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Gallery of the Academy of Florence
2026 Europe 50 - Best Things to Do

Gallery of the Academy of Florence

9.5
4.5/5
563 reviews
The Gallery of the Academy of Florence was established in 1784 by Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo of Tuscany through the reorganization of Florence's art education institutions. It is located on the former sites of the San Matteo Hospital and the San Niccolò Monastery, with its origins tracing back to the Academy of Drawing Arts founded by Cosimo I de' Medici in 1563. The gallery's collection initially served as a teaching resource for students to copy original works. In 1873, to protect Michelangelo's David from exposure to the elements in Piazza della Signoria, the statue was secured on a wooden cart and transported through the center of Florence to the gallery. As the dedicated exhibition hall was not yet completed, it remained sealed in a wooden crate for nine years until the Tribune of David, designed by architect Emilio De Fabris, was finished and opened to the public. Today, David stands bathed in natural light from the skylight above, drawing countless visitors who come specifically to see it. The museum also displays a concentrated collection of Michelangelo's four unfinished sculptures, "The Prisoners," originally carved for Pope Julius II's tomb, along with the equally incomplete "St. Matthew." The human figures appear to be breaking free from the rough stone, offering a direct experience of his "unfinished" sculptural language. At the center of the Hall of the Colossus near the entrance stands Giambologna's full-scale terracotta model for the marble group "The Rape of the Sabine Women," created for the Loggia dei Lanzi. Surrounding it are 15th- to 16th-century Florentine paintings by Botticelli, Perugino, Filippino Lippi, and others. The 19th-century hall, originally a women's hospital ward, now replicates the studio of Lorenzo Bartolini, displaying plaster models. The museum also houses a musical instruments section, featuring a Stradivari viola and cello once owned by the Medici family, as well as early keyboard instruments made by Bartolomeo Cristofori, the inventor of the piano. The visitor route extends from the Hall of the Colossus at the entrance to the Hall of David at the end. Most travelers turn back to the exit after seeing "David," leaving the painting galleries and the musical instrument department on both sides with sparse crowds, making them great places for quiet art viewing. The museum is not large and has a clear layout. Long queues at the entrance are common during the peak season, but the painting galleries and musical instrument exhibition areas are less crowded and worth visiting as well.Florence · 1.1 km from downtown
Giotto's Bell Tower
No. 9 of Best Things to Do in Tuscany

Giotto's Bell Tower

7.8
4.6/5
321 reviews
Giotto's Bell Tower is the bell tower of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, standing close to one side of the cathedral. Together with the cathedral's facade and the octagonal baptistery, it forms the Piazza del Duomo. Designed by the painter Giotto, construction began in 1334. At the time of his death, only the ground floor was completed. The work was subsequently continued by Andrea Pisano and Francesco Talenti, and the tower was completed in 1359. The tower features Florentine Gothic style with a square plan and stands approx. 85 m tall. Its exterior walls are adorned with geometric patterns in white, red, and green marble, color-coordinated with the cathedral's facade. The tower body is divided into 5 layers: the bottom layer is a closed structure without windows, decorated with relief panels on all sides depicting the origins of humanity and various crafts such as farming, weaving, astronomy, and medicine, like an illustrated encyclopedia carved in stone; the niches in the upper layer contain white marble statues of prophets and sibyls, with all currently seen being replicas; the several layers above were added later and feature large window openings. The bell tower has no elevator, and reaching the top requires climbing over 400 steps. The staircase is narrow, and during peak times, you can only move slowly, so it's advisable to assess your physical condition. However, once you stand on the tower's top platform, you'll have a panoramic view of Florence's old town with its red-tiled roofs and a close-up look at the cathedral's iconic red dome. This spot also offers a rare angle for an overhead shot of the cathedral's full view.Florence · 656m from downtown

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Featured Culture & history in Florence

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Uffizi Gallery: Reserved Entry + Digital Audio Guide
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Featured Food & drink in Florence

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Tuscany Experience: Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano & Wine Tasting
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Florence Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class with Unlimited Wine
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From Florence: 1-day tour to Pisa, Siena and San Gimignano (with lunch)
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Florence Cooking Class: Lasagna, Tiramisu & Market or Pasta Class
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Montefioralle Winery - Tour and Wine Tasting in Chianti
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Featured Spa & wellness in Florence

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Chianciano Terme: Theia Thermal Pools Entrance Ticket
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Chianciano Terme: Sensory Spa Admission Ticket
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Florence: Relax Pass for Asmana Wellness World Spa & Drink
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Montecatini Terme Thermal Pool Entrance Ticket
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Florence: Asmana Spa, Frescobaldi Wine Tasting & Transfer
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Featured Day tours in Florence

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Florence: Accademia Gallery Small Group Tour
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Uffizi Gallery: Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket
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Florence: Perfume Masterclass and Sensory Experience
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Accademia Gallery Timed Entry Tickets and Guided Tours
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Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano with Lunch & Winery Experience
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What travelers say about Florence

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Dreamer2002October 27, 2026
5.0
⛪ Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence 🇮🇹 — A Renaissance Wonder! ✨Visiting Florence’s magnificent cathedral, also known as the Duomo, was an unforgettable experience! ❤️ Its breathtaking marble façade, intricate details, and iconic red dome make it one of Italy’s most beautiful architectural masterpieces. 🏛️😍What impressed me most was Brunelleschi’s extraordinary dome, an engineering achievement that still inspires admiration centuries later. The atmosphere of Piazza del Duomo is equally magical, especially in the early morning. 🌅📸💡 Travel tip: Cathedral entry is free, but climbing the 463 steps to the dome requires a paid reservation. The panoramic views over Florence are absolutely spectacular! 🏙️❤️ A must-see destination where art, history, and Renaissance architecture come together beautifully!#Florence #SantaMariaDelFiore #DuomoDiFirenze #ItalyTravel

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

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Blessed by GodSeptember 28, 2022
5.0
such a lovely place, the duomo or cathedral is very big that I cannot take a picture of the whole cathedral. Even if I have seen it several times I always love to visit and see it again and again.

Piazza del Duomo

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_We***60October 30, 2026
5.0
Eva's explanations were witty, humorous, and easy to understand. She's an expert in Western art history, and none of my questions were stumped. We had a very pleasant and successful afternoon. The Uffizi is definitely worth visiting! Florence is so beautiful.

Uffizi Gallery

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Anonymous userOctober 24, 2026
4.0
It is worth a visit if you want to see David and you are into Christianity painting, sculpture and stuffs

Gallery of the Academy of Florence

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蓝篮~April 4, 2026
5.0
It's worth a visit. Although I don't know much about Florence, I just wanted to check it off my list and get a feel for it. I recommend splitting your time between visiting the Pitt Palace and the Uffizi Gallery. You can go to the Pitt Palace around 8 am and spend most of the day exploring it at your own pace. Because of time constraints, we didn't get to see much of the Boboli Gardens. Our accommodation near the train station was quite convenient. This was my second time in Florence, and I'd probably come back for a third time if I had the chance.

Pitti Palace

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Nath1176September 20, 2026
4.0
You certainly need to be reasonably fit to manage the steps to the top of the tower, walked past quite a few people struggling for breathe 🤣 At the moment there is scaffolding around the tower which does impact some of the views but still worth a visit. The ticket also gives you access to the museum, cathedral and the baptistery so provided good value for money and a good way to spend a few hours

Giotto's Bell Tower

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M56***64May 11, 2026
5.0
The towers of the Old Palace are well worth climbing; they offer panoramic views of the city and the Florence Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore). However, climbing the cathedral itself would obscure the view of the Old Palace itself. The interior of the Old Palace is also magnificent, with many rooms open to the public. However, the rooms are mostly furnished with frescoes and few other pieces of furniture or decoration.

Palazzo Vecchio

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Lavender and SunOctober 8, 2021
5.0
The cultural center of Europe, the birthplace of the European Renaissance, the birthplace of opera, and a world-famous cultural tourist destination. Built in 1345, the Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in Florence. The Ponte Vecchio was formerly the corridor from the Uffizi Palace to the Pitti Palace across the river.

Piazza della Signoria

Trip Moments in Florence

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Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Florence?

Don't miss these attractions in Florence: Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Piazza del Duomo, and Uffizi Gallery. If you like Culture & history, try Uffizi Gallery: Reserved Entry + Digital Audio Guide. If you enjoy Food & drink, try Tuscany Experience: Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano & Wine Tasting.

You can give Tuscany Experience: Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano & Wine Tasting and Florence Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class with Unlimited Wine a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Florence: Accademia Gallery Small Group Tour, Full-Day Small-Group Cinque Terre Tour from Florence, and Uffizi Gallery: Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Ticket. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of November 1, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Florence is around MXN 791.76 – MXN 3,252.64. Rates vary by duration, group size, transportation, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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