I hope I'm right that these are the 2 main museums in Florence. What I would like to know is, if we can only see one of them, which do you suggest we go to? My fiance and I will only be in Florence for 2.5 days (1st trip to Italy) and are more intersted in exploring the city than going to museums (he isn't "into" art much at all & I got my fill at the Louvre last summer). But I would like to visit at least one of these famous museums while in Florence. Which do you suggest we go to?

With two and a half days, you could do a quick walk through both. However, if you only want to do one, you must see Michelangelo's "David" (at the Galleria dell'Accademia). Awesome!

The main draw at the Accademia is David- so once you see that it doesn't take long to take a quick walk through the rest of the mueseum (1-1/2 max for the Accademia). The Uffitzi, however, has a lot more to offer so it can easily take a half a day or more depending upon what you want to do. The Pitti Palace also has extensive collections. <BR>If you only want 1, I would choose the Uffitzi as you will see more while you're there. <BR>However, with 2.5 days I think that you will find that you could easily see both and spend quite a bit of time exploring the city as it is small and easy to cover by foot. <BR>

If you really must choose between the two, consider whether you prefer sculture or paintings. The Accademia's claim to fame is Michelangelo's David and unfinished "Prisoners." The Uffizi is best known for its Botticelli paintings. The former is much smaller and could be seen in less time, so that might also be a factor. Whichever you choose, make reservations so that you can bypass the line - a big timesaver.

We were in Forence last Spring for only two days. I think you can see both as we did. Our hotel booked a reservation for us at Uffizi for about 11 a.m. and then one for Accademic at 3:00 pm on same day. We spent probalby 2 hours in Uffizi which is just lovely (especially enjoyed the views from the windows!), a quick lunch at a cafe, and walk across town to see David at about 3. It worked well as we got to walk around on our way in the morning and in between, etc. Our second day was devoted to seeing Sante Croce, people watching from a cafe nest to the Duomo, and some markets, and many other sites. You won't be disappointed.

I can't imagine going all the way to Florence and not seeing both, especially if I'd never done either before. They are both incredible. (And I'm not even somebody who lives to see art.)

I went to Florence for the first time last March and my favorites were the Uffizi, the Museo del Duomo, and the Accademia in that order. I wasn't into art so much either, but Rick Steve's Mona Winks guide made the Uffizi enjoyable for me. I think if I'd just walked in without a guidebook, it would've been overwhelming and I wouldn't have really known what to focus on. I would definitely have missed a lot of interesting details. <BR>

If you're "not into art" or "got my fill at the L.", I'd go w/the Acdcademia. The David is an outstanding sculpt (one of my favs), the lines at the Uffizi can be REALLY long (so get a res.), and if time, the Pitti Palace is great, and not crowded. You should have time for the Accademia (after David, leave) and either the Uffizi or the Pitti Palace. If the Uffizi, see if your hotel can get u a reservation; if not, go to the Pitti Palace. And the gardens are great at the Pitti Palace too! M.

You should be able to do both with little problem as you can be in and out of the Accademia in less than 30 minutes. We were recently in Florence and managed to do the Pitti Palace, Accademia, Bargello and the Uffizi in one day without being too exhausted. I realize that we really just "skimmed the surface" but we found it to be quite sufficient. We had reservations for both the Accademia and the Uffizi so that helped to speed things along. <BR> <BR>Mary

Definitely, IMO, the Accademia, especially if you've seen the Louvre. We were actually disappointed in the Uffizi, but were overwhelmed by "David" and the unfinished sculptures. Joyce

Funny, all the museum recommendations you've gotten, considering that you indicated you're not big on art museums and would rather explore the city. I was in Florence for three days last month. Having visited for one day on a Monday (museums all closed!) 15 years ago, I was dying to see the Uffizi and the David at the Academia. (Definitely get reservations!) I was very disappointed in the Uffizi AND in Florence in general. What a surprise because I loved Florence 15 years ago. I think it was the WALL to WALL people and junk/trinket sellers EVERYWHERE that spoiled if for me. Anyway, you MUST see the David. Yes, you could squeeze in the Uffizi, too, and the Pitti Palace, but I came to realize that I'm just not a fan of Byzantine or Renaissance Italian Art...nearly all are religious themes, Madonna and Child, etc. over and over. Not my cup of tea. I'll take the Lourve or the Musee D'Orsay in Paris ANY day. You don't say where else you are going, but if you want to conserve your energies for a museum, I'd recommend the Vatican and the Villa Borghese in Rome. <BR> <BR>As far as sights in Florence...these are my recommendations: Duomo/Bapistery (of course), Santa Croce, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Republica and DEFINITELY, the Piazzale Michelango (view over the city is just lovely!)...

Leslie - What a relief it is to hear someone else say they were disappointed in Florence! I've been afraid to say the words, for fear of everyone pouncing on me for not being "enchanted" with it. There were 4 of us, and we all agreed we would not like to go back. The masses of people (in May!), the tacky souvenir vendors everywhere, all made it difficult to even SEE the architecture! And we thought it was particularly dirty, even kind of grimy. Our thought was that you had to be a student of renaissance art/history to appreciate it. Also agree with you on the Uffizi being very disappointing. So glad there's at least one other person out there who shares our opinion - makes us feel a little less nuts!!!

Based on your comments the Accademia is for you. If you want to see Italian Art (religious paintings of mather with baby) then the Uffizi is for you; but the sculpure of David will blow both of you away. You don't have to appreciate art to appreciate this sculpture. <BR>It irks me to see posts about people visiting cities and spending ALL their time in museums...I'm with you, go out and about the city, talk to the locals...drink coffee and eat a lot of gelato!

We just came back from Italy and everyone who visited both the Uffizi and The Statue of David told me the Statue of David was a must. After seeing it I agree, the Statue of David I would not miss for the world!

I'd play it by ear, Danielle. Why don't you just go to Piazza della Signoria first thing in Florence? There you'll see Cellini's Perseus and the Head of the Medusa, Gimbologna's Rape of the Sabine and Hercules and the Centaur, a copy od Donatello's Judith and Holofernes and a copy of Michelangelo's David, among other. If you feel an urge for watching the David from a closer distance, albeit through a plexiglass, and other sculptures, you go ahead and make reservations for the David. Otherwise reserve for the Uffizi. <BR> <BR>Paulo

The main attraction in Florence, and one that you can visit over and over, and that you don't need a reservation is Vivoli. <BR> <BR>Don't miss it! <BR> <BR>BTW, Vivoli has to have one of the greatest (if not THE greatest) gelato in the world! <BR> <BR>

Paulo, unless things have changed since late 1999, the statue of David is not behind plexiglass at the Accademia! If it is, when did in happen? <BR>While I agree with you that the Piazza del Signoria is worth seeing, I don't thing the copy of David there comes close to matching the experience of seeing "the real thing" at the Accademia! <BR>Danielle, I think you can manage both in the 2 1/2 days. One good thing about the Uffizi is that it is manageable in 2-3 hours. And, if nothing else (and there is a lot more), it's worth a visit just to see the Botticellis. And, you do easily do the Accademia in an hour.

Can anyone tell me if the Accademia is open on Sunday and what the hours are? We would like to go early - 8:00a or 9:00a if possible. Also, any info on getting reservations prior to arriving in Florence would be appreciated.

We just were at the Accademia 2 weeks ago and David is very much out in the open there - no plexiglass. We went on Sunday at 4PM, think it's open most of the day on Sundays.

It's possible to reserve on-line at www.weekendafirenze.com (for an extra fee of about $5). They give the Sunday hours for the Accademia as 8:30-18:50.