DAVID and Accademia Gallery Private Tour in Florence
Description
Get the best of your stay in Florence and enjoy this private tour to the Accademia Gallery which hosts the original David. See the world-famous masterpiece and learn a lot of interesting facts about its creator. Discover the Prisoners by Michelangelo and learn why these sculptures were never finished. Hear incredible stories about Michelangelo and learn why even popes called him "divine”. Get the idea why Michelangelo's David is so famous and imagine the great sculptor working on his masterpiece through the stories told by your expert tour guide.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We will go back in times and imagine Florence in the times of the Renaissance when genius artists were working back to back competing with each other for a better commission and for world recognition. “He looks like a baker. The marble dust flours all over him and his back is covered with a snowstorm of chips.” - once said Leonardo Da Vinci about Michelangelo, starting a long story of rivalry as soon as he saw David finished. This tour will take you to the times when the great marble masterpiece were created so that you can imagine Michelangelo at work! Take your time to stay longer in the Accademia Gallery and discover the Museum of Musical Instruments with the oldest vertical piano in the world and original Stradivari’s viola.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(232)
We went on three tours with Irina and they were all excellent. The tour to the Accademia was focused on David and its creation and journey. Irina is an entertaining and informative speaker and we enjoyed her descriptions and knowledge of how Michelangelo went about his art and comparisons with less talented sculptors. By including references to the various exhibits in the Accademia her account was fascinating and she combines this with iPad presentation of some of the history. It’s a complete breakdown of how David came into being and why it is where it is now. This could be very dry, but Irina makes it entertaining throughout. The other major benefit of booking with Irina is that she pre-books all the tickets and makes sure they’re available for you at the times you want and you never have to queue. To be highly recommended.
My husband and I really enjoyed our tour of the Accademia Gallery with Irina. She is a wonderful tour guide and we learned so much about Michelangelo from her. I definitely recommend this tour if you want to get the most out of your experience.
Irina was wonderful. Her amazing knowledge made the sculptures come to life. We would definitely go on another tour with her.
Irina was a great guide. She came with a tablet full of illustrations to show us as she talked. Very knowledgeable and continuously pointed out things to see that we would have missed without her guidance. Our questions were answered immediately and in depth.
We were able to be some of the very first people to enter in the early morning tour with our private guide, Irina. We were able to walk right up to David, take unobstructed photos, and see every detail Irina explained right up close. (Just 20 minutes later the room was packed with visitors and getting close would have been impossible!) She was incredibly knowledgeable and truly brought the history and process to life. She’s an amazing guide and I will be pointing my friends who travel to Florence straight to her. Don’t hesitate to book this one!
This tour was exceptional. Irina was really friendly and knowledgeable. There is no way we would’ve experienced David and the other works in the gallery were we to have done this tour on our own, and without her adding all of the extra insights that she did. If you come to see David, you should absolutely do so with a guide. And if you do, you should book this tour with her.
Our guide, Irina, was very knowledgeable and brought a lot of new information to our experience. The museum for David is admittedly small but learning all the new information regarding Michaelangelo and the David itself was enlightening.
Thank you so much for your kind words! It truly means a lot to know that the experience felt enriching and added something new to your visit. The Accademia Gallery may be small, but Michelangelo’s David holds such an incredible depth of history, artistry, and meaning—and I’m so happy you found those insights enlightening. It was a real pleasure guiding you and your family through the world of Michelangelo and sharing the story behind one of Florence’s most iconic masterpieces. I hope to welcome you back for more discoveries in Florence soon! Warmly, - Irina
Wear super comfortable sneakers. Indoor and outdoor. Lots of walking. But AMAZING experience. TOTALLY knowledgeable guide! 100% do it!!!
Dear Suzanne, Thank you so much for this wonderful review! I’m so happy you enjoyed the experience — and yes, comfortable sneakers are definitely the secret to exploring Florence properly. There’s so much beauty to discover both inside the museums and walking through the historic streets. It was truly a pleasure guiding you, and I’m delighted the Academia tour made your visit to Florence even more special. I hope to see you again for more discoveries in this incredible city! Warmly, Irina
Irina provided amazing insights regarding the David, the Academy and Michelangelo’s life/works. Strongly recommend this tour.
Thank you so much, Mark — your words truly mean more to me than I can say. It was an absolute pleasure sharing that time with you at the Accademia, and I’m deeply grateful that you felt the passion and care I put into telling Michelangelo’s story and bringing David to life. Guiding you through his world, his struggles, and his genius was a joy, and knowing that those insights resonated with you makes my work incredibly rewarding. Thank you for your kindness, your attention, and for taking the time to leave your recommendation. I’ll carry your words with me — they are a beautiful reminder of why I love what I do. 🙏✨
This was so exceptional. Paying for a private tour first thing in the morning. I got so much knowledge and respect for my being overwhelmed. I can't say how much joy and deep meaning this gave me. If you love Michelangelo this is for you
Dear Irene, Thank you so much for this beautiful feedback. I’m truly grateful to know the experience brought you joy and deeper meaning, especially in such a special, quiet moment - 8:15 AM - the opening time of the Gallery. It was an honor to share the David and other Michelangelo’s works with you, and I’m so glad it resonated with you. Warmest wishes, - Irina
