My family is planning to visit Florence in early July, and would like to go to the Uffizi and Accademia. Following advice on this Helpline, I went to the b-ticket website to make reservations (others I had looked at had astronomical fees). It appears that no morning reservations are available for the days we would like to visit; only afternoon times. Are the morning times held for hotels/agents to reserve, or are they just sold out already? Or should I check other ticket-selling websites? We will be renting an apartment, so do not have the option of having our hotel book for us. If we have to choose an afternoon time, do you recommend around noon or around 4pm? We will be four adults and three young children. Is there are cafe within the Ufizzi where we could take a lunch break if we went in around noon? Also, it appears that we must pay full price for the children, regardless of age (they are American); is that correct? Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Since you don't have a hotel to get the reservations for you, you can by-pass the middle men and get reservations yourself for the Uffizi and Accademia. Dial 01139055294883 (dial it just like that from the US) during office hours IN ITALY, which are Mon - Friday 0830 to 1830 Italy time. Be persistent, the hardest part is getting through, the line is often busy. That # should get you to an English-speaking operator, and you'll end up with days and an entry slot for each museum. For the Uffizi the time slot is a 15 minute window and you get a confirmation number--I forget the exact drill for the Accademia but you reserve both with the same operator (that's the way it worked in 2007). On the day reserved for the Uffizi, go to the museum about 10 minutes before the appointed time and you'll be able to skip the line and go to the special ticket office marked #3 for those with reservations, labeled in English "entrance for reservations only." What a treat--you'll gaze into the eyes of Renaissance Man (The David) and at the Uffizi see one of the greatest collections of Italian Renaissance art anywhere!
Posted by
OP
Seattle
40 posts
Hi Kent, Thanks for your reply. I was aware of the phone system, just thought it sounded easier to book online. I was just trying to figure out if there would be more times available to me if I called or booked some other way, since the b-ticket website does not show any morning availability. Anybody know about this? Otherwise, I'll just call directly and find out. Thank you!
Posted by
Hendersonvlle, NC
486 posts
Booking online uses an agency that charges their own fees. Use the phone but find someone who speaks Italian to call as there may be a long wait for an English speaking person. As in any other situation, explaining why you need a morning reservation to a real human may get you some sympathy and/or help.
Posted by
OP
Seattle
40 posts
Success! Thanks to all for you input. I wanted to report back that I called the number for the Uffizi and got through only the second time I tried (calling at 7:30 and 8:30 am PST). I was able to get the morning times I wanted for the days I wanted in early July for the Uffizi and Accademia. For the Uffizi the entry time was 10:45, instead of the 10:00 time I requested, so I urge people planning to visit the Uffizi in July to call ASAP to make reservations. Buon viaggio!
Posted by
Bel Air, MD, USA
261 posts
I just booked for mid-june, and got the early morning time slot I wanted. I also booked Medici chapel with the same agent (that was bonus). BUT the booking fee is now 4 euros for Uffizi and Accademia. Still an extra $25 is better than standing in line with 2 teenager!
Posted by
New York
1 posts
Thank you to the person above that posted the phone number for the Ufizzi and Academia! I was having the same problem as the original poster with getting morning reservations, and I called the number provided and made reservations with no problem!