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Uffizi and Accademia Gallery tickets, tours and visitor’s guide

Occupying pride of place in the star-studded cluster of cultural gems in Florence, both the Uffizi and Accademia Galleries are must-visits in the Tuscan region. Here's your guide to touring these landmarks, and how best to optimise your visit.

Why book a combo?

Visitors viewing Renaissance art in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy.

Same, but different

While both the Uffizi and Accademia galleries have an impressive collection of Renaissance masterpieces, their focus diverge slightly: while the Accademia is more sculpture-focused whereas the Uffizi is more painting-focused. The former is smaller and more compact, while the latter is roomier and larger.

Visitors viewing art in Uffizi Gallery with skip-the-line tickets and host in Florence, Italy.

Budget-friendly combos

The cost of a combo ticket is often €5-10 cheaper than buying individual entry tickets to these attractions. Most Accademia and Uffizi tours also come with expert guides who will lead you through the famous and little-known highlights in both these places.

Neptune Fountain in Piazza della Signoria, Florence, part of the Florence Wonders Walking Tour.

See Florence’s big two without the stress

Skip the lines at both galleries, avoid queuing twice, and juggling two separate bookings. A combo ticket gives you timed access to both the Uffizi and Accademia Galleries—Florence’s most iconic art destinations—with one smooth reservation.

Visitors viewing Botticelli's "Primavera" at the Uffizi Gallery, Florence.

Ideal for first-timers, short trips & art lovers

Only in Florence for a day or two? This combo helps you hit the must-sees without compromise. It’s especially great if you’re new to Renaissance art—you’ll leave with a solid grasp of the era’s biggest names and styles.

Together vs apart: How to visit the Uffizi and Accademia galleries

Here's how to decide whether these galleries should be visited together or separately.

Vasari Corridor view with Uffizi Gallery artworks, Florence private tour.

Purchasing individual tickets

Pros: Visit is conducted at your own pace.

Cons: Higher cost, more time consuming.

In short, if you just want to get a pulse on what Renaissance art is like, visiting either the Accademia or Uffizi Gallery would suffice.

Uffizi Gallery facade with visitors and Accademia Gallery interior showcasing sculptures in Florence, Italy.

Purchasing combo tickets

Pros: Cost effective, time saving, single ticket for dual entry, more enriching experience.

Cons: Not much room to customise the itinerary

In short, a combo ticket that includes a visit to both the Accademia and Uffizi galleries is ideal if you want to get an in-depth perspective of Renaissance art and culture.

Suggested itinerary: Accademia first, Uffizi after

Why start with the Accademia?

  • It’s smaller and easier to navigate—perfect for a calm, focused start to your day.
  • Michelangelo’s David and his unfinished Slaves/Prisoners reward fresh eyes and morning energy.
  • Most combo tickets and guided tours are designed this way—Accademia in the morning, Uffizi post-lunch.
Visitors viewing Michelangelo's unfinished sculptures in the Hall of the Prisoners, Accademia Gallery.

Option 1: Visiting both galleries in one day

Morning: Accademia Gallery (8:15–9:30am)

Start early to see David before the crowds set in.
What to see:

  • Begin in the Hall of the Prisoners (Michelangelo’s unfinished sculptures)
  • Move to the Tribune for David
  • End with the Hall of Colossus and Musical Instruments Museum

Time needed: 1–1.5 hours

Lunch break (Around 10:00–11:30am)

Enjoy a break at a nearby café or trattoria. You’ll need at least 45–60 minutes to recharge before Uffizi.

Afternoon: Uffizi Gallery (Entry 12:30–2pm)

Time to take in some of the finest gems of Renaissance painting.
What to see:

  • Begin on the upper floor with early Renaissance works (Giotto, Cimabue)
  • Don’t miss Botticelli’s Birth of Venus & Primavera
  • Continue to Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Caravaggio
  • Wrap up with the Medici Collection and terrace views over the Arno

Time needed: 2–3 hours

Visitors viewing a Botticelli painting in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence.

Option 2: Visiting over two days

Day 1: Accademia in the morning

  • Take your time with David and the Slaves.
  • Visit nearby sites like the Duomo, San Marco Museum, or artisan studios in the afternoon.

Day 2: Uffizi late morning or early afternoon

  • Slow down and revisit favorite rooms.
  • Use the official app or go with a guide to deepen the experience.
  • Wrap up with a walk along the Arno or a visit to the Boboli Gardens.

Making the most of your experience

Here's how to plan your visit for the optimal viewing experience

Florence city tour with visitors exploring Renaissance art at Accademia and Uffizi Gallery.
  • Accademia Gallery: Most crowded from 10am to 1pm. Book the first slot of the day or visit after 4pm for a quieter encounter with David and the Slaves.
  • Uffizi Gallery: Always busy, but crowds thin out during the first hour after opening and last hour before closing, plan accordingly. Visit Botticelli’s rooms early, or loop back to them at the end for a calmer experience.
Visitors viewing Alesso Baldovinetti's "The Trinity and Saints Benedict and Giovanni Gualberto" at Accademia Gallery, Florence.
  • Both the Accademia and Uffizi are fully accessible, with elevators, ramps, and accessible restrooms.
  • Free priority entry is available for disabled visitors and one companion—bring official documentation.
  • Wheelchairs are available on request. Staff are trained to assist, and service animals are welcome.
Visitors exploring the historic Boboli Gardens in Florence, Italy, with sculptures and manicured landscapes.
  • Neither gallery offers a cloakroom for large bags or luggage—bring only essentials in a small bag.
  • Plan a lunch break between visits. The area between the Accademia and Uffizi is filled with local trattorias and cafés—avoid tourist traps by heading a few blocks away from the main squares.
  • Non-flash photography is allowed, but be mindful of crowds and avoid blocking others’ views, especially around the popular works.
  • Take your time in overlooked rooms. At the Accademia, the Museum of Musical Instruments is often empty and fascinating. In the Uffizi, the upper-floor corridors offer stunning views of Florence—pause and enjoy the scenery. Bring a small water bottle (under 0.5L) and take advantage of benches in quieter halls to rest your feet.
  • If your appetite for art isn't satiated, head over to the Bargello National Museum (which has more sculptures, including a bronze David by Donatello).

Frequently asked questions about Uffizi and Accademia Gallery tickets

Why do travelers flock to the Accademia and Uffizi galleries in Florence?

If you’re new to Florence, these galleries give you the two biggest artistic hits: Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia, and Botticelli’s Birth of Venus at the Uffizi. It’s the ultimate Florence starter pack. In short, both these galleries have irrevocably shaped Florence's cultural landscape, you simply can't leave the city without seeing them.

What are the advantages of booking a combo ticket to both the Uffizi and Accademia galleries?

A combo ticket usually costs less than buying two separate tickets, so that’s more euros in your pocket (how's that for buying that extra scoop of gelato?) What's more, one ticket = one booking = less stress. You don’t have to juggle two separate reservations, figure out availability, or risk one museum being sold out on your preferred date. It’s streamlined and efficient.

Which is more worthwhile, the Accademia or Uffizi Gallery?

Different strokes for different folks, but in general, those who are more fond of sculpture head to the Accademia, whereas the Uffizi Gallery is a haven for art lovers since it has an impressive collection of Renaissance paintings. This is why the combo ticket is all the more attractive: you don't have to struggle with choice since both are available!

What are some unmissable highlights at the Accademia Gallery?

It's no secret that most visitors to the gallery come for Michelangelo's David, the star of the show. David isn’t just a statue—it’s the definition of artistic perfection. Michelangelo has more to offer, like the Prisoners and Slaves sculpture as well. A less-visited segment of the museum is the musical instruments museum. This section of the Accademia showcases a rare collection of antique instruments, including Stradivari violins. Don't forget to catch a glimpse of the Tree of Life by Pacino di Bonaguida, and pay attention to its gold detailing.

What are the Uffizi Gallery's top highlights?

Arriving at Uffizi and leaving without seeing his masterpiece 'Birth of Venus' is akin to visiting the Accademia and not seeing David. Another highlight is Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Annunciation', and Caravaggio's 'Medusa'.

Do I have to see both the Uffizi and Accademia galleries on the same day?

That depends on your ticket. But if it's available to you, visit them on separate days as both contain a wealth of material (particularly Uffizi). To avoid overdosing on the riches of the Renaissance, consider going on two separate days.

More reads

Visitors viewing sculpture at Accademia Gallery, Florence, with timed entry tickets.

Exhibitions

Visitors viewing Michelangelo's David sculpture at Accademia Gallery, Florence.

Michelangelo's David

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