Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell'Accademia)
Via Ricasoli 58-60, Florence, Tuscany, 50122
Founded by Grand Duke Peter Leopold as one of Europe’s oldest drawing schools, the Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell’Accademia) is now one of Florence’s most visited museums. Aside from Michelangelo’s renowned 17-foot-tall (5.2-meter-tall) statue of David, other works of art on display include Renaissance paintings by artists such as Botticelli and Lippi, unfinished Michelangelo sculptures, and a rare museum of musical instruments.
The basics
To avoid spending hours in a queue for the ticket office, snag skip-the-line Accademia Gallery tickets online in advance, or opt for a private guided tour. David is unsurprisingly popular, so booking an exclusive, early-access tour allows you to beat the crowds. Other Accademia Gallery tours also combine a visit to the Uffizi Galleries (Gallerie degli Uffizi) and other Florence highlights into a half- or full-day experience.
Things to know before you go
To be assured entry on the day you want to visit, consider booking a guided tour or skip-the-line tickets in advance.
Photography is not allowed inside the gallery.
The museum provides audio guides at the bookshop for a fee.
The gallery is closed on Mondays.
Students from the EU and children under 18 years old are eligible for a reduced or free ticket to the Accademia Gallery.
How to get there
The Accademia Gallery is located beside Piazza San Marco, about a 15-minute walk from the Santa Maria Novella train station. It’s not far from the Uffizi Galleries, which many tours visit in combination with the Accademia.
When to get there
The Accademia Gallery is busy year-round, but especially in the summer. It’s slightly less crowded in the late afternoon, but can still be impossible to visit without a reservation. Note that the gallery is closed on Mondays.
What not to miss at the Accademia Gallery
The scale of Michelangelo’s David (carved from a single block of Carrara marble) is enough to impress, but its fine details and lifelike features make it a true masterpiece. Travelers spend most of their time admiring David, but those interested in Michelangelo’s life and other works should also see his unfinished Slaves statues intended for the tomb of Pope Julius II. Don’t miss the 19th-century plaster casts of artists and nobles by Lorenzo Bartolini, who was a sculpture professor at the old academy of fine arts.
Ways to explore
To avoid spending hours in line for the ticket office, reserve your timed visit to the Accademia Gallery online in advance, or opt for a private guided tour. David is unsurprisingly popular, so booking a skip-the-line tour allows you to beat the crowds while also learning about often-overlooked artworks in the museum. Alternatively, you can join a tour that combines the Accademia Gallery with the Uffizi Galleries (Gallerie degli Uffizi), Florence Cathedral (Duomo), and other city highlights into a half- or full-day experience.
Accessibility
The Accademia Gallery is wheelchair accessible, and tactile maps are available for visitors who are blind or have limited vision.
Age limits
All ages are welcome, though visitors younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
What to pack
Only bring the essentials you can carry, as there’s no cloakroom.
What to wear
Comfortable walking shoes and clothing appropriate for the formal museum setting
Not allowed
Bulky bags, helmets, non-service animals, selfie sticks, flash photography, outside food and drink
Amenities
Restrooms, audio guides, a bookshop
Address
Located in central Florence, the Accademia Gallery is an easy (and picturesque) walk from nearby attractions such as the Old Bridge (Ponte Vecchio) and Signoria Square (Piazza della Signoria). It’s also reachable by car and public transportation.
Driving
Florence’s historic center is in a Limited Traffic Zone, so you can’t get anywhere without a permit. However, taxis can take you to the Accademia Gallery from anywhere in the city.
Public transportation
In central Florence, walking or biking is often faster than taking public transportation. However, the T2 tram can take you from the Santa Maria Novella train station to Piazza San Marco just outside the museum.
Best times to visit
The Accademia Gallery controls crowds by only letting in a certain number of visitors per time slot. If you’re going without a reservation, arrive shortly before opening or closing.
Best days to visit
Make your reservation online well in advance for the best availability of visiting days. Or, save money by lining up on free-admission days (the first Sunday of the month).
Best months to visit
The Accademia Gallery is a year-round attraction, but Florence is best visited from April–May and September–October, when temperatures are pleasant and the city is free of summer crowds.
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