Whilst we would love to pretend that the sun shines every day in Italy, in reality it does rain! The good thing is that there is so much to see and do on a rainy day in Florence so you needn’t worry that you’ll be twiddling your thumbs with nowhere to go and nothing to see. Just to put things in perspective, there are around 70 museums within the city of Florence and over 100 churches. In other words, there is plenty to discover under cover from the rain outside! Here is our list of the top things to do in Florence when it is raining.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Duomo is a great starting point for any Florence trip. The 4th largest cathedral in Europe, the Duomo can hold an impressive 20,000 people. It was the work of 13th Sienese architect Arnolfo di Cambio and took 170 years to complete. Brunelleschi’s dome which crowns it was a later addition in the 1420s. It remains the 3rd largest dome in the world. Only the dome of St Paul’s cathedral in London and St Peter’s Basilica in Rome are bigger.
Inside the Duomo, there is a wealth of artwork to admire including some incredibly beautiful stained glass windows including by masters such as Donatello. However, it’s almost inevitable that your eyes will be distracted and drawn up to the vast expanse of its painted dome.
But for those who feel they have plenty of stamina and a head for heights and don’t mind a few raindrops on their heads, it’s worth also climbing the 463 steps inside the dome to enjoy the fantastic views from the top. You will be indoors most of the way but once at the top will be braving the elements. Climbing the dome itself really does give you a different perspective on Brunelleschi’s incredible feat of engineering and the views from summit are spectacular. Although that said, we actually prefer the view from the adjacent Bell Tower since you can then marvel at the Duomo. This also has marginally fewer steps at 414!
The good news is that your entrance ticket to the Duomo includes not just access to the cathedral and the Dome, but also to Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Opera Museum (the Museo dell’ Opera del Duomo) and the Crypt of Santa Reparata. The latter is home to Brunelleschi’s tomb. And all these will be perfect things to do when its raining in Florence.
Book your tickets for the Duomo Florence now to avoid lengthy queues outside in the rain on the day!
Admire the art at the Uffizi
The Uffizi Gallery (Gallerie degli Uffizi) is the perfect destination when it is raining in Florence. In our eyes, its Italy’s best art gallery and, not surprisingly, it attracts a staggering hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Head inside to admire artworks dating from the 12th century to the 17th centuries, including a wealth of artists from Giotto to Paolo Uccello, Boticelli to Titian and Leonardo da Vinci to Rubens and Michelangelo.
As with the Duomo, we strongly recommend buying your ticket to the Uffizi in advance to avoid the lengthy queues (which would then see you queuing outside and not managing to avoid a rainy day in Florence!) Purchase your tickets in advance at Get Your Guide.
Alternatively, if you’d like to find out a bit more about the artworks in the Uffizi, then you may like to small group tour of the Uffizi. You’ll learn all the inside stories about some of the world’s most famous artworks.
Visit the Galleria dell’ Accademia
You may do a double take in Florence thinking you have seen Michelangelo’s statue of David twice. You’d be right – a replica is found in the Piazza della Signoria. But if you want to see the original, you need to visit Florence’s Galleria dell’ Accademia where you will find the original statue standing at just over 5 metres tall. Of course, there is plenty more to see in the Accademia to while away the hours on a rainy day in Florence. The museum is most famous for its works by Michelangelo including his statue of David and Quattro Prigionieri (Four Prisoners) but there are also works by a plethora of other accomplished artists including Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Fra Bartomolemo and other 15th and 16th century painters.
Yet again, we encourage you to book your tickets in advance for the Accademia to avoid disappointment (and to avoid queuing in the rain for entry). Or opt once more for a small group tour of the Accademia which also enables you to skip the lines but will also enable you to learn more about the artist himself.
Visit the Basilica of Santa Croce
A visit to the Basilica di Santa Croce is yet another on our list of things to do in Florence when it rains. This church is widely considered to be the largest Franciscan church in the world and is the final resting place for several eminent Florentines, including Michelangelo, Rossini and Machiavelli. It is also the burial home of Pisan born astronomer, physicist and engineer, Galileo Galilei. Not only that but you’ll also find a memorial to Dante here whose body is actually buried in Ravenna.
The Basilica di Santa Croce is a beautiful church. Make a point of admiring the 14th century frescoes by Gaddi depicting the Legend of the True Cross along with Brunelleschi’s chapel where you will find one of the finest Renaissance tombs anywhere. Also of note are the frescoes by Giotto representing scenes from the life of Saint Francis and the limestone relief by Donatello along with his ‘farmer’ Crucifix, so nicknamed due to its rustic, peasant-like appearance.
Once more, make sure you purchase skip the line tickets to the Basilica of Santa Croce in advance to avoid queuing in the rain for entry.
Go shopping at the market
Whilst some of Florence’s markets are outdoors, much of the Mercato Centrale is under cover and therefore a great place to go when it’s raining in Florence. The market is laid out over two floors (although some stalls do spill into the street outside). It’s a great option for foodies. Inside, you’ll find meat, poultry, fish, ham, oil and cheese on the ground floor whilst upstairs there is a restaurant and bar area where you will find several food stalls selling delicious food and drink. For those interested in a cookery lesson in Florence, there is also a cookery school here. This Florence cooking class kicks off at the Mercato Centrale where you will purchase the ingredients for what you’ll cook back in the chef’s kitchen.
Of course, the Mercato Centrale is not the only market worth visiting in Florence. There are a plethora of other indoor and outdoor markets in the heart of the city including the Mercato di Sant’ Ambrogio, the Mercato delle Pucli, the Mercato Nuovo, the Mercato San Lorenzo and the Mercato Fierucola.
Visit the Palazzo Vecchio
The Palazzo Vecchio was the symbol of civic power in Florence for centuries. These days it gives a fascinating insight into Florentine history from the Romans through to Medieval times and then the Renaissance period. Construction on what you see today began in 1299 but the palace was built on the remains of an ancient theatre, parts of which are still visible to visitors.
These days, we think the most impressive part of the palace is the Salone dei Cinquecento (Hall of the Five Hundred). This was built from 1494 onwards. Measuring 54 metres by 23 metres and with a ceiling height of 18 metres, it is filled with large wall frescoes, beautiful sculptures, golden decorations and panelled ceilings. Also of note is the Quatieri Monumentali, a series of rooms which are decorated by artists such as Michelangelo, Vasari and Donatello. And finally, there is also the incredible Hall of Maps. Inside this room is an enormous rotating globe (Mappa Mundi) and dozens of maps painted on leather showing how the world would have been seen in the mid 16th century.
The Duomo and Campanile aren’t the only viewpoints you can climb in Florence. Another option is to climb the Palazzo Vecchio. Just like from the top of the Campanile, this will give you the chance to enjoy excellent views of the Duomo itself. Book skip the line tickets to the Palazzo Vecchio and opt to upgrade your ticket to include the tower climb should you wish to take in the views. Or opt for a guided tour of the Palazzo Vecchio to bring the history of the building to life.
Or, if the rain isn’t too heavy, then you may also be able to enjoy time in the Piazza della Signoria which sits in front of the Palazzo Vecchio. This is home to a number of statues including the replica of Michelangelo’s David.
Explore the Palazzo Pitti
The Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti) was once the home of the Medici family and in subsequent years it was also the court of two other famous dynasties – the House of Habsburg-Lorraine and the House of Savoy. Situated on the South side of the River Arno at the foot of the Boboli hill, these days the palace is divided into four museums. On the ground floor you will find the Treasury of the Grand Dukes home to some of the family’s silverware and porcelain. The Galleria Palatina (Palatine Gallery) and the Appartamenti Reali (Royal apartments) are then found on the first floor. The former is home to works by Titian, Tintoretto and Botticelli whilst the latter is where you will find some beautiful 17th century frescoes and some 18th and 19th century tapestries. Finally, up on the second floor is the Galleria d’Arte (Gallery of Modern Art) and the Galleria del Costume (Museum of Costume and Fashion).
Once again, skip the entrance queues by opting for skip the line entrance tickets to the Pitti Palace or choose to discover a bit more about this incredible venue by booking a guided tour of the Pitti Palace.
If the rain eases, then its worth also exploring the Pitti Palace’s Boboli gardens in which the palace sits. It’s the perfect example of a Renaissance garden.
Enjoy a wine tasting experience in Florence
The area around Florence is one of the world’s most famous wine-making regions. Just 30 km from Florence is Greve, widely considered to be the gateway to the Chianti vineyards. A visit to Florence wouldn’t be complete within sampling some of its wines. And a rainy day in Florence is the perfect chance to seize the opportunity to visit a winery. When its sunny, a tour of a winery will usually include a walk through the vineyards. When it rains, they’ll tend to keep you inside but, don’t worry! This just means more time to explore the winery and sample the food and drink on offer! Book your Florence winery tour now!
Visit the Church of Santa Maria Novella
The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella is yet another of the incredible churches that can be found in Florence. Situated opposite the main train station, it was built in the 13th and 14th century. Inside, there is a Gothic crucifix by Giotto as well an early Renaissance fresco by Masaccio of the Trinity. It is widely believed to date from 1427 and is commonly hailed as one of the earliest examples of the Renaissance use of perspective. Skip the lines and dodge the rain) to enter the Church of Santa Maria Novella and find out more with a handy audio guide. Book now.
Discover the sculptures in the Palazzo del Bargello
The Palazzo del Bargello is for sculptures what the Uffizi is for paintings. This rather austere looking fortress has had many uses over the years. Once used as a residence for the Captain of Justice and then used as a prison, these days, it’s home to the Bargello Museum. Visitors can admire works by Nicola Pisano, Donatello, Ammannati, Michelangelo, Cellini and others. Our favourite piece is a display which shows the competition entries of both Brunelleschi and Ghiberti who were competing to decorate the North doors of the Baptistry in the Piazza del Duomo. As history has gone to show, Ghiberti ultimately won but we think it’s extremely interesting to see and compare the two entries. Book your skip the line tickets to the Bargello Museum to avoid queuing in the rain.
Pay a visit to the Galileo Museum
The Museo Galileo in Florence is home to one of the largest collection of scientific instruments in the world and reflects the fact that Florence has been as interested in science for as long as it has been in art. The Medici family encouraged scientific research as much as they did art and this was continued by the Lorraine family in Florence in the 17th century. Galileo Galilei arguably did more than anyone else to bring about the birth of modern science. Galileo’s original instruments are all on display in the museum including his telescopes and the lenses he used to discover Jupiter’s Moons. Book skip the line tickets to the Museo Galileo or book a fascinating guided tour of the Galileo Museum to learn more about this scientific genius.
Discover fashion in Florence
Florence is synonymous not just with art and science but also with fashion. If you’re a lover of fashion and design, then a great option is the Gucci Garden. The Gucci retail store is situated on the ground floor of the building, but both of the upper two floors are home to a museum which tells the story of the Gucci fashion house from its early beginnings in Florence. Fashionistas will love seeing some of their original pieces on display. Also of note is the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum which is situated in the oldest palace in Florence. Rebranded in 2022 simply as Ferragamo, this Florence-based Italian company is famous for its manufacture of luxury goods, specialising in footwear and leather goods. Enjoy a guided fashion tour of Florence which will take in visits to both sites.
Of course, Florence is home to some of Italy’s most famous designer brands. The main shopping street – Via de’ Tornabuoni – is where you will find the showrooms of Italy’s top fashion designers including Dolce and Gabbana, Armani, Prada and Gucci. However, shopping here will mean you’re constantly dodging the rain as you go in and out of each store. Instead, a better option of what to do when it’s raining in Florence, is to head half an hour outside the centre of the city where you will find two factory outlets selling high end brands at a fraction of their normal prices. These include McArthurGlen’s Barberino Designer Outlet or The Mall Florence, both of which allow you to shop under cover. Book your ticket on the shuttle bus to The Mall.
Create your own perfume
Situated in the monk’s infirmary in the Basilica Santa Maria Novella in Florence is the world’s oldest pharmacy – the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica. It was established in 1221 by Dominican monks. The shop is still in use today and must be the most beautiful store anywhere in the world. It is absolutely stunning with frescoes, gilded ceilings and elegant wooden cabinets filled with charming old glass medicine bottles. As soon as you enter, you’re immediately hit by the wonderful smells and fragrances of the herbs and spices used to create their products. Head to the perfume bar to choose a fragrance perfectly suited to you. Alternatively, opt for a 2 hour masterclass in perfume making at the Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone shop and laboratory. Create your own fragrance at a 2-hour perfume masterclass in Florence.
Uncover the gems inside the Museo Stibbert
It would be impossible for us to list absolutely every single one of Florence’s museums in our list of the top things to do in Florence when it rains. But one of the least well-known museums in Florence, the Stibbert Museum, is a great place to explore when you need to find things to do indoors. The museum owes its existence to Frederick Stibbert, a rich gentleman who had inherited considerable wealth from his grandfather. Thanks to his tremendous wealth, he didn’t need to work so instead he devoted his life to the collection of interesting objects, antiques and artefacts. In short, he turned his villa into a museum which he then donated to the city of Florence when he died in 1906. Inside, visitors can enjoy exploring over 36,000 artefacts inside the 57 rooms including collections of armour, beautiful sets of porcelain and an array of Etruscan artefacts. One of the items tourists tend to be most keen to see however is the cloak of Napoleon.
Learn how to make gelato in Florence
We’ve already suggested cooking classes as well as wine tasting experiences. But as you’d expect in any large city, there are plenty of great experiences and guided tours to enjoy on a rainy day in Florence. One which we couldn’t resist including in this list of things to do when its raining in Florence is a lesson on how to make gelato. Whilst the origins of gelato are unclear and many regions claim to have invented it, the Florentines claim that it originated with them in the 16th century when they shipped blocks of ice from the Apennine mountains is a strong one. If you’re happy just to eat gelato than make it, then we can recommend taking a trip to Vivoli Gelato, one of Florence’s oldest gelateria.
Enjoy an opera performance in Florence
Florence is home to a number of theatres. The oldest of these is the mid 17th century Teatro Niccolini. At the other end of the chronological spectrum, the Opera di Firenze is the newest theatre in Florence. Other theatres in the city include the Teatro Puccini, Teatro Verdi and Teatro della Pergola. There is normally something to enjoy whatever time of year you visit, with daily performances in the Summer season. If you’re looking for things to do when it is raining in Florence, then there can be no better treat than enjoying an opera performance or concert in Florence.
Discover the Da Vinci museum
The Leonardo Interactive museum is a particularly good museum to visit for children on a rainy day in Florence. Bringing to life the work and genius of Leonardo da Vinci, it’s home to over 50 machines constructed entirely of wood using the original Da Vinci drawings. It’s extremely interactive. Children (and adults of course!) can play with the models as much as they like, turning wheels and watching the gears and mechanisms in action on anything from a crane to a machine gun. Book tickets to the Interactive Leonardo Museum or a guided tour to bring this creative genius to life even further.
Visit the Jewish synagogue and museum in Florence
Italy is predominantly Catholic and dominated by its churches, but if you are looking for things to do on a rainy day in Florence, it’s well worth visiting Florence’s synagogue – the Tempio Maggiore. It’s one of the largest synagogues in Europe. Its interior is spectacularly colourful and it’s topped with an incredibly beautiful turquoise dome. Its existence owes much to David Levi who left the funds to build this in his will following his death in 1870. It was opened in 1882. Hitler’s armies tried to destroy the building when they retreated in 1944 but failed thanks to Italian resistance fighters. The synagogue is situated inside lush gardens set behind cast iron railings. Also situated here is a fascinating museum displaying a superb collection of Jewish ceremonial items and art. Reserve your tickets to the Jewish synagogue and museum in advance.
If we’ve whetted your appetite enough, then take a look at the phenomenal villas and apartments in Florence available to rent for your next holiday through Bookings For You.