How long for Pitti Palace and others

As art lovers we found the Pitti Palace exhausting. As my husband said, "If you buy everything, I guess you're bound to get some good stuff." I wouldn't go back. The Uffizi is so incredibly much better. Accademia is wonderful, and besides David and the Slaves there is stuff in the side galleries that is interesting. The Riccardo-Medici Palace has two things: a Filippino Lippi (I think) and the wonderful Benozzo Gozzoli chapel. They have an electronic version of the Benozzo in a side room downstairs where you can stand on a platform and point, and a voice tells you who the people are in the fresco. An hour there. Medici chapel tombs, an hour. San Marco, an hour plus/minus.
Don't miss the Museo dell'Opera di Duomo, behind the Duomo. It's one of the best.

Kelly, it probably depends on the extent of your interests in specific art. I've spent more than 8 hours in the Convent of San Marco over a couple of days on a single trip, but Fra Angelico was the reason I went to Italy the first time. My take on the Pitti Palace was there was a mix re quality; 3-4 hours was enough for me. For Medici chapel and the chapel at the Medici Palace, I'd guess 1-2 hours each would be enough; given location, you could do San Marco, Medici Palace, and Medici Chapel on a single (long) day if you wanted to. You don't mention your plans for the Uffizi, but I find a couple of half-day (or longer) visits a nice way to do that collection... it's exhausting to try to absorb at once.

Kelly, it probably depends on the extent of your interests in specific art. I've spent more than 8 hours in the Convent of San Marco over a couple of days on a single trip, but Fra Angelico was the reason I went to Italy the first time. My take on the Pitti Palace was there was a mix re quality; 3-4 hours was enough for me. For Medici chapel and the chapel at the Medici Palace, I'd guess 1-2 hours each would be enough; given location, you could do San Marco, Medici Palace, and Medici Chapel on a single (long) day if you wanted to. You don't mention your plans for the Uffizi, but I find a couple of half-day (or longer) visits a nice way to do that collection... it's exhausting to try to absorb at once.

I almost skipped the "modern art" section of the Pitti Palace - but since it was included in the ticket . . . Modern in Florence is roughly from 1815 to 1915, loved it all. Also in Florence, if you are sculpture lovers, do NOT miss the Duomo Museum (not in the Duomo) and the Bargello.

Thank you so much for all of your help! I really appreciate it!

Kelly, Have to add my 2 cents. I see you have a tight itinerary so I'm not sure you can add another museum...We just got back from Florence and were stunned by the Specola Museum which is just down the street from the Pitti Palace. I highly recommend a short visit (1hr) to this museum. It is a science museum, but with a historical bent... since most of the exhibits are from the 18th and 19th centuries. The museum has several sections, one being "stuffed" preserved animals (including extinct species) and an incredible human anatomy section with true to life, wax figures and organs. (sounds grizzily, but they are really incredible, expecially since they were made in the late 1700s. ) also, don't miss the temporary minerology exhibit near the ticket seller. the huge speciments in this temp exhib outshines the Smithsonian.

I second the motion to not skip the Modern Art gallery at the Pitti Palace. It is not abstract art as you might expect (not that there is anything wrong with abstract art!) There are lots of beautiful paintings by local artists with many scenes of rural Tuscany, farm scenes, peasant scenes, etc. I really enjoyed it!

We are in florence. All museums are free this week so we were able to enter the gardens on the way to the Pitti Palace. We discovered you can completely avoid the line for the Pitti Palace by by entering through Bobli Gardens. You can easily save 45 minutes of standing in the heat by entering the palace from the rear.

Overall the Pitti Palaces old masters collection was not the greatest BUT they have about a dozen paintings that make it a worthwhile visit. They have some amazing Raphael's and Titian's that made it a satisfying visit.

Figures cultural week was this week...I am arriving Sunday the 17th...I guess all the freebees will be gone. I do want to see the exhibit at the Pitti Palace about wines throughout history. Anyone see it?

Hi Everyone,
We just finished our 2 weeks in Italy and now I am sitting on a balcony in Nafplio enjoying the sun. I agree with the answers on this list for timing. We saved a ton of money with culture week, which was nice. It also seemed to help the lines move quickly. The artwork in Florence is amazing and although Pitti Palace was not my favorite, I still enjoyed some of those very special paintings mentioned earlier. The Uffizi was amazing as were the Medici Palace and Chapel, The Accademia, San Marco, etc. Thanks again for all the help! Happy Travels!

Kelly - glad you are in Italy and not here in Portland where we are getting record rainfall - enjoy the rest of your trip!