Here is part two of our accessible Florence guide which features our review of two of the best art museums in the world...
Basilica of Santa Croce
We got free entry into the Basilica of Santa Croce and found it to be all wheelchair accessible. The church is decorated in marble and houses the tombs of some of the most famous names in Italy including Michelangelo, Galileo and Rossini. The church has some beautiful frescos as well which are worth seeing.
Galleria dell'Accademia
The queue to get into Galleria dell'Accademia is huge but if you are in a wheelchair with a companion you can skip the queue by asking one of the gallery workers at the entrance for accessible entry (also free!). The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday and is closed every Monday.
This gallery is full of art and sculptures which date back to the 13th century. However the main attraction and definitely a must see is Michelangelo's David. I was really excited to get to see this sculpture as it is so iconic. He did not disappoint! The sculpture is huge, 17ft high to be exact! The scale and level of detail is unbelievable, from the veins on his hands to the definition of his muscles it is incredible. Do not leave Florence without seeing this masterpiece!
If you don't have time to see the sculpture you can see a smaller version of it at the entrance to the Palazzo Vecchio.
Gallerie Degli Uffizi
We didn't have much time left to spend in Florence due to us having a train to catch so it was a very last minute decision to visit Gallerie Degli Uffizi. We didn't know much about the gallery and so asked an attendant at Galleria dell'Accademia if it was worth visiting (looking back I think she probably thought we were crazy asking!). She said it most definitely was and we shouldn't miss it.
This gallery also had a massive queue but we'd now become pro's at finding the attendants at the front of the queues to let us in! We also got free entry which was an added bonus. It does get busy here and it can be difficult to get close to some of the paintings but with a smile people will usually let you through!
The museum is one of the greatest museums in the world and houses work by world renowned artists and sculpturers such as Michelangelo, Botticelli, Caravaggio and Da Vinci. It is a beautiful place, not just for it's art but inside the building as well. There is so much to see here you need at least a few hours which unfortunately we didn't have so found ourselves rushing round trying to see all of the masterpieces.
My highlight was the painting Spring by Botticelli (see above image). The painting has over 500 plant species and is so beautiful. I do love art and this is one place which did make me feel quite emotional. I think because we were nearing the end of trip and I was overwhelmed with how many amazing sights we had seen.
Piazzale Michelangelo
Whilst looking on Tripadvisor we came across Piazzale Michelangelo which from the photos looked amazing and a place we decided last minute we wanted to visit.
To get to the Piazzale Michelangelo you have to go up a hill however it is a road which is tarmac with no cobbles. It's a bit of a trek up (sorry Adrian's back!) but is possible to do by walking, there is a bus as well which can take you up to the top.
The views from the top are outstanding! We decided to go at the end of the day so that we could watch the sunset. It was magical! There was live music playing and the atmosphere was amazing. I would suggest arriving early, getting a gelato and finding a good spot to watch the sun go down!
We saw and visited so many sights and places in Florence, I think we needed 3 or 4 days here rather than 2. I really hope to come back here one day as it is such a stunning place. Also, I would recommend watching the series 'Medici - Masters of Florence' which is available on Disney+. It tells the story of the famous Medici family and is great for getting an understanding of the history of Florence before your visit.
You can read part one of our Accessible Guide to Florence here.
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