Vasari Corridor Tickets: What You Need to Know Before You Book

The Vasari Corridor is one of Florence’s most intriguing—and most confusing—attractions to book. This elevated passageway runs above the Ponte Vecchio, once allowing the Medici family to move unseen between their palace, government offices, and private worship. Today, Instagram is abound with Florence’s shop-covered bridge called the Ponte Vecchio, which is distinguished by the numerous shops spanning it, selling rings, watches, necklaces, and all types of fine jewelry. The walkway atop is called the Vasari Corridor (Corridoio Vasariano).

Recently reopened after years of renovation, the corridor now welcomes visitors again, but access is limited, tickets are separate from regular Uffizi tickets, and the experience isn’t quite like a traditional museum visit. Before you book, here’s what you need to know about Vasari Corridor tickets, how the visit works, and whether walking atop Florence’s most famous bridge is worth your time.

What is the Vasari Corridor?

The Vasari Corridor is an enclosed, elevated walkway connecting two palaces by running atop the Ponte Vecchio. The path provided safe passage from the Palazzo Pitti (the Medici’ home) to the Uffizi (Medici offices) and Palazzo Vecchio (seat of government). Built in 1565 at the behest of Cosimo de’ Medici, the Giorgio Vasari-designed structure gave him a way to get from home to work without worrying about getting a knife in his back. Subsequent Medici family members and friends could cross over about a half mile of Florence without being seen. The corridor even allowed the Medici the ability to worship in privacy. At one point along the passageway there is a balcony that looks out onto Santa Felicita Church. The ruling family would have a perch with an obstructed view of the altar.

Merchants have lined the Ponte Vecchio for centuries, but they were not always dainty stores selling fine jewelry. From the 1440s until 1595, butchers monopolized trade on the bridge. That would change as the bridge grew to include the corridor across it designed by Vasari. Rumor has it that Ferdinand I de Medici didn’t like the smell that wafted up from the butchers on the bridge into the corridor, so a 1595 decree saved the nobleman’s nose from olfactory offense by banning butchers from selling meat on the Ponte Vecchio. Still in effect to this day, the law made goldsmiths and jewelers very happy as they could dominate trade. Their wares still glisten in the Tuscan sun delighting shoppers from around the world.

How to visit the Vasari Corridor?

The corridor is part the Uffizi Gallery, so you can visit the Uffizi Gallery, have a drink on its terrace, and hang out with some of the world’s finest art before strolling across the walkway. The 750-meter route starts inside the Gallery, runs along the river and over the top of the Ponte Vecchio, through the church of San Felice before reaching the Pitti Palace and emerging by the Grotta di Buontalenti in the Boboli Gardens.

Reservations are required and are a separate charge from the Uffizi Gallery. You can book on the official Uffizi website (below) or through a tour company, like Tour Guy or Viator (also below).

Tour Guy Florence Tours Link: https://tidd.ly/45KxASu

Viator “Unlock the Uffizi: Guided Tour + Secret Vasari Access Option” (has Badge of Excellence) https://www.viator.com/tours/Florence/Uffizi-Gallery-Tour-with-Optional-Vasari-Corridor-Access/d519-410267P13?pid=P00161535&mcid=42383&medium=link&medium_version=selector

You must visit the Uffizi before you take the trip across the corridor because you won’t come back to the Uffizi. The Vasari Corridor path starts in the Uffizi but ends in the Boboli Gardens where you will exit.

Accessibility note: the Vasari Corridor is completely accessible. Hubby was using a mobility scooter and we had no issues. He used the Uffizi elevators to get to the leaving point for the Vasari and then was able to ride along the corridor with ease. I was skeptical about how it would work at the end (I spend a lot of time in the Boboli Gardens and know they’re not completely mobility aid-friendly) but to my surprise it worked like a charm. Jon rode out onto a platform which lowered to ground level and then scooted in front of the grotto where to its other side was an elevator that took him to exit area of the gardens (the rest of us took the stairs). It was a fabulous way to make centuries-old architecture 21^st century ready for mobility-challenged visitors.

Is the Vasari Corridor worth your time?

This is a difficult question for me to answer. My husband and I have wanted to see it for almost a decade and it was under renovation all that time, so when we were first able to see it in 2025, it was fabulous. But, it was something new for us in a city where we spend a lot of time, so that in and of itself was a novelty. We have annual tickets to the Uffizi Gallery, so it was also only a 20€ addition.

If it is your first time to Florence and you have limited time, I would probably say wait until your second visit. If you have many days in the city, you might want to give it a go. It doesn’t take long. A museum worker guides you through the corridor, but they’re not tour guides. They’re just there to keep the group moving and keep people in line. You can ask them questions though and at least one seemed trained one the site’s history. At the time we visited, it had just opened and they were putting statues in but hadn’t uncovered them yet. I will be interested to go back this year and see how the exhibition has involved.

If you’re fascinated by history, love Medici lore, or just want to walk atop a bridge, you will probably want to give the Vasari Corridor a visit.

For tickets directly from the site, see the Uffizi Official Site: https://www.uffizi.it/en/tickets

The Tour Guy (link below) and Viator offer Uffizi Gallery/Vasari Corridor combos with skilled guides who will help you see the best items in the museum, keeping your itinerary directed while providing history and cultural details and stories.

Vasari Corridor FAQ

Do you need a ticket to visit the Vasari Corridor?

Yes. Access to the Vasari Corridor requires a separate reservation in addition to an Uffizi Gallery ticket. You cannot enter the corridor without visiting the Uffizi first.

Where do you buy Vasari Corridor tickets?

Tickets can be purchased through the official Uffizi website or as part of a guided tour offered by companies such as Tour Guy or Viator. Availability is limited, so advance booking is strongly recommended. I recommend a guided tour, as the ticket through the Uffizi does not provide the same context as a guided tour.

Does the Vasari Corridor start and end at the Uffizi?

No. The route starts inside the Uffizi Gallery but ends in the Boboli Gardens near the Pitti Palace. Once you enter the corridor, you do not return to the Uffizi.

How long is the Vasari Corridor walk?

The corridor is approximately 750 meters (about half a mile) long. The walk itself does not take very long, but it is paced by a museum attendant who keeps the group moving.

Is the Vasari Corridor guided?

A museum staff member accompanies the group, but they are not a traditional tour guide. Their primary role is crowd control, though some may answer basic questions about the site.

Is the Vasari Corridor worth it?

It depends. If this is your first trip to Florence and time is limited, you may want to prioritize the Uffizi, Duomo, or Accademia. However, if you enjoy Medici history, hidden architectural features, or unique experiences—and especially if you’ve visited Florence before—the Vasari Corridor can be a memorable and unusual addition.

Is the Vasari Corridor accessible?

Yes. The Vasari Corridor is fully accessible. Elevators are available at both ends of the route, and mobility devices such as scooters can be used throughout the corridor.

Fabulous Florence Tours (including food tours, the Duomo, David, and more)

Our friends at Liv Tours also offer several of our recommended Florence tours (code AMYRH10 could save 10% on some tours): https://livtours.com/destinations/florence-tours?af_code=E1DDN61

Tour Guy Florence Tours Link: https://tidd.ly/45KxASu

The Best Tours of Florence

Viator offers many lower-priced tickets and tours: https://www.viator.com/Florence/d519-ttd?pid=P00161535&mcid=42383&medium=link&medium_version=selector

One of the most fabulous museum passes in Florence, although it doesn’t cover the Vasari Corridor (but it does cover the Uffizi) is the Firenze Card. Buy it here through Get Your Guide: https://www.getyourguide.com/florence-l32/florence-firenze-card-official-museum-city-pass-t446866/?partner_id=CMSFGKK&utm_medium=online_publisher&cmp=firenze-card

Happy travels!

Amy French, Ph.D., is the voice behind Roaming Historian. A professional historian and seasoned traveler, she shares stories that blend history and travel to give readers a deeper understanding of the places they explore.

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Vasari Corridor Tickets: What You Need to Know Before You Book