We will be traveling through Italy in July. We are only planning to spend one day in Florence and I just realized that it is the day with free admission to the Academia. While I like to save a buck, I'm actually really disappointed about this because I think this will make the already bad crowds just insane, and the one thing I most wanted to see in Florence is the David. Is there any way to make this a reasonable visit? If we go with a tour does that help? I normally hate tours, but this might be an exception if it helps us see the David without losing our minds. If we arrive before the museum opens and go in right away, will it be ok, or is there just a mob there waiting for it to open on the free days? We might possibly be able to do it late on Saturday instead, but that would take some rearranging of other plans that I wasn't eager to rearrange, since we are driving up from Rome that day and I was envisioning a leisurely trip through Tuscany with several stops on our way to Florence. Help!
Posted by
Chicago
8233 posts
You have eight months before for your trip. Rearrange your plans if it does not cost you too much and go on Saturday.
Or stake out a place in line 2 hours before it opens
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23653 posts
Our experience with free days is that the locals overwhelm it. You have to work something else out.
Posted by
OP
14 posts
Ugh! Our only other option is Saturday afternoon and it's already sold out for that whole day. :(
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12055 posts
OUCH!
I guess its set the alarm clock for o'dark early
Posted by
OP
14 posts
OK, it turns out we were able to get tickets for Saturday afternoon after all. So that's a relief. If anyone else is trying to get tickets from the website, be aware that it's a little weird. You don't put in the date you actually want. Instead you put in a date PRIOR to the date you actually want. So I was putting in June 30 and it kept showing me available dates in July. Once I put in June 29, it let me choose June 30. Weird! But I'm glad I figured it out since I definitely don't want to be in Florence and unable to see David!
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Glad it worked out. For others in the same predicament, going very early or late in the day might help.