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Many of Florence’s main state museums and cultural sites will remain open on Saturday, 15 August 2026, when Italy marks Ferragosto, one of the country’s main summer public holidays.

Italy’s Ministry of Culture said state museums, archaeological parks and other cultural sites, including monuments, villas and historic gardens, will open according to the schedules and access arrangements set by each institution. Where reservations are normally required, those rules will continue to apply.

Uffizi, Palazzo Pitti, Boboli Gardens, Accademia, Bargello and Orsanmichele are among the opened museums.

More infos: https://www.florencedailynews.com/2026/08/12/major-museums-in-florence-to-stay-open-on-ferragosto-2026/

A magnitude 4.3 earthquake struck near Pisa on Tuesday morning, August 4, and was felt across a large area of northern Tuscany.
According to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), the earthquake occurred at 10:15 a.m. local time, with its epicentre about seven kilometres west of Pisa. The quake originated at a depth of approximately eight kilometres.

https://www.florencedailynews.com/2026/08/04/magnitude-4-3-earthquake-strikes-near-pisa-felt-across-northern-tuscany/

For all his importance in Renaissance art, Jacopo Pontormo has never had a major monographic exhibition dedicated entirely to his work.

That will finally change this autumn.
From 9 October 2026 to 7 February 2027, the Scuderie del Quirinale in Rome will host the largest exhibition ever assembled on the Florentine master, bringing together loans from the Uffizi, the Louvre, the National Gallery in London, the Met, the Getty, the Art Institute of Chicago and many other major museums.

Although the exhibition is in Rome, Florence remains at its core. The Uffizi Galleries are the principal institutional partner, contributing one of the largest groups of paintings and drawings and highlighting the city where Pontormo developed the expressive, highly original style that helped define Mannerism.
One of the highlights will be The Visitation from Carmignano, widely considered the artist’s masterpiece.

More: https://www.florencedailynews.com/2026/07/24/uffizi-partner-on-landmark-pontormo-exhibition-in-rome/

If you’re travelling through Florence between July 26 and 30, double-check your train before heading to the station.

A new four-day engineering closure around Campo di Marte will affect both high-speed and regional services, with timetable changes, diversions and replacement buses while railway crews continue work on the Ponte al Pino overpass.

It’s the second major rail disruption in Florence this month, so even if you travelled recently, don’t assume your usual train will run normally.

Details on which services are affected, replacement transport and what passengers should expect are here:
https://www.florencedailynews.com/2026/07/22/new-four-day-rail-shutdown-to-disrupt-train-services-in-florence/

If you’ve ever queued for a sandwich at Florence’s famous All’Antico Vinaio, you’ll know why this is big news.

The iconic Tuscan sandwich shop has opened its first-ever Australian location, bringing its oversized schiacciata sandwiches to Sydney after expanding across the US in recent years.

Founded in Florence in 1991, All’Antico Vinaio has become one of the city’s best-known food institutions, attracting both locals and visitors from around the world.

Here’s the story behind the Australian opening and what it means for the brand’s international expansion:
https://www.florencedailynews.com/2026/07/16/florences-allantico-vinaio-opens-its-first-store-in-australia/

The New York Times has drawn international attention to one of Florence’s least-known Renaissance treasures: Michelangelo’s wooden crucifix, preserved inside the Basilica of Santo Spirito.

Carved around 1492–1493, when the young Michelangelo was studying anatomy with the Augustinian friars, the sculpture remains one of the city’s most intimate works by the artist, yet it’s often overlooked by visitors focused on the David or the Medici Chapels.

The article also explores the history of the crucifix and why this remarkable work deserves a place on every Florence itinerary.

Read more here:
https://www.florencedailynews.com/2026/07/17/new-york-times-shines-spotlight-on-michelangelos-overlooked-crucifix-in-florence/

If you’re travelling through Florence in the next few days, check your train before you leave.

From 11 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, until 4 a.m. on Friday, July 10, rail works near Florence Campo di Marte will disrupt both high-speed (Frecciarossa, Italo) and regional services. Some trains will be diverted or replaced by buses, and journey times may be longer than usual.
Passengers with valid rail tickets will be able to use dedicated shuttle buses and selected sections of Florence’s tram network free of charge during the closure.

A second rail shutdown is also scheduled for July 26–30, when the new bridge will be installed.

If Florence is part of your summer itinerary, it’s worth checking your train operator’s latest timetable before travelling.

More details: https://www.florencedailynews.com/2026/06/30/five-day-rail-shutdown-to-disrupt-florence-high-speed-services-in-july/

Many visitors come to Tuscany for Florence, Siena or the famous vineyards, but one of the best ways to experience the region is through its medieval festivals.

From the Palio of Siena to smaller historical reenactments in towns and villages, these events offer a glimpse into traditions that have survived for centuries, with costumes, flag throwers, tournaments and local food.

Florence Daily News put together a guide to some of Tuscany’s most interesting medieval festivals. Have you ever attended one? Which would you recommend?
https://www.florencedailynews.com/2026/06/26/exploring-tuscany-through-its-medieval-festivals/

Visitors hoping to see Botticelli’s Birth of Venus or other masterpieces at the Uffizi this week may face unexpected restrictions.

The Florence museum has suspended ticket sales until Sunday, June 28, after problems with its air-conditioning system during the ongoing heatwave. Only visitors with existing reservations are being admitted, and attendance has been capped at 50% of normal capacity while technicians work to restore the cooling system.

The issue emerged as temperatures in Florence climbed above seasonal averages, creating difficult conditions inside one of Italy’s most visited museums. Museum officials say temperatures in the galleries have already started to fall following initial repairs, but restrictions remain in place.
For tourists planning a last-minute visit, showing up without a reservation is currently not an option.

https://www.florencedailynews.com/2026/06/24/uffizi-limits-visitor-access-as-air-conditioning-struggles-during-florence-heatwave/

If you’re in Florence today, June 24, this is one of the biggest nights of the year.
The final of Calcio Storico Fiorentino takes place this afternoon in Piazza Santa Croce, with the city’s historic neighborhoods competing in a centuries-old game that combines elements of football, rugby and wrestling.

Then, at 10 p.m., thousands of people will gather along the Arno River for the Fochi di San Giovanni, Florence’s traditional fireworks display celebrating the city’s patron saint. The best viewing spots are usually around Ponte Santa Trinita, Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia and Piazzale Michelangelo.

For many Florentines, the fireworks are the real highlight of the day and one of the few events that still brings the whole city together.

More information:
https://www.florencedailynews.com/2026/06/11/calcio-storico-and-fireworks-florence-prepares-for-san-giovanni-celebrations/

One of Florence’s most famous museum spaces has just been completely redesigned.

The Uffizi Galleries have reopened the rooms dedicated to Sandro Botticelli, placing his two most celebrated masterpieces — The Birth of Venus and Primavera — face to face in the same space. The new arrangement allows visitors to compare the paintings directly and explore the themes that helped define the Florentine Renaissance.

The renovation is part of a broader modernization project at the Uffizi and includes updated lighting, new display cases, improved accessibility, and additional works by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Perugino.

For anyone planning a trip to Florence, the reopening offers a fresh way to experience some of the most iconic images in Italian art.

Read more: https://www.florencedailynews.com/2026/06/17/uffizi-reopens-botticelli-rooms-with-venus-and-primavera-facing-each-other/

A red heat warning has been issued for Saturday, June 20, 2026 with temperatures expected to reach around 37°C (99°F) in the city. Florence’s historic center can feel even hotter due to limited shade and the heat retained by stone buildings.

If you’re visiting, plan outdoor activities early in the morning, carry water, use sunscreen, and take regular breaks indoors during the hottest hours.

More details: https://www.florencedailynews.com/2026/06/18/heat-alert-raised-in-florence-as-red-warning-issued-for-saturday/

If you’re planning to visit Florence later this summer, keep in mind that public transport fares are changing.

Starting August 1, 2026, a standard ticket for Florence’s buses and tramway will increase from €1.70 to €2. The change applies across Tuscany’s urban transport network operated by Autolinee Toscane.

The regional government says the increase is linked to inflation, but discussions are underway about possible subsidies that could lower the effective fare. There is also some good news for families: children under 11 will be able to travel for free.

More details in the article:
https://www.florencedailynews.com/

If you’re visiting Florence this summer, you may notice more checks on tourist transport services in the historic center.

Local authorities have stepped up inspections targeting unauthorized transport operators, particularly around major tourist areas. The aim is to improve safety, ensure compliance with regulations, and protect licensed services.

The issue highlights a growing challenge for many popular destinations: balancing tourism demand with rules designed to protect visitors and residents alike.

Read more: https://www.florencedailynews.com/2026/06/08/illegal-tourist-transport-under-scrutiny-in-florences-historic-core/

As governments across Europe struggle to maintain public backing for climate policies, a series of new studies released by the European University Institute (EUI) based in Fiesole (Florence) suggests that concern about climate change is no longer confined to traditional environmentalist circles. The research points instead to a more complex reality: many people support climate action, but that support does not always translate into green votes, sympathy for climate activists or backing for every proposed measure.

Published ahead of World Environment Day on 5 June 2026, the three studies examine different stages of the relationship between environmental awareness and political behaviour. Together, they offer a broader picture of how Europeans engage with climate issues at a time when governments face growing pressure to advance the energy transition while preserving public consensus.

Read the complete report…
https://www.florencedailynews.com/2026/06/05/many-europeans-care-about-climate-change-even-if-they-dont-show-it-in-the-same-way/

If you’re in Florence and interested in photography, local culture, or simply seeing the city from a different perspective, Pellicola Urbana is now on display at BRAC, the library and contemporary art center near Piazza Santa Croce.

The exhibition brings together works by photographers who use analog film to document everyday life in Florence, offering a slower and often more intimate view of the city than the one usually seen on social media.

The project is also connected to the growing local community around film photography and darkroom practices.

More details here:

https://www.florencedailynews.com/2026/05/30/analog-florence-on-display-in-the-pellicola-urbana-exhibition-at-brac/

Heading to Florence this week?

The city is under an orange-level heat alert as temperatures climb, with highs expected around 35°C (95°F) for May 26 and 27, 2026. If you’re visiting, plan ahead: carry water, avoid long walks during the hottest hours, wear light clothing, and remember that Florence’s historic center has very little shade.

Museums and churches can be a good escape during the afternoon heat, but queues outside major attractions may still be tough.

More details here:
https://www.florencedailynews.com/2026/05/25/florence-heat-alert-raised-to-orange-level-as-temperatures-climb/

Florence has been ranked among the world’s top 10 cities for culture in Time Out’s latest global list.

From Renaissance art and historic architecture to contemporary exhibitions, food, music and everyday street life, the city continues to attract international recognition well beyond tourism rankings.

Do you think Florence still deserves its reputation as one of the world’s great cultural capitals — or is overtourism starting to change the experience?