We will be coming to Florence for the day from Venice in July. Our train arrives at 8:35 and our departing train leaves at 19:15. We would like to visit the Uffizi and the Accademia and then spend the rest of our time wandering around and doing some shopping. I would love some advice about what time we should schedule our reservations for and the best way to get to around.
Thank you!
I would do the Uffizi first thing upon arrival. There will be a line, even with tickets. It is a dense museum - not huge, but a lot to pay attention to. The Academia by contrast is small, and perfect for an afternoon when you want a few things to linger upon. We walked everywhere. Will you skip the Duomo complex? The climb up the Dome was great - I mean, the climb itself was a bit claustrophobic but spending time up on the Dome was great ;)
I agree with doing the Uffizi early in the day. And, as the other reply said: What about the Duomo area. I would actually head straight to the Piazza del Duomo since you're arriving fairly early. If there's not much wait (there probably will be though), pop into the Duomo. Otherwise, climb the Giotto Bell Tower adjacent to the Duomo -- if you're able (and fairly high energy) it's a long but very doable climb to the top of the Bell Tower and you'll have a fantastic overview of the city (and it's usually little to no wait to climb the Bell Tower). Re: the Uffizi and the Accademia, definitely MAKE RESERVATIONS! As Rick Steves says: to wait in line for several hours vs. entering fairly quickly with a reservation is just stupid! If the Uffizi is on your must do list, have a reservation (Rick's guide books give you all the info as to how), and have a game plan as to what you want to see. Otherwise, I would skip the Uffizi because it's just too much to do in such a limited time frame. The Accademia (again with reservation) is, IMO, more of a must see because of Michelangelo's David. I'd spend most of the rest of the time exploring Florence on foot, especially the area around Santa Croce Church (and inside the Church). Another museum that is much easier to do than the Uffizi is the Museo del' Opera del Duomo -- it's behind the Duomo, usually not crowded and contains the original Ghiberti doors to the Baptistery (the ones on the Baptistery are Japanese reproductions) as well as one of my favorite statues, Donatello's Mary Magdalene (it looks like 20th century art!) as well as a spectacular Pieta of Michelangelo. If you can, cross over the Arno at the Ponte Vecchio and dip your toes into the Oltrarno, the area on the other side of the Arno. If you want a nice, sit down lunch, my favorite restaurant, Casalinga, is between the Pitti Palace and the Piazza Santo Spirito.
If you have a little time before you catch your train out of town, stop in Santa Maria Novella church right near the train station.
Thank you for the helpful replies! Not sure if we're going to do the Duomo. At the Uffizi, I would really like to see the Botticelli's. If we arrive at 8:35, what is a good time to make the reservation for? I want to give us enough time to get there from the station without feeling super rushed and to also account for waiting in line to pick up our reservation tickets.
Just returned with a piece of Florence forever in my heart! BEST experience was Santo Spirito in Oltrarno. Look it up and read about it before you go... the walk is stunning, the Michelangelo is breathtaking, and... it is FREE! If you RUN... see the Botticellis (they are worth it!!), then Santo Spirito, then the David (will put you back closer to the train station). Lunch really close to the Uffizi - Osteria alla Antico. All the local students eat there. Delish Panini as big as your head for $5! Sit on the curb.
I would give yourself at least 1/2 an hour or more between arriving in Florence and your entry time to the Uffizi. It probably won't take that long to walk from S.M. Novella to the museum but it'll give you a little cushion to make your way out of the station, get your bearings and navigate your route (which I'd determine in advance). When you look at a map of Florence you'll see that there are few-to-no direct routes between some A's and B's, and street signs can be difficult to locate if unused to their placement. Venice is the same way and probably even more zig-zaggy.
You don't say what date in July you'll be visiting but I hope it's not a Monday?
I love both those museums, but when I visited we spend almost three hours in Academia and about 4 in the Uffizi. That would generate a huge amount of museum fatigue.
I hope you have some good footwear.
My wife’s favorite memory of Florence was a personal shopping tour with Maren Erikson.
Quite an experience and I highly recommend.
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