Uffizi Limits Visitor Access as Air Conditioning Struggles During Florence Heatwave

The Uffizi Galleries temporarily suspended ticket sales on Tuesday, 24 June, 2026, after problems with its air-conditioning system amid an intense heatwave affecting Florence.

According to information reported on Tuesday afternoon, exceptionally high temperatures placed the museum’s cooling system under strain. As a result, museum management decided to limit the number of visitors allowed inside and halt further ticket sales for the remainder of the day.

Long queues formed outside the Uffizi as visitors waited to enter. Florence is currently under a red heat alert, the highest level issued by health authorities, with temperatures reaching well above seasonal averages.

Technical teams were working on the air-conditioning system on Tuesday in an effort to restore normal operation.

It was not immediately clear whether the disruption would continue beyond Tuesday. Museum officials had not announced any additional restrictions for the following days at the time of writing.

Practical information

Visitors planning to visit the Uffizi in the coming days are advised to check the museum’s official channels before travelling to the gallery, particularly while high temperatures persist in Florence.

Update, June 25

The Uffizi Galleries have extended the suspension of new ticket sales until Sunday, June 28, following ongoing problems with the museum’s air-conditioning system during Florence’s intense heatwave. Access to the gallery is currently reserved for visitors who already hold a reservation, while overall capacity has been reduced to 50 percent of normal levels. Museum officials said temperatures inside the building had improved on Thursday morning thanks to initial repairs to the cooling system and the lower number of visitors admitted to the galleries.

Update, On-Site Ticket Sales Resume

The Uffizi Galleries announced on Thursday that on-site ticket sales have been temporarily restored after conditions inside the museum improved. According to museum officials, temperatures in the exhibition spaces have become more manageable thanks to ongoing work on the air-conditioning system and a slight reduction in visitor numbers. The precautionary measures introduced earlier this week remain in place, however, with visitor numbers still being limited through June 28 due to the extreme heat forecast for Florence. Visitors are therefore still encouraged to book in advance, and access may continue to be regulated to ensure safe conditions inside the museum.

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