You know what they say…when in Florence, go to the Uffizi Gallery. Well…maybe that’s just me, but it’s true! The Uffizi Gallery is one of the world’s most renowned museums, with over 45 rooms of works by artists such as Leonardo DaVinci and Botticelli.
Being such a massive and popular museum, planning a trip seems daunting. What’s the best time to go? What works of art are must-sees? What’s the best way to book tickets? I had all of these questions, and now that I’ve gone, I’m sharing the answers and more with you here so you have a smooth journey through the Uffizi Art Gallery.
Fun Facts about the Uffizi Gallery
The Niobe Room is fascinating (& dark), with a whole story being told through the sculptures.
- “Uffizi” translates to “offices” in Italian; yep, the name comes from the original purpose of the building, which once housed administrative offices in the 16th century.
- The building is in the shape of the letter “U”
- The Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre and brought to the Uffizi Gallery in 1911, as the thief thought the painting belonged back in Italy. The gallery shortly returned it to its home in France.
- It gets about 1.9 million annual visitors—that’s nearly 5,000 people passing through the halls each day!
How to Make Your Uffizi Gallery Booking (& Skip the Lines!)
Tickets acquired!
Buy at the Museum (No Skip-the-Line Tickets):
You can always buy your tickets on-site, but no doubt you’ll have to wait in long lines to do so. If you decide to do this, you should arrive 30 minutes before the museum opens (8:15 AM) to be among the first in line.
Through Booking Platforms (with Free Cancellation):
One of the best ways to make your Uffizi Gallery reservations (I know, sounds so fancy, right?) is booking your tickets through Klook. The Uffizi Gallery skip-the-line tickets include timed entry, allowing you to join the line upon arrival and enter more quickly.
Another huge bonus is being able to cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure, as travel plans can change. We planned a day trip to Cinque Terre, but then found out it was going to rain, so I was able to cancel both reservations and re-book them for better days.
Direct Uffizi Gallery Booking:
Booking Uffizi Gallery tickets directly is always an option, but it comes with its downsides. Through their booking platform, you need to create a customer account, and the tickets are non-refundable and non-changeable.
The Uffizi Gallery Layout
The Uffizi Gallery is made up of 5 sections (A, B, C, D, E), and the path follows from one section to the next. So while it’s large, you won’t get lost!
The floor guide at the museum.
The sections host notable arts such as:
A: Botticelli, Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo
B: Contini Bonacossi Collection
C: Self-Portraits
D: Tiziano Vecellio
E: Caravaggio
Section A takes up the entire upper floor, with two long corridors that form the “U” shape of the building.
Once you get to the entrance, enter the rooms labeled by letter and number, starting with 1. It’s easy to get distracted and wander the entire corridor, missing some of the rooms – in fact, I missed the “Birth of Venus” until I realized it later and had to go all the way back.
From there, you’re led downstairs to sections B, C, D, and E, and all you need to do is follow the path. As there are small rooms that offshoot here and there, my main tip is to not rush through and take your time. If you see an area you may have missed, go on in!
Follow along the numbered path to avoid missing anything!
Must-See in Uffizi Gallery
It’s hard to say what’s a must-see when everything in the Uffizi Gallery demands your attention, but here’s a non-exhaustive list of the must-sees and their locations.
The most famous works of them all: Birth of Venus
- Birth of Venus by Botticelli (A12)
- Medusa by Caravaggio (Hall 90)
- Doni Tondo by Michelangelo (A38)
- Self-Portrait by Raphael (C1)
- Annunciation by DaVinci (A35)
- Federico da Montefeltro and Battista Sforza by Piero della Francesca (A9)
I could go on and on with more must-sees in the museum, but let’s get to talking about areas of the museum that are more “skippable” so you can take your time with the above.
What to Skip in the Uffizi Museum (If You’re Short on Time)
As I arrived and entered the Uffizi Museum around 3:30 PM, by the time I was leaving, I was pressed for time to see it all. If I could go back in time, here’s what I’d skip (or simply browse through a bit more quickly).
The Tribune Room was interesting to see, but go to the side door to avoid a long line.
- Section B: A smaller section of the museum with works by Tuscan artists.
- The Tribune Room: You’ll find a huge line of people waiting to look in! If you really want to see, go to the side entrance for a peek.
As I strolled more slowly through the above areas, I was in a bit of a hurry and didn’t get to take as much time as I wanted when I reached sections C, D, and E.
Klook Tip: If you’re booking for a 3:30 PM entrance or later, you might be rushing a bit towards the end, so be sure to know the museum layout and which sections are the best to prioritize.
Getting to the Uffizi Art Gallery
Outside the Uffizi Gallery
Walking:
The Uffizi Art Gallery is located in the heart of the city, down from Piazza della Signoria. You’ll most likely walk to the Uffizi Gallery Museum. Most tourist accommodations in Florence are within a 30-minute walk, but probably even less.
Bus:
If you take buses in Florence, find stops with the live bus times.
If you are staying northwest or southeast of the center, you may need to catch a bus to the city center. Where we stayed (northwest of Santa Maria Novella station), it would have been a 40-minute walk, so catching the bus was a lot better than walking!
If you take the bus, be sure to check if there’s a digital live timetable at the stop, as the bus times on Google are not accurate.
Taxi:
Taking a taxi is one of the best ways to make it on time for your Uffizi Gallery reservations if you happen to be coming from a distance and aren’t sure about the bus. You can grab one on the street or call one using appTaxi, which accepts both credit cards and cash. We used it once, and the car came within a few minutes.
Train:
The only trains in Florence are the ones that connect regions and major cities, so there is no train to the Uffizi Gallery if you’re already in Florence.
If you're coming from cities like Venice or Rome, you’ll most likely arrive at Santa Maria Novella, the main train station in Florence. From there, the Uffizi Gallery is a 20-minute walk away.
Reminders before visiting the Uffizi Gallery
There’s No AC
Only a few rooms of the Uffizi Gallery have air conditioning, and let's be honest, it's most likely for the sake of the art. I went at the end of summer, and it was pretty hot inside, around 4-6:30 PM. During the hottest days, bring a fan to keep you cool!
What You Can and Can’t Bring:
I always find these rules to be a bit vague on official websites, so here’s what we experienced. Yes, you can have small backpacks, water bottles (500 ml or less), and mini-umbrellas.
If you have a large backpack, a liter water bottle, or a large umbrella, you’ll be asked to check it in the coat room (free of charge).
Audio Guides:
You can buy audio guides on the spot at the Uffizi Museum.
You can get audio guides for the museum either on-site or through a mobile guide.
Unfortunately, I struggled to download the mobile guide app when I arrived due to a bad signal, so I had to buy the audio guide at the museum. What I suggest from personal experience is to reserve the Uffizi skip-the-line ticket separately and then purchase the audio guide separately (there’s a booth located after the museum security).
With that said, there are still great audio guide tickets available, but be certain you will have a strong network connection to download it!
Best Time of Day to Visit the Uffizi Gallery
To beat the crowds, arriving as soon as the gallery opens at 8:15 is the best. You can also visit in the late afternoon, but I suggest arriving no later than 3:30 PM, as you’ll likely be there until closing.
How Long to Spend at the Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most extensive museums I’ve ever visited, and you have to give yourself time to take in each work.
I went around 3:30 PM, and the museum closed at 6:30 PM. Safe to say we did have to rush a bit towards the end. It can be done in three hours, but four to five is ideal.
How Early to Book Ahead of Time
If you want to book a ticket for the first entry (8:15 AM) into the museum, it’s best to book ahead by a week or so, as the timeslots on the official website go fast.
But the good news is that even if you wait until the last minute, later timeslots are available, or you can purchase your ticket on the spot, although you may have to wait a while.
FAQs:
What is the most famous piece at the Uffizi?
The most famous piece of art at the Uffizi is the “Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli in the 15th century. It’s located at A12 in the museum, early on in the path.
Why is the Uffizi Gallery famous?
It’s famous as it’s home to one of the most extensive and impressive art collections in the world. You’ll find works from Botticelli, Michelangelo, DaVinci, and beyond. The gallery, almost completely made up of donated works, has masterpieces from medieval times, the Italian Renaissance, and up to the 19th century.
Is the David in the Uffizi Gallery?
No, Michelangelo’s David is in the Galleria dell’Accademia.
Museum lover or not, you should commit some time to your trip to Florence to the Uffizi Gallery.
If you’ve read all of this, you’re set to explore the seemingly endless halls of the Uffizi! Be sure to give yourself plenty of time and enjoy.
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