What to do in Florence in the Rain

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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 in the rain, 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 numerous trips to Florence (3 trips only in 2024), and spending many rainy days in Florence, here are our ideas how to spend your time.

Florence's Weather - A first-hand experience

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 (ideal for having a siesta in your apartment or hotel). But still, nights are perfect for walking and al fresco dining.

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 like to visti 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).

One spot we absolutely love is Ballerini Pasticceria, located at Borgo Ognissanti 132. It's become our regular stop on our walks from our Florence home - Casa di Chiara apartment to the historic center. They serve amazing cappuccinos and a tempting array of treats - from fresh pastries and pizzas to tasty sandwiches. Don't miss their house-made chocolate pralines! The staff is wonderfully friendly, which makes every visit even more enjoyable.

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.

Minuto Bauli (Via del Corso 69) - you'll find this cute place on your way from Piazza della Signoria to the Duomo (to the right). We love to sit here, having cappuccino and soft buns with pistachio cream (other fillings: zabaione, nocciolata,whipped cream and pastry cream). Pretty affordable considering the location. The staff is polite and friendly! The place is small but full of charm!

Read also: Best Places to Stay in Rome

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

The cooking classes make the perfect activity whether rain or shine. You'll spend time in the warm and cosy kitchen, cooking and chatting in a good company and the result will be a delicious meal.

Our favourite Florence cooking classes:

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. Join 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: Rome to Florence Day Trip

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

The Mercato Centrale is a fantastic indoor market in Florence (ideal for rainy days), just a short walk from the Basilica of San Lorenzo. This bustling market is packed with stalls selling fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, and spices.

We enjoy wandering through the market, admiring the local produce and products. When hunger strikes, we love grabbing a delicious schiacciata sandwich with mortadella or sitting down for a plate of salami and prosciutto. The upper floor has a food area with many options, though it can get quite crowded and noisy.

It's a great spot to pick up fresh ingredients for cooking, like pasta, salami, and vegetables. The market is also perfect for finding edible souvenirs - a jar of pesto, a wedge of parmesan, or a whole salami make wonderful gifts.

👉 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)

When rain clouds hover over Florence, shopping becomes our ultimate indoor adventure. The city is a treasure trove of stores, both grand and intimate, where you can easily while away an entire day exploring. Simply wander from one shop to another, taking your time to soak in the delightful atmosphere.

Florence's streets are a shopper's paradise, lined with stores offering everything imaginable: stylish clothes, elegant shoes, luxurious leather goods, handcrafted jewelry, captivating artworks, charming home decorations, delicate ceramics, quality kitchenware, fine linens, enticing perfumes, beautiful stationery, luxurious silk, and of course, the irresistible Tuscan food and wines.

For those seeking high-end fashion, Via de' Tornabuoni is your destination. Here, designer labels like Gucci, Ferragamo, Cavalli, Pucci, and Prada await.

We're particularly fond of Floruit on Via dei Fossi, which offers stunning flower bouquets with preserved roses, scented candles, ambient perfumes, and hand-made ceramics.

We can't resist stopping by Leonardo Firenze on Via Porta Rossa for their freshly baked brutti ma buoni, and their colombe and panettones are simply the softest in the entire city.

Via della Condotta is another favorite, especially Via del Tè, a haven for tea enthusiasts. Their amazing tea blends and beautiful tea cups are a must-visit.

Near the Bargello Museum, Erboristeria De Herbore offers a wonderful selection of natural Italian products - from perfumes to shampoos and essential oils. Their naturally scented soaps wrapped in colorful paper make perfect gifts.

L'Erbolario on Via del Corso is a charming store offering top-quality body care products. From face creams to perfumes, everything smells absolutely divine. The staff's professionalism and politeness make shopping here a true pleasure.

And when the rain really sets in, the Coin Department Store near the Uffizi Gallery is our go-to spot. Spread across six floors, it offers everything from clothing and cosmetics to kitchenware. Don't miss the ground floor bar/restaurant for a quick, delicious bite!

Read also: What to Buy in Italy

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.

Read also: Travel from Croatia to Italy

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

The rainy day in Florence can be fascinating, as the city remains beautiful under the raindrops. 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.

Read also: How Many Days to Spend in Florence

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!).

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 March and beginning 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.

More to Discover in Italy

Best Florence Food Tours

What to See in Florence

Rome to Florence by Train

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