This Renaissance jewel is an open-air museum itself, but here we are with a brief overview of the best museums in Florence, so you don’t miss the most important cultural spots in town when living in Florence.

As you may already know, museums in Florence hold the best collections of Renaissance art in the world. This fervent period of European cultural, artistic, political and economic rebirth was actually born in the Tuscan capital at the end of 1300 and going on until 1500.
The most famous Renaissance artists thrived under the patronage of the Medici first and other magnate families later.

When exploring the best museums in Florence, you’ll see uncountable masterpieces from worldwide renewed artists such as Michelangelo, Botticelli, Donatello, Ghiberti, Tiziano, Tintoretto, Raffaello among others. 

But not only Renaissance art: you should also expect to see beautiful and diverse treasures such as Egyptian mummies, ancient jewelry or other museums which celebrate some of the greatest Italian fashion designers: Gucci and Ferragamo.

You may have heard about the famous Uffizi gallery or Pitti palace, among the multitude of museums in town, but you can also find some priceless pieces of art in churches and chapels. 

Keep reading and discover the best museums in Florence with us!

Explore the Italian masterpieces in the best museums in Florence

Galleria degli Uffizi 

The Uffizi Gallery undoubtedly is one of the most famous museums in the world and it boasts an impressive collection of renewed sculptures and paintings, such as Botticelli's Birth of Venus, from the greatest minds: Leonardo,Raffaello, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Mantegna, Correggio and many others. You can also access the rooftop to sip a coffee or taste a local wine.

Palazzo Vecchio

Nowadays, Palazzo Vecchio is known as a museum, but back in the centuries it was the Governmental Palace in Florence, where the ruler family used to live; in fact, the second floor once housed the private rooms of the Medici court.

Though the beauty of this place is in the design of the building itself, you will find many pieces of art and frescoes inside, especially in the first floor “Salone dei Cinquecento”, a beautiful room decorated with the touch of Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo.

Museo dell'Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore (Cathedral Museum)

Some of the greatest masterpieces in Florence are housed right in this stunning cathedral: the last Pietà of Michelangelo, the beautiful altar of the baptistery, the amazing marble galleries, the bronze door panels by Ghiberti and much more. 

Ospedale degli Innocenti

This beautiful Renaissance building, designed by Brunelleschi, displays artifacts, artworks, memorabilia, documents, and more, has a particular focus on the everyday life of the children that  once used to live here (this place was an orphanage).

Museo Novecento

From the Renaissance to the modern and contemporary Italian art of the 20th and 21st centuries. If you like this artistic period, this place is worth visiting, especially for its unique story. The big flood that devastated Florence in 1966, provoked the loss and damage of thousands of artworks.

Therefore, more than 200 artists all over the world decided to participate in the donation assembled by the art historian Carlo Ludovico Ragghianti. And this is how Museo del Novecento was born.

Palazzo Pitti

Palazzo Pitti, together with the enchanting Boboli Gardens, is the place where the famous Medici family used to reside. This majestic building, designed by Brunelleschi at the end of the 15th century, is today a big museum, where you can find more than 500 Renaissance paintings and also modern art pieces.

Galleria dell'Accademia

If you are wondering where the original David of Michelangelo is located, here’s the answer: in Galleria dell’Accademia. This probably makes this place one of the best museums in Florence (and the second most-visited, after the Uffizi).

Not only David! Here you can also find many other marble masterpieces, murals and amazing paintings, including pieces from Giotto.

Gucci Garden

If you are a fashion addict, the Gucci museum, located in Palazzo della Mercanzia, is the place that you can’t miss during your stay in Florence. It was opened in 2011, in honour of the 90th anniversary of Gucci couture house.
You will experience a beautiful journey through the Italian luxury brand history: from the very beginnings, right in Florence, to the enormous international success in the present days.
The museum complex includes many exhibition rooms, a Gucci store and a fancy restaurant signed by chef Massimo Bottura.

Museo Salvatore Ferragamo

The iconic shoes known all over the world, from Florence to Hollywood have their roots right in this city. If you want to know more about the legendary shoemaker’s history, you can’t miss the exhibitions in the Museo Salvatore Ferragamo.

Museo Galileo

As you know, Galileo was an Italian natural philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician who made fundamental contributions to science and astronomy. He developed the scientific method and supported the Coperincan heliocentric system theory.
If science and astronomy fascinate you, this is the right place to visit: meridians, globes, compasses, telescopes and many more scientific crafts, even the original collection of Galileo’s instruments!

Palazzo Strozzi

Get ready for a time travel and to get in the best venue in Florence where you can admire contemporary art: Palazzo Strozzi.
Located in the historic centre, this building hosts many and diverse international exhibitions,  workshops, talks, concerts, events signed by important names such as Marina Abramović.

We hope you enjoyed this brief cultural journey among our list of the best museums in Florence!