Florence's two great museums, the Uffizi and the Galleria dell'Accademia, hold some of the most famous art in the world: Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Michelangelo's David. Both have long queues, and a pre-booked ticket is close to essential.
Which museum if you only have time for one?
The Accademia is small and focused: you come for Michelangelo's David and a few unfinished sculptures, and can see it in about an hour. The Uffizi is a huge gallery of Renaissance painting, with works by Botticelli, Leonardo, Raphael and Caravaggio, and needs two to three hours. If you like paintings, choose the Uffizi. If you want the single most famous sculpture, choose the Accademia.
- Accademia
- ~1 hour
- Uffizi
- 2–3 hours
- Book
- Timed tickets
- Closed
- Mondays (usually)
- Best time
- First slot or late
- Firenze Card
- Combines many sites
Booking and the Firenze Card
Book a timed ticket online for each museum, with a small reservation fee. The Firenze Card covers many museums and gives priority entry, but still requires time-slot reservations for the busiest, and only pays off if you plan to see lots in a short time.
Watch out: Only use the official website or an authorised partner. Look-alike sites charge much more for the same ticket.
Guided tours
A guide helps with both museums, since the Uffizi's hundreds of paintings can be overwhelming without a thread. Many tours combine the two, with timed entries and a guide for each.
Tips for the day
- Go first thing in the morning or after 3 pm.
- Allow time for security and the cloakroom.
- Check the museum's closing day, normally Monday.
- Pair with the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio, both within walking distance.
Insider tip: In the Uffizi, head straight to the Botticelli room first, then work backwards through the other rooms.
The Uffizi highlights in order
The gallery is arranged chronologically, so you can follow the story of Italian painting from the 13th to the 18th century. The corridor windows overlook the Arno, with a view of the Ponte Vecchio, a good place to rest.
- 1Rooms 5–6: Gothic masters such as Giotto and Cimabue.
- 2Rooms 10–14: Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Primavera.
- 3Room 15: Leonardo da Vinci's Annunciation.
- 4Room 35: Michelangelo's Holy Family (the Doni Tondo).
- 5Rooms 66–68: Raphael, and Caravaggio's Medusa and Bacchus.
Seeing David without the crush
Michelangelo's David stands in a dedicated gallery under a skylit dome. Entry is timed, so queues are manageable, but the room can be crowded. Walk around the statue, seeing it from different angles: the hands, the veins and the furrowed brow are extraordinary. The unfinished 'Prisoners' along the corridor show Michelangelo's method of releasing figures from marble.
Visit first thing in the morning for the best experience. If you are interested in sculpture, the Bargello Museum has Donatello's bronze David and other Renaissance masterpieces, often without queues.
Rest, coffee and lunch nearby
After the museums, choose a spot to rest. Near the Accademia, the San Marco district has cafés and student-friendly lunch spots. Near the Uffizi, the rooftop café of the museum has a view of the Palazzo Vecchio, and the lanes around Piazza della Signoria have trattorias and gelaterie.
Try a lampredotto sandwich (tripe) from a street stall if you are adventurous, or a schiacciata with local ham and cheese. Finish with a bistecca alla fiorentina for dinner. For more, see our Rome vs Florence guide, the Pisa day trip and the Florence guide.
Plan more of Florence
Climb the Duomo dome, walk the Ponte Vecchio and Oltrarno, or take a Pisa day trip. Read the Florence guide and compare it with Rome.
Ready to go?
Book Florence tours
Florence: your questions answered
How far in advance should I book?
A few days in the low season, a few weeks in summer.
How long do I need at the Uffizi?
Two to three hours.
Is the David worth it?
Yes, it is overwhelming in person.
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