Florence, Italy has a world-renowned art culture.
It is no secret that when I visited Florence, I fell madly in love with the city, and the art scene within the city helped to further solidify my love for it.
Florence has a strong art culture with works dating back centuries to works that are still being created in the present day.
Art can be found all over the city and one does not have to go very far to discover it. From the streets, to the palaces, to the galleries, art is alive in Florence!
Galleria Palatina
The Galleria Palatina (Palatine Gallery), located at the Pitti Palace, is a royal museum that combines Tuscan, Renaissance, and Baroque paintings. There are beautiful works by Italian artists such as Raphael, Titian, and Pietro da Cortona.
Location | Piazza de Pitti, 1
Tickets | Full Price: €13 • Free with Firenze Card
Piazza della Signoria
The Piazza della Signoria (Signoria Square) is the center of Florence’s political life. There are a number of art pieces in the Piazza including Bandinelli’s Hercules and Cacus (1534), Giambologna’s Duke Cosimo I (1595), and the Nettuno (1575) by Ammannati.
Location | Piazza della Signoria (next to the Galleria degli Uffizi)
Galleria degli Uffizi
Welcoming over one million visitors per year, the Galleria degli Uffizi (Uffizi Gallery) is one of the most famous museums in both Florence and in the world. It is home to a large collection of Renaissance art with works from famous artists such as Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Raffaello.
Location | Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6
Tickets | Full Price: €18,50 (on the website) • Free with Firenze Card & First Sunday of Every Month – Book tickets a minimum of 2 weeks in advance during high season
Galleria dell’ Academia
Home of the famous David by Michelangelo, the Galleria dell’ Academia (Gallery of the Academy) is also home to a number of religious works and musical instruments.
Location | Via Bettino Ricasoli, 60
Tickets | Full Price: €8 • Free with Firenze Card – Buy in advance online (€4 Reservation Charge), or pay extra at the museum to skip the line.
Duomo
The Duomo, designed by architects Arnolfo di Cambio and Filippo Brunelleschi, is a work of art in and of itself. From the top of Brunelleschi’s Dome, one can look out over the entire city of Florence. Inside of the dome, is a magnificent full-scale painting entitled ‘Last Judgment’ designed by artist Giorgio Vasari.
Location | Piazza del Duomo
Tickets | Full Price: €10 (covers Museo dell’Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Baptistery of San Giovanni, and the Crypt of Santa Reparata) • NOT free with Firenze Card – Buy in advance online or purchase in person
Street Art (Arte di Strada)
Florence has a small but creative street art scene. Some of the street artists in Florence include the French-born artist Clet, L’Arte Sa Nuotare, and Exit/Enter.
Learn more about the street art in Florence with A Guide To Street Artists in Florence (A Girl in Florence).
I’ve been to Florence three times, and shamefully, have yet to make it to any of the galleries or museums. I always seem to get stuck going to the Duomo (which is amazing), Ponte Vecchio, and Santa Croce (one of my favorite churches anywhere). I’d love to go for a long weekend and explore. Thanks for the tips!
I love the view from the top of the Duomo Polly! I am going to share some pics soon 😀
Oh I just loved Florence as well! Culture and Art all around you. Seeing the David and other works by Michelangelo were unforgettable as well as the Duomo!
Florence is so wonderful 😀