When I was preparing for my trip to Florence, I was excited to see the famous pieces of art, Florence is known for. I was a bit shocked by the high entrance fees for the museums in this city. Of course, I wanted to see some art, but which museum in Florence to choose? Should I visit the Uffizi or Accademia museum?
As I’m a big fan of Caravaggio, I wanted to go to the Uffizi to see 3 of his pieces there.
But I knew the Accademia had the David.
Because I couldn’t decide which museum in Florence to choose, I didn’t make a choice at all.
I forked over the money to see the big two. This was mainly due to the fact that we had the time to go see them both and I felt the fear of missing out.
Are you pressed for time while visiting Florence? Or on a really tight budget for your visit to Tuscany? But do you still want to see some of the famous pieces of art, Florence is known for?
Do you wonder how to choose a museum in Florence? Read on and I’ll help you decide between the Uffizi museum and the Galleria dell’Accademia.
I paid for everything in full myself. I was not paid or sponsored. All my opinions and experiences are my own.
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What do the 2 museums have in common?
First, let me start off by pointing out the things the two big museums in Florence have in common.
The Uffizi museum and the Galleria dell’Accademia
- Both have excellent websites for browsing and booking. Uffizi museum and Accademia Museum.
- Both are located in the center of Florence
- and both 5***** star museums in my book
- Both entrance fees are €12 to €20 depending on when you go
- You can buy your tickets online in advance
- Both museums are included in the Firenze card
The two museums seem to have a lot in common. You can easily walk to the museums and explore them while in the city.
You can buy the tickets in advance via the website.
But you do need to pay a booking fee and sometimes an additional surcharge for exhibition fees.
If you really like museums, you can buy the Firenze card and go to both as much as you like.
If you want to know more about the Firenze card and see if it’s worth the money, check out Indiana Jo’s blog about the card. But then you won’t be reading this article as you do not have to choose one museum in Florence over the other.
The differences between Uffizi and Accademia
They have some things in common but of course, they are also different. Otherwise, you would be indifferent about choosing one of the other.
Well, the differences.
I’ll tell you a little bit about my experiences in both museums later on, but the global differences are:
Differences between Uffizi and Accademia
- The Uffizi is a gorgeous building on its own, the Accademia is not
- Uffizi’s main focus is on paintings, then sculptures and other pieces of art
- Accademia’s main focus is on sculptures
- Uffizi has many, many different Italian and other artists on display
- Accademia has a few sculptures, the main focus is on 1 piece of art
- Picking up tickets at the Uffizi is easier as there is a separate entrance
- Pre-brought tickets still have you waiting in line. Longer at the Accademia than at the Uffizi,
- the Uffizi has a really nice cafe where you can rest, spend your euros and enjoy the view
- Accademia can be done in an hour (although you won’t do justice to the museum). If you’re short on time, you can go in and out of the Accademia while the complex of the Uffizi is much bigger and you have more ground to cover
- Uffizi has many pieces of art for your euros. It feels the ratio ‘dose of art versus euros to pay’ seems balanced
- Accademia has one of the most perfect and brilliant masterpieces of art of modern times on display. The WOW factor seems to exceed the amount you have to pay.
Well, without giving away too much of my own experiences, I tried to compare the two a little bit.
You can spend many many hours in the Uffizi and still haven’t seen all the pieces of art on display here.
While in the Accademia, you can gawk at one of the most famous pieces of art ever made.
Well, what do you choose?
Please read on and I’ll tell you my experiences.
Galleria del Uffizi Museum in Florence
The famous family of Renaissance Florence, the Medici family, has been pretty dominated throughout the ages.
And they loved art.
And they were rich.
So when you put these two together, you’ll get an enormous collection of true masterpieces. That’s the Uffizi museum, one of the top museums in Florence.
The Uffizi Museum is one of the top attractions in Florence.
This museum is made by Vasari and the building itself is a true masterpiece. From one side you’ll have amazing views of the Arno River and the Ponte Vecchio Bridge.
But that’s just the outside. Shall we go in? I’ll take you through the museum. Follow me, please!
What to see at Uffizi Museum?
Once you’ll get inside you’ll walk from room to room.
I love museums a lot and have been to many before.
But I also get tired quite quickly.
There is so much art to see.
Paintings, sculptures, busts. As many are not that famous, you’ll have to read who the painter was. Or what it depicts.
I usually scan a room. See a few paintings that I like and really look at them and take my time.
I didn’t find the first rooms after the entrance that interesting. The main rooms with the masterpieces are situated a little further down the museum.
The Uffizi is popular for a reason.
The Uffizi museum in Florence has many great masters of art.
The masterpieces and top attractions are two works of Leonardo da Vinci, one signature piece of Michelangelo, and iconic works by Raphael and Titian.
I was able to add 3 paintings by Caravaggio to my list which made me very happy.
Venus of Botticelli at the Uffizi
But the main reason for going to the Uffizi was the art of Botticelli.
The famous picture-perfect postcard of the Birth of Venus and her little sister, La Primavera was amazing to see in real life.
The Venus adorned my Greek textbook for 2 years back in high school and it is depicted on every postcard, calendar, and phone case sold in Florence and its surroundings.
But seeing the myth of Venus arriving on a sea shelf on the shore with my own eyes is a completely different thing.
I love the tone of the color pink on the mantle which covers the nude goddess in a contrast to the green hues of the sea.
A marvelous masterpiece of Florentine’s Renaissance.
When you stand in front of the painting, you feel yourself shifting your weight to the other leg, mimicking the painting. You tilt your head a little bit while you look into the eyes of Venus.
The painting is quite large and you won’t be disappointed with it.
It is a masterpiece for a reason.
It speaks to you and the Uffizi is the proud museum in Florence to have it on display.
Sea Shell Room Uffizi Galleria
Halfway down the first corridor on the first floor, there is a little special something for you. It’s called the Tribune.
It’s a room you cannot enter but can view from 3 different sides. Inside are the most precious pieces of art from the collectors. But mainly the room is just brilliant on its own.
Red velvet walls give you the feeling of a posh boudoir. The cold marble floors fit nicely with the museum, but the roof is made of precious shelves.
The ivory color of the shelves is almost see-through and it is a nice little surprise after all the sculptures and paintings.
Have you seen it during your visit to the Uffizi museum in Florence? What did you think of la Tribuna?
Once you get tired and trust me, you will, you can take a break at the cafe at the end of the first floor.
This cafe is top-notch expensive with little service and average food but serves a great view over the Piazza Della Signoria and the Palazzo Vecchio which is one of the famous sights of Florence.
But you do not have to order at the cafe to get the views. There is room to snap a picture from besides the terrace of the cafe.
Conclusion about the Uffizi museum in Florence: is Uffizi Gallery worth it?
Well, what did you think about my tour of the Uffizi museum in Florence? Do you feel you want to go? I sure did!
The Uffizi is packed full of art. For the price of €20, you get to spend the whole day roaming the halls of this museum in Florence.
You can add many famous Renaissance artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Botticelli to your list of famous painters.
If you like art and don’t mind spending the day in a museum, I sure recommend going to the Uffizi museum in Florence.
The Uffizi offers a lot of art for your ticket! In my opinion, it is well worth it to visit the Uffizi Gallery if you like paintings.
Tickets for Uffizi Museum
If you’ve decided to visit the Uffizi Museum, it is best to purchase your tickets in advance and reserve a time slot.
Besides the website of the Uffizi museum, there are several options, I list a few below:
Galleria dell’Accademia Museum in Florence
Besides the Uffizi museum, there is another museum in Florence at the top of the list of things to do in the city.
That’s the Galleria dell’Accademia.
Home to David.
David who?
When you’re thinking about David Bowie, that’s understandable but not correct.
I mean David. From Goliath. The small man in the ancient story slays the giant Goliath with a stone. The most used metaphor for when the underdog wins from the favorite.
In the case of Florence’s David, it’s the sculpture depicting this story from the book of Samuel.
David has become iconic for the city of Florence.
First, the statue of David was situated at the Piazza Della Signoria but was moved indoors to protect it from weather influences.
At the square, there is still a loggia showing a smaller replica of the sculpture.
Ok, I hear what you think. What is all the fuss about?
It’s a sculpture.
A piece of marble stone.
Showing a man.
With a rock.
Why should I wait in line and pay that much money to see it, you ask??
Well.
The Accademia is a little more than just the David.
It also houses sculptures from other artists and works from Michelangelo. But its main attraction is the David.
And let me tell you: it is all worth it.
Definitely.
Without a doubt.
Other art at the Accademia Gallery Florence
Going into the museum and trying to avoid the main room, is fun.
You can first look at all the other things to see to build the suspension.
In the first room, there is a cast model of the Rape of the Sabines by Giambologna.
You can walk around it and feel the full scope of the sculptures. There was also an interesting display of musical instruments in the far wing of the Accademia museum in Florence.
But when you’ve seen everything there is only 1 hall left.
The main hall.
With a skylight adorning the David, specifically built to have the right lighting for the man.
Michelangelo’s David Florence
Looking at the David is like getting a little electric shock. You have to swallow to get that chunk down your throat.
Then you breathe in a little bit of extra air because you forgot to breathe for a short moment.
You look at the sculpture and feel yourself moving towards it.
Eyes on the head, you’re drawn in by the intense look of the young David. You feel the tension on his face and you see the loose grip of his fingers around the sling with the stone.
You want to get closer and touch the statue.
Prove to yourself that this is not a real man.
Confirm that this is a sculpture made of marble.
Hard and cold stone.
But it looks so tender and delicate. How is this possible? How can you be mesmerized by an inert object?
The answer is: because of the brilliance of Michelangelo!
Isn’t that the man who painted the Sixteenth Chapel in Vatican City?
Yes, it is.
But Michelangelo was first and foremost a sculptor.
I already knew this from seeing his famous Pièta at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome, but seeing David was of a whole different order.
The making of David
Young Michelangelo was only 26 years old when he made the David. Here are some remarkable facts from the website of the Accademia which you have to read.
This astonishing Renaissance sculpture was created between 1501 and 1504. It is a 14.0 ft marble statue depicting the Biblical hero David, represented as a standing male nude.
Originally commissioned by the Opera del Duomo for the Cathedral of Florence, it was meant to be one of a series of large statues to be positioned in the niches of the cathedral’s tribunes, way up at about 80mt from the ground.
After more than two years of tough work, Michelangelo decided to present his “Giant” to the members of the Vestry Board.
In January 1504, his 14 foot tall David was unveiled only to them: they all agreed that it was far too perfect to be placed up high in the Cathedral, thus it was decided to discuss another location in town.
When you read more about the intensive labor and precise details made by Michelangelo, you will only appreciate this masterpiece more.
The statue looks so real, it even made me blush a little bit. I mean, it is a nude male figure, toned to perfection. Yauwzaaa!!
If Michelango’s David would be a man, living in modern times, he would be a supermodel and mister Universe at the same time.
He would be Instafamous just for posting pictures of himself. I’d follow him!
Did you go and see David at the Accademia museum in Florence? Were you impressed just like me?
Conclusion about the Accademia Galleria
The main attraction of the Accademia museum in Florence is the statue of David.
The price of €12 to €20 (depending on the season and booking online) seems a bit much for just one piece of art, but I must say, it was the most brilliantly crafted piece of art I’ve ever seen.
You can see the David at the square of Signoria in Florence, but that doesn’t do justice to the original.
You can sit and look at the David all day or go in and out under half an hour and cross it off your list of things to do. It is up to you.
Tickets for Accademia Museum
Waiting time for the Accademia Museum adds up quickly, so it is best to purchase your ticket in advance online and reserve a time slot.
Besides the website of the Accademia museum, here are some options:
Uffizi Gallery vs Accademia Museum
Do you already know which museum in Florence you want to visit? Have you made up your mind? For me, it’s impossible to tell you to choose one over the other.
I felt the Uffizi museum gave me a lot of paintings and gorgeous pieces of art, which are important for Renaissance art.
The Accademia on the other hand, gave me 1 brilliant piece of art which I wouldn’t want to miss for the world.
Short on time and not that big of a fan of art? Go to the Accademia.
Want some art for your bucks and have the time to explore? Go to the Uffizi.
Art lover and time? Go to the Uffizi.. and the Accademia. Or buy the Firenze card and explore all of the museums in Florence.
The good thing is if you choose one over the other, you’ll have a splendid reason to go back and visit the other museum in Florence on your return visit.
Uffizi and Accademia Tickets
If you’re anything like me, you’ll have severe FOMO and want to see both the Uffizi and the Accademia museum.
It is not such an odd combination if you’re in Florence. Here are some combined ticket and tour options to visit both the Accademia and the Uffizi museum
- Skip-the-line tickets for both Accademia and Uffizi
- Small group walking tour to visit Uffizi museum and Accademia
- Entry ticket with reserved time slot for both musea with audio-guide
Uffizi and Accademia galleries in a day?
Do you have little time in Florence and you’re a serious museum/art buff? And you wonder how to see both the Uffizi and Accademia galleries in 1 day?
Wow.
I applaud you. It wouldn’t be my preference, as it is just too much museum in one day, but if one day is all you’ll have, then it can be done.
The key to this endeavor is to be prepared. You need your skip-the-line tickets and you need a good time plan. And stick to it.
But the chances are high, you’ll get lost in the sea of art. It would be better to have someone to guide you through these 2 museums, watch the clock and makes sure you’ll not miss the highlights of each museum.
Your best option to be is to book this guided tour, where you’ll visit both the Uffizi and the Accademia in one day.
Uffizi Gallery and Accademia Florence
Have you been to the Uffizi museum or the Accademia museum in Florence?
What did you think? Which one did you like best and why? Please share your experiences in the comment section below.
If you liked this, you might also like my post about the 5 ways to explore the Duomo of Florence. Or my Free Walking Route around Florence. Make sure to check it out.
Wonderfully put. Though I will say that even more so than the David, we were blown away by The Prisoners in the hall leading up to the David and if I remember correctly, you cannot go up to the David and then walk back down the hall with the Prisoners sculptures as the museum keeps the flow moving one way? It may have changed in the years since we’ve been, so my apologies if this is old info. Yes, the David is jaw-dropping, but I was much more moved by the Prisoners that feel as though, if it was quiet enough, you could hear them struggling to get out of the marble. Just amazing.
And I loved the shadow photo of David ! Nicely done!
Thank you Harmony. Glad you enjoyed it so much.
I was in Florence last September and because of the time crunch I was in, I had choose the Accademia over the Uffizi and it was well worth it! This article depicts the reasons why I thought Michelangelo’s David was so worthwhile to see in person and I got the same information plus more, also I learned new facts really in-depth that I wouldn’t have otherwise. The experience of seeing the sculpture in person and hearing about the David simultaneously made my choice worthwhile. The next time I go to Florence I will definitely visit the Uffizi gallery 🙂
We did have to make this choice as we visited Florence as a cruise port. We opted for Uffizi, and really enjoyed it. I had been Accademia years ago, but hubby hadn’t been to either. I love the photo of the statue David shadow. Very artistic and creative. Nice to see it photographed a bit differently.
Thanks Rhonda, it is always hard to make choices when you have limited time. Glas you liked the Uffizi.
Fantastic comparison! Both museums look like they would be a wonderful day, who says you need to choose 🙂 Makes me want to be in Italy.