Florence tours and tickets
Florence sells its biggest sights by timed slot, and in season the Uffizi, the Accademia and the Duomo dome are the three to book first. Pitti, the Bargello and Santa Croce are easier. Siena and Pisa are simple day trips by train or bus, and the rest of the city is best seen on foot.
Book these first
- Uffizi and Accademia
- 3 to 6 weeks ahead in season. Walk-up queues can last two hours, and timed tickets sell out.
- Duomo dome and Baptistery
- 2 to 4 weeks ahead in season. Dome slots are limited, and the climb is the most popular in the city.
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Museums and galleries
Uffizi Gallery
The main collection of Renaissance painting, with Botticelli's Birth of Venus. Tickets are timed, and audio guides and guided tours are sold. Plan about three hours.
Which to pick. Buy the official timed ticket well ahead for a morning slot. Take a guided visit if you want the highlights picked for you, because the gallery is large.
3 to 6 weeks ahead in seasonVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorAccademia Gallery
The home of Michelangelo's David in a purpose-built hall, with unfinished Slaves and early Renaissance panels. The museum is small, and a visit takes about an hour.
Which to pick. Book a timed ticket, and consider a combined slot with the Uffizi. A tour helps you see the details of the statue.
2 to 4 weeks ahead in seasonVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorPalazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens
A big Medici palace with galleries, apartments and a hillside garden. Tickets can be combined, and the garden is good for a quiet afternoon.
Which to pick. Buy the combined ticket online for a weekday. Skip a tour and spend the time in the gardens.
A few days aheadVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorBargello Museum
A quieter sculpture museum in a medieval palace, with Donatello's David and works by Michelangelo and Cellini. It is a good choice if the Uffizi is full.
Which to pick. Buy at the door, as queues are short. A guide is optional here, since the labels are good enough.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Churches and palaces
Duomo, dome and Baptistery
A combined ticket covers the dome climb, the bell tower, the Baptistery, the museum and the crypt. Dome slots are timed and limited, and the climb is 463 steps with narrow passages.
Which to pick. Book the dome slot first, then add the other sites. Choose an early slot to avoid heat and crowds.
2 to 4 weeks ahead in seasonOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorSanta Croce
A Franciscan church with the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli, and frescoes by Giotto. It has a modest ticket, and audio guides are sold.
Which to pick. Buy at the door, and cover your shoulders. A guide is useful only for the tombs and the art history.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Guided walks and tours
Medici history walk
A walk past the main Medici sites, including the palace, the chapels and the market. It runs in small groups and takes about two hours.
Which to pick. Take a morning walk to get your bearings. If you prefer to roam, a map and an audio guide are enough.
A day or two aheadTours and tickets on ViatorPonte Vecchio and Oltrarno walk
A stroll across the medieval bridge and into the artisan streets on the south bank. Some walks stop at workshops and a viewpoint.
Which to pick. Join in the late afternoon, when the light is soft. You can do it alone, though the workshop visits are easier with a guide.
On the day is fineTours and tickets on ViatorPiazzale Michelangelo at sunset
A viewpoint above the Arno with a view of the whole city. Evening tours add a drink and a lift.
Which to pick. Walk up from San Niccolò on your own for free. A tour only helps with transport.
Not needed, entry is freeTours and tickets on Viator
Food tours and classes
Cooking class
A class in making pasta or a Tuscan meal, often starting at a market. Most end with lunch and wine.
Which to pick. Choose one that starts at the Central Market, and book a morning slot. Classes are small and sell out in season.
1 to 2 weeks aheadTours and tickets on ViatorWine tasting
A tasting of Chianti and other Tuscan wines in a cellar in town or at a farm nearby. Some tours include a drive into the hills.
Which to pick. Book a half-day tour with transport if you want to leave the city. A tasting in town is easy to do on the day.
A few days aheadTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
Siena
A hill town with a shell-shaped square and a striped cathedral, about 90 minutes by bus. The cathedral has timed tickets in the main season.
Which to pick. Take the bus, and buy the cathedral ticket on arrival or online. A tour adds a Chianti stop.
A few days ahead in seasonOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorPisa
About an hour by train, with the Leaning Tower, the cathedral and the baptistery. The tower has timed entry, and slots fill in season.
Which to pick. Book the tower slot before you travel. Allow a half day, and skip a guide.
A few days ahead in seasonOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
City and museum passes in Florence
- Firenze CardA multi-day pass for many museums and public transport, with priority entry. It pays off if you plan several museums in a few days. Check which sights it includes, and you still need timed slots at some. Official page
Booking tours and tickets in Florence
Do I need to book the Uffizi in advance?
In season, yes. Walk-up queues can last hours, and timed tickets sell out. Outside peak months you can sometimes buy on the day.
Is the Firenze Card worth buying?
Only if you plan many paid museums in a few days. For two or three, individual tickets are simpler.
What is free in Florence?
Most churches charge a small fee, but the streets, the squares and the Ponte Vecchio are free. State museums are free on the first Sunday of the month, with long queues.
Can I cancel Uffizi tickets?
Official tickets are usually fixed to a date and slot, and changes are limited. Tour tickets from partners often allow cancellation a day before.
Is a guide worth it in Florence?
For the Uffizi and the Duomo, a guide helps you use your time. For the Oltrarno and the markets, a map is enough.
What can wait until I arrive?
The Bargello, Santa Croce, the bridges, the markets and Piazzale Michelangelo can be done on the day. Book the Uffizi, the Accademia and the dome first.