Museo Masterpieces of the Uffizi museum in Florence

Some practical information before we begin. The Uffizi (READER: oo-feet-see) Gallery, or Galleria degli Uffizi, as it is called in Italian, is located in the historic, pedestrianised part of the town. It is on the Piazzale degli Uffizi and is very easy to find. You can approach it from two directions, either from the Piazza della Signoria, the biggest square in Florence, dominated by the Palace of the same name, or from the quay running alongside the Arno, the river that runs through Florence.

The museum is open from 8.30 a.m to 6.50 p.m every day except Monday and 1st January, 1st May and 25th December. A word of warning, however. The museum is the most visited tourist attraction in Florence. So to avoid a wait that can last up to 2 hours, you are strongly advised to book your ticket several days in advance. Reservations can easily be made by ringing 0 552 94 883, or if you are phoning from abroad, on 00 390 552 94 883. Advance reservations add an extra 3 euros to the price of the ticket. In our opinion, however, in the high season between April and September, this is well worth it. So here’s that number again: if you’re phoning from abroad, it’s: 0 0 3 9 0 5 5 2 9 4 8 8 3. That said, if you forget to telephone, you can still buy your tickets in advance once you’re in Florence, from a ticket office situated at the Church OrsanMichele at the beginning of the Calzaioli Street. This street starts at the Piazza della Signoria.