Florence Accademia Gallery Express Guided Tour
Skip the line, marvel at renowned masterpieces and see Michelangelo’s iconic David statue!
If you want to tour the Accademia Gallery and save time while admiring some of the city’s other treasures, this tour is ideal for you. On this small group experience, a professional art historian will spend the morning leading you through the world-renowned museum’s most breathtaking masterpieces. Get up close to Michelangelo’s iconic David statue, see the artist’s most famous unfinished works, and marvel at historic paintings and sculptures by some of the world’s most prominent artists.
What You Get With This Tour
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Expert, English-speaking Guide
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Skip-the-line entry and tour of Accademia Gallery
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See Michelangelo's David and masterpieces by Botticelli, Uccello, and del Sarto
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Free time to explore after the tour
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Guide tips
Tour Itinerary
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1
Meet your expert guide at the Accademia Gallery
Your tour begins outside the Accademia Gallery, where your art historian guide greets you and your small group. Skip-the-line tickets let you bypass the wait and step directly into a museum that holds centuries of Florentine history. -
2
Marvel at Michelangelo's David
You'll stand face-to-toe with the sculpture that defined Renaissance ideals—Michelangelo's David, completed in 1504. Carved from a single block of Carrara marble, this 17-foot masterpiece symbolized the Florentine Republic's defiance against powerful rivals. -
3
Discover Michelangelo's unfinished sculptures
Next, encounter the Prigioni (Prisoners) and San Matteo, works Michelangelo left incomplete. Originally intended for Pope Julius II's tomb, these rough figures reveal how shifting political alliances shaped the artist's career and his philosophy of "freeing" forms from stone. -
4
View masterpieces spanning the Middle Ages to the Renaissance
Your tour continues through galleries displaying works by Botticelli, Paolo Uccello, and Andrea del Sarto. Each piece reflects Florence's transformation from a medieval city-state into the cradle of the Renaissance, where the Medici funded artists who redefined Western art. -
5
Free time to explore the museum
After your one-hour guided tour, your ticket allows unlimited time to explore. Revisit David with fresh perspective, examine lesser-known works, or simply absorb the weight of history surrounding you. Stay as long as you wish. -
6
Your tour finishes inside the Accademia Gallery
You'll leave understanding how Florence's political ambitions and artistic genius intertwined to create masterpieces that still inspire the world. Ask your guide for recommendations on nearby historical sites or cafés before continuing your journey.
Additional Information
Good to know:
Accessibility: This tour is wheelchair accessible and should not be a problem for those with mobility concerns, but please contact us beforehand, so we can accommodate you.
Bag Policy: Large bags, backpacks, and umbrellas are not permitted inside the museum.
ID Requirement: Please bring a valid photo ID, as security or ticket verification may require it.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can enter sites on time.
Your 1-hour tour includes:
Expert English-speaking art-historian guide
Skip-the-line tickets to the Accademia Gallery
See Michelangelo’s David and other unfinished sculptures
View paintings and sculptures by other iconic artists
Free time to explore the museum following the tour
Maximum group size of 19
What to bring:
Government-issued ID
Camera
Comfortable shoes
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Customer Reviews
Our guide was ok but not exceptional. The audio was not checked before we went on tour so never got her name.
Our original tour changed meeting location and when we arrived at the designated spot, no guide was there. After a bit of false leads and wrangling, a guide named Alix took us into her group. She was knowledgeable and funny.
We were asked to be early and our guide was there 20 minutes late. There were no signs or indicators for meeting the group, so everyone felt lost and late. The group that the company used were wearing dark sunglasses and short on explanations. The listening devices were new but undependable (dropped signals) so we lacked information in a very crowded area making it difficult to keep together. It felt that this wasn’t thought out well ahead of time and Tour Guy needs to manage better. The venue carried the success of the tour on its shoulders!
Had two tours scheduled. One on Tuesday and the second on Thursday. Plans changed and tried repeatedly to contact the tour company to cancel our second tour. Could never get anyone that said they could help. Refused to reimburse us. Be careful in dealing with this company.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
We suggest wearing comfortable shoes and clothes.
What to bring?
We suggest wearing comfortable shoes and clothes.
Is this tour run by The Tour Guy?
This tour is operated by one of our trusted and vetted partners in Florence.
What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?
If you have any concern about your mobility, please let us know beforehand, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you. This tour is wheelchair accessible and should not be a problem for those with mobility concerns.
What happens if it rains?
We run our Accademia gallery tour rain or shine!
Is there any chance this tour will be canceled?
On the rare occasion the tour is canceled, we'll inform you as soon as possible. We will work with you to reschedule your tour when possible or provide a full refund.
How comprehensive is this tour?
During this tour, you will have 1-1.5 hours with an expert art historian, walking you through the most prominent works of Michelangelo and other notable artists, with a special focus on the David. While there won’t be time to tour the entire museum with your guide, you will learn a lot about the more impressive and significant works of art and be free to explore the Accademia Gallery at your leisure, after the guided tour.
Is lunch included in the price of the tour?
No, but your guide will be happy to recommend one of our favorite spots for after the tour.
Can I bring my kids and do I have to pay for them?
Kids are welcome on this tour, and infants aged 3 and younger may join for free. Children aged 4-12 pay a reduced fee. Please, choose accordingly during the booking.
Does this tour include hotel pickup?
Hotel pickup is not included on this tour. You’ll meet your guide at the designated meeting point outside of the museum.
Where does this tour end?
This tour ends at the museum, however you free to stay as long as you’d like and continue exploring at your leisure.
