The Uffizi Gallery is a special place. One of the most common mistakes is not organizing how to get tickets for the Uffizi Gallery before your visit. To ensure you are fully prepared, we have put together this guide full of information on how to buy tickets for the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
- What to See in the Uffizi Gallery
- Vasari Corridor
- The Best Ways to Get Tickets for the Uffizi Gallery
- 1. Line Up in Person (Not Recommended)
- 2. Book Online
- 3. Book a Guided Tour (Recommended)
- 4. Get the PassePartout or the Florence Card
- Useful Information for Visiting the Uffizi Gallery
- Uffizi Gallery Opening Hours
- When Is the Best Time to Visit the Uffizi Gallery?
- How to Get to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence
- How Much Do Tickets for the Uffizi Gallery Cost?
- How Do Tickets for the Uffizi Gallery Work?
- Hotels Near the Uffizi Gallery
- Security Checks at the Uffizi Gallery
- Visiting the Uffizi Gallery with a Disability
- Curiosities about the Uffizi Gallery
- What is the Uffizi Gallery?
- When was the Uffizi Gallery built?
- How old is the Uffizi Gallery?
- Who built the Uffizi Gallery?
- Why was the Uffizi Gallery built?
- Where is the Uffizi Gallery located?
Unless you enjoy spending your holidays in long waiting lines, we strongly recommend booking your skip-the-line tickets for the Uffizi Gallery in advance here or booking a guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery. Of these two, the guided tour is the best option as you can learn the insider stories behind some of the world’s most important art masterpieces from an expert guide.
What to See in the Uffizi Gallery
Inside the Uffizi Gallery are works by Giotto, Simone Martini, Piero della Francesca, Beato Angelico, Filippo Lippi, Botticelli, Mantegna, Correggio, Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, Caravaggio. Important collections from German, Dutch, and Flemish painters such as Dürer, Rembrandt, and Rubens are also exhibited. The Uffizi Gallery is located on the top floor of the large building constructed between 1560 and 1580, designed by Giorgio Vasari as the headquarters for the main administrative offices of the Tuscan state.
It was commissioned by Grand Duke Francesco I and enriched thanks to contributions from many members of the Medici family, passionate collectors of paintings, sculptures, and art objects. It was reorganized and expanded under the Lorraine dynasty, successors to the Medici, and later by the Italian state. The Vasari complex also houses other important collections: the Contini Bonacossi Collection and the Uffizi Drawings and Prints Cabinet.
Vasari Corridor
The Vasari Corridor, built in 1565 by Giorgio Vasari, was commissioned by Cosimo I de’ Medici as a private passage connecting the old Ducal Palace, known as the Palazzo Vecchio, and Palazzo Pitti, the new grand ducal residence. Important collections of 17th-century paintings and the Self-Portraits Collection are displayed there.
The ‘Prince’s Path‘ guides visitors through the three buildings symbolizing Medici power via this private aerial passage, allowing the Grand Dukes to cross the city without armed escort.
The visit, available only by reservation for groups no larger than 35 people and accompanied by a guide, starts at Palazzo Vecchio, crosses the Uffizi Gallery, then accesses the Vasari Corridor, and ends in the Boboli Gardens. The Vasari Corridor is managed by the Uffizi Gallery, which is also responsible for the Self-Portraits collection and the important assemblies of 17th- and 18th-century paintings displayed there.
The Best Ways to Get Tickets for the Uffizi Gallery
Depending on how you plan your trip to Florence and how you like to experience things when traveling, some ticket purchasing options for the Uffizi Gallery will appeal to you more than others. But it’s helpful to know what each option involves so you can make an informed decision about which tickets to buy.
Regardless of the popular tourist attraction you’re talking about, it’s rarely a good idea to leave buying tickets until you arrive. Queuing on the day is almost always the slowest and most uncertain way to arrange your visit. The Uffizi Gallery has a limit on the number of visitors allowed at the same time, so if the limit is reached, the line will not move until visitors inside start leaving. Waits of over an hour are quite common for those queuing for tickets, which is not a great use of your time in Florence, right?
If you do plan to line up, it might be better to wait until later in the day when more people are leaving rather than entering, as this can reduce the time you spend in line.
A much smarter approach to your visit is simply to book tickets for the Uffizi Gallery online in advance. Tickets purchased online are skip-the-line tickets that let you bypass the long ticket queues and enter the museum through the priority entrance. You will still need to go through security and metal detectors like everyone else, but this approach makes much better use of your time.
Tickets for the Uffizi Gallery can be purchased through the museum’s official website. However, these tickets are non-refundable, giving you little recourse if your plans change and you need to cancel.
This is why we recommend getting your ticket via this link, as these tickets come with free cancellation and full refund up to 24 hours before the booking. You’ll pay just a little extra for this peace of mind, but it might save you a lot of hassle.
Beyond just getting tickets to the Uffizi Gallery, another way to organize your visit is to book a guided tour through the museum. A guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery is truly the best way to appreciate the museum’s artworks, as the exhibits themselves do not provide much information. In fact, many people say the tours here are some of the best Florence has to offer.
For your tour of the Uffizi Gallery, you really have two options available. The more common choice is a small group tour, for which we recommend this tour. However, if you prefer a more personalized experience, you might consider a private tour. With a private tour, like this one we recommend, you can choose the focus of your visit, ask your guide all the questions you want, and even customize the duration of your tour.
If you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing in Florence, another option to consider is a tourist pass or a combined ticket. These types of tickets include access to more than just the Uffizi Gallery and can save you money compared to buying separate tickets for each place.
The 5-Day PassePartout is a combined ticket valid for five days that includes admission to the Uffizi Gallery, the museums of Palazzo Pitti, and the Boboli Gardens.
Alternatively, you can try the Florence Card for even more included attractions. The Florence Card is valid for three days and includes free entry to a long list of other city museums, including the museums of Palazzo Pitti, the Accademia Gallery, and the Palazzo Vecchio Museum. One downside to the Florence Card is you still need to make a reservation for your preferred date and time.
Useful Information for Visiting the Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery is open from 8:15 AM to 6:50 PM, Tuesday through Sunday. The museum is closed on Mondays, January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th. Reservations for Saturdays and holidays must be made at least one day in advance. The last entry to the museum is at 5:30 PM when the ticket office closes.
Since the Uffizi Gallery is such a popular attraction and can be very crowded, there are some times better than others to visit if you want a quieter, more relaxed experience.
The low season for Florence, from November through February, is when the gallery is less busy. After all, you’ll be indoors, so visiting in winter shouldn’t matter much. However, the best overall time to visit Florence is usually April, May, and October when the weather is warmer but the city is not overcrowded.
If you want to visit the museum when it’s less crowded, also consider carefully which day of the week and time of day you plan your visit. The gallery is busiest on weekends and quieter midweek. The best times of day to visit the Uffizi are usually early morning or late afternoon, although the latter option limits your time inside.
To visit the Uffizi Gallery, you first need to get there, but fortunately it’s easy if you’re in town. Public transport isn’t particularly handy in Florence’s historic center, and it’s best to walk if you’re already near the historic center or the main train station. For landmarks, stay on the north bank of the Arno River or look for Piazza della Signoria near the Uffizi.
One of the most pressing questions for visitors to Florence is how much tickets for the Uffizi Gallery cost. Since there are several ways to get tickets, prices vary, but we’ll cover the standard ticket prices if you buy them through the gallery.
Regular ticket prices for adults are €12 from November 1st to February 28th and €20 from March 1st to October 31st. Online bookings include a €4 reservation fee to secure tickets in advance. Those wanting an audio guide for their visit must pay an additional €6.
European Union citizens aged between 18 and 25, with valid ID, can get reduced tickets at €2. Visitors under 18 and people with disabilities have free entry to the Uffizi.
The Uffizi are open free to the public on the first Sunday of every month.
Unlike some major tourist attractions, the ticket system for the Uffizi Gallery is relatively straightforward. When you book your tickets, you must select the day and entry time for your visit.
On that day, bring the confirmation email you received with your booking, printed or saved on your smartphone, and present it to receive your entrance tickets at the booking desk. You can then proceed to the priority line to enter. If special exhibitions are held at the Uffizi during your visit, entry into these temporary exhibitions is included in your general admission.
If staying near the Uffizi Gallery is a priority for you, you’ll want to stay close to Florence’s historic center. With many other fantastic attractions nearby, this area can be an ideal part of the city to base yourself. To help you, we have gathered some recommendations on where to stay.
For a special stay in Florence, look no further than the Hotel Bernini Palace. This grand five-star hotel housed in a converted 15th-century palace is just minutes from the Uffizi and features rooms with sumptuous Renaissance furnishings and every luxury you could desire.
For those seeking comfort and convenience, B&B San Remigio is an enticing mid-range option. Here you get bright, airy rooms, an excellent breakfast, and exceptional hospitality, all a short walk from the gallery.
Florence is not the cheapest city in Italy, which makes finding budget options near the Uffizi even more challenging. One of the few affordable places not too far away is the Soggiorno Pitti guesthouse in Oltrarno on the other side of the river; here you can enjoy budget accommodations and attentive service.
Security Checks at the Uffizi Gallery
Because the Uffizi Gallery hosts invaluable art collections, it is perfectly understandable that visitors must undergo security checks upon entry. To ensure a smooth visit, it’s worth knowing some of the Uffizi’s rules before you go.
Visitors cannot bring backpacks, large bags, or umbrellas into the museum. These items can be stored for free in the coat check at the entrance. Professional photography equipment like supports and tripods cannot be used without authorization.
Visitors are required to wear respectful attire, meaning no bare feet, immodest clothing, or fancy costumes. Food and drinks, including alcoholic beverages, are not allowed inside.
Visiting the Uffizi Gallery with a Disability
To assist visitors with disabilities, the Uffizi Gallery has adopted various measures to ensure it is an accessible and inclusive place. For visitors with mobility issues, ramps and elevators are available for gallery access. Wheelchairs are also freely available at reception.
Visually impaired visitors might be interested in the museum’s tactile tour, which includes ten sculptures that visitors can touch. New signage featuring high-visibility fonts and Braille captions is also planned.
Curiosities about the Uffizi Gallery
What is the Uffizi Gallery?
The Uffizi Gallery is an acclaimed art museum housing one of the world’s most important collections of Italian Renaissance art.
When was the Uffizi Gallery built?
The building for the Uffizi Gallery was constructed in 1581.
How old is the Uffizi Gallery?
As a place where visitors could come to see its collection, the Uffizi Gallery has been open to the public since 1769.
Who built the Uffizi Gallery?
Cosimo I de’ Medici commissioned the building for the Uffizi Gallery and tasked Giorgio Vasari with designing it.
Why was the Uffizi Gallery built?
The Uffizi buildings were not originally built to be a museum but as administrative and legal offices of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. This explains the origin of the name uffizi (offices).
Where is the Uffizi Gallery located?
The Uffizi Gallery is located in Piazzale degli Uffizi, just off Piazza della Signoria, in the historic center of Florence, north of the Arno River.
That should really be all you need to know for your visit to the Uffizi, including why skip-the-line tickets for the Uffizi Gallery are so useful. Be sure to follow our advice when planning your visit to fully enjoy this world-class art museum.
Unless you enjoy spending your holidays in long waiting lines, we strongly recommend booking your skip-the-line tickets for the Uffizi Gallery in advance here or booking a guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery. Of these two, the guided tour is the best option as you can learn the insider stories behind some of the world’s most important art masterpieces from an expert guide.
