What the Galleria dell'Accademia holds
The Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze is best known for one statue, but the collection is wider. It combines Florentine paintings, with a strong group of gold-ground panels, and sculptures by Michelangelo. It also has a gallery of plaster models and a collection of musical instruments.
The museum is at Via Ricasoli 58/60, and the accessible entrance is number 60. A single ticket covers every room, as there is no separate product for the David. You can find the current prices on the Accademia Gallery tickets page.
The rooms on the route
These are the main stops of the visit.
| Room | What you see |
|---|---|
| Sala del Colosso | A large hall where the route starts |
| Prigioni | Four unfinished marble figures, leading to the Tribuna |
| Tribuna | Michelangelo's David, in a hall built for the statue |
| Gipsoteca | Plaster models by Lorenzo Bartolini in the Salone dell'Ottocento |
| Painting rooms | Florentine paintings, gold-ground panels and late Gothic work by Lorenzo Monaco upstairs |
| Instruments | Stradivari, Amati and Cristofori instruments |
For most visitors, the best order is the one the plan suggests: the Prisoners, then the David, then whatever time remains for the plaster models, paintings and instruments. The upper rooms and the instruments close to visitors from 18:40, earlier than the 18:50 closing time.
Our pick: the whole gallery with a guide
Our take: this tour also covers the rooms beyond the David.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Accademia Gallery visits and guided tours
Entry tickets and guided visits that take in the David, the Prisoners and the other rooms, with live prices and availability. Check which options include admission before you book.
The Prisoners and the Tribuna
The hall of the Prisoners is the approach to the David. Four unfinished male figures stand along it, made for the tomb project of Pope Julius II. The museum dates them to the early 1530s. They came to the Accademia in 1909 from the Grotta del Buontalenti in the Boboli Garden. The unfinished state is a visible stage of work, and what Michelangelo meant by it is open to interpretation. Read more on the Prisoners page.
At the end of the hall the Tribuna opens up. It is the room designed for the David, and the statue stands under its skylight. The museum gives the height as 5.17 m including the carved base. More details are on the David facts page.
Plaster models, paintings and instruments
The Gipsoteca in the Salone dell'Ottocento keeps plaster models by Lorenzo Bartolini. The painting rooms hold Florentine panels, many with gold backgrounds. Upstairs you find Lorenzo Monaco and late Gothic painting.
The instruments include a tenor viola and a cello by Antonio Stradivari from 1690, made for Ferdinando de' Medici. There is also an Amati cello from 1650 and an oval spinet form by Bartolomeo Cristofori. Among the sculptures, the Pietà di Palestrina stands on the museum's route. It is attributed to Michelangelo, and its authorship is treated as a question rather than as settled.
Making the most of your time
The rooms differ in how long they hold most people.
If you have little time
Go straight along the hall of the Prisoners to the Tribuna and give the David your time first. Look at the rest on the way out.
The Prisoners →If you come for the art
Add the Gipsoteca and the upper painting rooms. The instruments close with the other upper rooms at 18:40, so see them before then.
Opening hours →If you add another museum
The Bargello and the Medici Chapels are the closest Michelangelo stops. An Accademia and Bargello ticket costs €26 for 48 hours in 2026.
Michelangelo in Florence →Rules, access and what to bring
- Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 08:15 to 18:50. Closed on Mondays, 1 January and 25 December. Last entry 18:10. See the opening hours.
- Bags: nothing larger than 40 × 30 × 18 cm, including big backpacks. There is no cloakroom or locker inside.
- Water: up to 0.5 litres in a small closed container. No eating or drinking in the rooms.
- Photos: personal photos without flash or tripod, following the staff's instructions. No selfie sticks or drones.
- Dress and conduct: no swimwear or bare torsos, phones on silent, and keep behind barriers. Do not touch the works.
- Access: the accessible entrance is at Via Ricasoli 60. A lift and an accessible route exist. Ask at the desk for the toilets.
Galleria dell'Accademia: frequently asked questions
What is in the Galleria dell'Accademia besides the David?
The Prisoners, plaster models by Lorenzo Bartolini, Florentine paintings and a collection of instruments, including two by Stradivari.
Where is the David inside the museum?
In the Tribuna, at the end of the hall of the Prisoners. The Tribuna is the room made for the statue.
How long should I plan for a visit?
That depends on how many rooms you want to see. Arrive with time to spare, because the upper rooms close to visitors from 18:40 and last entry is at 18:10.
Can I leave my bag at the museum?
No. Bags above 40 × 30 × 18 cm are not allowed, and there is no cloakroom inside. Leave large items at your accommodation.
Is the museum accessible?
Yes. The entrance at Via Ricasoli 60 is accessible, and there is a lift and an accessible route through the museum.
Is this the museum's own website?
No. This is an independent guide, not connected with the Galleria dell'Accademia, the Ministry of Culture or the City of Florence.