It’s hard to know where to begin talking about Florence. A city renown for it’s art and history. The birthplace of the Renaissance as well as numerous great artists, architectures, and writers. Many who spent their lives creating work that still resides in this opulent city today. Deciding where to start and how to spend your time in Florence is daunting. We knew that we wanted to visit museums, but didn’t know the best places to see art in Florence for first time visitors like us.

Our time there began by doing one of the things we do best—getting lost, ha! We actually crossed the river at one point without realizing it because we walked over Ponte Vecchio—a medieval bridge lined with shops. After re-orienting ourselves we made a game plan for our visit and ended up seeing more museums and art here than in any other city.

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The beauty and majesty of Florence is overwhelming. It’s the only place where we witnessed artwork bringing people to tears in the middle of museums (okay, so one of them was me). The art and architecture here is considered some of the most important and influential in the world and we can see why.

Laying eyes on the Birth of Venus for the first time feels like being pulled into a vortex where the crowds and noise stand still. Examining the details of a Donatello statue leaves you wondering how many hours were spent carving that specific forehead wrinkle so that it perfectly conveys the desired furrow. After walking many miles through thousands of masterpieces, we’ve put together our recommendations for the best places to see art in Florence for first time visitors.

Times and Prices

We’ve included recommended minimum times to spend at each place (based on our experience) and current ticket prices. The prices are what you’ll pay at the ticket office. In all cases you can buy tickets online for a few extra euro per ticket. The benefit of this is that usually  you can choose a time to enter the museum so you don’t have to wait in line. We’ve linked to each of the ticket websites below so be sure to check the specific options and instructions before purchasing.

5 Best Places to See Art in Florence for First Time Visitors

1. Duomo of Florence

Price: 18€
Time: 2 days (It doesn’t take a full 2 days to see everything, but you may have to book your Duomo climb at least 48 hours in advance.)

Let’s start with the duomo since it’s the historical center of Florence and likely has the most confusing ticketing process. The ticket gets you into all the places listed below as well as the crypt. Each one has a different schedule of when it’s open so be sure to check the website or look for the signs posted outside each building.

Your ticket isn’t “activated” until you use it the first time. Once “activated” your ticket lasts for 72 hours. The tricky part is that if you want to climb the dome (which you should most definitely do) you must make a reservation for a specific time. This can be done by either purchasing a ticket online and reserving the time online or going to the kiosks in the entryway of the ticket office.

If you want to climb the dome and only have a couple of days in Florence, you need to plan ahead and reserve your time early. The next available climb time may be 3-6 days away. Buying a ticket and reserving your climb online before you even get to Florence is your best bet to ensure you get a reservation. If you buy your ticket early and are staying more than 3 days in Florence, don’t use it until under 72 hours before your duomo climb.

Giotto’s Bell Tower: This intricate gothic monument is a work of art itself. Climb to the top to get the best views of the astounding duomo dome.

Opera Museum: The museum contains art that throughout history adorned the interior and exterior of the religious buildings in the Piazza del Duomo. You’ll find some truly remarkable sculptures here by masters like Donatello and Michelangelo.

Baptistry of San Giovanni: The doors are a work of art, the ceilings are covered in art, the walls are…well you get the idea. This is one of the oldest buildings in Florence and is decorated with intricate mosaic and sculpture work.

Dome: The 463 step climb to the top of the famous duomo dome was one of the highlights of our time in Florence. The stairways twist and turn, making you feel like you’re inside an M.C. Escher print. During the climb and descent you get a close-up look at the fresco of The Last Judgment which includes some terrifying but impressive renderings of Hell based on Dante’s Divine Comedy.

2. Uffizi Gallery

Price: 24€ from March-Oct / 16€ from Nov-Feb
Time: 4-5 hours (Doesn’t include waiting time. Get there right when the museum opens or a bit before to avoid lines.)

The ticket price here is on the steep side, but it’s worth every euro cent. The artwork contained in this beautiful building was created by some of the most renowned artists in history—Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, and Caravaggio, to name a few. We spent over an hour in just the Botticelli rooms being mesmerized by the textured brushstrokes and rich colors.

Much of the Medici family art collection is on display throughout the museum. While the real Cosimo Medici may not have looked like the hunky actor formerly known as Rob Stark, a trip to Florence makes you realize what an enormous impact this dynasty had on the region not just during their time, but yet today.

Entry to the Archaeological Museum of Florence is included in this ticket. While not as well-known as the other museums on this list, it has an extensive Egyptian exhibit and is a perfect place to get away from crowds. Plus, there are some creepy mummies which Tom and the kids on a school field trip found really fascinating.

3. The Streets

Price: Free (Just make sure that if you watch an artist for some time and certainly if you take a picture or video to tip them.)
Time: As long as you want

It’s not an exaggeration to say that there’s art around every corner in Florence. In addition to the museums, you’ll find a plethora of artists selling their work on the street. If you want an original to take home, look for the vendors that are creating them on site (not just touching up pre-made pieces). Also, if you want to feel like you’re watching a chase scene from an action flick, keep an eye out for the vendors illegally selling prints. They’ll have a stack of rolled paper and when the officials make their rounds, you can see them running through the streets, stashing their rolls of prints in nooks and crannies, and even hiding behind unsuspecting tourists.

4. Galleria dell’Accademia

Price: 8€
Time: 2-3 hours (Doesn’t include waiting time. You can buy tickets online for an added fee to avoid the wait.)

It took us 3 hours to get into this museum. This was the longest we waited in line anywhere, but we’d do it again to see Michelangelo’s David. The magnitude of this sculpture is something that you must witness with your own eyes and body to fully comprehend. He towers above the gallery floor exuding strength and grace. While it’s much smaller than the Uffizi, this museum contains a sizable collection of sculptures, paintings, and historic musical instruments.

5. Boboli Gardens at Pitti Palace

Price: 10€ from March-Oct / 6€ from Nov-Feb
Time: 2-4 hours

You know we had to put something outdoors on this list, right? Another Medici contribution to Florence, these perfectly manicured gardens are full of sculptures, fountains, and of course beautiful greenery. The ticket also gets you entry to Bardini Gardens. We recommend spending a morning or afternoon strolling along these lush paths and taking in the expansive views of the sprawling city surrounded by forested hills.

If you’re traveling to Italy we hope you’ll enjoy the best places to see art in Florence for first time visitors. Has anyone already been to Florence? If yes, we’d love to know what your favorite piece of art is?

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