Top 8 Uffizi Gallery guided tours to experience it all

Situated in the glorious halls of a building constructed in the 15th century, the Uffizi Gallery is a must-visit when in Florence. It houses an extensive collection of ancient paintings and sculptures, dating back to the 14th century and the Renaissance period. Inside are the works of Italian legends including Giotto, Piero della Francesca, Botticelli, Mantegna, Simone Martini, Michelangelo, Raphael, and many others.

History looms within the walls of the gallery with fascinating stories waiting to be told. A guided tour gives you keen insight into the important masterpieces inside the gallery as well as the artists behind it.

Here’s everything you need to know about choosing the right tour on your visit to the Uffizi Gallery.

What are the advantages of the Uffizi Gallery Tours?

Waltz to the front of the line

Uffizi Gallery is one of the most iconic and ancient art museums in the whole world, attracting millions of visitors throughout the year. With skip-the-line tickets, you can avoid waiting in long ticket lines and head right in.

Tour with expert guidance

The gallery houses a large collection of artworks and sculptures, dating back to the 14th century. Each masterpiece and its artist has an inspiring story waiting to be told. Your expert tour guide will tell you all the important back stories as you explore the gallery.

Easy navigation

If this is your first visit to the Uffizi Gallery, you might get a little confused with the route. With so much to see, a guided tour is the most time-efficient way to explore the gallery.

Flexible timings are available

Your Uffizi Gallery tickets have timings that span throughout the day. Choose the timing that suits your travel schedule best when you book your tickets online.

Small tour groups

Guided tours ensure that you have a memorable and comfortable tour experience with only a limited number of individuals in each group. This is an added advantage especially since the whole world only recently witnessed the devastating effects of the pandemic.

The Best Uffizi Gallery Guided Tour

Guided Tours

Combo Guided Tours

How do I choose an Uffizi Gallery Tour that suits me best?

Before you choose an Uffizi Gallery tour, take a look at the key features of each ticket. Here’s a list of all your tour options and what they entail

Top 10 Must-See Uffizi Gallery Highlights

Discover the magnificence of one of the most stunning art museums in the whole world. Here’s what a typical guided tour of Uffizi Gallery looks like.

Birth of Venus, Sandro Botticelli

Possibly one of the greatest artworks by a painter from the Renaissance era is the Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli. Originally the painting was a gift to the Medici family and eventually, it became one of the most famous works in the gallery. Spanning around 10 feet, the painting depicts the Goddess of Love, Venus, standing atop a seashell. She seems to be undergoing a baptism, which effortlessly blends Christianity with the artistic nature of the Renaissance period.

Coronation of the Virgin, Fra Angelico

Regarded as one of the best altar pieces in the history of art, the Coronation of the Virgin found its way to the Uffizi Gallery in the 1800s and has been there ever since. A colorful amalgamation of color and finesse, this masterpiece was once described as being ‘near-perfect’ by Vasari. It beautifully shows Christ placing a crown on Mary’s head, whilst surrounded by saints and angels.

Lacoön and his Sons, Baccio Bandinelli

Dating back to its excavation in the 1500s, Bandinelli’s sculpture of Lacoön and his Sons is one of the most popular sculptures ever created. The sculpture's depiction of the classic Greek story of the murder of Lacoön and his two sons portrays human agony in a raw but beautiful manner. The detail and finesse of the masterpiece make it quite a sight to marvel at.

Madonna with the Long Neck, Parmigianino

Although representing a sacred theme, Parmigianino’s painting of Madonna was a rather controversial piece of work. It shows the Madonna sitting on a high pedestal, clothed in luscious blue robes, and surrounded by angels while holding the baby Jesus on her lap. The painting gained its name because of Madonna’s curiously long swan-like neck. Parmigianino brings a fresh perspective to a common artistic theme with this radical version of Madonna.

Portrait of Pope Leo X with Two Cardinals, Raphael

Notably one of Raphael’s greatest works, the Portrait of Pope Leo X with Two Cardinals was one of his last few works. In this masterpiece, Raphael paints a rather realistic image of a middle-aged Pope sitting in his study along with his two cardinals. Displaying the Pope as not just a powerful religious figure but an intellectual one as well, this painting shows the influence of art under the Medici regime.

Annunciation, Leonardo da Vinci & Andrea del Verrocchio

Coveted by most art museums around the globe, Annunciation was one of Da Vinci’s first masterpieces created under the guidance of Andrea Verrocchio. This painting shows the sacred moment when the Angel Gabriel told Mary that she would give birth to a baby boy. Da Vinci beautifully captures this precious announcement with the use of fine detail and rich colors. Intricate details like the Lilies in Gabriel’s palm and Mary’s features add to the importance of this miraculous moment.

Venus of Urbino, Titian

One of Titian’s most famous paintings, Venus of Urbino, was created as a gift for the wedding of Guidobaldo II Della Rovere. You can see the beautiful Lady Venus completely naked with a dog sleeping by her legs, while a young little girl rummages through a chest in the background. Highlighting themes of motherhood, fidelity, and eroticism, this painting by Titian was a rather controversial piece of its time.

Medusa, Caravaggio

Highlighting the terrifying Gorgon monster from Greek Mythology, Caravaggio’s depiction of Medusa has captivated audiences and critics for centuries. This masterpiece shows the head of Medusa on a shield at the moment when her head was no longer attached to her body. You can see the horror in her eyes as she realizes what has happened in the final agonizing moments of her existence. With the use of contrasting tints of light and dark, this piece is truly one of the highlights of Uffizi.

Are the Uffizi Gallery Tours Worth It?

Yes. If this is your first visit to the Uffizi Gallery, then a guided tour is your best bet. The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most renowned and oldest art museums in the world. A guided tour of the gallery is the best way to make sure you have a meaningful and wholesome visit. You don’t just get to explore an iconic gallery, but you also learn all about each piece of art inside it. Every masterpiece has a unique story behind it, waiting to be told. With the company of an expert guide, you’re bound to have a much more enriching experience.

Opening Hours

Uffizi Gallery is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 8:15 AM and 6:50 PM. The ticket office shuts at 5:30 PM.

The gallery is closed on Mondays, and black-out dates are on 1 January, 1 May, and 25 December. On 31st December and 24th December, the gallery closes at 5.30 p.m.

Getting There

• By Bus: The nearest bus stop is the Galleria Degli Uffizi stop, which can be reached by taking the C1 bus route. Uffizi is just a 1-minute walk from here.
• By Car: The closest car parks to Uffizi Gallery are Piazza Mentana and Garage Palazzo Vecchio - both of which are paid parking lots. The gallery is just about 300 m from these car parks.
• By Train: If you’re traveling by metro, the closest station to Uffizi Gallery is Santa Maria Novella. From here the gallery is a 15-minute walk. You can also take a bus or taxi from here to the gallery.
• By Taxi: You can catch a local taxi which will take you straight to the Uffizi Gallery.

Tips for Uffizi Gallery Tour

• Wheelchair accessibility: Uffizi Gallery is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility. Access ramps and lifts are installed inside the gallery, making it completely accessible. The entrance for people with reduced mobility is at the Vasari Auditorium.
• Storage: Umbrellas and large bags are not permitted inside the gallery and must be left in the cloakroom. Storage inside the cloakroom is free and can be found at the entrance to the gallery. Keep in mind that the cloakroom for groups and bulky items is located near the ticket office under the Western colonnade of the courtyard.
• Photography:Handheld cameras and cellphones are permitted to take pictures. However, the use of tripods and flash photography is not allowed.
• Audio Guides: Audio Guides can be purchased at the entrance for a fee of €6. Languages available include English, German, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Japanese, and French.
• Cafeteria:There is a delightful cafeteria where you can find light snacks and beverages on the second floor of the gallery. The cafe consists of a beautiful terrace with panoramic views of the city.
• Souvenirs:If you’re looking to purchase books, there is a small bookshop on the first floor towards the exit. If you want to take home a souvenir with you, there is a small shopping center towards the exit on the ground floor.
• Cancellation policy:Some Uffizi Gallery guided tour tickets can be cancelled upto 48 hours before the date of your visit, while some cannot be rescheduled, amended, or canceled. Please check the cancellation policy before booking your ticket.

FAQs

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