Living in Florence means that every first Sunday of the month brings a special opportunity: many state museums and galleries open their doors free of charge.

When my daughter was little, we used to spend these Sundays exploring different museums together.

Back then, we treated museums as part of everyday life. We would simply drop in, enjoy the collections for as long as we felt like it, and head home whenever we were ready.

As she grew older, she began visiting museums with her friends instead.

Since admission to Italy’s state museums is free for visitors under 18, it was easy for them to decide to spend an afternoon at a museum together.

Now that she is 18, she can still visit Italy’s state museums for just €2, thanks to the reduced admission available to EU residents between the ages of 18 and 25.

However, Palazzo Vecchio is operated by the City of Florence rather than the Italian state.

For visitors aged 18 to 25, admission costs €12.

My daughter often says,

“I’d love to visit Palazzo Vecchio more often, but it’s a little expensive to go there regularly with friends.”

Museum admission fees have increased considerably over the past few years.

Considering the cost of preserving and restoring Florence’s extraordinary cultural heritage, I don’t think the prices are unreasonable.

Still, when you live in Florence and museums become part of your everyday surroundings, the free admission on the first Sunday of each month is something you truly appreciate.

Returning to Palazzo Vecchio After Graduation

After graduating from high school and finishing Italy’s State Examination (Esame di Stato), my daughter finally had a chance to relax.

One of the first things she said was,

“I’d really like to visit Palazzo Vecchio again.”

So, on the first Sunday of August, she and my husband spent the morning there together.

I decided to stay home because I was busy that day.

I had already visited Palazzo Vecchio many times in the past, both while working as an interpreter during a restoration project sponsored by a Japanese company and later with my daughter when she was still very young.

A Museum You Can Never Fully Explore in One Visit

Palazzo Vecchio offers far more than most visitors expect.

The magnificent Salone dei Cinquecento (Hall of the Five Hundred) alone is breathtaking, but it is only the beginning.

Beside the great hall is a hidden doorway leading to secret rooms once used by the Medici family.

Behind these concealed passages are historic corridors and former vaults that are now partially accessible through guided tours.

If you’re interested in Florentine history, I highly recommend joining one of these tours.

Looking for the Medici Turtle with Children

When my daughter was little, visiting Palazzo Vecchio felt less like walking through a museum and more like going on a treasure hunt.

We spent our time searching for the Medici family’s symbols hidden throughout the palace—in the floors, frescoes, and painted ceilings.

One of the most memorable symbols is the turtle and sail.

It represents the Medici motto:

Festina Lente — Make haste slowly.

The sail symbolizes moving forward with the power of the wind, while the turtle represents patience and careful progress.

Together, they remind us:

Move forward without rushing, but never stop.

If you’re visiting with children, looking for these symbols is a wonderful way to make the palace come alive.

Every Fresco Tells a Story

Palazzo Vecchio feels less like a museum and more like a beautifully illustrated history book.

Its frescoes, ceilings, and sculptures all tell stories about the Medici family and Florence’s political and artistic history.

The spectacular Salone dei Cinquecento is also famous for another mystery.

Many historians believe that Leonardo da Vinci’s unfinished masterpiece, The Battle of Anghiari, may still be hidden behind one of its walls.

You can also visit the apartments of Eleonora di Toledo, wife of Cosimo I de’ Medici, including the beautiful chapel decorated by Bronzino.

In the Sala delle Carte Geografiche (Room of Maps), it’s fun to look for Japan—although don’t expect it to resemble the shape we know today!

If you love architecture, history, or art, you could easily spend hours here.

Famous as a Filming Location for Inferno

Movie lovers may recognize Palazzo Vecchio from Inferno, based on Dan Brown’s novel and starring Tom Hanks.

The palace plays a key role in the story, and visitors can also see Dante’s Death Mask, which features prominently in the film.

Walking through the palace while remembering scenes from the movie offers another enjoyable way to experience this remarkable building.

It’s a wonderful destination not only for lovers of art and history but also for fans of film locations.

Visit Early on Free Museum Days

Because admission is free on the first Sunday of the month, many museums attract long lines.

Fortunately, Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti are often much quieter early in the morning.

We always recommend arriving as soon as they open if you’d like to enjoy the museums at a more relaxed pace.

Experiencing Museums Like a Florentine

When visiting Florence as a tourist, it’s tempting to fit everything into a single day:

“The Uffizi this morning, the Accademia this afternoon, and Palazzo Vecchio before dinner.”

Living here changes the way you experience these places.

When my daughter was young, we searched for Medici symbols together.

As she grew older, we began talking about the stories behind the frescoes and ceilings.

On some visits we climbed the tower for the view over Florence.

On others we explored the old prison cells.

Instead of trying to see everything at once, we returned again and again, discovering something new each time.

That, to me, is one of the greatest luxuries of living in Florence.

Not simply seeing a place once—but getting to know it little by little.

Stay in Florence Like a Local

Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery, and Piazza della Signoria are all just a short walk from our apartment.

Imagine beginning your day with a quiet visit to a museum before the crowds arrive, enjoying lunch at a nearby café, taking an afternoon stroll along the Arno River, and finishing the day with dinner at one of your favorite local restaurants.

That’s one of the greatest pleasures of staying in Florence for a week, a month, or even longer.

Rather than simply sightseeing, you begin to experience Florence the way local residents do.

If you’d like to discover that side of Florence, we’d be delighted to welcome you to our apartment.