Florence in January is magical! The weather is cool but not extremely cold, the city is bustling, and best of all, there are no crowds. In January, everyone in the shops and restaurants is speaking Italian, the lines to get into the museums are short, and you can get a table at almost any restaurant you like.
Most people donít think of visiting Florence in the winter, which is why it is a wonderful time to come here. As for the weather, the temperature in the winter here varies between 35 degrees F. at night and 50 degrees F (4 C to 10 C), and if there is ever snow, it is rare, and usually melts right away.
When visiting Florence in January itís best to dress in layers, such as a sweater, scarf, and a rain jacket, as it gets warm in the sunlight during the day, but it also may rain. Comfortable, waterproof shoes are also recommended, as Florence is the ultimate walking city — you donít need a car!
If you do plan to come in January, remember that the first week of January is the Italian holiday season, and so in fact the city will be crowded, as Italians are celebrating the holidays. But after January 6th, which Italians celebrate as the ìDay of the Magis,î the city gets back to normal and the crowds disappear.
However, the center of the city often remains lit up for many more days after the holidays with beautiful holiday lighting, making it a magic experience to take an evening stroll downtown. (Remember, too, that the days in Florence are shorter in the winter, and so sunset comes early.)
With fewer crowds in the city, you can take advantage and explore classic Florence, including a guided tour designed for those who are new to the history of Florence. Or you can visit some of Florenceís more than 60 art galleries.
Another of my favorite things to do in the winter is to take advantage of the amazing countryside around Florence. The weather is cool, so walking warms you up (as opposed to walking during the very hot Florentine summers!), and the views of the city are spectacular.
You can explore this list of suggested hikes, or ask your hotel concierge for a route nearby. Of course, you can also take a guided walk with me!
One last treat for winter in Florence is enjoying the Tuscan cuisine that is perfect for cold weather, including the vegetarian Italian classic ribollita, a rich, steaming hot soup full of greens, beans, bread and olive oil. Or you might try pasta or gnocchi with wild boar sauce.
You can find many wonderful dishes at two of my favorite restaurants, here and here.
Enjoy the winter wonderland in Florence!