If you plan to travel to Florence in winter then preparing what to wear in Florence in December, January or February is just as important as planning your itinerary. Located in the Tuscan region of Italy, Florence is an amazing city among many of Italy’s must-visit cities.
Florence has a little bit of everything, and if you’re a fan of Italy’s Renaissance spirit, Florence is the best place for you. Full of art, history, culture and architecture, there’s never a dull moment in Florence even if you are visiting Florence for one day. You definitely won’t regret a winter trip to Florence. Amazing attractions Florence has to offer include the Duomo Cathedral, Galleria degli Uffizi (in the Medici Whitehall), and the Ponte Vecchio. Winter weather in Florence is cold and wet. You not only have to come prepared with a warm jacket back gloves and good shoes that handle the rain well.
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A Guide to Winter Weather in Florence
Winters in Florence are not as frigid as they are in other parts of Europe or the world(like New York and in London). They’re also not as cold as winters in other parts of Europe, such as Stockholm, due to the difference in geographical locations and features that make up the landscape. Winters in Florence are still cold, so you should pack lots of items to layer with.
It also rains a bit, and there’s a lot of cold. Average temperatures range from 2ºC to 3ºC, with January being the coldest month. Snow is extremely rare in Florence and when it does occur, it never goes higher than a few inches. Focus on wearing more waterproof items, and be sure to travel with an umbrella.
Packing List for Florence in Winter
One thing that’s for sure is that even when its cold, Italian women still keep it stylish. Layering is important if you want to survive Florence winter. Pack winter jackets, cardigans, sweaters, and thermal layers and even thermal underwear. It’s better to be over prepared than underprepared. What I mean by this is, it’s better to pack an extra layer you’ll end up not needing, than to get to Florence and regret not packing enough items to layer with.
Here’s what to pack and wear during a winter trip to the beautiful city of Florence:
- Comfortable walking shoes: Florence is an old city with lots of cobblestone streets. You’ll need to walk a lot while exploring all of the picturesque sites Florence has, and this will be virtually impossible and grossly uncomfortable in heels or shoes that aren’t optimized for walking. Keep reading to discover more about the best winter shoes for Florence.
- A super warm and versatile scarf: For a winter trip to Florence, your packing list is incomplete without a great scarf or two. A scarf is a staple in Italian fashion, and the women simply adore it. Your scarf/scarves should be both functional and elegant, so that it fits into Florence style, while still doing a great job at keeping you warm.
- Gloves and a hat: Warmth is the watchword when wearing anything in Florence during the winter, and style is a close second. You need warm leather or wool gloves and one or two winter hats that fit into your overall style aesthetic. Little accessories like these ones can make or mar your outfit, so choose wisely and carefully.
- Stylish trousers or jeans: Pick out gorgeous looking trousers that are also thick enough to withstand the cold in Florence.
- Tops, shirts, and/or blouses: Pack enough shirts and blouses that will last you for the duration of your stay. When picking out tops, make sure each individual item can fit seamlessly into an overall outfit.
- A couple of dresses: Depending on your personal style or the things you plan to do or see while in Florence, it’s important to pack two to four great dresses for your trip. Make sure you pack a variety of dresses and include jumper dresses, as well as lighter ones so they can serve as a great base layer when dressing against the cold in Florence. Choose well tailored dresses colors. They don’t have to be too long, and you can make up for that with thermal leggings/tights and tall boots.
- Winter skirts: Winter skirts are not the same as skirts you’d wear in spring or summer, hence the need for differentiation. They’re heavier, thicker, and made from more insulated materials. They’re not extremely bulky and can still be stylish.
- A stylish bag for day to day wear: If you’ve been toying with the idea of wearing a backpack around Florence, let it go. Wearing a backpack in Florence is one of the easiest ways to let the locals know you’re a tourist. A cute handbag or messenger bag is perfect because it’s stylish and stays true to Florentine style.
- A winter coat or jacket that’s warm and waterproof.
The Best Winter Shoes for Florence
Before shopping for or packing the shoes you’ll be wearing to Florence for your winter trip, bear in mind that they need to be comfortable. I always advise taking comfortable and warm walking shoes to Italy, especially in winter because Italy (and by extension Florence) has a lot of old roads and attractions that require a lot of walking. I would never suggest heels except you’re going for a dinner or party. Even then, you have to be sure you won’t be walking a very long distance. Great shoes to pack to Florence during the winter months include:
Ankle boots: Ankle boots are just perfect. I love them because of how versatile they are style-wise. They always find a way to fit into a wide range of style aesthetics and that’s just great. Black ankle boots are often dubbed as the best shoes to travel around Europe in during winter, so your trip would be made a lot easier if you pack them and wear while in Florence.
Tall boots: Tall boots, as the name suggests, are boots that are higher than the ankle boots and mid length boots. Thigh high boots and knee high boots might also fall into this category. They keep you warm, dry, and also add a lot of stylishness and elegance to your overall look.
What To Wear In Winter Months
What To Wear In Florence In December
December is a super festive month in Florence, with Christmas and New Year’s Eve just around the corner. The air is celebratory and really welcoming. The crowds are lessened and the long lines that are present in most of the other months are gone. December marks the beginning of Florentine winter, but snow is very unlikely.
Average temperatures in December range from four to eleven degrees (Celcius). Florence experiences about five hours of sunlight in December. The temperature drops as the winter months go by, so as cold as Florence is in December, it’s still not the coldest winter month.
If you’ll be traveling to Florence in December, here’s what to wear:
- Thermal underwear
- Fleece leggings
- Cardigans and/or sweaters
- A waterproof jacket
- Waterproof boots
- Gloves, hats, and scarves
- Spa wear if you plan to visit any spas
- Sandals and/or flip flops for indoor wear
- Tops- well tailored shirts and blouses
- Bottoms–stylish trousers and winter skirts
- Dresses
- Socks for nighttime wear or to wear inside your boots for extra warmth
What To Wear In January
January is a colder month than December, so pack thicker items and clothes more insulated. Wear more layers, and ensure that you are properly protected from the cold. In addition to what you’d wear in December, pack more sweaters and cardigans, thicker scarves and gloves, and thermal layers. It’s still rainy, so be sure to take an umbrella. The average temperature is about six degrees (Celcius).
What To Wear In February
If you’ll be in Florence in February, there are a number of events and tourist attractions you’ll be drawn to. Luckily for you, the streets won’t be as crowded and the lines won’t be long, if there are any lines at all. In February, you’d need to pack the same things as you would in January, but you can relax Here are some tips for February:
- Leave the running shoes, chinos, sweatpants, and backpacks at home.
- Sunglasses are a necessity.
- Accessories matter, so stock up on them but wear them stylishly and cohesively.
- You’ll need a couple of dresses, so make sure you travel with stylish ones.
Hopefully the packing list and images help to illustrate the weather in Florence during winter as well as help you plan things to bring to Florence in Winter.
So, have you been to Florence in winter? What did you pack for Florence in winter that isn’t included in the list?
Also See
- Things To Do In Amsterdam In Winter
- Guide To Exploring Stockholm In Winter
- The Perfect Packing List For Paris In Winter
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