You may be wondering how it’s possible to steer clear of the masses in one of Italy’s most visited destinations. Our travel experts at Plum Guide are here to tell you that it can be done. From choosing accommodation in more residential neighbourhoods to escaping to the mountains and taking private tours, keep reading for our top travel tips, including busy areas to avoid in Florence.
Time your visit during the quieter months
Beautiful winter cityscape of snow-covered Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with mountains in the background, Florence, Italy
It’s no surprise that Florence sees swarms of tourists all year round. Summer is the worst for it, with long queues, packed restaurants and attractions teeming with visitors. Thanks to ideal temperatures, the city experiences a pretty long high season (June to September), so we’d advise you to plan your trip from March to May or from October to November if you want to escape the busiest months.
March to May is a great time to visit. Temperatures are mild, ranging from 15°C to 23°C, with a few rainy days here and there. If you’re not used to hot weather, spring is perfect for sightseeing and enjoying a glass of wine in the many piazzas. Easter celebrations are in full swing, with one of the most famous events being the ‘Explosion of the Cart’, a tradition which dates back over 300 years.
Pitti Pad, Plum Guide home in Florence
Autumn offers a lovely blend of mild weather and fewer crowds. It’s the best time to visit Florence’s parks and gardens, such as the Rose Garden or the Boboli Gardens, as the leaves start to show off their autumn colours. October to November is harvest season, an excellent time for foodies to try local produce like olive oil, porcini, truffles, chestnuts and grapes – restaurants often have seasonal menus that feature newly harvested ingredients.
If you don’t mind being a little chilly, the winter months of December, January and February are perfect for exploring the city at its quietest. Florence is rather romantic in winter, with Christmas lights twinkling and plenty of festivities on the calendar. Museums and other attractions aren’t as crowded, so you’ll have more freedom to roam around without getting stuck in the crowds.
Plan your day around peak tourist times
A sculpture, arched windows, and decorative ceilings inside the Uffizi Gallery, Florence
As well as choosing the right season to visit, when you choose to visit attractions is also important. The landmarks will be packed with tourists, but instead of shying away entirely from these areas to avoid in Florence, plan to sightsee during quieter moments.
Generally speaking, weekdays are less busy than weekends. Attractions usually open from around 8:15am until 6:30 or 7pm. The trick is to visit early in the morning as soon as they open or just before closing time. A good way to check is to type the attraction into Google, and it will tell you the popular times so you can plan your visit accordingly. The same applies to eating out – Italians tend to eat later, sitting down to lunch between 1pm and 2:30pm, and dinner from 7pm or 7:30pm. If you don’t want to be dining in a crowded restaurant, it’s best to plan your meals around these times.
River Elegance, Plum Guide home in Florence
Choosing private tours is also a good way to avoid being stuck in a large group. Not only will you be able to have a more personal experience with your guide, but you can also enjoy the flexibility of spending more time at a particular attraction. Want to see the treasures of the Uffizi Gallery without anyone getting in your way? Or perhaps you’d like to go on an adventure into the secret tunnels of the Palazzo Vecchio, just you and your friends. There are even foodie tours to discover local restaurants that tourists don’t eat at. On top of private tours, many Florence attractions also offer skip-the-line tickets. No one wants to waste their time standing in a queue with hundreds of other tourists, and this is a fool-proof way to avoid just that.
Seek out less-explored attractions
Tree tunnel in the Giardino Bardini, with old-fashioned door at the end and marble busts on the side, Florence, Italy
Sure, anyone who travels to Florence will want to visit iconic attractions like the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery and the Galleria dell’Accademia. But if you’ve already seen them before, or you’re keen to see something a little different, then discovering the city’s hidden gems is the way to go.
There are a handful of less-visited galleries dotted around Florence, such as the San Marco Museum. Set within a medieval Dominican monastery, the mesmerising frescoes, ornate panel paintings and ancient manuscripts are worth the visit. You’ll also find quieter churches and chapels, which are no less spectacular than the famous Duomo. One of our favourites is the Chapel of the Magi or the Cappella dei Magi. Found in the Medici-Riccardi Palace, the chapel is accessible from the courtyard via a staircase. Once a private prayer space for the Medici family, the walls are covered with beautiful frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli, dating back to 1459.
The Venus View, Plum Guide home in Florence
The Boboli Gardens are one of the most popular attractions in Florence, especially when the sun’s out, putting it high on our list of areas to avoid in Florence if you're after a less crowded stay. Our suggestion is to head to the nearby Bardini Gardens instead. Spread over 4 hectares, there’s ample space to relax with a book under the fruit orchards, although you may get distracted by the far-reaching views of the city. And if you’re visiting in spring, you’ll witness the wisterias in full bloom. Meanwhile, Villa Demidoff and its stunning gardens are even quieter, just a stone’s throw from the centre of Florence.
Choose accommodation outside of Florence’s city centre
Roman amphitheatre in Fiesole, facing the mountains and trees, near Florence, Italy
Most people who visit Florence tend to stay in the city centre around the Duomo, Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio. As you can imagine, these get very busy and noisy, making them an area to avoid in Florence. Although the city has many safe neighbourhoods, it’s still wise to remain vigilant for pickpockets in these touristy places, too. If you want to sidestep Florence’s congested areas, we recommend widening your search area to find accommodation in quieter, more residential neighbourhoods.
For a taste of local life, Sant’Ambrogio is one of the oldest districts in the city. Despite being just a stone’s throw from Florence’s major attractions, it manages to slip under the radar for many visitors. Browse the stalls at Sant’Ambrogio Market, which isn’t as jam-packed as Central Market. Another good option is the area of Via Bolognese, which is as appealing as it sounds. You won’t run into many tourists here (if any) as it’s a bit further out from the city centre, but excellent bus links will get you there in no time.
Brunelleschi's Eye, Plum Guide home in Florence
If you want to combine the experience of staying in a small Tuscan hill town with big city life, Fiesole is the best place to be. Just a thirty-minute bus ride into the centre of Florence, this charming town offers more laid-back surroundings to escape to. Even when you don’t feel like venturing out, there’s plenty to see and do in the town. Historically a country retreat for affluent Florentines, the town is dotted with grand villas and gardens, and even has its own Roman archaeological site where you can visit the ruins of an amphitheatre and baths.
Travel through Tuscany’s magical countryside
A dirt road and vineyard in the Tuscan hills, in the Florentine Chianti area, outside Florence, Italy
While you’re in Florence, set aside some time to explore Tuscany’s countryside. There is a rich variety of landscapes here, from lush valleys to rugged mountains and beautiful beaches. With miles of empty space to explore, this is one of the best ways to avoid Florence’s packed areas. Oenophiles should make Chianti their first stop, one of Italy’s most well-known wine regions. You may need a designated driver if you’re planning on stopping at several vineyards along the way – we personally recommend Castello di Querceto and Castello Di Brolio.
Those who love to hike will want to take on the Apuan Alps. With its picturesque mountain lakes and demanding peaks, the vistas are worth the challenging climbs. Nearby is the Garfagnana, a scenic area of Tuscany with charming towns like Barga and Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. When you’re not admiring the Renaissance buildings and ancient piazzas in the towns, visit the Parco dell’Orecchiella with its network of walking trails. The Giardino Botanico Maria Ansaldi Pania di Corfino is also a must-see, a stunning botanical garden filled with an interesting collection of rare plants.
A Sprinkle of Magic, Plum Guide home in Florence
If you don’t feel like getting active at all, that’s perfectly fine – head to the coast for some downtime on the beach. With its vineyard-covered interiors, people often forget that Tuscany is home to 230 kilometres of coastline. Viareggio is one of the most well-known seaside towns and is famous for its spring carnival – plus it's just two hours by car. But away from the festivities, the town offers long stretches of beach for the whole family to relax on, where little ones can paddle about in the calm waters and older kids can have fun with watersports. An exciting day trip is to take a boat to the nearby island of Elba. Here, you can swim in the crystal-clear waters or hire a bike and ride around the island.
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