Free Museum Sunday entrance strategy, if any...

The Duomo isn't a state-owned museum, so its sights aren't included in the free Sunday. Lines at the Accademia are shortest late afternoon, and usually pretty short if it's raining (no cover while waiting). Lines at the Uffizi are always long on free days, so maybe try to get there before opening time and be prepared to wait a while.

It was announced yesterday that free first Sundays (state museums only) are back in effect as of this coming Sunday, October 6.

Lunchtime is best.

Grazie. Thank you.

An update from yesterday's free Sunday. To visit the Uffizi on a free Sunday, you must go to the ticket window beside the Loggia dei Lanzi in Piazza della Signoria and get timed entry tickets to the museum. Watch for your entry time to be posted on the electronic board near the entry point and then get in line. At 3pm all free tickets had been distributed, but I didn't ask what time they were "sold out." I also didn't think to ask whether you can request a specific entry time from among the available tickets or must accept the time they give you. Bottom line, it's a much better process than having to stand in a long line wondering when you'll get in.

Thank you!

Update: The official Uffizi website has detailed instructions on how to obtain tickets for free days using interactive kiosks. Scroll down the Home page until you see Free Days 2019, click on that link and then scroll down to see the instructions. I didn't see the kiosks on Sunday, but they may have been taken inside once all the available tickets were distributed. I'll try to check earlier this Friday (the next free day), as there's no Fiorentina soccer match to delay my arrival.

So here's the scoop on how to obtain Uffizi tickets on free days. First of all, free Sundays are currently only until March 2020, so those traveling after the first Sunday in March should recheck the official Uffizi website closer to your travel dates for updates.

The ticket kiosks are located in front of the door nearest to Palazzo Vecchio, under the left loggia as you face the river. There are about 6 kiosks and they're very quick and easy to use, so no lines this morning just before 11am. The kiosk will first ask you how many people are in your party and then on the next screen allows you to pick any available time within a 2 hour window (e.g. 11am to 1pm in 15 minute intervals). I was able to get an 11am entry time, but I wouldn't count on that being the norm. A ticket voucher will print that you then take to the entry area further along toward the river on the same side. Get in line when your entry time is posted on the eletronic board. As you approach the entry to the security screening you will be given your actual free ticket. Keep it with you as you'll need it to enter the museum after security and upon exiting the museum. Because the number of entries is better controlled with the new procedure, the museum wasn't overrun with visitors. It seems to be working well.

Good info! Thank you!!