Considered to be a nation within a nation, the picture-perfect region of Tuscany is truly a world of its own. This area of Italy has a strong linguistic and cultural identity. The entire region is recognized for its dramatic landscapes, historic cities, world-class art, and rustic gastronomy.
As the second most popular Italian region for travelers (second only to Veneto), you’ll find plenty to do here. In fact, there simply won’t be enough time to discover all of the region’s hidden gems. Read on for tips on when to travel, the best season for great weather, and the annual events you won’t want to miss.
Table of Contents
- The Weather in Tuscany
- Tuscany’s Most Popular Annual Events
- The Best Tourist Attractions in Tuscany (And When to Visit Them)
- Italian Sporting Events That Make Tourists Go Wild
- Italian Public Holidays and Occasions
The Weather in Tuscany
Tuscany has relatively little rainfall throughout the year. The coast and valleys tend to get hotter weather than mountainous areas. That said, Tuscany still has four familiar seasons you’ll want to consider when booking your travel.
Spring (March to May)
Typically, you can expect average highs of 61°F in March, 66°F in April, and 73°F in May. The pleasant weather makes it a popular time of year to visit.
Summer (June to August)
While late spring and early summer attract the crowds, July and August are the busiest. The summer heat can be in the high 80s or 90s, making it ideal for lazing by the pool or laying out at the beach. That said, the high temps can be uncomfortable for hiking or sightseeing.
Fall (September to November)
Arguably one of the best times to visit Tuscany, the fall season attracts plenty of visitors. September and October are popular times to fly due to the grape harvesting season. There are still highs of 81°F in September and 72°F in October, but these drop to 61°F in November.
Winter (December to February)
Winter is the low season, with colder months than the rest of the year. Still, it manages to bear fruit with cheaper flights and hotel rates. Florence has highs of 55°F and lows of 39°C, and you can expect similar temperatures in the coastal resorts of Grosseto.
Tuscany’s Most Popular Annual Events
Looking to immerse yourself in Tuscany’s unique local culture? Here are some of the main events to add to your itinerary.
Scoppio del Carro, Florence (April)
On Easter Sunday, locals come out to watch the ‘Scoppio del Carro’ (an exploding cart). This age-old tradition kicks off with a big firework display, providing family-friendly entertainment for all ages.
Maggiolata Flower Festival (May)
Taking place in Lucignano near Arezzo, this floral event celebrates new spring blossoms with a colorful parade, huge flower displays, and live folk music.
San Miniato Truffle Fair (November)
Held every second, third, and fourth weekend in November, this foodie fair combines truffles and other local produce for a culinary event like no other. Enjoy live entertainment and free admission, but don’t forget to bring plenty of cash for shopping and street food.
Luminara in Pisa 2022
Hit the streets on the night of June 16th to view the city lit up by more than 70,000 candle lanterns. The best views are by the River Arno, where you can also watch fireworks displays. Luminara is a free celebration open to all.
Lucca Summer Festival 2022
This month-long music event (June 26th to July 24th) brings legendary artists together for performances in several of the city’s historical venues. The lineup for 2022 includes Celine Dion, John Legend, Liam Gallagher, Paolo Conte, Ben Harper, and Kasabian.
Florence Ice Village Christmas Market 2022
The return of the bustling winter village in the gardens of Fortezza da Basso is planned to run from early December into January. Book a ride on the Florence Eye big wheel for the best views of the city.
The Best Tourist Attractions in Tuscany (And When to Visit Them)
Sightseeing is a fantastic activity from north to south in this vast region. There’s something to beguile everyone, from backpackers and budgeters to luxury travelers and wine connoisseurs.
Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence
The Duomo is the city’s most well-known attraction, and scaling the Duomo’s 463 steps is totally worth the view. For a ticket price of €18 ($19 USD), you’ll get access to multiple monuments in Piazza Duomo.
Next Vacay Travel Tip: Plan your visit in spring or fall when the cathedral will be less busy.
Uffizi Gallery, Florence
Another must-visit attraction in Florence, the Uffizi houses the greats of the Italian Renaissance: Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Raffaello, and Giotto. Regular single tickets start from €10 ($11 USD).
Next Vacay Travel Tip: The gallery is busy all year, so aim to visit early in the day to beat the crowds.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
Explore the world-famous tower and walk around the magnificent Campo dei Miracoli—you’ll never see architecture like it anywhere else! Tickets for the tower start from €18 ($19 USD).
Next Vacay Travel Tip: The best time to visit Campo dei Miracoli is in the off-season (winter) when there are fewer people.
Marina di Alberese, Grosseto
A busy but popular beach for families, Marina di Alberese offers a long (and free) stretch of beach lined by woodland. This unspoiled area of Tuscany is also known for its high-quality seasonal produce, making it the perfect foodie heaven.
Next Vacay Travel Tip: Travel in late spring or summer for the best beach weather.
Castiglion del Bosco, Siena
This 5,000-acre estate and UNESCO World Heritage Site is a posh playground for wine lovers. Discover the winery’s organic viticulture, enjoy the stunning views, and sample the estate’s four Brunello di Montalcino DOCG labels.
Next Vacay Travel Tip: The best time to visit Tuscany vineyards and wineries is during the grape harvest in September and October.
Italian Sporting Events That Make Tourists Go Wild
Get into the sporting spirit with locals at these live sports events that will get your blood pumping.
Serie A Football
Italy’s Serie A is the country’s premier football league and will start in mid-August 2022 and last until the end of May 2023. The predominant team to follow in the Tuscany region is ACF Fiorentina.
Italian Grand Prix
Held at the Monza Circuit in Milan every season is one of the most prestigious F1 events in the world. Upcoming dates for 2022 are September 9th to 11th, and major cities will screen the event in their sports bars.
Calcio Storico
Don’t miss this historic sporting event in Florence, held in June each year. It combines soccer, rugby, and wrestling, with teams playing against each other to be crowned the region’s champions.
Italian Public Holidays and Occasions
Being a hugely popular region, Tuscany receives a high volume of tourists throughout the year. While winter is the low season across the country, towns and cities tend to fill up for Christmas and New Year.
If you prefer to beat the crowds, the best time to visit Tuscany is in the off-season or when there are no major holidays or events. Bear in mind that religious holidays like Easter can mean shop and business closures. Bank holidays that can also impact your travels include Liberation Day on April 25th, Labor Day on May 1st, Republic Day on June 2nd, Ferragosto on August 15th, All Saints Day On November 1st, and the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th.
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