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Do museums typically reserve some tix for walk-ups or same-day purchase?

Hi all- Heading to Rome, Florence and Venice next week- 9 day trip. I’ve booked tix for most of key things I wanted to do in each city (coliseum, Vatican, uffizi, Accademia, etc) , but left off a few for fear of overbooking. If we decide that we want to try to go to one of these museums and it appears fully booked online, do they tend to hold some tickets back for walk up visitors or open up same day options online? Trying to figure out if it’s worth making the effort to try to get in if we have time… or just put these on the list for next time and enjoy some itinerary freedom. I recognize that this may be a case-by-case basis, but curious what others have to say, Thanks!

Posted by
28249 posts

Some do that. Even the Vatican has a line for people who want to buy tickets for entry that day. It tends to be long and very slow-moving, and there's no guarantee of getting in the door from that line if you don't show up early, but it is possible. Some other places sell all the tickets they have available, and unless there's a late cancellation, nothing will be available if you just show up. I think that's the situation at the Borghese Gallery in Rome.

At San Marco in Venice the need-to-buy-tickets line can be very long, but in my experience (September 2023), it moves faster than you'd think.

If you list your "maybe" sightseeing targets, we may be able to give you advice on some of them.

Posted by
23642 posts

Our experience is that you can always get in if a major facility and you are willing to spend a little time in line A small gallery would have greater limitations. And next time is a good attitude to have anyway.