Florence is the perfect Italian city for leisure travel in many ways, not the least of which is its world-class museums. Two of the most famous works of art, Michelangelo Buonarroti's David and Sandro Botticelli's Birth of Venus, are displayed here, along with many, many other top examples of Renaissance art.
A luxury vacation in Florence isn't complete without a visit to at least one of its two top museums. Tourists are allowed to stroll through museum halls at their leisure (although the lines to get in are often quite formidable). Florence is home to the most Renaissance art and architecture in the world, and the sheer magnitude of museums can be overwhelming. Here are my favorites, the museums in Florence which I consider to be the top can't-miss stops to enhance your Italian vacation.
The best (and most popular) museums in Florence, Italy:
- Galleria dell'Accademia - The big draw here, of course, is Michelangelo's David. This 1504 masterpiece is reproduced on posters and postcards (even underwear!) across the world, but nothing beats seeing David in person. I found myself fascinated by Nonfiniti (Unfinished Slaves), also by Michelangelo. These are perfectly carved torsos that seem to be straining to break free from their original large marble blocks. Off to one side is a wonderful, and often overlooked, collection of rare musical instruments. It's interesting to see Stradivarius violins up close. The crowds at the Accademia are unavoidable, but respectful: No need to rush your visit once you're in.
- Galleria degli Uffizi - The Uffizi is huge, and a Renaissance art lover can easily spend the entire day here. The Gallery of 45 large rooms, arranged in roughly chronological order, is the largest and best collection of Renaissance painting in the world. Because the Uffizi is the most popular museum in Florence, reserve your tickets before your trip to Italy. Otherwise, especially during peak travel seasons, the Uffizi is hard to get into. My favorite rooms hold paintings by Da Vinci, Verrocchio and Botticelli, such as The Adoration of the Magi, Baptism of Christ, and the Birth of Venus. Emotions are close to the surface at the Uffizi; I saw many tourists wiping tears from their eyes as they stood in front of Caravaggio, Rubens, Da Vinci and Botticelli masterpieces.
The Accademia and Uffizi are the most popular museum tourist spots in Florence. Spending a couple of hours on line is not my idea of luxury travel; nor should it be yours. I strongly recommend that you book your museum visit tickets while still planning your trip to Florence. Click here to order your museum tickets. The small surcharge is absolutely worth avoiding those long lines.
Related, on Suite 101:
Best Smaller Museums in Florence
Luxury Hotels in Florence, Italy
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