There is no bad time to visit Italy with something to do literally every month of the year. Don’t believe us? Here is a list of some unique things to do in Florence and Bologna divided by month.
January
While the locals are sleeping off the end-of-year festivities, January is the perfect time to hit the slopes. A day’s ski pass to Corno alle Scale – Lizzano in Belvedere will set you back around 35 euros, with the resort located a half-hour drive from the city. Even if you’re not one for the slopes, this is the perfect excuse to try a Bombardino - Italy's answer to egg nog with plenty of brandy and whipped cream to warm you up on even the coldest of days.
February
Shake off the last of winter’s chill with a hot chocolate before diving headfirst into Carnevale.
Whether you’re in Florence or Bologna (or really anywhere in Italy), you can’t miss the celebrations that herald the beginning of Lent. Think colourful carts, loud music and plenty of delicious treats. Our top pick? Handfuls of freshly fried chiacchiere – ribbons of dough drowned in icing sugar.
P.s. our curated experiences like this Hidden Oltrarno walk is great way to keep warm while visiting during the colder months.
March
The best time to experience a Florence free from crowds. Enjoy the fruits of spring by touring the city’s incredible open-air markets. Or you can join us on a Street Food Market Tour. This is also the perfect month to wander the halls of the Uffizi, which while not blissfully empty will be a lot less crowded. Check out our Where to eat near the Uffizi guide.
If you happen to be in Florence on San Giuseppe's Day (also Father's Day), nab yourself a zeppole or three. The ring of fried dough filled with pastry cream is traditionally served to mark the festivities.
April
While Easter straddles March and April, this time of year is always associated with the Christian holiday and the much beloved tradition of “Pasquetta” (Easter Monday). In Florence, the highlight is the Scoppio del Carro or Explosion of the Cart, which takes place every Easter Sunday in piazza del Duomo in Florence, with its origins dating to the First Crusade.
Another not-to-be-missed sight in April are the glicine or wisteria. Villa Bardini is the best place to enjoy these seasonal blooms in Florence! They’ve gotten so popular, they have installed a webcam where you can check out the blooms yourself. You’ll also catch the purple buds throughout the city centre of Bologna.
May
As spring comes to a close, make a beeline to Lucignano - a mediaeval village in the Chiana Valley in Tuscany. On the last two Sundays in May, the town comes alive with a celebration of the season’s floral bounty. Dubbed La Maggiolata, the festival is a sea of brightly coloured blooms, traditional costumes, dances and good Tuscan food.
May is also a great time to explore the Arno River by raft, kayak or canoe. Your nearest tourist information centre will be able to point you in the direction of some local companies.
June
Summer signals the beginning of le sagre. For the next three months, you can gorge on the very best of local culinary traditions at food festivals throughout the country. Whether you’re in Bologna or Florence or somewhere in between, the best thing to do is visit your nearest tourist information centre for a list of all the upcoming food festivals.
The start of summer is also the perfect time – although there is no not-perfect time – to grab some gelato. Or take our gelato tour. The city’s best gelaterias will be gearing up for the busiest three months of the year, so they’ll have some great seasonal flavors to scoop up. My favorite gelato combos to kick off summer is anything fruity (refreshing lemon) with a generous side scoop of pistachio (of course).
make sure you’re eating all the gelato
July
Summer in Bologna is hot, so it’s the perfect time to experience some of the city’s best outdoor treats, including a dip in the Piscina Sterlino – an Olympic-sized swimming pool on via Augusto Murri. You can also catch screenings at Sotto le Stelle del Cinema. Europe’s largest outdoor movie screen is free to all visitors and locals, and it really makes for a magical summer night.
Another great place to escape the heat is to head for the Crypts of Bologna on an underground tour. Or you can join us for La Grassa Bologna Food Lover's Tour.
August
Get out of Florence in August with a winery tour. The hills of Tuscany’s countryside, in particular, will be significantly cooler than anywhere in the cities. Check out our wine tours here.
If you really can’t bear to leave the Tuscan capital, then head for a terrace for an aperitivo and some live music. We’ve got you covered with the best places to eat with a view in the city.
September
Fall is for la vendemmia. The annual grape harvest is a one-of-a-kind experience. If you’re particularly intrepid, you can lend a hand at a local agriturismo (farm stay). Otherwise, you can simply enjoy the fruits of someone else’s labor at a wine festival. They are everywhere in September, particularly in Tuscany.
Our favorite treat in September is schiacciata d'uva. This Tuscan grape bread is usually only found in the month of September, a tradition governed by the very seasonal nature of grapes in Italy, and one that also has an extremely close tie with the wine harvest in the fall.
October
Chestnuts, persimmons and all things spooky. Italy may not officially celebrate Halloween, but the Italians love their witches, spider webs and scary celebrations, so keep an eye out for themed dinners and festivals.
October also heralds the arrival of olio nuovo or the new season’s olive oil. You don’t want to be snapping up bottles from your local supermarket though. The best olive oil can be sourced directly from small producers at a frantoio (olive oil mill). If you’re staying at an agriturismo, you might be lucky enough to buy some of their oil as well.
November
If you’re in Bologna, take advantage of one of the last mild days of the year and walk up to the Shrine of Madonna di San Luca or climb up to the top of the Asinelli Tower to enjoy one of the best views of Bologna’s skyline.
Florence way, November is the perfect time for a glass of vin santo (mulled wine). Check out our guide for making the most of the city in winter.
While truffle lovers can’t miss the International White Truffle Fair in Alba in the country’s north.
December
Many Italian cities feature Christmas markets during the holiday season and Bologna’s ancient Fiera di Santa Lucia, whose origins date to the end of the 16th century, is one of the best. The many stalls or bancarelle are open until December 26 and offer a variety of Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, balls, festoons, lights, and of course, crib statuettes.
You’ll also be able to enjoy delicious Christmas treats at the market such as hot and crunchy croccante alle mandorle (made with almonds and sugar), torrone (nougat), or traditional sweets from the nearby Apennines. The weather is also perfect for a hearty bowl of piping hot bowl of tortellini in brodo. On New Year’s Eve be sure to head to Piazza Maggiore where the “Vecchione”, an icon of the changing year, is set on fire in celebration of new things to come.
