What's the Weather Like in Florence in October?
As the autumn season wears on, the weather gets colder, wetter and cloudier in Florence, Italy in October.
Temperature
During this month, the average temperature for the city begins at 19°C, created by highs of 24°C during the daytime and lows of 14°C after dark. This drops down to 13.5°C by the end of the month, created by highs of 18°C during the daytime and lows of 9°C after dark. This makes the first week of October the warmest time of the month.
Even though it only occurs on an average of 10% of days, temperatures can sometimes rise above 28°C and drop below 4°C in Florence in October. The hottest temperature ever registered in the city at this time of year is 30°C, whilst the coldest temperature ever recorded here during this month is 0°C.
Daylight Hours
Over the course of October, the length of the day in Florence is quickly decreasing, with a difference of 1:27 hours between the start and the end of the month. The shortest day is October 31st with 10:16 hours of daylight, whilst the longest day is October 1st with 11:43 hours of daylight.
Sunshine
At this time of year, the city enjoys an average of seven hours of daily sunshine that's three hours less each day than in September alongside median cloud coverage which ranges between 43% (partly cloudy) at the beginning of the month and 55% (partly cloudy) by the end of the month. October 1st is the clearest day when the sky is clear/mostly clear/partly clear 55% of the time and overcast/mostly cloudy 17%. October 31st is the cloudiest day of the month, when the sky is overcast/mostly cloudy/partly cloudy 45% of the time and clear/mostly clear 29%. The city is also subject to an average of three foggy days throughout the month.
Rain
The average monthly precipitation for Florence in October is 107mm/4 inches that's almost double the previous month which is divided between 12 rainy days. The probability of rainfall occurring during this month averages at 36% and increases as the month develops. The day least likely to see rainfall is October 1st when it falls on 33% of days. The day most likely to see rainfall is October 31st when it falls on 39% of days.
Snow
Since October falls within the mild autumn season in Florence, snowfall is extremely unlikely to occur at this time of year. If you really want to visit the city when it's snowing, don't travel in October. Instead, delay your holiday by a few months and go in January or February, when the city experiences the majority of its snowfall.
The most common types of precipitation for Florence in October are moderate rain (which occurs on 48% of days with rainfall), thunderstorms (23%) and light rain (17%).
With a combination of mild daytime temperatures and cool evening temperatures, you'll need to take a mix of clothing, such as jackets, jeans, jumpers, t-shirts and shorts, to make sure you stay comfortable whatever the weather. With rainfall occurring on over 1/3 of days throughout the month, it's also a good idea to pack an umbrella or some waterproofs to keep you dry. If you hate cold temperatures and want to visit Florence when the city is warmest, forget about going in October and plan your holiday for July or August, when the city experiences its hottest weather.
Humidity
The average daily relative humidity for Florence in October is 71% that's significantly higher than the previous month. This humidity ranges between 50% (comfortable) and 95% (very humid) throughout the month, rarely reaching as high as 100% (very humid) or dropping as lows as 34% (comfortable). The air tends to be driest around October 1st, when the relative humidity falls below 58% (mildly humid) three days out of four, whilst it's often at its most humid around October 30th, when it rises above 93% (very humid) three days out of four.
Wind
Over the month, typical wind speeds range between 0 m/s (calm) and 4 m/s (gentle breeze), rarely going over 8 m/s (moderate breeze). The highest average wind speed of 1 m/s (light air) happens around October 28th, when the average daily maximum is 3 m/s (light breeze), whilst the lowest average wind speed of 1 m/s occurs around October 8th, when the average daily maximum wind speed is 3 m/s.
Hotels for Florence in October
Hotel Berchielli
Hotel Berchielli is a four-star hotel, situated overlooking the Arno River, just steps away from the Piazza della Signoria and the Ponte Vecchio. This historic hotel dates back to 1890 and has hosted many famous faces, including Romain Rolland and Pablo Picasso. Here guests can choose between 76 deluxe rooms, classic rooms, junior suites and suites, each of which features satellite TV, air conditioning, free WiFi access and private bathroom with hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.
Each of the suites is larger and features a separate lounge with work desk. Onsite services and facilities include free WiFi throughout, breakfast buffet with local and international options, airport transfer, bar-lounge and discounted parking nearby. You'll also find a selection of cafes, bars, restaurants, markets and supermarkets within a 600m radius of the hotel.
The Ambasciatori Hotel
For something more budget-friendly, try the Ambasciatori Hotel. This modern hotel is located on Piazza della Stazione near the Santa Maria Novella Church and train station, making it out-of-the-way enough for a good night's sleep, but close enough to enjoy all of Florence's major attractions. Here guests can choose between contemporary studios, rooms, family rooms and suites, each of which features air conditioning/heating, free WiFi access, kitchenette, satellite TV and private bathroom with bath or shower and complimentary toiletries.
Suites are much larger and come with an additional TV, additional bathroom, lounge with sofa bed and tea/coffee making facilities. Onsite you'll find free WiFi access throughout, babysitting, laundry services, complimentary breakfast buffet served in the bar and private parking available nearby.
River Hotel & Spa
River Hotel & Spa is perfect for travellers who want something more authentically Tuscan. Located on the quiet Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia, a ten-minute walk away from the city centre, this four-star hotel provides accommodation in the form of classic and superior rooms. Each guestroom features free WiFi access, LCD TV, mini bar, air conditioning/heating and complimentary breakfast buffet, whilst the superior rooms also feature authentic ceiling beams and more luxurious furnishings.
Onsite services and facilities include free WiFi access throughout, concierge for museum ticket bookings, terrace with seating and panoramic views, open-air garden which serves coffee, wine and cocktails, cooking classes and wine tasting.
Things to Do in Florence in October
Museo di San Marco
Open Monday to Friday 8.15am-1.50pm and on weekends 8.15am-4.50pm, the Museo di San Marco is set inside the Dominican convent of San Marco which was founded in 1436 and still retains a lot of its originally architecture today. The museum is most famous for being home to the work of the renaissance artist Fra Angelico, who frescoed a large portion of the convent.
Here you'll also find an important collection of 16th century paintings which include several pieces by Fra Bartolomeo, as well as an entire section dedicated to pieces of sculptures and architecture from important buildings of the city's centre which was demolished in the 19th century.
Laurentian Library
The Laurentian Library is a historical library which contains more than 4,500 early printed books and 11,000 manuscripts. Built inside a cloister of the Basilica di San Lorenzo di Direnze, this library contains the private collection of the Medici family and is internationally renowned for its architecture which was designed and built by Michelangelo in a Mannerism style.
Some of the most precious pieces found within the library include the first complete manuscript of the Latin Vulgate Bible, the oldest manuscript of the Corpus Juris Civilis and the original manuscripts which tell of the founding of the Florentine Renaissance.
Pitti Palace
Situated on the south side of the Arno River, the Pitti Palace is a renaissance palace which dates back to 1458. Today the palace is the largest museum complex in Florence and houses some of the city's major art galleries, such as the Palatine Gallery which contains 16th and 17th century paintings, Royal Apartments which contain furnishings from a remodelling carried out in the 19th century and Gallery of Modern Art which contains Tuscan paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries. The Silver Museum which displays Medici household treasures and Costume Gallery with popular fashions from the past 300 years are also found here.
Fountain of Neptune
If you're searching for a superb photo backdrop, look no further than the Fountain of Neptune. Situated in the Piazza della Signoria, this fountain was built in 1565 by Bartolomeo Ammannati and symbolises the Florentine's rule over the sea. The statue features Neptune who stands high on a pedestal in the centre of the octagonal fountain surrounded by mythical chained figures of Charybdis and Scylla. This statue is a 19th century copy if you want to see the real thing, you'll have to visit the National Museum.
