Things to Do in Florence in November

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November in Florence is wet. That's the single most important thing to know. The city averages 133mm of rain across about 12 days this month, and the humidity sits around 82%. Daytime temperatures hover near 15.6°C (60°F), dropping to 7°C (45°F) after dark. The Arno runs high and muddy, and the stone streets of Oltrarno stay damp for hours after a downpour. The famous golden light that photographers chase in September and October has faded to something flatter, greyer, more northern European.

That said, November has a quality that the peak months of May and October cannot match. The Uffizi, which can see queues past Piazzale degli Uffizi and onto Lungarno in June, is walkable in 15 minutes with no reservation on a Tuesday in November. The Accademia, where Michelangelo's David draws 1.5 million visitors a year, feels close to private on a rainy Wednesday afternoon. Hotel rates in San Lorenzo and Santa Croce drop 30-40% from their September levels. And this is the month when Tuscany's olive harvest comes in, which means olio nuovo, the season's first cold-pressed oil, appears on tables across the city with a peppery bite you won't find at any other time of year.

To be fair, Florence in November is not for everyone. If you need blue skies to enjoy a trip, you'll likely get 4-5 fully sunny days out of 30. If you want long evening walks along the Arno, sunset drops to around 4:50 PM by mid-month. But if you're the kind of traveler who prefers a city at its most local, when trattorias in Santo Spirito fill with Florentines rather than tour groups, and when the smell of roasting chestnuts drifts from vendors near Piazza della Repubblica, November tends to reward you.

Why visit in November

Uffizi and Accademia queues drop to under 20 minutes on weekdays, compared to 90+ minutes in peak season. Palazzo Pitti is similarly uncrowded.
Hotel rates in central neighborhoods like Santa Croce and San Lorenzo fall 30-40% below their September and October averages.
Olio nuovo season brings the year's freshest olive oil to restaurants and markets across Florence. Tuscan mills press through late November, and tastings are widely available.
Seasonal Tuscan cooking peaks in November with truffle dishes, ribollita, castagnaccio, and roasted chestnuts appearing on nearly every traditional menu in Oltrarno.
The city feels genuinely local. Piazza Santo Spirito's morning market operates without tourist crowds, and neighborhood restaurants fill with residents rather than day-trippers from cruise ships.

Worth knowing

Rain is persistent. November averages 133mm across 12 days, and grey stretches of 3-4 consecutive wet days are common. The damp chill at 82% humidity can feel colder than the thermometer suggests.
Daylight is short. Sunrise is around 7:00 AM by mid-November, sunset near 4:50 PM. You get roughly 9 hours and 45 minutes of light, which limits outdoor sightseeing.
Some restaurants and smaller shops in areas like San Niccolò close for annual vacation in the first half of November, following the end of tourist season.
The Tuscan countryside, a major draw for day trips, looks sparse in November. Vineyards around Chianti are bare, the fields are brown, and Val d'Orcia lacks the green and gold that define its postcards.

Best for

Think twice if

Weather measured 16° / 7°C 133mm rain · 12 rainy days · 82% humidity rains perceptibly ~2.2h/day · 84% of mornings dry

Crowds low

Pack Layers are essential. A medium-weight waterproof jacket, a warm sweater or fleece, and a compact umbrella will cover most days. Waterproof shoes or boots are more important than style in November. The stone floors of churches like Santa Croce and San Lorenzo are cold, so warm socks matter. Bring a light scarf for evenings when the temperature drops toward 7°C (45°F).

November brings cool, damp weather to Florence. Expect daytime temperatures around 15.6°C (60°F) that feel cooler than they sound because of the persistent 82% humidity. Mornings start chilly near 7°C (45°F), and the stone buildings hold that cold. Rain falls on roughly 12 of the month's 30 days, often as steady morning drizzle rather than dramatic storms, though occasional heavy downpours do push the Arno's levels up noticeably. Fog sometimes settles in the river valley at dawn, particularly around Ponte Vecchio and the Cascine park area. By late November, the first genuinely cold nights can dip toward 3-4°C (37-39°F).

Year-round climate

Averages from the last 5 years.

Monthly climate averages for Florence
Month	Avg high (°C)	Avg low (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
Jan	11	3	96
Feb	13	4	91
Mar	16	5	100
Apr	19	7	92
May	23	12	104
Jun	30	17	45
Jul	33	19	34
Aug	33	19	60
Sep	27	15	136
Oct	22	12	115
Nov	16	7	133
Dec	12	4	119

Best things to do in November

Visit the Uffizi Gallery without summer crowds

culture

The Uffizi's collection of Botticelli, Leonardo, and Caravaggio demands slow, close looking that is nearly impossible in July when 10,000 visitors pass through daily. In November, weekday attendance drops to a fraction of that. You can stand alone in front of Botticelli's Primavera for minutes at a time. The Vasari Corridor renovation has also opened new sections in recent years.

November weekday crowds drop to roughly 20-30% of peak summer levels, making the Botticelli and Caravaggio rooms approachable without queuing.

Booking tipBook online 2-3 days ahead for a morning slot. Walk-ups are often possible on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but Friday mornings still draw school groups.

Olio nuovo tasting at a Tuscan olive mill

food

Several olive estates in the hills between Florence and Fiesole, and further out in Chianti, open for harvest-season tastings in November. You'll taste oil pressed within hours, so fresh it burns the back of your throat. The difference between this and supermarket oil is stark. Fattoria di Maiano, above Fiesole, is one accessible option at about 20 minutes by bus from central Florence.

November is the Tuscan olive harvest. The oil is at its freshest and most pungent. By January, it has mellowed considerably.

Booking tipMost mills require advance booking for tastings, typically by email. Weekday availability is better than weekends.

Day trip to San Miniato for the white truffle fair

food

The Mostra Mercato Nazionale del Tartufo Bianco in San Miniato runs across the last 3 weekends of November. The town is 45 minutes by train from Florence's Santa Maria Novella station. Beyond the fair itself, the medieval hilltop town rewards a half-day of wandering, and you'll find truffle dishes at every restaurant.

The San Miniato truffle fair happens only in November. White truffles are at peak season and the fair is one of Tuscany's largest food events.

Booking tipTrains from Florence SMN to San Miniato-Fucecchio run roughly hourly. Go early on a Saturday to avoid the afternoon crush.

Explore Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens on a dry afternoon

culture

Palazzo Pitti holds 4 separate museums, including the Palatine Gallery with works by Raphael and Titian. In November, you can see all of them in one visit without feeling rushed. The Boboli Gardens, while past their summer peak, have a moody autumn beauty with cypress trees against grey skies, and the gravel paths are empty.

November attendance at Palazzo Pitti drops to its yearly low. You'll likely share the Raphael rooms with fewer than 10 other visitors.

Booking tipA combined ticket covers all Pitti museums and the Boboli Gardens. No advance booking needed in November.

Evening aperitivo crawl through Santo Spirito and San Frediano

food

The Oltrarno neighborhoods of Santo Spirito and San Frediano are where Florentines drink, not tourists. In November, without the summer crowds, bars like Volume and Il Santino operate at a pace that lets you actually talk to the bartenders. Aperitivo hour runs from about 6:30 to 8:30 PM, with most places offering snacks or small plates with your drink.

Summer tourists have left, and these bars return to their neighborhood rhythms. You'll hear more Italian than English at the bar.

Booking tipNo reservations needed. Start around 7 PM and work your way from Piazza Santo Spirito toward Via di San Frediano.

Visit the Basilica di San Miniato al Monte at sunset

culture

The Romanesque church sits on a hill above Piazzale Michelangelo with one of the best views over Florence. In November, sunset happens around 4:50 PM, which means you can catch the light without staying out late. The church's green and white marble facade catches the low light, and the Benedictine monks still chant vespers in late afternoon.

The early November sunset at 4:50 PM means you can catch golden hour and attend vespers without a late evening. The hilltop is nearly empty compared to summer.

Booking tipFree entry. Check the posted vespers schedule at the church door. The No. 12 bus from the train station stops at Piazzale Michelangelo, a short walk below.

Browse the Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio for seasonal produce

food

Florence's working market in the Sant'Ambrogio neighborhood sells to locals, not tourists. In November, the stalls pile high with porcini mushrooms, chestnuts, cavolo nero, and new-season olive oil. The indoor food hall has a lunch counter where you can eat a plate of pasta e fagioli for EUR 6-8. The atmosphere is worlds apart from the tourist-oriented Mercato Centrale.

November's seasonal Tuscan produce, particularly porcini, chestnuts, and fresh olive oil, fills the market stalls. The lack of tourists means vendors have time to talk.

Booking tipOpen Monday through Saturday, mornings only. Arrive before 10 AM for the best produce selection. Closed Sundays.

Walk the Oltrarno artisan workshops

culture

Oltrarno, south of the Arno, still has working leather shops, bookbinders, frame makers, and restoration studios along Via Maggio, Via Santo Spirito, and Borgo San Jacopo. In November, the artisans are less busy and more willing to let you watch them work. Scuola del Cuoio, the leather school inside Santa Croce, also runs workshops.

Artisans have more time for visitors when the summer rush is over. November is when many are producing stock for the Christmas season, so workshops are active.

Booking tipScuola del Cuoio workshops should be booked at least a week ahead. For independent botteghe, simply walk in during morning hours.

What to eat in November

On menus now

Ribollita
This thick Tuscan bread soup of cannellini beans, cavolo nero (black kale), and stale bread is a cold-weather staple. November is when cavolo nero comes into season after the first frosts sweeten the leaves, and trattorias in Oltrarno serve it topped with olio nuovo.
Castagnaccio
A flat, dense chestnut flour cake made with rosemary, pine nuts, and olive oil. It appears in bakeries and pasticcerie across Florence from late October through December, tied to the Tuscan chestnut harvest in the Mugello valley and Monte Amiata.

Street food peaks

Roasted chestnuts (caldarroste)
Street vendors set up charcoal braziers near Piazza della Repubblica, Piazza del Duomo, and along Via dei Calzaiuoli from late October. The warm paper cones cost EUR 3-5 and the smoky, sweet smell is one of the defining sensory markers of November in Florence.

What to drink

Vin brulé
Italian mulled wine, made with red wine, cinnamon, cloves, and citrus peel. It starts appearing at outdoor markets and some bars in late November as the Christmas market season approaches. Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina in Oltrarno typically serves a good version.

In markets

Olio nuovo
The year's first cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil arrives from Tuscan mills in November. It's cloudy, bright green, and peppery. Restaurants across Florence drizzle it on bruschetta, ribollita, and farro soup. Several mills in the hills around Fiesole and in Chianti offer tastings through the month.
Tartufo bianco (white truffle)
San Miniato, 45 minutes west of Florence by train, hosts its annual truffle fair in November. White truffles from the area appear shaved over fresh pasta, eggs, and fonduta in Florence restaurants throughout the month. Prices are steep, typically EUR 8-15 as a supplement, but this is peak season.

Regular events in November

Mostra Mercato Nazionale del Tartufo Bianco di San MiniatoFree

Tuscany's largest white truffle fair, with truffle hunting demonstrations, cooking shows, and market stalls selling fresh truffles and truffle products. Held in the medieval hilltop town of San Miniato, 45 minutes from Florence by train.

Last 3 weekends of November (typically November 8-9, 15-16, 22-23)

Firenze MarathonFree

Florence's annual marathon follows a scenic route past the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and along the Arno. Around 10,000 runners participate, and parts of the historic centre close to traffic for the day. A good spectator event even if you're not running.

Last Sunday of November (typically November 23-30)

Festival dei Popoli

Italy's oldest documentary film festival, running since 1959. Screenings take place at Cinema La Compagnia on Via Cavour and other venues across Florence. The program mixes international documentaries with Italian premieres, and most screenings cost EUR 5-8.

Mid to late November, typically spanning 8-10 days

Festa di Ognissanti (All Saints' Day)Free

A national public holiday on November 1st. Most museums remain open, but many shops, banks, and smaller restaurants close. Florentines visit the Cimitero delle Porte Sante near San Miniato al Monte to lay flowers. The following day, November 2nd (All Souls' Day), is not a public holiday but is still widely observed.

November 1

Florence Cream Festival

A relatively newer food festival celebrating artisanal gelato and pastry cream, typically held at the Fortezza da Basso convention centre. It features tastings, competitions, and workshops from Florentine gelaterie and pasticcerie.

Mid-November, typically a weekend event

Best places this November

Piazza Santo Spirito
piazza
The Oltrarno's main square feels most like a real neighborhood in November. The daily morning market sells produce, cheese, and household goods to locals. The Basilica di Santo Spirito, designed by Brunelleschi, has a plain facade that hides one of Florence's most elegant Renaissance interiors. The surrounding cafes put out fewer outdoor tables but stay warm and full inside.
Oltrarno
San Niccolò neighborhood
neighborhood
The quiet streets between the Arno and the hillside below Piazzale Michelangelo have a cluster of wine bars and small restaurants that stay open year-round. The medieval Porta San Niccolò, one of Florence's original city gates, anchors the neighborhood. In November, the area feels distinctly residential, and the walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo through the Giardino delle Rose is peaceful.
San Niccolò
Mercato Centrale (upper floor)
market
The ground floor of Florence's central market in San Lorenzo sells raw ingredients, meat, cheese, and produce. The upper floor, renovated as a food hall, has stalls serving lampredotto, pasta, pizza, and gelato. In November, the heated interior is welcome on cold, rainy days, and the crowds are manageable compared to the summer gridlock.
San Lorenzo
Giardino di Boboli
garden
The formal Renaissance gardens behind Palazzo Pitti cover 4.5 hectares and include grottos, fountains, and an amphitheatre. November strips most of the greenery, but the evergreen cypress avenues, stone sculptures, and elevated views over the Florentine roofline have a stark beauty in the grey autumn light. Admission is included with the Pitti museum ticket.
Oltrarno
Basilica di Santa Croce
church
The Franciscan church in the Santa Croce neighborhood holds the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. The Giotto frescoes in the Bardi and Peruzzi chapels are worth the EUR 8 entry alone. In November, you might have the Pazzi Chapel cloister entirely to yourself.
Santa Croce
Piazzale Michelangelo
viewpoint
The famous hilltop terrace overlooking Florence delivers its panorama in any season, but November's early sunset (around 4:50 PM) means you can catch the light over the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Arno bridges without the summer crowds that pack the balustrade 3 rows deep.
San Niccolò
Museo di San Marco
museum
Fra Angelico's frescoes in this former Dominican convent are among the most serene artworks in Florence. Each monk's cell contains its own small fresco. The museum never draws huge crowds, but November reduces even its modest numbers. The refectory holds a large Last Supper fresco by Ghirlandaio.
San Marco

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Waterproof jacket with hoodNovember averages 12 rainy days and 133mm of rainfall. A proper waterproof layer, not a fashion raincoat, will save you from cutting short museum visits and walks along the Arno.Shop
Compact travel umbrellaA small umbrella fits in a day bag and covers the frequent light drizzle that a hood alone does not handle well, particularly when crossing open piazzas like Piazza della Signoria.Shop
Waterproof walking shoes or ankle bootsFlorence's stone sidewalks and cobblestones get slippery in rain, and puddles collect in uneven spots throughout Oltrarno and Santa Croce. Leather-soled shoes will be soaked through by noon.Shop
Medium-weight wool or fleece layersTemperatures swing from 7°C (45°F) in the morning to 15.6°C (60°F) by afternoon. Churches like the Duomo and Santa Croce are unheated and can feel colder than outside. Layers let you adjust.Shop
Warm scarfUseful for chilly evenings and for covering shoulders when entering churches, which require covered shoulders year-round. A wool or cashmere scarf serves both functions in November.Shop
Warm socks (2-3 extra pairs)Wet feet are the fastest route to misery in November Florence. The stone and marble floors of museums and churches conduct cold, and puddles on the streets are unavoidable.Shop
Small daypack with rain coverA backpack with a waterproof cover keeps cameras, guidebooks, and snacks dry during the frequent showers. Note that the Uffizi and Accademia require you to check large bags.Shop
Portable phone chargerNovember's short daylight hours (sunrise near 7 AM, sunset near 4:50 PM) mean you'll rely more on your phone for maps and restaurant-finding in the dark evenings. A backup battery extends your range.Shop

Insider tips

Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio in the Santa Croce neighborhood is where Florentines actually shop for produce and eat lunch at the market trattoria. A plate of ribollita with olio nuovo costs EUR 6-8 there, compared to EUR 12-15 at tourist-facing places near the Duomo. It's open mornings only, Monday through Saturday.
The Uffizi offers free admission on the first Sunday of each month, which in November falls on the 2nd. Lines form early, but they move quickly in low season. Arrive by 8:15 AM and you'll likely be inside within 30 minutes.
For olio nuovo without a day trip, the olive oil shops along Borgo San Jacopo and Via Santo Spirito in Oltrarno sell fresh-pressed oil from named Tuscan estates. Ask for a taste before buying. A good 500ml bottle of olio nuovo runs EUR 12-18.
Churches in Florence close for lunch, typically from 12:00 to 3:00 PM or 3:30 PM. Plan your Duomo interior visit, Santa Croce visit, or San Miniato al Monte visit for either morning or late afternoon to avoid arriving at a locked door.
If you're visiting on the last Sunday of November during the Firenze Marathon, central streets close from early morning. The route passes the Duomo and crosses the Arno. Plan museum visits for that day rather than trying to walk across the city centre.

Avoid these mistakes

Packing only a light sweater and no proper rain gear. November's 82% humidity makes 15°C feel closer to 10°C when you're standing still outside the Duomo, and the rain is frequent enough that you'll encounter it within any 3-day stay.
Assuming November 1st (All Saints' Day) is a normal shopping and dining day. It's a national holiday. Many shops, pharmacies, and smaller restaurants close entirely, and public transport runs on a Sunday schedule. Stock up on essentials the day before.
Planning an outdoor-heavy itinerary. Visitors who budget 3 days entirely around walking tours, piazza-hopping, and countryside day trips risk losing full days to rain. Build in at least 1-2 museum days as flexible rain backups.
Skipping Oltrarno entirely. Many first-time visitors stay north of the Arno around the Duomo and never cross Ponte Vecchio into Santo Spirito or San Frediano, where the best November dining and the most authentic neighborhood atmosphere are concentrated.

Practical tips for November

Most Florence museums close on Mondays (Uffizi is a notable exception, closing on Tuesdays instead). Plan your weekly schedule around these closures, especially in November when you may have fewer days with good weather for outdoor alternatives. November 1st (All Saints' Day) is a national holiday with reduced shop hours and a Sunday bus schedule, so check ATAF transit times if you're relying on buses to Fiesole or Piazzale Michelangelo. Restaurant reservations are generally not needed in November except for high-end places in the centro storico on Friday and Saturday nights. Book 1-2 days ahead for popular Oltrarno trattorias like Trattoria Sabatino or Il Latini on weekends. The Firenze Card (EUR 85 for 72 hours of museum access) is less essential in November since individual ticket queues are short, but it still saves money if you plan to visit 4 or more museums. Dress warmly for any church visit, as the interiors are unheated. Bring layers you can remove, because restaurants and cafes tend to be warm inside. Sunset hits around 4:50 PM by mid-November, so schedule any viewpoint visits (Piazzale Michelangelo, San Miniato al Monte) for late afternoon to catch the light.

FAQ

Is November a good time to visit Florence?

November is a fair time to visit Florence. It's not the best month, as it ranks around 8th out of 12, but it has real advantages. Crowds at the Uffizi and Accademia drop to a fraction of summer levels, hotel rates fall 30-40% from peak, and seasonal food like olio nuovo and white truffles makes it a strong month for food-focused travelers. The tradeoffs are real, though. Expect rain on roughly 12 of the 30 days, grey skies for stretches of 3-4 days, and sunset before 5 PM. If you're comfortable spending significant time indoors at museums and restaurants, November rewards you. If you need sunshine, aim for May or September instead.

What is the weather like in Florence in November?

Florence in November averages a high of 15.6°C (60°F) and a low of 7°C (45°F), with about 133mm of rain spread over 12 days. Humidity runs around 82%, which makes the cool temperatures feel a bit sharper than you might expect. Rain tends to come as steady drizzle rather than heavy storms, though occasional downpours do happen. Fog sometimes settles along the Arno in the early morning. By late November, nighttime temperatures can dip toward 3-4°C (37-39°F). Pack waterproof shoes, a proper rain jacket, and warm layers.

Is Florence crowded in November?

No. November is one of the quietest months in Florence. Summer tourism, which peaks in June and July, has long ended, and the autumn shoulder season (September-October) is winding down. You can walk into the Uffizi on a weekday morning with little or no wait, find tables at popular restaurants without reservations, and cross Ponte Vecchio without being shoulder-to-shoulder. The exception is the last Sunday of the month if the Firenze Marathon is running, when parts of the centro storico close for the race route.

What should I eat in Florence in November?

November is one of the best food months in Florence. Olio nuovo, the season's first cold-pressed olive oil, arrives from Tuscan mills and appears on tables everywhere, bright green and peppery. White truffles from San Miniato are shaved over pasta and eggs at restaurants across the city. Chestnuts are roasted by street vendors near Piazza della Repubblica, and castagnaccio, a dense chestnut flour cake, fills bakery windows. Ribollita, the thick Tuscan bread and bean soup, reaches its peak now because cavolo nero comes into season after the first frost. Look for porcini mushrooms at Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio.

Are there any major events in Florence in November?

November does not have a single marquee event on the level of, say, Easter or Scoppio del Carro in Florence. That said, there are several events worth knowing about. The Mostra Mercato del Tartufo Bianco in nearby San Miniato runs across the last 3 weekends of November and is Tuscany's largest truffle fair. The Firenze Marathon takes place on the last Sunday of the month, drawing around 10,000 runners on a route past the Duomo. The Festival dei Popoli, Italy's oldest documentary film festival (running since 1959), typically spans 8-10 days in mid to late November at Cinema La Compagnia and other venues. November 1st, All Saints' Day, is a national holiday when many shops close.