Month guide · Florence · Italy
Florence in December
What December is really like in Florence: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Gary Campbell-Hall, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 11°C (52°F), lows of 3°C (37°F), about 8 rainy days and roughly 8.9 hours of daylight. Cold and often clear, with Christmas lights along Via de' Tornabuoni and busier days around the holidays.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 11°C (52°F) / 3°C (37°F)
- Rainy days
- About 8
- Daylight
- About 8.9 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Florence: days average 11°C (52°F) against a yearly average high of 21°C (70°F), and nights fall to about 3°C (37°F). Rain falls on roughly 8 of its 31 days. Compared with November (15°C (59°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 11°C (52°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:42
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:39
- Daylight
- About 8.9 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold, sometimes frosty days, the lowest hotel prices and the easiest access to the Uffizi and the Accademia, plus Christmas lights in December.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 3 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in June). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- Christmas tree and nativity scene in Piazza del Duomo (usually from early December)
- New Year's Eve concerts in the city's piazzas
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Palace · Piazza della Signoria
Palazzo Vecchio
The fortress-like town hall, begun in 1299, is still the seat of Florence's city government.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Art
- Views
- Architecture
- Kids
Garden · Oltrarno
Boboli Gardens
Wear proper shoes for the steep gravel paths and head for the top terrace by the Porcelain Museum for the widest view.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Views
- Couples
Religious site · San Niccolò
San Miniato al Monte
One of the finest Romanesque churches in Tuscany sits on the hill above Piazzale Michelangelo, with a green-and-white marble facade, an inlaid marble floor and a raised choir above the crypt.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Couples
Religious site · Oltrarno
Basilica of Santo Spirito
Visit in the morning, then browse the stalls on the piazza and have coffee on its benches.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Architecture
- Art
- Free
- Off the beaten path
What to pack
For highs near 11°C, lows near 3°C and 8 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Florence?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–May and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Florence in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Florence?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold and often clear, with Christmas lights along Via de' Tornabuoni and busier days around the holidays.
+How warm is Florence in December?
Average highs are around 11°C (52°F) and lows around 3°C (37°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Florence in December?
Expect rain on about 8 days of the month.