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Visit the Accademia with a Personal Tour Guide

Have you ever wondered what makes Michelangelo’s David so famous? What the story is that inspired the sculpture, what it represents, why Michelangelo is considered a genius ?

A visit to the Accademia with a guide will not only cover Michelangelo , his life, torment and creative genius and his sculptures which include the David , his unfinished Slaves and St. Matthew , but also works of art by great such as Botticelli , Ghirlandaio , Pontormo and other greats from the 13th to 16th centuries.

Visiting the Accademia with a personal, licensed tour guide will be the best way to discover all of the stories behind the works of art as well as learn about the artists and the times in which many of the masterpieces were created. You’ll be able to tap into the minds of art historians trained in the art of storytelling itself, weaving a great amount of details into a story that can be envisioned as you admire the results directly.

Book your Guided Tour with Florence Tickets

You can visit the Accademia with a professional tour guide organized by local tour agency Florence Tickets . During the high season, the groups are a maximum of 25 people; during the low season, you might be in a very small group of less than 10. The tour is conducted in English and lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes and is offered every Wednesday and Sunday at 12.30pm . Check your dates and book below:

Book a Guided Tour with Viator

Viator offers many more tours for you to choose from. You can book a guided tour of the Accademia, a tour that combines a walking tour in Florence with a tour of the Accademia or a combo tour of the Accademia and Uffizi, to list just a few examples.

Find Your Tour! »

Disclosure: This page includes affiliate links to our booking partners. You choose who to book with; if you book with Florence Tickets or Viator, our website will receive a small commission – thank you for buying through our links!

About Accademia.org

Accademia.org is an informational guide written by a team of locals that love Florence and art! We are NOT the official site nor do we have a direct connection to the Accademia Gallery museum. This website does not sell tickets or tours, but offers visitors the opportunity to book through affiliate links on third party websites.

HOW TO BOOK

How to Book Tickets » How to Book Tours »

Special opening for Easter Monday » March 29, 2024

Special Opening Monday, April 25 » April 14, 2022

Special Opening on Easter Monday, April 18, 2022 » April 11, 2022

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Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze

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ADMISSION TO THE GALLERY ENDS 30 MINUTES BEFORE CLOSING TIME.

TICKETS - GALLERIA DELL'ACCADEMIA DI FIRENZE

B-Ticket is the only official channel authorized by Mic.

Customer Support: [email protected]

LAST ENTRANCE is 30 minutes before closing time.

Full price admission

Buy your ticket online or it is possible to book the ticket and the entrance time by calling:

Firenze Musei: Tel. +39 055 294883 Price of booking: € 4,00

NOTICE : As of January 1, 2024, the cost of a full ticket will be €16.00, subject to statutory gratuities. Reduced ticket and reservation fees will remain unchanged.

EU citizens 18-25*

* Are entitled to a reduction:

• European Union citizens, from 18 to 25 (until the day of the twenty-fifth birthday) showing passport or ID. The reduction also applies to citizens from Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Uruguay and to citizens with permit cards issued for the reasons listed on the website of Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; € 2,00
• All 18-year-old residents in Italy can spend their “Culture Bonus” through 18app, to buy tickets to visit the Galleria. Tickets can be collected at museum ticket office upon presentation of vouchers amounting to the corresponding price of tickets. To book your visit, please call the phone number (+39) 055294883, an extra charge is due for reservation, online booking is not available. The 18app is meant for a personal use and, therefore, a valid identity document is required at the ticket office.

under 18 years

Free Admission Requirements : you can collect your free ticket directly at the ticket offices upon presentation of a document attesting one of the following conditions or after the submission of a self-certification (ID required):

▪ Children under the age of 18 (children under the age of 12  must be accompanied by an adult);

▪ Italian and other EU countries’ student groups, accompanied by their teachers. Available by reservation and limited for the maximum number of participants fixed by Director of Institute; bookings are free of charge and are only possible by calling +39.055294883;

▪ Teachers and students in degree programs, master’s degree or post-university master, PhDs of the following Italian faculties: Architecture, Cultural heritage conservation, Education Sciences or Arts and Philosophy with archaeological or history-artistic specialization, Academy of Fine Arts. The same benefits are granted to teachers and students of corresponding courses or faculties established in the EU countries. Students must present a valid enrollment document for the current academic year;

▪ EU tourist guides must show  a valid license issued by the competent authority;

▪ EU interpreters, when their presence is required alongside the guide must show  a valid license issued by the competent authority;

▪ Persons with disabilities if their handicap is certified and the accompanying person (a family member or other companion who proves his/her membership in social and health assistance services);

▪ Individuals with study or research certification from  schools or universities, academies and Italian and foreign research and culture institutes, as well as by the Ministry for Arts, Culture and Tourism, according to particular or motivated needs.Heads of Institutes may grant free entry to the exhibition site under their jurisdiction;

▪ MiBAC staff;

▪ ICOM (International Council of Museums) members;

▪ Journalists, only if enrolled in the Italian Association of Journalists. They are requested to show a valid certificate for the current year, in Italian or in English for foreign citizens.

Tickets and entrance times may be booked online or by calling:

Firenze Musei: Tel. +39 055 294883

Price of booking: € 4,00

Book your ticket and entrance time by calling :

OFFICAL SHOP

GALLERIA DELL’ACCADEMIA DI FIRENZE

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Tips for visiting the Accademia Gallery in Florence

You cannot visit Florence without visiting the Accademia Gallery Museum! This is where the most famous sculpture in the world, Michelangelo’s David, is housed, along with many other sculptures and paintings from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Since everyone wants to see David, the museum is (almost) always crowded and with long queues. For this reason, I wrote this post with all my tips for visiting the Accademia Gallery museum in Florence, so that you can plan your visit in advance, and enjoy the experience to the fullest.

My name is Claudia, I am a local licensed tour guide in Florence with more than 10 years of experience. Learn more about me and my guided tours in Florence .

• Fun facts about David by Michelangelo
• Tips for visiting the Uffizi Gallery

Tips for visiting the Accademia Gallery museum in Florence

The Accademia Gallery Museum is the second most visited museum in Italy. The first place belongs to the Uffizi Gallery, which however is much larger and can accommodate many more people at the same time.

The Accademia Gallery, on the other hand, is much smaller and has a smaller capacity, which is why the queue outside can be long . In this post you will find my tips for booking skip-the-line tickets and for choosing the best day and time to visit the museum.

Book tickets in advance

At the Accademia gallery museum there are two queues: one for those who have booked and one for those who still have to buy a ticket. The really long and slow queue is only for those who have not booked . The queue of booked instead flows very quickly.

This is why it is crucial to book tickets in advance: you can choose the day of the visit and a specific time slot. This way you will ensure that you enter within a few minutes from the time marked on your ticket. This is the only way to get skip-the-line tickets!

I recommend you to book tickets on the official website of the Accademia Gallery of Florence . Every other website is a reseller and raises the price by a few euros.

Resellers are still helpful in case tickets are sold out on the official website. In this case check:

• Academy Gallery tickets on Viator

After booking: on the day of your visit, arrive about 15 minutes beforehand, to have time to collect your tickets. You can pick them up at the external ticket office , it is located right in front of the museum entrance, in via Ricasoli 105 R (the R letter means red numbers), next to the Eroica café. To collect your tickets, just show the booking code you received by email when you booked.

Price of tickets for the Accademia Gallery in Florence

Tickets cost:

• Regular tickets: 12 euros
• Reduced ticket: 2 euro (for EU citizens between 18 and 25 years old)
• Free ticket: for children under 18 years old and people with disabilities.

If you book the ticket online you will have to add 4 euros per person for the booking fee.

Check opening days and hours

You don’t want to plan your visit when the museum is closed!

The Accademia Gallery museum is closed on Mondays (like every Italian national museum, including the Uffizi Gallery), and on January 1st and December 25th.

Opening hours: from 8.15 am to 6.50 pm . Last entrance is 6.20pm.

Best day to visit the Accademia Gallery in Florence

As I said, the museum is almost always packed, and it’s hard to find a really quiet day. The number one tip is visiting the Accademia Gallery and Florence in low season, from November to March , excluding the Christmas period. But I understand that it is not always possible to choose the period in which to travel.

Considering that the museum is closed on Mondays, Sundays and Tuesdays are the busiest days of the week. Of course it is very busy even on weekends.

The best days to visit the Accademia Gallery are Wednesdays, Thursdasy and Fridays.

Best time to visit the Accademia Gallery in Florence

The museum opens very early, at 8.15 in the morning, and this is definitely the best time to visit the Accademia Gallery. The time before closing is also a good time, after 5 pm. but don’t go too late, or you won’t have enough time to see all the artwork.

Large groups and most people start arriving around 9am.

Free admission on the first Sunday of the month

On every first Sunday of the month Italian national museums (included the Accademia Gallery) are free! This is a good opportunity for those who want to save as much as possible, but this is the only pro.

On the other hand, as you can imagine, everyone wants to visit the museum for free that day, and the queues are longer than ever, never lasting less than two or three hours. The museum is so overcrowded that it is hard to see the artwork behind so many people.

On Sundays with free admission it’s not possible to book tickets online, the first come first serve rule applies.

For this reason, all tour companies and most of freelance tour guides do not give guided tours of the Accademia Gallery on the first Sunday of the month.

Take a guided tour of the Accademia Gallery

If you want to discover other masterpieces of art displayed in the museum , and you want to know all the secrets of David and Michelangelo’s sculpture, take a guided tour!

It’s the best way to:

• Learn a lot about Michelangelo, his David and the other works of art housed here.
• Get help booking tickets and planning your visit
• Optimize your time and see as much as possible in the time available to you
• Be able to ask all the questions you want to an expert

I am a local licensed tour guide in Florence. Learn more about my Accademia Gallery private tour !

If, on the other hand, you want to share the tour with other people, take a look at this guided small group tour of the Accademia Gallery (tickets are included). But keep in mind that compared to a private tour, the small group tour is only convenient if you book for 2 people or less. From 3 people up, the private tour is cheaper.

How long does it takes to visit the Accademia Gallery in Florence?

The Accademia Gallery museum is much smaller than the Uffizi, and takes much less time to visit. But even if small, it’s full of interesting works of art, and if you want you can spend many hours there! How long it takes to visit the museum depends only on you, how many works of art you want to see and how much time you want to dedicate to each of them. To simplify:

• If you only want to see David by Michelangelo, 20-30 minutes inside the museum is enough.
• If you also want to see other works of art, I suggest you spend at least an hour there.
• If you are particularly fond of Italian painting and sculpture, then you can easily spend even half a day there.

Not just Michelangelo’s David. There is much more to see!

Even though many people come here just to see David by Michelangelo and leave a few minutes later, there is so much more at the Accademia Gallery of Florence! The museum is crammed with medieval and Renaissance paintings, sculptures, and other works of art. In particular, I recommend you not to miss:

The Prisoners by Michelangelo – four stunning unfinished statues by the same artist who sculpted the David.

St. Matthew by Michelangelo – yep, a sixth sculpture by Michelangelo!

Sala del Colosso ( Hall of the Colossus ). The first large room of the museum, with deep blue walls, houses Renaissance paintings and the large plaster model of the Rape of the Sabine Women by Giambologna (the original marble sculpture is located in Piazza della Signoria). Among the paintings I have a thing for those of Filippino Lippi and those of Pietro Vannucci known as Perugino.

In the Hall of the Colossus there are also two artworks by Botticelli (I wrote about them in my blogpost about all Botticelli’s paintings in Florence ).

Cassone Adimari – a bedhead richly painted in 1450 with a wedding scene taking place in Piazza Duomo. The wedding picture of a rich couple of Florentine aristocrats.

The Bartolini plaster cast gallery. A collection of 19th-century plaster models from the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, donated by the famous sculptor and professor Lorenzo Bartolini.

The Museum of Musical Instruments – a small but fascinating museum within a museum! There are many musical instruments from the 1600s and 1800s, including the oldest upright piano in the world.

What not to bring at the Accademia Gallery

Here is the list of objects that it is forbidden to bring into the museum:

• Any bottle other than half a liter water bottles .
• Scissors, blades and any other sharp object that could damage artworks on display.
• Selfie sticks, tripods and photo easels.
• Long umbrellas, large backpacks, suitcases, helmets and any other large object .

The museum doesn’t have a cloakroom , so large items are not allowed. If you have a long umbrella, you can leave it at the ticket counter.

Extra tips for visiting the Accademia Gallery in Florence

Toilets are located downstairs, at the end of the visit path. The stairs to access it are found in the last room, the same one where there are the exit doors of the museum.

The entrance ticket can only be used once: if you leave the museum, you can never re-enter (unless you buy another ticket).

Multilingual audio guides are available at the bookshop at the museum entrance (price is 6 euros).

The Accademia Gallery bookshops (there are 2 of them) are nice but nothing impressive. I suggest you shop at the Uffizi Gallery bookshop, which is huge, full of books of all kinds on art, history, children’s books, gadgets and much more.

That’s all for this time! I hope this post will help you to plan your visit and have a nice experience. If you have any questions, or have other tips for visiting the Accademia Gallery in Florence to add to mine, leave me a comment and share your experience with other travellers.

You might also like:

• Florence trip planner
• best museums in Florence not to miss
• Tips for visiting Florence, Italy
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BEST of Tours Accademia and David Tours

Book skip the tours and see michaelangelo's david with free cancellation.

7 Tours Found

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Florence Walking Tour with Statue of David

Uncover the best of Florence at the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio, and skip the line at Accademia

Florence in a Day Combo Tour with David and Uffizi

Explore Accademia Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, Florence Duomo, Uffizi Gallery, and so much more

Statue of David Evening Tour

See Michelangelo's David on a later tour of the Accademia Gallery with fewer crowds

Florence Private Walking Tour with Michelangelo's David

Explore the famous sites of Florence, with Ponte Vecchio, Duomo, and skip-the-line Accademia entry

Livorno Shore Excursion: Florence & Pisa

Maximize your day ashore on this jam-packed private tour with Leaning Tower, David, and more!

Kid-Friendly Private Florence Walking Tour: David & Gelato

Bring the fun to Florence on this family walking tour that includes a merry-go-round and papermaking

Florence Accademia Gallery Express Guided Tour

Skip the line, marvel at renowned masterpieces and see Michelangelo’s iconic David statue!

What day is Accademia closed?

The Accademia gallery in Florence is closed Mondays as well as January 1st and December 25th.

What is the best day to visit Accademia?

Like most museums, Accademia is most busy on the weekends. It is also busy on Tuesdays since it is closed Mondays. If you have a choice, we recommend visiting Wednesday through Friday.

Does Accademia have a long line to enter?

Yes, it can be very long most days of the year. By purchasing a tour you are also purchasing a ticket reservation which takes the guesswork out of visiting.

Can you visit the Uffizi and Accademia in one day?

You most certainly can. We have a tour that includes both museums as well as a stroll through Florence including Ponte Sisto and the Florence Cathedral from the outside.

Is Accademia in the center of Florence?

Yes, it is located less than 15 mins walking from Santa Maria Novella train station and less than 10 from the "Duomo" or Cathedral of Florence. Read our blog article for more information about visiting Accademia .

Is there more to see in Accademia than Michelangelo's David?

Yes, but it is a relatively small gallery. That said, you can see masters of the 15th century including Filippino Lippi, Perugino, and Botticelli! Read the top things to see at Accademia to get excited and brush up for you tour!

Do your tours stay in Accademia a long time?

No, not really, but you should read each tour description for specific information. That said, tours often visit for 45 mins to 1 hour which is plenty of time to get a taste of this smaller gallery.

Which Accademia tours do we recommend?

These are some of our favorites:

Florence in a day combo with David and Uffizi (full day)

Florence walking tour with Statue of David

Statue of David evening tour

Florence private walking tour with Michelangelo's David

Is there a lot of walking during Accademia tours?

Accademia is small so not much walking there, but Accademia tours almost always include other monuments and you'll be mostly on your feet. In general, there will be a lot of walking on tours in Florence. If you're looking for less walking, check out our tours that include vehicles in Florence .

What is the best part about Visiting Accademia?

Without a doubt the David. It is arguably one of the greatest works of art ever composed and very likely the greatest statue ever made by hand.

Is a tour of Accademia worth it?

Yes, of course. Tours have changed--they're fun now! Look for a small group between 15 and 20 and you'll find your time enjoyable and you'll learn a lot. For more, read our article on " are Accademia tours worth it? "

Will it be hot in Florence?

If you are coming in the summer, and most people do, then yes. Prepare to be hot. For men, a linen shirt and shorts in the summer or a dress for women. Mentally prepare for heat and you'll find it bothering you less. Bring a bottle of water and fill it up as you go!

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Skip the line and gain direct access to the Raphael Rooms, Creation of Man, and St. Peter's Basilica

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Visit St. Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, Rialto Bridge, and the hidden areas of Venice

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Skip the line and gain quicker access to the Vatican so you can explore at your leisure

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1 Hour with David

Admire it from every perspective, discover the original michelangelo’s masterpiece, that has become the symbol of renaissance splendour, accademia gallery tour, enter the accademia gallery museum with a fast-track priority entrance ticket, 1 hour with david - accademia gallery tour, our tours and experiences, discover all our experiences and book now, availability is limited, 1 hour tour with david - guided tour of the accademia gallery in florence.

Meet the authentic Michelangelo's David in all his magnificence, and discover the other masterpieces housed in the Accademia Gallery museum

Walking Tour of Florence & Michelangelo's David Visit

Discover Florence with a professional guide that will walk you through the city and meet David, the greatest masterpiece by Michelangelo

Meet David & then discover Florence by Bike

Discover Florence by bike with a professional guide and meet David, the greatest masterpiece by Michelangelo

FLORENCE MUSEUMS SPECIAL Afternoon - Skip The Line ACCADEMIA Gallery + UFFIZI Gallery MASTERCLASS

Enjoy this single opportunity to visit the main Florence museums at a glance: meet the authentic David by Michelangelo and discover masterpieces in the Uffizi Gallery

FLORENCE THE MAGNIFICENT: Best of Florence WALKING TOUR + Skip The Line ACCADEMIA + UFFIZI Gallery MASTERCLASS

Discover the treasures of Florence in one day, with a guided walking tour of the city and visiting the Accademia and Uffizi Gallery

Small group Accademia Gallery tour with early entrance tickets

The exclusive opportunity to visit the ACCADEMIA GALLERY skipping the long line and avoiding much of its crowd, being among the very first to enter.

Why choose Florencetown ?

Secure bookings, best rates guarantee, 48-hours cancellation policy, guaranteed departures, over 50.000 statisfied travelers every year, featured on, need assitance, booking office phone     (+39) 055 281103.

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Guided Tour of Accademia Gallery in Florence plus Florence Walking Tour

The half-day  Accademia Guided Tour  starts with a pick-up at your hotel or accommodations in Florence, where you head over to the museum.

Skip the lines and visit the museum with the Accademia Gallery guided tour

In the Museum you will view many masterpieces in paintings & sculptures. Follow your guide as she shows you the museum highlights, especially the fabulous  Statue of David , giving you fun facts about many of the famous artists and their masterpieces held in one of the most famous museums in Florence.

After you have visited the  Accademia Gallery  (approximately 2 hours), your guide will spend the rest of the tour with you in the historic center of Florence.

The Academy Gallery as we know it today was founded in 1784 and was comprised of the collection first established by the  Academy of Arts Design in Florence in 1563 by Cosimo I de’ Medici . However, the piece which many remember the most was only in August 1873 from Piazza della Signoria, the  Michelangelo’s David .

The statue with its carved base is 517 cm high and weighs 5560 kilos. The facts are not enough when you visit the white marble giant, David!

A glorious combination of paintings from the XIII to the XVI century, sculptures and plaster casts and over 50 antique musical instruments  – many of which were created for the Grand Dukes of Tuscany.

Florence Historic Center Walking Tour

Stroll the cobblestone streets of Florence while your guide introduces you to the legends, the architecture and the culture that make Florence knowns as the  Renaissance City . Not only will she point out important historic sites, but introduce you to the Florentine culture,  indicating boutiques for shopping , restaurants, and  gelaterias (ice cream shops).

Some of the sites you will see (external visit): Palazzo Medici,  Basilica San Lorenzo  and the nearby food market ( closed on Sundays), Duomo square with the Baptestry bronze gates,  Piazza Signoria  and Ponte Vecchio.

PS – if you have any special request, be sure to let me know when you book your Accademia Guided Tour, so I can plan accordingly.

• Pick-up at your holiday accommodations
• Italian, English, French & German language
• Add an authentic Tuscan meal to your itinerary
• Museum tickets not included, upon request we can arrange for the tickets. There is no charge for the services, just the cost of the tickets.

FLORENCE TOUR

di Paola Migliorini

Florence, Tuscany, Italy

Tel : (+39) 347 6572611

Mail : [email protected]

P.IVA:  04904500487

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Accademia Gallery Tour

Overview of the tour in Florence

Admire the outstanding Accademia Gallery and walk along with its stunning rooms, with a passionate local certified guide. The gallery’s fame sweeps through the world also because of the incredible Michelangelo as the museum itself is a sort of mausoleum dedicated to the painter, sculptor, and architect elaborated by generations of art historians and writers. Walking through this old friary hospital of San Matthew, discover creations of this genius: the PRIGIONI or SLAVES (incomplete) sculptures of great difficulty in carving out the figures, an emblematic masterpiece of man's struggle to free his spirit from matter, and his iconic masterpiece - the biblical hero, DAVID. Complete your tour with the wonderful sculpture - RATTO DELLE SABINE by Giambologna and listen to your guide talking about paintings, sculptures in the fascinating Gipsoteca (the hall of models).

This activity includes:

• Accademia Gallery
• My Style Firenze
• Accademia Ticket - Skip the line
• Headphones (for groups of more than 8 people)
• Ratto delle Sabine
• Live Guide (Certificated)

Meeting point

Via Cavour, 12 Firenze

Via Cavour, 12 Firenze (CIAO FLORENCE Office)

Things to note

Please arrive at the meeting point at least 20-15 minutes before the activity begins. Museum doesn't have a cloakroom, therefore entrance is not allowed to visitors with large bags, backpack, helmets, etc. Water bottles are allowed if not exceeding 0.5 l. Due to security reasons the access is subject to control by metal detectors.

Free Cancellation

Free Cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts. Late cancellation or your non-arrival is not refundable.

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See Michelangelo’s authentic David in Florence with skip-the-line tickets

• Skip the long lines and avoid most of the crowds
• View Michelangelo's stunning David led by a professional guide specialized in art history 
• Discover the other masterpieces housed in this world-celebrated museum
• Only in English to preserve the quality of the tour

EVERY DAY (except Mondays) at 1PM . High season also at 11:30 AM and 4:00 PM | Additional departures: From May to Sep from TUE to SUN at 10 am, June to Sep from MON to FRI at 6 pm

Approx. 1.5 hours

ALL YEAR ROUND

Description

Accademia Gallery Florence Tour : meet David, Michelangelo’s most famous and acclaimed statue! 

A privileged and exclusive cultural experience: easy, hassle-free priority entrance with David Florence tickets to the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo's masterpiece! 

Admired and acclaimed by experts and travelers worldwide this amazing sculpture is not only one of the greatest works of art ever, but it is also an icon of the Renaissance, one of the most revolutionary artistic periods of all times. 

Carved from a single block of far-from-perfect Carrara marble when Michelangelo was only in his twenties the sculpture is truly impressive. Enjoy the chance to learn all this, and much more, from your experienced professional guide! 

The massive statue - over 5.17 meters (17 ft) tall - represents the biblical David who killed Goliath with a stone from a slingshot. You will note how perfectly it depicts the young hero's limbs, muscles, and veins, and find out that when it was finished, in 1504, it was placed at the entrance of Palazzo Vecchio to be admired by the people as an inspiring symbol of the strength and independence of the Florentines. 

In addition to presenting the David, during this Accademia Florence guided tour , your guide will illustrate Michelangelo's striking Prisoners and St. Matthew. You will also have the chance to appreciate other remarkable works of art exhibited in the Accademia, including religious paintings, many with gold backgrounds, by major artists from the 13th to the 17th century, sculptures by 19th-century masters, and more. 

Please note that entrance to the museum entails a mandatory security check, which may cause delays in access even with skip-the-line priority tickets.

• Accademia Gallery entrance (skip the line)
• English-speaking licensed guide
• Earphones for groups over 12 pax

Meeting Point

MEETING POINT

ACCADEMIA GALLERY - Accademia Ticket Office Via Ricasoli, 58/60, Florence "look for Florencetown tour guide in front of civic number 58"  SEE ON  MAP

Please note that the tour does not depart on the first Sunday of each month.

Please let us know about any special need or impaired mobility in advance: we will do our best to accommodate them.

Even with the skip-the-line entrance, there is still a compulsory security check which may cause some delays in entering the museum.

Large bags, bottles and large umbrellas will not be allowed inside the museums (small foldable umbrellas are fine).

Once the tour is finished, clients can remain inside the museum if they want to keep visiting on their own.

Rain Policy

This tour runs rain or shine.

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Want to share this experience just with your partner or your family? Discover our PRIVATE TOUR proposals.

EUR 54 p.p. (adults) children 4-12 15% disc. / children 0-3 FREE

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Small Group Accademia Gallery Guided Tour With Skip The Line Tickets

During your vacation in Florence, don’t miss out on meeting one of the most famous and eclectic artists in the world: Michelangelo.

Your personal guide will reveal the secrets of the ACCADEMIA GALLERY , and the creation of Michelangelo’s world renowned masterpiece - the original version of “David .” You will learn all about this sculpture in a vivid and interesting way. Your guide will show you the Hall of Prisoners and “San Matteo,” Michelangelo’s unfinished sculptures. The Accademia Gallery was built in 1784, and it was conceived as a true sanctuary, devoted to preserving the symbols of Florence. This guided tour is a must-see for any art lover in the cradle of the Renaissance . Your PROFESSIONAL GUIDE will reveal interesting facts about the tormented life of the Tuscan artist. Michelangelo was not only a sculptor, but also a painter, an architect, and a sensitive poet. However, his genius matched his restlessness: his whole life was marked by the continuous struggle between form and content, between his religious devotion and his personal hidden desires. Step back in time and discover all the secrets of Michelangelo on this fascinating tour of the Accademia Gallery . At the end of the guided tour, you will have the opportunity to stay in the museum for as long as you would like.

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• Professional guide
• Small group tour
• Accademia Gallery skip the line ticket
• Earphones for bigger groups

Departure time

Meeting point.

CIAOFLORENCE SALES OFFICE

CiaoFlorence Sales Office - Via Cavour, 12 Black

• Skip-the-line entrance to the Accademia Gallery, don't waste your time in line for the whole day!
• Learn all about the masterpieces their history from a passionate and art-loving local guide
• Experience the incredible emotion of standing in front of the original David, the iconic masterpiece of white marble created by the genius of Michelangelo

Notes and advice

• Comfortable shoes are recommended
• Please note that on the busiest days the entrance into the museums may experience some short delays
• From November to March (Low Season): The tour is always confirmed in English and Spanish. The minimum required to confirm the tour in Italian, French and German is 4 pax
• From April to October (High Season):  The tour will be held in a monolingual and small group

What is there to see at Galleria dell'Accademia?

The Accademia Gallery is a smaller museum, but it is still the second most visited museum in Florence! Filled with many noteworthy Renaissance treasures, here is a list of its most famous works of art.

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Ciao Florence Tours & Travel srl

Via Cavour, 36 R 50129 Firenze

[email protected] [email protected]

Tel. +39 055 354044

P.IVA 05823680482

Where are you going?

• Florence Guided Tours

Accademia Florence Gallery Tour

• electronic voucher accepted

The Itinerary: The tour takes place inside one of the most important museums of Florence, the Accademia Gallery.

Accademia Gallery Tour. This tour will allow you to discover the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo's David, the most famous statue in the world! Here you will also admire some unfinished works by Michelangelo, the "Prisoners", which will allow you to see how he carved the massive blocks of Carrara marble. The guide explanation includes a detailed introduction to Michelangelo's life and his extraordinary period.

The tour is always confirmed in English and Spanish

Accademia Gallery Group Guided Tour

Starting time low season: English 11:15 Spanish 9:00 Starting time high season: English 11:15 - 16:15 Spanish 9:00 - 13:45 Frequency: every day except Monday. Duration: 1h30 (once the tour is over, you are free to stay inside the Museum and visit it at your leisure) Language: English, Spanish Meeting Point: 15 minutes before the tour starting time in Via Cavour 12. Price: Children under 6: Free. Low season: 49,00 High season: 59,00

• Language English Spanish

The price includes: guide service, headphones for groups over 7 people, museum entrance ticket and pre-booking fee (skip the line).

CANCELLATION POLICY - GROUP GUIDED TOURS In case of cancellation, please contact us .

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Best Accademia Gallery Guided Tour – 2024

Skip the line, skip-the-line accademia gallery guided tour.

Discover the second most visited museum in Florence with an expert tour guide. Over one hour, your guide will lead you through this famous museum, including the discovery of Michelangelo’s David.

Starting from the office, you will walk together with your guide along the path to the gallery entrance. Once there, you will enter through the priority entrance without waiting in long lines.

Once inside, you will retrace one of the places with the largest number of sculptures by Michelangelo in the world. You will come across a museum of musical instruments and the Sala dei Prigioni, which contains sculptures designed for Pope Julius II. Alongside your guide, you will enter from the priority entrance to the museum and enjoy a journey into the life of the genius of Michelangelo Buonarroti, discovering Renaissance sculptures. At the end of the tour with your guide, you can stay inside the museum to further appreciate the works and sculptures.

Accademia Gallery Guided Tour Highlights

Accademia gallery guided tour tour description.

Immerse yourself in Florence’s famous Accademia. Take a tour of the gallery to encounter its outstanding collection of gothic and renaissance paintings and other artworks.

Learn about the artwork’s origins and the artists who created them, and uncover insights into the lives of history’s greatest artists. Marvel at the most famous statue on Earth, the David, and snap a photo for your holiday album.

Enjoy the luxury of the small group, which means your guide can personalize and customize the tour to suit your needs, giving you a better understanding of the artwork you’re most interested in.

• Skip-the-line tickets
• Expert guide
• Headsets and earphones
• Free luggage deposit

WHAT TO BRING

• Passport or ID card

Skip-the-Line Accademia Guided Tour

Experience the Accademia Gallery, Italy’s second-most-popular museum and the home of the original Michelangelo’s David.

Uffizi & Accademia Small Group Walking Tour

Explore Florence on a small group tour with an expert local guide. See Michelangelo’s David, the Duomo, and Botticelli’s Birth of Venus.

Accademia Gallery Guided Tour

See Michelangelo’s David, the most famous statue in the world, in a small group with an expert guide and priority entrance. 

Accademia Gallery Guided Tour Image Gallery

A guided tour through the museum is the perfect way to see the museum without waiting in line.

Best value accademia gallery guided tour, you’ll find, don’t wait these tours are selling out fast, good to know before you go, we bring you a few valuable pieces of helpful information before any accademia gallery guided tours..

• On the first Sunday of each month, entrance is free of charge, but as tickets can’t be reserved ahead of time, entry is not guaranteed.
• Skip-the-line tickets with priority access are included!
• Children aged six and younger can join the tour for free.
• Printed or mobile vouchers are accepted.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts.
• This Accademia Tours has free cancellation and a full refund.
• Pets and luggage or large bags are not allowed in the museum.

Book your Accademia Gallery guided tour today!

An experience you don’t want to miss.

Thanks to the Skip The Line tickets, you can enter the museum without having to queue: a not indifferent advantage, given that the Academy gallery is one of the most visited places in Florence. At the entrance, you will meet the professional tourist guide who will accompany you for the duration of the guided tour: the best way to visit the museum and deepen the history and secrets of the works of art that are kept there.

Admire Michelangelo’s David, an authentic masterpiece of world sculpture

The most famous work inside the Academy Gallery is undoubtedly Michelangelo’s David. The sculpture is in the place of honor of the gallery, and it drives with its imaginative amount on visitors: it was transported here in 1873, and the room in which it is hosted was built specifically to place the statue best. Originally, the statue of David was placed in Piazza della Signoria. In addition to David, the Academy gallery hosts two other masterpieces by Michelangelo: the prisons and San Matteo, both admirable during the guided tour.

Discover the other masterpieces of art preserved in the Accademy Gallery

During the visit, you can admire other works of art kept inside the Academy Gallery, less known but equally worthy of being visited. In addition to some sculptural groups, the museum houses a vast collection of paintings by Florentine authors active between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries, as well as a significant catalog of Golden Pale and Gothic works. At the end of the guided tour, you can stay inside the museum as long as you want. The access ticket also guarantees entry to the interesting musical instrument museum.

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How to Visit the Accademia Gallery in Florence

Thu 28 Mar 2024

When in Florence you absolutely must visit the Accademia Gallery . We can sum up why in just one word: David! Yes, the Accademia is home to Michelangelo's iconic David sculpture, probably the world's most famous statue. More than 1.7 million people visit the Accademia each year to clap their eyes on the colossal Biblical hero who doubles as the guardian of Florence , and for good reason. 

It is a special experience indeed coming face-to-face with an artwork that has had such a profound impact on the story of art, and you’ll want to see for yourself why Michelangelo’s David is often seen as the pinnacle of human creativity. 

Although David is the Accademia’s major draw card, there’s plenty more to see in the museum: the Accademia houses more Michelangelo sculptures than any other museum in the world, whilst a number of beautiful medieval paintings, Renaissance altarpieces and interesting models are also well worth your time. 

But what’s the best way to visit the Accademia Gallery? Find out all you need to know about planning your visit with our practical guide!

How do I get to the Accademia?

F lorence has an extremely compact historic centre that is just perfect for navigating on foot, and the Accademia Gallery is easy to reach from the city’s main sights. It’s an easy 7 minute walk from Piazza del Duomo: facing the cathedral’s facade, take Via Ricasoli heading north (your left). 

Keep going straight through the junction with Via de’ Pucci, and at the next junction you’ll reach a small square called Piazza delle Belle Arti. Keep heading north along Via Ricasoli, and after a few metres you will arrive at the entrance to the Galleria della Accademia on  your right hand side. 

If you wish to take public transport to the Accademia, the bus routes 6 and 14 pass nearby, and can be caught from Florence’s main train station, Santa Maria Novella. If you are coming from the Uffizi, you can hop on the 23 or C1 lines from the stop Benci. Get off at Piazza San Marco and walk back south alnog Via Ricasoli to the Accademia.

The official address of the museum is: Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze, Via Ricasoli 58/60, 50122 Firenze.

What are the opening hours of the Accademia Gallery?

The Accademia is open from Tuesday – Sunday from 9:00 AM – 6:45 PM. Last entrance is 30 minutes before closing time.   

Like most museums in Florence , the Accademia is closed every Monday, on January 1, May 1 and December 25.

Should I buy tickets to the Accademia in advance?

Yes, it's essential that you plan your visit carefully and secure your tickets well in advance. The museum is quite small, and admits visitors only at timed intervals. What’s more, a maximum of 200 visitors are allowed inside at any one time. 

Whilst this is good news for experiencing the collection as it never feels excessively crowded inside, it does mean that you want to make sure you have tickets purchased for your preferred entrance time before you show up. 

To do so, you will need to book your tickets with reserved entrance time via the official Accademia website. Alternatively you can call the ticket office at +39 055 294883.

When you arrive at the Accademia, you will need to present the voucher you received when booking (a copy on your smart phone will do) at the ticket office so your tickets can be printed out. With tickets in hand, you can then await your timed entrance - look out for a sign with the time you booked for, and you're good to go!

Is it worth taking a tour of the accademia gallery.

Booking a  tour of the Accademia Gallery is an excellent option as it means you don’t have to worry about organizing the practicalities of your visit. Not only will you benefit from expert insight and information from a qualified guide that will put what you are seeing in context, your tickets and timed entrance will be taken care of in advance - meaning you can focus on getting the most out of your visit stress free. 

Through Eternity offers a range of  small group and  private itineraries that include the Accademia Gallery. To find out which one is best for you, see our guide to the best tours of the Accademia Gallery . 

Can I buy tickets to the Accademia on site?

Yes, you can technically buy tickets at the ticket office on site, but if you do choose to take your chances, be prepared for a long wait  - or even being turned away altogether if all tickets for the day are already sold out. In our opinion, it’s not worth the risk.

How much do tickets to the Accademia cost?

• A full-price ticket to the Accademia Gallery costs €16. 
• Reduced price tickets are available for EU citizens aged between 18 and 25. You will need to show valid ID when picking up your ticket. This ticket costs €2.
• Children under the age of 18 are entitled to free admission. Valid proof of age is required when collecting these tickets on site. 

Regardless of the ticket type, you will need to pay an additional €4 booking fee per ticket when you buy your tickets in advance via the website or phone. 

State museums, including the Accademia, are free to visit on the first Sunday of each month - but be prepared for it to be extremely busy, as you cannot book your entrance on these days. 

How long should I spend at the Accademia?

Plan on spending between around one hour exploring the Accademia. The gallery is much smaller than the Uffizi and some of the other best museums in Florence , so it really isn't necessary to spend all day here.   

You'll want to spend a good chunk of your time admiring Michelangelo's David from all angles, and also a few minutes taking in the unfinished Slaves that Michelangelo intended for the Roman tomb of Pope Julius II, but beyond these highlights you can zoom through the rest of the collection if you are short on time.   

Of course, as art lovers we could easily spend a few hours in the Accademia and if you are a completist like us feel free to spend extra time examining some of the Accademia's lesser-known hidden gems. To find out what you need to see in the Accademia Gallery, check out our guide to the higlights of the museum here . 

Can You Visit the Accademia and Uffizi on the Same Day?

If you only have a limited amount of time in Florence, it’s definitely possibile to visit both the Accademia and Uffizi in the same day. You’ll just need to plan carefully! We recommend that you book a morning time slot at the Accademia, then head over to the Uffizi after lunch. The two museums are not far apart: you can manage it on foot in about 15 minutes. 

The Uffizi is by far the larger of the two museums, and it’s much more difficult to predict how long you will want to spend there. By visiting the Accademia in the morning and saving the Uffizi for after lunch, you’ll be able to make a decision on how much (or how little) time you wish to devote to the  Uffizi's collection of art when you are actually on the ground. 

  If you’d like to see both museums in a single day, an option worth considering is  a tour that includes the Uffizi and the Accademia - that way you won’t have to worry about planning or getting the timing of your reservations right!  

Planning a visit to Florence? Through Eternity offers a range of group tours in Florence as well as private itineraries that take you to the best sites in the city, including the Uffizi Gallery and Accademia . And of course, if you'd like us to come up with a personalised itinerary featuring any of the museums on this list, our travel experts would be delighted to help!

MORE GREAT CONTENT FROM THE BLOG:

• What to See in the Accademia Gallery
• The Best Museums in Florence
• Is a Tour of the Accademia Worth it?
• What to See in the Uffizi Gallery
• 7 Fascinating Facts About the Ponte Vecchio
• 5 of the Most Beautiful Piazzas in Florence

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