Skip the Line: Uffizi Gallery and Vasari Corridor Walking Tour

Florence, Italy

With limited time in Florence, avoid the crowds and take a walking tour through the Uffizi Gallery before gaining exclusive private access to a collection of portraits and paintings housed in the Vasari Corridor. This is your opportunity to visit the Vasari Corridor when it is closed to the general public.

Avoid long lines at the Uffizi Gallery as your guide delivers an informative commentary on your 1.5-hour tour through the gallery's main rooms. Next, you'll enjoy an exclusive private viewing of the Vasari Corridor. Hidden between city houses and even passing through a church, the Vasari Corridor has evolved as one of the most astounding architectural masterpieces of the Renaissance.

After your walking tour inside of the Uffizi Gallery, doors leading to the Vasari Corridor will be opened exclusively for the group.Seeing the Vasari Corridor when it is closed to the general public is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Tickets are limited and each group will consist of 25 people maximum with your own guide.

Your private walk along the Vasari Corridor will take you back to the times of the Medici, when Cosimo and his wife, Eleonora, walked along their private corridor, from one side of Florence to the other, observing the crowd below. Built above the Ponte Vecchio, the passageway dates back to 1564 and stretches almost a mile between Palazzo Pitti, over the Arno to Palazzo della Signoria. It was Cosimo I who first summoned the architect Giorgio Vasari to build such a path for the royal family.

Note, you'll skip the long lines into the Uffizi Gallery but private viewing applies to the Vasari Corridor only. You'll tour the gallery with the general public.

USD $113.26

Traveler Reviews

Review by: Annette B	March 2012
A charming, informed guide who was able to guide us through a sea of visitors to the Uffizi before we had the Vasari Corridor all to ourselves.

Review by: Mary R	March 2012
Our guide was excellent. He really knows the background of the art we saw. The Vasari Corridor was very interesting. I recommend this tour.

Review by: aha48	March 2012
The guide was exceptional. He was so knowledgable.

Review by: Brooke	February 2012
Excellent tour, well worth the extra $$$. Our tour guide was great, but the Uffzi employees who had to accompany us could have shown a little more ethusiasm as we were paying alot of money to see the corridor. There is a time limit on this tour, so you feel rushed. Everyone on our tour was annoyed by how rude the Uffizi employees were to the tour group (we got even less time than promised). Overall just the experience was one of a lifetime.

Review by: Marc D	January 2012
Excellent value, and the tour guide was a delightful fount of knowledge, lore, story and good nature. I was most pleased.

Review by: jimmy o	November 2011
the guide had an awesome background in art. it was more like a 'walking lecture' . kids on the tour became disinterested. i was impressed by guide and tour

Review by: Susan S	November 2011
I was very pleased with my recent tour of the Uffizi Gallery and Vasari Corridor. The guide was exceptionally well versed in art history and the history of the building. She was friendly, easy to understand, and just super.

Review by: Jeffrey M	November 2011
It was interesting and very well narrated. I only give it three stars because the equipment kept malfunctioning and the tour in the Uffizi was only an hour and a half. We needed much more time in just the Uffizi gallery.

Review by: Christine S	November 2011
The guide was excellent and extremely knowledgeable. I don't think I ever want to go to a gallery again without a guide to explain and show me what my eyes are not seeing. The Gallery was crowded by that didn't impact negatively on the tour. The Corridor was amazing. Unfortunately we had to spend extra time in the Corridor because there was a group of diplomats in front of us and we couldn't move any faster. This was not the fault of the guide. This is an excellent tour, if possible not to be missed.

Review by: Benedicte M	October 2011
Perfect tour, with a very friendly and knowledgeable guide. We really enjoyed the tour and recommend it.

Review by: jose alfredo s	October 2011
It was a very good tour. The guide was indeed_br/_ very knowlegeable. We greatly appreciated the tour

Review by: Alan T	October 2011
Excellent. Friendly and very knowledgable guide. The tour was superb. Would certainly recommend._br/_ Many thanks.

Review by: Dianne M	October 2011
Loved this tour and the Vasari Corridor is amazing. It's due to close soon so see it while you can.

Review by: Sarah F	October 2011
May have been the best feature of my trip. Guide, Costanza, was outstanding! Even my husband, not a lover of art, loved the tour.

Review by: Chris	October 2011
The highlight of my holiday, the guide was very informative and coped well with crowds. If you are interest in art the Vasari gallery is a must.

Review by: vwilkins	October 2011
Guide was unengaging and difficult to hear in the one ear piece in a crowded room.

Review by: Faye B	October 2011
Very poor guide. He did not make any attempt to make sure we were still with him. No standout clothes, hat, umbrella. We lost him on several occasions including entering the Vasari Corridor. He just took off in the opposite direction we had been going. We (6) had to plead with the guards to let us into the corridor. He lost half the tour. He gave too much detail at the beginning of the tour so skipped the latter parts. English and quiet voice was difficult to understand.

Review by: Jim H	October 2011
Excellent tour of Uffizi and Vasari Corridor._br/_ Guides knowledge excellent._br/_ With so much to see trip could have been longer.

Review by: Georgeo	October 2011
not too bad. it's a little overrated. Still, the tour guide was good and extremely knowledgable on art

Review by: Teresa L	October 2011
We were very disappointed as were not allowed to see what we particularly wanted to see. It was very regimented to what the guide wished to show and important paintings which we booked to see were either ignored or missed out entirely. We would not recommend this tour if wanting to see the later paintings at the Uffizi or the important later portraits in the Corridor.

Review by: Garrett M	October 2011
excellent, Florence is not complete without it!

Review by: margaret h	October 2011
Went to your office the day before trip to ask for "free transport from hotel" which was mentioned on booking info- but told not possible. Our guide was very knowledgeable but 3hours with nowhere to sit was a long time and Uffizi was very crowded and too much time spent there. We had booked specifically to visit Vasari Corridor; we felt we were rushed through this part of tour, stopping at only about one in 20 paintings, so only getting cursory glances at must of the pictures. It would be much better to just do Vasari corridor (one can go to Uffizi anytime) and spend an in depth time viewing these paintings._br/_ Finally, it was disconcerting to find ourselves on opposite side of river and left to find our own way back... The"bus on the other side of the road" which was o nly guidance we got-was going in wrong direction, one had to find a shop to get bus tkt and then wander round looking for suitable bus.. A situation we "oldies" could have done without after such a long tour on a baking hot day...

Review by: Snow Queen	October 2011
Guide was excellent, we went straight in and she was very knowledgeable, she was able to answer all the question put to her and she obviously enjoyed the interest people were taking. The Vasari Corrider was wonderful and it felt like a privilege and honour to be allowed in to see such wonders of the art world - the pastel drawdrings of the 4 sisters are amazing. It was expensive but we felt it was worth every penny and would recommend this tour even if you are not interested in art.

Review by: delahoc	October 2011
Great tour, very knowledgeable guide. Seeing the corridor was quite amazing. Disappointed, though, that we didn't get to see the original David.

Review by: PETA	October 2011
Sinisha(??) was a BRILLIANT tour guide, he knew his art and history inside out. The actual tour of the Uffizia was really JUST the highlights, which IS great of that's all you want. The Vasari corridor was wonderful, the portraits amazing and really was so much to take in but definitely worthwhile for art lovers. Was nice view and perspective to look down onto the Ponte Vecchio especially after walking on it for several days. If you are really into art would suggest you also book in to see the uffizi at a separate time to spend more time, I'm guessing with a tour or Audi tour. There were about 15 people in our group which was a good size.

Review by: J F P	September 2011
An excellent tour. My only comment is to suggest that much more time should be spent in the actual Vasari corridor. Most if not all of the group will have previously visited the Uffizi, which as ever was very crowded and it was very difficult for the guide.

Review by: Kathleen I	September 2011
This was a fabulous experience and It was great to escape the crowds when w entered the quiet and beautiful Vasari corridor. So many wonderful portraits!

Review by: Susan P	September 2011
well worth it if you like art, tour guide was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic

Review by: Anna C	September 2011
The tour was fantastic. It felt very special to be walking above all the other tourists on the Ponte Vecchio, secretly taking in the views of Florence from the vantage point created by the Medicis. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and very good humored. The length of the tour - 3 hours - is plenty of time to see a selection of the works in the Uffizi (Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci) and make your way over the river to the Pitti Palace. Although it would have helped if we (I was there with my mum) had known we would end up on the other side of the river - where we had gone earlier that day! Exhausted by the end but we felt a few glasses of Prosecco were well-deserved!

Review by: richard m	September 2011
The Uffizi is certainly a must for Florence. Our guide contradicted herself and confused me on serveral occasions. The "Birth of Venus" was beautiful. Worth both the time and cost.

Review by: Joan S	September 2011
We thoroughly enjoyed our 5 days in Florence. The hotel Monna Lisa was excellent as was the guided tour of the Uffizi/Vasari Corridor.

Review by: Susan V	September 2011
A very comprehensive tour. The Uffizi was a bit crowded,but was a good introduction to this impressive art collection. The Vasari Corridor was interesting, but a bit hot and stuffy on such a humid day.

Review by: Geoff T	September 2011
A little slow to start but good short tour of Piazza and excellent entry to Uffizi with great tour of rooms - our guide picked out the best pictures with very good commentary and explanation. We thought we'd need to go back but really felt we had seen what we wanted and learnt more than we ever would have on our own. Excellent to go along the corridor but we were all flagging before the end and last 15 or so paintings were a blur. Would be better if given a rather longer break before entering the corridor (preferably by setting off more quickly from meeting point) to allow enough time for a drink, sit down and rest stop. As it happened we would have had time as a couple of people didn't return by the deadline - needs a rather stronger warning that entry to the corridor is strictly timed. I'd still recommend the tour to anyone.

Review by: MARYLYN W	September 2011
The Vasari Corridor is something I had wanted to do for years and it was never available when I was there. Truly enjoyed the commentary by _br/_ Michele (our guide). He was knowledgeable and gave us "insider" information that can not _br/_ be found in guide books. He made it all come _br/_ to life.

Review by: Janet	September 2011
This was a wonderful tour although it got started quite late. Walking through the Vasari Corridor was thrilling. Our guide was very good and was great about asking questions.

Review by: Jean B	September 2011
This tour was fantastic. The guide was knowledgable and generous with information. Too bad it couldn't have been longer.

Review by: Marita M	August 2011
The tour was excellent. The guide quite knowledgeable. Thank God most of the tour did indeed avoid the crowds in Florence. Thanks so much.

Review by: VAN	August 2011
Our guide was fabulous - lots of info on the paintings , and incorporating the Vasari corridor was a welcome break from the crowds

Review by: Jane S	August 2011
Very knowledgeable guide who brought the paintings alive. Fabulous to see the Vasari Corridor as well. Really enjoyed and have recommended to others.

Review by: Lori O, United States of America	July 2010
I had no idea Hitler walked the Vasari corridor and met Mussolini there. Our guide was wonderful. She was able to impart a lot of information in a colorful entertaining way. It was a splendid, unforgettable afternoon.

Review by: Diane B, United Kingdom	June 2010
This was an amazing experience and well organised. We were very pleased that we booked it as we have since found out that the Vasari corridor will be closed soon for an indefinite period.

Review by: Frank H, United Kingdom	June 2010
Good balance of time between Uffizi & Vasari Corridor. Tour arrangements went as planned. Well informed guide.

Review by: Anonymous, Australia	June 2010
Recommended. Guide was well informed and enthusiastic and charming. The Uffizi and Vasari Corridor are most worthy of a visit.

Review by: Rosemarie C, Australia	June 2010
Our guide was very informative and enthusiastic, we thoroughly enjoyed the passage and feel pleased we did it, as it will now close for a number of years for renovation. The gallery is beautiful and well worth a visit. Such wonderful art work to be seen.

Review by: Anonymous, Australia	May 2010
Our guide was excellent and very knowledgeable. It was a great experience. I highly recommend this tour.

Review by: Jack H S, United States of America	May 2010
OUR GUIDE WAS THOROUGH UFIZZI WAS SOME WHAT WARM SO PLAN ACCORDINGLY FOR SOME POTENTIAL FOR UNCORMFORTABLE TEMPERATURES IN THE WARM MONTHS OF THE YEAR.

Review by: Arthur V, United States of America	May 2010
Overall excellent tour. Guide was very good and I enjoyed walking the Vasari Corridor

Review by: Richard A, United States of America	April 2010
Unusal tour of high interest. Tour guide was exceptionally well prepared and had the ability to give a sense of personally connnecting with people on her tour. Very enthusiastic with amazing eye contact and flexibility when any problems arose.

Review by: Peter S, United Kingdom	April 2010
The tour was extremely interesting if somewhat longer than we were anticipating. The guide was very knowledgeable.

Review by: darbyshire m, Australia	April 2010
Really well done and very knowledgeable tour director with good sense of humor, loved the art corridor with the self portraits. Its a Must do tour!