Palazzo Vecchio opening hours
The Palazzo Vecchio opening times allow visitors to access one of Florence’s most emblematic museums during most of the day: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 to 19:00 (except Thursdays, when access is available during these hours: 9:00 to 14:00). We detail the schedules for its different areas and special free entry days below.
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What are the opening and closing hours of Palazzo Vecchio?
The Palazzo Vecchio museum hours follows a regular timetable that varies mainly on Thursdays. The official hours of operation are as follows:
| Day | Opening hours | Closing hours |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday | 09:00 | 19:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00 | 14:00 |
Palazzo Vecchio Tower hours
The Palazzo Vecchio tower (Arnolfo Tower) schedule is different from the main museum for security and capacity reasons. Additionally, tower access is automatically suspended in case of rain.
| Day | Opening hours | Closing hours |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday | 09:00 | 17:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00 | 14:00 |
Michelozzo Courtyard hours
The Michelozzo Courtyard, or Courtyard of Columns, is inside Palazzo Vecchio, right after the main entrance from Piazza della Signoria. Therefore, its hours are the same as the museum itself:
| Day | Opening hours | Closing hours |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday | 09:00 | 19:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00 | 14:00 |
Archaeological excavations opening hours
Likewise, the Roman Theatre excavations (Scavi Archeologici) schedule coincides with the museum’s operating hours. This underground tour allows visitors to see the remains of the ancient city of Florence beneath the current structure.
| Day | Opening hours | Closing hours |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday | 09:00 | 19:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00 | 14:00 |
Last entry to Palazzo Vecchio
Last entry to Palazzo Vecchio is strictly permitted until one hour before the final closure of the facilities. If the museum closes at 19:00, the last visitor access occurs at 18:00. On Thursdays, the final access happens at 13:00.
This time margin ensures that the public has the minimum time necessary to tour the main rooms and the tower before the building is cleared. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early if they intend to visit both the museum and the tower, as these entries are managed independently within the complex.
When are the special and free entry days?
The Palazzo Vecchio opening hours include free access dates under the “Domenica al Museo” initiative and “Domenica Metropolitana,” which takes place the first Sunday of every month and offers free entry exclusively to residents of the Metropolitan City of Florence. In these cases, visitors must present a valid ID proving residency to benefit from free access.
For the general public, specific open-door days exist that usually coincide with local holidays or national cultural events. During these special days, the museum maintains the usual Palazzo Vecchio opening hours, but the crowd flow increases significantly.
Note: free entry does not always include tower access due to security limitations.
Closing days
Palazzo Vecchio hours during the year 2026 include total and partial closures on dates of institutional or religious relevance. Furthermore, considering the building is the seat of the Florence City Council, visits may be suspended without prior notice if rooms are required for government acts.
The dates confirmed so far are as follows:
- Closing days: Palazzo Vecchio will remain closed to the public on February 14 and December 25, 2026.
- Partial closure: the Salone dei Cinquecento will remain closed on the following days:
- March 16: from 14:00 to 19:00 (to be confirmed).
- March 18: from 14:00 to 19:00 (to be confirmed).
- March 26: from 9:00 to 14:00.
- March 28: from 17:00 to 19:00.
On other days like May 1 (Labor Day) or June 24 (St. John the Baptist, patron of Florence), the palace may modify its service hours or close specific sections for official ceremonies. We advise checking the official website before planning your visit.