Beat the Heat: Florence in August
Trying to get some shade with a hat on a hot Florence day
Florence is many things. Beautiful, charming, historic. However, in August, Firenze most definitely is hot and humid. For this reason, many Italians close up shop and vacate the city during this month. However, if, like me, you find yourself in Firenze during August, you will have one priority, staying cool. Here are my best tips on how to beat the heat in Florence.
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Accept It
You will be hot, and no amount of complaining (or gelato) is going to cool you down. Once you accept that the heat and humidity is your fate, your life will get easier, I promise.
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Hydrate
With the high temperatures comes a lot of sweat, so be sure to drink a lot of water to keep yourself hydrated. I recommend freezing a few water bottles so you always have something cool and refreshing to drink. There are also tons of great fountains and fill up stations all over Florence with free, filtered water. They will become your best friend.
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Avoid the Hottest Part of the Day
The afternoon hours from 2-4 are the times when you will feel the heat the most. Try to stay inside or plan a low key activity that won’t wear yourself out. I also recommend starting your day early when the city is the coolest if you have a lot of walking to do.
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Go Shopping
You don’t actually have to buy anything, but if you really can’t stand how warm it is, duck into one of the fancier shops or restaurants in Florence. Though many places are not air-conditioned, many upscale stores can provide a cool retreat for a few moments.
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Celebrate the Little Things
Don’t overexert yourself. When moving into our apartment, we spent a lot of time out and about carrying luggage, cleaning, unpacking, and making multiple trips to the store. Instead of rushing to get it all done, we took our time, spread the work throughout the day, and didn’t feel disappointed in the fact that some things took longer because of the heat. After a long day of sightseeing or working, my favorite way to celebrate is treating myself to an ice cold gelato.
Good luck keeping cool! What is your favorite way to combat the heat?
