Explore Florence: Accademia, Michelangelo & Renaissance Art

About this activity

  • Duration

    1 hour
  • Free cancellation

    Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
  • Live tour guide

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  • Reserve now & pay later

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Highlights

  • Marvel at Michelangelo's famous statue of David in full detail.
  • Discover the unfinished Prisoners sculptures by Michelangelo.
  • Explore Gothic and Renaissance masterpieces at Accademia Gallery.
  • Learn the stories behind iconic artworks from expert English-speaking guides.
  • See Michelangelo's creative process through raw and finished sculptures.

Your experience

Once inside the historic area of Florence, you will find yourself starting the journey toward one of the most iconic structures in Florence – the Accademia Gallery.

The Accademia Gallery has long been recognized as a cultural jewel for the region of Tuscany, this gallery houses an incredible array of artistic masterpieces showcasing the creative genius of hundreds of years of artists associated with gothic and renaissance style; prior to entering the many wonders inside the gallery you will be provided a guided private tour by a very experienced and knowledgeable English-speaking tour guide who is able to provide you an exceptional experience, not only showing you all the wonderful works of art contained throughout the gallery but also will provide you with in-depth knowledge about the artistic creation process.

The Accademia Gallery has a multitude of globally recognised works of artistry.

It allows guests to view all the pieces simultaneously; however, the main subject likely to attract the attention of the invitees will be the famed statue "David", created by Michelangelo and representing the height of the artistic ability of this renowned artist and the Renaissance period itself.

At a height of 17 feet, "David" is a clear indication of Michelangelo's great talent, as well as his meticulous attention to detail.

Through his calm expression and static stature, David is a visual representation of the strength that lies within.

The statue is considered to be one of the most outstanding works, in addition to being one of the most well-respected pieces of art in the world.

In addition to the famous ‘David’ by Michelangelo, the Accademia Gallery houses an extraordinary collection of some of Michelangelo’s other original works; namely the Prisoners or Slaves, which are a series of unfinished sculptures left in their raw and incomplete state.

This provided audiences with an opportunity to see how Michelangelo approached the artistic process of producing works, as well as how he dealt with the many creative challenges he encountered during the course of creating them.

There is a dramatic contrast between the coarse, unrefined surfaces of the unfinished sculptures (the Prisoners/Slaves) compared to the perfectly finished surface of David, this helps illustrate what a portion of his creative evolution was like as he worked to complete them.

As you continue on your tour, you will see a wide range of Gothic and Renaissance era masterpieces that display the great artistry of Florence.

The art gallery has many famous artists from these eras and each of their masterpieces is represented in very distinct ways through color, detailed imagery, etc., by the creative process used to create each of the masterpieces.

The guide will tell you about the historical and cultural context of each of these exceptional works of art and how they relate to their specific artist and time.

It is not only a museum; rather, the Accademia Gallery represents a window back in time that has enabled us to experience the creativity and craftsmanship of Florence during its Golden Age.

This tour will offer you a unique opportunity to experience all that art represents and will enhance your love for it (if you are passionate) or help you develop a greater understanding of its significance if you just began to explore this area.

Every museum you go through will broaden your opinion and understanding of art as well as demonstrate how art has improved our culture, created our perceptions of beauty and influenced the way in which we view others.

Get ready to feel emotional as you explore the world of Renaissance Art and how Michelangelo's legacy and that of his contemporaries still create feelings of awe through their stunning artwork in the Accademia Gallery.

Plus, after experiencing these masterpieces first hand, you will have a newfound appreciation for Florence's artistic tradition, be in awe of these creations that will forever inspire and excite others, and understand how these timeless artworks have inspired many for centuries.

Not Suitable for
  • Wheelchair users
What's Included
  • Priority entry tickets
  • Professional Guide
  • Free luggage storage
What's Excluded
  • Hotel pick up and drop off service
  • Tips

Itinerary

Starting location:

Via Ricasoli, 109r

2
Accademia Gallery

Guided tour

Arrive back at:

Via Ricasoli, 109r

Meeting Point

To Remember

What to bring

  • Passport or ID card

Know before you go

  • wheelchair accessible
  • The tour is not private, but shared.
  • If the time you choose is not available, you will be transferred to another time on the same day. These changes do not depend on us. Therefore by booking you are aware of this possible change and therefore we warn you so not to have complaints later, or requests for refunds, which will not be taken into consideration. Example: If you choose the 10:00 am time slot and the Accademia ticket office closes at that time you will be moved to the first available slot, 12:00 pm, 13:00 pm, 14:00 pm or 15:00 pm.
  • Skip the Line included, means you'll be in the fast line, not that you won't have anyone in front of you.
  • It is advisable not to book tours on the same day, with close times
  • Please leave a Whatsapp number where you will be contacted.
  • Important notice for last minute bookings (on the same day or from one day to the next): in case of lack of seats the customer will be placed on the day following the booked date.