June marks the beginning of the high season as crowds start to infiltrate one of Italy's most popular regions. The sun and sea beckon visitors to flock to the Tyrrhenian coast, the mountains are waiting to be traversed, and the Chianti and Siena wine provinces are waiting to be explored. Drink in Tuscany as you learn what to do and where to go.

Weather

It's no coincidence that June is one of Tuscany's best travel months, in part because of its favorable weather. Average temperatures this month range between 77-83°F (25-28°C) during the day and drop 20°F (10°C) by the evening, with extremes reaching the mid-90s (30°C). Pack light cotton clothing with your sunscreen and swimsuit, as well as bring your umbrella for those short afternoon thunderstorms.

Towns and cities along the coast, islands, and lowlands will have muggier weather though tempered by the sea breeze and the hilly region inland as well as the mountains along the Tuscan-Emilian border and mountains in the northwest offer warm and sunny weather.

Crowds & Costs

The tourist season is well underway, so plan ahead and make your necessary reservations. Whether you're visiting Florence, Pisa, or Siena or anywhere along the coast or the Tuscan Archipelago, you can expect an uptick in prices as all hotels and restaurants are open for business. Therefore it's wise to book everything as far in advance as possible, including tickets for attractions and sights within the country.

Where to Go

A trip to Florence cannot be overlooked. Most travelers begin or end their Tuscan adventure in Florence, the capital of the region and a great jumping-off point to Pisa and Lucca, Siena and Chianti. Visit the famous Uffizi Gallery, Duomo, and stroll through the peaceful Boboli Gardens in Florence, the wineries and medieval villages of the Chianti region, the fortress of Monteriggioni in Siena, the Leaning Tower at the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa, and the historic center of Lucca to see the Guingi Tower and San Martino Cathedral.

If you're in want of avoiding the throngs of tourists, you'll have better luck with lesser-visited, though equally stunning treasures like the terracotta-roofed Volterra, the wilds of the Maremma, the dramatic hilltop villages of Pitigliano, Sovana, and Sorano, and the Val di Chiana Aretina. And now that the Tyrrhenian Sea is warm enough to swim and the sun is shining, you'll want to spend some time along the coastline and the Tuscan Archipelago.

Read Tuscany Off the Beaten Path for seven ways go beyond Florence.

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What to Do

June is still a good month for cultural sightseeing, though bear in mind the key attractions will be crowded. The weather is now perfect for sunbathing, and the sea is finally warm enough for swimming and all other water-related activities (kayaking, sailing, snorkeling), making the coast and the islands a perfect holiday destination.

The Parco Regionale della Maremma, too, is a great option to explore, where you can hike undisturbed through pine and silver-green olive groves and along coastlines fringed with sweet-scented macchia. Lie out on the beach in relative peace and bike, walk, and canoe the area for a truly immersive experience.

If you find yourself in Florence at the end of the month, you can catch the celebrations of the summer solstice on or around June 21. This operates somewhat in Tandem with the Feast of St. John on June 24. The best vantage point to witness the incredible fireworks displays is from the Santa Trinita Bridge looking out to the Piazzale Michelangelo.

Another notable festival to experience is Pisa’s Luminara di San Ranieri. After a day of sightseeing, stick around in the evening to watch the town light up with thousands of candles outlining bridges, windows, and streets washing the city in golden light.

Events in June

Pitti ImmagineFlorence. An international annual fashion event held at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence every year since 1954 showcases clothing and fabric in four events: men's, women's, and children's clothing, and Pitti Filati caters to knitters.

Republic Daynationwide. This national holiday falls on June 2 and celebrates the day in 1946 when the nation voted to switch from a monarchy to a republic. Many businesses are closed, and there are celebrations, parades, and fireworks throughout the country

Feast of St. JohnFlorence. Every June 24 there are religious festivities in Florence to celebrate John the Baptist, where there's a parade in the historic center of the city followed by fireworks over the Arno River in the evening. 

Summer Solstice. This typically takes place around June 21, although exact dates change yearly. There are celebrations throughout the country, with some of the grandest in Florence. 

Maggio Musicale FiorentinoFlorence. A two-month festival showcasing international opera, concerts, and ballet performances, is Italy's oldest music festival and takes place in Teatro dell' Opera di Firenze (Florence).

Luminara di San RanieriPisa. On June 16, citizens of Pisa light thousands of candles at sunset, outlining the city (think windows, bridges, doorways, etc.) in the flickering light.

Traveling to Tuscany in June? Check out these great itineraries

Explore Tuscany - 13 Days. You might not have Tuscany all to yourself this month, but this tour gives you the time to see the sights at your own pace (with lots of local insights). Take in the views from the top of Pisa's leaning tower, explore Siena's 13th-century streets, and discover the rambling country roads of the Val d'Orcia region. 

Cycling Tuscany: Florence to Siena - 5 Days. Take a quick spin through the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance during the sunny month of June. This challenging bike route will take you through the medieval villages and cypress-spotted hills of the Tuscan wine region, from Florence to Siena.

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