If you're planning to visit Florence, a museum visit is definitely in your itinerary! Which ones to include? It depends on your interestes... paintings, statues, frescoes or intarsias? The most popular are the Uffizi and Accademia Gallerys, but there are many more so give yourself more time in Florence to truly explore the richness in the collections of its museums.
Florence, at the heart of the Italian Rennaisance, might seem like an open air museum to most visitors. The piazzas and buildings themselves are a testament of the history of architecture and of past eras. Florence's cathedral, churches and many palaces were designed, built and decorated by many of the most illustrious of artists of the time, from Brunelleschi to Michelangelo, and can be admired freely from the outside. But in order to see another side of Florence, the side the contains most of its treasures, you need to go indoors and visit at least one or two museums while you are here. There you will find the paintings, sculptures and frescoes imagined and created by the greatest minds of all time.
One of the world's top art museums, the Uffizi Gallery houses some of the most important works of the Renaissance, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto, Botticelli and Michelangelo and a large collection of Greek and Roman sculptures.
The Accademia houses Michelangelo's David, easily the most famous sculpture in the world. Once inside, you'll also see Michelangelo's unfinished and powerful Prisoners, along with works by Perugino, Giambologna, Botticelli and Alessandro Allori.
The decorative marble facade of Tuscany's most important Gothic church incorporates billowing sails and ostrich feathers (emblem of the Medici). The church houses immense artistic treasures, donated by wealthy patrons, many with chapels named after them.
The immense dimensions of Palazzo Strozzi pay homage to its namesake, the Strozzi family. The exterior boasts one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in the city while the interior promises Florence's largest temporary exhibition space hosting modern & contemporary art shows.
The Brancacci Chapel marks the start of the Renaissance, with Masaccio's frescoes expressing the power and brilliance that inspired the Florentine painters of the 15th century.
The intention of this museum was to pay homage to the “good name” of the Buonarroti family, especially that of Michelangelo. It is an intriguing collection of up & coming artists from the 17th century together with documents which give testament to the good this family has done…
This is not just a collection documenting the literary skills of Dante but rather an invitation to explore life in Florence in the 1300’s when this poet, writer, politician and, for many, the father of the Italian language, roamed the city streets.
So you're visiting Florence on Monday - and you've just learned that the Uffizi and the Accademia are closed on Mondays! Don't despair, there are many other museums/attractions in Florence open on Mondays! Here is a handy list with opening hours and costs (and keep in mind Uffizi and Accademia are…
The Museum of the "Innocenti" in Florence, literally meaning of the "innocents", documents the six centuries of history and role that the first institute and orphanage in all of Europe has played on the city of Florence and the world.
Sarcophagus, mummies & chariots! That's what you can expect to discover while roaming this amazing museum in the heart of Florence Italy. For kids with a great imagination or adults with a curiosity for archeology, you don't want to miss a visit to this gem.
With fortress like castellations and a 311 foot high bell tower, Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio conveys the message of political power supported by military strength. A beautiful museum today, a must-see in Florence hiding extraordinary treasures!
This silent and tranquil aclove in the city center promises you a moment to actually stop and smell the roses! Spectacular panoramic views of the Florence skyline, a Kauffeehaus where you can sip a cappuccino or eat a gelato and a moment to explore the green beauty of the Florentine palaces…
Have limited time to visit the Uffizi? A visit with a guide can help you make your way through the museum’s main rooms so you don’t miss any of the most important masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and more!
Florence attracts millions of visitors every year, and you'll often have to stand in line for hours before entering the Uffizi Gallery or the Accademia. Find out which other museums would be better to book ahead and how to do it.
The famous elevated passageway was built by Vasari in 1565 connecting Palazzo Pitti to Palazzo Vecchio: how it is today, a short history and future plans for the Vasari Corridor that passes over the heads of unsuspecting visitors today.
An impressive collection comprising works by Raphael, Titian, Rubens, Pietro da Cortona and other Italian and European masters of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, plus the Royal Apartments, the magnificent rooms which were the home of the Medici and Lorraine families and, from 1865, of the king…
A list of the "state" museums in Florence will help you better understand how museums in Florence are organized but also see at-a-glance which ones are included when special openings occur for "state museums only".
The Palazzo Davanzati showcases how a noble family lived in Florence during the middle ages. There are many surprises to discover and authentic furniture rooms like the kitchen, bedrooms and indoor toilets! Read our insider tips on how to see the best of this museum.
Here's a list of the “city” museums in Florence, called the Musei Civici Fiorentini, with address and hours, which should help you have everything on hand when deciding where to go next as you visit the city.
The museum pass sold in Florence is valid for 72 hours and costs €85. Is it a good deal to see the city's museums with this card or not? Read more to learn what we recommend.
A small jewel among so many others in Florence: a tiny cloister hidden near Piazza San Marco with treasures inside painted by the great Andrea del Sarto.
The Boboli Gardens are one of the most famous “Italian” gardens in the world, a veritable open air museum spread out on the hills behind the Pitti Palace.
This special space dedicated to the contemporary artist Marino Marini creates a surprising yet pleasant contrast with the historic backdrop of the ex-chuch of San Pancrazio & the highly praised work of Leon Battista Alberti. A visit will have you comparing past and present in an inviting…
Museums in Florence during the holidays will be open following their normal schedules except on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, with a few places open on the first day of the new year. Continue reading to find out what is open and when.
Visit the Villa and the beautiful Italian garden that surrounds the villa that used to be the home to the Medicis, the Lorraines and even the king of Italy. This gem is waiting to be discovered, as it off the beaten track and off many itineraries.
Mausoleum of the Medici family, the Medici Chapels are a monument to the family’s artistic patronage and grandeur in Florence.
The huge artistic undertaking that the cathedral complex represents is filled with enormous works of art, hundreds of artists and even a few unexpected surprises. The new exhibition area of museum should be on the top of your list to visit.
The Chapel of the Magi by Benozzo Gozzoli is why you should visit the majestic Palazzo Medici Riccardi on Via Cavour. It is a small, yet precious jewel that takes visitors back in time to the era of Florence's Rennaissance.
Primarily a sculpture museum, you'll be treated to early Michelangelo marbles and Giambologna bronzes and Cellini works then on to a room full of famous works by Donatello, considered by many the greatest sculptor since antiquity. The museum houses more than sculpture, it is definitely a museum…
Florence is already an open-air museum, but there are also museums that offer children of all ages the chance to enjoy a bit of art and culture, with activities appropriate to their age. Here are 5 family-friendly museums we suggest you add to your itinerary when visiting Florence with your kids.
The Pitti Palace houses important collections of paintings and sculpture, works of art, porcelain, silver and period costumes. The rooms contain works by Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio and many others. The beautiful Boboli Gardens, grand example of Italian Renaissance gardens, are on the hill behind…
The convent of San Marco is dominated by the lovely paintings of Fra Angelico. There is an aura of monastic calm within the building, conducive to appreciating the religious themes depicted.
One of Giotto’s most talented followers, Taddeo Gaddi dedicated thirty years to the decoration of the refectory of Santa Croce (between 1334 and 1366), which even if devastated during the 1966 flood of Florence, still allows us to appreciate Gaddi's talent.
Not your everyday museum. Stefano Bardini's legacy to Florence is an eclectic collection of art, sculpture, tapestries, armory, ceilings and many unusual yet beautiful items. Spend some of your time in the city wandering among fragments of Florence, Rome, and Venice
Just a short hike outside the historical center will bring to the Stibbert Museum and to its surrounding park. The museum constitutes an adventure away from what you usually find in Florence's art collections: here, you will find weapons and armor and not just from Europe, but from far away lands…
We know how hard it is to narrow the places you want to see and visit in Florence. We thought of sharing our top favorites between museums, monuments, parks and churches to help you make your list of must-sees in Florence!
Strong emotions are transmitted with colors, perspective and skill. The Last Supper commissioned for this once hospital, now is the focus of contemplation by visitors to this modern conference center by Porta Romana.
Saved by chance and then hidden for years, this moving "Last Supper" shows deep emotion. Located on the outer edges of Florence, you will find several good reasons to make the short trek to find this masterpiece also known as the Last Supper by Andrea del Sarto.
If you like design, fabric, color & cutting edge clothing designs, then you need to visit these 2 fashion museums in Florence, each show off the fashion savoy of the Florentine designers in the past, present & maybe some hints for the future.
A vivid & colorful exposition of semi-precious stones, the Opificio delle Pietre Dure is a museum like no other. This museum highlights a distinctly Florentine art, the "commesso fiorentino", also known as images created by stone cuttings made to fit, like a puzzle, creating simply stunning…
Why consider a guided tour? Because it makes your visit to the museum to see Michelangelo's David fun and interesting! Plus, there is more to see than just the David, visiting with an expert guide makes discovering the rest of the artwork inside
The Museo Galileo in Florence offers one of Europe’s most impressive collections of scientific instruments from the 11th to 19th centuries. Located steps from the Uffizi, it showcases Galileo’s original telescopes, beautifully crafted astrolabes, early globes and maps, mechanical…
After almost 2 years of closure, the Museum of the Opera del Duomo is set to reopen its doors on October 29th, 2015.
First ever exhibition dedicated solely to Gerrit van Honthorst, Dutch Golden Age painter that mastered chiaroscuro style created by Caravaggio.
We visited the Uffizi Gallery accompanied by a guide who explained us everything about the musum and its artworks! Visit the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most important Museum in the world!