Palazzo Gucci

The basics

Like most museums in Florence, Gucci Garden is best explored at a leisurely pace. Give yourself about 45 minutes to tour the exhibits, which feature gowns, leather goods, shoes, and handbags. The museum, restaurant, and shop take up three floors of the 14th-century Palazzo della Mercanzia, an architectural gem located on the east side of Piazza della Signoria.

A five-minute walk from the banks of the Arno River, Gucci Garden is often visited in conjunction with Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Galleries (Gallerie degli Uffizi), as well as the nearby Ponte Vecchio. While Florence walking tours don’t typically go inside the museum, private tours may allow visitors to add Gucci Garden to the day’s customized itinerary.

Things to know before you go

• Gucci Garden is a must for fashion lovers and history buffs.

• The museum’s restaurant, Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura, is open daily and boasts a menu of upscale Italian food and beverage options.

• Gucci museum visitors enjoy free Wi-Fi.

How to get there

Located in Florence’s Piazza della Signoria, Gucci Garden is within walking distance of most major landmarks and is easily accessible using public transit. The nearest stops are Salvemini on bus 14, Frescobaldi on bus 11, and Santa Maria Maggiore on bus 22. If traveling by taxi, give Piazza della Signoria as your destination.

When to get there

Gucci Garden is open every day from 10am–7pm. Expect crowds on weekends and mid-afternoon, when many visitors stop by while other businesses are closed for lunch. For a quieter visit, arrive shortly after opening or before closing. Or, come during lunch or dinner to combine your visit to the museum with a meal at Gucci Osteria.

Gucci’s first flagship

After glimpsing the luggage of upscale hotel guests in London, Guccio Gucci was inspired to go into the leather business—and in 1921, Florence became the official birthplace of the Gucci brand. Gucci’s original early-20th-century leather products are on full display at Gucci Garden, and items from the archives celebrate the city’s role in the history of the internationally renowned brand.

Ways to explore

You can explore Palazzo Gucci’s museum in about an hour, making it easy to combine with nearby attractions such as the Palazzo Vecchio and Uffizi Galleries. While group sightseeing tours don’t typically go inside Palazzo Gucci, you can see its exhibits with a guide on a private fashion tour. These experiences highlight historic Florentine brands and often include a visit to the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum. For a broader Florence tour, hire a private guide to show you local gems, from the Ponte Vecchio to the Florence Central Market (Mercato Centrale).

Accessibility

Palazzo Gucci is wheelchair accessible, with ramp entrances, stairlifts, and elevators to the upper floors.

Age limits

None

What to pack

If you plan to shop, bring a tote bag for your purchases and your passport to fill out tax-refund forms.

What to wear

There’s no dress code for the museum, but people tend to dress up to dine at the upscale Gucci Osteria.

Not allowed

Flash photography, large bags or backpacks

Amenities

Gift shop, dining options

Address

Located on the east side of Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Gucci is easy to access in central Florence. It’s reachable on foot from the Florence Duomo and the Arno River, or you can take a taxi or the bus.

Driving

Unless you have a permit to drive in Florence’s historic center, much of which is pedestrian-only, it’s best to take a taxi or bus to Palazzo Gucci.

Public transportation

Two bus routes through central Florence drop off near Palazzo Gucci: C1 (at Galleria degli Uffizi) and C2 (at Ghibellina Bargello).

Best times to visit

Head to Palazzo Gucci at midday, when many other sights and shops close for lunch, or shortly before closing for a quieter atmosphere.

Best days to visit

Palazzo Gucci doesn’t get nearly as crowded as Florence’s more popular attractions, so feel free to go any day your schedule allows.

Best months to visit

The museum is a year-round attraction for fashion fans, but Florence in general is best visited when the weather is mild from April–May and September–October.