Tour Details
Duration
3 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
- Uffizi Gallery
- The Birth of Venus
- Primavera
- Annunciation
- Venus of Urbino
Photos & Highlights
- Stand before the iconic artworks of Botticelli, Leonardo, and other Renaissance masters feeling guided, not overwhelmed.
- Your guide takes care of the research and preparation, so you can simply show up and enjoy the learning.
Select a date
Tour Description
You may come for Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and the Primavera, but with the guidance of an art history expert, you’ll leave with far more than the highlights. This tour is designed not just to show you the masterpieces, but to illuminate the stories, artists, and details that most visitors walk right past.
During these three thoughtfully paced hours, your guide will help you navigate the Uffizi’s vast collection with confidence and curiosity. You’ll gain insight into both the celebrated icons and the hidden gems. These works rarely make it onto postcards in the gift shop, but often leave the deepest impression.
By the end of your visit, you’ll have experienced the key masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance and discovered a new way to connect with art that might just change how you enjoy museums going forward.
Choose this tour if...
- You’re seeking an experience that makes art approachable for all, from beginners to seasoned art lovers, so everyone can enjoy.
- You want an intentional exploration of the Uffizi, letting your expert navigate the crowds and handle the logistics so you can truly enjoy the art.
- You want to impress your friends and family with the fascinating stories behind popular pieces and lesser-known works that not many visitors will learn.
- You prefer a calm, private setting with a guide who stays by your side, rather than leading from a distance, and is ready to tailor the experience to your pace and curiosity.
Experts
Traveler Testimonials
We would have been lost without her
"She pitched her knowledge at the right level for us and introduced us to some amazing artworks and artists. We would have been lost in the vast Uffizi if we had visited on our own."
-Susie R.
-Susie R.
Made sense of the Uffizi
"Super knowledgeable, passionate and engaging guide, and I learned so much during the tour! One of the things I worried about beforehand was just how crowded the Uffizi would be, but our guide had a strategy so that we avoided the crowds."
-Melissa W.
-Melissa W.
Opened our eyes to the Uffizi’s hidden depths
"Our guide had deep knowledge of every painting in Uffizi and made us see things we would never have discovered."
-Marie U.
-Marie U.
The name “Uffizi” comes from the Italian word for “Office”, as the building was commissioned in 1560 by Cosimo I de’ Medici to serve as the offices for the Florentine magistrates. Today, these rooms host some of the most important pieces of art in the world.
Instead of a hurried walkthrough, your expert will take their time weaving a narrative through iconic and lesser-known works that showcase the evolution of Florentine art.
Marvel at the trailblazing techniques of Cimabue and Giotto, immerse yourself in the harmony showcased by Lippi and Botticelli while exploring the era's budding philosophical notions, particularly those favored by the Medici court. Dissect Mannerist masterpieces by artists like Parmigianino and Bronzino with your art historian.
Interested in seeing something specific? Let your guide know so they can weave it into your trip through the venue's halls.
By getting to know the history behind the paintings, you’ll get to know the artists of the time—their aspirations, techniques, and allegiances. You’ll also better understand the intricate intertwining of beauty, artistry, and politics that shaped the Renaissance era.
- Uffizi Gallery - One of the world’s most renowned museums, home to Florence’s greatest artistic treasures.
Tickets
Your booking includes tickets to the venue. Please note that our tickets will allow us to enter a special lane where our group will have to stand in line due to security and crowd control measures. Your guide will use this time to dive into the history of the gallery, the Medici family, and the various types of art you will see inside.
Headsets
We are required by the venue to order headsets. You will see a “Headset Fee” added to your order.
Additional Trip-Planning Resources
A few things that pair well with this tour:
- Comfortable walking shoes. The Uffizi has 13,000 square meters of exhibition space to explore!
- A fully charged phone or camera. Photos are allowed, but flash photography is not.
- A few euros to purchase a coffee at the cafeteria on the second floor. (It has a panoramic view.)
- An audio guide on the power and politics of Florence. If your interests are a merging of art and history, this experience is perfect for you.
Do you pre-purchase tickets for the Uffizi tour?
We secure timed tickets for the Uffizi in advance. Upon arrival, your guide will already have these tickets. However, please note that even with these pre-purchased tickets, the group will still need to undergo a security check. This might take up to 20 minutes given the Uffizi's popularity, but our guide will make the most of this waiting period by giving you an introduction to the collection's history.
Will we see the entire Uffizi collection during the tour?
Due to the tour's 3-hour limit, we can't cover the whole collection. There might also be instances where specific rooms or artworks are not accessible due to unforeseen reasons.
I have a group of 10, but I can't book for more than 9. Can you accommodate us?
Our booking system has a maximum limit of 9 participants per group due to venue restrictions. For larger groups, we recommend splitting into two or more smaller groups.
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?
Given its significance and the vast number of visitors it attracts, the venue has made efforts to improve accessibility for all its visitors, including those with disabilities. However, it's worth noting that the collections are housed in a historic building which can present certain challenges for accessibility. Additional details are available here. Please communicate any mobility needs or concerns with our team at the time of booking.
Accessibility Notice: Starting December 2024: The elevators to the second floor are currently out of service due to renovations. Unfortunately, we do not have an estimated timeline for their return to service. Please note that our gallery begins on the second floor. Visitors will need to use the stairs unless prior arrangements are made. For guests with disabilities who cannot use the stairs, an alternative route is available. However, this path adds approximately 1 kilometer to the tour, requiring the use of an elevator at the museum's exit and additional walking time back to the entrance. This may extend the overall tour time. We are happy to accommodate this option, but it is crucial to let us know when you book so we can inform your guide and ensure everything is prepared in advance. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Accessibility Notice: Starting December 2024: The elevators to the second floor are currently out of service due to renovations. Unfortunately, we do not have an estimated timeline for their return to service. Please note that our gallery begins on the second floor. Visitors will need to use the stairs unless prior arrangements are made. For guests with disabilities who cannot use the stairs, an alternative route is available. However, this path adds approximately 1 kilometer to the tour, requiring the use of an elevator at the museum's exit and additional walking time back to the entrance. This may extend the overall tour time. We are happy to accommodate this option, but it is crucial to let us know when you book so we can inform your guide and ensure everything is prepared in advance. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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1063 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Two people in our group were late and delayed the start of out tour by 45 minutes. They claimed they had received no confirmation with meeting instructions. Based on the amount of communication that we had with Context prior to our tour, I doubt their story very much. Regardless, they should not have been allowed to delay our tour for more than 5 minutes at most. There were also some EU VIPs touring the museum that morning which delayed all entries and added to the chaos outside the gates. Had we not been delayed by inconsiderates we would have avoided the VIP crowd issue entirely. None the less, Anne handled this as well as could be expected, got us in and ahead of the EU big shots and began the tour. She was very well organized, informed and interesting. She made certain that we saw each of the most famous artists and masterpieces and narrated the transition to Renissance art very well.
John
Reviewed on:
May 12, 2013
Patricia had a great game plan and strategy for the tour. The only problem was that she did have some trouble waiting to get our tickets, this meant that we were waiting a while (15 - 20 minutes) to enter the museum and had to extend the time of the tour to make up for it; this was very kind of her, but I can't imagine dealing with this scenario during the summer and even more crowded conditions. I would hope that this issue can be resolved before summer crunch time.
I am an art history student with a master's degree and so it was clear to me that Patricia had a very good understanding not only of the art but also of the museum's collections as a whole and how they relate to the specific history of Florence. Her tour touched upon all the major touchstones I was there to see; of course, not everything was covered but I was able to revisit the collection on another day and so had booked this tour only as a beginning to familiarize myself with the museum.
Her discussions and linking of the artworks was excellent including historical development, the intricacy of artist's workshops and studios, and the history and motivations for patronage. I really liked that she asked everyone for input, and I felt that, unlike in many other tours, my knowledge and background did not make me excluded or ignored, but rather that it was used to help enrich the tour.
Patricia also went above and beyond the tour to help others in our tour find offices, book tickets for other attractions, and was very helpful in helping me prioritize my visit She let me know about two exhibitions, which were both excellent, as well as other small places that hold some fabulous art. I can truly say that my trip would not have been the same without her excellent advice.
Kimberly
Reviewed on:
May 10, 2013
Patty was excellent and interacted well with the group.
James
Reviewed on:
May 7, 2013
