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
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!
