11 Things to Do in Florence in February

Visiting Florence is ideal at any time of the year, but in February you will find some special events to discover the cradle of the Italian Renaissance. There is a lot to see in this city, that's why I recommend you to read this article with the activities and places that are a must in Florence, and at any time of the year. Don't miss out on the details because in this guide we tell you what to see and do in Florence if you visit the Italian city in February.

As usual, February is the month of carnivals all over the world and Florence is no exception. The city dresses up for visitors to enjoy a colourful parade with classic Renaissance costumes, masks, traditional sweets, local bands and dancers.

The tradition of the carnival is ancient. Its name derives from the Latin 'carnem levare' which means to remove the meat. The Florence carnival starts in the first week of February and lasts for almost a month until March 4th. Don't want to miss it?

Get to know the Tuscan Carnival on a day trip

But if you have time and you want to live even more the spirit of these celebrations, I recommend you to make an excursion from Florence to some other cities in the region of Tuscany, such as Viareggio, where you will find one of the most colourful and ancient carnivals in Europe.

From Florence you can also visit the vineyards, for a tasting of the best Italian wine. And I also recommend you to book an excursion to the best of Tuscany from Florence. Explore here everything you need to know about Tuscany vineyard tours from Florence. My recommendation for a typical Tuscan landscape is a trip to Chianti and its famous wineries.

Booking tickets for a sightseeing bus may seem like a very "boring" activity, but this kind of tours are sometimes the perfect opportunity to take a break in the middle of your hectic travel schedule. You just need to take a seat and enjoy the ride, while you get to know the most emblematic corners of Florence. Besides, the fact that you are visiting Florence in February will make this plan perfect and very practical to protect you from the cold and make you feel more comfortable.

It can also help you to recognise places that you didn't have on your must-see list, so you can include them and visit them later with more time. Believe it or not, sometimes these tours are useful to discover places that don't make it out of the traditional tourist guides.

Florence's museums are a must for visitors to the city. In February you can do so without the hustle and bustle of other times of the year, such as summer. You'll enjoy not only quieter weather but also fewer crowds. I don't know about you, but I prefer to visit this kind of places in seasons like autumn or winter, as it allows me to enjoy more and appreciate the works of art in more detail and without rushing.

A must is to book tickets for the Uffizi Gallery, a palace and museum in the city that houses one of the largest art collections in the world. Be sure to see the Porcellino, a bronze boar on display in the gallery, a replica of which can be found in the historic city centre.

Tradition has it that if you want to return to Florence, you should pet the snout of the boar in the historic area, which you can also put a coin in its mouth to wish for good luck.

Guided tours of the Uffizi Gallery are available in English. I recommend this other article to discover the best museums in Florence to visit on your trip.

Right next to the Duomo you'll find the renowned Piazza della Signoria, an open-air museum and meeting place for friends and families. At night this place comes alive with music and the chance to enjoy the taste of a local pizza. The best thing is that you can do it sitting on the steps of the square, in a relaxed and inexpensive plan. It's sure to be a travel experience you won't forget and one you'll tell your friends about again and again.

Pizza is always a good plan, no matter what time of year or time of day. If you're a big fan, you can also book a cooking class to learn the secrets of this essential ingredient of Italian gastronomy. If you are also travelling to Florence with children, they will love to enjoy a day dedicated to pizza and ice cream in a Tuscan farmhouse.

You can also arrange your agenda to see something beyond Florence and enjoy a magical and colourful place that will take your breath away. This is Cinque Terre, an area of small villages criss-crossed by a coastline. In February it's ideal for a day trip, as you'll find fewer tourists so you can fully explore this idyllic Italian place.

You can spend the day inCinque Terre by booking an excursion from Florence that will allow you to take wonderful colourful photos, enjoy a place with a magical atmosphere and get away from the tourist routine for a little while. During the second month of the year you can enjoy this destination with a fresh atmosphere. Does it inspire you?

February is the month of lovers and in Florence love is in the air. The celebration of Valentine's Day is universal and Florence is no stranger to it. Touring a city that looks more like a museum and enjoying a romantic dinner with the hallmark of Italian gastronomy seems enough, but there is more.

Much of the local commerce such as restaurants, bars and cafés offer special plans to celebrate love during this month. I recommend waiting for nightfall to go for a stroll through the streets of Florence and enjoy the atmosphere that the night lights give to this beautiful Italian city.

Surprise your partner with a hot air balloon ride over Tuscany

If you want to take your Valentine's Day celebration in Florence a step further, book one of the hot air balloon rides over Tuscany and enjoy the breathtaking views of the countryside. Plus, you can toast with a glass of champagne as you soar over 600 metres in the air!

If you love classical music, you must take advantage of your trip to Florence to book tickets for a classical music concert inspired by The Three Tenors. This is a tribute to the three great classics of modern opera Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo and José Carreras, and takes place in the Santo Stefano auditorium very close to the Ponte Vecchio, in the heart of Florence. The building was reopened to the public in 2015 in a renovated form and aimed to be a multifunctional and multimedia exhibition space so demanded at a cultural level by the city.

In this unforgettable event, which lasts about 90 minutes, you can listen to some of the famous opera arias, such as La Traviata, Rigoletto, Tosca, O Sole Mio... Not to be missed!

If you love chocolate and visit Florence in February, you'll feel like you're in paradise. During this month, the city organises the artisan chocolate festival or fair, which brings together different events and activities around chocolate and with special guests from different parts of the world.

No entrance fee is required for the event, which takes place outdoors, mainly in Piazza Santa Croce, where chocolate masters from all over Italy gather here to offer visitors a variety of chocolates, sweets, bars, cakes and much more. A sweet tour that will delight you.

This square is located in the historic heart of Florence, surrounded by palaces and a dazzling statue of Dante Alighieri. The church in the square contains the tombs of historical figures such as Galileo Galilei, Michelangelo and Machiavelli, and is popularly known as the Pantheon of Italian Glories.

February is quintessentially a bargain month, so it's a good time to browse the local shops and find what you're looking for to take home as a souvenir. In addition to the commercial shops, you can visit local flea markets to buy handicrafts or visit bookshops and galleries to find something extra special to remember your trip to Florence.

If you want to explore the luxury shopping plan, you can take a stroll through the exclusive jewellery shops along the Ponte Vecchio. If you're looking for leather goods, you should know that Florence is home to some of the best in the industry, so you'll find plenty of variety to suit all tastes and pockets.

They say that a trip isn't a trip if you don't visit the city's market, so in Florence a must is the Mercato Centrale de Firenzi, where you can find the best of local gastronomy. In this article I recommend the best food tours in and around Florence.

If you like antiques and books, and you visit Florence at the end of February, you can find yourself at this exhibition that takes place in the city on the third weekend of every month.

Here, hundreds of collectors and specialised bookshops come together to show their relics including art objects, clocks, furniture, books, instruments and even toys. A plan for those who love vintage and want to bring back a travel souvenir with a powerful story behind it.

Admission to the show is a one-off €3.(Free for children under 14 and over 70). Find out more about the event on the official website.

There is nothing more romantic than enjoying a sunset, and nothing better than doing it with the colours and the atmosphere of the February sunsets.

The Ponte Vecchio is a symbol of the city. Besides being surrounded by jewellery shops, it is one of the most famous suspension bridges in the world, from where thousands of padlocks left by couples who have pledged their allegiance to each other hang from this dreamy spot.

A walk across this emblematic bridge, a sunset you won't forget and then enjoy a delicious Italian dinner. A unique plan.

Wrap up warm because it will be cold but nothing that can't be fixed with a good coat. Temperatures in Florence during the month of February are around 13° / 6°C. During this month there are some rainy days, but in general you will enjoy a pleasant climate that will allow you to walk around the city, giving it a romantic and classic air that you won't forget during your visit.

When visiting the city you have several alternatives to move from one place to another. If you arrive by plane, I'll tell you all about transfers from Florence Airport. In addition, you have several options such as:

• Walking: if your accommodation is in the historic centre, walking will be the best option. Walk through the streets and squares of the city. You will be able to stop for a coffee and discover places you might otherwise miss.
• Bus: Florence has about 100 easily accessible bus lines so you can get all over the city. Don't worry if your night runs long, as the city offers a special night service called 'Nottetempo'.
• Tramway: You can enjoy this mode of transport which has 3 lines currently operational and was inaugurated in 2010.

Traveller Tip

There is no doubt that Florence breathes art on every corner. Don't miss the city's street art, especially in the Oltrano area, on the other side of the Arno River.