The Uffizi Gallery is a prominent art museum located in the historic center of Florence, Italy.
The museum is home to an extensive collection of Italian Renaissance art, including works by famous artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli.
Moreover, the gallery is well-connected by public transportation and easily accessible on foot from most parts of the city.
Visitors can reach the gallery by taking a short bus ride or walking from nearby attractions.
This way, you can combine your visit to Uffizi with the other attractions and spend your full day easily navigating through the city.
Here’s a list of everything you can see in Florence near the Uffizi Gallery.
Accademia Gallery : Home to Michelangelo’s David
📏Distance: 1.9 km (1900 m)
🚶♂️How to get there: Short Walk or Bus C1
⏰ Opening Hours: 8.15 am to 6.50 pm
🏫 Address: Accademia Gallery, Via Ricasoli, 58/60, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy
The Accademia Gallery in Florence, Italy, is world-renowned for its collection of Renaissance sculptures, particularly Michelangelo’s David.
Michelangelo’s David is a 17-foot (5.17 meters) tall Renaissance sculpture, and most people visit the Accademia to witness this masterpiece.
What makes the statue special is its larger-than-life size and detailed design on a single block of white Carrara.
The statue was displayed outdoors in the public square, Piazza della Signoria, from 1504 and was later relocated to the Accademia Gallery.
The gallery is also home to some of the most famous sculptures in the world, including Prisoners (or Slaves) and St. Matthew.
After seeing this Renaissance masterpiece, you can see other museum halls that feature works by other Italian artists, such as Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Pontormo, Andrea del Sarto, Alessandro Allori, and Orcagna.
Other halls include the Hall of Prisoners, the Hall of Colossus, the Gipsoteca Bartolini (a 19th-century hall), and the Museum of Musical Instruments.
Another advantage is that the Accademia Gallery is located within walking distance of the Uffizi Gallery. So, you can easily explore these two attractions in a day.
You can visit the Uffizi Gallery in the morning before 11 am and the Accademia Gallery in the evening around 4 pm.
There are also various combo tours of both galleries available online, providing a convenient and efficient way to see both highlights.
Palazzo Pitti or Pitti Palace
📏Distance: 600 m
🚶♂️How to get there: Short Walk
⏰ Opening Hours: 8.15 am to 6.30 pm
🏫 Address: Pitti Palace, Piazza de’ Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Palazzo Pitti, or Pitti Palace, is on the south side of the River Arno, just a short walk from the Uffizi Gallery.
The Medici family bought it in 1549 and after that, It became the main residence of the ruling families.
Today, the palace is the largest museum complex in Florence, with five museums spread across different floors.
The Treasury of the Grand Dukes and the Museum of Russian Icons (with the Palatine Chapel) are on the ground floor.
You can see the precious Medici’s Treasure on this floor, including rock crystals, semi-precious stone vases, ambers, and ivories.
The Palatine Gallery and the Imperial and Royal Apartments are on the first floor.
This floor has fourteen ceremonial rooms and an impressive collection of paintings by Raphael and by Titian, Tintoretto, Caravaggio, and Rubens.
The paintings in their lavish frames entirely cover the walls of the rooms with
sculptures, vases, and tables with semi-precious stone inlays.
The Gallery of Modern Art and the Museum of Costume and Fashion are on the second floor.
This floor is all about dresses and clothing. It holds over 15,000 pieces of clothing from the 16th century to today.
You can see some of the incredible outfits from the 1900s made by famous designers like Miuccia Prada, Giorgio Armani, and John Galliano there.
During the palace tour, you will gain an insight into the lavish lifestyle of the Medici family!
To visit the Pitti Palace, you can buy separate tickets or book a Uffizi Combo ticket, including Uffizi, Pitti Palace, and Boboli Gardens.
Palazzo Vecchio and Ponte Vecchio
📏Distance: 200 m
🚶♂️How to get there: Short Walk
⏰ Opening Hours: 9 am to 7 pm
🏫 Address: Palazzo Vecchio, P.za della Signoria, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Ponte Vecchio, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
The Palazzo Vecchio is Florence’s town hall. Originally known as the Palazzo della Signoria, it served as the seat of the Republic of Florence.
At its entrance, you will see the sculptures of Adam and Eve, a copy of Michelangelo’s David located at the Accademia, and Hercules and Cacus.
The building also has a series of hidden passages. The Medici family built these secret passages to escape enemies or store valuable objects.
Today, Palazzo Vecchio houses the Museo dei Ragazzi, the Town Hall offices, and the Cinquecento Hall for special events.
It is surrounded by landmarks like the Loggia dei Lanzi, the Fountain of Neptune, and the equestrian statue of Cosimo I.
The palace’s rich history, beautiful architecture, and connection to the city’s civil power make it a must-visit landmark in Florence.
After Palazzo Vecchio, you can also visit the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, the only bridge in Florence spared from destruction during World War II.
You can see a perfect cityscape from this bridge with stunning views of the Arno River.
Not only this, but it also includes the famous Vasari Corridor, a private route made by the Medici family.
So, if you want to explore this bridge with other notable attractions, consider booking a walking tour of Florence.
By booking this tour, you will cover Uffizi, Accademia, and Palazzo Vecchio with an expert guide.
Boboli Gardens
📏Distance: 650 m
🚶♂️How to get there: Short Walk
⏰ Opening Hours: Boboli Gardens: Opens at 8.15 am and closes between 4.30 pm and 7.10 pm (depending on the month of the year)
🏫 Address: The Boboli Gardens, Piazza de’ Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
The Boboli Gardens, also known as Giardino di Boboli, is a historical park in Florence, Italy, which has been accessible to the public since 1766.
Located behind Palazzo Pitti, the gardens are a prime example of Italian garden design and have inspired many European courts.
This park covers an area of 45,000 square meters (11 acres) and is known for its centuries-old oak trees, sculptures, fountains, and peaceful atmosphere.
Also, it’s an open-air museum with statues of various styles and periods, including the Ancient and Renaissance periods. It also has large fountains and caves.
Originally designed for the Medici family, it is a prominent example of an Italian garden.
Boboli Garden is open to the public, allowing visitors to explore the lush landscapes. It also often hosts cultural events, exhibitions, and concerts.
You can visit the garden and learn more about its history as part of a combined guided tour.
Villa Bardini and Bardini Gardens
📏Distance: 600 m
🚶♂️How to get there: Short Walk
⏰ Opening Hours: Villa Bardini: 10 am to 7.30 pm (Last Entry – 6:30 pm)
Bardini Gardens: 10 am to 4 pm
🏫 Address: Giardino Bardini, Via de’ Bardi, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
Villa Bardini and Bardini Gardens are less known to people, which makes them perfect cityscape locations.
The garden has two entrances: via Costa San Giorgio and Via dei Bardi. You can choose any of them to enter.
Villa Bardini is a historic villa that borders the Bardini Gardens. The villa offers a glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle of the Medici family, who once resided there.
The Bardini Gardens cover approximately 10 acres of land and feature woods, gardens, and fruit orchards.
The garden offers a beautiful panoramic view of Florence and is known for its enchanting atmosphere and iconic wisteria pergola.
It has three different styles: an Italian garden, an English woodland filled with exotic elements, and an agricultural park.
However, some visitors have noted that the garden is neglected and the entrance fee is overpriced.
Despite these criticisms, Villa Bardini and Bardini Gardens remain popular destinations for those interested in nature, history, and art in Florence.
The attractions offer a unique and picturesque experience for both residents and tourists.
Piazza della Repubblica
📏Distance: 400 m
🚶♂️How to get there: Short Walk
⏰ Opening Hours: Open 24/7
🏫 Address: 50123 Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy
Piazza della Repubblica is a prominent square located in the heart of Florence. You can see the beautiful Fountain of the Naiads in the square.
It is home to several historic landmarks, including the Colonna dell’Abbondanza and the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri.
The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri is a beautiful church with a sundial, or Clementine Line, on its magnificent floor.
You can also visit the basilica after the square.
Piazza della Repubblica also has several cafes and restaurants, making it a great place to relax and enjoy a meal or a drink.
Moreover, it’s a popular shopping destination, with several high-end stores and boutiques in the area.
The square has always been a prominent location in Florence. It is easily accessible from landmarks like the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria.
It often hosts events, markets, and festivals. You can also see street performers, musicians, entertainers and artists around the square.
Different Cathedrals and Basilicas
If you are a religious person or want to see the beautiful churches around Florence, here are some of the best and most popular ones you can go to:
• Florence Cathedral or Basilica Santa Maria del Fiore
📏Distance: 500 m
🚶♂️How to get there: Short Walk
⏰ Opening Hours: 10.15 am to 3.45 pm (Last Entry: 3.30 pm)
🏫 Address: Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Piazza del Duomo, 11, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
| Attractions Inside | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| Florence Cathedral | Monday to Saturday from 10.15 am to 3.45 pm (Last admission at 3.30 pm) Sunday: Closed |
| Brunelleschi’s Dome | Monday to Friday: 8:15 am to 7:30 pm Saturday: 8.15 am to 5.15 pm Sunday: 12.24 pm to 5:15 pm |
| Giotto’s Bell Tower | Daily, from 8.15 am to 7.45 pm |
| Duomo Museum | Daily from 9 am to 7.45 pm Closed on the first Tuesday of every month |
| Baptistery of San Giovanni | Daily from 8.30 am to 7.45 pm |
Florence Cathedral, also known as ‘Duomo’ or ‘Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore,’ is one of Italy’s largest churches and the fourth largest in the world.
The cathedral complex includes three buildings: Piazza del Duomo, the Baptistery, and Giotto’s Campanile, which are also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With Florence Cathedral tickets, you can climb 463 steps to reach the top of the dome through the staircase and enjoy a beautiful view of Florence’s skyline.
The basilica’s exterior has polychrome marble panels in various shades of green and pink, bordered by white, which gives it a beautiful look, especially at night.
The cathedral is also home to numerous works of art from different eras and by different artists, including famous masterpieces from the 15th century.
Some notable examples include Paolo Uccello’s frescoes “Condottiero Giovanni Acuto” and “Niccolò da Tolentino” and Domenico di Michelino’s fresco “Dante Before the City of Florence.”
After the church, you can visit the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, or Cathedral Museum, located within the cathedral.
It houses many works of art, including sculptures created specifically for the cathedral.
You can also see statues, 44 stained-glass windows, paintings, tapestries, architectural models, terracottas, and plaster casts.
The cathedral is in the heart of Florence, close to other popular attractions such as the Uffizi Gallery, Piazza Santo Spirito, and Piazza della Signoria.
So, you can easily combine your visit and enjoy a full day exploring the city.
• Basilica di Santa Croce
📏Distance: 500 m
🚶♂️How to get there: Short Walk
⏰ Opening Hours: 9.30 am to 5.30 pm
🏫 Address: Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence, Piazza di Santa Croce, 16, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
The Basilica di Santa Croce is a minor basilica located 500 meters from the Uffizi Gallery. It is the largest Franciscan church in the world.
The church is also the burial place of some famous Italians, such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, the poet Foscolo, and the composer Rossini.
It has a beautiful neo-Gothic marble façade that dates from 1857 to 1863.
The most notable features inside the church are its sixteen chapels, decorated with frescoes by Giotto and his pupils, and its tombs and cenotaphs.
You can see original and restored artworks, sculptures, and architectural features reflecting the Franciscan heritage there.
The beautiful Neo-Gothic architecture of the cathedral makes it worth a visit!
You can book your entry ticket to the cathedral online for just 9 euros.
• Basilica of Santa Maria Novella
📏Distance: 300 m
🚶♂️How to get there: Short Walk
⏰ Opening Hours: 9 am to 5.30 pm
🏫 Address: Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, P.za di Santa Maria Novella, 18, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
Built between 1279 and 1357 by Dominican friars, the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella is one of Tuscany’s most important Gothic churches.
The church has a beautiful Romanesque and Gothic façade.
Beyond its architectural significance, the interior hosts various masterpieces.
The masterpieces include Masaccio’s Trinity, Giotto’s Crucifix, and Ghirlandaio’s frescoes in the Tornabuoni Chapel.
You can book tickets to visit the church.
These tickets provide a tour of the church and a multimedia guide with audio-video narration for a better experience.
8. Other Museums in Florence
Florence is home to different kinds of museums.
You will not only find museums dedicated to artworks but also to science exhibits, stone collections, and many more.
Some popular museums in Florence other than the Uffizi and the Accademia Gallery are:
• Bargello National Museum
📏Distance: 300 m
🚶♂️How to get there: Short Walk
⏰ Opening Hours:
🏫 Address: Bargello National Museum, Via del Proconsolo, 4, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
The Bargello National Museum is synonymous with sculptures, just like the Uffizi is for paintings.
The museum exhibits a large collection of sculptures, including the famous bronze David by Donatello.
After admiring Donatello‘s marble statue of David and Saint George, you can see other popular artworks by Luca della Robbia, Verrocchio, and Benvenuto Cellini.
Inside, there is a room dedicated to Michelangelo, and what catches everyone’s interest is the sculpture of Bacchus, the Roman god of agriculture, wine, and fertility.
It is among Michelangelo’s first sculptures and one of his rare profane works.
With Bargello Museum tickets online, you can see the beautiful sculptures peacefully.
• Museo Galileo
📏Distance: 100 m
🚶♂️How to get there: Short Walk
⏰ Opening Hours: 9.30 am to 6 pm
🏫 Address: Museo Galileo, Piazza dei Giudici, 1, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
If you love science and want to see interesting scientific exhibits and artifacts, this museum is for you!
Dedicated to the astronomer and scientist Galileo Galilei, this Florence Museum features valuable scientific instruments, especially from the Medici Collections.
The museum spans two floors, with nine rooms on each floor.
The first floor entirely showcases the Medici Collection (things from the 15th to the 18th century), and the second floor houses the Lorraine Dynasty Collection.
A permanent exhibition includes Galileo’s unique artifacts, like the two telescopes, thermometers, and the framed objective lens.
The museum also has a library with tons of books based on scientific research.
You can enter the museum by paying 16 euros and skipping the lines at the gate. Book your tickets online!
Contents
• Opificio Delle Pietre Museum
📏Distance: 2 km
🚶♂️How to get there: Bus 23 or C1 or Short Walk (1 km)
⏰ Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 8.15 am to 2 pm and Closed on Sundays
🏫 Address: Opificio delle Pietre Dure, Via degli Alfani, 78, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Opificio Delle Pietre Museum means “Workshop of semi-precious stones.”
This museum is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of artworks and is a global leader in the field of art restoration.
It showcases historic examples of artwork created using the pietre dure technique, which involves inlaying semi-precious stones.
The institute houses a specialized library and archive focused on conservation, providing a valuable resource for researchers and scholars.
Visiting this museum can be a memorable experience if you book your Uffizi Combo tickets online. The entry to this museum is included in the ticket.
This Uffizi Gallery combo is perfect if you are on a long trip to Florence and want to explore every attraction at your own pace over five days.
Featured Image: Palazzopittitickets.com, Museogalileo.it, Finestresullarte.info
