You may feel the ‘Stendhal syndrome’ when seeing the plethora of art at your fingertips on a visit to Florence, from spectacular sculptures, frescoes, and contemporary art installations there is something for all manner of tastes. Florence became a bustling artistic hub during the Renaissance when locals could afford to commission great artworks you can see even today. In this article we will lay out some of the best museums in Florence to ensure you have the richest of cultural experiences while there.

The home of the Masters: A Florence art tour

The Medici family, who reached high levels of authority in Florence, commissioned works by artists such as Michelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Botticelli, kickstarting the Renaissance and converting the city into the artistic and cultural hub it still is today. Many museums in Florence are free the first Sunday of every month, however these days will of course be very busy. Most of the museums offer either group tours or audio tours in your preferred language, or you can take your own time and stroll through at your own pace, soaking it all up. Here are just a handful of some of the museums in Florence Italy that are well worth a visit.

Uffizi Gallery

Located next to the beautiful Piazza della Signoria this Gallery is famous all over the world for its brilliant collections of paintings and sculptures from the Middle Ages up to the Renaissance, including masterpieces from Giotto, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Raphael. We advise 3-4 hours for a leisurely meander through the galleries and an in depth look at what to see in Uffizi gallery. It’s a good idea to book your tickets in advance as it’s one of the most visited museums in Florence.

Palazzo Vecchio

This imposing medieval palace, with its iconic tower, is a symbol of Florence's history and culture, characterized by fascinating architecture and extraordinary art collections.These include The Chapel of The Magi, designed by Michelozzo and decorated with frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli. Allow 1-2 hours for your visit.

Galleria dell’Accademia

Best known for housing Michelangelo’s inspiring and beloved sculpture of David this museum, although less extensive than the Uffizi, the Galleria also houses an impressive collection of Florentine paintings from the Trecento to the Late Renaissance. Located between the Duomo and the Piazza San Marco, it is well worth a visit!

Palazzo Pitti

This vast palace hosts art exhibitions for every taste, the Galleries include The Modern Art gallery, The Palatine Gallery, the Royal Apartments, the Museum of Costume, and the Grand Dukes Treasury, all of which include remarkable Renaissance and Baroque paintings. Make sure to swing by the exquisite Boboli Gardens that are annexed to the palace before you leave.

A modern take in Florence

Florence is not only home to momentous masterpieces, but it is also a great place to admire some modern and contemporary art spaces, let’s look at some hot spots:

Museo Novecento

This gallery, a former 13th century hospital, houses every media possible from paintings, video, sculpture, poetry, and photography from Italian artists from the 20th and 21st centuries.

Palazzo Strozzi

This stunning palace houses some of the most flamboyant and provocative art in Italy and includes exhibitions from prominent internationally famed artists such as Jeff Koons, Ai WeiWei and Bill Viola.

VEDA

This artistic hub provides space for emerging artists, fostering their growth, and focusing on meaningful and thought-provoking contemporary installations.

Collezione Roberto Casamonti

This private art collection located on Piazza Santa Trinità is comprised of 250 mesmerizing and unique paintings and art installations. A small and quiet gallery, a great little pit-stop to see something a bit different while you are on your Florence art tour.

Art at Rome Fiumicino Airport

If you are flying into Rome, or in fact returning home from Rome Airports and you are still hungry for some art, then check out the art installations available all throughout the airport. Among these you will also find three stained glass windows attributed to Giotto, owned by the Ministry of the Interior's Fondo Edifici di Culto and coming from the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence. The artworks, located in the Piazza of Terminal 1 Departures, respectively depict the prophet Aronne and two holy deacons.

For a full description of the art installations on show at Rome Fiumicino airport click here.

It’s easy to see why Florence is regarded by many as the art capital of Italy. Whether you are an art connoisseur or just love to stroll through museums in awe, you won’t leave Florence unimpressed by the sheer amount and quality of art at your fingertips.

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