Experience the Uffizi and its secret passageway connecting the museum to the Boboli Gardens on a skip-the-line tour that reveals the hidden world of the Medici through Florence’s most iconic masterpieces.
Skip-the-Line Uffizi Gallery and Vasari Corridor Tour
Summary Description
Highlights
- Skip the line at the Uffizi Gallery and Vasari Corridor
- See iconic Renaissance masterpieces with an expert
- Walk the Medici’s once-private passageway over the Arno
- Discover the surreal Buontalenti Grotto in Boboli Gardens
- Hear stories of the Medici family from your expert guide
Description
Step into the world of Renaissance Florence on this expertly guided tour of the Uffizi and its secret passageway. You’ll enjoy skip-the-line access to the Uffizi Gallery, where your guide brings works by Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Da Vinci vividly to life. After a short break, walk the newly reopened Vasari Corridor—an exclusive Medici-built passageway offering rare views of the Arno River and fascinating stories. End your journey at the Buontalenti Grotto in the Boboli Gardens built by the Medici family. Designed to take the stress out of visiting Florence’s most popular sites, this small-group experience is perfect for travelers who want to go deeper into the art, architecture, and power that shaped the city.
This Vasari Corridor tour connects three of Florence’s treasured landmarks in one seamless, skip-the-line experience—perfect for curious travelers eager to explore the city beyond the surface.
Begin your tour at the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most renowned museums in the world. You’ll skip the long ticket lines and follow your expert guide through a curated route of iconic masterpieces. From Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus” to works by Michelangelo and Da Vinci, your guide will share the stories behind the art—and how Florence became a center of creativity during the Renaissance.
After a short break, you’ll reconvene to enter the Vasari Corridor, which only recently reopened after being closed to the public for over eight years. Built in 1565 for the Medici family, this secret walkway crosses the Arno River, connecting the seat of Florence's Renaissance government with Palazzo Pitti, the Medici palace. As you walk, you’ll hear stories of power, privacy, and political strategy that once played out along this very path.
Your final destination is the Buontalenti Grotto, tucked into the Boboli Gardens. With its surreal blend of sculpture, dripping stone, and fantastical creatures, it’s an unforgettable finale to your tour. This is more than an Uffizi gallery guided tour—it’s an immersive journey through hidden corridors, political intrigue, and artistic brilliance.
Included / Excluded
- Local English-speaking guide
- Expertly guided walking tour
- Skip-the-line tickets for the Uffizi Gallery & Vasari Corridor
- Small group of max 9 people
- Hotel Pick-up/Drop-off
- Gratuities
Start / End Locations
Start Location: Equestrian statue of Cosimo I, P.za della Signoria, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Start Location Notes: Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets in at the tail of the bronze equestrian statue of Cosimo I in Piazza della Signoria.
Start Location Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/44EMVCEWKbjLfGbn6
Important Information
Know Before You Book
- Unfortunately due to the nature of this tour it is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments or with wheelchairs, or strollers.
- This tour is in English.
- This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
- The full names of all participants must be provided at the time of booking and must match the names on the ID/Passport. Name changes are not permitted. Failure to provide this information may result in the cancellation of your reservation.
- All guests including children MUST bring ID on the day of their tour.
- This tour is non-refundable
- In accordance with the Museum's guidelines, only 25 people are permitted to access the Vasari Corridor at a time. Your visit may include other participants, up to this maximum number.
- Due to the complicated nature of managing access to the Vasari Corridor, admission times may vary slightly from those online. In any case, you will be informed immediately in writing about the time change
- The tour meeting time is 15 minutes prior to the start time. No refunds can be provided for late arrivals or no-shows. If you cannot join your tour at the last minute (running late, etc), please contact us.
- This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
- All guests including children MUST bring ID on the day of their tour.
- This tour is non-refundable
- According to the Museum's rules, access to the Vasari Corridor is allowed for a maximum of 25 people, so there may be other participants during the visit up to a maximum of 25 people
- Due to the complicated nature of managing access to the Vasari Corridor, admission times may vary slightly from those online. In any case, you will be informed immediately in writing about the time change
- All guests must pass through security. No weapons or large items are allowed inside.
- It is absolutely forbidden to introduce any kind of liquid in the Uffizi Gallery (except baby bottles and medicinal product)
- Walks and Devour comply with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up to date information.
Cancellation
No cancellation
Additional Information
Ticket age ranges:
- Adult (18+)
Redemption Information
Tickets will be held at the box office
About operator:
Walks (takewalks.com, walksofitaly.com) began over a decade ago (2008, to be exact) in Rome, Italy. We quickly became the premier walking tour company in 7 countries - Italy, Spain, France, the UK, Greece, and Portugal. Our US cities include San Francisco, NYC, Boston, Chicago, and New Orleans.
In 2021, we joined The Hornblower Group (cityexperiences.com) expanding our reach and working alongside this powerhouse travel brand.
Our tour products vary but predominantly we #takewalks, exploring the world by foot - we believe, the best way to get into the heart of a city and its incredible people. From introductory strolls to food tours, day trips, cooking classes, and below the surface, in-depth tours, we have our hand in everything a traveler could want. Oh, and we also like to give our clients exclusive access to the biggest attractions in the world...
Despite the big changes in our brand over the years, our focus has remained simple - to relentlessly create tours with the client experience at the forefront and anchored upon the dedicated, intelligent, and above all, passionate local guides who want to share their cities with you.
Our tour products vary but predominantly we #takewalks, exploring the world by foot - we believe, the best way to get into the heart of a city and its incredible people. From introductory strolls to food tours, day trips, cooking classes, and below the surface, in-depth tours, we have our hand in everything a traveler could want. Oh, and we also like to give our clients exclusive access to the biggest attractions in the world...
Despite the big changes in our brand over the years, our focus has remained simple - to relentlessly create tours with the client experience at the forefront and anchored upon the dedicated, intelligent, and above all, passionate local guides who want to share their cities with you.
Basic Information
- Duration: 3 hours
- Trip difficulty: Easy
- Max Group Size: 9
- Category: Tours & Sightseeing
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