What should I pack for Florence?

Florence's major churches enforce a strict dress code. The Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, founded 1296), the Basilica of Santa Croce (1294), and Santa Maria Novella (1278) all turn away visitors with bare shoulders or shorts above the knee. Guards at the Duomo entrance check before you enter. Pack a lightweight scarf or shawl that fits in a day bag. Women and men both get refused. The paper disposable covers sold by street vendors near Piazza del Duomo cost 5 EUR and feel like wearing a trash bag in 35°C heat. One long cotton skirt or a pair of linen pants solves the problem for a full trip. To be fair, some smaller churches in Oltrarno are more relaxed, but the 4 major basilicas are not.

The single most important item in your suitcase is footwear. Florence's centro storico is paved almost entirely in pietra serena sandstone, and the irregular flagstones are slippery when wet and uneven when dry. The walk from the Ponte Vecchio (1335) up to Piazzale Michelangelo is a 2.5 km climb with steep stone steps. Fashion sneakers with flat soles won't cut it. Bring shoes with real tread and ankle support that you've already broken in. Blisters on day 1 will follow you through every room of the Uffizi (founded 1560), where you'll likely spend 3-4 hours on marble floors. Sandals are fine for a dinner in San Frediano, but they're a liability on the steps of Fiesole's Roman amphitheatre.

Florence sits in a river valley, and the Arno traps heat in summer and cold damp air in winter. Right now in late June, temperatures are reaching 34-35°C with humidity around 35%, which feels dry compared to Southeast Asian cities but the direct sun on stone streets radiates heat back at you from below. Pack moisture-wicking shirts, a hat with a brim, and SPF 50 sunscreen. From November through February, expect 3-10°C mornings with a penetrating chill. The fog off the Arno at dawn near the Ponte alle Grazie has a cold wetness that cuts through thin jackets. Winter visitors need a proper wool layer and a water-resistant shell. Spring and autumn, roughly March through May and September through October, might bring afternoon rain 30-40% of days. A packable rain jacket weighs less than an umbrella and keeps your hands free for the steep climb up to San Miniato al Monte.

Italy runs on 230V with Type C and Type L outlets. If you're coming from North America, you need a plug adapter. Leave 110V appliances at home unless they have a dual-voltage switch (check the label, most phone chargers already handle 100-240V). Bring a portable battery pack. Google Maps navigation through the narrow streets of Santa Croce and Oltrarno drains a phone by mid-afternoon, and there are few public charging spots. Skip packing large bottles of sunscreen, shampoo, or insect repellent. Florence has a farmacia every 3-4 blocks, and Italian pharmacy brands like Bionike SPF 50 run about 12 EUR for 200ml. Mosquito coils and plug-in repellent from a Conad or Esselunga supermarket cost 4-6 EUR. Umbrellas at any tabaccaio are 8-10 EUR when you need one. The Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella on Via della Scala has been selling toiletries since 1612, if you want the upscale version.