Florence

Which landmarks are actually worth the money?

Not all monuments deserve your time or wallet. The Duomo complex (Cathedral, Baptistery, Giotto's Bell Tower, Cathedral Museum, and Santa Reparata crypt) is the only site where a combined ticket makes sense. Skip the single-ticket option for the Cathedral alone (free entry anyway). The Brunelleschi Pass at 30 EUR (valid 72 hours) gives you access to all five parts. For the Uffizi and Accademia, the hype is real: Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Michelangelo's David justify the queues. But the Palazzo Vecchio museum (12.50 EUR) feels overpriced for the content. Do that as a free walk-through of the courtyard instead.

How much do tickets cost? And how to skip the queue?

Prices are based on 2026 rates. Inflation hit some sites harder than others.

Practical warning: Never buy tickets from street touts near Piazza del Duomo. They charge 50, 100% markup and resell same-day slots that are often fake. Use only official websites or the ticket office inside the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (Piazza del Duomo 9).

Duomo: The complete breakdown

The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (free entry) is the red-domed giant you see in every photo. Line forms at the north door, wait time 10, 20 minutes. Dress code: shoulders and knees covered. No shorts above the knee. Guards check every person. The dome climb (Brunelleschi's Dome) is part of the Brunelleschi Pass. 463 steps up a narrow, claustrophobic staircase. Single-file. No turning back. The view is superb but the sweat is real. Do it at 8:15 am or 5 pm to avoid crowds. The Baptistery (5 EUR standalone, but included in the pass) has golden Byzantine mosaics that are worth 10 minutes. The Museo dell'Opera del Duomo is the real treasure: original Ghiberti panels, Michelangelo's unfinished Pietà, and the actual tools Brunelleschi used. Allow 1.5 hours.

Uffizi Gallery: Timing is everything

This is a collection of paintings in a U-shaped palace. The queue for walk-ups in July 2026 stretches to 200 meters by 9 am. Online reservation costs 4 EUR extra but saves 2, 3 hours. The gallery spans 50 rooms. Focus on rooms 10, 14 (Botticelli), 25 (Leonardo), and 35, 36 (Raphael, Michelangelo). The terrace cafe gives a passable view of Palazzo Vecchio. Coffee costs 4.50 EUR. Don't bother with the audio guide (7 EUR) if you have a smartphone. Use the free museum Wi-Fi and download the official app. The exit forces you through a gift shop. Walk fast.

Accademia and the David: Quick or long?

The Accademia is a one-room show. You enter, walk 50 meters past unfinished Michelangelo statues (the Slaves), turn right, and there he is: David under a skylight. Stand 3 meters back to avoid the crowd selfie sticks. Maximum visit time is 45 minutes. The rest of the museum has mediocre musical instruments and plaster casts. Skip them. Book the earliest slot (8:15 am) for the least people. The ticket office next door (Via Ricasoli 60) sells same-day slots only if online is full. Arrive by 7:30 am.

Ponte Vecchio and the Oltrarno

Ponte Vecchio is a bridge with shops. Free to walk across. The Vasari Corridor (closed for renovation since 2022, estimated reopening 2028) is the secret passage above it. Don't bother waiting. The bridge looks best at sunset from the Ponte Santa Trinita, 200 meters west. The shops sell gold and jewelry. Prices are 30, 50% above market. Buy nothing there. Across the bridge, the Pitti Palace (16 EUR for the Palatine Gallery) and Boboli Gardens (10 EUR) are worth a half-day. The gardens have shaded benches and a fountain that works. Good escape from July heat.

Which landmarks to drop?

San Lorenzo Basilica (7 EUR) is a Medici church with a messy ticket system. The Medici Chapels (9 EUR) are better. The Piazza della Signoria is a free outdoor sculpture gallery. The Palazzo Vecchio tower climb (12.50 EUR) is 233 steps for a view that is worse than Giotto's. Skip it. The Santa Croce Basilica (8 EUR) has tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo, but the interior is dark and the audio guide (5 EUR) is monotone. Go only if you love dead Italians. The Baptistery doors (the Gates of Paradise) are now replicas. The originals are in the Duomo Museum. Avoid the distraction.

Practical advice for 2026

Florence is a construction site in summer 2026. The Piazza della Signoria has scaffolding around the Neptune Fountain until October 2026. The Duomo facade cleaning continues on the south side. Hours: most sites open 8:15, 18:50, closed Mondays (except Duomo). The Baptistery closes at 14:00 on Sundays. The Accademia closes at 13:50 on Mondays. Check official sites the morning of your visit. No monument accepts cash. Cards only. For the fire escape at the Uffizi, memorize the green exit signs. The alarms are tested daily at 10 am.