UK holidays and the best time to visit Florence and Tuscany
Most of us plan Italy around the school calendar and the bank holidays. These ten guides take each UK break from April to November and match it with what Florence and the Tuscan hills are like that week: weather, crowds, festivals and what to book early.
Easter holidays in Florence: why late Easter breaks win
Easter 2027 falls on 28 March, before most of Tuscany wakes up. How to use the Easter holidays for Florence and the hills, and why April weeks work best.
Late AprilA St George's Day weekend in Florence and Tuscany
Late April in Florence: the iris garden opens, Italy celebrates Liberation Day on 25 April, and the hills are at their greenest. A short-break guide.
1–3 May 2027Early May bank holiday in Tuscany: long weekend, short queues
The early May bank holiday (3 May 2027) is a great window for Florence: gardens in bloom, mild weather and the last calm weeks before summer.
Late May – early JuneMay half-term and the Spring bank holiday: the best family week in Florence
May half-term (around 31 May 2027) is the perfect family week in Tuscany: warm pool days, Florence before the summer crowds and easy day trips.
Late JulySchool summer holidays in July: Tuscany by night
Late July in Florence is hot. How to plan the start of the summer holidays: early mornings in the city, pool afternoons and Tuscany's open-air festivals.
AugustAugust and the Summer bank holiday: Ferragosto in Tuscany
August in Tuscany means Ferragosto on 15 August, the Palio of Siena on the 16th and quiet cities. How to plan the August bank holiday (30 August 2027).
SeptemberSeptember in Florence: the best time to visit after the school holidays
Once schools go back, September is the best month for couples and friends in Florence and Tuscany: harvest, warm days and fewer queues.
Late OctoberOctober half-term in Tuscany: olive harvest and golden hills
October half-term is a quiet, golden week in Florence and Tuscany: olive harvest, porcini, chestnuts and short queues at the Uffizi.
31 October – 1 NovemberHalloween and All Saints in Florence: autumn without crowds
Halloween is low-key in Italy; 1 November, All Saints, is a public holiday. How to spend the turn of the month in Florence and Tuscany.
Early NovemberBonfire Night week: Tuscany in November
Early November is the quietest moment in Tuscany: new olive oil, the first white truffles and an empty Florence. The last week of Redolina's season.
