Florence in October suits travelers who want museums, churches and long walks in mild weather, with afternoons of 71°F (22°C). The city is easy to enjoy on foot at that temperature, and the Uffizi, the Accademia and Palazzo Vecchio fill the days when the sky turns gray.
The month brings about nine rainy days, and the queues at the Uffizi and the Accademia form early in the morning. Palazzo Vecchio also closes parts of its route when it hosts events, so the big sights need a plan.
At a glance
- Afternoon high: 71°F (22°C)
- Night low: 52°F (11°C)
- Rainy days: 9 in the month
- Rainfall: 4 inches (105 mm)
- Free admission: first Sunday of the month, no reservations possible
- Outdoor flea market: last Sunday of the month, Sant’Ambrogio
What is the weather like in Florence in October?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Daylight (15th) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 81°F (27°C) | 59°F (15°C) | 2.6 in (67 mm) | 6 | 12 h 35 |
| October | 71°F (22°C) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.1 in (105 mm) | 9 | 11 h 06 |
| November | 60°F (16°C) | 44°F (6°C) | 4.5 in (115 mm) | 10 | 9 h 42 |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
October is mild and comfortable for sightseeing. Afternoons reach 71°F (22°C), which suits long walks between the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria and the museums. Nights drop to 52°F (11°C), so mornings and evenings call for a jacket.
The month has nine days with at least a millimeter of rain, and 4 inches (105 mm) of rain in total. That is roughly one day in three. Keep the museums for the wet days and plan the Boboli Gardens, the parks and the flea market for the dry ones. A light rain layer in the daypack saves a change of plan.
September is warmer, with highs of 81°F (27°C), lows of 59°F (15°C) and 6 rainy days. November is cooler, at 60°F (16°C) in the afternoon and 44°F (6°C) at night, with 10 rainy days. October sits between the two. It keeps most of the warmth of September and brings a little more rain, and it gives you less of the chill and the rain that November has.
What to do in Florence in October
The Uffizi Gallery on a rainy day
The Uffizi collections include paintings from the 14th century and the Renaissance by Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo and Caravaggio. There is also an ancient collection of statues and busts from the Medici family, among them Roman copies of lost Greek sculptures.
Booking is suggested, especially for single visitors, to avoid long queues at admission. Audioguides cost €6.00 and come in eight languages, including English. The radio whisper service at the entrance costs €1.50. The cafeteria on the second floor has a terrace with a panoramic view, a good place to rest when the weather is clear.
The Accademia Gallery
The Accademia Gallery is in the heart of Florence, near Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Duomo. That makes it easy to pair with a morning around the cathedral.
There is constantly a long queue at its doors. The queue starts forming before the ticket offices open, so go early or book ahead. On a day with a light drizzle the wait is less pleasant, which is one more reason to reserve a time slot.
Palazzo Vecchio and its tower
Palazzo Vecchio stands on Piazza della Signoria. Inside are Donatello’s Judith, Bronzino’s paintings in the Chapel of Eleonora and Michelangelo’s Genius of Victory. The ‘Tracce di Firenze’ section on the ground floor can be visited free of charge.
The tower offers a spectacular view of Florence from the top and from intermediate points on the climb. Save it for a clear afternoon. The palazzo is often the venue of events and meetings that close part or all of the museum route, so check the day before you go.
The Boboli Gardens between showers
The Boboli Gardens are adorned with grottos, and the most important one was made by Bernardo Buontalenti. The fountains include the Fountain of Neptune and the Fountain of the Ocean. The gardens also hold an 18th-century pavilion called the Kaffeehaus and the Lemon House, built by Zanobi del Rosso between 1777 and 1778.
The Pulci flea market at Sant’Ambrogio
The market of the Pulci expands outdoors under the loggia around the Sant’Ambrogio market building every last Sunday of the month. In October that means the final Sunday, a good slot for a morning stroll among the stalls.
The loggia gives some cover, which helps in a month with rain. Periodic fairs and markets like this one draw residents as well as numerous tourists and visitors, so expect company.
Is Florence busy in October?
The museum lines start forming early in the morning, before the ticket offices open. A long queue forms every day to enter the Uffizi.
Booking is suggested for the Uffizi, particularly during extremely busy times and for single visitors. In cases of high attendance, staff may temporarily close some rooms or itineraries. Reserve before you arrive and choose an early slot.
On free-admission days there is no priority access, except for disabled visitors and their caretaker, pregnant women and European Union school groups within the daily quota. Visitors who want a calm visit can pick another day. The Mercato Nuovo, known as the mercato del Porcellino, is among the markets most frequented by tourists thanks to its central position, and the Mercato Centrale is popular with residents and tourists alike.
What to pack for Florence in October
October asks for layers and for shoes that handle wet stone. The day is mild, the nights are cool and about nine days bring rain.
- A light jacket or sweater for nights of 52°F (11°C)
- A compact rain jacket or umbrella, for the rainy days of the month
- A small day bag, since some museum visits require leaving umbrellas and large bags in a free deposit
- Short sleeves for the 71°F (22°C) afternoons
- A phone or printout of your museum booking, to avoid lengthy queues at admission
What to know before visiting Florence in October
The first Sunday of October brings free admission with no reservations possible, and no priority access at the Uffizi. Florence has over seventy museums and about a dozen monumental churches, and its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so a rainy day is easy to fill.
Is October a good time to visit Florence?
Yes, October is a good time to visit Florence for travelers who want museums, churches and walking in mild weather. Afternoons of 71°F (22°C) leave room for the Boboli Gardens and the tower of Palazzo Vecchio, and the rainy days fit the Uffizi and Palazzo Vecchio.
Shifting a month earlier brings September’s 81°F (27°C) afternoons and 6 rainy days. Shifting a month later brings November’s 60°F (16°C) afternoons, 44°F (6°C) nights and 10 rainy days. October gives up some of September’s warmth and avoids most of November’s chill.
For museum lovers, book the Uffizi and the Accademia ahead and arrive early. For market lovers, plan around the last Sunday of the month for the Pulci market at Sant’Ambrogio. For travelers on a tight budget, the first Sunday brings free admission, though without reservations or priority access.
Sources
- feelflorence.it (https://www.feelflorence.it/en/experiences-itineraries/isolotto-legnaia-district), checked 2026-10-30
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- cultura.comune.fi.it (https://cultura.comune.fi.it/istruzione/pagina/musei-civici-fiorentini/museo-di-palazzo-vecchio), checked 2026-10-30
- uffizi.it (https://www.uffizi.it/en/the-uffizi), checked 2026-10-30
- accademia.museum (https://accademia.museum/the-gallery/how-to-arrive), checked 2026-10-30
- uffizi.it (https://www.uffizi.it/en/pitti-palace), checked 2026-10-30
- comune.firenze.it (https://www.comune.firenze.it/imprese-e-commercio/mercati?language_content_entity=en), checked 2026-10-30
- visittuscany.com (https://www.visittuscany.com/fr/idees/galerie-des-offices-et-galleria-accademia-billets-et-reservations/), checked 2026-10-30