you could also head into the countryside to take a class. I enjoy Toscana Mia’s class, as well and Jacopo & Anna’s classes.
Shop at Tuscan Outlets
The Mall has a collection of luxury brands (but heads up, it’s outdoors, so come prepared with an umbrella if the weather looks iffy). 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.
Day Trip to Venice
Yes, it’s about 2 hours by train (each way), but if you want to experience Venetian Carnevale, go for it! Even outside of Carnevale time, it’s worth a visit – we love Venice in the winter. You could also take a day trip to Verona for Valentine’s Day (is there a more romantic place to spend February 14th?).
Sip on Tuscan Wines
Visit Tuscan wineries to sample vino toscano at the source. Note that many wineries close up during the winter, so be sure to contact them in advance. Larger wineries (like Antinori in Bargino) are open throughout the month.
Go on a Road Trip
If you’ve got access to a car or a private driver, make you way to countryside towns and villages:
- The main Chianti villages (Gaiole, Castellina, Radda, Greve, Panzano)
- Val d’Orcia villages (Pienza, Montepulciano, Montalcino, Bagno Vignoni, Monticchiello)
- Lesser-known gems (Certaldo, San Donato in Poggio, Peccioli, Cerreto Guidi, San Miniato, San Casciano in Val di Pesa)
- San Gimignano
- Volterra
Good To Know: Tuscan villages are very quiet during February, so if you want to see them at their liveliest, try later in the spring, summer, or early fall.
Take the Train to a Nearby City. Head to:
- Lucca
- Pisa
- Bologna
- Pistoia
- Siena
- Arezzo
You may want to read more about
Tuscany Without a Car
Renting a Car at the Florence Airport
Tuscany in Winter
Florence Santa Maria Novella Train Station
Day Trips from Florence
Printable February Packing List for Firenze
Check the forecast before you leave, but plan on cold and wet February weather.
Based on our many winters here, my top tips are to:
- Dress in warm layers. Wear a sweater, coat, hat (like a cozy beanie), mittens or gloves, and a scarf. I know it seems like overkill, but you can always take them off if you’re warm enough. Helpful Tip: A cashmere scarf is a lovely souvenir. We have a few shops with cashmere in Florence, including some on Via della Vigna Nuova. Before purchasing, confirm it’s made in Italy.
- Wear a pair of water-resistant shoes or boots (puddles form in the uneven cobblestones). Shoes like ballet flats are cute, but not a good choice for February in Florence. If your shoes aren’t waterproof, bring a second pair. Helpful Tip: Stuff wet shoes with newspaper overnight to dry and place them near (not on) the radiator in your hotel room.
- Bring a travel umbrella. You can buy them on the street here but they’re not high-quality, and quality umbrellas are expensive here.
Click on one of the images to open a high-quality PDF in a new tab.
You may want to check out
Packing List for Florence in the Winter
Best Shoes for Italy
Packing List for Italy
How to Get Around Florence in February
Florence has a very walkable historic center, and that doesn’t change in the winter. I still move around on foot in February. But, I’m careful to wear water resistant or waterproof footwear, as there are typically plenty of puddles in the cobblestone streets.
You can also use Florence’s public buses, the tram, or taxis.
Helpful Tip: You can’t hail cabs in Florence. Instead, you need to go to a designated taxi stand (they’re scattered throughout the city) or call a taxi to come pick you up (+39 055 4242 or +39 055 4390).
You may want to read Is There Uber in Florence?
Where to Stay in Florence in February
I always recommend staying in or within walking distance of the historic center on a visit to Florence – no matter what time of year you’re visiting. The city is compact enough that you can get where you need to go on two feet, and it’s so nice to enjoy dinner and stroll back to your accommodation (vs taking a taxi or bus back).
February is a quiet month for tourism in February, so you should be able to find some good deals on hotels and apartments throughout the city.
You can read all about my recommendations for Where to Stay in Florence.
I hope this helps you enjoy visiting Florence in February. Buon viaggio!
Check out my monthly guides to visiting Florence: January – February – September – October – November – December
Learn about the Best Times to Visit Tuscany – Month-by-Month
