There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Florence each year. The main ones are listed below.
January 1: New Year's Day (Capodanno) (national holiday)On New Year's Eve, Florence offers many activities: gourmet dinners, dances, lively markets, and Renaissance festivities.
January 6: Epiphany (Feast of Befana) (national holiday)The feast of the Epiphany is celebrated in Florence with the traditional Ride of the Magi: an impressive procession across the city on horseback and in Renaissance costume. The witch Befana distributes candy to children who have been good and coal to those who have been bad.
Mardi Gras: Carnival (national)Spread over several weeks in February, the Carnival of Florence goes into full swing on the day of Mardi Gras. The public is invited to join the procession of colourfully costumed characters in the heart of the ‘City of the Red Lily'.
Easter Sunday: Explosion of the cart (Scoppio del Carro) (local)A musical procession accompanied by a costumed parade follows a carriage drawn by white oxen that is filled with fireworks up to Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral. At the end of the Easter Mass, the Archbishop launches a dove-shaped rocket onto the carriage, triggering a spectacular fireworks display.
April 25: Liberation Day (Festa della Liberazione) (national holiday)To commemorate the end of World War II in Italy, celebrations and parades are held throughout the city.
May 1: Labour Day (Festa del lavoro) (national holiday)Artistic associations organise events in the historic centre of the city: performances, workshops, street theatre, and more.
June 2: Republic Day (Festa della Repubblica Italiana) (national holiday)To commemorate the birth of the Italian Republic in 1946, celebrations, fireworks displays, parades and street dances are held all over Florence and other Italian cities.
June 24: Feast of Saint John (local)On the anniversary of the birth of St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of Florence, the city organises historical parades and games of Calcio Fiorentino (an ancestor of football, which is played in traditional medieval costume). In the evening, fireworks light up the city centre.
August 10: The Night of San Lorenzo (local)The San Lorenzo district celebrates the birth of its patron saint with parades, street performances, traditional dances, lasagne and watermelon tastings, and more.
August 15: Assumption Day (Assunzione della Beata Vergine Maria) (national holiday)To celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, masses and processions are held in her honour in churches and streets throughout the historic centre.
September 7 : Rificolona (local)On the eve of the anniversary of the birth of the Virgin, rificolone (“lanterns” in Tuscan) illuminate the streets and windows of the city.
November 1: All Saints Day (Ognissanti) (national holiday)On the eve of the anniversary of the birth of the Virgin, rificolone (“lanterns” in Tuscan) illuminate the streets and windows of the city.
November 4: National Unity and Armed Forces Day (Immacolata Concezione) (nationalFor this official commemoration of Italian reunification and the end of the First World War, military parades are held across the city.
December 8 : Feast of the Immaculate Conception (national)In honour of the Virgin Mary, the Piazza della Santissima Annunziata welcomes the Fierucola dell'Immacolata, a popular market for local crafts and organic products.
December 25: Christmas (Natale) (national holiday)Don't miss the illuminated Christmas craft market in Piazza Santa Croce.
December 26: Saint Stephen's Day (Santo Stephano) (national holiday)Celebrate the birth of St. Stephen. Traditionally, Italians sit down to a large and festive meal with their families.
Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
---|---|---|---|---|
January | 2/35.6 | 10/50 | 62/2.4 | Not the best period to go |
February | 4/39.2 | 11/51.8 | 66/2.6 | Not the best period to go |
March | 6/42.8 | 14/57.2 | 70/2.8 | Good period to go
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April | 9/48.2 | 18/64.4 | 67/2.6 | Good period to go
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May | 12/53.6 | 23/73.4 | 68/2.6 | Good period to go
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June | 16/60.8 | 27/80.6 | 56/2.2 | Good period to go
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July | 18/64.4 | 31/87.8 | 43/1.7 | Good period to go
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August | 18/64.4 | 30/86 | 66/2.6 | Good period to go
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September | 15/59 | 26/78.8 | 72/2.8 | Good period to go
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October | 12/53.6 | 21/69.8 | 86/3.4 | Good period to go
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November | 7/44.6 | 14/57.2 | 107/4.2 | Not the best period to go |
December | 4/39.2 | 10/50 | 81/3.2 | Not the best period to go |
The Amerigo Vespucci-Peretola Florence airport is located about 4 km (2.5 miles) northwest of the city centre of Florence.
It would be a shame to get around Florence only by car. Besides, most streets in the historic centre are restricted. Use buses and taxis—and walk, walk, walk!
The historic centre of the city is served by Ataf, an eco-minibus service with four different routes: A, B, C and D. An extensive bus network covers the rest of the city and its periphery, between 5:30 a.m.12:30 a.m. approximately.
Bus tickets cost EUR 1.50 and are valid for 1.5 hours, including connections. Other tickets available: 24-hours (EUR 5), 3 days (EUR 12), and 7 days (EUR 18). 24-hour family tickets (2 adults and 2 children) cost EUR 6.
The historic centre of the city is served by Ataf, an eco-minibus service with four different routes: A, B, C and D. An extensive bus network covers the rest of the city and its periphery, between 5:30 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. approximately.
Bus tickets cost EUR 1.50 and are valid for 1.5 hours, including connections. Tickets purchased on board the bus are EUR 2.50.
Official taxis in the city are white. Tariffs are posted on the dashboard. Pick-up charges are EUR 3.30 (EUR 6.60 for night fare). Add EUR 1 per luggage.
Please note that you can't hail taxis in Florence: you have to go to a taxi stand. You can also book a taxi by phone (+39 055 4242 or +39 055 4390) or online (https://www.4242.it/en/ and www.4390.it/en/).
It costs around EUR 14 per day to rent a bike. There are many bike rental stations in Florence, including at Santa Maria Novella station.
Upon your arrival in Florence, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.
Florence Tourist Office (Ufficio turismo del Comune di Firenze)Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
The currency used in Italy is the Euro (EUR).
R$ 1 = € 0,14
€ 1 = R$ 7,14
The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.
In order to travel in the best conditions and for your health and safety, we invite you to check all information regarding preventive measures and best practices to be respected, available on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs:https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/
Your comfort, well-being and health are at the heart of Air France's concerns, and we want to help you prepare for your trip in the best way possible. Find out more about the measures taken to ensure safe travelling on our website: https://www.airfrance.fr/FR/en/common/page_flottante/information/coronavirus.htm#notre-engagement-sanitaire.
There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to Florence. For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:
For a stay of less than three months, travellers from the Schengen area and various countries of the European Union need only be in possession of a national identity card or a passport valid for the duration of their stay in order to enter Italy.
As a general rule, all other travellers are subject to visa requirements, although citizens of some countries may enter Italy for a short stay of up to 90 days without a visa.
For further information, visit the website of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home/en
Here are a few useful phrases in Italian for your stay in Florence:
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: Buongiorno
Thank you very much: Grazie mille
I don't understand: Non capisco
Could you repeat?: Può ripetere ?
What time is it?: Che ora è ? / Che ora sono ?
Sorry: Mi scusi (formal)
Excuse me: Scusatemi (plural)
I'm looking for (…): Sto cercando (…).
How much is (…)?: Quanto costa ?
Where can I find (…)?: Dove si trova (…) ? / Dove posso trovare (…) ?
Where can I buy (…)?: Dove si compra (…) ? / Dove posso comprare (…) ?