Florence in July and August: Tips for Summer
July and August are the most extreme months in Florence. The city is simultaneously at its most crowded and its most uncomfortable in terms of heat. Temperatures regularly reach 35-38 degrees Celsius in the afternoon. The streets radiate heat from the stone paving.
None of this means you should not visit. It means you need to approach these months differently from any other time of year.
The key shift is temporal. Move your day forward by two hours. Start at 8:00 instead of 10:00. Rest at midday in an air-conditioned space. Go out again in the evening. This is how Florentines survive the summer, and it works.
Florence in summer: pros and cons
The pros: long days (sunset after 21:00 until late July), an enormous programme of outdoor events through the Estate Fiorentina, cheaper last-minute accommodation in August when many Florentines leave, and an energy in the city at night that does not exist in any other season.
The cons: temperatures that make outdoor sightseeing genuinely uncomfortable between 12:00 and 17:00, heavily crowded museums and monuments, and the period around Ferragosto (15 August) when parts of the city effectively shut down.
The main museums are busy but open throughout July and August. The Uffizi, Accademia, and Duomo complex all operate with summer hours and are open seven days a week. Booking in advance is essential.
July and August are also when many local businesses close for their summer holidays, particularly in the second and third weeks of August. This affects some restaurants, shops, and small services more than major tourist infrastructure.
How to survive the heat
The most effective strategy is to treat July and August like any Mediterranean country treats them: rest at midday.
Do all outdoor sightseeing before 12:00 and after 18:00. The evening walk along the Lungarno between 20:00 and 22:00 is one of the best experiences in summer Florence, and the temperature is typically 24-26 degrees by then.
Use air-conditioned museums for the hottest part of the day. The Uffizi, Accademia, Bargello, and Museo dell’Opera del Duomo are all air-conditioned. Schedule museum visits for 13:00-16:00 when outdoor sightseeing would be uncomfortable.
Drink water constantly. The free drinking fountains (nasoni) throughout the city provide cold, drinkable water. You should be drinking at least 2-3 litres per day in summer heat.
Wear a hat, lightweight clothing, and sunscreen above SPF 30. The Tuscan sun in July is intense. Even short outdoor stretches in open squares can cause sunburn within 20 minutes.
The Arno is not safe for swimming. Do not enter the river. If you need to cool down near water, the Piscine Bellariva (Lungarno Aldo Moro 6) is the nearest municipal outdoor pool, about 3 km east of the centre. Entry costs approximately 8 euros per day.
What to do in the evening when it cools down
Florence in summer evenings is at its best. The city does not go to sleep until 01:00 or later.
Estate Fiorentina runs July through August with open-air cinema, concerts, theatre, and events at venues across the city. Most events are free or low-cost (5-10 euros). The programme is published on the Comune di Firenze website each year.
Piazza Santissima Annunziata and Piazza Santa Croce host outdoor cinema evenings, usually starting at 21:00 when it gets dark.
The Lungarno embankments are pleasant for an evening walk. The walk from Ponte della Vittoria to Ponte alle Grazie covers about 3.5 km and passes most of Florence’s historic bridges.
Late dinner is normal in July and August. Most restaurants take last orders between 22:00 and 23:00. Eating before 20:00 means you will be dining alone or with other tourists, not with Florentines.
The Oltrarno is consistently livelier in summer evenings than the north bank. Bars and restaurants in Piazza Santo Spirito, Via di Santo Spirito, and Borgo San Jacopo stay busy until midnight.
The least crowded places in summer
Crowding is at its peak in July and August but some places remain consistently calm.
Museo di San Marco (Piazza San Marco 3, entry 4 euros) remains uncrowded even in peak season. The Fra Angelico frescoes are worth visiting without a queue.
San Miniato al Monte (Via delle Porte Sante 34, open 9:30-13:00 and 15:00-19:00, free) is never as crowded as the Duomo area. The afternoon session gives you the building in warm golden light.
Fortezza da Basso (Viale Filippo Strozzi 1) hosts summer events and exhibitions. The fortifications are interesting in their own right and the large grounds provide shade.
Parco delle Cascine (Piazzale delle Cascine) is Florence’s main public park, 2.5 km from the centre along the Arno. It is where Florentines go in summer. Shaded paths, outdoor bars, and a generally local atmosphere. Bus line 17C from Santa Maria Novella station.
Fiesole (8 km northeast of Florence, bus line 7 from the city) is about 5 degrees cooler than the city in summer due to altitude. The archaeological site (Via Portigiani 1, entry 12 euros) and the views down over Florence are worth the 30-minute bus ride.
Ferragosto in Florence: what is open
Ferragosto is 15 August, Italy’s main summer public holiday. In the days immediately before and after, many smaller businesses close.
Most major tourist infrastructure stays open: the Uffizi, Accademia, Duomo complex, and Palazzo Pitti all operate normally on Ferragosto. Check individual websites for specific hours.
Some local restaurants and shops close for one to two weeks around Ferragosto, typically from 10-25 August. The Mercato Centrale first floor food hall may reduce hours or close for maintenance.
Supermarkets and pharmacies generally stay open with slightly reduced hours. The Esselunga at Via Pisana 130 and the Conad at Via dei Servi 56 are reliable options.
The city itself is quieter in the days around Ferragosto as many Florentines leave for the coast or countryside. This actually makes it a reasonable time to visit: fewer local cars, shorter queues at some restaurants, and a more spacious feel in residential neighbourhoods.
Where to stay
In July and August, being close to the city centre matters most in the morning, when you want to start your day early before the heat builds. The Key is at Via Cittadella 22, a 5-minute walk from Santa Maria Novella station, which means you can be at Piazza del Duomo before 9:00 without effort.
