Florence December — the Duomo illuminated at blue hour during the Christmas season

Florence · Italy

December

Christmas markets and an uncrowded Uffizi — cold and damp, but with genuine winter charm.

Strong option

#8 of 12 months

There are better months for Florence — see the full ranking below.

See when to go instead →

Climate

High

9.8°C

Low

3°C

Rain

72mm

Sun

3.5hrs/day

30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5

How December scores in Florence

Weather
Average
Value
Excellent
Crowds
Excellent
Events
Good
Atmosphere
Very good

What you gain in December

  • Christmas markets in Piazza Santa Croce and Piazza della Repubblica add festive atmosphere to the city
  • Uffizi accessible with short notice bookings right up until Christmas week
  • City dressed for Christmas: presepi (nativity scenes) in every church, mulled wine at outdoor stalls

What you sacrifice

  • 9–10°C highs with cold, wet conditions — outdoor sightseeing requires proper winter clothing
  • Christmas week (23–27 Dec) sees a crowd and price spike from European visitors — book accommodation early
  • Short days (9hrs daylight) mean the city is dark by 17:00, limiting late afternoon sightseeing

How December compares to September (best month)

FactorDecemberSeptember
Weather
4
9
Value
8
6
Crowds
8
7

December in other destinations

Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Florence, not across destinations. Methodology →