On Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October 2026 the FAI Autumn Days return: over 700 extraordinary places open across Italy by free contribution, from institutional palaces to private villas, from cloisters to historic workshops. It is the autumn edition of the great campaign run by FAI – Fondo Ambiente Italiano, Italy’s National Trust, usually held on the second weekend of October. This guide explains how it works, how to read the list of places city by city, and how to use it with a group or a high-end guest.
This is part of our complete calendar of free museum days in Italy; for the March edition see FAI Spring Days 2027.
Two readings from our own network on the same ground: ItalyPlanner’s autumn picks in central Italy and openings near Rome on EstateRomana. The way we work with tour operators and colleagues is set out in our network manifesto.
Dates and numbers
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dates | Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October 2026 |
| Places open | over 700 across Italy (official list on fondoambiente.it) |
| Admission | free contribution in support of FAI |
| FAI members | priority access at all places; some openings reserved |
| Booking | usually not required; specific arrangements shown for limited-capacity places |
| Guides | FAI Delegation volunteers and Apprendisti Ciceroni student guides |
How to read the list, city by city
FAI publishes a map and a list by region and city; each place has a page with hours, visit shifts, capacity and notes. Three rules for reading it well: first, institutional places (ministries, prefectures, embassies, bank and foundation headquarters) draw the longest lines, often from 9 in the morning; second, places outside the regional capitals — villas, gardens, abbeys, villages — have a local public and a human pace; third, the openings reserved for members are the most precious part, and membership can be taken out on the spot.
Rome
In the capital, FAI autumn means seats of power and representation, period palaces in the historic centre, nineteenth-century villas in the residential districts and, often, openings in the minor archaeological areas. Those who want to avoid lines choose the districts outside the centre or the places across Lazio.
Florence, Milan, Naples, Turin
Florence opens private palaces and institutional seats; Milan is the city where FAI is most deeply rooted and the openings — courtyards, historic company headquarters, twentieth-century buildings — are numerous and well curated; Naples fields cloisters, palaces and monumental complexes of the ancient centre; Turin usually opens Savoy residences and baroque palaces. In every city the list comes out a few weeks before and should be read as soon as it is published.
For the high-end guest
The advice is the same as for the spring edition, but in autumn it is worth more: the weather is ideal, the cities are no longer as crowded as in August, and the private properties opened by FAI are the best existing catalogue of what can be visited privately for the rest of the year. The advisor uses the weekend for reconnaissance and contacts, and proposes a reserved version of the experience to the client on a later date. If the client is in Italy that very weekend, the best choice is a FAI place in the countryside, with a guide who knows the history and the family.
Checklist for guides and tour leaders
- Download the list of places as soon as it is published and note hours and shifts: many places close in the early afternoon on Sunday.
- Do not bring large groups: split into parties of 6–8 or choose only the major venues.
- Suggest FAI membership to clients for priority access.
- Allow for queuing time at institutional places in the historic centres; prefer provincial openings with groups.
- Bring whisper systems where the group exceeds 8 people, out of respect for other visitors and the volunteers.
Frequently asked questions
How much does entry cost?
Nothing compulsory: entry is by free contribution in support of FAI.
Do I need to book?
Usually not. Some limited-capacity places have specific arrangements shown on their page.
Do FAI members get benefits?
Yes: priority access at all places and reserved openings. Membership can be taken out on the spot.
When is the full list published?
On FAI’s website, in the weeks before the event; the pages are updated until the last minute.
Sources verified on 3 September 2026: FAI – Autumn Days, open places; FAI – Giornate FAI. The list of places and arrangements can change: always check fondoambiente.it.
TourLeaderPro Network — contact us for private visits and bespoke programmes across Italy.