8 Tips to Know Before Visiting the Uffizi Gallery in Florence

Those with a hearty admiration for arts and intriguing objects of the past definitely get their ears pricked with the mention of Uffizi Gallery in Florence.

After all, we are talking about one of the world's fabled galleries bristling with magnificent works of art wrought by creative geniuses such as Botticelli, Raphael, Caravaggio,  Michelangelo, and many more.

The Uffizi Gallery paintings and artworks are carefully nestled within its 45 plus magnificent halls that sit between first and second floors of the museum. In case you don't know—the palace which houses the Uffizi Gallery was private residence of Medici family.

The last heir of the Medici family bequeathed the grandiose collection to the state of Tuscany under the condition that treasures are never moved anywhere else.

Uffizi Gallery in Florence is worth the hype and ballyhoo it attracts. This also means that if you want to visit this culturally significant colossus, you need to have enough time on your hands and plan a few things in advance.

Plan Your Trip in Advance

Uffizi Gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays, January 1, May 1, December 25. It is open 8:15 am to 6:50 pm, so make sure you reach there on time and make the most of it.

Beat the Long Queues

Visiting any popular place comes with tedious waiting— you'd think. But nothing can really prepare you mentally for long, tiring hours you could end up standing in the queue if you don't book tickets online.

You could book tickets from the official website or third party sites and save the trouble of cooling your heels under the hot sun.

For security reasons, not more than 900 visitors are allowed in the Uffizi Gallery at a time. Entry to the new lot is allowed when visitors from the earlier slot start moving out.

Given the size of the Gallery and the attractions it holds, the waiting time can be pretty gruesome, so beat the long queues by booking the tickets online.

The impressive Uffizi gallery artworks deserve more than a few cursory glances—and even if you intend not to spend more time inside, we are sure once inside, you'd have a change of heart.

So, the best way to go about is to ensure that you don't have a lot of activities crammed on your program for the day and just bask yourself in the artsy vibe of the gallery.

Since you will be spending a good 2-3 hours or even more inside the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, you'd be better off carrying only the essential items in your bag.

While you have the option to deposit your bags in the cloakroom for free, as much as possible, ensure you pack in only that which is absolutely necessary for a hassle-free experience.

There's going to be a lot of dawdling, strolling, and standing around in the museum. The paintings and artworks are all entrancing and the tour will keep you on your toes. So, in the best interest of your feet, wear comfortable shoes.

Taking photos isn't allowed in the museum. Period. We know it could be heartbreaking for many, but rules are rules.

Despite photography being forbidden, some will manage to sneak in a selfie or two—which is wrong, and should you come across someone flouting the rules, you can report them to museum guards. The artworks are priceless and it's the responsibility of every visitor to uphold the integrity of the museum.

From Renaissance pioneers to Modern masters, the assemblage of paintings, artworks, and sculptures at the Uffizi Gallery is incomparable—without a doubt.

However, the vastness of the museum could get overwhelming if you were to just meander about without knowing what you are looking at.

For this, we'd recommend Googling up on the artworks beforehand or opting for guided tours (in person or audio), which will definitely add more than a few euros to your budget but if you can, you should consider it!

This might sound 'duh-uh', well, who doesn't drink water but you will have to ensure that you are hydrated enough as you aren't allowed to carry any kind of beverages. But don't worry, it doesn't mean you have to stay parched.

The terrace cafe at the Uffizi Gallery is a great place to catch your breath, have a cup of coffee (or nosh on a snack or two) and admire the glorious views of the Palazzo Vecchio and Brunelleschi’s dome.

Giorgio Vasari, the chief architect behind this spectacular edifice built a secret overground passageway to join the Uffizi Gallery with the Pitti Palace.

Known as Vasari Corridor, it is lined with a rare collection of paintings tracing back to 16th and 17th centuries. While earlier, visitors who booked private guided tours were given access to the corridor, plans are underway to allow entry to all the visitors for a separate fee.