Your day-by-day guide to spending the hottest and (usually) quietest month in Florence.
1 Saldi (sales) season is different this year, starting on August 1. Snap up some steals: this year you only have 30 days!
2 Check out the art and nature workshops at Villa Caruso di Bellosguardo in Lastra a Signa.
3 Catch a free guided tour at the Medici Park of Pratolino.
4 The Prato Film Festival takes off today until August 8. With an international selection of short films, this year’s edition is dedicated to Ennio Fantastichini and Alberto Sordi, and takes place in piazza Santa Maria delle Carceri.
5 The Orchestra della Toscana lull us into a classical calm at the Giardino del Torrione di Santa Brigida in Empoli for an evening of music from the big screen, featuring works by Ennio Morricone, John Williams and Leonard Bernstein.
6 Learning never stops. Scuola Popolare at Villa Romana is a varied and free programme of lectures and discussions with topics ranging from psychotherapy to workshops hosted by Black History Month Florence.
7 All aboard the Porrettana Express for a scenic route through the Tuscan Apennines.
8 Enjoy a gourmet picnic in the Florentine hills as historic estate Torre a Cona welcomes foodies to its fields.
9 Visit La Limonaia at Villa Strozzi for food, drinks and live music.
10 It’s San Lorenzo, or the night of shooting stars, when dreams are said to come true. Usually celebrated with a street party in the Florentine neighbourhood of the same time, this year’s festivities are likely to be more muted.
11 Take a break from Florence and head to the Chianti Sculpture Park near Siena. Folk, jazz and traditional Irish music resound throughout its amphitheatre, with concerts held every Tuesday until August 25.
12 Time to cool off in one of the city’s swimming pools. Or dive into a pool in the Tuscan countryside, like at Fattoria Lavacchio, which offers day entrance.
13 You have until August 31 to ogle the sparkling jewels of the Grand Ducal Crown, scepter and other precious items that once belonged to the Medici family, on display at the Palazzo Vecchio museum.
14 Swoon before a sunset over the Renaissance city from one of the many vantage points. Try Bellosguardo: the name says it all.
15 Ferragosto is certainly a well-needed celebration this year. Indulge in a vineyard gourmet dinner at Querceto di Castellina; booking required.
16 Urban mecca Manifattura Tabacchi has greenified its Giardino della Ciminiera, creating a happening space with a free-entry cultural programme you won’t want to miss.
17 Grab a bike and see where it takes you.
18 What’s the restaurant you dreamed about most when all doors were shut? Book a table and order all the best stuff: let’s celebrate life as it is right now.
19 Time to shelter from the heat with a great read. Grab a copy of The Florentine Press’ most recent release, Rental Diaries by Mary Gray, a name you’ll no doubt remember from these very pages.
20 Don’t let those lockdown culinary skills go to waste. Follow a recipe from Destination Florence’s Tuscan culinary tour online article series to master the region’s best-known dishes.
21 Fiesole hosts the Estate Fiesolana festival until September 18. Catch a cinema screening in the historic Roman theatre or listen in awe to top-class performances.
22 Head for the hills and immerse yourself in the bucolic beauty surrounding the city. The choices are many but you can’t go wrong if you just keep following along the Arno’s romantic lilt.
23 One of the hottest spots this summer is Serre Torrigiani on via Gusciana 21, the ideal venue for an aperitivo with friends.
24 Wander through the park of Villa il Ventaglio, floating down the Forbici hill.
25 A summer stroll in the city is always an evening well spent. Gelato mandatory.
26 Support an artisan by becoming a member of Creative People in Florence for only 12 euro a year.
27 La città dei lettori presents the literary line-up you’ve been waiting for. Held until August 30 in the Villa Bardini gardens.
28 Too hot to go out but need to entertain the kids? Free children’s online workshops hosted by OMA ensure little hands are kept busy.
29 Compare and contrast Frantoio and Moraiolo during a fun extra-virgin olive oil tasting at the Pruneti Extra Gallery in Greve in Chianti.
30 Just jump. After lockdown, it’s time to throw caution to the wind and do a tandem skydive with Skydive Dream Florence. (Our editor did it and loved it!)
31 Close the month in style with a rooftop toast to having made the most of the summer.
