Florence museums for a rainy day
On a wet day in Florence, book the Uffizi or Accademia for the morning and add a museum a few minutes' walk away. On Mondays go to Palazzo Vecchio, Palazzo Strozzi or the Duomo museum.
On a wet day in Florence, plan around groups of museums a few minutes apart. Book the Uffizi or the Accademia for the morning, then add Palazzo Vecchio, the Bargello or the Museo Galileo nearby. The Uffizi has a free cloakroom for wet umbrellas and coats, which the Accademia does not, and the Renaissance Masterpieces Guided Tour ($84, 4.6 from 6,123 reviews, free cancellation up to 24 hours before) gets you through the second floor in about 90 minutes with the timed ticket included.
On Mondays the Uffizi, Pitti, the Accademia, the Bargello, the Medici Chapels and San Marco are closed. Go instead to Palazzo Vecchio, the Museo Galileo, Palazzo Strozzi, the Duomo museum, Santa Croce or Palazzo Medici Riccardi. Hours change for holidays, events and weather alerts, so check each museum’s own site on the day.
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Why Florence works well on a rainy day
Rain empties Florence’s piazzas in minutes. Café terraces fold up, the crowds on Ponte Vecchio thin out, and wet stone shines under the streetlamps. Meanwhile some of the best art collections in Europe sit within a ten-minute walk of each other, all indoors.
Everyone has the same idea, though. When it pours, the Uffizi, the Accademia and the Duomo fill up fast, while the Bargello, San Marco and the Museo Galileo usually stay calm. My approach for a wet day:
- Book one big name for the morning.
- Add one or two quieter neighbors within a short dash.
- Keep an evening exhibition in reserve.
The 12 best Florence museums for a rainy winter day
| # | Museum | Why go in the rain | Open Mondays? | Book ahead? | Time needed (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uffizi Gallery | Botticelli, Leonardo, Caravaggio; a free cloakroom for wet umbrellas | No | Yes, strongly | 2–3 hours |
| 2 | Accademia | Michelangelo’s David and the unfinished Prisoners | No | Yes, strongly | 1–1.5 hours |
| 3 | Palazzo Pitti | Raphael and Titian, royal apartments, fashion; this winter’s Medici exhibition | No | Weekends | 2–3 hours |
| 4 | Bargello | Renaissance sculpture: Donatello, Michelangelo, Cellini | No | Optional | 1–1.5 hours |
| 5 | Medici Chapels | Michelangelo’s New Sacristy and a chapel lined with inlaid marble | No | Optional | 45 minutes–1 hour |
| 6 | Palazzo Vecchio | The Salone dei Cinquecento and the secret passages | Yes, every Monday | Recommended | 1.5–2 hours |
| 7 | Opera del Duomo Museum | The original Gates of Paradise; Michelangelo’s late Pietà | Yes | No time slot needed | 1.5–2 hours |
| 8 | San Marco | Fra Angelico’s Annunciation and the frescoed monks’ cells | No | Rarely needed | 1 hour, mornings only on most days |
| 9 | Palazzo Strozzi | This winter’s Broken exhibition | Yes | Optional | 1.5 hours |
| 10 | Museo Galileo | Galileo’s own instruments and Medici science; good for families | Yes | Not needed | 1–1.5 hours |
| 11 | Santa Croce | Tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo, Giotto chapels, the Pazzi Chapel | Yes | Optional | 1–1.5 hours |
| 12 | Palazzo Medici Riccardi | Gozzoli’s Magi Chapel in the Medici family home | Yes (closed Wednesdays) | Recommended | 1 hour |
Tickets to book on GetYourGuide for the paid sites in the table:
- Uffizi: the Uffizi Gallery ALL Collections Ticket & Audio App, $31, 4.2 from 7,362 reviews, or the Uffizi Gallery Timed Entry Ticket + App Audioguide, $38, 4.5 from 1,402 reviews.
- Accademia: the Timed Entry to Michelangelo’s David + Audio App, $32, 4.5 from 21,923 reviews, or with a guide, the Accademia Gallery David Guided Tour & Timed Entry, $74, 4.7 from 4,915 reviews.
- Palazzo Pitti: the Uffizi, Pitti Palace & Boboli Combined 5-Day Pass, $77, 4.4 from 1,915 reviews, which also covers the Uffizi.
- Bargello: the Reserved Entry Ticket to Bargello Museum, €16, 4.6 from 846 reviews.
- Medici Chapels: the Reserved Entrance Ticket to the Medici Chapel, €15, 4.5 from 4,255 reviews.
- Palazzo Vecchio: the Palazzo Vecchio Entrance Ticket & Audioguide, from €27, 4.4 from 5,105 reviews.
GetYourGuide prices are as listed when checked in October 2026; the euro prices are the ones shown for listings this site does not track in dollars.
A wildcard: the Brancacci Chapel. Masaccio’s frescoes there are where Renaissance painting begins. Visits are short and timed, booking is required, and it closes one day a week, so check the day before you go. It is a longer walk away in the Oltrarno, so take a taxi if it is pouring.
Visit lengths are my estimates.
What’s open in Florence on a rainy Monday?
Most of Florence’s state museums close on Mondays, so a wet Monday needs its own plan.
| Open on Mondays | Hours to know | Closed on Mondays |
|---|---|---|
| Palazzo Vecchio | Opens 9 a.m. every day; closes at 2 p.m. on Thursdays; the tower closes in rain | Uffizi (except announced holiday Mondays) |
| Museo Galileo | Check the museum’s site | Palazzo Pitti (all its museums) |
| Palazzo Strozzi | 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Accademia |
| Opera del Duomo Museum | Morning to early evening | Bargello |
| Duomo dome and bell tower | Timed slots from early morning | Medici Chapels |
| Florence Cathedral (free) | Shorter hours than the museum; check on the day | San Marco |
| Brancacci Chapel | Booking required | Orsanmichele, Palazzo Davanzati |
| Palazzo Medici Riccardi | Check the museum’s site | — |
| Santa Croce | Check the basilica’s site | — |
| Museo Novecento | Check the museum’s site | — |
The Uffizi occasionally opens on a holiday Monday and announces it on its notices page; the dates are on our opening hours and free days guide.
A good rainy Monday: Palazzo Vecchio in the morning on the Palazzo Vecchio Skip-the-Line Entry and Secret Passage Tour (€26, 4.7 from 1,337 reviews), then the Museo Galileo, lunch, the Opera del Duomo Museum and Broken at Palazzo Strozzi in the evening.
What exhibitions are on in Florence in winter 2026–27?
This winter has a strong line-up, and several shows suit a wet afternoon. Dates are the museums’ published ones; check before you go.
| Exhibition | Where | Dates | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnifico 1492 | Uffizi Galleries; the Ministry of Culture lists the Treasury of the Grand Dukes at Palazzo Pitti | Announced for 3 December 2026 to 1 March 2027 (the Ministry gives 30 November as the start) | More than a hundred works reassembling Lorenzo de’ Medici’s collection as it stood when he died in 1492. Ticketing not yet published |
| Broken. The Power of the Fragment | Palazzo Strozzi | 25 September 2026 to 24 January 2027 | Works from antiquity to the present, co-organized with the National Gallery of Art in Washington |
| Ferdinando Sarmi New York | Museum of Costume and Fashion, Palazzo Pitti | Until 31 December 2026 | The Florentine couturier who dressed Hollywood stars and a US First Lady |
| Oltre il Rinascimento: Tra Dürer e Parmigianino | Palazzo Medici Riccardi | Until 5 January 2027 | Around 150 Renaissance prints, including Dürer’s Rhinoceros |
| Victor Man | Museo Novecento | Until 7 March 2027 | Contemporary painting |
| Danielle Mckinney. Tra noi | Museo Novecento | Until 28 February 2027 | Intimate contemporary portraits |
A Medici double bill: Magnifico 1492 in the morning, then Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Lorenzo’s actual home and the Magi Chapel, in the afternoon. That puts Lorenzo’s collection and his home in one wet day.
Which museums are close enough to hop between in the rain?
Florence has few covered arcades, but its museums sit close together. These five groups keep your dashes short.
1. The Signoria cluster
Uffizi → Palazzo Vecchio → Museo Galileo
All within a few hundred meters. The long Uffizi colonnade keeps you under cover most of the way to Piazza della Signoria. It makes the best half day on a wet morning, and Palazzo Vecchio and the Galileo are both open on Mondays.
2. The Duomo cluster
Cathedral → Opera del Duomo Museum → Palazzo Medici Riccardi → Medici Chapels
The museum sits right behind the cathedral’s apse, and Palazzo Medici Riccardi is a short walk up Via Cavour. The Climb Brunelleschi’s Dome Ticket & Duomo Pass (4.6 from 2,707 reviews) covers the museum too.
3. The San Marco cluster
San Marco → Accademia
A short walk apart. San Marco closes at lunchtime on most days, so go there first, then see David. If you want both the Uffizi and the Accademia on one day, our Uffizi and Accademia in one day guide has the timings.
4. The Santa Maria Novella cluster
Santa Maria Novella → Museo Novecento → Palazzo Strozzi
The Novecento is on the same piazza as the church, and Strozzi is a few streets away. A good afternoon-into-evening route.
5. The Oltrarno
Palazzo Pitti → Brancacci Chapel
This is the longest hop; take a taxi if it is pouring. Skip the Boboli Gardens on a wet day: they are open-air, slippery and close at 4.30 p.m. from November to February. If you start at the Uffizi with a corridor slot, the Vasari Corridor guide explains how to cross the river under cover and come out at Pitti.
Rainy-day itineraries for every kind of traveler
| Traveler | Plan |
|---|---|
| Half day (not Monday) | Uffizi at 8.15 a.m. with a timed ticket → lunch → Museo Galileo |
| Art lover’s full day | San Marco at opening → Accademia → lunch → Bargello → Palazzo Strozzi into the evening |
| Rainy Monday | Palazzo Vecchio → Museo Galileo → lunch → Opera del Duomo Museum → Palazzo Strozzi |
| Family day | Museo Galileo (instruments, globes, family tickets) → Palazzo Vecchio → a Sunday printmaking workshop at Palazzo Medici Riccardi |
| Medici day (December to February) | Magnifico 1492 → taxi → Palazzo Medici Riccardi and the Magi Chapel |
| Late-afternoon rain | Uffizi on the €16 afternoon ticket from 4 p.m. → aperitivo → Palazzo Strozzi |
If you want the Uffizi and the Accademia covered in one booking, the Uffizi & Accademia Timed Combo Tickets & Audio App costs $88 (4.3 from 1,666 reviews), and the Uffizi Gallery and Accademia Gallery Guided Tour costs $163 for three hours with a guide (4.8 from 2,234 reviews).
What do you need to know about umbrellas, bags and wet weather?
Rules differ between museums, and wet-weather kit is where visits go wrong.
| Museum | Umbrellas and bags | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Uffizi and Palazzo Pitti | Umbrellas, backpacks and large bags go in the free cloakroom | Check them in |
| Accademia, Bargello, Medici Chapels and their sister museums | No cloakroom at all; large bags (roughly over 40×30×18 cm) are refused | Travel light: small bag, compact umbrella, the rest at your hotel |
| Duomo complex | Large bags are not allowed on the climbs | Use the deposit near the cathedral |
| Cathedral, Baptistery | Dress code: covered shoulders and knees, no hats | Bring a scarf or a layer |
More on the Uffizi’s cloakroom and winter coats is in our Uffizi in winter guide.
Weather closures to know:
- Palazzo Vecchio’s Arnolfo Tower closes when it rains. The museum itself stays open.
- The Duomo complex has closed entirely during official red weather alerts.
- The Boboli Gardens are open-air and close at 4.30 p.m. from November to February.
- The Brunelleschi Dome climb ends on an open-air terrace, and Duomo passes cannot be refunded or changed. On a stormy day, buy the cheaper pass that covers the museum, Baptistery and crypt, and save the climb for a clear morning.
Two more winter details:
- Stone floors get slippery when wet. Wear shoes with grip.
- The Duomo announces maintenance closures of the dome and bell tower on its own site; there were several in November 2026, so check before you book a climb.
Which Florence museum passes make sense on a rainy trip?
| Option | What it covers | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Single timed tickets | One museum each | Most rainy two- or three-day trips: Uffizi, Accademia and one Duomo pass |
| PassePartout 5 Days (€40 at the museum; the Uffizi, Pitti, Boboli and 7 Attractions 5-Day Pass is $66, 4.4 from 882 reviews) | Uffizi, Palazzo Pitti, Boboli | Slow trips that include Pitti |
| Accademia–Bargello 72-hour ticket (€38, official sites only) | Accademia, Bargello, Medici Chapels, Orsanmichele, Palazzo Davanzati, Casa Martelli | Sculpture lovers; introduced in March 2026 |
| Duomo passes | From the museum, Baptistery and crypt up to the full set with dome and tower | Pick the cheapest one on a wet day |
| Firenze Card, €85 for 72 hours (Firenze Card Official Museum City Pass, 4.1 from 431 reviews) | Dozens of museums | Only if you will see five or more paid sites. Reservations are still required at the Uffizi, the Accademia, Palazzo Vecchio and others |
Check inclusions before buying; sources differ on whether the Firenze Card covers the Duomo complex. The full Uffizi price list, including discounts, is in our Uffizi ticket types, discounts and free entry guide.
Are Florence museums free on the first Sunday?
State museums, yes, for everyone. Civic museums, only for local residents. The first Sundays this winter are 6 December 2026 and, if the Ministry’s scheme continues into 2027 as expected, 3 January, 7 February and 7 March 2027.
- Free for everyone: the Uffizi, Palazzo Pitti, the Accademia, the Bargello, the Medici Chapels, San Marco and the other state museums. There is no booking, so expect long queues.
- Free only for residents of the Florence metropolitan area: Palazzo Vecchio, Santa Maria Novella, the Museo Novecento, the Brancacci Chapel and Palazzo Medici Riccardi.
On a rainy free Sunday the queues outside the big state museums are miserable. Book a paid timed ticket, or spend the day at a museum outside the scheme.
Which museums are good for kids on a rainy day?
- Museo Galileo: telescopes, globes and instruments, with a family ticket. Open Mondays.
- Palazzo Vecchio: family visits and secret passages in a working town hall.
- Palazzo Medici Riccardi: Sunday printmaking workshops linked to this winter’s print exhibition.
- The Uffizi: under-18s go free. Pick a short route through the highlights.
Florence rainy-day tours to book
If you would like someone else to do the planning, these work well on a wet day:
- Small-group Uffizi tours: the Uffizi Gallery Small Group Guided Tour, capped at 15 with headsets, 4.8 from 1,350 reviews, covers Botticelli and Leonardo in about two hours with the timed entry handled for you. Every option is compared on our Uffizi guided tours page.
- Accademia tours: the Accademia Gallery Guided Tour with Entry Ticket, $56, 4.6 from 2,520 reviews, puts David in context at a time slot that suits the forecast.
- Palazzo Vecchio secret passages: the Palazzo Vecchio Guided Tour, from €46, 4.8 from 1,409 reviews, is a good Monday choice.
- Medici Chapels with a guide: the Guided Tour of Medici Family Secrets and Chapels, two hours, 4.8 from 620 reviews.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best museum in Florence on a rainy day?
The Uffizi, if you book a timed ticket. It has a free cloakroom for wet umbrellas and you can easily spend half a day there. For fewer crowds, try the Bargello or the Museo Galileo.
Which Florence museums are open on Monday?
Palazzo Vecchio, the Museo Galileo, Palazzo Strozzi, the Opera del Duomo Museum and the Duomo monuments, Santa Croce, Palazzo Medici Riccardi, the Brancacci Chapel (booking required) and the Museo Novecento. The Uffizi, Pitti, Accademia, Bargello, Medici Chapels and San Marco are closed.
Can I bring an umbrella into the Uffizi?
No. Umbrellas, backpacks and large bags go in the Uffizi’s free cloakroom before you enter.
Is there a cloakroom at the Accademia?
No. The Accademia and its sister museums have no cloakroom or left-luggage, and large bags are refused at the door.
Does the Duomo dome close in the rain?
There is no general rain closure, but the whole Duomo complex has closed during official red weather alerts. The climb ends on an open terrace and passes cannot be refunded, so save it for a dry day.
What exhibitions are on in Florence this winter?
Magnifico 1492, announced for 3 December 2026 to 1 March 2027; Broken at Palazzo Strozzi until 24 January 2027; the Sarmi fashion exhibition at Pitti until 31 December 2026; Dürer and Parmigianino prints at Palazzo Medici Riccardi until 5 January 2027; and two shows at the Museo Novecento.
Is Magnifico 1492 included in the Palazzo Pitti ticket?
The museum has not said yet. The Ministry of Culture lists it in the Treasury of the Grand Dukes, which the standard Pitti ticket normally covers. Check uffizi.it before you book.
Are Florence museums free on the first Sunday of the month?
State museums such as the Uffizi and the Accademia are free for everyone, with no booking. Civic museums such as Palazzo Vecchio are free only for residents of the Florence metropolitan area.
Which Florence museum is open late?
Palazzo Strozzi is open until 8 p.m. every day. Palazzo Vecchio opens every day but closes at 2 p.m. on Thursdays.
What’s open in Florence on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day?
Most major museums, including the Uffizi, Pitti and the Accademia, close on 25 December and 1 January. Check each museum’s holiday notice in December.
Is the Firenze Card a good buy on a rainy trip?
Only if you will visit five or more paid sites in 72 hours. For most rainy two- or three-day trips, single timed tickets for the Uffizi and the Accademia plus a Duomo pass cost less.
Plan the rest of your visit
- Visiting the Uffizi in winter
- Uffizi opening hours and free days
- Vasari Corridor: tickets, rules and how to visit
- Uffizi and Accademia in one day
- Uffizi tickets
If rain is in the forecast, check availability for the Uffizi tour near the top of this page; morning slots go first on wet days.
See the Uffizi With Your Entry Time Booked
A licensed guide, a reserved slot and headsets, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Check Availability & Book