What To Do in Florence On a Monday: 10 Great Experiences to Enjoy

If you’re planning a long weekend in Florence, you may be wondering what to do in Florence on a Monday. After all, Monday is when many of the city’s Florence’s biggest art museums take their weekly day off. The Galleria dell’Accademia, Uffizi Gallery, and Palazzo Pitti are all normally closed, which can be frustrating when Monday is your final day in the city.

There is a good reason for the closures: Monday is traditionally the weekly rest day for many museums in Italy, giving staff time for cleaning, maintenance, and other behind-the-scenes work after the busy weekend. But it certainly doesn’t mean Florence closes down. There are still plenty of churches, historic sights, squares, markets, and other attractions to explore.

So, if you’re looking for ideas on what to do in Florence on a Monday, here’s our guide to ten of the best sights and experiences that are open.

Enjoys the breathtaking view of Florence’s terracotta rooftops and surrounding hills from the summit of the Duomo

Our Top Picks For What To Do In Florence On A Monday

The Incredible Duomo, Baptistery & Giotto´s Bell Tower

Perhaps Florence’s most famous church, the Duomo of Florence is also one of the city’s most popular sights. And if you’re here on a Monday, you’re still in luck: the cathedral itself is open that day, so you can admire its spectacular interior and the enormous dome above you.

The cathedral is officially known as Santa Maria del Fiore, and its enormous brick-red dome, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi in the 15th century, has become the symbol of Florence. Look up inside and you’ll see Giorgio Vasari and Federico Zuccari’s vast fresco of the Last Judgment, covering the interior of the dome.

Feel like a hike? You can climb the 463 steps to the top of Brunelleschi’s dome for spectacular views across Florence. Alternatively, tackle the 414 steps of Giotto’s Campanile, the cathedral’s 14th-century bell tower, for another fantastic perspective of the city, and a great view of the Duomo itself.

Insider tip: To See the Duomo like never before, join the Alone in the Duomo: VIP After-Hours Tour. Guided by an expert, this tour includes climbing the dome and private terrace access. Delve into intriguing tales of Brunelleschi’s engineering and enjoy close-up encounters with its artwork, and magnificent views.

The Florence Historic Centre has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982.

Another important site not to be missed is the Baptistery. You can stop by any time, of course, to admire its exterior Gates of Paradise, an early 15th-century rendering of some of the Bible’s most dramatic scenes. But if you want to actually enter the Baptistery, Florence’s oldest building, and resplendent with shimmering ceiling mosaics from the 13th century, then you’re good to go on Mondays here too!

Insider tip: It is important to be aware that the Duomo complex is not one attraction with one opening time. The cathedral, Dome, Bell Tower, Baptistery and Opera del Duomo Museum all have different schedules. The cathedral itself is open 10:15am–3:45pm, while the Dome and Bell Tower are open considerably longer. For more information about the Duomo and Baptistery, click here. 

The beautiful ceiling of the Baptistery

Museo dell’Opera del Duomo and Michelangelo’s (other) Pietà

Not all of Florence’s museums are closed on Mondays. One that remains open is the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. It also happens to be Florence’s second-largest museum, a vast but navigable collection of Renaissance masterpieces.

Among the best: Donatello’s statues for the Duomo’s campanile, the elaborate choir-lofts by Donatello and Luca della Robbia, Brunelleschi’s death mask, and Ghiberti’s original bronze panels for the Baptistery.

There’s also Michelangelo’s Pietà. No, not that Pietà, instead, the one he was working on when he was almost 80 years old… and that he intended for his own tomb. It’ll send shivers up your spine.

Insider Tip: Florence’s Renaissance masterpieces, historic streets, and architectural treasures are even more rewarding when you know the stories behind them. Join one of our expert-led Florence tours to discover the city’s highlights with a local guide, or choose private tours in Florence for a more personalised experience, from seeing Michelangelo’s David and the Uffizi Gallery to exploring the city’s history at your own pace.

An expert guide can really make a huge difference to your sightseeing, with stories and interesting facts that bring history to life!

The Brancacci Chapel, one of Florence’s best art gems

The Brancacci Chapel in the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine (Piazza del Carmine, 14) is a must-see for Renaissance art lovers. Around 1423, Masaccio and Masolino began painting its remarkable frescoes depicting the life of St. Peter. Masaccio, often called the father of Renaissance painting, introduced a striking sense of realism, perspective, and human emotion. After his death in 1428, Filippino Lippi completed the unfinished scenes between 1481 and 1485.

The frescoes offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of Renaissance art, bringing together Masolino’s elegant, late-Gothic style, Masaccio’s groundbreaking realism, and Filippino Lippi’s later Renaissance artistry.

Insider tip: The chapel is currently undergoing restoration. The chapel remains accessible during restoration work, but visits are limited to 30 minutes, with a maximum of 10 people inside at any one time. Opening hours currently include Mondays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but the chapel is closed Tuesday through Thursday. Advance booking is strongly recommended, so check the official visitor information before your visit.

The Galileo Museum, a kid-friendly peek at Renaissance science

Even in Florence, the Renaissance wasn’t all art and architecture. For a break from nudes and frescoes, and another great option of what to do in Florence on a Monday, get yourself to Florence’s Galileo Museum.

The museum, a great option for kids, offers a real glimpse into the leaps made in science in the Renaissance era. It’s got everything from Galileo’s original instruments (including the lens he used to find the four moons of Jupiter) to a mechanical calculator from 1664.

Perhaps strangest of all, the museum even has the middle finger of Galileo’s right hand on display. It was removed from his body when his remains were moved to their final resting place in Santa Croce. This happened after the Church had eventually accepted that Galileo’s belief that the Earth revolved around the Sun was not, after all, grounds for condemning him.

Insider tip: Looking for more ideas of family friendly kids activities, check out “Visiting Florence with Kids?” for a guide to the activities for a family vacation in Florence.

National Archaeological Museum of Florence

Delve back even further into Italy’s past with the Museo Archeologico, on Piazza della SS. Annunziata.

The city’s archaeological museum stays open on Mondays,  and is home to masterpieces, such as an ancient Etruscan tomb and a sarcophagus from the 4th century B.C. that still has its painted scenes of battling Amazons. It also displays the famous Chimera of Arezzo, a lifelike bronze lion from the 5th century B.C.

Palazzo Vecchio: Fantastic frescoes and Machiavelli’s office

The Palazzo Vecchio is the imposing, medieval fortress that served as the seat of the Florentine Republic. If you want to check out what’s inside, it is open from 9am-7pm on Mondays. And it is worth a peek…

The Palazzo Vecchio includes the sumptuously-decorated rooms of the Medici family, Machiavelli’s office and Donatello’s Judith and Holofernes. It is also the location of the famed Salone dei Cinquecento, where Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo are supposed to have had what we would call a “fresco face-off”, but apparently Vasari painted over their attempts. Debate still ranges as to whether the masters’ original frescoes are hiding behind Vasari’s!

The imposing medieval fortress, Palazzo Vecchio. Photo credit: Christian Erra on Unsplash

Santa Maria Novella’s museum and church

One of Florence’s most beautiful churches, Santa Maria Novella is a Gothic masterpiece, and luck would have it that the both the church and its museum are open on Monday.

The church´s real gems are all Renaissance, from a fresco by Masaccio to a crucifix by Giotto. And don’t miss the gorgeous frescoes by Filippino Lippi in the Strozzi chapel.

When you’re done in the church wander into the Museo di Santa Maria Novella, open from 9am-5:30pm, Monday to Thursday, with last admission one hour before closing.

It’s a series of hidden, elaborately-frescoed cloisters, the Spanish Chapel with its 14th-century frescoes, and an exhibition of glittering vestments and liturgical treasures.

Boboli Gardens & Grottos

Need a break in the great outdoors?  The Boboli Gardens, the formal, sprawling gardens of the Palazzo Pitti, are open Monday, – well, except for the first and last Monday of the month.

This amazing green space in the city is filled with beautiful landscaping, fountains, sculptures and curiosities. One of the most unusual and special highlights is the Grotta del Buontalenti, a bizarre Mannerist grotto.

Insider’s tip: Want to explore other outdoor spaces? Check out this guide to the top 10 parks in Florence.

The Boboli Gardens in Florence. Photo by Lorenzo Turroni on Unsplash

The San Lorenzo Basilica

The Basilica of San Lorenzo is open on Mondays from 10am to 5:30pm, giving you the chance to see the church’s impressive Renaissance interiors and works by artists including Donatello and Michelangelo. For example, see the bronze pulpits by Donatello, the last work by the artist who had such a huge influence on Michelangelo.

The Medici Library – Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana

Next door to the San Lorenzo Basilica, you can also visit the Monumental Area of the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, Michelangelo’s extraordinary library designed for the Medici family. It is open Monday through Friday from 10am to 1:30pm, with last admission at 1pm. An architectural delight, this library was designed by Michelangelo for Florence’s powerful Medici family in 1524. It absolutely revolutionized architecture with its staircase that looks like it’s spilling and its columns that sink into walls.

Insider tip: Make a note that the nearby Medici Chapels are a separate attraction and are closed on Mondays, so don’t assume that your San Lorenzo ticket gives you access to them.

Don´t forget to look up when visiting the cathedrals, churches and other famous buildings, the ceilings and domes are often the most impressive things to see!

FAQs – What to Do in Florence on a Monday

What’s closed in Florence on Mondays?

Several of Florence’s most famous museums, including the Uffizi Gallery, Accademia Gallery (home to Michelangelo’s David), the Palazzo Pitti, and the Bargello National Museum, are closed every Monday. However, many other attractions remain open, so you can still enjoy the city’s art, architecture, and history. Some attractions have different schedules, so check opening times before planning your day, and also consider exploring Florence’s historic streets, churches, markets, and neighbourhoods instead.

Which Florence museums are open on a Monday?

Although several major art museums close on Mondays, you still have plenty of options. The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo displays original sculptures and artworks associated with Florence Cathedral, while the Museo di Palazzo Vecchio offers a glimpse into the city’s political history and magnificent historic interiors. For modern and contemporary art, visit Museo Novecento, near Santa Maria Novella. These museums generally open on Mondays, although the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo closes on the first Tuesday of each month. Check official websites for current hours and any exceptional closures before visiting.

Is Florence Duomo open on a Monday?

Yes, Florence Cathedral (the Duomo) is open to visitors from Monday to Saturday, generally from 10:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., with free entry to the cathedral itself. You can also visit the dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery, and the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, although each has separate opening hours and some require advance booking.

Should I book attractions in Florence in advance for a Monday?

Yes, particularly if you’re planning to climb Brunelleschi’s Dome, visit the Brancacci Chapel, or see other attractions with timed entry. Monday can actually be a busy day because visitors who have taken a long weekend in Florence may be trying to fit in their final sights before leaving. Booking ahead also lets you build your day around fixed entry times rather than arriving and discovering that your preferred time is sold out.

Can I travel between these Monday attractions on foot?

Absolutely. Florence’s historic center is compact, and many of the attractions in this guide can be reached on foot. The Duomo, San Lorenzo, Palazzo Vecchio and Santa Maria Novella are all within a relatively easy walk of one another. The Brancacci Chapel is farther south of the historic center, but it is still walkable; alternatively, you can use Florence’s buses or trams for longer journeys. If you’re planning several sights in one day, grouping attractions by neighborhood will save you time.

Are all the attractions in Florence open all year on Mondays?

Not necessarily. Regular Monday opening hours can change for public holidays, religious celebrations, restoration work and other special events. Boboli Gardens, for example, normally closes on the first and last Monday of each month, while other attractions may have occasional exceptional closures. Always check the official website shortly before your visit, particularly if Monday is your only day in Florence.

What if I’m visiting Florence on a Monday and I have only one day?

Plan around the attractions that require a specific entry time first. For example, you could book a morning climb of the Duomo, then visit the Opera del Duomo Museum and San Lorenzo before lunch, followed by Palazzo Vecchio or Santa Maria Novella in the afternoon. Leave some time simply to walk around Florence’s streets and squares, one of the advantages of visiting on Monday is that you don’t need to spend the entire day inside museums.

Make Monday night a feast, without the faff!

After a full day of enjoying Monday’s options, make the evening all about Florence’s food. On a Private Florence Food Tour, you’ll head into the atmospheric Oltrarno with a local guide, sampling Tuscan specialties, sipping wine from a historic wine window, learning to make a Negroni, and sitting down to dishes including fresh pasta, Florentine steak, and artisan gelato.

With the tour entirely private, you can hand over the logistics of where to go to your guide, and discover some of the local spots you might otherwise miss.