Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
forpoppingintolessersightsyouotherwisewouldn'tpayfor.Foracompletelistofincluded
sights, see
www.firenzecard.it
.
The two Leonardo museums are not covered by the Firenze Card. The Baptistery, Cam-
panile, dome climb, and Duomo Museum are also covered by a combo-ticket.
Getting the card makes the most sense from April through October, when crowds are
worst. Off-season travelers could do without it.
YoucanbuythecardatTIsandmanyparticipating sights.ThehandiestplacesaretheTI
at Via Cavour 1 red (a couple of blocks north of the Duomo), the Museum of Santa Maria
Novella(nexttothechurchofthatname),andtheUffizi'sdoor#2.Seethefulllistofoutlets
Validate your card only when you're ready to tackle the covered sights on three consec-
utive days. Make sure the sights you want to visit will be open (many sights are closed Sun
or Mon).
Florence has an optional reservation system (€4 booking fee) for its state-run
sights—including the Accademia, Uffizi Gallery, Bargello, Medici Chapels, and the Pitti
Palace. (The Brancacci Chapel technically
requires
an advance reservation, but you can
work around that—see
here
.) I'd recommend reservations only for the Uffizi and Accade-
mia. For the Uffizi, book a month in advance for April-Oct travel (less off-season). For
the Accademia, book a few days ahead for April-Oct (less off-season. From November to
March, you can probably get in without a reservation after 16:00, but why risk it? After see-
ing hundreds of bored tourists waiting in lines, it's hard not to be amazed at their clueless-
ness.
Here are your reservation options:
•
Through Your Hotel:
When you make your hotel reservation, ask if they can book
yourmuseumreservationsforyou.Somehoteliersmaychargea€3-5feeabovethe€4book-
ing fee. They'll reserve by phone and give you a confirmation number that you'll take to the
museum, where you'll pay cash for your ticket. This is your easiest reservation option.
•
By Phone:
From the US, dial 011-39-055-294-883, or within Italy call 055-294-883.
Thelinesareopen(Italian time) Mon-Fri8:30-18:30,Sat8:30-12:30,closedSun.Thereser-
vation line is often busy. Be persistent. When you get through, an English-speaking operator
walks you through the process—a few minutes later you say
grazie,
having secured an entry
timeandaconfirmationnumber.You'llneedtopresentyourconfirmationnumberatthemu-
seum and pay cash for your ticket plus the €4 reservation fee.
•
Online:
Sitessuchas
www.uffizi.com
and
www.tickitaly.com
areeasyandreliable,but
they require paying in advance with a credit card and charge a hefty €10-per-ticket reserva-
