Uffizi Gallery
5 minutes readThe Uffizi Gallery is a well-known art museum located in Florence, Italy. Giorgio Vasari, a famous architect, built it in the 16th century. Today, it’s mainly used as an art gallery. You can find a wide range of valuable art pieces there, most of them are from the Italian Renaissance period. This gallery attracts visitors from around the world who come to see its important collection of western art.
Tickets & tours
A selection of the best tours to experience the Uffizi Gallery with our partner GetYourGuide. These tours offer the best experience for visitors from all around the world.
A short history
The Uffizi Gallery is a well-known museum in Florence, Italy. Being among the oldest and critical art galleries globally, it was established in 1581 by Francesco I de’ Medici. He was the son of Cosimo I de’ Medici, a renowned leader in Florence. The purpose of the Uffizi Gallery was to show off the art and treasures collected by the Medici family.
In 1765, the Uffizi Gallery was made open for visits by the public. With a wide array of artworks ranging from the Middle Ages to the Modern period, the gallery mostly houses Italian paintings, notably those from the Renaissance period. By opening its doors to the public, the Uffizi Gallery generated greater understanding and love for art in the city.
The Uffizi Gallery’s collections grew over time, including art pieces from beyond Italy. Notably, after the Medici family’s reign ended in the 18th century, many more art pieces were incorporated into its collection. Now, the Uffizi Gallery boasts over 1,500 pieces of art, making it one of the costliest and esteemed art museums globally.
Today, attracting millions of visitors annually, the Uffizi Gallery is a significant point of interest in Florence. It contributes to promoting the understanding and recognition of Italy and Europe’s art history. Its presence upholds and celebrates the Medici family’s impact on the world of art.
One reason to visit
Primavera
Visiting the Uffizi Gallery in Florence will give you the chance to see the Primavera, a famed painting. This work of art was brought to life in the late 15th century by Sandro Botticelli, a skillful artist from Italy. It holds a renowned position in the Uffizi Gallery and in the world of art. The painting is well-known around the globe and attracts numerous visitors keen to view it up close. Primavera presents Venus, the Roman goddess of love, and other mythical figures in a spring garden, depicting Botticellis keen attention to detail. The beauty of this piece lies in seeing it in its original grand scale and in the context of the gallery.
Getting there
Once you arrive in Florence, it's a fairly simple route to the Uffizi Gallery. If you find yourself near the city center, locate the Piazza di Santa Maria Novella. Starting from there, head east on Via degli Avelli toward Via della Scala. Once you reach Piazza della Repubblica, turn left onto Via Roma and continue straight onto Via Calzaiuoli. This will take you to Piazza del Duomo. After that, head south on Via dei Calzaiuoli until you reach Piazza della Signoria, where you will find Palazzo Vecchio. The Uffizi Gallery is just adjacent to this, on the right side of the square. This entire walk should take you approximately 20 minutes and the gallery's entrance is clearly marked.
To reach the Uffizi Gallery in Florence by bike, start from the Santa Maria Novella railway station. You need to head southeast on Piazza della Stazione towards Via Luigi Alamanni. After that, turn left onto Via Luigi Alamanni. Now, you must turn right onto Via della Scala and continue onto Via dei Fossi. It's important to turn left onto Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci then turn right onto Lungarno degli Acciaiuoli. At the roundabout, continue straight to stay on Lungarno degli Acciaiuoli, and then turn left onto Ponte Vecchio. Go through 1 roundabout, and then turn right onto Via Por Santa Maria. Finally, turn left onto Piazza della Signoria and you will find the Uffizi Gallery on the right side. Be careful with traffic regulations and always use bicycle lanes if available.
To reach the Uffizi Gallery in Florence by public transport, you have several options. If you're coming from the Florence Santa Maria Novella (SMN) train station, the most direct route is by Bus D which stops at the 'Galleria degli Uffizi' stop, very close to the museum. Another option is to take the Bus C2 which stops at the 'Rosselli' stop, a 10-minute walk from the Uffizi. If you are coming from the other side of the city, you can take Bus 23 and get off at the 'Verdi' stop, which is a 5-minute walk to the gallery. For those traveling by car, you can park in the nearby Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia parking lot, a 15-minute walk from the museum. Always remember to check the local bus provider, ATAF, for accurate bus schedules. Don't forget to validate your bus ticket upon entering! It's always a good idea to verify your journey with a local map.
To get to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence by car, initially choose your starting point as Piazzale Michelangelo. Head northeast on Viale Michelangiolo toward Piazza Giuseppe Poggi. Turn right onto Piazza Giuseppe Poggi and at the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Viale Giuseppe Poggi. Turn right onto Lungarno Serristori, then left onto Piazza Demidoff, and continue onto Via de' Benci. Now, make a slight right onto Borgo dei Greci and use any lane to turn slightly left onto Via dei Leoni. In 200 meters, at the roundabout continue straight onto Via della Ninna, to reach Piazzale degli Uffizi, where the Uffizi Gallery is located. Remember, this place has strict traffic regulations and only authorized vehicles are allowed. It's recommended to park your car in one of the garages outside the city center and walk or use public transportation. The closest parking lots are at Piazzale Michelangelo (approx. 1,5 km away) or Garage Lungarno near Ponte Vecchio. Using public transportation, buses No. 23, C3, D from Santa Maria Novella train station will get you there.
