Imagine a city where art and architecture blend seamlessly, fashion is a work of art, and cuisine is a symphony of flavors. Welcome to Florence, or as the locals affectionately call it, Firenze. Nestled along the banks of the Arno River, this enchanting city transforms into a winter wonderland in December, offering a unique and serene experience for those who venture here during the holiday season.
Unlike the bustling crowds of peak tourist months, December in Florence is relatively quiet, allowing you to explore iconic attractions like the Uffizi Gallery and the Duomo at a more leisurely pace. As the festive lights begin to twinkle, the air fills with the aromas of traditional Tuscan dishes and seasonal treats found at the bustling Christmas markets.
While the weather may be cool, with average daytime temperatures around 11°C and crisp nights, the city remains free from the harshness of snow and ice, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a relaxing and culturally rich holiday experience.
Here’s your guide to discovering the magic of Florence in December, complete with tips on making the most of your itinerary!
What makes Florence in December a must-visit?
- Snow-less Winters: While snow can make Christmas feel magical, the chill and cold accompanying it is not everybody’s cup of tea. It is why the pleasant December weather of Florence can be a welcome change! There are a few rainy days and a hint of frost but December in Florence is generally snow-free. The weather is great for exploring without bundling up in layers of clothing.
- Fewer Tourists: Visiting Florence in December is considered to be the best time to visit. It is low season as most international tourists spend the holidays at home. This gives you the chance to explore the art galleries and museums at your own pace and without the rush of long queues.
- Low Season Perks: Accommodation rates take a dip during December in Florence, as there is lesser demand. You can also enjoy the Christmas festivities with the locals and spend time exploring the city without the tourist throngs. It is the best time of the year to enjoy Florence like a local!
Florence in December: Weather
Florence enjoys a subtropical climate throughout the year which means it is one of the warmer European cities in December. The sun is still shining and the average day time temperature is around 11°C, while it goes down 3°C during the nights. Rainfall is lesser than previous months, around 10 days of the month and a scant forecast of snow.
Florence in December: Things to do
1
Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery is synonymous with Florence and is one of the biggest art galleries in the world. Everyone who visits the city makes it a point to view the wealth of Italian Renaissance artwork in the gallery. In December, there is an exhibition on the Wooden Ceilings of Florence.
December Timings
Wednesday to Sunday: 8:15am to 6:30pm
Tuesday: 8:15am to 9:30pm
Closed on Mondays
Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Getting There ›
2
Florence Duomo
The skyline of Florence is crowned by Dome of the Church of Santa Maria del Fiore. One of the largest churches in Europe, the dome is still the largest brick dome in the world! Visit the cathedral and take a walk up the staircase of the Duomo to view the expansive landscape of Florence.
December Timings
Monday to Saturday: 10.15am to 3.45pm
Closed on Sunday
Piazza del Duomo, Florence, Italy
Getting There ›
3
Accademia Gallery
Art lovers will find themselves ecstatic over the wealth of paintings and sculptures in the Accademia Gallery. David by Michelangelo, The Rape of the Sabine Women by Giam bologna, and Coronation of the Virgin are just some of the must-see exhibits at the Accademica Gallery.
December Timings
Tuesday – Sunday: 8:15am – 6:20pm
Closed on Mondays.
Via Ricasoli, 58, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Getting There ›
4
Boboli Gardens
The Boboli Gardens are one of the best landscaped palace gardens in Europe and are located behind the Pitti Palace. It is a wonderful open air museum of sorts with ancient and Italian statutes, sculptures, fountains and grottos decorating the lawns. In December, you will have fewer tourists leaving you with time to explore the artwork peacefully.
December Timings
Every day: 8:15am to 6:30pm
Piazza de' Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Getting There ›
5
Palazzo Pitti
The Pitti Palace was the home of three generations of Royal families – Medici Family, The House of Lorraine-Habsburg, and the Kings of Italy of the House of Savoy. Today, the palace has been turned into a museum which showcases the treasury, wardrobe, art collection and the apartments of the royals.
December Timings
Tuesday – Sunday: 8:15am – 6:50pm
Piazza de' Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Getting There ›
6
Florence Segway Guided Tour
Give your feet a rest and enjoy gliding across the UNESCO World Heritage Site – the historic city centre of Florence. The unique Segway tour is led by a professional tour guide who narrates the stories of the city and its monuments.
December Timings
Tour runs daily at 9:30am and 3pm
Florence, Italy,
Getting There ›
7
Walking Food & Art Tour
Florentine cuisine is unique and quite different from the typical Italian cuisine. Learn the difference and sample a variety of food products from the region in the local markets of San Lorenzo. That's not all; you will be accompanied by a guide who will also give you the low down on the monuments you will cross on your tour.
Kiosk , Firenze, Italy
Getting There ›
8
Day Trip to Pisa
Pisa is just about 90KM away from Florence, making it a great day trip destination. In December, the tourist crowds are thinner, making a visit a relaxing affair. You can also combine a visit to Pisa with other towns like Siena, San Gimignano, Lucca and Forte dei Marmi.
December Timings
Depends on the chosen tour
Provincia di Pisa, Italy
Getting There ›
Florence in December: Events to look out for
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
December 8, 2024
It is a National Holiday in Italy and marks the start of the Christmas season. Florentines spend the day decorating their homes for the holiday season and the big Christmas tree in the Piazza del Duomo is lit up on this evening. Nativity scenes and Christmas trees are put up across all major landmarks in Florence.
F-Light: Firenze Light Festival
December 8, 2024 – January, 6 2025
The Florence Light Festival is a spectacular event that lights up the centre of the city, especially the Ponte Vecchio area. Light artists from around the world come together to create displays that narrate stories and bring forth new ideas to the ancient architecture of Florence.
Firenze Winter Park
All Through December
Snow and Ice might be a rarity across Florence in December but worry not, you can still enjoy the thrills of ice skating at the Firenze Winter Park. The venue is beside the Arno River and you can various ice activities and have a fun time with the family at the many food and activity stalls.
Christmas Markets
All Through December
The biggest Christmas Market in Florence is held in the Piazza Santa Croce, where you can find everything from handmade crafts to food products. The other exciting markets are Fierucola dell'Immacolata (December 8th in Piazza Santissima Annunziata) and Fierucolina di Natale (December 16th in Piazza Santo Spirito).
Florence in December: 1-day itinerary
Read our detailed Florence itinerary and make the most of 24 hours in Italy's cultural capital.
Florence in December: Seasonal delicacies
A traditional dish of the Tuscan region, this soup is found in most restaurants in Florence. A bean soup, the recipe also calls for farro, a local type of wheat. The hearty soup includes borlotti beans, farro, pancetta and vegetables like celery and carrots. It is a perfect appetiser for a winter meal.
Where to order: Del Fagioli
A cousin of the Focaccia bread, the Schiacciata is Florentine bread that can be had on its own or as a side dish. The best type of Schiacciata is the thin crust that is had straight out of the oven and drizzled with olive oil and a dash of salt. An ideal snack to have on the go while exploring Florence!
Where to order: All' Antico Vinaio
This will end up becoming your favorite type of Chicken, once you have had a taste of this! The Pollo al Burro is chicken roasted with delicious butter, the golden chicken is then seasoned with pepper, lemon, salt, garlic and parsley leaves. A simple but heavenly dish, it is the best comfort food for winters.
Where to order: Trattoria Sostanza
The Ribollita soup is just what you need to warm you up on a cold December night in Florence. The Tuscan speciality is essentially a bread soup that is cooked with cannellini beans, lacinato kale, cabbage, carrots, beans, chard, potatoes and onions till it becomes a thick stew.
Where to order: Trattoria Mario
Forget the gelato, dig into this yummy Florentine dessert called as the zuccotto. Legend goes that this semi-circular upside down dessert is inspired by the dome of the Duomo! The liquer-soaked sponge cake is served with a chocolate ganache and almonds, toffee and candied fruit.
Where to order: Trattoria da Garibardi
Florence in December: Essentials
LanguageItalian
Time zoneGMT+2
Country Code+39
Socket Type C, F, L
CurrencyEuros €
Where to stay in Florence in December?
The tourist crowds thin down in Florence in December and you can enjoy big discounts on accommodation rates. Most of the attractions are near the centre of the city and it’s easy to get around using public transport or walking. You can stay in the areas around Piazza San Marco, Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio, Santa Marina Novella, Oltarno and Santo Spirito. Here are our recommendations for stay in the city –
- Luxury – Villa Cora , Portrait Firenze, Hotel Lungarno
- Moderate – Hotel Spadai , Hotel Milu , Hotel Rapallo
- Budget – Hotel Palazzo Guadagni , Hotel Mario’s , Hotel Delle Nazioni
Getting around Florence in December
Florence is a relatively small city and you can get around to most places within a walking distance of 15-20 minutes. However, if you wish to give your legs a rest in the wintry season, you can use one of these public transport options in Florence –
- Bus – ATAF runs electric buses across the city, these are cheap but they may take time to get around.
- Taxis – In Florence you cannot just hail a cab, you will have to call ahead in time or head to a taxi stand.
- Trams – There is just one tram line and it doesn’t cover many landmarks.
- Bikes – This is a great option to get around the city, the service is called Mille Una Bici and you can rent bikes and scooters for short duration.
Florence in December: Visiting tips
- New Year’s Eve is celebrated in a big way in Florence, and the cherry on top is that many of these events are free of cost! You can enjoy classical music concerts at Piazza della Signoria or the Gospel at Piazza Santissima Annunziata. Other Piazzas where these concerts take place are Piazza del Carmine, and Piazza San Lorenzo.
- The Christmas market in Santa Croce is worth visiting. You'll find small stalls with great food and the Christmas lighting will be everywhere!
- The weather is quite right for a trip to the countryside. Headout has several day trips out of Florence that you can add to your itinerary, including a trip to Pisa, a Cinque Terre day tour, and a visit of the Tuscan countryside to towns like Chianti, Lucca and Forte dei Marmi.
- European Christmas Classical Music concerts are famous and Florence isn’t behind! The Florence Opera House will play the concerts ‘La Boheme’, ‘Cinderella’ and Shen Yun (Chinese Classicial Dance Show) throughout December.
- Florence is a great destination to pick up souvenirs for your friends back home. Some items worth buying are Italian ceramics, leather products, truffle products, Tuscan cheeses, wood trays, Florentine handmade paper products, and cameos. You will find most of these in the Christmas Markets running through the month of December.
- Winter is a great time to climb up the Duomo. There are 500 steps up to the Duomo from where you can view 360 degree panoramic views of the city. It is best to pick an evening slot so that you can watch the sunset and view the Christmas lights come up across town.
Explore Florence through the year
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