If you’re coming to Florence (Firenze), you’ve probably got ‘see Michelangelo’s statue of David’ high on your list of things to do.
After the Uffizi Galleries, a visit to the Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell’Accademia in Italian) to see the statue of David is the second most popular attraction in Florence. It’s also a great museum to visit with kids. Which means… there are a lot of people in line every day to see it. You’ve probably heard people talking about how to skip the line to see the statue of David. Unfortunately, you can’t skip the line – no one can. But, you can skip the loooooong line of people without reservations by planning ahead.
Don’t sacrifice your precious time and sweat waiting in line with everyone else… read on to learn how to get in to see the David as quickly as possible.
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February 2026 Update: It looks to be a busy year, like always! To avoid disappointment (not getting a ticket to see David), it’s always best to book your Accademia tickets as soon as you know your dates. If you happen to find that tickets for your dates are sold out, your other option is to pay more and buy tickets through a third party, like GetYourGuide, which has offers like Florence: Timed Entry to See David + Audio App.
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How to Buy Skip the Line Tickets to See the Statue of David
Again, you can’t actually skip the line. The best you can do is skip the long and slow line of people waiting without tickets. With a ticket in hand from the official Accademia website (printed or on your phone), you can join a short line to enter the museum during your designated time slot (15-minute increments). There are no ways to avoid this line, no matter what anyone else tells you.
Important: Please review your ticket before you get in line. If you don’t have a QR code, you need to exchange your ‘voucher’ or ‘confirmation’ for your actual ticket. Go to the small office across the street at via Ricasoli, 58/60. Wait and get your actual ticket and join the short line to enter the museum during your designated time slot.
You’ll need to get on the computer and buy the tickets as soon as you know you’ll be coming to Florence. Why? Because the museum is popular and the number of visitors allowed inside at one time is limited (250).
Museum Opening Hours and Days
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday. The museum in CLOSED on Monday.
Hours are 8:15 to 18:50. The last admission time is 18:20.
The museum is also closed on December 25th and January 1st.
The museum offers free entrance on the first Sunday of the month.
Check out my monthly guides to visiting Florence: January – February – March – April – May – August – September – October – November – December
Ticket and Reservation Costs
Good To Know: The Accademia Gallery participates in Free Sundays at the Museum, so if you want to avoid crowds, don’t visit on the first Sunday of the month.
Regular/Full Ticket – €20
-18 and older, non-EU citizens
-26 and older, EU citizens
Reduced Ticket – €2
-18-25 EU citizens
-EU public teachers
Free Ticket
-17 and under
-people with a certified disability, with one accompanying person
Reservations
Reservations cost an additional €4 per person.
Reservations must be booked for all visitors age 6 and older. For example, if you are family of 5 (ages 65, 40, 18, 12, 1), all US citizens, you will pay the following for your Accademia Gallery tickets with reservations:
65 year old – €20 + €4 reservation
40 year old teacher in US – €20 + €4 reservation
18 year old – €20 + €4 reservation
12 year old – €4 reservation
1 year old – FREE
Tickets (and reservation fees) are NON-REFUNDABLE and you CANNOT CHANGE THE DATE. Before purchasing, make sure you have your dates right!
If you purchase from a third-party seller, the prices will be more than the prices above.
Good To Know: As of March 2026, you can purchase ticket combos for reduced rates (for example, the Accademia + Bargello for €26).
Purchasing Your Tickets
There are three ways to skip the long ‘no ticket’ line and since they only cost €4 more per ticket* than waiting in the long ‘no ticket’ line – they’re worth it!
*if you buy tickets from a 3rd party, you’ll pay more than an extra €4.
Option #1: Buy Tickets from the Official Accademia Ticket Seller – B-Ticket
This is my preferred option for a couple of reasons:
- I always like to buy directly from a business. That way, if there’s a problem, you can deal directly with the business – in this case, the Accademia.
- With your ticket in hand, you get to just join the line (with your entry time posted) and head in, guaranteed. With some other ticket purchase options, you’ll need to exchange your voucher/reservation for an actual ticket at the Accademia ticket office and then join the line (with your entry time posted).
So, try to book this way if you can. The problem is, these tickets are often sold out…. especially in busy months like May and September.
But, at least check!
Open your browser and go to the b-ticket site. If the Galleria Accademia isn’t selected, choose it from the list of museums in the drop-down-box:
If your desired date is in the near future, you can scroll down to find it and click on the ‘Tickets’ button to the right of it. If your date is further in the future, filter by date:
Remember that dates in Italy are formatted DAY/MONTH/YEAR, so December 7th, 2027 is written 07.12.2027.
Next, you’ll choose the 15-minute time slot you’d like and the type(s) of ticket(s). There may be some time slots that are already sold out:
When you’re finished choosing your tickets, scroll to the bottom and click the ‘Into the shopping cart’ button:
Double-check the details in your shopping cart – date, time, number and types of tickets and click ‘Continue’:
You’ll then need to login as a returning customer or register as a new customer:
If you’re a new customer, complete the registration form:
Choose the payment type (note that the screenshot below is old so it shows the old price):
Enter your payment details:
You’ll receive an email confirmation and your ticket(s). Your ticket(s) will have a QR code. Here’s a ticket I purchased:
Along with the confirmation email:
Option #2: Buy Tickets in Combination With a Guided Tour
This option is fine if you would like a guide to take you through the Gallery.
If you decide to visit on a guided tour, make sure you confirm that the guide or company will also be purchasing your tickets and reservation. Many times they will, but I know some guides who have their clients purchase the tickets on their own.
Be cautious about purchasing tickets from non-official websites (b-ticket.com is the official ticket seller) or on the streets from resellers. Because it can be difficult to tell which ones are legit, use resellers that your hotel works with or that a guide recommends. I highly recommend using the official b-ticket website, but know others who use GetYourGuide when there are no tickets available on the official site.
If you purchase your tickets from a 3rd party, you may not have a QR code on your tickets. This means you need to take your ticket confirmation (printed, on your phone, or vocal) to the ticket office across the street from the Accademia.
On the day of your scheduled visit, walk to the entrance at via Ricasoli, 58/60.
When you get there, look across the street to the left at via Ricasoli, 105r and enter (or join the short line) at the ticket office. The attendant will ask for your reservation number (on your phone, printed out, or given vocally) and print your tickets for you.
With your tickets, you can walk across the street and join the line at the priority entrance for your entrance slot (a 15-minute period printed on your ticket). You’ll enter the museum with a small group of visitors who have reserved that time slot.
Important: If your ticket has a QR code, you can just go to the line with your time slot without going to the ticket office. You only need to go to the ticket office if you don’t have a QR code.
Good To Know: If you find the ticket office closed (sometimes after 5:30pm or on other occasions), just head directly to the museum and you’ll get your tickets printed inside.
Enjoy visiting the Accademia Gallery and feasting your eyes on Michelangelo’s masterpiece, his statue of David!
You may also like
11 Places to See Michelangelo’s Art in Florence
Complete Guide to Piazzale Michelangelo
Option #3: Reserve Your Tickets By Phone
You can speak with an operator at the official Florence Museum Booking Office at +39 055.294.883 and pay by credit card. After payment, you’ll receive your tickets by email.
Skip-The-Line Tickets to See David FAQ
Do you have a recommended guide?
Yes! I highly recommend Sashia Scalvini if you’d like a guide at the Accademia. She can also take you on a customized Florence walking tour that includes other museums and attractions in the city. She’s also a sommelier and excellent guide for other areas of Tuscany. See my Florence Directory for Sashia’s contact info and more recommendations.
Wait – I only get to visit the museum for 15 minutes?
No, you can stay as long as you’d like! The 15-minute time slot is the time you must show your ticket at the entrance to enter the museum. Be sure to show up for that slot or you may be turned away.Â
