April, May, September and October are the best months, with highs of about 18 to 26 degrees and fewer rain days than in winter. July and August are the hottest, with highs around 30 degrees. November is the wettest month, with about ten rain days.
Best months: April to May and September to October
Highs rise from about 15 degrees in March to 23 in May, and rain days stay at six to eight a month. It is a good time to walk between the square and the river.
What to wear: Bring layers and a light waterproof for April.
Summer
17 to 29 °C · about 3 rainy days a month
Highs are about 27 in June and about 30 in July and August, with two to four rain days a month. The lawn of the square has little shade at midday.
What to wear: Wear light clothes, a hat and sun cream, and carry water.
Autumn
11 to 21 °C · about 9 rainy days a month
September is still warm at about 26 degrees, October falls to about 21 and November to 16. Rain days climb from six to ten.
What to wear: Bring a jacket and a compact umbrella from October.
Winter
3 to 12 °C · about 8 rainy days a month
Highs are about 12 degrees and lows go down to about 3, with seven to nine rain days a month. The days are short, though the monuments of the square stay open through the day.
What to wear: Wear a warm coat and waterproof shoes.
If it rains
A wet day works if you plan it around the covered monuments. The Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Camposanto galleries, the two museums on the square, the Museo di San Matteo and Palazzo Blu are all under a roof. Leave the Tower, the lawn, the botanical garden and the river walk for a dry hour.
On hot afternoons the lawn of the Piazza dei Miracoli offers almost no shade. Visit the square in the early morning or the evening, and use the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the museums as cool breaks at midday. Carry water and wear a hat.