A January visit to Florence – yay or nay? It depends on what you’re looking to get out of your Italian holiday.
Florence in January is cold, and the beginning of the month is crowded and expensive, as Christmas and New Year’s celebrations wrap up (yes, the Christmas trees stay up in the city until Epiphany, on January 6th).
But, it’s also the perfect time to get cozy in a restaurant, shop ‘til you drop, or walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo and stare down at the city all by yourself (yes, it happens… but after the first week of January).
I’m a mamma of three living just outside Florence, and I’ve been experiencing Florence in January 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 January!
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Why Visit Florence in January?
Cozy vibes – I mentioned this briefly above, but I’ll say it again because it’s a big plus of Florence in January. It’s cold out, but you can get cozy in a quiet (or loud) restaurant, a bookshop, or even in your hotel room.
Tail end of holiday celebrations – If you missed Christmas in Florence, you can still soak up some of the atmosphere until January 6th. There are twinkling lights on buildings and above streets, Christmas trees set up throughout the city, presepi outdoors and in churches, and beautiful light displays. Note that the Christmas market in Piazza Santa Croce closes in December (some Italian Christmas markets are still up at the beginning of January).
Saldi – Saldi are ‘sales,’ and they’re a big deal in Italy because we have two main sales per year – in January and July. This is your moment to shop in Florence’s boutiques and at international luxury chains (I’m lookin’ at you, Via de’ Tornabuoni). Or, head to the Mall Outlet nearby.
Comfort food – Ribollita, peposo, and more!
Smaller crowds – You’ll notice fewer people from the second week of January, when the holidays officially wrap up and kids head back to school. You can even find yourself along on some streets in the the historic center.
Lower prices and chances for deals – Again, this happens after the second week of January.
New Year’s celebrations – Celebrate with Florentines!
Chance for snow nearby – While not a given (at least in recent years), if you’ve got flexible plans, you can head to nearby Abetone in the mountains for some snow play.
Why Skip Florence in January?
Brrrr – January in Florence means chilly temperatures. It’s bone-chilling cold (to me at least).
You want to avoid crowds but can only visit the first week – It’s busy until the Befana (Epiphany) on January 6th.
Good To Know: The 2025 Edition of Pitti Uomo (a men’s fashion trade show that runs in ) will take place in Florence from January 14-17. Expect larger crowds, busy restaurants and hotels, and amazing fashion and people-watching.
You want to combine Florence and 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 January
Florence weather in January is cold, wet, and sometimes windy.
Typical temperatures in Florence in January range from 34-50 °F (1-10 °C) and the city sees almost 3 inches (73 mm) of precipitation. Source: Il Meteo (ilmeteo.it)
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).
What To See & Do in Florence in January
Visit Museums
January 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 do happen, even in January!
Go Shopping
Take advantage of our bi-annual sales! 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
- Scuola del Cuoio – Leather artisans at work making products you can purchase
- SOTF Firenze – The best shop in Florence for sneaker addicts
Drink Hot Cocoa
If January 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).
Begin the New Year in Italy
Join a New Year’s celebration on December 31st (go out on the town or toast the New Year at a special Capodanno dinner).
Be on the Lookout for the Befana
On the night of January 5th, La Befana visits the homes of children and leaves either treats or coal in stockings that have been left out. It’s an exciting time for kids – and kids at heart.
Mangia, Mangia (Eat, Eat)
Order warming dishes like ribollita, peposo, pastas with sugo di cinghiale, pappa al pomodoro, trippa sandwiches, or crostini (especially those at Le Volpi e L’Uva). 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 January.
Walk in Boboli Gardens
Wander through the Medici’s former back yard on a chilly January day. Be sure to check out the views of Florence from the hill above the Pegasus statue.
Read more about Visiting 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
Celebrate the New Year
Take in a concert in one of Florence’s piazza or make a restaurant reservation for a New Year’s Meal and celebration (dancing, anyone?).
Walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo
I think this 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 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 this pasta and gelato class with Towns of Italy.
Chill (or Warm Up) at a 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.
What to Do Near Florence in January
If you’re itching to leave the city behind for the day, you could:
Go on a road trip – Visit San Gimignano, Volterra, Chianti villages (like Gaiole, Castellina, Radda, Panzano, and Greve), Siena, the Val d’Orcia and its villages (Pienza, Montepulciano, Montalcino, Bagno Vignoni). Explore lesser-known villages like Certaldo, San Donato in Poggio, Peccioli, or San Miniato. Take a cooking class in the Tuscan countryside. Soak in Tuscan hot springs, including the famous Saturnia hot springs.
Take a train to a nearby city – Lucca, Pisa, Bologna, Pistoia, Siena, Arezzo
Go skiing and play in the snow in Abetone – But make sure there’s snow!
Shop at the Mall Outlet – You can catch a special bus from the Florence city center.
Take a day trip to Venice – Yes, it’s a big day trip, but Venice is gorgeous in the winter!
Go wine tasting – Be sure to reserve in advance, as many wineries take time off during the winter months. Larger wineries (like Antinori in Chianti) will be open in January.
You may want to read more about
Day Trips from Florence
Tuscany Without a Car
Renting a Car at the Florence Airport
Tuscany in Winter
Florence SMN Train Station
What to Pack for a January Trip to Florence
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.
- 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 January in Florence. If your shoes aren’t waterproof, bring a second pair.
- Bring a travel umbrella. You can buy them on the street here but they’re not high-quality, and quality umbrellas are expensive here.
Printable Packing Lists for a January Trip to Florence
Click on one of the packing lists to open up a new tab with a high-quality, printable PDF.
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 January
Florence has a very walkable historic center, and that doesn’t change in the winter. I still move around on foot in January.
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 January
I always recommend staying in or within walking distance of the historic center on a visit to Florence. 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).
You can read all about my recommendations for Where to Stay in Florence.
I hope this helps you enjoy visiting Florence in January. 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
