Florence in Spring: Gardens, Easter and Long Walking Days

Spring is the season most people picture when they plan a trip to Florence, and it is also the season when the city is hardest to enjoy without planning. The weather is good for walking, the gardens are in flower, and from Easter to the end of May the museums and squares are busy every day.

At a glance

• Weather: cool and changeable in March, mild in April, warm in May. Typical daytime highs are around 14°C, 18°C and the low 20s. Evenings stay cool, and showers are common in April and May.
• Crowds: moderate in late March, high from Easter onwards, with peaks around public holidays.
• Best for: gardens, long walks, first visits, and day trips to a green Tuscan countryside.
• Book ahead: the Uffizi, the Accademia and any Duomo climb. See the crowds guide.

Month by month

March is the quietest of the three, and the most unpredictable. Expect a mix of bright days and rain. It is a good month for museums and for a first visit on a smaller budget. The gardens are only starting to wake up.

April is when Florence fills. Easter usually falls in late March or April and brings some of the busiest days of the year. Italian school groups also fill the museums on weekdays. The wisteria at the Bardini Garden flowers around this time, though the exact week changes each year.

May is warm, bright and busy. The Rose Garden below Piazzale Michelangelo is at its best from May into June. Hotel prices are high, and evenings are long enough for a walk up to the viewpoints after dinner.

What is on

• Easter and the Scoppio del Carro. On Easter Sunday a decorated cart packed with fireworks is pulled to the square between the cathedral and the Baptistery, and a dove-shaped rocket sent from the altar sets it off. The tradition goes back centuries. The square fills early, so arrive in the morning. Easter Sunday is 28 March in 2027, and the date changes every year.
• The iris garden. The Giardino dell'Iris near Piazzale Michelangelo opens for only a few weeks. In 2026 it was open daily from 25 April to 20 May, 10:00 to 18:00, with free entry. Dates move slightly each year.
• Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. The city's opera and classical music festival usually runs from spring into early summer. Check the programme for dates.

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

Public holidays

Several Italian public holidays fall in spring, and each one brings both crowds and changed opening hours: Easter Monday (Pasquetta), 25 April (Liberation Day), 1 May and 2 June (Republic Day). Many Italians travel on these days, and visitors from elsewhere in Italy come into the city. Check opening hours for museums, shops and restaurants on the day.

What to eat

Spring brings artichokes and fresh fava beans to the menus. Fresh fava with pecorino cheese is a Tuscan spring custom, traditionally around 1 May. Lunch at a market counter or a trattoria is a good way to see what is in season. See our food guide and the markets guide.

What to wear and bring

• Layers: mornings and evenings can be cold even when the afternoon is warm.
• A light waterproof jacket or a small umbrella.
• Comfortable shoes with grip. The pavements are stone, and wet stone is slippery.
• A scarf or light cover-up for churches. Shoulders and knees must be covered.

A spring day that works

Start early. Take the first slot at the museum you have booked, then do a viewpoint or a garden in the early afternoon while the light is soft. The walk up from San Niccolò to Piazzale Michelangelo takes about 15 minutes and is steep, so choose a pair of shoes you trust. Keep the evening open: the sun sets late enough that dinner in the Oltrarno can follow a sunset walk. For other options see the viewpoints guide.

If it rains

April and May showers are usually short. Use them for a museum or a church, and plan the garden for the dry hour. The rainy day guide has indoor options that do not need a booking.

Is spring right for you?

Choose spring if gardens and good walking weather matter more to you than empty streets. If you can only come at Easter or in May, book the major sights early and accept that you will share them. If you want quiet, choose November or the winter months instead.