Vasari Corridor
Florence, Italy
Palazzo Vecchio, Florence
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Photo: Francesco Bini, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Courtyard free, museum paid
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Opening hours
- Daily, Thursday mornings only
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 1 h 30 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Courtyard
- Free
- Museum and tower
- Paid, separate or combined tickets
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Tower
- ≈ 94 m, about 400 steps
- Highlights
- Hall of the Five Hundred, Studiolo, Medici rooms
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
Key facts
1299construction of the town hall began
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English Wikipedia≈ 94 mheight of the Arnolfo Tower
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English WikipediaFive Hundred≈ 54 × 23 m hall, among Italy's largest
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English WikipediaMediciCosimo I lived here in the 16th century
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English WikipediaCity hallthe palace still houses Florence's mayor
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English WikipediaA short history
The palace was begun in 1299 for the government of the Florentine Republic, the signoria, to a design attributed to Arnolfo di Cambio, architect of the cathedral. It's a true fortress of rough stone with battlements, an upper gallery and a slender tower about 94 m tall, visible from almost everywhere in the city.
In the 16th century Duke Cosimo I de' Medici moved in with his family, turning austere halls into lavish frescoed, gilded apartments. When the Medici later moved across the river to the Palazzo Pitti, this became the Vecchio — the "Old" palace. Today it's both a museum and Florence's city hall.
The Hall of the Five Hundred and the apartments
The great Hall of the Five Hundred, about 54 m long, was built for the republic's Great Council; Giorgio Vasari later covered its walls and ceiling with scenes of Florentine history, and statues line it, including Michelangelo's Genius of Victory. Murals by Leonardo and Michelangelo were once planned here but never finished.
Next door is the tiny windowless Studiolo of Francesco I, its walls covered in painted cupboard doors hiding secret collections. Beyond lie the Medici apartments — the Hall of the Elements, the Hall of Lilies with gold lilies on blue, Eleonora of Toledo's chapel and a room of huge painted 16th-century world maps with a globe.
What to see
- Hall of the Five Hundred — Vasari's frescoes and Michelangelo's Genius of Victory.
- Studiolo of Francesco I — a study of painted cupboards.
- Hall of Lilies — gold lilies on blue.
- Hall of Maps — 16th-century world maps and a globe.
- Arnolfo Tower — views of the cathedral and city.
- Michelozzo's courtyard — a fountain and gilded columns.
Climbing the tower
About 400 steps lead up the Arnolfo Tower, first by palace stairs, then a narrow passage inside the tower, to a terrace facing Brunelleschi's dome, the piazza, the Arno and the surrounding hills. The tower closes in rain and strong wind, and young children usually aren't admitted; a roof terrace above the Hall of the Five Hundred, on the museum ticket, also offers fine views.
How to get there
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Vasari Corridor is about 3 min away on foot.
- Piazza della Signoria is about 1 min away on foot.
- Uffizi Gallery is about 4 min away on foot.
More tips
- The palace stands on Piazza della Signoria.
- From Florence Cathedral, 5 minutes on foot.
- Beside it: the Uffizi and the Loggia dei Lanzi.
- From the Ponte Vecchio, 5 minutes on foot.
Is Palazzo Vecchio worth it?
Yes — it's the best way to see how the Medici lived and ruled, and one of Florence's most impressive buildings. Short on time? Step into the free courtyard with its gilded columns and climb the tower. Children love the secret passages, the world maps and the tower view, and there are family routes for them.
Before you go
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Florence's palaces: compare and choose
Palaces and museums in Florence rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.
| Palazzo Vecchioyou are here | 52 | 1 h 30 min | Courtyard free, museum paid | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palazzo Pitti | 48 | 2 h | Paid | 12 min walk |
| Palazzo Medici Riccardi | 45 | 1 h | Paid | 11 min walk |
| Bargello | 40 | 1 h 15 min | Paid | 3 min walk |
| Palazzo Strozzi | 38 | 1 h 15 min | Courtyard free, exhibitions paid | 6 min walk |
The heart of Florence in half a day
The cathedral, Piazza della Signoria, the Palazzo Vecchio and the Ponte Vecchio.
- Florence Cathedral2 h · Free; dome paid
- 7 min walk from the previous stopPiazza della Signoria40 min · Free
- 3 min walk from the previous stopPalazzo Vecchioyou are here1 h 30 min · Courtyard free, museum paid
- 5 min walk from the previous stopPonte Vecchio20 min · Free
4 places · about 4 h 45 min with walks · 15 min on foot in total
Nearby and on the way
How to do it right
- The courtyard is free.
- The tower is about 400 steps.
- Book secret passages tours.
- Thursdays — mornings only.
Questions
What is there to see in Palazzo Vecchio?
The Hall of the Five Hundred, the Studiolo of Francesco I, the Medici apartments, the Hall of Maps and the Arnolfo Tower.
Can you climb the Palazzo Vecchio tower?
Yes, about 400 steps; it closes in rain and wind.
Is Palazzo Vecchio free?
The courtyard is free; the museum and tower are ticketed.
How long do you need?
1.5–2 hours including the tower.
What is Palazzo Vecchio used for today?
It's a museum and Florence's city hall.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia, Palazzo Vecchio
- Official Florence civic museums site musefirenze.it
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