Visit to Palazzo Vecchio in Florence: Hours, Prices, and Tips

Introduction

The Palazzo Vecchio Museum is one of the top attractions in Florence, as well as one of the largest civic museums in Italy. It is located in Piazza della Signoria, inside the palace of the same name, which also houses the Municipality's headquarters. Mainly spread over two floors, the museum showcases the works and ingenuity of Giorgio Vasari, who designed most of the rooms, used as offices and private apartments for Cosimo I and his wife, including the grand staircase inside.

Hours and Prices

Hours daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, except on Thursdays when closing is early at 2:00 PM. In summer (April to September), closing extends from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Closed on January 1st, Easter Sunday, and December 25th.
Best time to avoid lines early morning
Ticket price $10.00
Discounts $8.00 for visitors aged 18 to 25 years and for university students
Free admission for children up to 18 years old; for groups of students and their respective teachers; for tour guides and holders of the Firenze Card.

Opt for priority tickets: though slightly more expensive, we recommend purchasing a priority ticket, which includes skip-the-line access, an audio guide, and free cancellation in case of unforeseen events. It's essential for saving valuable time at the entrance, as lines can be exhausting!

Online Tickets and Guided Tours

What to See and How to Visit the Palazzo Vecchio Museum

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The Palazzo Vecchio Museum is located in the heart of Florence's historic center, housed inside what is now the city's municipal headquarters.

The palace that hosts it includes an external area comprising the entrance, the Torre di Arnolfo, Porta di Tramontana, and Porta della Dogana; a section dedicated to three courtyards and the Camera d'Arme on the ground floor; and an internal area, the actual museum, consisting of two floors, the upper walkway, and the mezzanine.

We recommend starting on the first floor and progressively moving up to the top. Below is a more detailed presentation of the various points of interest.

1 - First Floor

Salone dei Cinquecento: one of the most important and magnificent halls in all of Italy, it was partly designed by Vasari. Its most notable work, located on the southern side, is Michelangelo's marble group The Genius of Victory.
Studiolo di Francesco I: also designed by Vasari, its walls and ceilings are completely covered with paintings, many of which depict the four elements. It also features portraits of Cosimo I and his wife Eleonora of Toledo.
Monumental Quarters: a collection of rooms lavishly decorated and inspired by the celebration of the Medici family. Paintings by Giorgio Vasari, Marco da Faenza, and Giovanni Stradano adorn these spaces.
Ricetto: a space characterized by a vaulted ceiling frescoed by Lorenzo Sabatini, featuring allegorical images and imperial emblems.
Hall of the Two Hundred: a room designated for the Municipal Council meetings, often closed to visitors. However, the tapestries on its walls, crafted by renowned Renaissance artists such as Bronzino and Pontormo, are noteworthy.
Hall of the Eight: a small office distinguished by its intricately carved ceiling adorned with cherub heads and lilies.

2 - Second Floor

The second floor is accessible via a grand staircase designed by Giorgio Vasari, leading to the following areas.

Elements Quarters: a series of apartments consisting of five rooms and two loggias. Inside are many allegorical paintings and frescoes, mostly created by Vasari, Giovanni Stradano, and occasionally Verrocchio. It served as the private apartment of Cosimo I.
Eleonora's Quarters: an area of the palace dedicated to Cosimo I's wife, Eleonora, also designed by Giorgio Vasari and enriched with many works by Stradano. It features several rooms and a chapel, with large windows offering a view of the initial stretch of the Vasari Corridor, connecting the palace to the Uffizi Gallery.
Chapel of the Priors: a chapel dedicated to Saint Bernard, whose reliquary is preserved inside. The frescoes on the walls and ceiling, resembling golden mosaics, are the work of Ridolfo del Ghirlandaio.
Hall of Audience: this hall was used for meetings between a Gonfaloniere and eight priors. It features a barrel-vaulted, gold-plated ceiling and an inscription honoring Christ.
Hall of Lilies: this room is named after the presence of lilies on the ceiling and walls, which represent the French crown's lilies rather than the Florentine ones, as a tribute of loyalty and gratitude to the House of Anjou. It also showcases the famous Judith and Holofernes sculpture by Donatello.
Geography Maps Hall or Wardrobe Room: a room where the Medici Grand Dukes stored their valuable belongings. At the center is the famous Mappa Mundi, the largest globe during its creation, which has deteriorated due to frequent restorations.
Old Chancellery: likely used as Machiavelli's office when he served as Secretary of the Republic. The room features a bas-relief of Saint George and the Dragon, originating from Porta San Giorgio.
Salotta: a noteworthy room featuring a fresco depicting a real historical event, The Expulsion of the Duke of Athens, attributed to Orcagna.
Album Studio: a studio used by Cellini for restoring Medici family treasures.

The Upper Walkway

Another significant staircase connects the second floor to the walkway and tower. Along this path, visitors can stop to admire the famous Hall of Flags, which now functions as one of the leading tapestry restoration workshops under the Opificio delle Pietre Dure.

The Mezzanine (Loeser Collection)

Located between the first and second floors, the mezzanine was created by Michelozzo by lowering the first floor's ceilings. It was used for a long time as Cosimo I's study, which also featured a window overlooking Piazza della Signoria. The space is filled with paintings, most of which depict The Madonna and Child, crafted by various artists.

Location and How to Get There

On foot: Piazza della Signoria is in the heart of the historic center, just 0.4 miles from Brunelleschi's Dome - Get Directions
By bus: Florence's historic center, along with its main landmarks, is connected by lines C1, C2, C3, and C4.
By tram: From the outskirts of Florence, the T1 and T2 routes lead to Florence Santa Maria Novella, the historic center's main station.

Useful Tips for Visiting

Start early: The Palazzo Vecchio is an iconic landmark of Florence, attracting tourists in droves. To avoid the crowds, we recommend visiting early in the morning.
Purchase a city card: If you're planning to visit other museums or attractions in Florence, consider buying the Firenze Card, which also provides free entry to Palazzo Vecchio.
Priority ticket: To avoid long lines at the ticket counter, you can purchase tickets online.
Watch for restrictions: Certain areas, such as the tower, are inaccessible to children under 6 and not recommended for those with claustrophobia or mobility challenges. Plan accordingly if you'd like to visit these sections.
Minimum time: Allocate at least two hours for your visit. For a more in-depth experience exploring additional sections of the palace, aim for at least three hours.
Special events: Being Florence's Town Hall, Palazzo Vecchio may occasionally close for political events or ceremonies. Check the museum's website before planning your visit.

Historical Highlights and Trivia

The Palazzo Vecchio Museum is housed within the homonymous palace, which serves as Florence's Town Hall. Over time, this structure has been known by various names, including Palazzo dei Priori and Palazzo della Signoria. It reflects a distinctly medieval style and showcases a historical juxtaposition between the Guelphs and Ghibellines: the battlements on the walkway are Guelph-style (square-shaped), while the tower features Ghibelline battlements (swallowtail design).