Florence in Autumn: Harvest, New Oil and Thinner Crowds

Florentines tend to recommend autumn. The heat breaks, the food changes, and after October the crowds thin noticeably. It is also the wettest part of the year, so plan for rain.

At a glance

• Weather: September is warm, October mild, November cool and often wet. Typical highs are in the high 20s in early September, about 20°C in October and the low teens in November. October and November are usually the rainiest months.
• Crowds: high in September, easing through October, low in most of November.
• Best for: food and wine, museums without the queues, day trips to Chianti.
• Daylight: Italy's clocks go back on the last Sunday of October, and by mid-November the sun sets around 17:00. Plan outdoor sightseeing for the middle of the day.

Month by month

September is still a high-season month, warm enough for evenings outdoors and busy everywhere. The Rificolona festival falls on 7 September.

October is mild and a popular choice: warm enough to walk all day, with the crowds easing towards the end. It is also the start of the wet season, so keep a rain plan.

November is one of the best months to visit if you can accept grey weather: fewer people, lower prices and museums you can enjoy without a crush. The Christmas market opens in mid-November, and the Florence Marathon takes place at the end of the month.

What is on

• Festa della Rificolona (7 September). A paper-lantern festival centred on Piazza Santissima Annunziata, mainly for children, with a procession and a blessing of the lanterns in the evening. The programme changes each year.
• The grape harvest (September to October). The harvest, or vendemmia, in Chianti runs from about September into October. Estates offer tastings, and booking ahead is wise. See the day trips guide.
• New olive oil (November). New oil, or olio nuovo, arrives in November: bright green, peppery, poured over toasted bread as fettunta. Look for it on menus and at markets.
• All Saints (1 November). A public holiday. Check opening hours.
• The Florence Marathon. In 2026 it takes place on Sunday 29 November, with the expo at Stazione Leopolda on 27 and 28 November. Some central streets close on race day.
• Christmas market. Listings give 14 November to 20 December 2026 for the market in Piazza Santa Croce, with free entry. Check exact dates with the city.
• Exhibitions. The autumn season brings major shows at Palazzo Strozzi and elsewhere. Check what is on.

Dates change every year, so check current details before you plan around an event.

What to eat

Autumn menus turn heavier. Look for chestnuts, mushrooms and game on trattoria menus, and truffles from the nearby Tuscan hills in season. During the grape harvest, bakeries sell schiacciata all'uva, a flatbread baked with wine grapes. The markets are at their most varied. See the food guide and the markets guide.

What to wear and bring

• A waterproof jacket and an umbrella, from October on.
• Shoes that cope with wet stone.
• Layers: the weather can change from warm to cold within a day, and churches stay cool.

An autumn day that works

Do outdoor sights in the morning and a museum at midday. If it is dry, a late afternoon walk to a viewpoint is worth the climb, but start before the early sunset. In wet weather, make the day around the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, the Bargello and a long lunch. The rainy day guide has more ideas.

Is autumn right for you?

Choose autumn if you care about food and wine and want a calmer city. September gives you summer's weather with summer's crowds, October is the balanced choice, and November gives you the most space. If you want guaranteed sunshine, come in spring or summer instead.