We plan to visit the Accademia and Uffizi in Florence, Italy on what happens to be the first Sunday of the month. The first Sunday of the month is a free day. I'd like to reserve tickets ahead of time so we don't have to wait in line but don't see this option in the on-line ticket reservation. Or, are tickets not needed at all this day and if this is the case, are there likely to be so many people we can't get in? This Sunday is the only day we can go.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23671 posts
That is our experience. Free is wide open with no reservation and the crowds are huge and the lines very long. Go as early as you can. The Italians like a bargain better than Am tourists.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Museum free days are first-come, first-served. You probably will wait in line, since the Accademia and Uffizi both control the number of guests inside at any one time. Since both open at 8:15, I would aim to be in line by 8:00 at one or the other, probably the Uffizzi, which most people spend more time to visit.
Posted by
Chicago
8703 posts
Museum passes and tickets are not applicable on free days. Free days are the most expensive days to visit any major museum in Europe.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
True, on free days you will be in line with everyone else, waiting...waiting...
I've never visited a major museum on a free day, but it might not be a problem to visit the smaller ones.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7180 posts
No direct experience with the Uffizi or Accademia on a free Sunday, but I was in Paris for the free Sunday and made it to two major museums that day (Musee d'Orsay and l'Orangerie). There will be CROWDS and expect to wait in line. My only advice would be to do the Uffizi first and get there early, early, early, before opening to minimize the line and crowds as much as possible. When in Paris I went to the Musee d'Orsay first, got in line 45 mins before opening thinking I would be near the front, still had to wait in line about 1 hr, but it was definitely worth it. Then got in line for l'Orangerie about 1:00pm and waited about an hour there too, also worth it to me. It was nice that it saved me €20 but, like you, it was really the only day I could do it so I went for it.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Thanks everyone. Since we only have an afternoon and overnight in Florence, I guess we will just wing it....wait in line if it looks like it is moving, otherwise, enjoy other sights in town.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
I was at the Uffizi last September on the free Sunday. It looked like they were selling same-day reserved admission tickets, as I saw people leaving the regular line, going to the reservation office and then heading for the reserved ticket line where they were admitted after a short wait. The wait without a reserved admission ticket was quite long, so it would be well worth either reserving ahead or reserving once you arrive in Florence. No experience with the Accademia on a free Sunday. You might also ask your hotel if they can reserve for you.