Our group of four is flying from Minnesota to Florence, arriving later morning on Sat, May 3. We will be joining our tour group in Lucca on Monday afternoon, May 5. We’ll be staying at Hotel Pendini in Florence. I started looking at places we want to visit to make some reservations: Accademia (David), Uffizi, Duomo Museum, perhaps Bargello or Pitti Palace. (No need to climb the Duomo dome.)
Since May 4 is the first Sunday of the month, I find that all of these, except Duomo Museum, will be free and very crowded. No reservations taken. And I think Accademia, Uffizi and Pitti Palace are also closed on Mondays.
Normally we would take it easy for the day when we arrive, due to jet lag. But should I make reservations and perhaps a guide for somewhere on Saturday afternoon – even though we will be dragging, or our flight from AMS to FLR could arrive late?
Then what should we plan for Sunday, and for Monday until noon? Thoughts? Thanks!
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
7381 posts
Well that's a bummer. In addition to the weeken, free museums and Monday closures Fri May 1 is a holiday so I would expect massive crowds in Florence that weekend.
Personally I would avoid all the top sites. We were in Florence over that same weekend in 2022 and it was crazy busy- almost shoulder to shoulder on some streets.
Try some churches? Santa Croce? SM Novella?, some smaller museums- Bargello, San Marco?
Visit Mercato Centrale. Maybe a food tour on Sunday?
Booking a tour on arrival day is your decision but I know there is no way I'd be able to pay attention/absorb anything or be in a stuffy crowded museum after that long flight. If your flight is late are you willing to eat the cost of tour?
Posted by
Vignola, MO, IT
711 posts
Medici Chapel is open on Monday and it is also possible to visit the Duomo on Mondays. I just booked the Secret Room of Michelangelo with Medici Chapel (It is wonderful and I've already seen the room) for a Monday later in May.
Posted by
OP
22 posts
Thanks for the tip about the Medici Chapel and the secret room - I will check it out.
So I am confused about the Duomo MUSEUM.....is it open on Sundays and can we get advance tickets for that on May 4? Or do that on Mon am, May 5?
Which churches might be most interesting on a Sunday....perhaps attend Mass? (we are not Catholic but our friends are).
Thanks!
Posted by
Chicago
2124 posts
I'm checking this out in April--
https://leonardointeractivemuseum.com/en/
It's the interactive museum of Leonardo DaVinci. Read about it after seeing the fine Ken Burns special on PBS.
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY
4353 posts
Also check out the Varasi Corridor. It is reopening in December after an extended renovation. It is the passage way the Medici had built to take them from their home to their offices without walking through the streets.
We were just in Florence this past August. Everyday we walked past the Pitti Palace and there was never a line. We went to visit on a Sunday, forgetting it was free Sunday, and there was a long line. You still have to walk over to the ticket booth to get a ticket, then get on line. In my opinion, the palace’s artwork is overwhelming. There wasn’t an inch of wall, or even ceiling, space not covered. They had a nice exhibition with dresses from various eras. The real star of the palace are the Boboli Gardens. They are beautiful. So, get there early or go later in the day.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16777 posts
Great idea to take a peek at some of the churches! I'll recommend Santa Trinita, Santa Croce, San Miniato and Santa Maria Novella, just for starters. Unfortunately, the Bardi Chapel in Santa Croce is under restoration so the Giotto frescoes are not viewable.
https://www.santacroceopera.it/en/organise-your-visit/
https://www.smn.it/en/visit/
http://www.museumsinflorence.com/musei/santa-trinita.html. (the Sassitti chapel is very special; read up in advance)
https://www.visitflorence.com/florence-churches/san-miniato.html#google_vignette
https://sanminiatoalmonte.it/contatti/
San Miniato is a stand-out not only for its long history but for the VIEW from its perch high above the city. The attached cemetery is also good for wander.
The Bargello (a very good museum) is also open of the first Sundays of the months. Open days/hours here:
Opening hours
08:15 - 13:50 (Mon - Wed - Thu - Fri and the first, third and fifth Sunday of every month)
08:15 - 18:50 (Sat)
Closing:
Tuesdays, second and fourth Sunday of every month, 25 December
https://www.b-ticket.com/b-Ticket/uffizi/default_eng.aspx.html
Posted by
OP
22 posts
Thanks so much for the extra tips. The Vasari Corridor sounds really intriguing, but is part of the Uffizi tickets...so won't work for us that weekend. I hope others get there!
We'll add Bargello as a possibility for Sunday and also wander around to more of the churches and high spots later on Sunday or Monday. Still trying to figure the Duomo museum.
Posted by
Chicago
8703 posts
I think San Marco is open Monday mornings (it is only open in the mornings). It is one of the most interesting spots in Florence with Fra Angelico's frescoes in each monk's cell.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16777 posts
San Marco hours from the b-ticket website:
https://www.b-ticket.com/b-Ticket/uffizi/default_eng.aspx.html
Visiting hours:
Tuesday to Saturday: 8:15 - 13:50
2nd and 4th Sunday of the month: 8.15 - 13.50
1st and 3rd Monday of the month: 8.15 - 13.50.
Closing:
The first, third and fifth Sunday, the second and fourth Monday of the month; 1st January, 25th december.
So that is a possibility for Monday AM, May 5th. I'll agree with Janet that it's one of the more interesting museums.