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Travel bucket list idea:

Last updated: 24 June, 2023
Expert travel writer: Nicky Swallow

With around a million paintings, frescoes and sculptures, Florence harbours the world’s densest concentration of Renaissance art (and not only), remarkable for both the sheer volume of work contained within its walls, but also for the quality; expect to see masterpieces by the likes of Giotto, Masaccio, the Lippis, Leonardo and Michelangelo.

Exactly why this ‘rebirth’ occurred in Florence is a matter for debate, but wealthy patrons such as the ruling Medicis, along with the presence of outstanding artistic talents and the 15th-century thirst for knowledge, certainly helped.

Don’t miss frescoes

The seminal 15th-century frescoes by Masolino and Masaccio in the Brancacci Chapel (Piazza del Carmine); Fra Angelico’s ethereal paintings in the convent of San Marco; Giotto’s frescoes in the Cappella dei Bardi chapel, Santa Croce; Benozzo Gozzoli’s Journey of the Magi frescoes in Palazzo Medici Riccardi; Masaccio’s Trinita fresco in Santa Maria Novella.

Florence’s art-filled churches and chapels

Florence, Tuscany, Italy

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Bucket List Experience
Florence’s art-filled churches and chapels

Florence’s religious buildings are filled with an extraordinary legacy of art treasures by masters such as Giotto, Masaccio, the Lippis and Michelangelo.

Best for ages 18+

Accademia Gallery, Florence

Florence, Tuscany, Italy

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Bucket List Experience
Exterior of the entrance to the museum

One of Florence’s two big-name art museums, home to a world-class collection of 14th- and 15th-century art, and Michelangelo’s iconic masterpiece David.

Adult price: £10

Best for ages 18+

Bargello Museum

Florence, Tuscany, Italy

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Bucket List Experience
Bargello Museum

An eclectic, world-class collection of sculpture, decorative arts and Renaissance masterpieces, housed in a former fortified prison.

Adult price: £6

Best for ages 18+

Museum of San Marco

Florence, Tuscany, Italy

Museum of San Marco

This former Dominican monastery was home to the artist and monk Fra Angelico from 1436-1447, and he left behind an extraordinary body of work. Along with his assistants, he decorated the Pilgrim’s Hospice, the hallways and the walls of 44 of the monks’ cells with his spiritual, ethereal images. Highlights include his Last Judgement alterpiece and, at the top of the main stairs, the celebrated ‘Annunciating’, reproduced on many a Christmas card.

Adult price: £6

Best for ages 18+

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Palazzo Strozzi

Florence, Tuscany, Italy

Palazzo Strozzi

This 16th-century palazzo is home to one of Italy’s most innovative public art galleries. Rotating exhibitions showcase artists as diverse as Jeff Koons, Ai Wei-Wei and Bill Viola and Bronzino, Donatello and Pontormo. The ‘Strozzino’ gallery in the basement focuses on contemporary art and peripheral cultural events.

Adult price: £13

Best for ages 18+

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Uffizi Gallery

Florence, Tuscany, Italy

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Bucket List Experience
Uffizi Gallery

The world’s largest and most important collection of Renaissance and Mannerist art, home to 5,400 works spans art history from ancient Greece through to 18th-century Venetian painting.

Adult price: £10

Best for ages 18+

Price from: £-
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

If you are gallery-hopping independently, to jump the lengthy queues at the main galleries, pre-book a Firenze Card. (It also includes entrance to many other major attractions in Florence over a 72-hour period). You may still have to wait a few minutes, though. If you don’t buy a Firenze Card, be sure to pre-book your visits to the Uffizi, Accademia and Brancacci Chapel or you may not get in.

There are many expert-led guides tours on offer. Aside from organising skip-the-line tickets, they’ll help you navigate the galleries, show you the greatest works that you really should see, give you the background and insight that bring the artworks to life. See our recommendations below.

When to do it

Florence in the winter is an art-lover’s dream; apart from the Uffizi Gallery, there are no queues and museums and churches are comparatively empty.

But as a rule, the earlier you visit the main attractions, the fewer visitors you will find. The hour before closing is also a good time.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Uffizi + David & Accademia - Priority Tickets

Florence

Uffizi + David & Accademia - Priority Tickets
Discover the most visited museums in Florence and two of the most visited in the world, admiring the most important works to appreciate the art of the Italian Renaissance. The Uffizi Gallery with its collections of works of art, masterpieces by artists and protagonists of the Renaissance such as Michelangelo, Giotto, Botticelli, Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci and many others. And the Galleria dell'Accademia, the second most visited museum in Florence to discover Michelangelo's David, one of the most famous Florentine symbols. The Gallery is one of the places with the highest number of sculptures by Michelangelo, besides you can admire the museum of musical instruments, the largest collection of paintings with a gold background and the Sala dei Prigioni with sculptures designed for Pope Julius II. You will enter from the priority entrance to the museum and enjoy a journey into the life of the genius of Michelangelo.

Price: €73

Min age: 0

Rating 4.32 / 5 [61 ratings]

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Fully Guided Tour of Uffizi, Michelangelo’s David and Accademia

Florence

Fully Guided Tour of Uffizi, Michelangelo’s David and Accademia
Combine two best-selling Florence tours at a discounted price, and enjoy a half day of art and sightseeing in the city! This small-group Florence Super Saver includes skip-the-line entry to the prestigious Accademia and Uffizi galleries, two of the most famous art museums in the world. Start your morning skipping the line at the Accademia Gallery, then a walking tour around the town's historic center and finish with a visit of the immense Uffizi Gallery.

Price: €98

Min age: 0

Rating 4.47 / 5 [1841 ratings]

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Skip the line: Uffizi and Accademia Small Group Hidden Highlights Walking Tour

Florence

Skip the line: Uffizi and Accademia Small Group Hidden Highlights Walking Tour
• Skip the line Unforgettable experience with genuine tour • 4-hour small group (max 10-15 people) tour of the Accademia and the Uffizi • Discover the incredible masterpieces of Renaissance art • Priority entrance to the most important museums of Florence • Walking tour through Duomo Square and Piazza della Signoria The “Florence & Global ” Touch.  See Florence the right way with us Want to see Florence with a guide but are not keen on being herded around in a large, impersonal group or spending a fortune for a private tour? Look no further. “Florence & Global ” tours are designed for the selective traveller, providing all the benefits of a private tour with the group tour value.

Price: €124

Min age: 0

Rating 4.66 / 5 [1477 ratings]

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Half-Day Uffizi and Accademia Small-Group Guided Tour

Florence

Half-Day Uffizi and Accademia Small-Group Guided Tour
* Attention Please! From 06/08/21 the entrance into the Uffizi and Accademia Galleries is only allowed with Green Pass vaccination certificate In our Uffizi Gallery and Accademia Gallery tour with our professional guide you will not only get the benefit of saving your time, but you have the advantage of acquiring the inside stories behind some of the most notable masterpieces conserved in Florence. After your Uffizi tour, you can enjoy some refreshments in the cafeteria while taking in the unique stunning view of the Uffizi Gallery's terrace where you are more than welcome to relax and take pictures. Please, note: We will be entering through the priority line and may experience a short wait due to COVID security prevention measures. The schedule time in the reservation is for the Uffizi Gallery Tour. The Accademia Gallery Tour departs at 16:00.

Price: €129

Min age: 0

Rating 4.32 / 5 [25 ratings]

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Combo Skip The Line - Uffizi Gallery And Accademia Gallery Tour

Florence

Combo Skip The Line - Uffizi Gallery And Accademia Gallery Tour
Uffizi Gallery and Accademia Gallery are the most iconic and important art galleries in Florence. With our experienced guide, you will learn about the life and work of the legendary Michelangelo. Besides the David, unfinished works by this Renaissance master are also on display in the Gallery including the four the so-called “Slaves”, Saint Matthew, and the Palestrina Pietà.Renaissance geniuses like Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael.

Price: $150

Min age: 0

Rating 4.66 / 5 [33 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Florence: Skip the Line Uffizi and Accademia Galleries Guided Tour

Florence

Florence: Skip the Line Uffizi and Accademia Galleries Guided Tour
The Uffizi Gallery is considered one of the most iconic and important museums in the world of art. People from all over the world come to Florence to see with their own eyes all these incredible masterpieces and treasures that it contains. Marvel at the most iconic masterpieces created by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Filippo Lippi, Caravaggio and others. At Accademia Gallery immerse yourself in the world of Michelangelo Buonarotti and his remarkable David, while exploring the museum with our guide. This statue is rightfully considered one of the most famous in the world. David has become one of the most recognisable works of Renaissance sculpture; a symbol of strength and youthful beauty. Learn about the difficult fate of David's creation, and why this statue is considered one of the acmes not only of the Renaissance, but also of human genius in general. What is the meaning of his pose, and why Michelangelo portrayed the young man just like that.

Price: €180

Min age: 0

Rating 4.75 / 5 [28 ratings]

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Florence City Tour, Skip-the-line David & Uffizi Gallery - Private Tour

Florence

Florence City Tour, Skip-the-line David & Uffizi Gallery - Private Tour
Maximize your time in Florence with a combo tour to visit Florence’s must-see attractions, including the Accademia with Michelangelo's David, and the Uffizi Gallery. This 5.5 hour private guided walking and museum tour pairs you with a guide to visit the Tuscan capital and all of its most important marvels.

Price: €222

Min age: 0

Rating 4.93 / 5 [33 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Discover Florence: Uffizi and Accademia Gallery semi-private tour

Florence

Discover Florence: Uffizi and Accademia Gallery semi-private tour
See some of Florence's art treasures during this 7-hour walking tour that starts with a guided walking tour of the city historic center of Florence, followed by a visit of the Accademia Gallery. Then end with a guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery in the afternoon. You'll have free time in the middle for lunch. Join our semi-private guided tour.

Price: €265

Min age: 0

Rating 4.04 / 5 [21 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Florence

Tuscany, Italy

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A heady mix of incomparable Renaissance art, gorgeous palazzos, Tuscan cuisine and home-grown haute couture.

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The astonishingly beautiful region of Tuscany has it all: art cities and ancient hill towns, high mountains and long sandy beaches, alongside luxurious hotels and some of Italy’s best food and wine.

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