5 Must-See Museums in Florence, Italy
In the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence’s museums are state of the art. From stunning ceiling frescoes in an unassuming church to the famed and gilded hallways that hold some of the world’s most recognizable artworks, the city swells with masterpieces. Here are five must-sees.
Click the colored links below to see the museums on TripAdvisor and book your own guided tours, skip-the-line tickets, and more.
Uffizi Gallery — all about the Renaissance
The Uffizi Gallery is the Colosseum of Italian Renaissance art—everyone goes, and for a good reason. With 50 rooms full of paintings by Botticelli, Raphael, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and da Vinci all displayed below impressive frescoed ceilings, Uffizi justly earns its title as one of the most famous art museums in Europe. Head for highlights: Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Allegory of Spring, Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation, and Michelangelo’s Holy Family. After your visit, refuel with some prosciutto-topped pie at Mangia Pizza around the corner.
Spend an entire day here without standing in line by booking an early-access ticket.
Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell’Accademia) — home of Michelangelo’s David
The Galleria dell’Accademia is best known for housing Michelangelo’s David, one of the most iconic sculptures in the world, but it also features sculpted masterpieces like Giambologna’s Rape of the Sabine Women and Michelangelo’s Prisoners, as well as 15th- and 16th-century paintings by Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, and Uccello. It’s one of Florence’s top museums, but you can book a skip the line ticket and allot your saved time to see the amazing frescoes of Fra Angelico at the convent of San Marco in nearby Piazza San Marco.
Head past the long lines with a priority-entrance ticket that gives you more time to explore the museum.
Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens — an eclectic gallery complex fit for a king
Once belonging to the Medici family, the Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti) now houses many a gallery, with collections displaying everything from modern art to porcelain to 16th-century ball gowns once worn by the royal family. You’ll want to see the Palatine Gallery (Galleria Palatina) with works by Raffaello, Tiziano, Rubens, and Caravaggio, but don’t leave the palatial museum without strolling the adjacent Boboli Gardens, full of fountains, sculptures, and beautiful grottoes. Take it all in with a cappuccino from the courtyard cafe.
Book a skip-the-line ticket for fast-track entry and a guided tour of the Palatine Gallery.
National Museum of the Bargello (Museo Nazionale del Bargello) — a fortress full of Renaissance sculptures
The Bargello houses an outstanding (and underrated) display of Gothic and Renaissance sculptures in a former prison barracks dating back to the 13th century. Highlights include Michelangelo’s Bacchus, Brutus, and David-Apollo, plus Donatello’s David, but you’ll also find works by Brunelleschi, Verrocchio, and Cellini. After your visit, take a breather in the museum’s tranquil courtyard or head out for gelato at Grom along Via del Campanile.
Plan ahead with a skip-the-line ticket that includes a private guided tour to bring the history to life.
Vasari Corridor — an art-filled secret passageway
The Vasari Corridor connects Palazzo Vecchio and the Pitti Palace by way of a near-mile-long walkway that snakes through Florence’s most famous landmarks. It’s also an art gallery (only accessible via guided tour) and holds an impressive collection of self-portraits from the 16th century onward. You’ll find paintings by Bernini, Guido Reni, Rubens, Ingres, and Delacroix, plus exclusive views of the city. The Vasari Corridor passes over the iconic Ponte Vecchio—head back after your tour to check out the jewelry shops and stands.
Learn about the fascinating history of the corridor with a skip-the-line ticket to the Uffizi Gallery.