The Best Time to Visit Tuscany

When is the best time to visit Tuscany? The honest answer is that every season has something special. Here in the hills above Bagni di Lucca, the year moves from spring wildflowers to long summer evenings, golden autumn harvests and quiet, misty winter mornings. Here is our guide to help you choose.

Spring: Tuscany in bloom

From April, the countryside bursts into life. The hills turn a fresh, bright green, wildflowers line the paths and the days are warm without being hot. It is the ideal time for walking in the hills, exploring Lucca by bike and visiting Pisa and Florence before the summer crowds arrive. Easter and the Italian public holidays (25 April, 1 May and 2 June) can be busy, so book ahead if you are travelling then.

Summer: long days and warm nights

July and August bring hot, sunny days, perfect for slow mornings, lazy afternoons by the pool and dinners outdoors as the sun sets over the mountains. Summer is also festival season, with open-air concerts in Lucca, the Puccini Festival on the coast and village sagre (food festivals) almost every weekend. The cities and beaches are at their busiest, so this is when the cooler hills around Bagni di Lucca really come into their own.

Autumn: harvest season

Many people say autumn is the most beautiful time of year in Tuscany, and we agree. September is still warm, with the grape harvest under way. In October the chestnut woods turn gold and the villages celebrate with chestnut festivals, and from late October into November the olive harvest begins and the new, peppery olio nuovo arrives. The light is soft, the crowds have gone, and it is a wonderful time for walking, wine tasting and eating well.

Winter: quiet and cosy

Winter is the quietest season in the hills. Mornings can be crisp and misty, with snow on the distant mountains, while Lucca and Florence are peaceful and easy to explore without the queues. It is a time for cosy evenings by the log burner, hearty soups such as ribollita, and a slower pace of life.

Skiing at Abetone

Many visitors are surprised to learn that you can ski in Tuscany. Abetone, in the Apennine mountains, is Tuscany's best-known ski resort, around an hour's drive from Bagni di Lucca along the beautiful Lima valley. When there is snow, usually from December to March, it offers slopes for beginners and experienced skiers, snowshoeing and cosy mountain restaurants. Spend the day on the snow, then come back to the hills for a warm evening by the fire.

So, when should you come?

• For walking and sightseeing: May, June and September.
• For sunshine and the pool: July and August.
• For food, wine and harvests: September to November.
• For peace and quiet: late autumn and winter.
• For skiing: December to March at Abetone, snow permitting.

Whatever time of year you choose, Stalla di Guzzano is a peaceful base for exploring Bagni di Lucca, Lucca and the best of northern Tuscany.