Florence at Christmas & New Year: Tips for Sightseeing, Shopping, and Celebrating

Visiting Florence at Christmas? Count yourself lucky—it’s a gorgeous time of year to visit! While Florence is beautiful year-round, holiday decorations and Christmas cheer add a festive touch. Still, many shops and restaurants do close down to celebrate the Christmas season… and you’ll want to keep some other things in mind, too. Here are our top tips for making the most out of spending the Christmas holidays in Florence!

Get Festive in Florence at Christmas

Museums and Galleries

The good news: Florence’s acclaimed museums are usually less crowded during the holiday season, so you can experience the paintings and sculptures more intimately!

View from Florence’s Piazzale Michelangelo: a chilly, but beautiful, walk over Christmas

The majority of Florentine museums and galleries, including the Uffizi and Accademia, are usually open to tourists on both December 24 and 26. On Christmas Day, though, most museums are shut.

It is also worth noting that many of these cultural spaces are usually closed on Mondays, even during the holiday periods. So, if you have already booked your trip, and you will be in Florence over a long weekend, here’s a helpful list of what to do in Florence on a Monday.

The Uffizi Gallery is stunning both inside and outside.

Architectural sights

Of course, Florence itself is an open-air museum, too: and Christmas Day is the perfect time to explore Florence’s extraordinary architecture with a walk along the Ponte Vecchio, or take in a panoramic view of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo in the Oltrarno district. This district is out of the main centre and across the River Arno, but there are many more reasons to explore Oltrarno.

The view from Piazzale Michelangelo can’t be beaten!

Day trips from Florence

Another option? Take a day trip, like to nearby Fiesole or the Tuscan gems Siena and San Gimignano. While trains will run less often than normal (always check the schedule on the Trenitalia website), visiting a smaller town makes for a wonderful, intimate way to experience Christmas Day. Just note that in small towns, almost all shops and restaurants will be closed, so make sure to return to Florence in time for dinner.

Siena is one of Italy’s most beautiful cities and is just a day trip away from Florence

Midnight Mass at Florence’s Duomo

For a truly Florentine Christmas experience, head to the Duomo for midnight Mass in Italian on Christmas Eve! As entrance to the mass is on a first-come, first-served basis, we recommend arriving before 10:30pm to ensure a spot. The Duomo is also open for Mass on Christmas Day, with a ceremony featuring Gregorian chants.

The interior of Florence’s Duomo is quite simply out of this world.

Want to experience the Christmas Mass in English, instead? Head to St. Mark’s or St. James  which both hold midnight Masses, complete with joyful music.

Keep in mind that, outside of the hours when Mass is being held, Florence’s churches are mainly closed on Christmas Day. Plus, etiquette-wise, visiting to admire the church’s art and architecture—rather than partake in a ceremony—is often looked down upon on the holy day. At the Duomo, the entrance to climbing the dome is closed on both Christmas Day and December 26.

Florence’s Duomo at Christmas. Photo by Judywitts

Christmas Markets

Skip the commercial stores and head straight to stands of artisanal crafts for your Christmas shopping! Florence boasts multiple Christmas markets; these include the Florence Noel (with a small entrance fee, located at the Leopolda Center) and the Weihnachtsmarkt (a traditional German market in Piazza Santa Croce). Discover a complete guide to Florence’s Christmas markets in this article from our friends at Devour.

Check out the local market to pick up one of these traditional Italian Christmas treats.

Both markets run from mid-November to Christmas Eve, with unique gifts and local holiday treats like panettone and vin brulé. (Don’t miss our post on Italy’s sweet Christmas cakes, including panettone!).

Getting Around / Public Transport

Florence’s compact city center means most attractions are within walking distance. Public buses operate on a limited schedule on holidays like Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, but taxis are readily available. If you plan day trips outside Florence, it’s best to check train timetables in advance since regional services may run less frequently during the festive period. Check the ATAF time tables for bus schedules, along with Trenitalia and Italo for trains. You can also ask the locals for advice, at your hotel reception for example.

Walking tours are a great way to see the sights of Florence, for minimum hassle and maximum history!

If you will be moving around, we suggest buying bus tickets the day before because most newsstands and coffee shops that sell them will be closed.

Eating Out over the Christmas Holidays

Unsurprisingly, many family-owned restaurants and stores in Florence close on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and St. Stephen’s Day (December 26) so the owners can spend time with loved ones.

But don’t worry—there are still some options open for the holidays! Reservations are usually mandatory, especially for Christmas Day, when the main meal is a large lunch (and usually with a fixed-price menu). Some of our favorite picks for celebrating Christmas lunch include Mangiafuoco, La Giostra, Borgo San Jacopo and Trattoria 4 Leoni.

Enjoy the taste of an Italian Christmas, with wine, cheese, seafood, meats and delicious festive breads and desserts.

Ringing in the New Year in Florence!

New Year´s Eve Celebrations

Whether you’re looking to celebrate in a restaurant, or with locals outside in a piazza, Florence offers a wide range of options for celebrating Capodanno (New Year’s)! The city is famous for its concerts in the piazzas and its beautiful firework displays (best places to view them: from along the Arno, or Piazzale Michelangelo).

Florence’s Ponte_Vecchio is a stunning place to ring in the New Year!

Dining Out on New Year´s Eve or Day

For dinner, visitors are spoilt for choice. Lots of restaurants are open on New Year’s Eve, offering Florentine specialties—and some even with live entertainment. Again, though, make sure you book in advance. And yes, our favorite restaurants in Florence at Christmas, above, also serve New Year’s Eve dinner.

Enjoy a glass of red or white, the colours of Christmas in a glass!

Wine Bars and Special Events

Want to grab a celebratory drink? Here are four of our other favorite wine bars in Florence. However, remember that many spots will tend to be overcrowded on New Year’s Eve, with elevated cover charges to boot. For a more cultural (and, dare we say, elegant) experience, check out the New Year’s Eve Opera & Gala at the gorgeous St. Mark’s English Church.

Sightseeing at New Year

Florence’s fabulous museums have normal hours on New Year’s Eve. And most stores and restaurants are open during the day in preparation for the evening’s festivities, too.

Capodanno (New Year’s Day) is a national holiday in which most Italians take a day of rest, closing shops and restaurants for the day. Don’t want to rest? Palazzo Vecchio—located in Piazza della Signoria—is one of the few museums open on January 1 (from 1pm to 7pm), offering a glimpse into the life of the noble Medici family.

You can explore the Palazzo Vecchio on New Year´s Day in Florence

Insider’s tip: If you really want to celebrate like a local, don’t miss our post on New Year’s Eve traditions across Italy.

FAQs About Spending Christmas in Florence

How expensive are hotels in Florence at Christmas?

Hotel prices in Florence tend to rise slightly in December, especially around Christmas and New Year’s Eve, when both Italians and international visitors flock to the city. However, rates are generally lower than in the summer high season. To get the best deals, book early—especially if you plan to stay near the historic center or the Piazza del Duomo, where festive events are concentrated.

Which areas are best to stay in for the holidays?

For a truly festive experience, consider staying near Piazza Santa Croce, Piazza della Repubblica, or the Oltrarno district. These neighborhoods are close to the city’s main Christmas markets, churches, and restaurants, allowing you to explore on foot. The Oltrarno area, just across the Arno River, offers a quieter and more local feel while still being only a short walk from Florence’s main attractions.

What’s the weather like in Florence at Christmas, and what should I pack?

December in Florence is typically cool and crisp, with daytime temperatures averaging between 5°C and 12°C (41°F to 54°F). Rain showers are common, but snow is rare. Pack warm layers, a waterproof jacket or umbrella, and comfortable shoes for walking on cobblestone streets. Since many of Florence’s Christmas events are outdoors, a scarf, hat, and gloves will help you stay cozy while enjoying the festive lights and markets.

Ready to celebrate the holiday season in Florence like a local?

Explore the array of expert-led tours from Walks of Italy.  From leisurely walks through festive markets to immersive food-and-history experiences, all available this winter. Visit our Florence tours page today and put in the dates of your stay, so you can view detailed itineraries, and book your spot for a fun and fabulous festive escape!