An essential guide to famous art in Florence

The birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is where visionaries like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, and Raphael pushed the boundaries of art and creativity. Their work, with the patronage of the Medici family, turned Florence into the cradle of revolutionary art and thought. Today, visitors can experience this legacy firsthand through famous art in Florence: from the tension in David’s stance to Botticelli’s flowing grace, and Leonardo’s evocative early works, art in Florence continues to define the city’s cultural identity.

1. David, Michelangelo

Where to see it

Accademia Gallery of Florence

Michelangelo’s “David” is one of the most important masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance and an essential landmark to see in Florence. The original “David” is housed in the Accademia Gallery, while notable replicas can be found in Piazza della Signoria (Duomo Square) and other locations. The statue embodies the drama and intensity that define Michelangelo’s work, visible in David’s piercing gaze and tense posture. For the best visit to the Accademia Gallery, arrive early, right at opening, to see the most iconic sculpture in Florence before the crowds gather.

Address

Via Ricasoli, 58/60, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy

Opening Hours

Tuesday-Sunday 8:15 AM-6:20 PM
Monday Closed

2. The Birth of Venus, Sandro Botticelli

Where to see it

Uffizi Gallery

This dreamy 15th-century painting shows Venus emerging after birth from the sea on a shell, flanked by wind gods and a nymph. Botticelli’s delicate lines and ethereal style helped define early Renaissance painting. This piece is often associated with Botticelli’s Primavera, also housed in the Uffizi Gallery, so be sure to include both in your visit. Make sure to book time-slotted tickets to this important museum in advance.

Address

Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Opening Hours

Wednesday-Sunday 8:15 AM-6:30 PM
Tuesday 8:15 AM-9:30 PM
Monday Closed

3. Primavera, Sandro Botticelli

Where to see it

Uffizi Gallery

Also known as “Allegory of Spring”, this mythological scene celebrates fertility and nature and is one of the most famous paintings in Florence. The flowing movement of the figures and their richness in meaning make it one of Botticelli’s most enigmatic works. Overflowing with symbolism, the main interpretation is that the painting is an allegory for the beginning of an abundant and fertile world. It has been called one of the most controversial paintings in the world because of the way mythological and Christian elements were combined in a way that at the time had not been done before. Visit the Uffizi Gallery early to get to this masterpiece before the crowds.

Address

Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Opening Hours

Wednesday-Sunday 8:15 AM-6:30 PM
Tuesday 8:15 AM-9:30 PM
Monday Closed

4. The Annunciation, Leonardo da Vinci

Where to see it

Uffizi Gallery

Painted when Leonardo was still young, “The Annunciation” shows the angel Gabriel revealing to Mary her divine role. With lifelike architecture, symbolic lilies, and wings modeled after a bird of prey, the work hints at Leonardo’s early genius. Leonardo embeds symbolism in Mary’s calm expression, light, and setting to reinforce themes of faith, obedience, and divine purpose. Find this masterwork in Florence’s Uffizi Gallery essential museum to visit in Florence.

Address

Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Opening Hours

Wednesday-Sunday 8:15 AM-6:30 PM
Tuesday 8:15 AM-9:30 PM
Monday Closed

5. Adoration of the Magi, Leonardo da Vinci

Where to See it

Uffizi Gallery

This chaotic and expressive work is an unfinished masterpiece showing the Three Kings paying homage to an infant Christ. The quality offers a look into Leonardo’s creative process. Leonardo left the painting unfinished and never completed it so he could go to Milan to apprentice. This allows for a greater understanding of the master’s technique and process.

Address

Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Opening Hours

Wednesday-Sunday 8:15 AM-6:30 PM
Tuesday 8:15 AM-9:30 PM
Monday Closed

6. Medusa, Caravaggio

Where to see it

Uffizi Gallery

Caravaggio’s “Medusa” captures the moment of her decapitation, frozen in shock. Painted on a ceremonial shield, the work blends horror and realism, showcasing Caravaggio’s skill in dramatic lighting and expression. Uniquely, he used his own face as a model. The painting symbolizes the triumph of reason over chaos and was commissioned as a gift for the Grand Duke of Tuscany. This masterpiece of art in Florence is housed in the Uffizi Gallery.

Address

Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Opening Hours

Wednesday-Sunday 8:15 AM-6:30 PM
Tuesday 8:15 AM-9:30 PM
Monday Closed

7. Doni Tondo, Michelangelo

Where to find it

Uffizi Gallery

One of Michelangelo’s few paintings, “Doni Tondo” depicts the Holy Family in a circular frame, surrounded by five nude figures whose meaning remains debated — some see them as symbols of pagan humanity, while others as spiritual indifference. Painted shortly before the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling, it tells of Michelangelo’s approach to form and movement.

Address

Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Opening Hours

Wednesday-Sunday 8:15 AM-6:30 PM
Tuesday 8:15 AM-9:30 PM
Monday Closed

8. Madonna of the Goldfinch, Raphael

Where to find it

Uffizi Gallery

Raphael’s “Madonna of the Goldfinch” shows the Virgin Mary with a young Christ and John the Baptist, gently connected by a goldfinch — a symbol of Christ’s future sacrifice. It reflects Raphael’s natural gift in using harmony and grace in his art at a young age. The painting was badly damaged in a 16th-century building collapse from a landslide and later restored. It’s one of many famous paintings in Florence housed in the Uffizi Gallery near the central Palazzo Vecchio.

Address

Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Opening Hours

Wednesday-Sunday 8:15 AM-6:30 PM
Tuesday 8:15 AM-9:30 PM
Monday Closed

9. Bronze David, Donatello

Where to see it

Bargello Museum

Donatello’s “Bronze David” is a groundbreaking work in Renaissance art, celebrated for its naturalism and portrayal of youthful beauty. Unlike earlier depictions, Donatello presents David as a confident, sensual figure, standing triumphantly over Goliath’s head. The statue is the first known free-standing nude since ancient times, departing from the traditional representations of biblical heroes. Housed in the Bargello Museum in Florence, it’s one of the most famous representations of early Renaissance realism in Florence. Reserve tickets to the renowned Bargello Museum in advance — it's as essential for Renaissance sculpture as the Uffizi is for painting.

Address

Via del Proconsolo, 4, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Opening Hours

Wednesday–Saturday 8:15 AM–6:50 PM
Sunday 8:15 AM–1:50 PM
Monday 8:15 AM–6:50 PM
Tuesday Closed

10. La Donna Velata, Raphael

Where to see it

Pitti Palace

Raphael’s “La Donna Velata” (Woman with Veil) is a celebrated portrait showcasing the artist’s ability to depict softness and realism. The painting features a Florentine woman draped in a veil that subtly exposes her calm manner. The light brushwork and the subtle texture of the fabric exemplify Raphael’s ability to blend beauty and emotion. Housed in the Pitti Palace in the Oltrarno neighborhood, this work remains a prime example of High Renaissance portraiture.

Address

Piazza de' Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy

Opening Hours

Tuesday-Sunday 8:15 AM-6:30 PM
Monday Closed

11. Self-Portrait, Alberto Giacometti

Where to see it

Museo Novecento

Primarily known for sculpture, Giacometti’s modernist portrait is a prominent and famous artwork in Florence’s Museo Novecento. His thin, textured forms capture postwar fragility and the search for human meaning. Located next to the Duomo, The museum also offers a remarkable collection of Italian and European 20th-century art, with works by Morandi, Vedova, and others.

Address

Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, 10, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy

Opening Hours

Daily 11:00 AM–8:00 PM
Thursday Closed

12. Time Unfolding, Thomas J. Price

Where to see it

Piazza della Signoria; Museo Novecento

This large-scale bronze sculpture, temporarily installed in Piazza della Signoria in 2025, challenges traditional public monuments by presenting a powerful, everyday figure — a young Black man standing calmly with his hands in pockets. The piece invites reflection on representation, identity, and power in historical contexts, especially when located among Florence’s Renaissance giants. When the installation ends, the sculpture will be moved to the Museo Novecento, Florence’s museum for 20th- and 21st-century art. in the Santa Maria Novella square.

Address

P.za della Signoria, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Opening Hours

Daily 24 hours