How To See the Statue of David in Florence

Any travel guru can agree that Michelangelo’s David is not only a symbol of Florence—it’s an art icon. You can see the statue of David in three spots around Florence, but only one is the real deal. Standing at a whopping 17 feet tall, the authentic David is in the Galleria dell’Accademia, but you won’t be able to get in on most days. Here’s how to see Michelangelo’s David. 

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Pro Tip: If you like this article, definitely check out our insiders’ guide to local things to do in Florence. Bookmark both articles in your browser, so you can circle back to them when you’re in Europe. If you’re still planning your trip, see our complete Florence guide for more resources.

The story of David is incredible and best told by locals. We like to think these famous works merit a full explanation by a tour guide—check out this guide to our Florence tours and our tour of the real David by Michelangelo. Ok, enough selling and onto the info!

How to visit Michelangelo's David in Florence

Accademia Gallery Hours

The Galleria dell’Accademia opens at 8:15 am, closes at 6:15 pm, and is closed on Mondays. The ticket office closes at 6:50 pm, so you cannot enter past that time.

If you’re looking for cheap things to do in Florence, the Accademia is free every first Sunday of the month, along with every other State Museum in Florence.

The line for the museum can get pretty long, which is another reason we recommend doing a guided tour for the skip-the-line access you get. You can also reserve tickets on your own. We don’t sell those directly but with a quick internet search you’ll find out where to reserve tickets. 

Statue of David Tickets

You don’t need to go on a guided tour to see David, but the lines can be quite long. Additionally, the museum does not provide nearly enough information for visitors to fully appreciate it.

A guided walking tour will get you skip-the-line tickets. For anyone who cannot wait to see this admirable work of art, this is a great way to go. However, if you choose to forgo a guided tour, there are several websites that sell tickets.

Not ready to book a tour? Read more on Florence to understand what everyone is raving about!

Statue of David Facts

You may wonder how Michelangelo’s David got its claim to fame. And if you’ve never seen the thing, that’s a pretty reasonable question. For those who have, you know that this statue is massive. Its sheer size alone will make you do a double-take.

The statue depicts the biblical character David, the victor of the famous David and Goliath battle. It is the first to depict the scene right before David slaughters Goliath, whereas prior interpretations have depicted David during and after the kill.

Aside from its magnificent size and scenic timing, Michelangelo’s David is, well, Michelangelo’s David—the renowned artist who sculpted La Pieta for St. Peter’s Basilica and painted the entire Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo is not just an Italian artist, he’s the Italian artist.

And to state what may seem obvious, the statue’s fame also comes from the intricate detail Michelangelo dedicated to the piece. This iconic work of art came from a giant block of Carrara marble, and Michelangelo simply carved it into what we now see as the David.

There Are Three Davids in Florence

Yes, there are three. There’s one in the Galleria dell’Accademia, one in Piazza della Signoria, and one atop Piazzale Michelangelo. Check out where all three Davids are and how to get to them. One of them is at an amazing viewpoint of Florence. 

He Has an Infamous Right Hand

The right hand is disproportionately large. Some believe this was Michelangelo’s nod to the nickname of David, manu fortis meaning strong of hand.

Others believe that this was because the statue was originally positioned outside. Artists often exaggerated the proportions of their subjects to manipulate the way they are perceived from multiple angles.

Relationship With the Medici Family

Michelangelo was extremely close with Lorenzo de’ Medici who is often considered the father of the Renaissance, hence his title Lorenzo the Great.

His relationship with Lorenzo’s decedents was mostly civil despite some minor arguments. All in all, the Medici commissioned some of Michelangelo’s greatest masterpieces including the Last Judgement in the Sistine Chapel and Moses in San Pietro in Vincoli, Rome.

Even an Earthquake Can’t Defeat Him

The statue has suffered severe fractures and cracks in its shins and ankles over the years due to earthquakes. As a result, the David now stands on an anti-seismic platform that protects it from further earthquake damage.

He’s Missing a Toe

The second toe of his left foot was smashed off in September of 1991 by Italian artist Piero Cannata, who snuck a hammer into the Accademia.

Cannata was quoted by the Italian news agency Ansa saying that it was the original model Michelangelo used to carve David that asked him to do it.  Sure.

Not ready to book a tour? Read more on Florence to understand what everyone is raving about!