Tour Details
- Duration
- 4.5 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
-
- Uffizi Gallery
- Accademia Gallery Florence
Tour Description
The city of Florence is home to some of the most renowned masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance and this private tour combines two unmissable galleries into one convenient and enthralling experience. In the company of a local expert, you will visit the world-famous Uffizi Gallery and become acquainted with masterpieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Giotto, and Da Vinci. You will then have the opportunity to visit one of the city's most famous pieces of art, Michelangelo’s Statue of David showcased in the Accademia Gallery.
Experts
- Uffizi Gallery
- Accademia GalleryÂ
- Michelangelo's Statue of David
- 4.5 hours with a PhD or MA-level expert
- Skip-the-line access to the Uffizi Gallery
- Skip-the-line access to the Accademia Gallery
To start off your day of Italian Renaissance museum exploration, you will meet your expert-guide outside of the Uffizi Gallery, considered the greatest repository of Renaissance and Mannerist works of art in the world. You’ll receive a brief introduction to the history of the collection and its relationship to the Medici family before spending a few hours exploring masterpieces by the likes of Botticelli, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Da Vinci. Once in the galleries, rather than racing through the corridors to view everything, your expert guide will choose selected works to narrate the history and evolution of Florentine art in order to gain a full appreciation of their significance. You’ll trace a route through the Renaissance and Mannerist rooms and spend considerable time observing these selected pieces in-depth, contextualizing their place in history.
For the second portion of this tour you’ll learn about the life of Michelangelo in Florence and how his techniques forever changed the way that artists and sculptors approached their craft. Upon entering the Accademia Gallery, you will discuss Michelangelo’s early years and career made possible by the patronage of the powerful Medici family, and admire David, the artist's masterpiece and consummate symbol of the Florentine Renaissance. By the end of the tour, you’ll have gained a greater understanding of the concepts of beauty, technical mastery, and the deep relationship between art and politics in Renaissance society.
Interested in our other Florence tours? Check out our Michelangelo in Florence Tour or our Savoring Florence Food Tour.
For the second portion of this tour you’ll learn about the life of Michelangelo in Florence and how his techniques forever changed the way that artists and sculptors approached their craft. Upon entering the Accademia Gallery, you will discuss Michelangelo’s early years and career made possible by the patronage of the powerful Medici family, and admire David, the artist's masterpiece and consummate symbol of the Florentine Renaissance. By the end of the tour, you’ll have gained a greater understanding of the concepts of beauty, technical mastery, and the deep relationship between art and politics in Renaissance society.
Interested in our other Florence tours? Check out our Michelangelo in Florence Tour or our Savoring Florence Food Tour.
Will you pre-purchase tickets?
Yes, we pre-purchase timed tickets to the Uffizi and Accademia. Your expert will have them on hand, and we will enter the museum together as a group. However, please keep in mind that we will still be required to wait in the security line. During the summer travel period, the Accademia Gallery and the Uffizi Gallery can see very big crowds, and there is very little air conditioning in the buildings. It’s important to anticipate slower movement, limited visibility, and potential restrictions on accessing certain areas due to the density of crowds. Our experienced guides are adept at navigating through these challenging conditions and will strive to optimize your tour's route, but patience is helpful.
What are skip-the-line tickets?
What are skip-the-line tickets?
For this tour, your tickets for the Accademia and the Uffizi are pre-purchased which allows you to skip the ticket office line upon arrival at the museums. Please note that our reservation allows us to avoid the long line for the non-reserved public entrance to the museum. Although we're skipping that line, please keep in mind that there is also a line for the reserved entrance, which can be long but usually moves quickly. Your expert will do their best to navigate the larger summer crowds.
Will I see everything in the Uffizi collection?
No, it is not possible to cover the entire collection in the 3-hour portion of the Uffizi due to the vast amount of works on display. Please note also that due to circumstances beyond our control, certain rooms or works may be closed to visitors without advanced notice.
Do we buy children's passes?Â
Do we buy children's passes?Â
We only buy adult tickets for our Uffizi tours because people with reduced tickets have to wait in an extra line and show their ID. In order to save time, we purchase skip-the-line standard tickets so families may enter as quickly as possible.Â
There are 10 in my group but your website won't allow me to include more than 9 participants. Can't you make an exception?
No, unfortunately, due to venue reservation restrictions, we cannot accommodate groups larger than 9 people. If your group is larger, we recommend you split into multiple groups.
Is this tour an introductory tour?
This combo tour is great for the visitor who wants to see the 2 most popular museums in Florence, but who does not have a full day to dedicate to them. It is more immersive than our Introduction to Florence tour, as it spends time the Uffizi Galleries while the intro tour does not. Comparatively, it is a shorter version of our Florence in a Day tour, as it only dives into the Uffizi and Accademia.Â
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?
Given its significance and the vast number of visitors it attracts, the venue has made efforts to improve accessibility for all its visitors, including those with disabilities. However, it's worth noting that the collections are housed in a historic building which can present certain challenges for accessibility. Additional details are available here. Please communicate any mobility needs or concerns with our team at the time of booking.
Accessibility Notice: Starting December 2024: The elevators to the second floor are currently out of service due to renovations. Unfortunately, we do not have an estimated timeline for their return to service. Please note that our gallery begins on the second floor. Visitors will need to use the stairs unless prior arrangements are made. For guests with disabilities who cannot use the stairs, an alternative route is available. However, this path adds approximately 1 kilometer to the tour, requiring the use of an elevator at the museum's exit and additional walking time back to the entrance. This may extend the overall tour time. We are happy to accommodate this option, but it is crucial to let us know when you book so we can inform your guide and ensure everything is prepared in advance. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Accessibility Notice: Starting December 2024: The elevators to the second floor are currently out of service due to renovations. Unfortunately, we do not have an estimated timeline for their return to service. Please note that our gallery begins on the second floor. Visitors will need to use the stairs unless prior arrangements are made. For guests with disabilities who cannot use the stairs, an alternative route is available. However, this path adds approximately 1 kilometer to the tour, requiring the use of an elevator at the museum's exit and additional walking time back to the entrance. This may extend the overall tour time. We are happy to accommodate this option, but it is crucial to let us know when you book so we can inform your guide and ensure everything is prepared in advance. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Where You'll Start
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50 Reviews
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Alessandra provided an outstanding experience on the Uffizi and Accademia Gallery Highlights Tour. Her deep knowledge of art and history was impressive, and she shared unique insights only a true local from Florence could offer. Alessandra’s warm and personable approach made the tour both engaging and enjoyable. Her passion for the subject and ability to bring the stories behind the artworks to life truly set her apart. I highly recommend her as a guide!
Jon
Dec 20, 2024
Our tour could not have been more perfect and Helen offered a wealth of information. It was definitely the highlight of or trip to Florence. I’m so glad we decided to book with Context and we will certainly add your tours to our itineraries in the future.
Kayla
Nov 3, 2024
Such a delightful tour of the Uffizi and Academia! Molly, our guide, was a wealth of information! The tour was a nice pace to take in the amazing artwork. Would highly recommend!!!
Mary
Oct 15, 2024