Galleria dell’Accademia, in Piazza San Marco, is the second most important gallery in Florence – after the Uffizi – and should be on every visitor’s wish list. It is most famous for Michelangelo’s iconic statue of David (there is a copy in the Piazza della Signoria and also in the Piazza Michelangelo up on the hill overlooking the city), as well as The Slaves and Pieta di Palestrina. The paintings and sculpture collection are exceptional, but many visitors miss the fascinating (and less crowded) musical instruments section, with a small but remarkable collection of historic instruments.

Queues can be long, but a timed entrance voucher can be pre-booked with the Kirker Concierge prior to departure. Exchange this voucher across the street at No. 51 first. Open Tuesday to Sunday 08:15 –18:50. Also open Tuesday and Thursday evenings until 22:00 from mid-June until the end of September. Closed Mondays.