Tuscany is graced with four proper seasons – a long spring, a hot summer, a welcome autumn and finally, wintertime – a magical affair enjoyed very much by locals. The winter weather in Tuscany is generally mild, with temperatures ranging from 5 °C to 15 °C (41°F to 59°F). As tour groups depart their cities, the region has a serene glow, especially its cities. Galleries are not busy, and some are cheaper (the Uffizi offers an early bird ticket with a discount to visit the museum in the morning between 8.15 am and 8.55 am), so there’s no need to elbow your way in to ogle the Botticelli’s. Here’s why winter in Tuscany is a wondrous time for a relaxing visit.
Winter in Tuscany – The Ultimate Comfort food
Winter in Tuscany is a time for indulging in the ultimate comfort food. Dining out becomes a leisurely affair, with traditional dishes like ribollita and hearty bean soups designed to warm you up. And what’s a trip to Tuscany without a generous serving of pasta? Pici, a typical Sienese pasta, is a thick spaghetti that pairs perfectly with a meaty ragu– it’s comfort food at its best. Follow this with a Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a local dish best enjoyed with friends. This three-finger-thick T-bone steak, seared to perfection, is ideally savoured with a glass of Tuscan red wine in the cozy ambience of a trattoria.
Warm Fashions
Italians are renowned for their fashion, and winter is a stylish season! Under your designer piumino (a down-filled yet stylish coat), you can layer soft, locally-made cashmere sweaters, woolly scarves, and artisan leather gloves (I love mine from Pusateri, a historic store in downtown Florence). Splurge on a pair of classically styled leather boots from a store like the Antica Cuoieria on Florence’s via del Corso. Treat them with waterproofing spray so you can enjoy them for years to come.
Swimming under the stars
Warm up from within the depths of the natural hot springs that litter the Tuscan landscape. Especially in the Val D’Orcia and Maremma areas. These hot springs, such as the famous Saturnia and the lesser-known San Giovanni di Rapolano near Siena, offer a unique and relaxing experience. The San Giovanni di Rapolano resort boasts indoor and outdoor pools. Plus, a restaurant is open until 1 a.m. on weekends, making it a perfect full-day excursion. Swimming in 39-degree waters under the winter stars is a tranquil way to experience Tuscany.

Serene Siena
Winter is the perfect time to explore Siena. This is when the influx of tour buses halts, leaving the city to be discovered at your own pace. This medieval cousin to Florence exudes a fairy tale charm with its maze-like lanes and red-bricked palaces. There’s a romantic allure to Siena in the off-season. You can visit its highlights, including the famous Torre del Mangia (worth the 400 steps to reach the top). And the Duomo (magnificent from both the facade and its interior with intricate marble designs reaching all corners). All without the usual crowds.
Ignite your senses
Beyond the city’s over 100 museums, Florence’s artisan heritage is a unique way to experience the live part of the Renaissance capital. Perfume house Aqua Flor has an enchanting showroom on the ground floor of a 16th-century palazzo. Its orange lampshades add a warm hue to rooms scented by their products. All are made in-house in their basement laboratory. They also host short perfume-making courses to understand scent creation within their characterful surroundings. So you, too, can become an expert in essences within hours. This is where to pick up a souvenir that will leave a scent-memory.
Wine bars
Nestling within the warmth of a cosy wine bar in Florence is an ideal way to relax between cultural pursuits. From sleek bars to traditional drinking dens, there is something for everyone. A glass of Chianti Classico complements traditional Tuscan dishes and can warm you up as you soak in Tuscany at this most serene time of year.