Most museums are closed on Mondays and the hours vary from museum to museum and sometimes the hours change, so be sure to check before going. Usually in the summer the museums are open longer.

The smaller churches are usually open in the mornings and afternoons and close from around noon to 3:00pm. The basilicas such as the Duomo, San Lorenzo, San Croce and so fourth are open all day Monday-Saturday.

The following are some of my favorite museums and churches:

Uffizi Gallery (closed on Mondays) not only has one of the world’s best collection of Renaissance paintings, but the museum itself is a work of art.

Galleria dell’Accademia has Michelangelo’s magnificent David. Need I say more?

Museo del Bargello has a fine collection of sculptures including Donatello’s David plus a few sculptures by Michelangelo.

The Medici Chapels are part of the the Church of San Lorenzo; however, the Chapel has its own entrance not to mention a separate admission charge, but definitely worth the price of admission (as the old saying goes) to see the new Sacristy designed by the one and only Michelangelo. Not only did he design this harmonious space, but he also sculptured the major pieces for the funeral monuments. The Chapel of Princes completed after the New Sacristy is the final resting place of six Grand Dukes of Tuscany and  worth a look just to see the opulence the Medicis thought they deserved in death (at least for their earthly remains). I suppose since they lived in plush and lavish surroundings while alive it only makes sense for them to be interned in a equally lavish and opulent setting. Ironically you have to pass through the over-the-top Chapel of Princes to get to Michelangelo’s simple yet magnificent New Sacristy.   

Within the Palazzo Pitti there are several museums (each one has its own separate admission fee, but they do offer a combo ticket). The galleries/museums are:

Galleria Palatina and Royal Apartments is the place to go if you are in the mood for beautiful paintings in a palatial (figuratively and literally speaking) setting.

Galleria d’Arte Moderna (The Gallery of Modern Art) contains paintings from the about 1784 to 1924. As with the Galleria Palatine the setting is part of the charm.

Apartments of the Duchess of Aosta (you must make an appointment to visit these rooms)

La Galleria del Costume (Costume Gallery) shows you how the other half lived or at least  dressed.

Museo Degli Argenti (The Medici Treasury) contains decorative items the Medici family collected over their long reign.

Museo delle Carrozze (Carriage Museum) is currently closed.

Museo delle Prcellane (Porcelain Museum) is included in the ticket for the Giardino di Boboli e (The Boboli Gardens). One of the finest examples of Italian garden design. I could not only spend hours upon hours wondering around, but I was tempted to pitch a tent and call this place home. Now this is my idea of a suitable environment to go camping in.

These museums are  administered by The Polo Museale Florentino (The State Museums of Florence). For additional information on the museums listed above and for a complete list of The State Museums of Florence click on the link. Museums close from time to time for renovation work, so be sure to check before going.

Museum of the Opera del Duomo has a series of rooms that trace the history and construction of the cathedral. In addition the museum has an interesting Pieta by Michelangelo that he did late in his life. Also on display are some of the original and quite exquisite panels by Ghiberti for the Baptistry doors. The ones on the Baptistry today are copies. The originals were moved indoors for reasons of preservation.

Museo di Storia della Scienza is a small museum dedicated to Galileo Gaililei.

Palazzo Vecchio still houses government offices, so when you enter you will have to pass through security including a metal detector. However, the wait is worth it. Once inside you will see beautiful frescoes by Vasari along with stairways and rooms he designed. You will also have the opportunity to see Michelangelo’s sculpture Victory.

Santa Maria del Fiore or simply known as the Duomo is sublime and should be be on everyone’s “to do list”. The interior is rather austere, but all the more better to admire the building itself including the marble floor with its intricate design. And of course there is the spectacular The Last Judgment by Vasari on the dome and the beautiful Rose window above the main entrance. Be prepared, even though there is no admission fee to enter the cathedral itself there are separate fees to go up into the dome (you do get a closer look at Vasari’s The Last Judgment) and the campanile (incredible views of Florence) and the Baptistry (beautiful 13th century mosaics on the ceiling).

The Church of San Croce has some tour de force frescoes by Giotto along with the tombs of such luminaries as Machiavelli and Michelangelo, just to name two. I would also like to mention the church boasts some fine examples of stain glass windows.

The Church of Santa Maria Novella has some striking frescoes by some of the leading artists of the Renaissance including Filippino Lippi and Ghirlandaio. Access to the cloisters are by a separate admission. The frescoes by Andrea da Firenze on the theme of salvation and damnation in the Spanish Chapel are quite interesting And the money does go for a good cause - the upkeep of Florence’s great artistic treasures.

Museum of San Marco is a beautifully preserved convent with some fine frescoes by Fra Angelico.

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