More about: Florence Pitti Palace Tickets and Tours
Among the best things to do in Florence during a short vacation is visiting the Pitti Palace. Although the building was initially constructed in the 15th century by Florentine banker Luca Pitti, the palace would later be acquired by the important Medici family.
The Medici were a highly influential family of bankers during the Renaissance, responsible for sponsoring the works of various Italian masters and artists whose work can now be enjoyed inside the palace. Read on to find out the best options for visiting.
Florence Palazzo Pitti Tickets
Discover the most spectacular building in the Italian city of Florence
Discover one of the most important jewels of Tuscan art and architecture. With these skip-the-line tickets, you'll discover the beauty of the Pitti Palace, its impressive Palatine Gallery, and the incredible Boboli Gardens.
This tour of Florence's only royal palace will give you an in-depth understanding of the city's history through the rooms where the Grand Dukes of Tuscany lived. You can buy your tickets to the Pitti Palace in advance and go straight inside to explore areas such as the royal apartments and the Costume Gallery, where each room offers a journey through the life and art of bygone eras.
In addition, this ticket also gives you access to the Grand Dukes' Treasury, where jewels, crystals, and decorative objects of incalculable value are on display, and to the Modern Art Gallery, which brings together some of the most representative works of Italian art from the 19th and 20th centuries. A perfect plan for those who want to discover art and history at their own pace, without rushing or queuing.
Recommended if: you want to see several collections in one place and discover the Medici legacy in a majestic setting.
Florence Palazzo Pitti Guided Tour
Guided tour of the Pitti Palace with priority access
With this guided ticket, you can tour the Palatine Gallery and the palace halls, admiring works by Raphael, Titian, and Rubens up close.
If you prefer a more enriching experience, this guided tour of the Pitti Palace will help you better understand the historical and artistic context of one of Florence's most impressive buildings. By booking this guided tour of the Pitti Palace, you'll skip the lines and start the tour right away.
For an hour and a half, you will tour the Palatine Gallery, the royal halls, and part of the Boboli Gardens, accompanied by an expert guide who will share details and interesting facts. This is the perfect option if you are interested in delving deeper into the history of the Renaissance and discovering the secrets of the Medici family.
Recommended if: you want a comprehensive tour with explanations from a specialized guide.
How much do tickets and tours of the Pitti Palace cost?
When planning a visit to the Pitti Palace in Florence, keep in mind that tickets to the monument are divided into categories. Here are the approximate prices depending on the type of visit you want to make:
- Skip-the-line ticket to the Pitti Palace + Palatine Gallery — from $28 Includes priority access to Florence's only royal palace, with entry to the palace rooms, the Palatine Gallery, the Grand Dukes' Treasury, the Modern Art Gallery, and the Costume Gallery.
- Guided tour of the Pitti Palace — from $84 Perfect if you prefer a more enriching experience, with an expert guide and priority access to the Palatine Gallery and the main rooms of the palace.
How to get tickets for the Pitti Palace online
Buying your tickets to the Pitti Palace online is the most practical and secure way to ensure your visit, especially in high season when Florence is crowded with tourists. Booking in advance allows you to avoid long lines at the ticket office and better manage your time in the city, which is very useful if you have a tight schedule.
A convenient option for booking is through Hellotickets, where you can buy skip-the-line tickets to the Pitti Palace. These tickets give you priority access to the interior of the palace and the Palatine Gallery, one of the most impressive collections of Renaissance paintings in Italy. You can also explore other areas of the complex, such as the Modern Art Gallery and the Grand Dukes' Treasury.
How to get tickets for the Pitti Palace at the ticket office
The Pitti Palace has a ticket sales service at the ticket office. Entering from Piazza de' Pitti, the ticket office is on the right-hand side. Prices are the same as at the online ticket office, but the purchase process is considerably slower.
Listed as one of the best museums in Florence, the best way to purchase your tickets to the Pitti Palace is online, a few days before your arrival. By booking your tickets online, you can avoid the long queues that are very common during peak tourist seasons, such as August in Florence.
Are tickets and visits to the Pitti Palace included in any tourist passes?
Yes, tickets to the Pitti Palace and the beautiful Boboli Gardens are included in a very popular tourist pass known as the Firenze Card.
With a price of over €85 per person and only valid for three days, the card is only recommended if you are staying in Florence for 5 days or more. This way, you can see all the museums, but also enjoy other attractions the city has to offer.
If your itinerary takes you to Florence for several days, you can make the most of this tourist pass. It covers admission to 70 attractions and museums in Florence, including the Pitti Palace, the Uffizi Gallery, tickets to the Duomo Dome, and many more.
Please note that for both the Florence Cathedral Duomo and the Pitti Palace museums, you must book your visit in advance to ensure availability.
Are there special tickets or tours for children?
Yes, the Pitti Palace has special tickets for children and minors in general. Children under 18 of any nationality can enter the museum free of charge at any time of the year. The only requirement is to present a passport or ID card proving their age.
Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult to access the facilities.
In my opinion, visiting the Pitti Palace is one of the best things to do with children in Florence, as it is an excellent opportunity to spark their interest in art and history or simply in the fascinating Italian Renaissance period.
Are there guided tours of the Pitti Palace in Florence? Is it worth it?
Yes, and they are highly recommended if you want to gain a thorough understanding of the history and art housed in this majestic building. Guided tours of the Pitti Palace allow you to discover not only its art collections, but also its luxurious rooms and, in some cases, the Boboli Gardens. All tours include a professional guide and, in many cases, priority access to avoid the queues.
- Guided tour of the Pitti Palace with the Palatine Gallery — from 84 An ideal tour if you don't have much time. Spend 1.5 hours exploring the interior of the palace with an expert guide and enjoy skip-the-line access to the Palatine Gallery and other rooms.
- Guided tour of the Pitti Palace + Palatine Gallery + Boboli Gardens — from $123 The most comprehensive tour. It lasts 3 hours and includes skip-the-line access to all three sites with a professional guide and a small group.
- Private guided tour of the Pitti Palace + Boboli Gardens — from $183 A more exclusive experience. Tour the palace for 1.5 hours with a private guide and then explore the gardens on your own at your own pace.
- Private tour of the Boboli Gardens and Pitti Palace (exclusive areas) — from $265 This tour allows access to rooms normally closed to the public, as well as a guided tour of the gardens and the interior of the palace.
How to get to the Pitti Palace
Florence is a city with excellent public transportation, and this, combined with the palace's geographical location, makes getting to this destination quite easy. Below are the most popular options.
Getting to the Pitti Palace by bus
The bus is the best form of public transport for reaching this popular attraction. The nearest stops, Bardi and Pitti, are just a 6-minute walk away.
Several bus lines stop near the palace, including line 11, line 370-A, line C3, and line C4.
Getting to the Pitti Palace by tram
The closest tram stop to the Pitti Palace is Firenze Santa Maria Novella, located 20 minutes away on foot. You can reach this area of the city by taking the R line of the Florence tram.
Getting to the Pitti Palace by car
The Pitti Palace is located on Piazza de Pitti, south of Ponte Vecchio. Keep in mind that Florence's old town is quite small, so to get to know the city better, I recommend walking between its different attractions.
If you are going to the attraction by car, keep in mind that there is no visitor parking at the palace. However, you can use some of the nearby parking lots, such as Garage Fosi or Garage Lungarno.
Main museums and works of art in the Pitti Palace in Florence
The Pitti Palace currently houses four main museums spread over its different floors. Although it once had more than 140 rooms, today you can visit a wide variety of spaces that combine art, history, decoration, and design. These are the highlights you can explore during your visit:
- Palatine Gallery and Royal Apartments: home to a unique collection of works by Raphael, Titian, and Rubens. The Palatine Gallery maintains the aesthetic of a private Renaissance collection. You can also visit the Royal Apartments decorated with luxurious frescoes, original furniture, and rooms such as the Queen's Room or the Oval Room.
- Treasury of the Grand Dukes: located in the former summer apartments of the Medici, this space includes historical frescoes and precious objects such as amber, ivory, and silverware from the Salzburg Treasury.
- Gallery of Modern Art: displays works from the 17th to the 20th century and continues to grow thanks to donations. Among the most notable are: Una Pastura by Serafino De Tivoli, La mattina del 27 aprile 1859 by Fanfani, and L'entrata di Carlo VIII a Firenze by Bezzuoli.
- Costume and Fashion Museum: ideal for design lovers. It includes pieces such as formal men's suits, period dresses, and historical funeral garments, allowing visitors to appreciate the evolution of style between the 14th and 19th centuries.
- Boboli Gardens: a veritable open-air museum filled with sculptures, fountains, and landscape architecture. Don't miss the Fountain of Neptune or the Isolotto, an island with statues surrounded by vegetation and water.
How long do you need to visit the Pitti Palace?
If you are visiting the Pitti Palace on your own, I recommend setting aside around 2 hours and 30 minutes to find and appreciate the best works. The Boboli Gardens are really extensive, so you will need atleast another 2 hours to visit them.
If you go on an organized tour, you don't have to worry, as the tour guide will organize a detailed visit plan that allows you to tour the facilities in the shortest time possible without missing any important works or details.
I recommend planning your visit to the Pitti Palace in advance, especially if you are only spending a few days in Florence or Tuscany. On the day of your visit, try to arrive at the opening time and devote most of your time and energy to exploring the premises.
Pitti Palace visiting hours
The official opening hours of the Pitti Palace are Tuesday to Sunday from 8:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The attraction is closed on Mondays, so try not to plan your visit for that day of the week.
The last official admission is at 5:30 p.m., so that visitors have time to explore the premises before closing time. The attraction is open all year round except January 1 and December 25.Keep this in mind if you are going to Florence for Christmas.
Tips for visiting the Pitti Palace
Keep these practical tips in mind if you are planning a visit to the Pitti Palace. They will help you enjoy your tour more and avoid common pitfalls:
- Fall is the best time to visit: the weather is pleasant and there are fewer tourists. If you have the option of traveling to Florence in September or October, you will get the most out of your visit without the crowds.
- Book in advance in spring or summer: between May and October, tourist traffic is very high. To avoid queues and ensure access, it is best to buy your tickets online before your trip.
Where to eat near the Pitti Palace
The Pitti Palace is located in Florence's Old Town, also known as District 1, on the south side of the Arno River.
Since it is one of the most beautiful areas of the city, I recommend spending some time on your itinerary exploring its streets and enjoying its many traditional restaurants. Here are a few quality recommendations located near the Palace.
- Osteria Santo Spirito: Located a 4-minute walk from the Palace, this restaurant offers traditional Italian food in a rustic setting with excellent views of a historic square.
- Gustapizza: Located a 2-minute walk from the Palace, the house specialty is wood-fired pizza. Famous for its soft dough.
- Tameró: Tameró is just a 3-minute walk from the Palace. You'll find a beautiful rooftop dining area and a menu specializing in handmade Italian pasta.