Special Openings for upcoming Italian holidays

If you’re planning to visit Florence or explore Tuscany at the end of April and beginning of May, there’s a perfect trio of dates to keep on your radar. With April 25 (Liberation Day), May 1 (Labour Day), and Sunday, May 3 (the first Sunday of the month), museums across the region are opening their doors with a mix of free entry and special holiday hours. From world-famous galleries in Florence to smaller, lesser-known museums scattered across Tuscany, this is an ideal moment to plan a cultural itinerary that blends iconic highlights with hidden gems.

Below, you’ll find a curated overview of museums and sites open on these dates, organized by area to help you easily plan your visit, with Florence at the end.

AREZZO

Basilica di San Francesco – piazza San Francesco – Arezzo
April 25 and May 1: 9am-7pm (last entrance 6:30pm)
May 3: 1-6pm (last entrance 5:30pm)

Museo Archeologico Nazionale “Gaio Cilnio Mecenate” e Anfiteatro romano – via Margaritone, 10 – Arezzo
April 25, May 1 and 3: 9am-7.30pm (last entrance at 6:30pm)

Museo di Casa Vasari – via XX settembre, 55 – 52100 Arezzo (AR)
April 25, May 1 and 3: 8:30am-1:30pm (last entrance 12:30)

Museo Nazionale d’Arte Medievale e Moderna – Via San Lorentino, 8 – Arezzo
April 25, May 1 and 3: 8:30am-1:30pm (last entrance 12:30)

Outside of Arezzo, there are these three:

In Castelfranco Piandiscò (AR) – Abbazia di San Salvatore a Soffena (always free entrance) – Via di Soffena, 2 – Castelfranco Piandiscò
April 25: 8:30am-1:45pm
May 1 and 3: closed

In Anghiari – Museo delle Arti e Tradizioni Popolari dell’Alta Vat del Tevere – Palazzo Taglieschi – piazza Mameli – Anghiari
April 25, May 1 and 3: 10am – 3pm (last entrance 14)

In Cortona – Cortona Area Archeologica del Sodo e Tomba di Camucia – Loc. Sodo di Cortona – Cortona
April 25, May 1 and 3: 10am-2pm and 4-7pm

LIVORNO

Museo archeologico nazionale di Castiglioncello (always FREE entrance) – via del Museo, 8 – Castiglioncello
April 25: 4:30-7:30pm
May 1: closed
May 3: 10am-1pm

Museo nazionale delle residenze Napoleoniche Villa S. Martino – via di San Martino – Portoferraio
April 25, May 1 and 3: 9am – 1:30pm (last entrance 13:00)

PISTOIA

Fortezza di Santa Barbara (always FREE entrance) – Piazza della Resistenza – Pistoia
April 25, May 1 and 3: 8:30am – 1:30pm (last entrance 13:00)

Ex Chiesa del Tau (always FREE entrance) – Corso Silvano Fedi 28 – Pistoia
April 25, May 1 and 3: 8:30am – 1:30pm (last entrance 13:00)

Oratorio di San Desiderio (always FREE entrance) – Via Laudesi 53 – Pistoia
April 25, May 1 and 3: 8:30am – 1:30pm (last entrance 13:00)

PRATO

Area archeologica di Comeana – Tumuli di Montefortini e Boschetti (always FREE entrance) – via Montefortini, 1 – Carmignano
April 25: 9.30am-12:30pm
May 1 and 3: 8.30am-1pm and 1.30-5pm

SIENA

Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Chiusi – via Porsenna, 93 – 53043 Chiusi (SI)
April 25, May 1 and 3: 8.30 – 14 (last entrance 13.20)

Florence’s Major Museums: Free & Special Openings

While the list above highlights a wonderful selection of smaller museums and lesser-known sites across Tuscany, these special spring dates also open the doors to Florence’s most iconic museums. From world-famous masterpieces to historic palace collections, this is one of the best times of the year to experience the city’s cultural treasures—often completely free.

Free Entry on April 25 & May 3

Both Friday, April 25 (Liberation Day) and Sunday, May 3 (the first Sunday of the month) are part of Italy’s nationwide initiative offering free entry to all state museums.

In Florence, this means access to some of the city’s most visited and celebrated landmarks, including:

• Uffizi Gallery (including Palazzo Pitti & Boboli Gardens)
• Accademia Gallery (home to Michelangelo’s David)
• Bargello Museum
• Medici Chapels
• Palazzo Davanzati
• Orsanmichele

All follow their regular opening hours (generally from around 8:15am to early evening), with last entry about an hour before closing.

Some more that will will free on these two dates are:

• Museo di San Marco – 8:30am-1:50pm (last entrance at 12:45pm)

• Chiostro dello Scalzo – via Cavour 69 – (8.30am-2pm)

• The Last Suppers of
  • Sant’Apollonia – Via XXVII Aprile 1 (8.30am-2pm)
  • Andrea del Sarto – via di San Salvi, 16 (8.30am-2pm)
  • Fuligno – via Faenza, 40 (9am-1pm on April 25 and May 1, closed on May 3)

May 1: Museums Open (but Not Free)

On Friday, May 1 (Labor Day), museums across Florence remain open with standard ticket pricing. This is relatively unusual as many museums in Europe close on this holiday, making it a great opportunity to plan a visit with fewer Italian crowds as most will take the day off and be with family.

It’s also one of the best days to take advantage of timed entry reservations, offering a more relaxed experience compared to the busy free-entry dates.

What to Expect on Free Days

Free-entry days in Florence are extremely popular – especially at the Uffizi and Accademia. Expect long lines and high visitor numbers, particularly from mid-morning onward.

• Arrive early for major museums
• Visit headline sites first thing in the morning
• Plan smaller museums or quieter locations for later in the day

A simple strategy is to combine one of Florence’s major museums with the smaller sites listed above – such as the Cenacoli or Last Suppers listed above or local museums – creating a more balanced and enjoyable itinerary.

With a bit of planning, these dates offer a rare opportunity to experience both Florence’s world-famous masterpieces and Tuscany’s lesser-known cultural gems—all within the same trip, and often completely free.