Christmas in Florence, in a private villa or palazzo
In December Florence belongs to the Florentines again. The days are short and often crisp, a tall tree and a nativity scene stand in Piazza del Duomo, and churches across the centre fill for midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Between the holidays, the great collections are at their calmest, and a walk along the Arno at dusk needs only a good coat.
A private residence turns the season into a family occasion at home. Four top floor apartments in Santa Croce can be taken together, one with a living room that looks straight onto the Basilica. A penthouse on a 1489 palazzo by Giuliano da Sangallo has a rooftop hot tub a few metres from Palazzo Vecchio, a rare pleasure on a winter evening.
At a glance
- 40 private villas
- From 1 to 7 bedrooms
- Up to 14 guests in one villa
- 2 with a private pool
- 2 with a cook or staff
- Availability and price on request, reply within one working day
Tuscan Christmas food includes crostini with chicken liver, rich broths and panforte from nearby Siena. A private chef can cook it in your kitchen.
Italians eat lentils with cotechino at midnight on New Year's Eve for good fortune in the year ahead, a custom you can easily keep at home.
Italian holidays continue to 6 January, when the Befana brings sweets to children. Families often stay through to Epiphany.
Choose your villa
Add up to five villas to your list and send one request with your dates: we confirm availability and price with each owner.
Show all 40 villas
Positions are approximate: the exact address is shared once your stay is confirmed.
Questions before you choose
Are museums open over Christmas?
Most are open on the days around Christmas and New Year, but closures on the holidays themselves are common and vary from year to year. We suggest checking and booking tickets before travelling.
Is there a minimum stay at Christmas?
Many owners ask for a week or more over Christmas and New Year, and some set fixed arrival days. We confirm the conditions of each home.
How does the booking work?
Our homes are reserved on request. Send one message covering up to five properties and your dates, and we reply within one working day with confirmed availability and price.