The Uffizi is a special place. One of the most common mistakes is not planning how to get tickets for the Uffizi Gallery before your visit. To ensure you are fully prepared, we’ve put together this guide packed with information on how to purchase 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 Firenze 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 to 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
- Uffizi Gallery Fun Facts
- 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 vacation in long waiting lines, we strongly recommend that youbook your skip-the-line tickets for the Uffizi Gallery in advance here or book a guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery Of the two, the guided tour is the best option as you can discover the inside 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. The collections of German, Dutch, and Flemish painters are also important. Among these: Dürer, Rembrandt, Rubens. The Uffizi Gallery is located on the top floor of the large building constructed between 1560 and 1580 to a design by Giorgio Vasari as the seat of the main administrative offices of the Tuscan state.
It was built by the will of the Grand Duke Francesco I and enriched thanks to the contribution of numerous members of the Medici family, enthusiastic collectors of paintings, sculptures, and works of art. It was reorganized and expanded under the Lorraine dynasty Lorena, who succeeded the Medici, and later by the Italian State. Other important collections are housed in the Vasari complex: the Contini Bonacossi Collection and the Department of Drawings and Prints of the Uffizi.
Vasari Corridor
The Vasari Corridor, built in 1565 by Giorgio Vasari, was erected at the behest of Cosimo I de’ Medici as a private passageway connecting the old Ducal Palace, known as Palazzo Vecchio, and Palazzo Pitti, the new grand ducal residence. Important collections of Seventeenth-century paintings and the Self-portrait Collection are exhibited there.
‘The Prince’s Path‘ guides visitors through the three buildings symbolizing Medici power along this aerial and strictly private passage that allowed the Grand Dukes to cross the city without an armed escort.
The visit, available by reservation only in groups of no more than 35 people and accompanied by a guide, starts at Palazzo Vecchio, crosses the Uffizi Gallery, and then enters the Vasari Corridor and concludes in the Boboli Gardens. The Vasari Corridor is under the authority of the Uffizi Gallery, which is also responsible for the Self-portrait Collection and the important collections of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century paintings exhibited there.
The best ways to get tickets for the Uffizi Gallery
Depending on how you’re planning your trip to Florence and how you like to experience things when you travel, some of the options for purchasing tickets to the Uffizi Gallery will appeal to you more than others. But it’s helpful to know what each of the options are first so that you can make an informed decision on which tickets to buy.
No matter which popular tourist attraction you’re talking about, it’s rarely a good idea to leave tickets until your arrival. Lining up on the day is almost always the slowest and least certain way to arrange your visit. The Uffizi Gallery has a limit to the number of visitors allowed in at one time, so if the limit is reached, the line won’t move until visitors inside start to leave. Waits of over an hour are quite common for those lining up to get tickets, and that’s not a great use of your time in Florence now, is it?
If you do plan to queue up, it’s usually better to wait until later in the day when more people are leaving rather than entering, as this can reduce the amount of time you spend in line.
A much more sensible approach to visiting is simply to book your Uffizi Gallery tickets ahead of time online. Tickets purchased online are skip-the-line tickets for the Uffizi Gallery, which allow you to avoid the long ticket line and enter the museum through the fast-track lane. 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 to the Uffizi Gallery can be purchased through the museum’s official website. However, these tickets are non-refundable, leaving you with little recourse if your plans change and you need to cancel.
That’s why we recommend getting your ticket through this link, as these tickets come with free cancellation and a full refund up to 24 hours before your booking. You’ll only need to pay a little extra for this peace of mind, but it could save you a lot of trouble.
In addition to getting tickets for the Uffizi Gallery, another way to arrange your visit is to book a guided tour of the museum. A guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery is really the best way to appreciate the museum’s artworks, as not much information is provided with the exhibits themselves. In fact, many people say that the tours here are some of the best tours Florence has to offer.
For your tour of the Uffizi Gallery, you really have two main options available. The most 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 any questions you like, and even customize the length of your tour.
If you’re planning to do 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 individual tickets for each site.
The PassePartout 5 Giorni is a combined ticket valid for five days that includes entry to the Uffizi Gallery, the museums of Palazzo Pitti, and the Boboli Gardens.
Alternatively, you can try the Firenze Card for even more included attractions. The Firenze 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 Palazzo Vecchio Museum. One issue with the Firenze Card is that you still need to make a booking 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 to Sunday. The museum is closed on Mondays, January 1, May 1, and December 25. Reservations for Saturdays and public holidays must be made at least one day in advance. The last museum entry is at 5:30 pm when the ticket office closes.
Since the Uffizi Gallery is such a popular attraction and can get quite crowded, there are some times that are better than others to visit if you’d like a quieter and more relaxed experience.
The low season in Florence, which runs from November to February, is when the gallery is least crowded. After all, you’ll be spending your time indoors, so it shouldn’t matter if you visit in winter. However, the best time to visit Florence in general is during April, May, and October, when the weather is warmer but the city isn’t too crowded.
If you want to visit the museum when it’s less crowded, you should also carefully consider which day of the week and what time of day you plan your visit. The gallery is busiest on weekends and quieter midweek. As for the best time of day to visit the Uffizi, it’s usually best first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon, though the latter option will limit your time inside.
To visit the Uffizi Gallery, you first have to get there, but fortunately, it’s easy if you’re in the city. You won’t find public transportation particularly useful in Florence’s historic center, and it’s best to simply walk if you’re already in the old town or at the main train station. Those who need landmarks should 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 to the Uffizi Gallery cost. Since there are several ways to obtain tickets, prices vary, but we will cover the standard ticket prices for the Uffizi Gallery if purchased through the gallery itself.
Regular ticket prices for the Uffizi Gallery for adults are €12 from November 1 to February 28 and €20 from March 1 to October 31. Online reservations require an additional €4 booking fee to guarantee tickets in advance. Those who wish to use an audio guide during their visit will need to pay an extra €6.
European Union citizens aged between 18 and 25, upon presentation of valid ID, can benefit from a reduced ticket price of €2. Minors under 18 and persons with disabilities are entitled to free admission to the Uffizi.
The Uffizi offers free entry 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 will need to select a day and entry time for your visit.
On the day of your visit, bring the confirmation email you received with your booking, either printed or saved on your smartphone, and present it to receive your entry tickets at the reservation desk. You may then proceed to the priority lane to enter. If there are special exhibitions being held at the Uffizi during your visit, entrance to these temporary exhibitions is included with your general admission.
If staying close to the Uffizi Gallery is a priority for you, then you’ll want to be near 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 suggestions on places to stay.
For a special stay in Florence, look no further than the Hotel Bernini Palace. This grand five-star hotel set within a converted 15th-century palace is just minutes from the Uffizi and boasts rooms with luxurious Renaissance décor and every luxury you could wish for.
For those seeking comfort and convenience, B&B San Remigio is an inviting and charming mid-range option. With this bed and breakfast, you get bright, airy rooms, an excellent breakfast, and a wonderful host, all just steps from the gallery.
Florence is not the cheapest place in Italy, which makes finding budget options near the Uffizi even more of a challenge. One of the few affordable places to stay not too far away is the guesthouse Soggiorno Pitti in Oltrano on the other side of the river; here you can enjoy budget accommodation and attentive service.
Security checks at the Uffizi Gallery
Because the Uffizi Gallery houses important, priceless art collections, it’s perfectly understandable that visitors must undergo security checks upon entry. To ensure a smooth visit, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with some of the Uffizi’s rules before you go.
Visitors are not allowed to bring backpacks, large bags, or umbrellas into the museum. These items can be stored for free in the cloakroom at the entrance. Professional photographic equipment, such as stands and tripods, cannot be used without prior authorization.
Visitors are required to wear respectful clothing, meaning no bare feet, immodest dress, or extravagant costumes. Food and drinks, including alcoholic beverages, are not permitted inside.
Visiting the Uffizi Gallery with a disability
To assist visitors with disabilities, the Uffizi Gallery has implemented various measures to ensure it is an accessible and inclusive place. For visitors with mobility issues, ramps and elevators are available to access the gallery. Wheelchairs are also available free of charge at the reception desk.
Visitors with visual impairments may be interested in the museum’s tactile tour, which features ten sculptures that visitors can touch. New signage is also being introduced, including high-legibility fonts and Braille captions.
Uffizi Gallery Fun Facts
What is the Uffizi Gallery?
The Uffizi Gallery is an acclaimed art museum that houses one of the most important collections of Italian Renaissance art in the world.
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 had the building for the Uffizi Gallery constructed and commissioned Giorgio Vasari to design 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.
Where is the Uffizi Gallery located?
The Uffizi Gallery is located in Piazzale degli Uffizi, just outside Piazza della Signoria, in the historic center of Florence, north of the Arno River.
This should really be everything 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 tips when planning your visit to fully enjoy this world-class art museum.
Unless you enjoy spending your holidays waiting in long lines, we highly recommend that you book your skip-the-line tickets for the Uffizi Gallery in advance here or book a guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery Of these two, the guided tour is the best option, as you can learn the inside stories behind some of the world’s most important art masterpieces from an expert guide.
