What to do on August 15?

For all those coming to Tuscany next week, you probably already know that August 15 is a national holiday. While many places will be closed (don’t worry, most restaurants will be open), there are still lots of options for what to do on that day… particularly if you are in a Tuscany city such as Florence, Siena, Arezzo or Pisa or even along the coast.

Aside from relaxing by the pool at your holiday farmhouse or villa or going to the beach, consider that many museums will be open! Which just gives you that much more choices about what to do on that day, particularly if you are in Florence or Siena (for the Palio the next day) or Pisa or Arezzo.

But even if you’re at the beach, and need somewhere to head off late morning/early afternoon to take a break from the sun, there are museums nearby…. as well as archeological areas and parks and knowing they are open for sure is definitely a plus to know ahead of time!!

If you’re in Pisa, the Leaning Tower in Pisa and the other monuments in the Piazza dei Miracoli will also be open.

Here is the list of all museums open on August 15 in Tuscany and their opening hours for that day.

Location Museum Hours
Anghiari (Arezzo) Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions of the High Tiber River (Palazzo Taglieschi) 10am – 7pm
Arezzo National Archeological Museum “Gaion Cilnio Mecenate” 8.30am – 7.30pm
Arezzo National Medieval and Modern Art Museum 8.30am – 7.30pm
Arezzo Bacci Chapel – Frescoes by Piero della Francesca 1pm – 6pm
Castelfranco di Sopra (Arezzo) Soffena Abbey 9am – 1pm
Cortona (Arezzo) Archeological Area in Cortona 8am – 2pm
Florence Cycle of Last Suppers in Florence:Sant’Apollonia

Andrea del Sarto

8.15am – 1.50pm

8.15am – 1.50pm

Florence Orsanmichele – museum will be closed but church open 10am – 5pm
Florence Garden at Villa il Ventaglio 8.15am – 7.30pm
Florence State Museums:Medici Chapels

Uffizi Gallery

Accademia Gallery

National Archeological Museum

Palazzo Davanzati

Museum of San Marco

Bargello Museum

Pitti Museums: Silver Museum, Porcelain Museum and Costume Gallery

Pitti Museums: Palatine Gallery and Royal Apartments, Modern Art Gallery

Boboli Garden

Bardini Garden

8.15am – 4.50pm

8.15am – 6.50pm

8.15am – 6.50pm

8.00am – 7.00pm

8.15am – 1.50pm

8.15am – 4.50pm

8.15am – 5.00pm

 

8.15am – 6.50pm

 

8.15am – 6.50pm

8.15am – 7.30pm

8.15am – 7.30pm

Florence Medici Villas:Medici villa “Cerreto Guidi”

Medici villa della Petraia

Garden of the Medici villa di Castello

8.15am – 7.00pm

8.15am – 7.30pm

8.15am – 7.30pm

Castiglione della Pescaia (Grosseto) Archeological Area in Vetulonia 10am – 7pm
Grosseto Roselle Archeological Area 8.30am – 7.30pm
Orbetello (Grosseto) State Antiquarium of Cosa 9am – 7.30pm
Portoferraio (Elba Island) National Museum of Napoleon’s Residences – Villa San Martino 9am – 1pm
Lucca National Museum at Villa Guinigi 8.30am – 1.30pm
Lucca National Picture Gallery and Museum at Palazzo Mansi 8.30am – 1.30pm
Calci (Pisa) Monumental Certosa guided vists 8.30am – 1pm starting every hour from the ticket office (last entrance at 12.30pm)
Pisa National Museum of San Marco 8.30am – 1.30pm
Monsummano Terme (Pistoia) Casa Giusti Museum 8am – 2pm and3pm – 7pm
Pistoia Ex-Church of Tau 8.15am – 1.30pm
Pistoia Fortress of Santa Barbara 8.15am – 1.30pm
Pistoia Oratory of San Desiderio 8.15am – 1.30pm
Poggio a Caiano (Prato) Medici Villa at Poggio a Caiano and Garden Garden open 8.15am – 7.30pmAccompanied visits to the Villa’s royal rooms every half hour (8.30, 9am, etc) for up to 50 people max. Stilllife Museum: visit only on reservation (tel. 055-877012)
Chiusi (Siena) National Archeological Museum, The Lion Tomb (at Poggio Renzo) and the Pilgrim Tomb (at Montebello) Museum 9am – 8pm. Only the Pilgrim Tomb will be open with guided visits at 1pm and 4pm.
Siena National Pinacoteca 9am – 1pm

Hope you’re enjoying your vacation in Tuscany this August!

About Lourdes Flores

An American living in Florence for over 10 years, Lourdes continues to explore and discover new places in Tuscany with the eyes of a tourist but with the experience of living in Italy. She shares her experiences on this blog and website, particularly offering lots of travel planning help on the Forum!