Florence is stuffed with Renaissance treasures, but only one room draws 1.7 million people every year to admire a single hunk of marble. The Accademia Gallery is tiny, frantic, and absolutely worth it—if you play it right. Keep reading to discover how to visit the Accademia Gallery and see Michelangelo’s David without the lines.
Pro Tip: Ready to lock in your visit? Grab your Florence Walking Tour with Statue of David tickets to skip the line and visit the Duomo.
Skip to What You Came Here For:
Getting to the Accademia Gallery
What’s Worth Seeing
Guided Tours
Tickets & Hours
Secret Tip
How to Get to the Accademia Gallery
The gallery sits five minutes from the Duomo, yet many visitors still circle it—here are the direct routes:
- Walking: Florence is compact; it’s 10 minutes from the Duomo and 18 minutes from Ponte Vecchio. Head for Piazza San Marco and follow the “GALLERIA DELL’ACCADEMIA” banners down Via Ricasoli.
- Bus: Hop on electric shuttle C2 or standard lines 10, 11, 17 to San Marco-La Pira. Two zebra crossings later, you’re at the ticket line.
- Tram: From Santa Maria Novella station, the T1 stop Alamanni-Stazione is 50 m away; walk 14 minutes northeast from there.
- Taxi: Fixed city center fares hover around €8–€12.
Interessante Fact: Michelangelo’s David was trundled here in 1873 on a wooden cart running over greased rails to protect it from weather.
What’s Worth Seeing at the Accademia Gallery
You came here for David, but don’t miss these stops:
👉 Click on the name of the stop for a detailed explanation!
- Michelangelo’s David: Seventeen feet of glorious marble showing David poised before the fight with Goliath.
- Hall of Prisoners: Four half-finished “Slaves” show Michelangelo’s chisel marks and work-in-progress thinking.
- Hall of Musical Instruments: Medici Stradivarius and the first piano ever built.
- Giambologna’s Rape of the Sabines: Walk all the way around; each angle reveals a new twist in the spiral.
- Florentine Gothic Room: Bonaguida’s gold-drenched Tree of Life.
- Hall of the Colossus Paintings: Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Perugino, all in the same room.
👉 Dive deeper into what interests you on our Private Accademia and Uffizi Express Tour
Accademia Gallery Tours
For your schedule, interests, and budget.
Florence Accademia Gallery Express Guided Tour | 1 hr | €€
It’s quick, gets you to David and on with your day without breaking the budget.
Statue of David Evening Tour | 1.5 hrs | €€
Quieter 5 p.m. entry, small group, unhurried time with David and top rooms.
Florence Walking Tour with Statue of David | 3 hrs | €€
City highlights, fast-track gallery entry, Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, gelato stop.
Florence in a Day Combo Tour with David and Uffizi | 7 hrs | €€€
Michelangelo, Botticelli, Medici stories, and Florence’s icons—all in one loop.
Florence Private Walking Tour with Michelangelo’s David | 3 hrs | €€€€
Your own art-historian guide, custom pace, and flexible start time.
👉 Not ready to book? See our best Florence tours to take and why.
Tickets & Hours for the Accademia Gallery
You’re going to want to book a timed entry. Only 200 people are allowed in at once, and the line doesn’t move fast.
- Opening times:
- Wednesday, Friday – Sunday, 8:15 am–6:50 pm (last entry 6:20 pm).
- Tuesday: 8:15 am–10:00 pm (last entry 9:30 pm).
- Thursday: 8:15 am–9:00 pm (last entry 8:30 pm).
- Closed: Every Monday, Jan 1, Dec 25.
- Adult ticket: €16
- Under 18: Free.
- Reservation fee: €4 if you book online.
- Free First Sunday of the Month: But not worth the queue.
👉 Skip the line with an Accademia Gallery Express Tour
Secret Tip
Slip in at 5 p.m. with our early-evening skip-the-line tour and you’ll share the Accademia with a fraction of the daytime crowd. A local art historian leads you straight to the highlights, then gives you space to study David in near-silence.
Plus, the gallery’s closing security sweep doesn’t begin until after 6:30, so you’ll have plenty of time to admire Michelangelo’s masterpiece.
Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting the Accademia Gallery
Here’s what catches most first-timers off guard:
- Planning for Monday: Gallery is closed.
- Saving a few euros by not booking ahead: The 90-minute queue is not worth it.
- Standing too close to David: Step back under the arch for the best full-height view.
- Winging it without audio or guide: Wall labels are sparse; you’ll miss key details.
- Buying a Firenze Card and forgetting to pre-reserve: Remember, the card alone won’t get you in.
- Bringing a backpack or a large water bottle: You’ll be sent straight to the paid lockers.
Interessante Fact: A vandal smashed David’s toe with a hammer in 1991—hence today’s strict bag search.
Over Reading? These videos explain a lot!
Check out our YouTube channel for more resources.
Where to Eat Near the Accademia Gallery
Don’t let hunger ruin your visit.
- Ristorante Cafaggi: €€ | Family Run — family-run trattoria, perfect for bistecca and hearty Tuscan plates.
- Fuoco Matto: €€ | Kid Friendly — lively pizza-and-pasta spot that welcomes kids and carnivores alike.
- Arà: è Sicilia: € | Quick Food — grab-and-go cannoli and arancini straight from Sicily.
- Ristorante Accademia: €€ | Tuscan Bistro — touristy name, genuinely solid Tuscan classics.
Interessante Fact: A proper Florentine steak is served rare; locals say anything more cooked is “for the English.”
👉 Find more Great Restaurants Near the Accademia Gallery
Quick Round-Up of FAQs
Q: Can I photograph David?
A: Yes—but no flash, no tripods, and no selfie sticks.
Q: How long do I need inside?
A: One hour hits the highlights; two hours to see everything.
Q: Is the gallery wheelchair-accessible?
A: Yes—elevators link every floor.
Q: Does my Firenze Card cover entry?
A: Yes, but you still need to reserve a time slot online.
👉 All our tours handle the reservation, so you don’t have to.
Keep the Momentum
Your Accademia Gallery visit is sorted; don’t let the rest of Florence catch you off guard. Use these hand-picked resources to lock in food, sights, and flawless logistics.
- Where To Stay in Florence – rooftop-pool hotels, family flats, and budget gems, neighborhood by neighborhood.
- Things To Do in Florence Off the Beaten Path – artisan workshops, Oltrarno bars, and quiet cloisters most tourists miss.
- Best Foods and Dishes To Try in Florence – from lampredotto rolls to cantucci with Vin Santo.
- Amazing Day Trips from Florence – Chianti vineyards, Pisa’s lean, or the hill towns of Tuscany in one click.
Where To Stay in Florence
Florence has a small historical center packed with iconic landmarks to explore. Plan where to stay in the best neighborhoods in this beautiful city.
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