Ufizzi and Academia on the free Sunday

I would imagine it is like what I just experienced on 1 May trying to get into Herculaneum. Everybody and their mother is out for free admission on that day. My traveling companions refused to stand in line and I don’t blame them, it was hot and the line was extremely long.

Yep, Mrs. B and I just gave up on seeing them since the tickets went free. Too bad since it's our first time in Florence. Our tour company (The Tour Guy) sent us an email offering a full refund on our $270 tickets.

MrB, please don't despair! There are other great places to see in Florence that won't either be mobbed with Free Sunday visitors or closed on Mondays (Not sure what days you'll be there?) so all is definitely NOT lost!

Besides, what with your recent bout with COVID, you're drawing a sigh of relief at this point that you're going to get to go AT ALL, right? :O)

One Sunday in October, we were on our way to one of those "other great places" in Florence (the Benozzo Gozzoli in the Medici chapel) and saw long. long lines of people (several blocks long) and finally asked someone what the line was for. It was the line for the Accademia on a free Sunday. I hope you have enough days in Florence to avoid the free day. I agree that the Uffizi would be too much on the day you arrive.

@Kathy yes, you are 100% correct. I’m happy to be allowed the experience in a week.

I personally have no experience with free museum days, but someone I follow on instagram (@kacierose), recently shared that she and a friend happened to be walking by the Uffizi on a free Sunday, late in the afternoon, and noticed there wasn't a line, so they popped in. From the look of it, the museum didn't appear to be crowded at all.

Obviously, your mileage may vary, but if you're in the neighborhood anyway, it might be worth swinging by an hour or two before closing time to see what the crowd situation is. However, if those museums are on your must do list, I'd buy tickets in advance, rather than gambling on a free Sunday.

In case the previous posters haven’t convinced you to avoid free Sundays, I’ll add my experience. Way back in 1984, we inadvertently visited the Uffizi on a free Sunday (last day in Florence, missed it on Saturday because of early closing). It was jam packed. I’m short and had to resort to craning my neck to see around all the taller people massed around some of the iconic works. I was able to make my way to the front of the crowds, but to step back for a more comprehensive view was impossible. Every time I tried, someone stepped in front of me. I have since avoided free days at museums.
While I know that there are many works worth seeing besides the Birth of Venus, I really did want to see it. I had to be satisfied with what I could see standing way to the side. Btw, this was in the week after Christmas. Not high season for tourism.

Thanks for all your thoughtful replies, We are leaving on Tuesday morning and Monday the museum is closed - so Sunday is the only chance. Probably will wait until late afternoon and hope for the best or… it will be a reason to return to Florence one day!

Looks like it's open until 6:30pm. I don't know what it's like inside on free Sundays, but on regular days there are crowds around the famous paintings and virtually no one elsewhere. Crowding seems to go in waves, so it's well worth it to stand and wait for the wave to pass or at least lessen. Also, there is no way you can see everything, so if you have any kind of focussed interest, see those rooms first. I hope you have good luck, and, yes, definitely return!