by August Otto
One of the biggest advantages of visiting Florence in the fall is the weather. July and August can get very hot, which can make long days of sightseeing more tiring. By September, temperatures begin to cool down while days can still feel warm and summery.
October continues that transition. You will want a few more layers, particularly for mornings and evenings, but the cooler temperatures make walking around Florence much more comfortable. It is a great time to explore the historic center, spend the afternoon outside, or see more of the city on one of Accord's walking, bike, or golf cart tours.
November feels more like the beginning of the colder season. Temperatures drop, days get shorter, and there is a greater chance of rain. This is when having a flexible itinerary becomes especially useful. A clear day can be spent exploring Florence or the Tuscan countryside, while a rainy afternoon is a good opportunity to head inside one of the city's museums or galleries.
Fall also brings a gradual change in crowds. Florence remains a popular destination throughout the year, so you should not expect empty streets or attractions, particularly in September and October. However, once the peak summer travel period has passed, the city begins to move away from its busiest season.
For many travelers, that balance is exactly what makes September and October such appealing months to visit: comfortable weather, plenty happening throughout the city, and all of Florence to explore without the peak summer heat.
Packing for Florence in the fall can look a little different depending on when you visit. September can still feel like summer during the day, so lighter clothing is useful, but having a light jacket or sweater for mornings and evenings is a good idea.
By October, layers become more important. Days can still be sunny and comfortable, but mornings and evenings are cooler. A sweater, light jacket, and clothes that can easily be layered will help you adjust as the temperature changes throughout the day.
If you are visiting in November, plan for cooler temperatures and a greater chance of rain. A warmer jacket, small umbrella, and shoes that can handle wet streets are worth packing.
No matter when you visit, comfortable shoes are essential. Florence is best explored on foot, and between the cobblestone streets, museums, piazzas, and everything you will want to see along the way, you will probably do more walking than you expect.
Fall is also a great time to venture outside the city. As the season progresses, the Tuscan countryside begins to change, with vineyards and rolling hills taking on warmer autumn colors. It is also an important time of year for some of the region's best-known food and wine traditions.
The grape harvest, or vendemmia, typically takes place from late summer into early fall, depending on the grape variety and conditions that year. As the season continues, the olive and truffle harvests also become part of Tuscany's fall food traditions, making this an especially interesting time to experience the region beyond Florence.
Chianti is an easy escape from Florence and one of the best-known areas for experiencing Tuscany's wine country. San Gimignano and other towns throughout the countryside can also be combined with wine tastings, winery visits, and scenic drives.
Accord offers excursions from Florence that make it easy to experience the Tuscan countryside without having to organize transportation yourself. Spend the day visiting local wineries, tasting Chianti wines, stopping in historic towns, and experiencing more of Tuscany during your stay in Florence.
One of the easiest ways to notice the change of seasons in Tuscany is through its food. Fall brings ingredients and dishes you might not see as often at other times of the year.
Look out for chestnuts, mushrooms, and especially truffles, which are in season during the fall. You will also find newly produced olive oil and heartier Tuscan dishes appearing as the weather gets colder. Early in the season, you may also find schiacciata con l'uva, a traditional Tuscan grape focaccia associated with the harvest. Cooler days are also a good excuse to try ribollita, a traditional Tuscan bread and vegetable soup that feels particularly fitting once summer is over.
Accord's Eat & Go tour is a great way to get an introduction to local Tuscan food while exploring Florence. Along the way, you can taste local specialties and learn more about the food traditions behind them.
For something more hands-on, you can also take part in a pasta-making class in Florence. Learn how to make fresh pasta before sitting down to enjoy what you have made. It is a fun experience at any time of year and an especially good option as the weather starts to cool down.
Rain is not something that should define a fall trip to Florence, especially in September and October. However, if you are visiting later in the season, particularly in November, it is worth having a few indoor activities in mind.
Fortunately, some of Florence's most famous attractions are indoors. The Uffizi Gallery and Accademia Gallery are two of the best-known options, and Accord offers several ways to experience them. Visiting with a guide or one of Accord's audio experiences can give you more context about the artwork, artists, and details that are easy to miss when walking through on your own.
There are plenty of other ways to spend a rainy afternoon too. Florence is filled with museums, galleries, and historic sites, and Accord offers tours and experiences at several of them, making it easy to continue exploring while staying indoors. You can also wander through Mercato Centrale, spend some time shopping, or stop at a café and enjoy a slower afternoon in the city.
Even if rain is not in the forecast, keeping a small umbrella with you is a good idea later in the season.
Florence may be known for sunny piazzas and warm summer evenings, but there is much more to the city once summer ends. Cooler weather makes long days of sightseeing more comfortable, while the changing season brings different foods, countryside landscapes, and experiences throughout Tuscany.
The key to a fall trip is simply being prepared. Pack layers, leave some flexibility in your itinerary, and take advantage of what the season offers. Spend a sunny day exploring Chianti, try the foods that arrive with the harvest, and keep a museum or cooking experience in mind for a cooler day.
Whether you want to explore Florence's art and history, taste local Tuscan food, learn to make fresh pasta, or spend a day in the countryside, Accord can help you find the right experiences for your fall trip to Florence.
