Accademia Gallery Florence: a practical guide to seeing David
Quick answer
The Accademia Gallery in Florence, home of Michelangelo's David, is open Tuesday to Sunday from 8:15 am to 6:50 pm and closed on Mondays. General admission is €20 since February 2026. It is a small museum: 1 to 1.5 hours is enough, and booking a time slot is advisable.
Hours and prices checked on · Official website
More Accademia Gallery guides
- Accademia in 2 hoursA 1 to 2 hour route through the Accademia Gallery in Florence: Prisoners, David, Giambologna, Florentine painting and instruments, with timings.
- Hours and free entryAccademia Gallery opening hours, ticket price, free Sunday, combined tickets and the best time to see David without long lines. Checked in 2026.
- Must-see worksThe key works at the Accademia Gallery: Michelangelo's David and Prisoners, Giambologna, Botticelli and more, with location and the story behind each.
- Accademia with kidsHow to visit the Accademia in Florence with children: a 60-minute family route to see David, free entry for under-18s and practical tips.
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Why the Accademia is a must
The Accademia Gallery is home to David, Michelangelo's 5.17 m marble sculpture, finished in 1504 and moved here in 1873 from Piazza della Signoria to protect it from the weather. But it is not only David: the hall leading to him holds the four unfinished Prisoners, which show how Michelangelo seemed to free the figure from the stone. The museum also has Florentine painting from the 13th to 16th centuries and a room of Medici musical instruments.
How to plan your visit
- Book online with a time slot: the museum is small and capacity is limited; without a booking the ticket-office line can top an hour.
- Enter at 8:15 or late in the day: those are the quietest times around David.
- Carry ID if you book: you may be asked for it at the entrance.
- Walk around David: he looks different from the front, side and back. Notice the oversized hands and the tense gaze.
- With AnyArt you can point your camera at David or any work and hear its story instead of renting an audio guide.
Combining it with the Uffizi
The Accademia is about a 15-minute walk from the Uffizi. A good plan is the Uffizi in the morning and the Accademia early in the afternoon, or the reverse if you get up early. See also our Uffizi guide and Florence in one day.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you need to see David and the Accademia?
One hour is enough for David, the Prisoners and the essentials. At an easy pace with the painting rooms, allow 1.5 hours.
How much is an Accademia ticket?
€20 since 1 February 2026. A €26 combined ticket with the Bargello is valid for 48 hours.
Do you need to book tickets?
Strongly recommended: a timed ticket skips the ticket-office line, which in high season can exceed an hour.
When is the Accademia free?
On the first Sunday of each month, with no booking and long lines. Under-18s enter free.
Where is Michelangelo's David?
In the Accademia Gallery, in the Tribune at the end of the Prisoners' hall. The copy in Piazza della Signoria is not the original.