7 Signs It’s Tourist Season in Florence, Italy

Brace yourselves: the tourists are coming! In case you haven’t noticed, the weather is absolutely beautiful (finally!) and with the better weather comes something Florence is famous for…tourists. Each year, this bustling and historic city receives over 13 million visitors, particularly during the spring and summer months. For those who live in the city, come spring a transformation occurs. The (relatively) tourist free Florence of winter suddenly fills with more people every day, leaving locals fighting their way through crowds, waiting in longer and longer lines, and sighing about those oh-so-recent winter months when tourist numbers dwindled dramatically. The following are the 7 Signs It’s Tourist Season in Florence, Italy.

1.Tour groups…everywhere

We’ve all seen them, large groups of around 20-50, taking over sidewalks and streets, stopped in the middle of a piazza, listening on headsets to a tour guide holding some sort of umbrella, scarf, or other contraption so the group can see them. Oh, and who could forget, passing right outside of your apartment the moment you decide to leave the house. 

2. A million of these shops popped up seemingly overnight

I don’t know where the majority of these guys have been hiding all winter, but they are back with a vengeance now that it is spring. It seems like there are at least 5 in every piazza, as if to remind me of all the gifts I should be purchasing for friends and family back home.

3. It is nearly impossible to cross the Ponte Vecchio

During the summer, you couldn’t pay me (ok you totally could but only because I really like gelato and shoes) to cross the Ponte Vecchio. As lovely as it is, I’ll walk a bridge down to cross the river if need be, thank you very much.

4. You seem to be surrounded by every language

English, German, Spanish, Chinese…everywhere you walk you are enveloped in a cacophony of languages. When tourist season is in full swing, you have to listen a little harder for Italian.

5. Two words: Selfie. Sticks.

What would a walk around Florence be if at least 4 people didn’t attempt to sell you a selfie stick. You are only one bad day away from whacking the next person who asks you to purchase one with said selfie stick.

6. The lines for the Duomo are at an all time high

Gone are the winter days where one could simply purchase a ticket and immediately climb the Duomo’s campanile or bell tower. If you haven’t climbed this landmark yet, I wish you luck as you wait in the incredible long line snaking around the Duomo.

7. Florence’s small sidewalks even more crowded

If you though the sidewalks of Florence were tiny before, then you are in for a treat this summer. Fortunately everyone just walks in the street anyway, so it shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

What changes have you noticed around Florence that mark the coming tourist season?

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