Greeting All:
My wife and I are arriving in Florence on the 18th of May after a month-long meander across the continent.
We will be there until the 1st of September. The purpose of the journey is to allow me to take drawing and painting instruction
from two Ateliers currently teaching the French Academic method of drawing and the means and methods associated with painting using the techniques of the renaissance masters.
Question: What is the best method for purchasing museum passes? Can I buy online with confidence?
Are the passes readily available on an as-needed basis - or - should they be purchased in advance. ?
Thanking you in advance for any consideration, I am,
Calvin
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
5080 posts
First I'm going to assume that either you live in a country that is exempt from the Schengen zone 90 day rule, or you have already sorted your visas for your extended stay.
The Firenze card is only good for 72 hours ( from your entry at your first museum), and you can only enter each site once. Advance purchase isn't necessary, but mandatory pre-booked entrance times have been instituted at the Accademia and Uffizi. Considering the reason for your stay, you might want to look at annual passes for selected sites instead. Here is a link that discusses the ins and outs of the Firenze card: https://www.visitflorence.com/florence-museums/is-firenze-card-worth-it.html
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16032 posts
Calvin, for the Uffizi and Pitti Palace complex ONLY, there is an annual pass that would probably work well for you...although I do not know if if it will allow you to paint in the museums. This pass used to include entrance to many other museums in Florence but they unfortunately cut back on that list a few years ago. Anyway, look at the "Friends of the Uffizi" (Amici degli Uffizi) pass, and this is the official website for it:
http://www.amicidegliuffizi.it/diventa_socio.php?pg=8&ln=en
You don't have to purchase it before you arrive in Florence; buy it at the Welcome Desk, as we did. "Regular" tickets only allow you a single entry: this pass will allow you priority entry for an unlimited number of times for the life of the pass. As you'll be in Florence for 3.5 months, you'll definitely get the good of it if you visit frequently. Editing to add, to cover your wife and yourself, buy the € 100 family pass.
Posted by
Irving
3039 posts
You want to purchase your Uffizi Gallery tickets ASAP because last I heard it had a two month wait list and that was a while ago. You also want to buy tickets for Accademia. I like to do this on their websites: www.uffizi.it/en/tickets and www.galleriaaccademiafirenze.beniculturali.it/.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16032 posts
MaryPat, there are still "regular" Uffizi tickets available for tomorrow (I just checked) so no 2-month wait depending on season. I will agree that to land the desired time slot during high and shoulder season that it's best to plan well ahead! :O)
But the Amici degli Uffizi pass above doesn't require any advance, timed-entry reservations.
Posted by
OP
58 posts
Thank you ALL !!! Much appreciated.
See you on the street. :-)
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16032 posts
First I'm going to assume that either you live in a country that is
exempt from the Schengen zone 90 day rule, or you have already sorted
your visas for your extended stay.
I see that this subject is being tackled on a separate thread. You will need to get that sorted before making definite plans; good luck! :O)