Florence

Here's the thing about Florence: everyone assumes May is peak season, but honestly? March and April are when locals actually enjoy their city. You'll dodge the summer crush while temperatures hover around 15–18°C (59–64°F)—cool enough that walking the Uffizi won't leave you drenched, but warm enough to eat gelato without pretending it's not cold. The city averages about 9.5 hours of daylight this time of year, which means golden light lingers until after 6pm, and that matters when you're trying to photograph the Duomo without squinting into noon glare.

Each of your best months brings a different flavor. March feels almost like a secret—spring flowers are starting, but most tourists haven't arrived yet. Expect highs around 15°C (59°F) and the occasional rainy afternoon (Florence gets roughly 1,000mm of rain annually, spread across the year). April is the Goldilocks month: wisteria cascades over garden walls, temperatures climb to 20°C (68°F), and you can actually sit outside a café without a coat. June is different—it's warmer (around 26°C / 79°F), the gardens are at their peak, and while crowds are picking up, you've still got breathing room before July madness. The light is almost surreal at 6:30pm; you'll understand why Renaissance painters were obsessed with this city.

Avoid July and August—not because of rain (summer's actually dry), but because highs regularly hit 28–30°C (82–86°F) in a city built for medieval shade, and every monument becomes a human sardine tin. November through February gets genuinely cold and damp; some smaller galleries and restaurants close for weeks, and you're dealing with shorter daylight (around 8 hours in December). January's your coldest bet, with highs only reaching 8°C (46°F).

Looking at 2026 specifically: we're tracking slightly warmer springs than the historical norm, which means April could feel more like a typical early-May. That's actually a gift—less unpredictable rain, more stable 18–22°C (64–72°F) days. The climate isn't swinging wildly yet, so plan with confidence, but bring layers for those cool mornings in March.