The Uffizi Galleries
“The most visited museum in Italy, The Uffizi Gallery is home to the Renaissance art masters like Da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Botticelli and Caravaggio.”
Last Visited: October 2020 | Last Updated: August 2023
On our fourth visit to Florence, we had the opportunity to explore and admire the abundance of treasures on display within the halls of the Uffizi Gallery. Pre-purchased tickets can be booked ahead of time on the official website, www.uffizi.it and allow you to specify your entry time to the museum.
Once booked, tickets can be picked up at the office before heading to the entrance and security screening. After a short wait, head up two long flights of stone steps to the top floor of the Uffizi and into part of the Corridaio Vasariano which connects the Uffici Gallery with the Pitti Palace. The corridor itself is filled with busts and sculptures from history, while artwork adorns the walls, and stunning paintings and historical records cover every inch of the ceiling. Rooms have been converted to art galleries, and masterpieces from Leonardo da Vinci (The Annunciation), Sandro Botticelli (Birth of Venus), and the Tondo Doni by Michelangelo and Raphael can all be found within.
While the offices (Uffizi in Italian) were once closed to the public, now, the Uffizi Gallery is the most visited museum in Italy. It provides architectural splendour, stunning artistic history in every room and stunning views of Ponte Vecchio from above. The two levels that house the museum can be explored within a single day, but if you have the opportunity, take a couple days to explore the incredible treasures inside. Or if your time in the city is short - take a guided tour to see all the highlights.
Should spending a day exploring artwork inside a museum not be your idea of a fun holiday, the Loggia del Lanzis is an outdoor museum space that is home to some incredible sculptures like Cellini's "Perseus" and Giambologna's "Rape of the Sabines". Mere steps from the entrance to the Uffizi Gallery, Loggia del Lanzis is completely free to enter.
More Adventures in Florence
Florence, the "heart of the Renaissance" is a top destination for travellers to Italy and Europe. Connected to the major Italian cities of Rome, Milano and Venice via high speed trains, Firenze is the perfect base for your Tuscan adventure. From the Florence Cathedral with Brunelleschi’s Dome, the Uffizi Gallery, Pitti Palace, Ponte Vecchio, Italian Wines and views from Piazzale Michelangelo, you can’t go wrong with our top 5 picks.