After 5 nights in Rome and 3 in Cinque Terre, my wife and I will arrive in Florence on Friday September 29 for 5 nights, departing Italy on Wednesday, October 4. Since Sunday, October 1 is the first Sunday of the month. I understand that we should steer clear of the Uffizi and Accademia that day. My question is: are the other museums I want to visit (e.g., San Marco, Pitti Place, Duomo Museum, Medici Chapel) also so crowded that they should be avoided that day? This also seems to screw up my plan to get a Firenze Pass, since we will lose one day’s use of its benefits. Any advice would be welcome.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
I've been in Florence multiple times on the first Sunday. Lines at the Uffizi are always ridiculously long while the Accademia is hit or miss. Lines there are usually long, but I've occasionally stumbled across fairly short lines early or late. Even then it's a bit crowded, but I suspect it's a bit crowded almost any day. Keep in mind that it's only state-owned museums that are free on the first Sunday, so the Duomo Museum won't be free and probably won't be crowded. San Marco Museum is generally closed on the first Sunday. Medici Chapel is hit or miss; I've seen both moderately long and very short lines. Because some rooms are small, for me it always feels a little crowded. The Pitti Palace complex is huge. The line looks long but moves pretty quickly. Once inside, it's not overly crowded because people scatter to the various museums and the Bobili Gardens. The nearby Bardini Gardens are also free on the first Sunday, are well worth a visit and are never crowded. They're most easily accessed by exiting the Bobili Gardens at Forte di Belvedere and following the signs (you can re-enter there again if you wish). They also have one of my favorite views of Florence - just circle the main house to your left as you exit the ticket office/bookstore.
Posted by
OP
47 posts
Does the Firenze Card do anything for me at all on the first Sunday? Do I still get to cut the line?