Skip the Line Uffizi Gallery Tour
See Botticelli, Caravaggio, and Michelangelo's masterpieces in Florence's famous Uffizi Gallery
Without the right guide, the Uffizi can feel like just another art museum. With us, you’ll skip the lines and head straight to the masterpieces with a dynamic guide who makes the art fun and easy to enjoy. Explore the most famous works by Botticelli, Michelangelo, and da Vinci, and discover how they helped shape Florence into the city it is today.You’ll leave not only having seen the art but with a deeper understanding of its impact on Florence’s identity, all while having a fantastic time.
- Meeting point at Piazza della Signoria
- Uffizi Gallery
- La Primavera
- Botticelli's Birth of Venus
- Michelangelo's Holy Family (Doni Tondo)
- Madonna and Child with Saints
- Caravaggio’s Medusa
- End inside Uffizi Gallery
You’ll meet your expert local guide and the rest of your group in the Piazza della Signoria, just a short walk from the Uffizi Gallery. With over million visitors per year, waiting times in busy months can last hours, but our skip-the-line tickets let you stroll right in to start exploring! Once inside, your guide will share their wealth of knowledge and stories to bring the art to life, as you take in the works of Renaissance masters such as Michelangelo, Leonardo, Caravaggio, and Botticelli.
Uffizi Gallery Tour Description
Your 2-hour tour includes:
Skip-the-line Uffizi Gallery tickets
Guided tour of the masterpieces inside the Uffizi
Fun, English-speaking guide with expertise in art history
Maximum group size of 15
History of the Uffizi and Medici Family
As you stroll through the grand rooms, hallways and courtyard of the Uffizi, your guide will tell you the about the fascinating history of the gallery. The construction was ordered in 1560 by Cosimo I de’ Medici (known as Cosimo the Great and the first Grand Duke of Tuscany) to house the administrative and judiciary offices of Florence. At the time, the Medici family’s influence in Florence was extremely powerful, and without their patronage of the arts the Italian Renaissance may not have happened as it did.
Botticelli's The Birth of Venus
One of the most featured artists your guide will tell you of at the museum is Sandro Botticelli, whose masterpieces Primavera and The Birth of Venus are housed here. You may well recognize his painting of The Birth of Venus, which shows the goddess being carried ashore in a giant seashell. Primavera, meanwhile, depicts the arrival of spring with dancing gods and muses in an enchanted garden. Whatever the extent of your art history knowledge, you can't help but admire these paintings’ vibrant compositions.
Caravaggio’s Medusa
A highlight for many art-lovers on this Uffizi tour is Caravaggio’s Medusa. A gripping study of the dark mythological figure with snakes in her hair, the painting is also an excellent example of Caravaggio’s revolutionary approach to the game between light and dark. As you look into Medusa's eyes, she appears to stare back at you. Legend has it that you’ll turn to stone if you hold her gaze for too long.
Michelangelo’s Doni Tondo (Holy Family)
Michelangelo’s Holy Family (or Doni Tondo) painting dates back to the same period as his David statue, and is one of the few remaining examples of Michelangelo’s painting, together with the breathtaking frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. The Doni Tondo also laid the foundations of mannerism, also known as Late Renaissance. This style of European art featured bizarre, striking poses and iridescent colors, and your guide will help you to see its clear origins in this masterpiece.
And much, much more....
These highlights are just a few of the world-class works of art housed at the Uffizi. Let your expert guide lead you on a journey into art and history as they share the important stories behind each painting, as well as their context within Florentine and Italian culture. At the end of your guided tour, you are free to stay within the Uffizi Gallery and continue exploring on your own!
What you get with this tour
See what people are saying
449 total reviews
Leave a reviewJohn Franceschi
Our tour guide was very friendly and incredibly knowledgeable
Not the best...
Cody DAVIS
I've used the Tour Guy for several tours in Rome before and always had a great experience. I was sad to see that this tour was not run by the Tour Guy and instead a third party. Our guide was kind, but very repetitive and seemed to fill the time with the same phrases over and over again. It made it difficult to remain interested. Additionally the Uffizi let's far too many people in at a time l, making rooms impossibly crowded and diminishing the experience. This of course isn't the fault of the tour company, and did not impact my ranking, but it is worth mentioning.
Very worth it!
Katherine Todd
We loved our tour with Laura! We learned so many interesting details about the artists and culture during the time the paintings were created. It was fascinating & very enjoyable! Would highly recommend this tour. And of course, skipping the line was wonderful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
As this is a walking tour, wear comfortable shoes. Other than that, just bring your sense of curiosity!
Is there anything I should NOT bring?
Please avoid bringing large bags, as the Uffizi requires you to check them in. Food and drink are not allowed in the museum, but there is a café onsite if you need to grab a drink or bite after your tour.
Does the tour always skip the line?
Yes, you’ll avoid the long ticket line and head straight to the shorter security line, potentially saving hours during busy months.
Are there ever any sudden closures at the museum?
Sometimes the museum closes small areas for restoration at short notice, and certain artwork may not be accessible for a time. This is quite rare and out of our control, but your guide will make sure you see the very best of the art available.
What to bring?
As this is a walking tour, wear comfortable shoes. Other than that, just bring your sense of curiosity!
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
While this isn’t a physically demanding tour, you should expect to be on your feet for a couple of hours, and there may be some stairs and uneven surfaces along the way. If you have any doubts about your mobility, we suggest taking an Uffizi Private Tour so your tour can be tailored to your needs.
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