Florence in winter is a magical blend of quiet cobblestone streets, festive lights, and fewer crowds at its world-famous museums. The season runs from December through February, with cool temperatures, occasional rain, and crisp air perfect for exploring the city in cozy style.
You’ll need a packing list that balances warmth with fashion — Florentines are chic even in cold weather. Think elegant coats, leather boots, and layers for museum-hopping, dining out, and strolling along the Arno River.
Expect a mix of outdoor walking and indoor attractions, so your suitcase should include both comfy daywear and polished evening looks.
📝Note: This article is all about what to pack for Florence in winter. Here you can find a huge and comprehensive list. Feel free to adapt to your needs, and share your tips in the comments!
Weather & Travel Context 🌦️
- 🌡️ Daytime Temps: 7–12°C (45–54°F)
- 🌙 Night Temps: 1–5°C (33–41°F)
- 🌧️ December & January can be rainy — pack accordingly
- 🍷 Many tourist attractions remain open with fewer lines
- 🚶 Florence is walkable — wear comfortable, waterproof shoes
What to Pack for Florence in Winter
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
- Carry-on suitcase – 🧳 Compact and easy to wheel over cobblestones
- Checked bag – 🧼 Optional for longer stays or fashion-focused travelers
- Daypack – 🎒 For museums, cafes, and markets
- Packing cubes – 📦 Stay organized and maximize space
- Shoe bags – 👠 Protect clean clothes from shoes
- Toiletry bag – 🪥 Leak-proof and TSA-approved
- Document organizer – 📁 Keep passport, tickets, and insurance secure
- Canvas tote – 🛍️ Reusable for market finds
- Laundry bag – 🧺 Keep worn clothes separate
- Luggage scale – ⚖️ Avoid overweight fees on the return
- Travel lock – 🔒 Protect your suitcase at hostels or hotels
- Accessory pouch – 🎀 Store jewelry and extras
- Travel towel – 🧻 Quick-dry for spas or hostels
- Neck pillow – 💺 For flights and train rides
- Sleep mask – 😴 Get rest during travel
👗 Clothes
- Thermal tops (2–3) – 🌡️ Layer under sweaters for extra warmth
- Wool sweaters (3–4) – 🧶 Stylish and insulating
- Long-sleeve blouses or tops (2–3) – 👚 For dinners and museums
- Wool coat or trench – 🧥 Essential for warmth and fashion
- Blazer – 👔 Chic layering piece for indoors
- Jeans or warm trousers (2–3) – 👖 Stylish and practical
- Skirt + tights – 👗 Great for dinners out
- Knit dress – 👗 One-piece outfit that layers well
- Base layer leggings – 🧦 Optional for colder days
- Pajamas – 🛏️ Cozy sleepwear
- Undergarments (7+) – 🩲 Everyday essentials
- Bras (2–3) – 👙 Include one for sports or travel days
- Wool socks (5–7) – 🧦 Keep your feet toasty
- Fleece-lined tights – 🧤 Warm yet elegant
- Scarf – 🧣 A big wool one for layering
- Gloves – 🧤 Tech-friendly is ideal
- Hat – 🎩 Beanie or beret for warmth and style
💆 Skincare
- Cream cleanser – 🧼 Gentle and hydrating
- Hydrating toner – 💧 Locks in moisture
- Day & night moisturizer – 🧴 Combat cold air dryness
- Sunscreen – ☀️ UV protection is still needed
- Micellar water – 🧽 Easy makeup removal
- Exfoliator – 🌿 1–2x per week for smooth skin
- Eye cream – 👁️ Reduce puffiness and dryness
- Facial mist – 💦 Refresh on the go
- Sheet masks – 🛁 Spa-like hydration at night
- Lip balm – 💋 Cold air = chapped lips
- Spot treatment – 🎯 For breakouts
💄 Makeup
- Foundation or BB cream – 🧴 Hydrating formula preferred
- Concealer – 👁️ Brighten tired eyes
- Pressed powder – 🧂 Set your look
- Blush – 🌸 Add color to winter cheeks
- Highlighter – ✨ Glow in low light
- Bronzer – 🌞 Warm up your complexion
- Eyeshadow palette – 🎨 Neutrals + one pop of color
- Eyeliner – ✏️ Waterproof for drizzly days
- Mascara – 👁️ For bold lashes
- Brow pencil or gel – 🪮 Define your look
- Lipsticks or balm stain – 💄 Deep winter shades are perfect
- Setting spray – 💨 Lock in your look
- Brush set – 🖌️ Include a compact case
💇 Hair Care
- Travel hairbrush – 💇 Compact with mirror
- Hair ties & bobby pins – 🧷 Always needed
- Shampoo & conditioner – 🚿 Solid or travel-size bottles
- Dry shampoo – 🌬️ Between-wash essential
- Heat protectant spray – 🔥 If styling daily
- Styling cream – 💁♀️ Anti-frizz in damp weather
- Mini blow dryer – 💨 Most accommodations provide one, but yours may be better
- Straightener or curler – 🌀 Optional for styled looks
- Hair serum – ✨ Adds shine and smoothness
- Hair accessories – 🎀 For easy elegance
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- Waterproof ankle boots – 👢 Perfect for cobblestones
- Leather sneakers – 👟 Fashionable and practical
- Heeled boots – 👠 For evening elegance
- Warm slippers – 🥿 For cozy stays
- Umbrella – ☔ Compact and sturdy
- Wool hat or beret – 🎩 Classic Italian flair
- Touchscreen gloves – 🧤 Stay warm & connected
- Sunglasses – 🕶️ Winter sun is still bright
- Jewelry – 💍 Simple sets for everyday glam
- Watch – ⌚ Fashionable and functional
- Crossbody bag – 👜 Secure & hands-free
- Evening clutch – 💼 Elegant for dinners or shows
📑 Documents & Essentials
- Passport + copies – 🛂 Required for EU entry
- Visa (if needed) – 🧾 Check Schengen requirements
- Travel insurance – 🩺 Must-have for emergencies
- Boarding passes – ✈️ Digital or printed
- Accommodation bookings – 🏨 Confirmation details
- Local currency – 💶 Euros for smaller shops or markets
- Credit/debit cards – 💳 Notify your bank
- Emergency contacts – 📞 In your wallet & phone
- Printed itinerary – 🗺️ Easy offline reference
- Notebook & pen – 📝 For journaling or planning
- Wallet – 👛 RFID-protected ideal
- Valuables – 💎 Keep secure at your lodging
🚑 First Aid
- Band-aids – 🩹 For any walking blisters
- Disinfecting wipes – 🧼 Clean surfaces on the go
- Gauze + tape – 🩺 Just in case
- Tweezers & scissors – ✂️ Multipurpose tools
- Digital thermometer – 🌡️ Small and useful
- Cotton pads/Q-tips – 🧽 Gentle for skin and first aid
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- Prescription meds – 💊 Enough for the whole trip
- Advil/paracetamol – 🤒 Cold or pain relief
- Allergy tablets – 🌿 Useful for dust or pollen
- Motion sickness pills – 🚆 For trains or tours
- Vitamins – 🍊 Maintain your immune system
- Feminine products – 🩸 Preferred brands may vary
- Hand sanitizer – 🧴 Use frequently
- Travel wipes – 🧻 Face and hand freshness
- Bug spray – 🦟 Usually unnecessary in winter
- Contraceptives – 🔒 Safe and smart
- Eye drops – 👁️ Relief from dry cold air
- Contact lenses & case – 👓 If applicable
- Travel mirror – 🪞 Compact and helpful
- Toothbrush & toothpaste – 🪥 Dental hygiene must
- Floss – 🧵 Don’t skip it
- Deodorant – 🧼 Keep fresh daily
- Razor – 🪒 Compact version
- Nail kit – 💅 File, clippers, tweezers
- Perfume roller – 🌹 Chic and small
- Tissues – 🤧 For cold weather sniffles
📱 Tech & Electronics
- Smartphone – 📱 With translator and map apps
- Tablet or e-reader – 📚 Lightweight for entertainment
- Travel camera – 📸 Florence is photogenic!
- Chargers – 🔌 One for each device
- Power bank – 🔋 Long museum days
- Universal adapter – 🔌 For EU plugs
- Hard drive or cloud – 💾 Backup photos
- Offline maps & guides – 🗺️ In case of poor signal
- SIM card/eSIM – 📶 For local data
- Noise-canceling headphones – 🎧 Ideal for flights
- Waterproof phone pouch – 💦 Optional for rainy days
🎧 Entertainment
- Books or Kindle – 📖 Relax with Italian reads
- Movies or series – 🎬 Download ahead of travel
- Music playlist – 🎵 Soundtrack your strolls
- Journal – 📓 Capture moments and meals
- Card games – 🃏 For group fun at night
- Magazines – 📰 Great for downtime
🎁 Extras
- Snacks – 🍫 Chocolate or granola for the day
- Reusable water bottle – 🚰 Hydration on the go
- Shopping tote – 🛍️ For Italian leather or ceramics
- Travel detergent – 🧴 Wash delicates
- Sewing kit – 🧵 Fix buttons or tears
- Travel whistle – 📣 Safety first
- Lint roller – 🧽 Stay crisp and clean
- Footrest – ✈️ Comfort for flights
- Shoe freshener – 👃 Optional but useful
- Melatonin – 🌙 Jet lag helper
🌍 Travel Tips
- Check Schengen visa rules – 🛂 In advance
- Download Trenitalia & local apps – 🚆 Easier transit
- Keep offline copies of bookings – 📄 Just in case
- Layer your arrival outfit – 🧥 You’ll need options
- Take photos of your luggage – 📸 For ID purposes
- Bring a backup card – 💳 Sometimes cards fail abroad
🛂 Visa Tips
- Apply well in advance – ⌛ Don’t risk delays
- Print all confirmations – 🖨️ Some places require them
- Bring passport photos – 🧑 Useful for emergencies
- Return flight proof – 🎫 May be requested
- Understand EU customs rules – 🧾 Especially for food or gifts
⭐ Must-Haves
- Passport – 🛂 Never leave it behind
- Travel insurance – 🩺 You’ll be glad you have it
- Emergency contacts – 📞 Just in case
- Debit/credit card – 💳 Plus backup
- Phone & charger – 📱 Absolutely essential
- Prescription meds – 💊 Bring full supply
- Offline maps & guides – 🗺️ Easy navigation
- Confirmed reservations – 🏨 For all stays
- Daypack – 🎒 Explore hands-free
- Water bottle – 💧 Always hydrate
👍 Good-to-Have
- Hydration tablets – 🚰 Add electrolytes
- Travel steamer – 👔 Wrinkle-free outfits
- Sleep mask – 😴 For restful nights
- Bluetooth headphones – 🎧 Convenient and cordless
- Travel blanket – 🧣 Warmth for transit
- Neck pillow – 🛏️ Prevent sore necks
- Luggage tags – 🏷️ Don’t mix up your bags
- SIM or eSIM card – 📶 Better local rates
- Foldable tote – 🛍️ Great for shopping
