Discovering the Bargello Museum in Florence - Our Recent Visit

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The Bargello Museum in Florence (Museo Nazionale del Bargello), Italy, went beyond our expectations, charming us with both its amazing Renaissance art collection and beautiful architecture.

One June afternoon, we found ourselves at Florence's finest sculpture museum, seeking refuge from the bustling city crowds and intense sunlight. Every single moment spent within those walls was truly wonderful. đź‘Ť The Florence Activities We Love Most!

We could actually get up close to all the sculptures without fighting through crowds of people (it's not crowded as the Uffizi and the Accademia). And the Bargello's courtyard - it's absolutely gorgeous. There are these lovely benches where you can just sit back, take a breather, and soak in all the beauty around you. It was the perfect way to spend part of our afternoon.

Afterwards, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Ristorante il Bongusto La Maremma, a short stroll from the Bargello!

👉 Useful tip! Two hours should be more than enough to see the whole collection in the Bargello without rushing.

The Bargello Museum in Florence completely stole our hearts - art, history, and magic in every corner.The Bargello Museum in Florence completely stole our hearts - art, history, and magic in every corner.

How to reach the Bargello Museum in Florence?

Getting to the Bargello Museum (Museo Nazionale del Bargello) is really easy! If you're starting from Piazza della Signoria, it's just a quick walk. Look for the big bronze horse statue (that's Cosimo I de' Medici), then take the small street called Via delle Farine.

Turn right on Via della Condotta (visit La Via del Tè, the nice Florentine tea shop in this street), then left on Via del Proconsolo. You'll find the museum at number 4. The famous Duomo is also just a short walk away.

Don't feel like walking? Taxis can drop you right at the entrance. Or if you're staying at the nearby Condotta 16 Apartments, you're already super close!

We got there from our place, Casa di Chiara by taking Tram 2 from Belfiore to Piazza dell'UnitĂ  Italiana (near the main train station). From there, it was an easy walk to the museum.

The best part? The Bargello Museum is right in Florence's historic center, and you can walk there from pretty much anywhere. See how to reach it from: 

  • From the Duomo (Florence's Cathedral) - head south on Via del Proconsolo (where you'll find De Herbore, a cute store selling skincare, perfumes, soaps...) for about 300 meters until you see the medieval palace of the Bargello.

  • From Santa Croce - walk west along Via dei Pandolfini until you reach the Bargello Museum.

  • From the Uffizi Gallery - from the Arno walk along Via dei Castellani then continue along Via dei Leoni and Via dei Proconsolo (5-7 minute walk)

  • From Santa Maria Novella train station - take Via dei Bachi and Via de' Cerretani and you'll arrive to Piazza del Duomo. Go around the Cathedral and in the corner you'll find Via del Proconsolo (and the Bargello). Visiting Florence on a day trip from Rome is possible!

You can experience the sculptures at the Bargello Museum in peace, away from the crowdsYou can experience the sculptures at the Bargello Museum in peace, away from the crowds

When is the best time to visit the Bargello Museum in Florence?

You can really visit the Bargello Museum Florence whenever you want - it's never too busy there. We went on a Saturday in the middle of summer and it was actually quite nice.

What are the opening times of the Bargello Museum?

​The Museo Nazionale del Bargello in Florence operates with varying hours depending on the season. From April through September, the museum is open daily (except Tuesdays) from 8:15am to 6:50pm, and on Saturdays, it closes at 1:50pm.

From October to March, the museum operates from 8:15am to 1:50pm daily, except Tuesdays. It is closed on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, as well as on January 1, May 1, and December 25.

👉 Our tip! Might want to double-check the Bargello's opening hours though, just in case they've changed recently.


What we loved the most about the Bargello Museum?

The beautiful courtyard (and "Il Pescatore" bronze sculpture)

Upon entering the courtyard of the Bargello Museum, we were immediately amazed by the building's beauty and all the exhibits displayed there.

It's a genuinely special place with a peaceful atmosphere, where visitors can unwind and gaze in wonder at magnificent sculptures created by great masters (including the six allegorical sculptures crafted by Bartolomeo Ammannati, the Ocean by Giambologna, several reliefs by Benedetto da Maiano, and the renowned Cannon of San Paolo by Cosimo Cenni).

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Take a moment to relax on one of the welcoming benches scattered throughout the Bargello's peaceful courtyard.Take a moment to relax on one of the welcoming benches scattered throughout the Bargello's peaceful courtyard.

We were particularly enchanted by the coats of arms of the podestĂ , positioned along the palace walls. Our most cherished piece is the bronze sculpture known as "Il Pescatore" (the little fisherman) by Vincenzo Germito, which stands in solitary splendor.

Among all the courtyard sculptures, we were most captivated by Gemito's bronze work 'Il Pescatore'Among all the courtyard sculptures, we were most captivated by Gemito's bronze work 'Il Pescatore'

Michelangelo sculptures at the Bargello

The Michelangelo Room of the Bargello is on the ground floor, right by the staircase. Pretty convenient to find, actually.

There are three pieces by Michelangelo in there. First, you'll see Bacchus, this tipsy god statue that was Michelangelo's first attempt at a free-standing sculpture. There's also a bust of Brutus, which is interesting because it's the only bust he ever made. The third piece is a nice relief showing Mary and her child.

The room also has works from other Renaissance artists - Giambologna, Cellini, Ammannati, and Sansovino. It's a good collection, worth checking out if you're in the museum.

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Bacchus is one of the earliest sculptures of MichelangeloBacchus is one of the earliest sculptures of Michelangelo

Donatello’s bronze David

The Salone del Camino is the Bargello Museum's most famous room on the second floor. Here you will find the smallest bronze statues in Italy.

Donatello’s bronze “David” is naked; he is a young, frail teenager who has not yet reached adult size, wearing a strange hat, with one foot carelessly placed on Goliath’s big, helmeted head.

This collection includes replicas of antique models and Renaissance statues. Names such as Giambologna and Cellini can be found in this room.

Donatello's bronze David captivated us, with its stunning attention to detailDonatello's bronze David captivated us, with its stunning attention to detail

The Bargello's Maiolica Room

The small room of the Bargello Museum, that houses the maiolica collection, often overlooked by visitors due to its dated glass display cases, holds an extraordinary treasure. Inside, you'll find a remarkable collection that spans 800 years of decorative arts history. It starts with humble pottery fragments discovered in Tuscany and stretches all the way to modern design pieces.

Among the highlights are the intricate "historiated" plates and various dinnerware shapes crafted by Umbrian artists in the 16th century. While it's unclear whether these pieces were used for practical dining purposes, they played a significant role in spreading Roman art motifs beyond the capital, influencing homes across the region.

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Majolica glazed pottery at the Bargello MuseumMajolica glazed pottery at the Bargello Museum

The beautiful loggia of the Bargello

The ornate Loggia awaits at the top of the open stairway of the Bargello, showcasing an array of 16th century artistic works, including charming bronze animals originally created for the Medici Villa of Castello's garden. The natural setting makes these creatures appear perfectly at home in their surroundings.

This spot provided us with a welcome resting place during our Bargello Museum adventure! It serves as an excellent shelter from both sunny and rainy weather!

We relished the peacefulness of the summer afternoon in the Bargello Museum’s loggiaWe relished the peacefulness of the summer afternoon in the Bargello Museum’s loggia

What is the best way to visit the Bargello Museum in Florence?

The Bargello Museum in Florence is well worth a visit, and good value when you buy a five museum ticket which also includes the Medici Chapels and Palazzo Davanzati. We just bought regular ticket at the ticket office, which costs â‚¬10. 

We advise you to buy the tickets on the spot, as there are no lines there. Next to the ticket office, you'll find the cloakroom, for leaving large backpacks, bulky bags and umbrellas (it's free).

👉 Useful tip! The first Sunday of the month between October and March, the entrance is free.

Best combo tickets for visiting the Bargello Museum:

Get skip-the-line access to The National Museum at the Bargello with this online ticket. Or save by purchasing one of the following ticket combos:

  • Bargello + Pallazo Vecchio ticket, 
  • Uffizi Gallery + Bargello combo, 
  • Palazzo Pitti & Palatine Gallery + Bargello Museum combo or finally 
  • 5-Attractions Combo (free entry to Bargello, Davanzati, Medici Chapels, Orsanmichele and Martelli House).

Taking a guided tour of Bargello Museum could be a great idea!Taking a guided tour of Bargello Museum could be a great idea!

Why to take a guided tour of the Bargello Museum in Florence?

The Bargello Museum in Florence is home to some of the greatest sculptures of the Renaissance, including works by Donatello, Michelangelo, and Verrocchio. While you can visit on your own, a Bargello guided tour makes the experience much more rewarding.

A guide will share the stories behind the art, highlight important details you might miss, and explain the museum’s fascinating history - it used to be a prison! When taking a guided tour of the Bargello, you’ll also save time and see the most important pieces without getting overwhelmed.

Best Bargello Museum Guided Tours:

đź‘Ť Useful tip! Every Saturday, visitors can join guided tours at no cost.


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