Opinions Sought: Book visits to the museums or just meander in Florence?

Meandering around Florence is a fine thing to do. In the event the spirit does move you to visit a museum or two amidst your wanderings, there are plenty of smaller places that you don’t need to book in advance: the Museo San Marco, the Bargello, etc.

Periscope - sort of 'feel like I should since I am there' but I do love the museum! I will have a teen daughter in tow, so she isn't as compelled to visit. :-)

I do like your suggestion, Inbsig!

Dennise

I would book tickets to see “David” at L’Accademia. It is so awesome to see Michelangelo’s statue in person. Our grandkids were awestruck by this work of art. It does not take too long to do this.

I went to Florence 15 years ago and at the time neither myself nor my travel companion were much interested in art museums, so I didn't go to any. Fast forward to now and I'm planning a trip there next year with my husband and we're both really excited about the museums. I don't have regrets because I wouldn't have appreciated it back then and I thoroughly enjoyed endlessly strolling. The city itself felt like a work of art.

Just came from Italy. We booked tickets at the Uffizi because it just seemed easier. We did this with the general pass to the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. In the morning, crowds weren't bad but I'm sure it got worse as the day went on. You can book a time but usually, as long as you use it sometime later that day you will be fine.

There's plenty of wandering to do be done in Florence. However, I wouldn't waste my time in a ticket line. Book it and do a "hit and run" if you need to.

We never booked any dinner reservations. If you are like most Americans, you're happy to eat earlier than most Italians. We'd go out early and if we saw a table, we grabbed it. We don't eat at really fancy or popular restaurants. that's just not part of what we do.

I was in Italy in March and early April this year, before tourist season got started. In Rome I went to a highly recommended restaurant for pizza. Luckily I got there a little early and was seated. It was so good, I went back the next evening, got there half an hour later and it was full. Because the waiters remembered me and were pleased that I'd returned they managed to find a table for me. Locals at the next table recommended a place across the street for my last dinner in Rome, and I booked a table on my way home. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have gotten in. In Venice the restaurant that was highly recommended wouldn't take reservations for one. I tried 3 nights in a row as a walk-in, and yes, got there early only to be told they were fully booked for the evening.

You'll always find somewhere to eat, but a lot of the good restaurants aren't open for a 6 or 6.30 dinner. If you're visiting in high season and you want to eat well, you likely will need a reservation. Some people solve the dual problem of late dinner hours and reservations by having a large lunch. I find that often cuts too much into sightseeing time.

I will echo the suggestions to visit the Accademia. While they do have paintings and exhibits that you can see, to see the main highlights (David and the "Prisoners") is a quick and easy visit. It's inside, just a few rooms, and there are benches where your teen can sit if she wants to wait while you look at the rest of the museum. My favorite time is late in the day - as late as possible before close. They'll stop selling tickets and, if you have a bit of patience, you can have David mostly all to yourself.

We were in Florence last week, and the only place we wanted to get into but couldn't was Il Santo Bevitore. If you have a specific restaurant in mind, it's worth making reservations (usually easy to do via email, check their website). Otherwise, if you eat on an American schedule (around 7ish), you shouldn't have a problem finding somewhere.

I agree with making dinner reservations. It's one less thing to think about. I've never enjoyed the hunting for food game.

Chani: do you mind telling me your Rome restaurants. I'm going in Oct and my list from 2018 is out-of-date.

I’m not a huge art fan, but I got a first thing in the morning ticket to the Accademia. I was the first person in the door and skipped the regular art and went straight to David. I had him all to myself for several minutes. I scanned the rest of the museum fairly quickly, then left. Honestly, there were so many cool things to see all over the city, including art in random little churches too. The next time I go, I’ll probably just wander the city for days and days.

I was there in late April. Definitely a great wandering-around city! If you've never been there, think about booking into at least one of the big museums. IMO, if you miss the Uffizi you might be sad. This time I went to Pitti Palace first thing and had a great quiet hour. Re dinner, if you want fancy places, reservations are wise but if you want small places, no need, esp in the Oltrarno. I recommend Mamma Gina's. Two other things: the tram from the airport to downtown is easy and so handy; and Il Mercado Centrale has fab picnic supplies. Dang, now I want to go back...

I'd agree with the Accademia recommendations. Just hop in really quick and see David. Then wander the city. Get a a panini lunch with some good gelato. There are a ton of really great shops around town which you could incorporate into your wanderings. I'd say the shopping is probably more enjoyable in Florence than Rome. I would finish the day however with a long walk up to San Miniato. The views might be more celebrated from Piazzale Michelangelo (which you could hit on the way down) but San Miniato has amazing views of Florence as the sunsets with a beautiful 11th century church behind you. Best spot in Florence. If you time it right you can step inside the church and hear the few monks left Gregorian Chanting vespers. If you wanted to time that with the sunset it would probably depend on the time of year you were going. After this head for dinner and at a place like Trattoria Anita or Il Gatto e la Volpe you'd probably be fine without reservations. You could just try places and ask. I'm sure you'll find a place that will seat you, especially if there's just two, although I've usually been there in the "shoulder" or "off" season.

For dinner I always make a reservation. Even if it is for a single. Better safe than sorry.

Unless you have already seen the museums you really should not skip them. At least Uffizi if nothing else. We will be in Florence for the fifth time this fall and will just be hanging around town, do some shopping, visiting outlying neighborhoods, etc. Catch a bus and spend a few hours in Fiesole. Another day down to Galluzzo.

Your original post doesn't say whether or not you've been to Florence previously. I second the recommendations for the Academia, and for me, it wouldn't have been a trip to Florence without seeing the Uffizi (the Botticellis, Oh, my!)

Another thing that I absolutely adored was the Basilica Santa Croce to see the tombs. If you're meandering that direction. Unbelievable to see!

Consider booking a time to see The statue of David. We spent a two full days in Florence commuting from Ovierto via the train. We saw David and that was awesome. All the other museums seemed great but hubby and I are not museum people. I was wowed by David. We enjoyed shopping and hanging out at a fab cafe by the Domo watching the world go by. We walked everywhere and had a great time. I’m very glad we didn’t miss David and some of the incredible Michaelangelo sculptures in the same museum. I enjoy art museums. I love art museums and maybe will catch them on a RS Italy tour in the future. My preference is to run around and enjoy a city so I am biased for where our time is spent. But David is worth the visit and getting tix in advance.

As for dinner, ask locals for recommendations. It could be a shop keeper, a fellow traveler at a cafe, or observations of who is eating in the place. We find restaurants by asking locals, whether it’s the bellman, the valet, or our scooter tour guide ( in Rome we scored the best place and a hidden jewel because of our scooter tour guide, we mentioned his name and got in. A small local hangout. Our hotel concierge was dumbfounded when we mentioned we got into this place). We found another great restaurant off the beaten path filled with only Italians that lived in the neighborhood. Grandma was hand making the ravioli. How much better does it get?!

Totally agree with Suki. The David should not be missed. It truly was an amazing work of art and worth it to see the perfection in Michaelanglo's work. You will be glad you did. Florence is a great city for meandering as well.

I am very appreciative of everyone's feedback. By popular suggestion, I have booked a visit to the Accademia Gallery and the Uffizi! Thank you!

I can HIGHLY recommend a visit to the Innocenti Museum in Florence. This is a VERY special museum and one of the most touching I've ever visited. It houses the first secular organization that took in abandoned children. There is one heartbreaking room filled with drawers labeled with children's names that contain the smallest of items, (half of a jewelry charm, a piece of fabric, etc) that a mother would leave when she dropped off her baby with the hopes of a future match if the woman's circumstances improved she could then be reunited with her child via this match. It really choked me up. The history and story of how this all came to be is quite interesting and moving.

There are no lines, affordable (10 euro, if I recall correctly) and there is an excellent audio guide that will add to your understanding of the facility. Also, there is no need to book in advance and I believe it is open every day except Tuesday. They have a nice rooftop cafe but it is only open on the weekend.