The Uffizi Gallery in Florence is undoubtedly one of Italy's premiere attractions. Home to probably the greatest collection of Italian Renaissance art and visited by over 5 million visitors in 2023, knowing where to start, how to get tickets, what to see, and more can be a daunting task. I have been working as a professional tour guide for over a decade across Rome, Florence, and Paris, and below is everything you need to know about the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
This article aims to gather in one place everything you need to know to visit smoothly, avoid wasting precious time, and get the most out of your visit, whether it be your first or tenth time seeing the mighty home of Italian Renaissance art. Remember, as always, Through Eternity Tours can help elevate your visit in two ways: first, through our free travel guides, and second, through our award-winning tours of Florence.
What is the Uffizi Gallery?
The Uffizi stands in the center of Florence, just beside the Piazza Signoria. Commissioned by Cosimo I de Medici, the colossal U-shaped Palazzo degli Uffizi was originally a 16th-century office building. Today, it houses one of the greatest collections of Renaissance art anywhere on Earth.
Since the late 18th century, the Uffizi has been utilized as a public museum. Its collection is based upon the personal collection of the bankers of the Renaissance world, the Medici. Patrons of Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, and Da Vinci, the Medici financed the flourishing of art that drew people from all over the world to the great museums and churches of Italy. The Uffizi today houses one of the finest art collections to be found on earth.
How to Visit the Uffizi Gallery?
Opening hours
The Uffizi opens every day except Monday between 8.15 AM and 6.30 PM.
From April 2024 onwards, on Tuesday evenings, the museum opens late until 9.30 PM. In my experience, whether visiting the Louvre, the Vatican, or the Uffizi, often the night entrance is one of the most pleasant times to attend the museum!
How to Buy Tickets for the Uffizi Gallery?
As a tour guide, it would be hardly surprising that I recommend booking a tour to organize ticketing and entrance and to make the most of your experience on the inside.
However, the Uffizi has an online ticketing service, and it is always recommended (even if you’re visiting in the low season) to book a ticket ahead of time to avoid long lines, either directly with the museum or with a trusted tour operator like Through Eternity!
Is a Tour of the Uffizi Gallery Worth it?
Absolutely is the short answer. The long answer is that the Florentine Renaissance is not a singular event. It is a long period of time brought on by numerous different influences, financial, cultural, artistic, scientific, and societal. Its origins stretch back to antiquity and its effects are still with us today. Booking a guided tour with an expert who has spent years trying their best to understand the importance of this period cannot be replaced by a guidebook.
I absolutely recommend doing a guided tour and some of the best options are listed just below. If a guided tour is just not for you then I would one hundred percent encourage you to grab an audio guide and do some research before going to really get the most from the visit. Take your time. There are no prizes for exhaustedly dragging yourself to the end of the museum. See what you can see and bask in the experience.
The Best Tours of the Uffizi
Through Eternity offers several great tour options, ranging from semi-private to fully private experiences. Below are what I consider to be the two best options that Through Eternity offers.
- Uffizi Gallery Semi-Private Tour: Discover Enlightening Masterpieces
Definitely worth doing for those who don’t mind being in a small group to visit the Uffizi. The benefit of having a guide really makes this tour worth doing! Skip the line, of course, so you can spend your time enjoying the most important pieces in the museum (I have listed a few of those below!). - Gallery of the Academy of Florence Tour with Uffizi - Four Hours
This combination tour gives skip-the-line access to both sites (always important) and an art historian tour guide. It is for those who really want to dive deep into the world of the Renaissance with the two major museums of the Uffizi and the Academia to see Michelangelo’s David.
Top things to see at the Uffizi
The High Renaissance Masters:
The works of Da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo stand as one of the peaks of artistic accomplishment in the whole of human history, and nowhere better to explore than the Uffizi. Keep an eye out for this tour guide’s favorite in the slightly tubby form of the Medici Pope Leo X painted by the greatest painter of the three (in my opinion), Raphael.
Baroque and Beyond:
Caravaggio’s light and dark dominate this style, and his painting of the decapitated head of Medusa makes everyone stop when they see it. Do not forget to check out Artemisia Gentileschi's stunning painting of Judith decapitating Holofernes. Baroque does not always feature decapitation, but these two do, and oh how well they capture it.
Ancient Inspiration:
The Renaissance is, by its name, the rebirth of ancient antiquity. As a result no attempt to understand it is complete without seeing some Roman art! The Wrestlers, usually displayed in one of the most beautiful rooms of the museum (The Tribuna), stand as one of the greatest statues of antiquity. Don’t miss it.
Want a more in-depth guide to the masterpieces? Find more in our blog:
- What to See in the Uffizi Gallery: Antiquity to Early Renaissance
- What to See in the Uffizi Gallery: High Renaissance to Baroque
Where to Stay in Florence
Florence is a very walkable city, and there are plenty of great places to stay. Below are two really great choices: one in the city to be right beside the most important sites and the other just outside in the hills for a bit of peace and calm after visiting the Uffizi.
Located just across the Arno from the Uffizi, you will find the lovely Palazzo Guicciardini. This one has a few self-contained suites and can be found in the lovely neighborhood of Santo Spirito. It is a really great option for a little bit of elegance (it is a Renaissance Palazzo, after all!). Totally convenient to everything as well.
In the hills outside Florence, in a former 15th-century monastery, is a pretty unbelievable hotel. This one is at the pricier end of the spectrum, but it offers one of the most incredible views of the city and is luxurious. Its facade is thought to have been designed by Michelangelo, so if that is not a reason to stay here, I don’t know what is!
Best Restaurants Near the Uffizi Gallery
Eating near any major tourist site can be risky. While there are plenty of gems, tourist traps are also plentiful. If you don't want to sit down for a long lunch, there are plenty of options for great street food, but if you want to take the weight of those aching feet there are a few great options within walking distance of the Uffizi Gallery
- Del Fagioli:
Florence is famous for its delicious steaks and Del Fagioli is one of the best options for one. Friendly and welcoming, it fills up quickly so might be worth booking ahead. For meat lovers this is great! - Cibrèo Trattoria:
Unpretentious, quality home cooking. What else do you really need after a trip to the museum? It’s great, nice staff, tasty food and a surprisingly good selection of wine. You can do much worse than this spot.
The Uffizi Gallery, In Conclusion
This article is really here just to help you navigate the sometimes daunting prospect of visiting one of the greatest museums in the world. There will always be more to see inside and to understand even for veteran tour guides or repeat visitors. I will, however, guarantee you that with some advance planning and some help from people whose job it is to give you the tools to gain greater insight, you will have a fantastic time at the Uffizi. If you don’t plan ahead, you absolutely run the risk of a sweaty morning standing in line and a confused and tiring walk through the museum, but plan in advance, and you'll skip the lines and enjoy some of Italy's most impressive artistic masterpieces.
More From the Blog on Florence
Through Eternity is here to help! Below are some helpful links. The last piece of advice. Take your time and breathe! This artwork has dazzled and inspired millions; plan ahead, and I am sure you will be no exception!
