We are often asked: "When's a good time to visit Tuscany?" and there are quite a number of answers to the question. Here's a guide to what the weather is like in the different seasons, how busy the region is, and what's going on in the different seasons. Have a look at our guide to the weather in Tuscany, together with advice of the best villa for each season.
Tuscany by Season
Spring (March–May)
Spring in Tuscany is glorious, particularly once you get to April and May. March can be a little rainy and variable, but once spring starts in earnest the place explodes with greenery, flowers, with colours and birdsong everywhere. This is a perfect time for birdwatchers (have a look at our notes on birdwatching in Tuscany here, for photographers (the light is beautifully terse) and for fewer crowds in the museums and towns.
Podere Castello is a luxury villa for 14 in the Chianti hills with splendid views out over the vineyards and forests of holm-oaks.
Summer (June–August)
The summer is perfect for sun-lovers. June used to have lower temperatures but it has recently been matching the higher temperatures of July and August. This is the perfect time for relaxing by the pool, going to some fabulous outdoor concerts - there are some excellent ones, from Opera at Lago Puccini, the Blues at Pistoia Blues, and many more.
Some of Tuscany's more famous events are in July and August, like to Palio of Siena or the Calcio Storico in Florence. It's also a more popular time because of the school holidays, so expect higher prices and try to book early.
Air-conditioned villas are also popular during this period, but there are also time-honoured ways to keep houses cool during an Italian summer - have a look here for advice: How to keep cool without air-conditioning.
Best Family villas with Private Pools
Pipistrelli is a beautiful air-conditioned villa close to Siena, perfect for summer holidays
Autumn (September–November)
I love autumn in Tuscany. The landscape is warm after the summer sun, the weather is cooling, the sea is wonderfully welcoming and the whole period is less busy. We've had some wonderful October half-term holidays at the end of October, crossing into November, when it was still warm enough to go for a swim in the Mediterranean.
September is the time of the Vendemma, the grape harvest, when the fabulous wines of Tuscany start to be made. October is the time of the Olive Harvest, and if you ever get the chance to visit an olive mill when the olive oil is coming hot off the press, seize it with both hands. There are few things more delicious than warm bread, rubbed with garlic and put straight under the flow of extra virgin oil.
With the wine and the oil come the food festivals, the "sagre" that are celebrations of different dishes. Definitely worth a visit.
Leccio is surrounded by the estate's own spectacular vineyards, which produce excellent wine
Winter (December–February)
Winter in Tuscany is a variable time - it can even snow at times. The winter months are perfect for those who want a quiet time, and for visiting museums and the famous cities. I also like it for walks out to lesser known archeological sites, when the bare trees and thinner vegetation reveals details that are hidden in springtime.
There are events too, like the amazing Carnival in Viareggio, an amazing parade of multicoloured carts, often of political satire.
Villa prices are at their lowest, but it's worth taking into account the cost of heating some of the older villas - an enormous 17th-century villa can take a lot of energy to bring up to a comfortable temperature! We have a list of villas that have good heating:
All the villas on Borgo Rinnovato, south of Florence, have excellent heating - they're also just a short drive and a train ride from the centre of Florence. This is Lunetta, for 6
Average weather month by month
| Month | Weather | Avg | Events | Why Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Cool | 8°C (37°F) | Epiphany celebrations | Quietest month for city sightseeing |
| February | Mild | 8°C (37°F) | Carnevale | Fewer tourists, off-season deals |
| March | Early spring | 11°C (40°F) | Olive pruning season | Start of warmer days |
| April | Warming up | 14°C (45°F) | Easter | Nature bursts forth, great for birdwatching and hiking |
| May | Spring turns to summer | 18°C (52°F) | May Half Term | Wonderful clear light |
| June | Early Summer | 22°C (59°F) | Pools generally open | The family holiday season starts |
| July | Full Summer | 25°C (68°F) | Hottest month of the year | Early booking a must |
| August | Summer | 25°C (68°F) | Occasional storm | Great food festivals and events |
| September | Pretend Autumn | 21°C (61°F) | Wonderful month | Beautiful light, grape harvest starts |
| October | Crisp autumn | 17°C (52°F) | Olive harvest, chestnut festivals | Ideal balance of weather & fewer crowds |
| November | Suddenly cooler | 13°C (45°F) | Some museums and sites closed | The wettest month, and my least favourite. |
| December | Cool | 9°C (37°F) | Christmas markets | Magical atmosphere |
Year Round Guide to Events in Tuscany
Author: Dan Wrightson
Dan Wrightson grew up in Tuscany, Italy and has been writing about, sketching and exploring Tuscany and Italy since 1983.
14th Sep 2025 14th Sep 2025