We will be in florence in mid june 2007 and are reading on trip reports that even with reserved tickets the museums are very crowded and difficult to see anything.

does it pay to go very early, or very late or mid day when hot to avoid the heat? Is there a time when the crowds can be minimized?

Being one of the first to actually enter can be helpful.

I don't know how far in advance they let you book tickets, but if you want a specific time, book as early as possible. We called two months in advance and there was exactly one time slot (4 pm) open for the day we wanted. The problem we encountered was with the large tour groups; the museum in whole wasn't crowded - but then, when a group of 50 people and their guide steps into the room, it sort of takes up all the space.

A first thing in the morning entry should help. I would think that even if a large guided tour had the same time slot, it would take them a few minutes to meet up and get started, leaving you a 10 minute or so head start.

Hi J,

The tour groups arrive anround 9:30 and leave around 4:30.

When I went late at night it was fairly empty. But still try to go during daylight hours, since sometimes a few of the galleries are not lit at night (to save money), but they have windows.

By the way, it is difficult to see anything in the Uffizi anyway because of the bomb-proof glass that encases the paintings, which is highly reflective. Even with the galleries relatively empty, you can find yourself seeing more of your own reflection and that of other tourists than the painting, especially if you try to get some distance on the artworks. I have to admit, despite the Leonardos, it's my least favorite museum in Italy. My favorite part of it is the Niobe room.

Nessun-the Uffizi and Galleria are only open until 6:50pm -so there would still be plenty of daylight at that time in the summer.

Joanel - the best way to avoid the crowds is to do what the Florentines do when they bring people to the museums-buy your ticket during the week around 5:00, after the day-trippers leave, and then you'll find you have the museum pretty much to yourself. With the Galleria, this works very well, but might not be enough time for the Uffizi, with its larger collection. However, it is an option to consider, and works very well for a lot of people, when you consider the alternative, in the height of the tourist season and in one of the hottest months, what is called in Italian "un bagno di folla"- a crowd bath.

are either of these museums air-conditioned?

notice that caftours runs a city tour that ends at the uffizi around 6 pm. get there maybe 5 or so. and they take you around as a group. so seems like there would still be some tour groups there after 4:30.