Florence in Spring: The Best Time to Visit

Florence in spring is the city at its very best. Between March and May, the climate is pleasant, the historic gardens are in bloom, the morning light on the Renaissance palaces has an extraordinary quality and the museum queues are still manageable, especially before Easter. It is no coincidence that spring is the favourite season of those who truly know Florence.

The spring climate in Florence

Temperatures in Florence in spring are among the most agreeable of the year. In March values hover between 7 and 16°C, with increasingly long days and a light that by the end of the month already recalls summer. In April temperatures rise to between 10 and 20°C, with almost always sunny days. May is the most beautiful month: average daytime temperature around 25°C, cool evenings and very little rain.

Spring rainfall exists but is brief: Tuscany in spring often has short storms in the late afternoon, but rarely prolonged rain. A light waterproof in your bag is sufficient as a precaution.

The advantage over summer is significant: walking through the streets of the historic centre is never tiring, and even long visiting days do not exhaust you as the summer months do.

Gardens in bloom: Boboli and beyond

Spring is the season of Florence’s historic gardens. The Boboli Gardens, behind Palazzo Pitti, transform between March and May into a park of rare beauty: roses begin to bloom from April, purple wisteria cascades down ancient walls, cypress trees and holm oaks glow with a brilliant green.

The Rose Garden

The Rose Garden (Giardino delle Rose), on Viale Giuseppe Poggi above the Oltrarno neighbourhood, is one of Florence’s least-known but most beautiful places in spring. More than 350 varieties of roses bloom between May and June. Entry is free. From the garden you enjoy one of the finest views of the historic centre and Brunelleschi’s dome. In May, during the flowering period, a floral exhibition takes place.

The Iris Garden

The Iris Garden (Giardino dell’Iris), on the slopes of Piazzale Michelangelo, is open only in May and is entirely dedicated to the iris, Florence’s floral symbol. The visit is free and the flowering is spectacular. Not many tourists know about it.

Parco delle Cascine

The Parco delle Cascine in spring is the city’s green lung: 160 hectares of tree-lined avenues along the Arno, with meadows covered in wildflowers and blossoming trees. It is the favourite spot for Florentines to jog, picnic and walk at weekends.

Spring events in Florence

La Scoppio del Carro

The Scoppio del Carro is one of Florence’s oldest and most spectacular events. It takes place every year on Easter Sunday in Piazza del Duomo. An ancient cart loaded with fireworks is pulled by a pair of white oxen to the square, where the “colombina”, a mechanical dove that departs from the cathedral’s high altar, lights the cart. If all goes well, the year’s harvest will be abundant. The spectacle lasts a few minutes but the ceremony with the procession in medieval costume is long and captivating.

The Artisan Gelato Festival

At the end of March, the Artisan Gelato Festival takes place in Piazza della Repubblica: gelatai from all over Italy bring their most original creations, with tastings and competitions. It is an event very popular with Florentines.

Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, one of Europe’s oldest opera and symphony festivals, runs between May and June. The Teatro del Maggio, Florence’s opera house inaugurated in 2014, hosts productions of the highest standard. Tickets can be purchased online on the Maggio Musicale website.

Visiting museums in spring

Florence in spring is still manageable for the main museums until Easter. After Easter, queues at the Uffizi and Accademia start growing again rapidly. If you can choose, plan visits to the great museums in the first half of April or in March: you will find far fewer people.

Online booking is still recommended even in spring, especially for the Uffizi, Accademia and Palazzo Pitti. The official website is ticketone.it for civic museums and uffizi.it for the Galleries.

Spring is also the best time to visit the historic Florentine villas: Villa Medicea di Poggio a Caiano, Villa La Petraia and Villa di Castello have magnificent gardens and are just a few kilometres from the centre.

Practical tips for spring

Book accommodation at least two weeks in advance if you are travelling over Easter: Florence is among Italy’s most visited cities during the Easter holidays and prices rise noticeably.

In spring the mornings can still be cool: always bring a second layer for the first hours of the day. May evenings are magnificent for dining outdoors, with temperatures around 18–20°C.

To explore Florence on foot in spring, the most beautiful hours are early morning (7–9am) and late afternoon (5–7pm): the light is extraordinary and the piazzas have an irreplaceable atmosphere.

Where to stay

To fully experience Florence in spring, location is everything. Homelink Charlotte, at Via Guido Monaco 19, is 5 minutes from SMN station, 10 minutes from the Duomo and Accademia, in the heart of a neighbourhood that comes alive in spring with markets, events and local life. The ideal base for exploring the city on foot.

Related property: Homelink Charlotte Link: /charlotte/