Fall in Florence is not just a season — it’s a vibe. The city slows down after the summer tourists disappear, the trees turn gold, and the sunsets hit different. If you’re craving cozy cafés, golden-hour gardens, pumpkin day trips, and the kind of streets that beg for Instagram photos, this guide is for you.

8:00 AM – Wake Up with Coffee & Cobblestones

Start at: S.forno (Via Santa Monaca 3r)

Tucked into a quiet Oltrarno side street, S.forno is the definition of rustic charm. This 150-year-old bakery-turned-artisan café greets you with the scent of freshly baked bread, stacks of flour-dusted loaves, and morning light warming the brick-and-wood interior. Order a cappuccino and a slice of their famous focaccia or a sweet bun, then settle in at one of the worn wooden tables or grab a spot outside to watch the neighborhood stir awake.

• What to try:
  – Focaccia with rosemary
  – Cardamom bun or seasonal fruit tart
  – Cappuccino served in a no-fuss ceramic cup

• Pro tip: After breakfast, take a slow walk down Via della Chiesa toward Piazza Santo Spirito. You’ll pass ivy-covered walls, shuttered windows, and soft golden light hitting the cobblestones—perfect for capturing those early “Fall in Florence” frames.

10:30 AM – Bardini Garden: Florence’s Underrated Autumn Gem

Florence has no shortage of famous gardens, but Bardini is where the fall magic really happens. Think: terraced walkways, golden vines, and panoramic views of the Duomo framed by warm foliage.

Entry: ~€6
IG Spot: Halfway up the staircase with the city in the background and leaves falling all around you.

12:30 PM – Cute & Cozy Lunch in the Oltrarno

Head to: Babae (Via Santo Spirito 21r)

Step into Babae, a lush, boho-chic café in the heart of Oltrarno where vintage charm meets modern flair. With walls adorned in bold murals and plenty of trailing greenery, it’s an Instagrammer’s dream come true. Grab a seat by the window or cozy up inside surrounded by warm lighting and plants.

What to order:
– Creamy avocado toast
– Artfully layered yogurt bowl
– Bagels or small bites to share
– Optional: A glass of wine from their all-day wine window for that laid-back Tuscan vibe

Pro tip: Frame your latte or avocado toast against the café’s leafy backdrop or vibrant murals for perfect Instagram shots. Then take a stroll around Piazza Santo Spirito to soak up the authentic Florentine energy and snap those candid street scenes

2:00 PM – Leaf-Hunting in Parco delle Cascine

Time to stretch your legs with a slow stroll (or bike ride) through Parco delle Cascine, Florence’s biggest public park. In fall, the chestnut and gingko trees explode in color, making it perfect for photo walks, leaf piles, and group shots.

What to bring: A hot drink, a book, and your camera — this is your golden hour warm-up.

3:30 PM – Optional: Pumpkin Patch Adventure

Looking for peak autumn content? Take a short trip to L'Orto delle Zucche in Matassino (~45 mins by train). It’s a full-on pumpkin patch experience with carving stations, hay bales, fall treats, and photo booths.

Entry: ~€18.90
IG Spot: You holding a tiny pumpkin with Tuscan hills behind you.

No time for a day trip? Head to Giardino delle Rose instead. It’s peaceful, overlooks the city, and is full of dreamy, golden trees by October.

5:30 PM – Sunset from San Miniato al Monte

Everyone goes to Piazzale Michelangelo — but if you walk five minutes higher, you’ll hit San Miniato al Monte, one of Florence’s most magical (and quietest) spots.

Sit on the church steps as the sun melts over the rooftops. Bring a snack, a blanket, or just yourself.

IG Spot: Wide shot of Florence at sunset, framed by red and orange trees.

7:30 PM – Wine & Dinner at a Tuscan Icon

Step into the warm glow of Buca Lapi, Florence’s oldest restaurant, hidden beneath the historic Palazzo Antinori. With vaulted brick ceilings, candlelit tables, and vintage Tuscan posters lining the walls, it’s the kind of place where time slows—and flavors deepen.

Classic Autumn Dishes to Savor:

• Florentine-style bistecca alla fiorentina (perfectly charred, melt-in-your-mouth)
  
  
• Rich wild boar pappardelle with a bold red wine
  
  
• Roasted duck with seasonal herbs
  
  
• Finish with a vin santo & cantucci pairing for a true Tuscan close

9:00 PM – Late Walk + Sweet Ending

Wrap up your fall day with a peaceful night walk through Piazza Santa Croce or Piazza della Repubblica. The streetlights glow amber, shop windows fog up, and the city slows to a whisper.

Stop at Vivoli or Gelateria dei Neri for one last treat — because gelato isn’t seasonal.

Fall Photo Checklist

Here’s your leaf-chasing cheat sheet:

• Bardini Garden staircase
  
  
• Arno River framed by yellow trees
  
  
• Chestnut soup or truffle pasta
  
  
• Pumpkin patch pose
  
  
• Sunset from San Miniato
  
  
• Espresso in a fogged-up café window
  
  

Final Tips for Fall in Florence

• Weather: Mid-October to mid-November is ideal. Bring a light coat and umbrella just in case.
  
  
• Packing tip: Think layers — fall days are sunny but chilly at night.
  
  
• Fall Treats to Try: Schiacciata con l’uva (sweet grape focaccia), chestnut flour cakes, and local honey.

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