Spring in Florence: What You Need to Know

Each season in Florence has its magic, but spring in Florence is something special.

Its arrival brings longer days, a rise in temperature, the blooming of flowers, and a rebirth of the Florentine gardens. These spring days are full of the colors and smells synonymous with renewal and beauty.

If you’re considering visiting Florence in spring, we’ve got a bunch of reasons why you should, including must-do activities and delicious dishes you won’t want to miss.   

The best of spring in Florence

During spring, busy cities like Florence will have fewer tourists due to the low season in Italy. This means you can explore tourist spots with less crowds, enjoy museums with shorter lines, and everything’s generally more affordable than in the peak season, making it ideal for budget-friendly travel. Additionally, you won’t have to deal with the high temperatures of the Florentine summer.

Sounds pretty perfect, doesn’t it?

Springtime in Florence = serene. Photo credit: Mark Tegethoff

What to do during spring in Florence

During spring, the best ways to enjoy Florence involve outdoor activities. Exploring gardens and markets, taking leisurely city strolls, having picnics, and enjoying aperitifs on terraces are perfect activities as the weather begins to warm up.

Spring in Florence is the idea season for terrace hopping. Photo credit: Allan Francis

Insider’s tip: Since it also rains a lot during this season, visiting museums is a perfect indoor activity.

Relax in Giardino delle Rose

On the way to Piazzale Michelangelo is the lovely Giardino delle Rose (Viale Giuseppe Poggi). This quaint garden is home to a wide variety of roses, other types of plants, and trees, as well as features sculptures. A visit to this beautiful place offers a fantastic view of the city and a great place to relax amongst nature.

Giardino delle Rose is one of Florence’s most beautiful outdoor spaces. Photo credit: Parya Tavakoli

Picnic in Giardino dell’orticoltura

The Horticultural Garden (Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 4) is a great location for a picnic on sunny spring days. It has an atmosphere rich in color, greenery, and serenity. It’s ideal for spending the day with the family since the park is free and has some other attractions, including a walkway leading to the Dragon Fountain in the Giardino degli Orti del Parnaso.

Visit Giardino di Boboli

Visiting the Boboli Gardens in Florence is one of the best things to do in the springtime. It’s situated in the impressive Palazzo Pitti, and has an abundance of greenery, sculptures, and fountains. The Boboli Gardens is the ideal spot to just wander and get lost, listening to the birds, admiring nature, and disconnecting from the busy world for a little while.

Take a walking tour in Florence

Taking a walking tour of Florence will unveil insights into the history and culture of Florence, while shedding light on mainstream landmarks, in addition to hidden gems. Experienced guides’ knowledge will add depth to your experience, and you’ll be able to learn fun facts and tidbits that you might miss if you’re exploring alone.

So much history, and so many stories to share.

Celebrate Easter festivities

Whether you’re religious or a fan of cultural experiences, Easter in Florence will be right up your alley. The best ways to celebrate it are by attending Sunday mass at the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral, participating in the egg explosion in Piazza del Popolo, and enjoying the Scoppio del Carro event in Piazza del Duomo.

Enjoy a rainy day in the museums

Rainy days can be a downside of spring in Florence. But the silver lining is that it gives you plenty of chances to explore the essential museums in Florence, including Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Vecchio, Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, Palazzo Pitti, and Galleria dell’Accademia.

Rainy day in Florence? You’re spoiled for choices with museums to explore. Photo credit: Jianxiang Wu

Seasonal spring foods in Florence

Visiting local food markets is always a highlight when traveling, and the food markets in Florence are no exception. Markets such as Mercato Centrale and Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio (Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti) are highly recommended.

Piselli alla fiorentina is a Florentine favorite. Photo credit: Sergi Kabrera

In spring, Florentine markets overflow with green vegetables like asparagus, artichokes, and peas. These are the base for classic spring dishes such as asparagi alla fiorentina (asparagus cooked in butter with eggs and Parmesan cheese), piselli alla fiorentina (peas cooked with bacon, garlic, and parsley), and frittata con verdure (an omelet filled with seasonal vegetables).