Florence in Spring and Summer: Festivals, Heat and How I Plan Around Both
Updated: 3 days ago
Updated October 2026
Spring and summer are Florence at full volume: long days, packed festivals and squares that fill after dinner. The heat and crowds can wear you down without a plan, so here is how I approach both.
If you are still choosing your month, my month by month guide to visiting Florence compares all twelve.
Spring: March to May
Easter and the Scoppio del Carro
On Easter Sunday a tall, decorated cart is pulled by oxen to the front of the Duomo and set off with fireworks in the Scoppio del Carro, the Explosion of the Cart. It is loud, smoky and very Florentine. Get to Piazza del Duomo early if you want to see anything. Easter 2027 falls on 28 March.
The Iris Garden
The Giardino dell'Iris, just below Piazzale Michelangelo, opens for only a few weeks each spring and entry is free. In 2026 it ran from 25 April to 20 May. The iris is the symbol of Florence, and seeing the terraces in bloom with the city below is one of my favorite free things to do.
The Rose Garden
A few minutes away at Viale Poggi 2, the Giardino delle Rose is open all year and free. May is when it looks its best.
What spring feels like
April and May are mild and good walking weather, but they are no longer quiet. School groups arrive, and the Uffizi, Accademia and Duomo climb sell out days ahead. Book those first.
Summer: June to August
Calcio Storico
Calcio Storico is a mix of football, rugby and wrestling played in costume on a sand pitch in Piazza Santa Croce. Four neighborhood teams compete. In 2026 the semifinals were on 13 and 14 June and the final on 24 June. Tickets go fast. My Calcio Storico guide explains the rules and the history.
San Giovanni, 24 June
The feast of Florence's patron saint ends with the fochi, a fireworks show over the Arno at 22:00. They are launched from Piazzale Michelangelo, which is closed to the public that night, so watch from the river embankments or a rooftop instead.
Evenings at the museums
In 2026 the Vasari Corridor added Friday evening visits from 3 July to 20 November. Evening openings change every year, so check the Uffizi and Accademia sites when you book.
The heat
July and August regularly reach the mid 30s Celsius, and the stone city holds the heat. My routine:
Museums and churches in the morning, when they are cooler and calmer.
A long lunch and a rest in the hottest hours.
Back out after 18:00, when the light softens and the squares come alive.
Refill a water bottle at the free public fontanelli fountains.
A sunset drink is the reward. My guide to rooftop bars in Florence lists the ones that are open now.
Crowds
June to September is peak season. I book timed tickets for every major site, start early and save the side streets of the Oltrarno and Sant'Ambrogio for the middle of the day. More tactics are in how to beat the crowds in Florence.
Where to stay in the warm months
Air conditioning matters more than a view in July. The Oltrarno is lively on summer evenings and a short walk across the river to everything. See where to stay in the Oltrarno.
Summer evenings
The best part of a Florence summer is the evening. As the heat fades, the city comes outside. There are open air cinemas, concerts in cloisters and piazzas, and bars along the river with deck chairs on the banks of the Arno. The Piazzale Michelangelo fills with people watching the sunset, and gelato shops stay open late.
What to pack
Light linen and cotton, a hat, sunglasses and good walking sandals for summer. A light layer and a scarf for churches and cool evenings in spring. An umbrella in April and May, when spring showers come and go.
Day trips in the warm months
Spring is perfect for the countryside, with green hills, poppies and wildflowers. In summer, go early and return before the midday heat, or head to the sea on the Tuscan coast. My day trips guide has ideas. For a summer stay with a pool, a villa in the hills is hard to beat. Browse Exclusive Villa Collection.
Staying cool
Plan museums for the hottest hours, rest after lunch, and refill your bottle at the public fontanelli. Look for hotels and apartments with air conditioning, since some old buildings have none. A room facing a courtyard stays cooler and quieter at night.
My favorite spring and summer days
An Easter morning at the Duomo for the Scoppio del Carro. A May afternoon in the Iris Garden. A June evening at Calcio Storico, then the San Giovanni fireworks. A July night at an outdoor concert in a Renaissance courtyard. These are the days, year after year, I plan my year around.
Spring flowers and gardens
Spring is when Florence's gardens are at their best. In April, the wisteria tunnel at the Bardini Gardens blooms in a cloud of purple, one of the most photographed sights in the city. The Boboli Gardens turn green, with lemon trees brought out of the limonaia, the lemon house, where they spend the winter.
In May, the Iris Garden below Piazzale Michelangelo opens for a few weeks, celebrating the iris, the flower of Florence's coat of arms, and the Rose Garden nearby fills with hundreds of varieties.
Villa gardens around the city, like Villa La Petraia and Villa di Castello, both Medici villas and part of a UNESCO site, are quiet and lovely in spring.
Festivals of the warm months
Spring and summer bring the city's biggest festivals. The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, one of Europe's oldest music festivals, founded in 1933, fills the opera house with performances from late spring.
The Festa del Grillo, the cricket festival, on Ascension Day, was once celebrated in the Cascine park with crickets sold in little cages; today it is a market and family festival. In summer, open air cinemas, concerts in the Boboli and at the Roman theater in Fiesole, and the Estate Fiorentina program of events fill the evenings.
Fruit and food of the season
Tuscan markets change with the season. In spring, look for artichokes, fava beans eaten raw with pecorino, peas and wild asparagus. Early summer brings cherries, strawberries and apricots, followed by peaches, figs, tomatoes and zucchini flowers.
Summer dishes are light: panzanella, a bread and tomato salad; pappa al pomodoro; and fresh pasta with summer vegetables. Gelato made with fresh fruit, like peach, melon or fig, is at its best.
Sunsets and long evenings
In June and July, the sun sets after 8:45 PM, which gives you long golden evenings to enjoy the city after the museums close. I love an aperitivo on a terrace, dinner outside in a piazza and a walk along the river as the city cools.
Swimming and the coast
On hot days, many Florentines head to the coast at weekends. The Tuscan beaches at Viareggio, Forte dei Marmi and Castiglioncello are about an hour to an hour and a half away by car or train. Some hotels and villas around Florence have pools that make a perfect midday break.
Booking for spring and summer
Spring and early summer are high season. Book hotels, museums and popular restaurants well ahead, especially around Easter, 25 April, 1 May and 2 June, all public holidays in Italy.
FAQ
When is Calcio Storico?
In June, in Piazza Santa Croce. The final is always on 24 June.
Is Florence too hot in summer?
July and August are hot. Plan indoor visits for the morning and go out again in the evening.
When does the Iris Garden open?
For a few weeks in late April and May. Check the Società Italiana dell'Iris site for the current year's dates.
What should I pack for Florence in summer?
Light clothes, a hat, sunscreen and a scarf to cover shoulders in churches.
Is spring or summer better for Florence?
Spring for mild weather and gardens, summer for festivals and long evenings.
About the author
I'm Jason GaNung, and I write every guide on Florence Life. I have spent extensive time in Florence over many trips, and I have stayed in many of the hotels and villas I cover, so my picks come from my own stays, not press releases. More about me.
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