Free Museums in Italy on the first Sunday of each month

Colosseum in Italy illuminated by the sun
Last updated:

This post is also available in: Português

Free museums in Italy are a reality on the first Sunday of every month, did you know that? We are talking about not paying a single penny to visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and many, many other incredible Italian museums.

Colosseum in Italy illuminated by the sun
The Colosseum in Rome | Photo by Monday Feelings

The initiative “Domenica al Museu” (Sunday at the museum, in English) was launched in 2014 by the Italian minister of culture in order to encourage people to consume more art and culture.

On the first Sunday of every month, there are hundreds of free museums, palaces, gardens and state owned attractions all over Italy and you can simply turn up and get your ticket at the ticket office. You will probably face a large queue as, let’s us all agree that, Italy is one of the most tourist destinations in the world!

A face of a woman painted in a canvas by Leonardo Da Vinci in a museum in Italy
An artwork of Leonard Da Vinci at the National Gallery | Photo by Monday Feelings

Some of the most famous Italian museums included in the “Domenica al Museu” scheme are:

  • The Colosseum, in Rome;
  • The Galleria dell’a Accademia, in Venice;
  • The Uffizi, in Florence; and many more unmissable attractions.

You can see the full of the free museums in Italy on the government website (unfortunately all in Italian though. Give us a shout if you need some help).

Are you looking for other activities to do Italy? Check these ones here.

Visiting free museums in Italy on the first Sunday

Two art on a table inside a room in a museum in Italy
Parma National Gallery | Photo by Monday Feelings

This past Sunday, May 07th, was our first Sunday of the month in Italian soil and we head straight to the museums to check if there were no catches. To the great happiness of our economies, we spent the whole afternoon exploring the Pilotta Palace in Parma, without paying anything for it.

The place is beautiful and the tour includes the National Gallery of Parma. There are arts from Leonardo Da Vinci and Giovanni Battista Pittoni. Also, see the Archaeological Museum and the astonishing Farnese Theatre, built on the XV century.

Inside an oval theatre with many seats and a few people taking photos
The theatre of the Palazzo Pilota in Parma | Photo by Monday Feelings

It was a great day! We are already planning the next first Sunday of the month to visit a nearby city and take advantage of the programme.

* Also read about other free museums around Europe.

Other Italian government cultural schemes

  • Buy one get one free ticket on Valentine’s Day, February 14th. Get more info in here!
  • Free entrance for all women on International Woman Day, February 8th. Read more about it in here!