What to Do in Florence When It Rains

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Planning a trip to Florence and the weather forecast predicts a rain. Don't worry! The rainy day in Florence can be turned into a fabulous opportunity to spend an amazing day in the city. Just pack your umbrella and get to explore the city. You can make it from place to place and without much hassle, as the city is small and easily walkable.

Plus, the rain in Florence is likely to be periodical showers, not thunderstorms. We witnessed the days with heavy showers in the morning and completely sunny and bright later in the day.

A rainy day in Florence offers numerous options of what to do

When it comes to what to do in Florence when it rains, the choice is really huge. From visiting one of many museums and sights, enjoying a lunch in a cosy trattoria, visiting churches, shopping around, joining a cooking class, taking a workshop...

The only activity that shuts in the rain is climbing the tower and walking the battlements at Palazzo Vecchio. 

After 4 trips to Florence, and spending many rainy days in Florence, here are our ideas on what to do on a rainy day in Florence.

Our experience with Florence weather

We love Florence weather as it's never too cold there to explore. We've visited at the end of November, beginning of December and the weather was excellent. The warmest months are July and August, when it can be too hot during the day. But still, nights are great for walking and al fresco dining.

👍 Wonder where to stay while in Florence? We love to stay at Casa di Chiara, the super comfy and stylish apartment, with the best possible hosts. So comfortable and pleasant!

1. Visit one of the museums (we recommend the Uffizi or Bargello)

When it rains in Florence, we love to visit museums (there is no shortage of them in the city). You'll be inside, without getting wet. The Uffizi Gallery is a great choice in this case. The museum is large enough for spending a couple of hours or even a whole day exploring the art works there (paintings and sculptures from famous Italian and European artists).

The Uffizi Gallery is easy to find, it's not far from Piazza della Signoria and the Arno River. Book one of skip-the-line tickets to get inside quickly. We recommend to take a guided tour, like this one (we took it and love it!), to get to know more, and then after the tour, continue to explore on your own.

You'll love the the Bargello Museum if you prefer less crowded places. You can explore the sculptures of famous artists here for hours, and spend time under the portico (so enjoyable!).

When it rains in Florence, you can also head to Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (Piazza del Duomo 9, entry fee €6) where sculptures that once packed the Duomo and Baptistery are exhibited. Although just behind the Duomo, the museum is rarely crowded. At the top of the monumental staircase stands Michelangelo's radiant Pietà.

2. Enjoy delicious Tuscan food (and wines too)

Eating delicious Tuscan food is among the best things to do when it rains in Florence

Our favourite activity when it rains in Florence is enjoying the food. The city has many cosy trattorias and cafés, where you can escape the rain. We love to seat at Caffè Gilli or Rivoire, and have a cappuccino and brioche (this is how they call cornetto in Florence). Another our favourite place is Ballerini Pasticceria (Borgo Ognissanti 132), serving delicious cappuccinos, pastries, pizza, sandwiches and even their own chocolate praline (staff is friendly!).

If you love quality coffee you can also relax in one of the Ditta Artigianale cafés (on several locations) - their coffee is outstanding.

Numerous trattorias and eateries offers a variety of food, starting from schiacciata sandwiches (ideal for a quick snack), lampredotto panini (unique) and other street food. 

For a full lunch or dinner, head to a restaurant or trattoria and enjoy sitting and feasting delicious food. Start with 'coccoli' (fried dough balls), then continue with ribollita soup and il peposo (hearty Tuscan stew) and end with some of Italian desserts.

More places that we love!

Il Cernacchio (Via della Condotta 38R) - A cute eatery where you can grab freshly made panini or schiacciata sandwich with lampredotto, porchetta (or even vegetarian ones) for about €8-9. Plus, they offer traditional cooked meals, such as meatballs in tomato sauce, lasagna, pappa al pomodoro, homemade pesto - all amazingly delicious. The owners are super friendly! You'll love this place! Great for save on dining!

Il Girone De' Ghiotti (Via de Cimatori, 23R) - Great place for having a crunchy schiacciata sandwich; choose from those filled with prosciutto, cooked ham, Tuscan salami, spicy salami plus various condiments. The sandwiches are pretty affordable - starting from €6.

3. Join a cooking class and learn to make fresh pasta, pizza...

The cooking classes make the perfect rainy day activity in Florence. You'll spend time in the warm and cosy kitchen, cooking and chatting and the result will be a delicious meal. Our favourite Florence cooking classes are these one:

1. Mastering Nonna's recipes pasta class in Florence - spend 3 hours making tortelli, tagliatelle and ravioli (with sauces), in the cooking school near the Basilica di Santa Croce
2. Pastamania Florence cooking class - make a bunch of fresh pasta and sauces too, in the kitchen studio near the Arno River; Tuscan wines are included
3. The Cooking Lab Experience - Chef Luca Polverini welcomes you to his home; you'll prepare together fettuccine and gnocchi with sauces and tiramisù as well (ideal if you prefer smaller gatherings).

4. Take a foodie tour of Florence

Even when the rain is falling in Florence, you can join on a food tour to discover the finest eateries. A few raindrops won’t bother you as you enjoy delicious dishes, mainly while staying warm and dry indoors.

Consider taking Withlocals private foodie walk, that lasts for 3 hours and can be arranged any time of the day. You also have the freedom to tell your guide the spots you’d like to visit. If you opt for a morning tour, you'll start with a coffee and pastries, then continue with tasting lampredotto, coccoli and prosciutto and cheeses. Next, you'll spend relaxed time at the resturant, savouring a bowl of hearty soup, pasta sprinkled with truffles, or peppery beef ragu. 

Naturally, you’ll be able to enjoy some fine Tuscan wines along the way. And don’t worry, you won’t miss out on a cone of creamy gelato! By the end of the tour, we promise you’ll be happily full!

👍 You'll love these Florence food tours:

5. Enjoy Tuscan wine tasting

A rainy day in Florence is perfect for tasting wines. In addition to the many bars and resturants serving fine wines, Florence offers many wine shops (enotece) where you can enjoy excellent local wines. One of these is Piazza del Vino, a well-stocked specialised wine shop just outside the historic centre. 

For a wine lesson, head to the wine bar, close to the Arno River, and take private wine tasting lesson. You'll taste two quality wines (Chianti, Vermentino or Verdicchio) and learn how wine is made (tastings take place from 12pm until 12am).

Read also: Day trips from Florence you'll love

6. Explore Mercato Centrale (the foodie heaven in the heart of Florence)

The covered Mercato Centrale is a great place to hide from the rain in Florence. Only a short walk from the Basilica of San Lorenzo (heart of the city), this market is lined with stalls offering a variety of fruits and vegetables, cured meats, cheeses, spices...

We love to browse through the stalls, and just look at quality food and see what local producers offer. If get hungry, we love to grab a schiacciata sandwich (mortadella is our favourite one), or sit at trattoria and have a platter or salami and prosciutto. On the upper floor, you'll find food area, where you can taste anything you can think of. We don't like eating here, as it is very crowded and chaotic.

We love to stock up here with fresh pasta, thinly sliced salami and vegetables, for our meals at our apartment. Also, this is a great place for buying edible gifts to the dear ones. A jar of pesto, a parmiggiano wedge or a whole salami, are great options!

👉 Need someone to guide you through Mercato Centrale? Then, join this guided foodie tour of the market.

7. Discover beautiful Palazzo Vecchio

You can't miss the Palazzo Vecchio - the symbol of the Florentine Renaissance and one of the most beloved places by both locals and tourist. You'll come across in when visiting Piazza della Signoria and recognize by the copy of Michelangelo's David statue in front of the entrance.

The rainy day is ideal for exploring this beautiful Florence sight. You can spend there a couple of hours and discover about the Florentine history. For finding little bit more, take a guided walking tour! Note that, richly decorated courtyard (first one when you enter from Piazza della Signoria) can be seen for free!

One of the most popular tours of Palazzo Vecchio is this private tour with an expert guide!

8. Spend time shopping (the choice is huge)

One of our favourite things to do in Florence when it rains is shopping. With so many shops, both large and small, you can spend the entire day doing this. Just hop from one shop to another and take your time looking around. The streets of Florence are dotted with numerous stores selling clothes, shoes, leather goods (bags and wallets), made-to-order jewelry, artworks, home decorations, ceramics, kitchenware, quality linens, perfumes, stationery, silk, and of course, delicious Tuscan food and wines (including coffee and tea).

For luxury shopping, head to Via de' Tornabuoni, where you'll find designer labels such as Gucci, Ferragamo, Cavalli, Pucci, and Prada. We also love Via della Condotta, a street not far from Piazza della Signoria, lined with small shops and eateries.

Shops in Florence that we love:

• Floruit (Via dei Fossi, 3R) sells beautiful fresh flower bouquets, scented candles, ambient perfumes, hand-made ceramics, painting... Great ideas for your special occasions!
  
  
• Leonardo Firenze (Via Porta Rossa, 14R) - buy here a pack of cantucci cookies or brutti ma buoni, panettone, colombe, sweet spreads (pistachio, chocolate and hazelnut), a bottle of Vin Santo - an ideal foodie gifts.
  
  
• Erboristeria De Herbore (Via del Proconsolo 43R), near the Bargello Museum - great store selling natural perfumes, shampoos, body lotions, face creams, essential oils (all Italian brands). We especially love naturally scented soaps packed in beautiful colourful packages (an ideal gift to dear one). The selling staff is super friendly and helpful!
  
  
• Venchi Chocolates (Via dei Calzaiuoli 65R / Via Calimaruzza 18) - selling a range of finest chocolates (cremino, pistachio, gianduiotto...); chocolates are sold by weight (make your own selection) or opt for chocolate bars; creamy spreads are ideal for filling pancakes, donuts or any baked goods. A paradise for chocolate lovers!
  
  
• Via del Tè (Via Santo Spirito, 11; Via della Condotta, 28R and Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti, 22/23R) - shops ideal for tea lovers; they offer some of the most exciting tea blends you can find; their tea packages are gorgeous and are an ideal gift you can bring to the dear ones!
  
  
• Coin Department Store - not far from the Uffizi Gallery; spreading across six floors, they offer clothes, cosmetics, bags, kicthenware and home products. On the ground floor, grab a tasty sandwich or pastry from the bar/restaurant!
  
  
• L' Erbolario (Via del Corso 23R) - cute store where you'll find a range of quality products for the care and well-being of your body. Choose from face creams, make-up removers, body lotions, shampoos, perfumes, all smelling so nice... You rarely find such a polite and professional person as the lady that works here! Head here to buy something to pamper yourself or a gift to someone else!

Read also: What to buy in Italy (great ideas)

9. Visit a church (or two) in Florence

Visiting churches is another great idea of what to do in Florence when it rains. If you're on via Tornabuoni near the Arno river, stop in (for free) at Chiesa Santa Trinita to see the Sassetti Chapel. Bring a couple Euro coins to illuminate the frescoes. The ones done by Ghirlandaio in the late 15th century are fabulous, better than any photograph.

Basilica di Santa Croce is yet another on the list of things to do in Florence on a rainy day. The church is the resting place for Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo Galilei. You'll be amazed how beautiful this church is. Buy skip-the-line tickets to avoid waiting in the line.

The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella is quite large and good to stay out of rain. Situated opposite the main train station, it was build in the 13th and 14th century. Inside, you'll find a gothic crucifix by Giotto as well as early Renaissance fresco by Masaccio of the Trinity. An audio guide would be handy when visiting this church.

10. Take breathtaking photographs of Florence during (and after) the rain

The rainy day in Florence can be fascinating, as the city remains beautiful even when it rains. We always take the opportunity to capture amazing photos of this wonderful city in the rain.

We love to take photos of Piazza della Signoria, the Palazzo Vecchio, and the surrounding sculptures as they glisten under the raindrops. Once the rain stops, we head to the banks of the Arno River for more photography. Here, you can take stunning photos, capturing reflections of the buildings and clouds on the water. It's so beautiful!

The sunset in Florence after the rain is marvelous! Go to Piazzale Michelangelo for breathtaking photos from there.

👉 Capture unforgettable memories of your Florence holiday by hiring a professional photographer (and tour guide) all in one!

11. Relax at your cosy hotel

When it's wet out, what you require from a hotel/apartment is cosiness and facilities. And you need a hotel less than a destination. One of the hotels with great facilities is 5-star Hotel Number Nine, that sits on a quiet pedestrian street, a stone's throw from Basilica di San Lorenzo and the Duomo.

At the hotel, you can pamper yourself in the spa, chill out in the gym or warm up in the sauna, steam room or whirlpool, or join one of the fitness classes. Hotel also has both restaurant and bistro, where they prepare meals with the fresh seasonal ingredients. So, let it pour — you’ve got enough to occupy yourself.

We enjoy at Casa di Chiara apartment when it's raining. The place is super cosy, you have everything you need, from fully equipped kitchen, comfy sofa for relaxing and watching TV, and large bedroom where you can have a nap.

Read also: Best places to stay in Rome

12. Explore the Pitti Palace (and Boboli Gardens)

Another great option for sightseeing when it rains in Florence is Pitti Palace. Cross one of bridges on the Arno River, to get to this beautiful building, one the residence of the Medici family. It hosts four museums.

On the ground floor, explore the Treasury of the Grand Dukes with its exquisite silverware and porcelain. Upstairs, the first floor houses the Galleria Palatina with masterpieces by Titian, Tintoretto, and Botticelli, alongside the Royal Apartments adorned with stunning 17th-century frescoes and 18th- and 19th-century tapestries. The second floor features the Gallery of Modern Art and the Museum of Costume and Fashion.

For a hassle-free visit, consider booking skip-the-line tickets or a guided tour. If the rain just sprinkling, enjoy the beautiful Boboli Gardens, a Renaissance gem.

13. Take an art class (sculpting and painting)

The rainy day in Florence is ideal for taking an art class. You'll be inside and doing something unique. Make your own masterpiece to bring back home! In Florence you can take any kind of art classes, from sculpting to different kind of paintings. We're sure you'll truly enjoy the act of making art and learning what's behind the most famous masterpieces.

Here are some of the best art classes in Florence:

1. Drawing and Watercolor Workshop in the Heart of Florence
2. Learn to Sculpt or Paint in a Private Florence Art Studio
3. Sculpt like Michelangelo

14. Take a workshop (make your own perfume, a piece of jewelry or marbled paper)

Florence is rich in craft traditions, such as leather or ceramic making. The rainy day in Florence is ideal for spending the day learning how to make something. You'll have a unique souvenir to take home. You can choose from making your own perfume, a piece of jewelry or marbled paper.

These are the most popular workshops in the city of Florence:

1. Perfume Making Workshop in the Heart of Florence
2. Jewelry making workshop in the heart of Florence
3. Florentine Artisan Tradition in Paper Marbling
4. Private jewelry class in Florence - Tuscany

15. Go to the theater or opera

What to do in the evening in Florence when it rains? Florence is one of the world's capitals of music and theater. The opera was born here and first performances were staged for the Medici's wedding celebrations. Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino prepares an interesting opera and concert season each year. Teatro della Pergola is a place to go in Florence if you love going to the theater. It's situated in the centre of the city and offers amazing atmosphere and comfortable seats (visit will be an experience you won’t forget!).

16. Discover fashion in Florence

If fashion and design are your passions, the Gucci Garden is a must-visit. The ground floor houses a Gucci retail store, while the two upper floors feature a museum that chronicles the history of the Gucci fashion house, originating in Florence.

Fashion enthusiasts will appreciate viewing some original pieces on display. Another highlight is the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum, located in Florence's oldest palace. In 2022, the museum was rebranded simply as Ferragamo. This Italian company, based in Florence, is celebrated for producing luxury items, particularly footwear and leather goods.

How to get around in Florence when it rains

The best way to see Florence is by walking because it's small and easy to navigate. We love to do this, rain or shine! If it rains, we just grab an umbrella and stroll around - there's something charming about walking in the rain.

However, if the rain is really heavy and you need to reach a specific place, you can take a taxi. In Florence, there are two taxi companies you can call: 0554390 or 0554242.

If you call for a taxi and it doesn’t arrive, you can ask your host/hotel reception to help you call one. If you're near a café or restaurant, you can enjoy an espresso and kindly ask them to call a taxi for you. Another option is to find an official taxi stand and wait in line.

When is the best time to visit Florence

In our opinion, the beautiful Florence is amazing to visit all year round. But still, if you want to have a perfect mix of fewer crowds and enjoyable weather, the best time to visit is late March through end of April, and mid-October through November. Winter in Florence is actually fairly mild and brings the advantage of fewer crowds (outside the Christmas season).

Read also: What to do in Bergamo

Visiting Florence in the end of November, early December is a truly pleasant experience!

Where to check weather forecast for Florence

We love using Italian weather website called Meteo.it, where you can check the current weather for specific city of region, as well as weather forecast for the next days.

You can also use well-known weather service, AccuWeather, where you can check hourly, daily and monthly weather for specific location.

Planning Your Travel to Italy

Best Florence Food Tours

What to See in Florence

Rome to Florence by Train

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