17 Best Museums in Florence (in 2023)

Visiting the museums in Florence is a key part of getting to know this famous Italian city. Florence museums are a dream come true for art lovers and illustrate the rich history of the area. 

I knew Florence’s museums were famous when I was visiting Italy, but I was admittedly overwhelmed by choice when I got there. Museums are some of the best things to do in Florence, so to make it super easy for you to decide – I’ve put together this article with the 17 best Florence museums. 

Disclosure: Travel Lemming is an independent reader-supported blog. You can support us by purchasing via the affiliate links on this page, which may earn us commissions. See our Advertising Policy for further explanation. Thank you!

17 Museums in Florence

Uffizi Gallery

One of the most-visited museums in Europe with 100 rooms and 2,200 pieces by iconic artists like Da Vinci and Rembrandt.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: 26€ Adults, Free Under Age 18 | Hours: 8:15 am – 6:30 pm, Daily, Closed Mondays

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most popular things to do while visiting Florence and one of the most-visited art museums in all of Europe. A record-breaking 4 million people visited the Uffizi Gallery in 2022 and it’s easy to understand why. Uffizi is a maze of mindblowing, priceless art. 

There are long halls filled with artwork and rooms branching off from the corridor to smaller exhibit spaces. These little pockets house works from many of the artistic greats, like Botticelli, Caravaggio, Raffaello, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Rembrandt, and many more. 

 👉 Pro Tip: The Uffizi Gallery is a treat for art aficionados and novice appreciators alike. However, you won’t understand the depth and story of this collection without a guide. That’s why I’d recommend joining this Uffizi Gallery Small Group Tour for an elaborate two-hour exploration.

Accademia Gallery

A quaint Italian art museum home to one of the most famous sculptures in the world – Michelangelo’s David.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: 13€  Adults, Free Under Age 18 | Hours: 8:15 am – 6:20 pm, Daily, Closed Mondays

The Accademia Gallery is one of the most iconic museums in Florence thanks to its main attraction, the legendary Michelangelo’s David statue. It deserves a spot on your Florence itinerary just to see this iconic work alone. 

The original version of this famous sculpture is housed right in the center of this little Florence museum and there is always a hefty crowd. Despite the busyness around the David, it’s still one of the best Florence museums and a must-see for visitors. 

The Accademia also features other gorgeous pieces from Florentine artists during the Renaissance period. Just remember that the Accademia Gallery is closed on Mondays, like many big museums in Florence. 

Bargello National Museum

One of Florence’s best art museums featuring an exceptional collection of Renaissance art. 

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: 11€ Adults, Free Under Age 6 | Hours: 8:15 am – 6:50 pm, Fri-Mon, 8:15 am – 1:50 pm Wed-Thurs, Closed Tuesdays 

Bargello National Museum holds one of the best collections of Italian Renaissance sculptures on the planet. Bargello is housed in a magnificent Medieval palace and features works by Michelangelo, Donatello, and more.  

Bargello has a variety of great pieces from famous artists, like Uffizi and Accademia. However, it has a more laid-back feel, with less hectic crowds pushing each other to get a glimpse. So, Bargello is better for museum-goers who prefer a more peaceful experience. 

Leonardo Da Vinci Interactive Museum

A family-friendly museum that dives into Da Vinci’s genius inventions, early scientific instruments, and art. 

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: 8€, Free Under Age 2 | Hours: 9:30 am – 7:30 am, Daily

The Leonardo Da Vinci Interactive Museum is one of the top museums in Florence for families visiting the city with children. Although, adults often find the museum just as exciting as kids. 

It’s a museum dedicated to showing all the works of the great Leonardo Da Vinci in many forms, including inventions, machines, and art. Best of all, the entire place is 100% interactive. Visitors are encouraged to touch, play with, and learn from the exhibits in a hands-on way. 

It’s a super fun and educational experience that provides something a little different than all the other Florence museums.

Palazzo Vecchio

A super fancy 13th-century fortress displaying a variety of art by Michelangelo and others. 

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: 12.50€ Adults, Free Under Age 18 | Hours: 9 am – 10 pm, Fri-Wed, 9 am – 2 pm Thursdays

Palazzo Vecchio is a versatile attraction that exemplifies the history and artwork of Florence. It’s an excellent museum for families to get a bit of culture while still keeping it interesting. 

The palace itself is a luxurious palace from the Medieval ages. Inside, you’ll find a collection of intricate paintings and Renaissance-period quarters. Underneath the museum, there is even an ancient Roman ruins site to explore. 

Opera Del Duomo Museum

A gorgeous art museum in Piazza del Duomo with statues by Donatello, Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, and more. 

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: 30€ Adults, Free Under Age 7 | Hours: 9 am – 7 pm, Daily

The Opera Del Duomo Museum is an art museum conveniently located in Piazza del Duomo right next to Florence’s cathedral. 

The statue and architecture work at this Florence museum is absolutely breathtaking and unbelievably intricate. You’ll be able to spot works by Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, Donatello, and many more. Plus, it’s a simple stop to fill up an afternoon at Duomo Square. 

 👉 Pro Tip: Purchase the comprehensive Brunelleschi Pass for 30€ for access to all the main attractions in Duomo Square, including the Opera Del Duomo Museum. 

Pitti Palace

An extensive complex near Boboli Gardens housing multiple iconic Florence museums.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: 17€ Adults, Free Under Age 18 | Hours: 8:15 am – 6:30 pm, Daily, Closed Mondays

Pitti Palace is one of the best museums in Florence for experiencing all facets of Italian culture. It’s been a residence for many powerful dynasties in Italy, including the Medici family. 

It’s technically a whole museum complex near Boboli Gardens that includes a bunch of different attractions. The museum houses the Palatine Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Museum of Costume and Fashion, and The Treasury of the Grand Dukes. 

The Imperial and Royal Apartments with their elegantly decorated rooms are also conveniently located at Pitti Palace. Pitti Palace is ideal for visitors who have limited time in Florence and want to see as much as possible. 

 👉 Pro Tip: There is a lot to see at Palazzo Pitti and you can easily get a bit lost if you don’t know where you’re going. Save yourself time by joining this Pitti Palace, Palatina Gallery, and the Medici Tour. 

Museo Galileo

An 18-room science museum that goes through the history of early science with instruments and inventions on display. 

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: 13€ Adults, Free Under Age 6 | Hours: 9:30 am – 6 pm, Wed-Mon, 9:30 am – 1 pm Tuesdays

Galileo Galilei was an Italian scientist, astronomer, and physicist whose work had an enormous impact on the world. He’s responsible for making the telescope and microscope famous and using them to advance the field of astronomy and biology as a whole. 

You can get an in-depth look at the world and inventions of Galileo at Museo Galileo in Florence. The museum totes 18 different rooms in total. 

Each exhibit shows off artifacts, instruments, and inventions made by some of the Renaissance’s finest metal smiths. The museum provides an incredible perspective into Galileo’s life and genius. There is even a display with Galileo’s real finger inside. 

The Stibbert Museum

A collection of historical weapons and body armor amassed by art collector Frederick Stibbert. 

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: 10€ Adults, Free Under Age 3 | Hours: 8 am – 7 pm, Daily, Closed Thursdays

Frederick Stibbert was a businessperson and art collector with an eye for historic artifacts. After his death, his collection of over 50,000 pieces was turned into a museum for the public. 

Today, visitors are welcome to roam the exhibits to appreciate all of Frederick’s accumulations. There are Medieval weapons, costumes, body armor, furniture, paintings, porcelain, and real Samurai katanas from Japan inside the Stibbert Museum.

Museo degli Innocenti

A quaint art museum just outside the main city center housed in a former 15th-century orphanage.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: 14€ Adults, Free Under Age 11 | Hours: 11 am – 6 pm, Daily, Closed Tuesdays

The quiet, little Museo degli Innocenti is much tamer than some of the other bustling museums in Florence. It’s located inside a former orphanage from over 500 years ago. Today it lives on as a haven for early works by Sandro Botticelli, sculptor Luca della Robbia, and more. 

After wandering around the museum section of Museo degli Innocenti, head up to the terrace where there is a nice rooftop bar with views of the Duomo. 

National Archaeological Museum

A history museum with more than 14,000 intriguing Greek, Roman, and Egyptian pieces to see. 

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: 9.50€ Adults| Hours: 8:30 am – 1 pm, Mon-Sat, 1:30 pm – 7 pm Thursdays, Closed Sundays

Florence’s National Archaeological Museum lets visitors take a walk through history from around the world. It’s filled with 14,000 artifacts and artwork from Greek, Etruscan, Roman, and Egyptian civilizations.

The museum even includes an incredibly well-preserved Egyptian war chariot from over 3,500 years ago made of wood and bones. The Archaeological Museum is great for kids because it’s both informative and very entertaining.

San Marco Museum

An eclectic museum with stunning architecture and one of Florence’s largest collections of religious art. 

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: 16.75€ Adults, 7.75€ Children | Hours: 8:15 am – 1:50 pm, Tues-Sat, Closed Mondays and Sundays

Get to know Italy’s artistic and religious culture by visiting the San Marco Museum in Florence. This museum inside a 15th-century building is a mecca for prized religious artwork.  

The pieces are colorful, grand and give you a sense of the importance of religion in Italy. The San Marco museum is less than a two-minute walk away from the Accademia Gallery, too. So, it’s easy to visit both of these Florence museums in one outing. 

Gucci Garden

A unique museum showcasing the luxury brand and history in fashion with many eye-catching displays.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: 8€  Adults, Free Under Age 11| Hours: 10 am – 9 pm, Daily

Some of the most famous luxury brands in the whole world were born right in Italy, such as Gucci. The iconic Gucci brand was founded over a century ago in the city of Florence. To honor the clothing label’s impact on the fashion scene, the Gucci Garden Museum was established. 

Gucci Garden is a treasure trove of various Gucci fashion clothing, handbags, and accessories. This might sound a little underwhelming, but the museum is organized in such a way that it’s very eye-catching and aesthetic. It’s a perfect museum for photographers, selfie-takers, or luxury shoppers. 

Stefano Bardini Museum

A little museum across the Arno River from the city center with an array of pieces from the art dealer Stefano Bardini.

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: 7€ Adults, Free Under Age 18 | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm, Fri-Mon, Closed Tues-Thurs

You must travel a bit outside of Florence’s city center to reach the Stefano Bardini Museum and it’s well worth the venture. It’s one of the cheaper museums in Florence, so it’s a solid option for budget travelers. 

Inside the museum is a rich collection of unique items that you might not expect to see together. The compilation is a bit more unusual because it was all brought together by an eccentric art dealer aptly named Stefano Bardini. 

Novecento Museum

A modern art museum with around 300 works inside a former ancient hospital. 

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: 9.50€ Adults, Free Under Age 18 | Hours: 11 am – 8 pm, Fri-Wed, Closed Thursdays

The Novecento is a fairly small contemporary art museum with only a few hundred works. However, those pieces have been carefully hand-picked to create an intriguing, whimsical display of artwork from Italian artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. 

Another interesting tidbit about this Florence museum is that it’s actually built inside an ancient hospital from the 13th century, granted it’s been heavily updated since then for the modern era. 

Cappelle Medicee

The lavish burial ground of the all-mighty Medici family, which also doubles as an art museum. 

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: 18€ Adults | Hours: 8:15 am – 6:50 pm, Fri-Wed, 8:15 am – 10:50 pm Thursdays, Closed Tuesdays

Many influential groups ruled in Italy throughout history, but few were more powerful than the Medici family. That’s why it’s such a big deal that the final resting place for this significant political dynasty is right in Florence at the Cappelle Medicee.

This Florence landmark is a burial ground and a museum because of just how elaborate the decorative arts around the building are. There are even several works by Michelangelo hidden around the Cappelle Medicee.

The Salvatore Ferragamo Museum

A fashion museum that explores the history of the famous Ferragamo brand with over 14,000 pairs of shoes. 

📍 Google Maps | Museum Website | Cost: 8€ Adults, Free Under Age 18 | Hours: 10:30 am – 7:30 pm, Daily

The Salvatore Ferragamo Museum highlights the fashion history of Italy’s famous brand and designer. Salvatore Ferragamo was actually from Florence, so it only makes sense for his museum to be located there. It’s a must-see for clothing and fashion buffs.

The fashion museum is in a Medieval palace. It showcases a tailored, organized collection of Ferragamo merchandise. There are even 14,000 pairs of shoes in the collection.

The museum also gets into the clothing line’s marketing and Salvatore and his wife’s history. It’s a very interesting stop to get a sense of how clothing and Feragamo impacted Italy.

FAQs About Museums In Florence

***

Now that you know about all the best museums in Florence, which one piques your interest the most? The equally iconic city of Milan is less than 2 hours away on the train. So, don’t forget to check out my guide to the best things to do in Milan, too.