10 Museums in Florence Historic Center That You Shouldn't Miss

August 28, 2021 Ying Subia

Florence is an art historian’s dream. The Galleria dell'Accademia bursts with works by Michelangelo, who is entombed within the frescoed walls of the Basilica di Santa Croce. Budding photographers can snap pics of the Ponte Vecchio bridge, and serious shoppers can spend a blissful afternoon wandering the shops of Piazza Santo Spirito. Tuscan cuisine pays homage to the region’s bounty. Swipe a hunk of crusty bread across a pool of local olive oil and you’ll be instantly transported to your happiest place.
Restaurants in Florence

1. Mus.e Firenze

Piazza della Signoria Palazzo Vecchio, 50122, Florence Italy +39 055 276 8224 [email protected] http://musefirenze.it/
Excellent
85%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
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5.0 based on 169 reviews

Mus.e Firenze

The Museo dei Ragazzi is located inside Palazzo Vecchio, one of its best known iconic monuments and the most important civic museum of Florence as well. Today, in the fastous halls of Cosimo’s Court are located also the activities of the Museo dei Ragazzi: there are two small theatres, one called the Stanza delle Storie di Bia e Garcia for younger visitors (from 3 to 7), and the other, known as the Civiltà del Rinascimento a Firenze for older children; the Museum also offers a large multimedia zone, a workshop for painting activities and an area devoted to games for exploring perspective.

Reviewed By LucyGoes

I really liked this place - full of history and memories of Medici family. Wonderful architecture and art can be seen here, gorgous place! Amazing paintings, sculptures and oveall the big hall of incredible heigth and space. I could almost breathe the history here.

2. Gallerie Degli Uffizi

Piazzale Degli Uffizi 6, 50122, Florence Italy +39 055 23885 [email protected] http://www.uffizi.it
Excellent
70%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
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4.5 based on 37,499 reviews

Gallerie Degli Uffizi

One of the great museums of the world, the Uffizi houses the premier collection of Italian Renaissance art, featuring works by such masters as Botticelli, Titian, Michelangelo and da Vinci.

Reviewed By sanju_222323 - New Jersey, United States

If art interests you, then Uffizi Gallery is one place that you should not miss on your Florence tour. It is one of the most interesting places to visit in Florence, Italy. Situated in the Piazza Della Signoria, it can be covered together with the L shaped beautiful square. With the world’s preeminent collection of Renaissance paintings from artists such as Botticelli, Raphael, Da Vinci and more, this is the obvious go-to museum for one day in Florence. However, it’s also enormous, with 101 rooms bursting with art. it still displays the Medici family's prominent art collection, which includes such masterpieces as Botticelli's "Birth of Venus," Raphael's "Madonna of the Goldfinch" and Titian's "Venus of Urbino." *** The 10 Most Important Artworks at The Uffizi Gallery ( just so that you don’t miss this, I did miss a few and found out when I was reading about it) The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli Coronation of the Virgin by Fra Angelico Laocoön and his Sons by Baccio Bandinelli Madonna with the Long Neck by Parmigianino Portrait of Pope Leo X with Two Cardinals by Raphael Head of Christ by Unknown Tuscan Master Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci and Andrea del Verrocchio Medusa by Caravaggio Doni Tondo by Michelangelo Venus of Urbino by Titian It houses a collection of awesome Renaissance time paintings of Botticelli, Da Vinci, Caravaggio, Giotto, and Michelangelo to name a few. A minimum of 2-3 hours is needed to explore all the paintings and sculptures. Don’t miss the courtyard outside. It houses statues of Galileo, Dante, Da Vinci and other greatest of Renaissance times. Online Reservation of tickets is available and I suggest buy skip the line ticket. This is a must-visit place in Florence and it will easily take 4-6 hours. Just to know Uffizi's place is among the handful of world's top art museums. So don’t regret if you come across something and think, S**t, I was there, why I did not see this.

3. Museo dell'Opera del Duomo

Piazza del Duomo 9, 50122, Florence Italy +39 055 230 2885 [email protected] http://www.ilgrandemuseodelduomo.it
Excellent
71%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
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4.5 based on 3,355 reviews

Museo dell'Opera del Duomo

For preservation purposes, many significant works have been moved from the Duomo to this nearby museum.

Reviewed By PRS48 - Brisbane, Australia

Not to be missed! The main room on the ground floor contains Ghiberti's original bronze doors of the baptistery as well as the statues which adorned the medieval facade of the cathedral. A visit here is a logical step after seeing the interior of the Duomo and the museum has relatively short queues, especially as it opens at 9 a.m.

4. Palazzo Strozzi

Piazza Strozzi, 50123, Florence Italy +39 055 264 5155 [email protected] http://www.palazzostrozzi.org/
Excellent
54%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
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4.5 based on 927 reviews

Palazzo Strozzi

The Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi is a dynamic cultural centre that hosts an extensive programme of exhibitions, ranging from ancient art and the Renaissance right up to the modern era and contempoary art, on the Piano Nobile and in the Strozzina of what is one of the unquestioned masterpieces of Florentine Renaissance architecture. Life in the Palazzo revolves around its Renaissance courtyard, which is used as a venue for concerts, performance art, contemporary art installations, theatrical performances and a great deal more. The educational programmes and collateral activities designed to tie in with each exhibition make Palazzo Strozzi a unique experience that engages every single visitor, with a special emphasis on young people, families and children, thus connecting the Palazzo with Florence and with the whole of Tuscany.

Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia

Palazzo Strozzi is a perfect example of the ideals of a noble Renaissance residence, and the complex appears as if a small fortress in the heart of the city, a specific request made by Filippo Strozzi himself. The Strozzi family, undoubtedly one of the richest Florentine families until it was exiled from Florence in 1434, suffered through many political and financial competitions with the Medici family. After their exile, Filippo Strozzi worked to accumulate the funds which allowed him to regain his powerful position and re-enter the city of Florence. In 1466, he came back with a mission...squash his rivals...with a vengeance. Once within the walls of the city, his first step was to build a home that would be a physical representation of his power and wealth, more noticeable, more prestigious and...just plain bigger than everyone else's, especially that of the Medici family. Its construction began in 1489 under the direction of Simone del Pollaiolo, known as Il Cronaca, on the orders of Filippo Strozzi. The appearance of the palace is similar to a small fortress built to a rectangular plan with three floors. Though much restructured internally, it is possible to still appreciate the original plan and beauty of the exterior and in the courtyard of the building. The construction was finished in 1538 and stayed in the Strozzi family until 1937, when the last heir passed away. Since the Second World War the Palazzo has been Florence's largest temporary exhibition space hosting modern and contemporary art shows. The building is today one of the most important museums in the city: the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi organizes a varied and innovative program of exhibitions, events and special activities. Perhaps the most memorable exhibits include The Peggy Guggenheim (1949 and recently repeated in 2016), Gustav Klimt (1992), Botticelli and Filippino Lippi (who was the most visited exhibition in Italy in 2004), and Cézanne in Florence (the most visited exhibition in Italy in 2007). The Palazzo Strozzi now hosts three major exhibitions annually, and there is one permanent exhibition which concentrates on the history of Palazzo Strozzi. In those days of our visit we were able to enjoy the exhibition of Natalia Goncharova with Gauguin, Matisse and Picasso.

5. Museo Galileo - Institute and Museum of the History of Science

Piazza De' Giudici 1, 50122, Florence Italy +39 055 265311 [email protected] http://www.museogalileo.it/en
Excellent
56%
Good
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 2,280 reviews

Museo Galileo - Institute and Museum of the History of Science

Housed in an old palace that was restored in the mid-1800s, this science museum houses an impressive collection of scientific instruments dating from the 13th century.

Reviewed By SelinaF_01 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

What a fascinating museum and welcome respite from art gallery overdose! The videos that further elaborated some of the exhibits were really interesting and educational (not to mention hypnotic)... we sat and watched quite a few. Amazing telescopes, Galileo’s actual middle finger, Peter Leopold’s chemistry cabinet, ancient globes, anatomical models - a dizzying array of exhibits that ensure this museum really packs a punch!

6. Galleria dell'Accademia

Via Ricasoli, 58/60, 50122, Florence Italy +39 055 238 8612 [email protected] http://www.galleriaaccademiafirenze.beniculturali.it/
Excellent
69%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
8%
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4.5 based on 31,647 reviews

Galleria dell'Accademia

Europe's first school of drawing, this museum of art is chiefly famous for its several sculptures by Michelangelo, notably his David, in addition to an extensive collection of 15th- and 16th-century paintings.

Reviewed By Darren_C_Thomas - Brisbane, Australia

The Accademia is a wonderful art gallery in Florence which houses arguably the most famous statue in the world - Michelangelo's David which is simply perfection in a sculpture. Whilst the Accademia is far smaller than the Uffizi, it still houses a number of important works. Also the historical musical instrument collection is well worth taking the time to visit. To avoid the queues which are long and slow moving as well as always present, make sure you get a skip the line ticket -especially if you have children or impatient teens. We booked for 3:15pm and arrived at 3:05pm whilst we still had to queue in a small line, was into the gallery by 3:20pm

7. Museo Nazionale del Bargello

Via del Proconsolo 4, 50122, Florence Italy +39 055 064 9440 [email protected] http://www.bargellomusei.beniculturali.it/index.php?it/1/home
Excellent
72%
Good
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 2,996 reviews

Museo Nazionale del Bargello

Housed in the Palazzo del Podesta (1255 AD) as the residence of Florence's chief magistrate, this museum houses an unrivalled collection of Italian Renaissance sculpture..

Reviewed By Odyssey54128356707

I teach in Montepulciano on a study abroad program from the University System of Georgia, headquartered and administered by my home campus, Kennesaw State University, on a fairly regular basis, and Florence is one of our destinations. I am an art historian with a BA in Renaissance and Baroque painting and sculpture, so unlike most of my colleagues, I always want to take my students on a side trip to the Bargello to see the original Baptistery Doors competition panels of Brunelleschi and Ghiberti, Donatello's David, Giambologna's Mercury and some lesser known Michleangelo reliefs and other sculptures. They are always thrilled to do so, as am I. I recommend a visit to the Museo Nazionale dei Bargello to anyone visiting Florence.

8. Church and Museum of Orsanmichele

Via Arte della Lana 1, 50123, Florence Italy +39 055 284944 http://www.bargellomusei.beniculturali.it/musei/3/orsanmichele/
Excellent
60%
Good
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 981 reviews

Church and Museum of Orsanmichele

This extraordinary structure testifies to the historic evolution of the city, which once served as a granary in the gardens of the Sisters of San Michele during Florence's mercantile period.

Reviewed By artmac21 - Inverness, United Kingdom

This was my last stop in Florence and I am so glad I went in. The church is small but has the most beautiful tarbancle I’ve ever seen. It’s very quiet and peaceful and has some art. I went onto the museum which houses the original statues, that you see outside in the niches. They are stunning and worth viewing, especially the four crowned saints which is so detailed you can see the stubble! Finally, the upper floor has the most stunning views of Florence, giving you a panorama of the city, with the Duomo to one side and the Palazzo Vecchio to another. I didn’t climb the Duomo as both the heat and the wait seemed too much. This was such a delight. It was quiet and the stairs are manageable, although still a hike. I was so pleased I had left this to last as it did allow me to see Florence in all its glory. An unexpected delight.

9. Museo di San Marco

Piazza San Marco, Florence Italy 39 55 238 8608 http://www.polomusealetoscana.beniculturali.it/index.php?it/190/museo-di-san-marco-firenze
Excellent
76%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 1,959 reviews

Museo di San Marco

Opened to the public in 1869, this museum houses the largest collection of sacred art in Florence including a sweeping fresco by Giovanni Antonio Sogliani and a superb collection of works by Mariotto Albertinelli.

Reviewed By JurreSilbi - Krakow, Poland

Museum is located in the Dominican convent, where Fra Angelico was a monk and a famous painter. His work is shown in a separate room at the ground level. Have a look at tabernaculum which is a great piece of art. The wooden frame was made by Ghirlandaio, another great artist. Ghirlandaio’s work, a polychromy in the refectory presenting the Last Supper is also on display. Have a deeper look at the face of Saint Paulus (the person with knife). Don’t miss the upper floor where there are monks’ rooms with paintings. Here it is time to recall another monk, Girolamo Savonarola who lived here, and his influence on the history of Florence and Medici family. Really dramatic times. And the library with a huge collection of books is also worth a visit. This museum accepts Firenzecard. Be also prepared that some attractions might be closed even if they should be available, according to the schedule.

10. Museo dell'Opera di Santa Croce

Piazza di Santa Croce 16, 50122, Florence Italy +39 395 524 4619 [email protected] http://www.operadisantacroce.it/
Excellent
63%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
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Terrible
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4.5 based on 124 reviews

Museo dell'Opera di Santa Croce

A massive Gothic church housing the remains of some of the biggest names in European history, from Michelangelo to Galileo.

Reviewed By daanddo - Lehigh Valley, United States

This church has the tombs of Galileo, Michelangelo, Ghiberti, Machiavelli, Fermi, Marconi, Da Vinci, as well as frescos, sculptures, and paintings by Donatello, Vasari, Gaddi and Giotto. You can do this on your own, but a tour will enhance your experience greatly.

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