Last Updated on October 31, 2024 by Jade and Deeshen

Florence is all about its incredible Renaissance art and stunning architecture. It’s ranked as one of the top three Italian cities among the world’s best food destinations. Being a total foodie and romantic, it’s no surprise that Florence is Jade’s favorite Italian city!

But let’s face it—crowds can sometimes take the magic away. In this guide, we’ll share the best day of the week for to visit Florence — for the quietest time and when it’s not packed with tourists.

Whether you’re a first-timer or revisiting Florence Italy, check out our guide on the best places to visit in Florence in 1 day,

But first, here are the best tours for Florence: (yes, you should book in advance and early in your trip!)

• ⭐Florence: Best Chianti Wineries Tour with Food and Wine Tasting – We absolutely LOVED the Chianti hills (photo below of us driving in the hills!), it’s gorgeous and a must visit! This tour makes it so easy.
  
  
• ⭐Florence: Best Day Trip Tour to Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano, and Chianti – Cover 3 in one day from Florence, and the views were spectacular. Highly recommended!

Best Day of the Week to Visit Florence

The best day to visit Florence depends on your preferences and what you want to experience. However, generally speaking:

1. Weekdays (Tuesday to Friday)

Weekdays days tend to be much less crowded compared to weekends, especially during peak tourist seasons. Attractions and museums may be slightly less busy, allowing for a more relaxed experience.

Check out must-sees spots like the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, and Piazzale Michelangelo that attract visitors from around the world.

These places have strict dress codes so be prepared with our Uffizi Gallery dress code guide, so you’re not refused entry!

2. Weekends

Florence can be quite busy on weekends, particularly in popular areas like the Uffizi Gallery and the Duomo. However, weekends also offer a vibrant atmosphere with more events and local activities! Check here for local events.

⭐Best deal for Florence Duomo Guided Tour Tickets – Outstanding 5 star tour for one of Italy’s most beautiful buildings!

You might also be interested in our Oltrarno Splendid hotel review, the dreamiest hotel the heart of Florence!

3. Early Mornings on Weekdays or Weekends

If you visit Florence’s main sights on a weekend, the best time to visit will be early morning in the morning – specifically 30 minutes before sunrise to about 10:00AM.

Most shops and restaurants (including breakfast spots) in the centre of Florence and Piazza del Duomo don’t open until 9am-10:00am, so generally the streets are pretty empty.

The Florence Cathedral, also known as Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is open on Mon-Sat, 10:15 am – 4:45 pm; closed Sundays. Many museums may not open until later in the morning, reflecting the overall slower start to the day.

This means early mornings are the quietest (and best) times to visit Florence!

Italians are generally not early risers, and tend to follow a later sleep schedule compared to some other countries.

Which days of the week to avoid when visiting Florence?

Florence is ranked as one of the most walkable cities of the world to travel, and attracts many visitors every year. Here are days of the week you should avoid

• Mondays: Many museums are closed on Mondays, so you won’t be able to see some of the city’s most popular attractions.
  
  
• Weekends: Florence can get quite crowded on weekends, especially during the summer months. This can make it more difficult to enjoy the city’s sights and soak up the atmosphere.
  
  However, as we mentioned above, you can still enjoy weekends in Florence in the early mornings, and enjoy the weekend festivals and events.

If you’re flexible with your travel dates, consider visiting Florence during the low season (spring or fall) when the weather is pleasant and the crowds are smaller.

June, July and August will be peak season, with summer in full swing, and August being the month that most of Italians have off (for the entire month).

Best Day of the Week to Visit Florence – The Bottom Line:

If you prefer fewer crowds and quieter surroundings, weekdays and early mornings are preferable. But if you enjoy a lively atmosphere and don’t mind larger crowds, weekends can also be enjoyable.

It’s also a good idea to check for any local events or holidays that might affect crowds during your visit.