Hello,
We will be arriving in Florence the evening of Saturday, April 15 and staying there until checkout on Wednesday so we have 3 days. I realized after planning that the Uffizi and Academia are closed on Monday. Ahh, the things we learn after the fact. What do you suggest? I know it depends on preference, but what would be a reasonable amount of time to allot for each? Both on the same day to free up the other 2 days or is that too much?
Kathy
You can do both on the same day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I would go to the Uffizi first, then stroll around a bit, have lunch, and visit the Accademia in the afternoon. It's a much smaller museum than the Uffizi. You could even visit the Museum of San Marco (on the same street as the Accademia) later that afternoon.
Amount of time depends on how long you want to gaze at a particular piece, but overall: 3 hours max for the Uffizi, 1.5-2 hours for the Accademia, 1 hour for San Marco. I have spent the entire day at the Uffizi, but I dawdle.
The time you allot for Accademia will depend on if you're there to see the entire collection or if you are going primarily to see David. If that's the case (as it seems to be for some), you will not need 1.5-2 hours.
Ah, Kathy your Florentine pain is not as great as mine was on my first visit, when the single day I had planned turned out to be November 1, the All Saints holiday.
I would book the Accademia for Sunday morning first thing, giving you the remainder of the day for other plans.
I would book the Uffizi for Tuesday afternoon (noting the late closing time).
Monday would be a good day for Siena or Lucca.
Accademia visiting hours
From Wednesday to Sunday, 8: 15-18: 50, Tuesday 8: 15-22: 00
Closed on Mondays, New Year's Day, 1 May, Christma
Uffizi visiting hours
Tuesday to Sunday, from 8.15 to 18.50 hours
Closed on Mondays, New Year's Day, 1 May, Christmas
We were able to do both the Accademia and the Uffizi on the same day. Yes it was a lot but the Accademia is much smaller. We also took a break up at the 2nd floor terrace cafe partway through the Uffizi so that helped!
Actually, both may be open Monday. That will be Easter Monday. Some places make an exception and open for that day. The list of openings usually isn't released until a week beforehand. It will be my first visit to Europe but I've been doing some research. I'm also planning on being in Florence that weekend, although I'm checking out Monday and taking the train to Assisi.
This is the special opening schedule from Easter Monday 2015:
http://www.discovertuscany.com/blog/special-openings-on-easter-sunday-and-monday-3090/
the Academia just takes an hour or so for David (when you have a tight schedule); the Uffizi needs 3 or 4 hours. You can easily do them on one day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Even with a reservation the Academia has a line that is not always speedy so give yourself plenty of time between or do Academia last. The walk between the two is short (there is a good granita place near Academia Carabe so you can grab one on the walk.
Be sure to put Musee San Marco (not far from Academia) and Brancacci Chapel on your list. Both are amazing. The Brancacci is where Masaccio began the Renaissance with his stunning frescoes.
I agree with others who said you can see both museums in one day, Uffizi in the morning, then rest your eyes and brains as long as possible, then to Accademia later in the day. I wouldn't want to do it myself because I'd be wiped out from looking at everything they have, but I think many people do it because of schedule limitations like yours. Get Rick's Tuscany or Italy book which gives a detailed tour of the most important/not to miss works in both museums. And/or download his Audio Europe app to your phone, take your bluetooth and you'll have a wonderful private guide for free at both museums. On the app there are museum maps and photos of the art works you'll see; the latter is helpful so you're not standing in front of da Vinci while he's describing Botticelli. His books say 2/2.5 hours for Uffizi but I've never been in there when I didn't spend at least 4-5 hours. The Accademia can be visited as a 45 minute walk-through if Michelangelo's works are your only reason for going there. Add an hour if you want to see a lot more. They have a relatively recent exhibit area with a wonderful collection of historic musical intruments which I found fascinating.
You are all so helpful, as always. I'm glad to hear it can it can be done. We have plans to spend 2 nights in Siena, otherwise your suggestion about a day trip would be seriously considered. Questions aside, I can't believe there were 4 more earthquakes today! These dear people have had so much to deal with. I'm from southern California where there is always the threat of an impending earthquake, but I must say I am starting to get a little unnerved about the safety of some of the old structures we will be visiting in the areas.
I know there are differing opinions on this, but I would reccommed getting the Firenze card. You may not get your money's worth in terms of pure dollars, but we found the time savings aspect was more than worth the price. You can do the Academia pretty quickly (45 mins to hour should be plenty). Download the Rick Steves app and he has a decent tour for both stops. I would suggest going to both of these places first thing in the morning (right as they open) and the crowds should be minimal allowing you to enjoy the sights. Uffizi takes more time than the Academia, and it depends on how much you love art, but I think you could give it a good look in 2-3 hours. Less even if you are just interested in the highlights.
I will look into the Firenze card. Thank you.
Joy, I read the link about the museums having free admission on Sunday and Monday that you sent. It sounds like there will be no advance purchase tickets for those days (please correct me if I read it wrong!)......will this be a crowd nightmare?
Kathy
Kathy, the link about the Uffizi/Accademia being open Easter Monday in Eve's post above is from 2015: I can't find anything stating it'll be open on Monday in 2017.
The official Uffizi ticketing website (http://www.b-ticket.com/b-ticket/uffizi/info_venue.aspx) states that the only closures are Mondays, January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th so you will be fine going on Sunday.
Neither the Uffizi or Accademia with be free, however. They were only free in 2015 because Easter Sunday that year fell on the first Sunday of the month when ALL Italian state museums are free. That's not the case this year so you'll need to pre-book tickets to avoid the queues or use a pass.
Same open/close days apply to the Accademia:
http://www.b-ticket.com/b-ticket/uffizi/info_venue_accademia.aspx
One caveat, though? As Eve mentioned, information on special openings and whatnot can often be posted rather late in the game so it's possible for the museums to announce a special Monday opening closer to Easter weekend. If they are, I expect tickets will be required.
Oh dear, my error. Eve, you clearly spelled out that the link was from 2015 and there may be something later coming out. So, I'm sorry!
Time to buy tickets...
No problem, Kathy. I'm not certain if they will be open. I've never been to Europe and so the only knowledge I have is because I'm acting like a nerd and searching the heck out of it. 😊 I hope that Assisi's sights will be open Easter Monday because that's where I'll be but I haven't found any information regarding openings or closings so I'm in the dark.
I've never been to Europe and so the only knowledge I have is because
I'm acting like a nerd and searching the heck out of it. 😊
LOL, Eve!!! First chuckle of the day!
Definitely no nerd, you, 'cause you're doing your research! :O)
I'm also a fan of the Firenze card - depending upon how much you want to see, you may save a little money. Equally importantly (in my opinion), you'll be able to skip the long lines at the bigger sites (Uffizi, Accademia, etc.) I've been to Florence a number of times (a couple of times for shorter periods (1-4 days) and a couple of times for a week at a time). On my last visit, I went to the Museo di San Marco for the first time and absolutely loved it - I can't believe it took me so long to get there! Highly recommend, particularly if you're going to be in the area for the Accademia anyway. My favorite church remains Santa Croce and the fairly recently renovated Museo dell'Opera del Duomo is amazing.
There is also the Bargello Museum, which is never crowded, and is right in the middle of town.
It's mainly sculpture, but is amazing both as a Museum and as an architectural site. I don't know the opening days or times.
One of my favorite things in Florence were the Medici Chapels, which are at the Basilica of San Lorenzo very near the Duomo. We randomly took the afternoon guided tour offered there (last June) because we happened to be there close to the start of the tour, and the guide we had was superlative. It helped Florence come alive for me in a more personal way with all of the detail she supplied about the personalities and politics of their golden age. I highly recommend it. Also you can stroll through the Palazzo Vecchio pretty quickly if you like (maybe 90 minutes) and there are amazing frescos on the walls illustrating the history of the city during that age. It's possible to take a lot longer there of course but if you have time at least duck in and see the Salone dei Cinquecento which is a beautiful space with dramatic frescos illustrating battles. It's one of the few place where I've found myself photographing walls for their own sake : ) Seeing just the Salone might take 15-20 minutes. If I remember correctly, even with a Firenze pass you have to wait in a small line to get another ticket.
With limited time, unlikely the Firenze card will be a good value. Please consider the Bargello....I visit every time I go to Florence. Also the Santa Maria Novella church is lovely. Across the river, Oltrano area...the Santo Spirito church is worth a peek and is free. Gusta Pizza is close by and delish (NOT the place right off the piazza...about a block away on via Maggio). Crowds will most likely be an issue over Easter no matter what. I was in Florence for 4 months last year and went up to Piazelle Michelangelo probably 5 or 6 times. Whenever I had a friend visit I took them up there for the spectacular view over the entire city. A bit pricey to sit and have a drink but you just can't beat the view as well as people watching...and you can sit as long as you want at the cafe terrace level or just enjoy the view from the upper level without buying a beverage. It can be a steep walk up or a quick fun bus ride (cheap) then walk down and stroll around the neighborhood before you cross the river. The Santo Spirito Church is also lovely (the neighborhood where I stayed last year...and again will stay this year). The leather school is attached/behind the church. Fantastic neighborhood market San Ambrogio (closes at 2 pm) is a few blocks away. Rather than spending your few days inside museums...enjoy the view outside! Sit with a coffee and enjoy the view. Don't feel like you are wasting your precious time rather that you will (hopefully) return again and again....and again!
We will soon be sitting down to work on our daily schedule so all this information will definitely come in handy!
Thanks for helping this newbie,
Kathy
