The Uffizi Gallery in Florence is kicking off 2024 with change and innovation. After ending 2023 with a historic record of visitors (over 5 million), the prestigious museum complex is embracing change. New openings are on the horizon, with fresh dates and extended hours to enhance the tourist experience. If you’re planning to visit the Uffizi or considering returning, here are all the updates!
New Openings, Evenings, and Special
Director Simone Verde has decided to open the museum on Mondays, albeit on special occasions. Traditionally, Monday has been the museum’s day of closure, but this practice is about to change. Extraordinary openings for Mondays on April 1st, April 29th, June 24th, and December 30th have been confirmed. These special openings coincide with various holidays, such as the May Day holiday or the Feast of San Giovanni (Florence’s patron saint, on June 24th). These days offer a perfect opportunity for a long weekend of tranquility and relaxation in Italian museums!
Evening Openings Begin
Regarding the evening openings, the director stated: “It’s a way not only to make the museum more accessible to citizens in different lighting and atmospheric conditions but also because this way we especially cater to the Florentines who, after work, can come and enjoy the jewels of their city during less crowded hours, especially on a weekday, without the heavy tourist flows of the weekend.”
The museum will now remain open until 9:30 p.m., with the last entry at 8:30 p.m., extending the previous closing time of 6:30 p.m. This new evening schedule will begin on Tuesday, March 26th, and continue every Tuesday until December 17th. Initially designed to allow Florence residents to visit the museum despite their work commitments during the day, this extension of hours could be equally appealing to tourists. Visiting the Uffizi in the late evening could offer a more tranquil and high-quality experience, with less crowding.
No Paper Tickets, Uffizi Embraces Modernity
The digitalization of tickets represents a significant step forward in reducing wait times at the museum entrance, even though it may seem like a common feature in the technological age. Starting from May 2024, it will be sufficient to show a QR code at the entrance for admission. Alternatively, those who prefer to book through the call center (055/294883) will receive a valid code directly on their smartphone, to be presented to the staff during the visit.
These three new initiatives introduced by Director Simone Verde take into account the needs of workers, tourists, and students who may not be able to visit the museum during traditional opening hours. Take advantage of the opportunity to admire the Gallery of Statues and Paintings at sunset because, in the end, there’s nothing more romantic.
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