Museums in Florence, Italy

The birthplace of the renaissance, Florence is without a doubt an art lover’s paradise. The city is filled with countless museums, and you are surrounded by mesmerizing sculptures, historic piazzas, and ancient buildings. Being there simply transports you back to the 15th century. I knew I would be spending a lot of my time there visiting as many museums as I possibly could.

Since I did not have the time to buy individual museum tickets in advance, I decided to get a Firenze card which cost me €85. At that price, it was not cheap, especially considering it is only valid for 72 hours from the first time it is used. Further, some museums require that you make a reservation even if you are a Firenze card holder. Whether it makes sense to buy a Firenze card really depends on how many days you’ll be visiting, your agenda, and what you enjoy.

Here are 8 museums I visited on my trip to Florence. Of all these, the first 6 museums are my favorite. If you don’t have much time, try your best to see the Uffizi Gallery, Accademia Gallery, and Palazzo Pitti.

1. Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most visited museums in Florence. You will find impressive works of Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, and many more. The gallery is organized by rooms that occupy the first two floors of a large u-shaped building built between 1560 and 1580. As you walk down its spacious long corridors, enjoy the natural light and venture into each room. This is not to be missed especially if you are visiting Florence for the first time.

2. Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze)

This art museum is small compared to the Uffizi Gallery, but it is the home of David, a famous Renaissance sculpture by Michelangelo. This 14-foot tall marble sculpture stands in a tribune at the end of the Hall of Prisoners. Designed by Emilio De Fabris, this tribune is a round room with a beautiful skylight above, allowing just enough natural light to softly light the statue.

You can easily admire the stunning art from any angle due to the round shape of the room. I probably spent at least 30 minutes in that room, admiring this captivating sculpture from every angle possible.

In other rooms, you will find paintings by Florentine artists, unfinished sculptures by Michelangelo, and a collection of ancient musical instruments. This museum is worth visiting, and I highly recommend it to my fellow travelers.

3. Palazzo Pitti & Boboli Garden

I was certainly not quite prepared for Palazzo Pitti, the largest museum complex in Florence. One can easily spend half a day to a full day to see this museum and Boboli Garden, which is located in the museum complex. The garden is huge with steep paths in some areas so be prepared for a long walk, be sure to wear comfortable shoes, and bring water as well as bug repellent if you are visiting in the summer.

4. Bargello Museum

My favorite feature of the Bargello Museum’s architecture is its interior courtyard where you’ll find a gothic staircase that leads to the second floor of the building. It is the oldest building in Florence, and it houses renaissance sculptures and armors. Unlike the Uffizi Gallery, this museum tends to be overlooked by visitors, which makes it a perfect place to escape the tourist crowds. I enjoyed their unique collections and navigating the museum with ease.

5. Palazzo Vecchio

Palazzo Vecchio is the townhall of Florence, Italy, and is only a short walk from The Uffizi Gallery, overlooking Piazza della Signoria. I was determined to visit this museum for one reason. That is to see the “Madonna and Child with St. John” painting, also known to some as “Madonna and the UFO” painted by Domenico Ghirlandaio in the 15th century.

What is unique about this artwork is a floating object in the sky positioned in the top right quadrant of the painting and a man looking up to the direction of that oval-shaped object. One thing to note is that it appears larger in pictures than it does in real life. It can be found on the top floor of the museum, from which you can enjoy a scenic view of Florence.

In addition to paintings, this museum is also the home of frescos, murals, and historical artifacts. Due to its close proximity to other top museums, it is definitely worth a visit.

Statue at the entrance of Palazza Vecchio

6. Palazzo Medici Riccardi

This palace is only a 10-minute walk from Palazzo Vecchio. It serves as the seat of Metropolitan of the City of Florence and a museum. It was built for Cosimo de’Medici and later sold to and renovated by the Riccardi family. The museum has a nice collection of paintings, sculptures, and mirrors. You will also find a quiet garden decorated with sculptures and potted lemon trees.

7. Galileo Museum

This museum is also near The Uffizi Gallery. It features scientific instruments from the Medici Collections, fascinating Santucci Armillary Sphere, celestial globe, mechanical clocks, and other interesting instruments. This museum was quiet which made it a great place to get away from the heat and crowd. If you are into science, you will enjoy this unique museum.

8. Opera Duomo Museum

This museum is the home of many original artworks created for religious buildings in Florence. Inconspicuously located near the Duomo, it boasts a tall ceiling and generous natural lights, both of which I found impressive.

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