Uffizi
For years, seeing the dazzling collection of Botticellis, Michelangelos, Titians, and da Vincis meant standing in line – some times for hours. But now, there are several options for visiting the Uffizi that eliminate the wait.
If you’re in Florence during the off season (October through April), you can probably buy tickets for the following day at the “New Uffizi” office in the Pitti Palace. You can select a time for your visit, and then show up at the designated hour.
But travelers visiting Florence during the summer will need to make plans in advance. You can buy Uffizi tickets online through several websites. At press time, the charge for two was 28 Euros for admission and 10.98 Euros for online reservations. When there is a special exhibit at the gallery – such as the Caravaggio show – there’s an additional charge.
But it’s a great value when you factor in the time saved. You can also choose from several guided tours, some of which combine the Uffizi and the Accademia,
If you love art and want to visit several of the great museums in Florence, there are two other options to consider. The Amici degli Uffizi, or Friends of the Uffizi card, funds restorations and special projects at the Uffizi museum. The price of the card is 60 Euros, or 100 Euros for a family of four, and it includes admission to twenty museums in Florence for one year. You simply show your card at the Amici welcome desk with proof of ID and receive a ticket for immediate admission.
For those who travel to Florence often – or those who want to visit the Uffizi more than once – it’s the best deal. And it supports a really good cause. Membership also includes discounts for concerts at several venues in Florence.
Firenze Card
The latest combined ticket offering is the Firenze Card, introduced in March, 2011. The card, which costs 50 Euros is valid for 72 hours and includes admission to 33 galleries, museums, and gardens in Florence. It also includes free transportation on city buses and trams.
You can buy your card in advance and then validate it at the first museum you visit. Card holders don’t have to wait in line, and once the card is validated, it’s good for 72 hours.
The Firenze Card is really only a good deal if you plan to visit lots of attractions. Otherwise, it may be less expensive to make reservations for the museums you want to visit in advance. The other caveat is that the card allows only one entrance per attraction. So if you visit the Uffizi, you won’t be able to return the next time to see something you missed.
