How to Explore the Museums of Florence

Visiting the museums of Florence can be overwhelming. There is so much incredible art in this city that all the possibilities must be narrowed down to maximize your visit. By following these steps, travelers who spend even just several days in the city can be assured of seeing some of the most famous works of art in the world. So put on your most comfortable walking shoes and head out on this art lover’s tour.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Start by scheduling your trip at times which will give you the best possible advantage for visiting museums. Travel in the winter, if possible, when the crowds will be smaller. Keep in mind that most of the museums are closed on Mondays and that the earlier in the day you arrive, the easier it will be to get in.
2. Buy tickets in advance, when possible. At the Ufizzi, for example, a limited number of visitors are allowed in at any given time, so you will definitely be ahead of the game if you have tickets with a specific entry time printed on them. Go to the website of the museum to purchase tickets (see Resources below).
3. Consider using audio tours when available, and look for museum guidebooks and maps printed in English. These aids will help you get the most from your visit.
4. Start your museum tour at the Galleria degli Ufizzi because of the massive amount of famous works concentrated in that location. Arriving at the museum any later than 8:30 a.m. without a prepaid ticket almost insures a long wait. You will not be able to see even half of the museum in one day, but you can see some of the world’s greatest treasures. It is worth the price of a museum guidebook to insure that you make it to the following works (and know something about what you are seeing): Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus,” Michelangelo’s “Doni Tondo,” the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Rubens, Rembrandt and Bronzino’s portraits.
5. Plan to spend at least an hour at the Galleria dell’Accademia where you will be dazzled by Michelangelo’s enormous sculpture of David. Another not-to-be-missed piece is “The Slaves,” which are unfinished sculptures; the figures look as though they are trapped in the marble.
6. Try to include several of the following in your museum tour: the works of Fra Angelico at the Museo di San Marco; the works of Donatello and Ghiberti at the Museo Nazionale del Bargello; and the Galleria Palatina and the Galleria d/Arte Moderna in the Palazzo Pitti, a lavish palace.