10 Things to Do in Florence in June
Planning out your Italian summer? This blog post will cover the best things to do in Florence in June, from the wine to the monuments.
This entire city is straight out of a Michelangelo painting. After all, it was his hometown. With his influence all around, the city is an open-air museum with never-ending charm.
I will admit that this city felt much more crowded than the other cities I’ve been to in Italy. Keep in mind that summer is the peak season in Florence, which will drive extra tourists here. Nonetheless, June is a much more favorable month to visit compared to July and August, when the temperatures rise even further.
Continue reading to gain some inspiration on what to do during your trip to Florence!
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Take a Wine Tour in the Tuscan Countryside
One of the main things to do in and around Florence in June is to indulge in the wine culture. With its close proximity to Tuscany, Florence is a great place to base yourself if you want to tour the nearby vineyards.
I recommend booking a tour of the Tuscan countryside from Florence. Having the transportation taken care of will take a lot of unnecessary stress off of you, allowing you to taste multiple wines without holding back. Click here to read my blog with wine tour options!
This region is known for its Chianti wine, a lighter variant with an earthy taste. The tour I took brought us to two different wineries. We sampled various wines with tasting plates, learning about proper wine etiquette and pairing options.
My tour only ended up stopping at two wineries. It would have been fun to include at least one more in the tour, but I still had plenty of wine throughout the day. However, there are so many tours to choose from, so I recommend looking at a few different options before deciding on one!
Click here to see more wine tour options!
Do a Self-Guided Wine Window Tour
Wine windows, or "buchette del vino," gained popularity in Florence during the 17th century as a method for local vintners to sell their wine directly to customers while minimizing contact during times of plague. These small, arched openings in the walls of palaces and buildings enabled safe, socially distanced transactions.
Today, these wine windows attract visitors for much more joyful reasons. Scattered throughout the city, many of these windows are part of restaurants. Tourists enjoy hopping from one wine window to the next, creating their own self-guided tour, and getting tipsier along the way.
One of the best things to do in Florence in June is to take yourself on one of these little tours, sampling different wines along the streets. My top wine window suggestions in Florence are listed below:
BABAE
Osteria Belle Donne
Cafe Odeon
See the Duomo
Visiting the Duomo is a must when in Florence. This iconic cathedral, with its breathtaking facade and impressive dome designed by Brunelleschi, is a true architectural marvel.
However, be prepared for the long lines, especially in June. When I visited, the line to get inside was insanely long, stretching around the block.
To make the most of your visit, consider going early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the crowds might be smaller. Alternatively, you can pre-book your tickets below to skip the line and ensure you have plenty of time to explore this magnificent landmark without the wait.
Fountain of Neptune
The Fountain of Neptune, located in Piazza della Signoria right outside Palazzo Vecchio, is a striking marble masterpiece that you must visit! This impressive fountain, designed by Bartolomeo Ammannati, features Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, standing atop a chariot.
After admiring the fountain, take some time to explore the surrounding attractions. You can walk inside the Palazzo Vecchio to discover its rich history or wander through the nearby Uffizi Gallery, home to an extensive collection of Renaissance art. The piazza itself is usually always busy but worth the visit.
Dine at a Historic Chocolate Shop
Located in Piazza della Signoria is Rivoire, a historic chocolate shop that also serves as a restaurant. It remains famous to this day for its iconic hot chocolate. While ordering hot chocolate in the middle of summer might seem unusual, I couldn’t resist trying it! It ended up being some of the best I’ve ever had. You can’t miss out on this, even if you’re visiting in the heat of summer.
Beyond the hot chocolate, the menu offers a variety of classic Italian dishes. I enjoyed a delicious lemon cacio e pepe pasta after savoring my hot chocolate.
Dining at Rivoire is like stepping back in time, with its elegant design and inviting atmosphere. The pink outdoor dining chairs and thoughtfully designed interior, including the bathrooms, add to the charm.
The restaurant is open daily from 7:30am to 11:30pm.
Take a Cooking Class in a Tuscan Farmhouse
Participating in a cooking class is one of the best things to do in Florence in June! This authentic tour begins with a pick-up in Florence and a scenic drive to a charming Tuscan farmhouse, where you’ll be welcomed with an aperitivo. You’ll then head to the kitchen to learn about the gelato-making process and choose from a variety of flavors to create your own.
As your gelato base cools, you’ll move to the outdoor wood oven, where instructors will guide you through the process of making pizza dough. Throughout the evening, you’ll alternate between making pizza and gelato, carefully following the provided recipes.
When your pizza is ready for baking, it will only need 90 seconds in the 800° wood oven to achieve the perfect crust. After cooking, you can add your final touches, like spicy chili oil, before enjoying your pizza at a picturesque table overlooking the Tuscan countryside.
Once the pizzas are devoured, you’ll have the opportunity to sample the gelato you made. To wrap up the night, you’ll receive a certificate of completion. I highly recommend this tour for its delicious food, informative class, and entertaining banter from the instructors. It was one of my favorite things I did in Florence!
Click here to book your spot!
Sample the Delicious Foods Throughout the City
Florence is a city for foodies, and there’s no shortage of amazing restaurants and street foods to sample during your trip! From their iconic paninis to their Florentine steak, it’s hard to find a bad meal here.
If you want a full list of restaurants, sandwich shops, and bars to check out, head to my blog (linked here) for my full list of recommendations!
Visit an Elegant Outdoor Nightclub
My favorite memory from Florence was our visit to Villa Vittoria Firenze, a sophisticated outdoor nightclub near the Santa Maria Novella train station. This is one of the best things to do in Florence in June, especially as the venue hosts themed nights and events throughout the summer.
From special DJ sets to Latin nights to special guests, Villa Vittoria Firenze is the place to be Wednesdays through Saturdays. Open until 3am, you can spend a good chunk of your night here.
The club has various sections, including cozy lounge areas with couches, high tops for enjoying drinks, and a lively dance floor. My favorite part of Villa Vittoria Firenze was the stunning projection on the villa, which made me feel like I was in The White Lotus!
This is one of my top suggestions for Florence. You don’t need to be a big drinker or partier to hang out here. The different sections of the outdoor club make it a great venue for those who want a more chill night as well as those who want to lose themselves on the dance floor.
Stroll Along Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio, or "Old Bridge," is one of Florence's most iconic landmarks. This medieval stone bridge spans the Arno River and is famous for its charming, centuries-old shops built along its edges. Originally home to butchers and tanners, these shops now house jewelers, art dealers, and souvenir sellers, offering a unique shopping experience.
While visiting Ponte Vecchio, you can stroll across the bridge, browse the various boutiques for a special piece of jewelry or a memorable keepsake, and enjoy the picturesque views of the Arno River.
The bridge is also a popular spot for photography, especially at sunset! While it doesn’t take much time to walk across the bridge, Ponte Vecchio is a must-see destination in Florence. After walking across the bridge, you can stroll along the water, as there are multiple bridges over the Arno River connecting the city of Florence, each one offering stunning views.
Catch a Film or Shop for Books in Giunti Odeon Libreria e Cinema
If you’re looking for indoor things to do in Florence in June, I’ve got the perfect suggestion for you! Let me introduce you to Giunti Odeon Libreria e Cinema, a bookstore and cinema under one roof.
Upon walking inside, you’ll notice the expansive book selection and large screen straight ahead. Lift your head up a bit, and you’ll see full movie theatre seating above you. Visitors can enjoy a vast selection of books across various genres, as well as a diverse lineup of films ranging from mainstream blockbusters to independent and international cinema.
While movies run throughout the day, they have special screenings of newer movies later in the evening. It’s a great way to escape the heat and do something unique during your stay in Florence.
How Many Days Do I Need in Florence?
Ideally, a 3 to 4-day visit allows you to experience the city's key highlights without feeling rushed.
In this amount of time, you can explore iconic landmarks such as the Duomo and visit the city’s wine windows. This time frame will also allow you to take a day trip to the Tuscan countryside if you’re interested in visiting any vineyards.
You could definitely add a day or two to your stay if you enjoy a more relaxed pace, but the city can easily be done in this time frame.
Is Florence a Walkable City?
Yes, Florence is a highly walkable city. In fact, there’s not much public transportation here to begin with. Its compact size and well-preserved historical center make it ideal for exploring on foot. Many of the main attractions, such as the Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, and Ponte Vecchio, are within a short walking distance of each other.
The city's narrow, winding streets are pedestrian-friendly, and you'll find plenty of charming squares, boutiques, and cafes along the way. The overall layout makes it easy to navigate and discover Florence's beauty at a leisurely pace. Public transportation is not as readily available as in some other European cities, but it is available for longer distances, as I took public transportation to the airport.
There are plenty of things to do in Florence in June to fill your itinerary. Do yourself a favor and leave time in your schedule to sample plenty of wine and admire the historic architecture leftover from centuries past.