Gli Uffizi are a special place. One of the most common mistakes is not organizing how to get tickets for the Uffizi Gallery before the 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 Firenze Card
- Useful Information for Visiting the Uffizi Gallery
- Uffizi Gallery Opening Hours
- What 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 highly 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 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 collected works by Giotto, Simone Martini, Piero della Francesca, Beato Angelico, Filippo Lippi, Botticelli, Mantegna, Correggio, Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, Caravaggio. Important are also the collections of German, Dutch and Flemish painters. Among these: Dürer, Rembrandt, Rubens. The Uffizi Gallery is located on the top floor of the large building constructed between 1560 and 1580 based on a design by Giorgio Vasari as the headquarters of the main administrative offices of the Tuscan state.
It was built by the will of Grand Duke Francesco I and enriched thanks to the contribution of numerous members of the Medici family, passionate collectors of paintings, sculptures and art objects. It was rearranged and expanded under the Lorena dynasty, successors of the Medici, and later by the Italian State. Other important collections are housed in the Vasari complex: the Contini Bonacossi Collection and the Uffizi Cabinet of Drawings and Prints.
Vasari Corridor
The Vasari Corridor, built in 1565 by Giorgio Vasari, was erected at the behest of Cosimo I de’ Medici as a private route connecting the old Ducal Palace, known as Palazzo Vecchio, and Palazzo Pitti, the new grand ducal residence. Important collections of 17th century paintings and the self-portrait collection are on display there.
The “Prince’s route” guides the visitor through the three buildings symbolizing Medici power via this aerial and strictly private path that allowed the Grand Dukes to cross the city without an armed escort.
The visit, only by reservation in groups of no more than 35 people and accompanied by a guide, starts from Palazzo Vecchio, passes through the Uffizi Gallery to then access the Vasari Corridor and ends in the Boboli Gardens. The Vasari Corridor depends on the Uffizi Gallery, which is also responsible for the self-portrait collection and the important collections of 17th and 18th century paintings exhibited there.
The best ways to get tickets for the Uffizi Gallery
Depending on how you are planning your trip to Florence and how you like to experience things when you travel, some options for purchasing tickets to the Uffizi Gallery will attract you more than others. But it is helpful to know in advance what each option is so you can make an informed decision about which tickets to buy.
Regardless of the popular tourist attraction you are talking about, it is rarely a good idea to leave tickets until your arrival. Queuing on the day is almost always the slowest and most uncertain way to organize your visit. The Uffizi Gallery has a limit on the number of visitors allowed inside at the same time, so if the limit is reached, the line will not move until visitors already inside begin to leave. Waits of over an hour are quite common for those queuing to get tickets, and that is not a great use of your time in Florence now, right?
If you plan to queue, it might be 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 tickets to the Uffizi Gallery online in advance. 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 priority lane. You will have to go through security and metal detectors like everyone else, but this approach allows for much better use of your time.
Tickets for the Uffizi Gallery can be purchased through the official museum website. However, these tickets are non-refundable, leaving you few options for recourse if your plans change and you need to cancel.
This is why we recommend getting your ticket through this link, as these tickets come with free cancellation and full refund up to 24 hours before booking. You will only 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 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 artworks of the museum, as not much information is provided with the exhibits themselves. In fact, many people say that tours here are some of the best tours Florence has to offer.
For your Uffizi Gallery tour, you really have two 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 all the questions you want, and even customize the duration of your tour.
If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing in Florence, another option to consider is a tourist pass or combined ticket. These types of tickets include access to more than just the Uffizi Gallery and can save you money compared to purchasing single tickets for each site.
The 5-Day PassePartout 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 the Palazzo Vecchio Museum. A downside of the Firenze Card is that you still have to make a reservation for your preferred date and time.
Useful Information for Visiting the Uffizi Gallery
The opening hours of the Uffizi Gallery are from 8:15 AM to 6:50 PM and the museum is open from Tuesday to 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 entrance 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 better times than others to visit if you want a quieter and more relaxed experience.
The low season for Florence, which runs from November to February, is when the gallery is quieter. After all, you will spend your time there indoors, so it should not matter that you visit in winter. However, the best time to visit Florence is generally in the months of April, May, and October, when the weather is warmer but the city is not too crowded.
If you are trying to visit the museum when it is 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 during the middle of the week. As for the best time of day to visit the Uffizi, it is usually better first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon, although the latter option will limit the time available inside.
To visit the Uffizi Gallery, you first need to get there, but luckily it is easy if you are in the city. You will not find public transport particularly useful in the historic center of Florence, and it is best to walk only if you are already in the historic center 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 for the Uffizi Gallery cost. Since there are several ways to get tickets, prices vary, but we will cover the standard ticket prices for the Uffizi Gallery if purchased through the gallery.
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 have a €4 booking fee to guarantee tickets in advance. Those who want an audio guide for their visit will have to pay an additional €6.
European Union citizens aged between 18 and 25, upon presentation of an ID, can benefit from the reduced ticket costing 2 euros. Minors under 18 and people with disabilities are entitled to free admission to the Uffizi.
The Uffizi is open with free admission to the public on the first Sunday of every month.
Unlike some of the major tourist attractions, the ticket system for the Uffizi Gallery is relatively simple. When you book your tickets, you will need to select a day and time of entry for your visit.
On the day itself, bring the confirmation email you received with the booking, printed or saved on your smartphone, and present it to receive entrance tickets at the booking desk. You can then proceed to the fast lane to enter. If there are special exhibitions taking place at the Uffizi during your visit, entry to these temporary exhibitions is included with your general admission.
If staying close to the Uffizi Gallery is a priority for you, then you will want to stay near Florence’s historic center. With many other great attractions nearby, this area can be an ideal part of the city to base yourself. To help you, we have gathered some recommendations 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 located just minutes from the Uffizi and boasts rooms with sumptuous Renaissance furnishings and every luxury you could desire.
For those seeking comfort and convenience, the B&B San Remigio is an inviting and charming mid-range option. With this bed and breakfast you get bright and airy rooms, excellent breakfast, and an exceptional host, all just a short walk from the gallery.
Florence is not the cheapest place in Italy, which makes finding budget options near the Uffizi an even greater challenge. One of the few affordable places to stay not too far away is the guesthouse Soggiorno Pitti in Oltrarno on the other side of the river; here you can enjoy budget accommodation and attentive service.
Security Checks at the Uffizi Gallery
As the Uffizi Gallery houses important collections of priceless art, it is perfectly understandable that visitors have to go through security checks when entering. To ensure a smooth visit, it is worth knowing some of the Uffizi rules before you go.
Visitors cannot bring backpacks, large bags, and umbrellas into the museum. These items can be left free of charge at the cloackroom at the entrance. Professional photographic equipment, such as supports and tripods, cannot be used without requesting authorization.
Visitors are required to wear respectful clothing, which means no bare feet, immodest clothes, or fancy costumes. Food and drink, 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 to access the gallery. Wheelchairs are also available free of charge at the reception.
Visitors with visual disabilities may be interested in the museum’s tactile tour, which includes ten sculptures that visitors can touch. The introduction of new signage including highly legible fonts and Braille captions is also planned.
Curiosities about the Uffizi Gallery
What is the Uffizi Gallery?
The Uffizi Gallery is a renowned 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 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 to 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 vacation 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 inside stories behind some of the world’s most important artworks from an expert guide.
