Florence: Uffizi & Accademia Small Group Walking Tour

About This Experience

This is the long version of a two-museum day: about four hours on foot with a licensed guide and a group of 10 to 15 people, run by Florence and Global Small Group Tours. It starts at the Accademia, where the guide covers Michelangelo's David, moves outside to Piazza del Duomo for the cathedral and Brunelleschi's dome, walks on through Piazza della Signoria, and finishes with a guided visit inside the Uffizi. Radios and headsets are handed out so the commentary carries in crowded rooms. The visit ends inside the Uffizi, so you can stay on by yourself afterwards.

Both timed tickets are included. There is no official Uffizi plus Accademia ticket, so this is two separate reservations bundled by the operator and timed to the walk. At the Uffizi everyone passes the metal detector, and when the gallery is full staff hold new arrivals even with a timed slot; one reviewer who booked the Accademia part waited 20 to 25 minutes there in late September despite the reservation. Four hours is a long time on your feet with no scheduled stop: one review complains that the only break was ten minutes at the Accademia. Eat beforehand and carry a small water bottle (up to 50 cl is allowed in both museums).

It suits visitors who want the city walked and explained between the two museums, and who are happy with a four-hour block. If you want both museums with less walking, the Uffizi Gallery and Accademia Gallery Guided Tour does them in three hours and goes straight from one to the other. If you only want David, the Accademia Gallery David Guided Tour and Timed Entry is the shorter, cheaper option.

Watch the options when you book. The same listing sells a David Tour (Accademia only) and a David Tour and Hidden Highlights walk that never enters the Uffizi; the option described here is the Uffizi and Accademia English Guided Tour, with a Florence Highlights: Uffizi First variant that reverses the order. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start. Names must match your passports, because both museums check ID against the ticket.

Highlights

• About 4 hours on foot with a guide and a group of 10 to 15 people
• Accademia first, then the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, ending inside the Uffizi
• Michelangelo's David, then Leonardo, Botticelli and Michelangelo at the Uffizi
• Views of Ponte Vecchio from the Uffizi upper floor and terrace
• Guided tours in English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Italian and German
• The visit ends inside the Uffizi, so you can stay on by yourself

What's Included

• ✓ Timed-entry ticket to the Accademia Gallery
• ✓ Timed-entry ticket to the Uffizi Gallery
• ✓ Licensed guide for about four hours
• ✓ Radios and headsets
• ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start

Not Included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Food and drinks (and there is no scheduled break)
• Gratuities

What to Bring

• Passport or ID card for every participant, including children, matching the names given at booking
• Comfortable shoes
• A small bag only: the Accademia admits nothing larger than 40 x 30 x 18 cm and has no cloakroom

Good to Know & Caveats

• Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
• Give every traveler's name exactly as it appears on their passport or ID at booking; both museums check names against tickets.
• Group size 10 to 15 people.
• Everyone passes security at both museums; at the Uffizi, staff may hold the line briefly when the gallery is full, timed ticket or not.
• The listing's from-price is for the Accademia-only option; make sure you select the Uffizi and Accademia English Guided Tour (or Florence Highlights: Uffizi First).
• On the first Sunday of the month both museums are free and reservations are not possible, so entry is not guaranteed; avoid those dates.
• No scheduled break in four hours; one reviewer could not find time for the toilets, so plan ahead.

Meeting Point

Varies by the option booked and is confirmed on your voucher. The standard tour begins at the Accademia on Via Ricasoli; the Uffizi First variant begins at the Uffizi, around the Piazzale degli Uffizi.