Uffizi Galleries (Gallerie degli Uffizi)

Due to its immense popularity, the museum often has long lines and extensive wait times—it's best to book skip-the-line admission to maximize your time. The galleries feature various long, winding hallways filled with priceless works of art, making it near-impossible to see everything on display.

Uffizi Gallery tours are recommended to help you see the top pieces and give some context to the works you’re viewing—small-group guided tours and self-guided audio tours are more than worthwhile. A visit is often combined with a stop at the nearby Accademia Gallery, which houses the Statue of David.

• The museum is considered one of the top museums in the world—and the one must-see site in Florence.

• To avoid the lines, it is best to purchase a skip-the-line admission ticket in advance of your visit.

• The gallery halls are numbered and organized in chronological order.

• Ticket prices vary depending on whether or not your visit coincides with a special exhibit.

• Though there is some sculpture, the museum is known most for its collection of paintings.

The Uffizi Galleries is set between the Piazza della Signoria and Arno River in central Florence, not far from the Ponte Vecchio. The museum is best approached on foot, and is about a 15-minute walk from the Duomo.

The museum's busiest times include weekends, mornings, and Tuesdays. Crowds tend to be lighter after 4pm and from November to March. It is closed on Mondays and major holidays. Admission is free on the first Sunday of each month—expect the biggest crowds of all on these dates.

Although art enthusiasts are bound to enjoy every piece, a few highlights include the Medici collection (gifted to the museum in the 18th century) and the Caravaggio works on the first floor. Other must-sees include Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus; da Vinci's only completed panel painting,The Annunciation; and Titian's Venus of Urbino. Together with Raphael’s portraits and Michelangelo’s Tondo Doni, these works signify the height of the Italian Renaissance.

Yes, buying Uffizi Galleries tickets in advance is a must for this popular attraction. More than 2 million visitors churn through this treasure trove of Renaissance art each year, so reserving your timed admission ahead of your visit is the only way to avoid getting stuck in the long line at the ticket office.

Yes, skip-the-line tickets are essential for visiting the Uffizi Galleries without waiting hours at the museum entrance. In truth, all Uffizi Gallery tickets are skip-the-line tickets since the museum only offers timed entry. Select the time you prefer when purchasing tickets and linger for as long as you want once inside.

The crowds peak at midday in the museum, so the best times to visit are just as the doors open at 8:15am or late afternoon before the ticket office closes at 5:30pm. Remember that the galleries close at 6:30pm, so begin your visit at least two hours before closing.

Though you can touch on the museum’s highlights with a fast-paced visit of about two hours, you’ll need at least three to four hours to explore the collection at a leisurely pace. Book your tickets in advance to spend more time inside the museum and less waiting in line to enter.

Tickets to the Uffizi Galleries go on sale six months in advance, so you have plenty of time to reserve your timed entry if you plan ahead. However, Online time slots sell out during the high season months between May and October, so don’t wait too long before booking.

Gone are the days of terse museum guards hissing, “No foto!” at visitors. Since 2014, photographing the artworks inside the galleries has been permitted, though tripods and selfie sticks are prohibited. The museum encourages photographers to be respectful and avoid disturbing other visitors admiring the art.