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.
There is so much detail presented that you really don't get a sense that you've seen the art in the museum. His explanation of the way that painting styles evolved and transformed over time was good, and Siro was personally charming. Four hours was too long, the overcrowding of the Uffizi made the tour seem less personal, and I believe the cost was high compared with the experience - not good value for the money.
Cathy
Reviewed on:
May 19, 2012
Cornelia was very pleasant and knowledgeable of the art at the Uffizi.
The tour was very busy during "Cultural" week in Italy, so there were many more people at the museum than may be typical, so moving around in the museum was a challenge. Cornelia's voice is very soft, and at times hard to hear what she was telling us. In her instance, it may be beneficial to consider using a microphone system, although I like that fact that Context does not typically use the microphone/earpiece during their tours. 6 person maximum typically does not require that type of sysytem. Other recommendation is for Cornelai and all docents to make note of where potentail "seating" may be loacted during the tour, and plan out little "rest" stops for the attendees. Many of us tourists have been walking a lot, and taking strategic "sit-down" rest stops where/when available would make it very pleasant.
Thank you.
Thomas
Reviewed on:
May 16, 2012
What great big fun we had with Patti. She managed to manage an almost unmanageable scene. Not only did she have a brilliant sense of humor, she could explain and discuss the art in the Uffizi without it seeming to be an art history lecture. Plus she maneuvered around the throngs of elbowing Russian tourists and massive groups of pushing Asian tourists so that we were able to observe the artwork without peering over heads or through elbows or around shoulders. Plus she found wonderful places for my husband to be able to sit and rest when his walking got a bit tired.
We had a delightful marvelous time with Patti. Please send her our very best.
Katherine
Reviewed on:
May 14, 2012
