The Accademia Gallery is one of Florence’s most renowned museums, home to Michelangelo’s David and other incredible Renaissance masterpieces. Located in the historic city center, it is 1.5 km from the Uffizi Gallery, making it easy to visit both on the same trip. Since these are two of the city's most visited attractions, combo tickets are highly recommended to save time and money. Whether you're traveling by metro, bus, car, or on foot, here’s everything you need to know about getting to the Accademia Gallery.
Where is the Accademia Gallery located?
The Accademia Gallery is centrally located in Florence, in a historic area known for its artistic heritage. Its full address is:
Address: Via Ricasoli, 58/60, 50122 Florence, Italy
Landmark: Close to Piazza San Marco and a short walk from the Florence Cathedral (Duomo di Firenze)
Founded in 1784 by Pietro Leopoldo, Grand Duke of Tuscany, the Accademia Gallery was originally an educational institution for the Fine Arts Academy. Today, it stands as a cultural hub that reflects Florence’s rich artistic history.
For the fastest and most convenient way to reach the Accademia Gallery, public transport is often the best option. Here’s what you need to know:
Reaching Accademia Gallery by public transport
By public transport
- By bus: You can take bus lines 6, 11, 13, 14, 23, or 21 from various parts of Florence to reach the gallery.
- Closest bus stops:
- Battisti San Marco – 1-minute walk
- Museo di San Marco – 2-minute walk
- Santissima Annunziata – 3-minute walk
- San Marco Piazza – 2-minute walk
- By tram:
- Take the T2 tram line from Fortezza to San Marco (about 10 minutes).
- San Marco stop is the closest tram stop, just a short walk from the gallery.
Getting to Accademia Gallery by car or taxi
🚗 By taxi or ride-share
- Popular ride-hailing apps such as ItTaxi and FreeNow operate in Florence.
- Expect a fare of approximately €10-€15 from the city center.
Driving directions
- If driving from Florence city center, take Via Cavour towards Piazza San Marco and follow signs for Accademia Gallery.
- The drive takes about 10 minutes, but parking is limited near the gallery.
🚗🅿️ Parking near Accademia Gallery
- The Accademia Gallery is in a restricted traffic zone (ZTL), which makes parking challenging. Visitors often rely on nearby paid parking facilities or public transport.
- Paid parking facilities:
- Garage Alfani by Muoviamo – 100 meters away, offers 24-hour parking, EV charging, and handicapped access. Rates start at €5 per hour.
- Garage Michelangelo – 200 meters away, covered parking with CCTV security, open 7am - midnight, €10 per hour.
- Park2Go Parcheggio Firenze – 270 meters away, indoor parking with handicapped access, 8am - 8pm, starts at €9 per hour.
- Central Parking Firenze – 170 meters away, available 8am - 12am, €10 per hour.
- Parcheggio Autorimessa San Gallo Firenze – 500 meters away, indoor parking with EV charging and handicapped access.
- Street parking:
- Blue spaces – Available in residential areas outside the main historic center. Rates: €2 for the first hour, €3 for each additional hour (payable between 8am - 8pm).
- Ring Road (Viali di Circonvalazione) – Offers additional street parking options, but beware of ZTL zones.
Getting to Accademia Gallery with hop-on hop-off bus tours
Several hop-on hop-off bus tours stop near Piazza San Marco, making it an easy and scenic way to reach the gallery.
- Operator: City Sightseeing Florence
- Stop name: Piazza San Marco
- Walking distance: 2 minutes from the Accademia Gallery
👣 On foot
If you're near the Florence Cathedral (Duomo di Firenze), the Accademia Gallery is just a 7-minute walk via Via Ricasoli.
Attractions along the way:
- Florence Baptistery
- Piazza San Marco
- Basilica di San Lorenzo
🚲 By bike
- Bike rentals are available at Florence by Bike (Via San Zanobi, 54).
- Bike parking: Not available directly at the gallery, but nearby racks can be found in Piazza San Marco.
Coming from major transport hubs
From Florence Airport (Peretola - FLR)
- The fastest option is the T2 tram line, which takes about 20 minutes to reach Santa Maria Novella Station, followed by a 15-minute walk or a short bus ride.
- A taxi ride takes around 20 minutes and costs approximately €25-€30.
From Florence’s main train station (Santa Maria Novella - SMN)
- The best option is Bus 23, which takes approximately 10 minutes.
- If walking, it’s about 15 minutes on foot via Via Panzani and Via Ricasoli.
Things to do near Accademia Gallery
- Florence Cathedral (Duomo di Firenze) – Florence’s iconic landmark with breathtaking architecture, 7 minutes away.
- Piazza della Signoria – A historic square with famous statues and palaces, 15 minutes away.
- Uffizi Gallery – Home to masterpieces by Botticelli, Da Vinci, and Raphael, 1.5 km away.
- Mercato Centrale – A great place to sample Tuscan cuisine, 12 minutes away.
- Basilica di San Lorenzo – A beautiful Renaissance church with Medici Chapels, 10 minutes away.
Recommended tickets to Accademia Gallery in Florence
Frequently asked questions
The fastest way is by bus or taxi, while walking from Florence’s main landmarks is also convenient.
No, but there are parking lots nearby, such as Garage Alfani and Garage Michelangelo.
Approximately 1 km (10 minutes by bus or taxi).
Yes, the gallery is fully wheelchair accessible, with ramps and elevators available.
David is one of the most famous sculptures in the world, drawing large crowds daily. Arrive early in the morning at 8.15am or book a skip-the-line ticket for a better experience.
Public transport (bus/tram) is the easiest and cheapest way to reach the gallery. Taxis are more convenient but costlier.
