The Ultimate Florence Museum Guide
Florence is a city of art, and as such, houses some of the most important art from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. If you're making a stop in Florence it means that you're at least a little interested in art. Whether it's painting, sculpture, or architecture, there's something here for everyone.
There are dozens of museums scattered throughout the city and it can be hard to know which ones to see and which you can save for 'the next trip.'
Be aware that tickets for most of the big museums, Uffizi and Academia, can sell out weeks and sometimes months in advance. If you only have a couple of days you should buy your museum tickets ahead of time. While you will have to select a day and time of your visit it's a far better than having to wait in hours-long lines or miss out all together.
Top Museums In Florence
To buy tickets for Florence museums visit b-ticket. This is the official website for buying tickets online. You will receive an email receipt that you will need to take with you to pick up your physical ticket on the day of your visit. You can either print the receipt at home or simply show the email at the ticket window. Note that you will only be allowed to pick up your ticket 15 minutes before your scheduled time.
Uffizi Gallery-Described as the most historically important art museum in the world, the Uffizi is the former offices of the Medici family. The building was donated to the city of Florence by the last Medici relative Anna Maria, along with the complete Medici art collection. You can find pieces here by Michelangelo, Raffaello, Leonardo da Vinci, Piero della Francesca, Caravaggio, Sandro Botticelli, as well as Greek and Roman art found in the city.
It's easy to spend 2-3 hours wandering the gorgeous halls and hidden rooms of the Uffizi. Bring some water and wear your comfy walking shoes. You'll have to climb several flights of stairs so be prepared! Make sure to see the Michelangelo and Da Vinci rooms as well as Botticelli's 'La Primavera' and 'The Birth of Venus', and 'Madonna' by Filippo Lippi just to name a few.
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The Academia-The Academia is known mostly for Michelangelo's The David but it's actually home to hundreds of other art works and sculptures. Pieces from byzantine churches as well as 18th century sculptures and musical instruments from the Medici
Palazzo Pitti-The largest palace in Florence, Palazzo Pitti can be found in the Oltrarno (meaning the other side of the Arno river).
Built by Luca Pitti, a Florentine merchant in 15th century, it has also been the home of the Medici, Hapsburg-Lorraine and the Savoy families. Now it houses several museums including paintings, sculpture, period clothing, interiors and the Boboli Gardens.
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Boboli Gardens-The amazing gardens attached to Palazzo Pitti are not to be missed. If the weather is good plan a picnic and enjoy the beauty in the largest green space within the city. The gardens require a separate ticket but it is well worth it.
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Other Museums to keep in mind
While these museums aren't on everyone's list they contain some very important pieces as well as smaller lines and less crowds. They are great for those that have a little extra time. Most of these don't require you booking tickets in advanced, though if you know you want to visit it's never a bad idea. Remember to check current opening times as these museums can sometimes have early closing times.
Bargello Museum-Tickets can be purchased at the museum. The Bargello is home to pieces by Michelangelo, Ghiberti, Brunelleschi as well as Donatello's David. The museum is home to mostly sculptures, tapestries, Bronzes and ceramics. It's a great option to see some amazing pieces without the crowds of the Uffizi.
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Medici Chapel-Part of the basilica of San Lorenzo. The mausoleum was designed and carved by Michelangelo (soon a secondary museum containing Michelangelo's sketches will be opened to the public) on the request of Cardinal Giulio de Medici, who would become Pope Clemens VII, for Lorenzo the Magnificent and Giuliano Duke of Nemours. The chapel was the official chapel of the Medici family.
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Dante House Museum-Dante is Italy's most important poet and the man credited as the 'Father of the Italian Language.' Though not the actual home, you can still visit the heart of Florence's medieval center and learn all about the life of this Florentine hero. The museum stands in the alleged spot Dante's home once stood.
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Archaeological Museum-Showcasing archaeological finds from the Etruscan, Greek and Roman periods in Florence. This museum houses many pieces from the private collection of the Medici and Lorraine families. The museum also contains an Egyptian museum that houses the second largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in Italy.
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