Unlike some places in the world that offer free museum entry (I’m lookin’ at you London and Washington, DC), Italy charges an entry fee for almost all museums, archaeological sites, and gardens.
As a visitor, those entry fees can really add up and cut into your gelato budget!
Did you know that we have something in Italy called Domenica al Museo (Sunday at the Museum)? On the first Sunday of each month, Italy’s state museums open up FOR FREE!
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Things to Know about Free Sundays at the Museum in Tuscany
The list of museums is subject to change. Always check the official Domenica al Museo webpage for the up-to-date list for each month.
These museums can get very crowded on Free Sundays. I tend to avoid these museums on Sundays because they are usually jam-packed. Exceptions are: during the winter (or late fall or early spring), more off-the-beaten path museums, or outdoor areas. For example, entering Boboli Gardens in Florence on a free Sunday is fine year-round. However, I personally would avoid trying to visit the Uffizi in June on a free Sunday.
Go as early as you can. Some popular sites will already have a line before they open up, but it will only get busier as the day goes on.
Not all museums and sites participate in Free Sundays (many museums you come across aren’t national museums). Be sure to look at the list below of the free museums to see if the one you want to visit participates. For example, you can’t climb Giotto’s bell tower in Florence or the Leaning Tower of Pisa for free – they aren’t state museums.
The day before or after a free Sunday is a good day to visit if you’re ok paying for the museum and hope to visit with fewer crowds.
Thinking about participating in Free Sundays at the museum with your kids? I’d avoid indoor spaces and popular museums. It’s too crowded and your kids will struggle to see the art. You’ll also be working hard to keep track of them in the crowded spaces. Outdoor areas and archaeological sites are fine with little ones.
List of Museums in Tuscany that Participate in Free Sundays at the Museum
Please note that this list is subject to change (always check the official link above). The museums are listed by province. The museum’s city is in parentheses.
Good To Know: Italy has 21 regions, which are kind of like states in the USA. Each region has provinces, which you can think of as counties in the USA. Some provinces have the same name as major cities. For example, Firenze (Florence) is a city in the province of Firenze in the region of Toscana (Tuscany).
Arezzo
National Archaeological Museum ‘Gaio Cilnio Mecenate’ (Arezzo)
Palazzo Taglieschi Museum (Anghiari)
Casa Vasari Museum (Arezzo)
National Museum of Medieval and Modern Art (Arezzo)
Florence
Museum of the Last Supper of Andrea del Sarto (Florence)
The Last Supper of Sant’Apollonia (Florence)
Accademia Gallery (Florence)
Uffizi Gallery (Florence)
Palazzo Pitti, Palatine Chapel, Costume Gallery, Palatine Gallery & Monumental Apartments, Gallery of Modern Art (Florence)
Garden of the Royal Stables (Florence)
Boboli Garden(s) (Florence)
The Treasury of the Grand Dukes, aka The Silver Museum (Florence)
Medici Villa di Castello Garden (Florence, near the Peretola Airport)
Villa il Ventaglio Park (Florence)
Bargello Museum (Florence)
Medici Chapels (Florence)
National Archaeological Museum of Florence (Florence)
Medici Villa la Petraia (Florence, near the Peretola Airport)
Medici Villa Cerreto Guidi (Cerreto Guidi)
Grosseto
Roselle Archaeological Area (Grosseto)
Vetulonia Archaeological Area (Castiglione della Pescaia)
National Archaeological Museum and Area of Cosa (Orbetello)
Livorno
Archaeological Museum of Castiglioncello (Rosignano Marittimo)
National Museum of Napoleonic Residences – Villa San Martino and Palazzina dei Mulini (Portoferraio, Elba Island)
Lucca
Villa Guinigi National Museum (Lucca)
Palazzo Mansi National Museum (Lucca)
Pisa
National Museum of the Charterhouse of Calci (Pisa)
National Museum of the Royal Palace (Pisa)
Saint Matthew National Museum (Pisa)
Pistoia
National Museum of Casa Giusi (Monsummano Terme)
Prato
Comeana Archeological Area Etruscan Tombs (Carmignano)
Medici Villa of Poggio a Caiano and Garden (Poggio a Caiano)
Siena
National Art Gallery of Siena (Siena)
National Etruscan Museum (Chiusi)
You may also want to check out
Best Views in Florence
Gardens in Florence
Where to See the Art of Michelangelo in Florence
Medici in Florence
Florence with Kids
Kid-Friendly Museums in Florence
Outdoor Art in Tuscany
Trying to Decide When to Visit? Check out
When to Visit Tuscany – Month by Month
How to Avoid Crowds in Italy
Check out my monthly guides to visiting Florence: January – February – March – September – October – November – December
Read more about visiting Tuscany in the Spring – Summer – Fall – Winter
