The city of Florence takes travelers back to the yesteryears. Sitting on the hotbed of the Italian Renaissance movement, Florence has retained its old-world charm over centuries. To this day, you can stroll along its cobbled lanes and explore quaint art galleries beside them. Discover the root of human culture when visiting Florence in February.
What makes Florence in February special?
Florence in February is quite cold; however, there are a number of reasons why you could have the time of your life in this weather.
Firstly, winter suits Florence. As the number of tourists climbs year after year, visiting the city during non-peak seasons is the best way to explore the city at your own pace.
Secondly, you can indulge in seasonal food items and beverages to keep you warm in February.
Lastly, February is a month of celebration in Florence. The Carnevale, a pre-Easter festival, takes over the entire city where locals and visitors from all over the world gather for a month-long celebration. The beauty of Florence during the Carnevale is one to treasure for a lifetime.
Weather in Florence in February
February is a part of the city’s long winter; however, the bitter cold quietens a bit this month The sun shines stronger and stays out longer. Most days are partly cloudy with a chance of rain. If luck is on your side, you may come across a snowy day too. Apart from that February is relatively dry.
Florence in February : Things to Do
1
Uffizi Gallery
Florence is laden in history, heritage and culture. If there is one place in Florence that can educate you about the yesteryears, it is the Uffizi Gallery. It is the most visited museums in Italy and you should take advantage of the low season in February to find out why. It holds some of the most treasured Italian artifacts since time immemorial.
Timings
Tuesday – Sunday: 8:15 AM – 6:50 PM
Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Getting There ›
2
Florence Duomo
Florence has made its appearance in mainstream cinema multiple times. And in most of them, standing like a birthmark in the city’s skyline, is the Florence Duomo. This exponent of renaissance art and architecture is a part of the fourth largest cathedral in the world. February is the best time to visit the Duomo given the relative fall in the tourist crowd.
Timings
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday - 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Thursday - 10:00 AM to 03:30 PM
Saturday - 10:00 AM to 04:45 PM
Sunday - 01:45 PM to 04:45 PM
Piazza del Duomo, Florence, Italy
Getting There ›
3
Accademia Gallery
In terms of cultural and historical value, the only institution comparable to the Uffizi is the Accademia gallery. This structure has a long, winding history. Currently, it hosts masterpieces by the most well-known artists in the world including Michelangelo, Botticelli, Ghirlandaio and Pontormo.
Timings
Tuesday to Sunday: 8:15 AM to 6:50 PM
Closed on Mondays.
Via Ricasoli, 58, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Getting There ›
4
Boboli Gardens
Boboli Gardens flanks the legendary Pitti Palace and is dubbed an open-air museum for the sheer expanse of flora it harbors. It has some of the oldest oak trees, sculptures and fountains in the entire country. Additionally, Boboli Gardens is the green lung that the city of Florence thrives on.
Timings
Daily - 08:15 AM to 06:30 PM
Piazza de' Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Getting There ›
5
Palazzo Pitti
The Pitti Palace or Palazzo Pitti is another historical landmark in Florence that has had an interesting tryst with history. It was built by a banker and was later bought by the Medicis to be used as a treasure house. In terms of architecture, the building was ahead of its time and has since been hailed as a trendsetter. A visit to this magnificent palace should be a part of your itinerary.
Piazza de' Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Getting There ›
6
Florence Segway Guided Tour
On a sunny February day in Florence, the best way to explore the wonders of the city is on a Segway tour. This guided tour includes a short Segway lesson by an expert before you set off for the hour-long tour. It takes you through some of the most famous landmarks of the city while being completely eco-friendly.
Timings
Tour runs daily at 9:30 AM and 3:00 PM
Florence, Italy
Getting There ›
7
Walking Food & Art Tour
If you are on a particularly short trip to Florence, you may have to choose between a number of things and ultimately pass up on a few Italian classics. With this tour, however, you can enjoy the two things that Italy is most famous for: art and food. A small group of visitors will embark upon this journey with an expert guide and explore Florence in a new way.
Timings
The tour begins at 9:30 AM
Kiosk , Firenze, Italy
Getting There ›
8
Day trip to Chianti
A longer trip to Florence will allow you to embark on short day trips to towns close to Florence. One recommended trip would be to Chianti. Located within this rural region of Italy are places like Pisa and Livorno. It is a stunning part of the country, and the chance of witnessing a winter wonderland seems to be too good to pass up.
Timings
Tour runs daily at 8:30 AM
Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
Getting There ›
Florence in February: Events to Look Out For
TASTE 2023
4th - 6th February, 2023
Experience the magic of Italian food and culture this February at the 16th edition of Taste in Florence. Step inside the majestic Fortezza da Basso to discover 500 exhibitors showcasing their local delicacies. Be part of this unique event and explore the best food and beverage products and trends in Italy.
Valentine’s Day
14 February, 2023
The city of Florence shows its true colors during Valentine’s Day. The decor, festivities and atmosphere of love in the air clearly marks Florence as one of the most romantic cities in Europe. Take in the views from Piazzale Michaelangelo, watch the sunset over the city’s skyline and intimate dinner experiences -- you will never experience another Valentine’s day like this.
Musical Concerts
Through February
February 2023 in Florence will feature a number of noteworthy concerts. The Teatro del Maggio Musicale will host a number of renowned instrumentalists. Opera fans will be delighted as the Teatro Comunale di Firenze puts on a series of performances of classic operas.
Ghosts of Florence
February 3rd, 2023
Take a unique adventure and step back in time with this Ghosts of Florence outdoor game. The event will be held at Palazzo Grifoni and the activity will be 90 minutes long. Immerse yourself in this interactive game and explore the true haunted and spooky places of Florence.
What to eat?
Italian cuisine is incomplete without mushrooms. This classic dish is made with two popular varieties of mushrooms in Italy: truffle and porcini. Long, flat pastas are used and it is then cooked in mushroom sauce and flavored with vegetables. Trattoria Pizzeria Dante serves this dish.
Schiacciata is a savory, flavorsome bread famous in Florence. Resembling the focaccia bread, Schiacciata needs the use of salt and oil in its preparation. It can be plainly eaten as a snack by itself or as a part of a sandwich. Visit All'antico Vinaio to have some of the best Schiacciata in Florence.
This is a dish not to be missed when in Florence. This specialty is a sizeable t-bone steak, grilled just enough to leave the insides rare. Lemon, salt and pepper are used to flavor it while chestnut smoke penetrates deep into the steak. Try the dish at Osteria di Giovanni.
A namesake of the previously mentioned savory bread, this dessert is a sweet cake that is popular in this part of Italy. This classic dish is made out of one layer of yellow sponge cake and the stenciled fleur-de-lys is the unique feature of this cake. Try the cake at Pasticceria Ristorante Giorgio.
No matter what, trying gelato in Italy is a necessity. Florence has its own eccentric gelato tradition. The concept of homemade gelato is quite famous in the city and the flavors used in gelato here can range from brilliant to bizarre. Try gelato at Gelateria La Carraia.
Florence February Itinerary
Check out our complete 3 day itinerary to Florence and plan your vacation to the T! In Florence for just a day? We've got you covered with our 24 hour Florence itinerary.
Florence Essentials in February
Weather
February is when winter in the city softly begins to thaw. The average temperature high during the month is 12°C and it goes down to about 4°C. The average amount of daylight received this month is close to 11 hours. There may be up to 10 days of precipitation in Florence in February.
Where to Stay in Florence in February
Florence is now among the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. It receives millions of tourists every year. With the current exposure, the tourist volume has also been noted to steadily increase. It can be discerned from these facts that Florence is quite capable of handling a high volume of tourists. If you have an itinerary prepared, you can pick a hotel of your choice in major parts of the city. Here is a list of a few recommended hotels sorted by budget.
What to Pack
Although the worst of the winter is over, in Florence in February is still quite cold. It’s best to pack a lot of warm clothes, especially for going out after sundown. There can be up to 10 rainy days in Florence in February, so keep umbrellas and waterproof clothes handy.
Getting Around
Despite being a small city, Florence is quite well-connected. The city has a large fleet of buses plying spread across a number of lines. The primary line isis the City Line which connects the historic center to other parts in Florence. This network can take you to most tourist spots in the city. Apart from that, the ATAF and LI-nea bus networks are also available. As a part of exploring the city, you may also choose to use the tram and railway networks of Florence. These routes do not carry the bulk of daily commuters.
Tips to visit Florence in February
- Take proper cover from the weather and explore the city on foot. The nooks and crannies of Florence are best explored while walking
- Visit all the museums of Florence at your leisure as February isn’t the busiest time for these world-renowned institutions
- Climb to the top of the Duomo to experience one of the best aerial views of Florence.
- Go to the ancient Romanesque church at Miniato al Monte to witness an unforgettable sunset
- Shop for leather goods in Florence from Via dell’Ariento and Piazza San Lorenzo
- Cross the river and go to the southern side to get an unencumbered Florence experience
FAQs
Definitely! These are the final few weeks of winter, and you can still experience foggy mornings and evenings with the occasional rain. The second half of the month, comfortably sunny days start to dawn. Musical concerts, festivals and flea markets abound!
Not very, if we're being honest. Average temperatures in February range between 3 and 13 degree celsius. Temperatures drop at night, but days can often be clear and pleasant. Rain is also usually expected, so best pack warm clothing along with some water-resistant boots and jackets.
Florence, aside from being Renaissance Central, is well-known for its leather goods. It is a centuries-old trade in the city, and there are plenty of choices you will come across if you head shopping into the city, be it clothing or accessories.
That would have to be the bisecca all Fiorentina, a.k.a, the Florentine steak.
Oh, so many things! But to keep it short and sweet, Florence is known for being the centre for the evolution of the Renaissance art movement. Its culture and architecture are also something very much appreciated by the tourists that flock to this beautiful city.
Explore Florence Through the Year
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More Florence Guides
For more information on Florence, here are some helpful quick links!
