Uffizi Gallery raises entry fee to €25 amid record visitor numbers

From March 1 to October 31, 2023, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence has increased its single-entry ticket from €20 to €25. The price hike, approved by the Uffizi board earlier this year, aims to offset rising energy and construction costs. The increase applies only to the single ticket for the Galleria delle statue e delle pitture, which also grants access to the National Archaeological Museum and the Museum of the Opificio delle Pietre Dure. Multi-day and annual passes remain unchanged, as does the low-season price of €12. Visitors under 26 pay just €2, while Florence residents receive no discount. Early birds who book between 8:15 and 8:55 AM get a €6 discount, paying €19. Despite initial controversy, the museum has seen record demand: in January 2023, 282,532 people visited—28% more than in January 2019, the previous record year. Director Eike Schmidt reported that online bookings (which include a €4 surcharge) for the coming weeks exceed 2019 levels, suggesting new records may be set. Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano supported the increase, arguing that Italian museums should align with European standards and that a €20 ticket is reasonable for tourists spending thousands on their trips. Florence is also working on improving visitor services, including extended summer hours and the museum's first restaurant and pastry shop, though the tender for the space has not yet been published.