Even for the Italy-initiated, the standard Ferragosto closures of stores, bars and bureaucratic offices can be frustrating. But if you’re working or staycationing in Florence this month, try to take the shortened shop hours and “sono fuori ufficio” emails in stride. With your landlord, banker and (perhaps) boss at the beach, completing certain tasks will be impossible until September. Particularly on August 15, buying a bus ticket, an onion or a marca da bollo will be a struggle, but here’s the bright side: you have a full day free to trek up to Forte di Belvedere! Take advantage of the many special openings and events in and around Florence. (Tip: for all museums and monuments, we recommend arriving at least an hour before the venue’s stated closing time. All times listed apply to August 15, 2016).
*Museums and monuments
Accademia Gallery, via Ricasoli 58/60. Open 8.15am–6.50pm. Booking: tel. 055/294883
Bigallo Museum, piazza del Duomo. Open 9.30am–12.30pm for group visits. Booking: tel. 055/288496.
Cathedral complex, piazza del Duomo. Crypt closed; belltower, cathedral, Opera del Duomo museum open with regular hours; dome open 1–4pm.
Chiostro dello Scalzo, via Cavour 69. Open 8am–2pm.
Forte di Belvedere, via San Leonardo 1. Open 10.30am–7.30pm.
Innocenti Museum, piazza Santissima Annunziata. Open 10am–7pm.
Medici Chapels, piazza di Madonna degli Aldobrandini 6. Open 8.15am–2pm. Booking: tel. 055/294883
Museo Novecento, piazza Santa Maria Novella 10. Open 9am–7pm.
Cenacolo of Ognissanti, piazza Ognissanti. Open 9am–1pm.
Cenacolo of Sant’Apollonia, via XXVII Aprile 1. Open 8.15am–1.50pm.
Cenacolo of Andrea del Sarto a San Salvi, via di S. Salvi 16. Open 8.15am–1.50pm.
Orsanmichele, via dell’Arte della Lana. Open 10am–4.50pm.
Palazzo Pitti, piazza Pitti. Boboli Gardens, open 8.15am–7.30pm; Silver Museum and Costume Gallery, open 8.15am–6.50pm. Booking: tel. 055/294883
Palazzo Vecchio, piazza della Signoria. Open 9am–11pm.
San Marco Museum, piazza San Marco. Open 8.15am–4.50pm.
Santa Maria Novella, piazza Santa Maria Novella 18. Open noon–6.30pm.
Uffizi Gallery, piazzale degli Uffizi. Open 8.15am–6.50pm. Booking: tel. 055/294883
*Noteworthy near Florence
Fortezza Santa Barbara, piazza della Resistenza, Pistoia. Open 8.15am–1.30pm.
Medici Villa of Cerreto Guidi + Historical Hunting and Territorial Museum, via Ponti Medicei 12, Cerreto Guidi. Open 9am–6pm.
Medici Villa of Poggio a Caiano + Museum of Still Life (Poggio a Caiano), piazza dei Medici 14. Open 8.30am–6.30pm. Tel. 055/877012
*Aperitivi and events in Florence
Watermelon in piazza del Carmine! From 9pm at Di Cultura in Piazza, with a DJ set by Freddy Villarosa.
Ferragosto aperitivo in Florence’s “secret garden”. Live music beginning at 7.30pm at Serre Torrigiani in Piazzetta, piazza dei Tre Re (between via dei Calzaiuoli and piazza della Repubblica).
Tuttapposto a Ferragosto. Outdoor aperitivo from 7pm and concert by the Alien Roy Trio at Giardino dell’Artecultura, via Vittorio Emanuele II 17.
Sandcastle building competition on the Arno Beach. Team registration required (minimum 3, maximum 10 members) by emailing info@easylivingfirenze.it or by calling 334/8695026. Competition begins at 4pm at Easy Living, piazza Giuseppe Poggi. The restaurant will offer a 20 euro fixed menu for Ferragosto: linguine alle vongole, mixed fried seafood, water and coffee.
Watch the men’s 100-meter dash finals at the Rio Olympics 2016. Outdoor venue Off Bar will open from 10pm. Lago dei Cigni, viale Filippo Strozzi 20 (Fortezza da Basso).
*The Florentine is not responsible for any program changes at the venues listed.
