The Ponte Vecchio in a nutshell
The Ponte Vecchio crosses the Arno in the historic centre of Florence. It has three arches, two river piers and rows of shops on both sides. Walking across it costs nothing. The corridor above the shops is a separate visit that needs a ticket.
This guide covers the bridge and the places around it: its history, the goldsmiths' shops, the Vasari Corridor, the Uffizi, Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens, the Piazzale Michelangelo, the Oltrarno and the cathedral. You will also find photo spots, tours, getting there, the best time to go and where to stay. It is an independent site, not run by the city, a museum or a shop. Prices are in euros, state 2026, and they can change.
A walk that links the main sights
The classic route is on foot and stays mostly outdoors.
Santa Maria Novella station
The main station lies in the centre of Florence. From here a walk leads towards the cathedral and the old centre.
Getting there →Cathedral
The church interior is free to enter. The dome climb is a separate paid visit with a timed slot.
Cathedral →Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi
The walk continues past the Uffizi courtyard towards the river and the bridge.
Uffizi →Ponte Vecchio, Pitti and Santo Spirito
Cross the bridge, then follow the streets of the Oltrarno to Palazzo Pitti and the church of Santo Spirito.
Oltrarno →This is an outdoor route. Museum rooms, the corridor and the dome each need their own ticket, so plan them as separate visits.
Our picks: Florence tours
Uffizi with the Vasari Corridor, a city walk and Pitti with Boboli.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Uffizi and Vasari Corridor entry
Entry to the Uffizi Gallery plus access to the Vasari Corridor, in about 2.5 to 3 hours. A guide, lunch and transport are not included.
Check availability →
Pitti Palace, Palatine Gallery and Boboli
A licensed guide and timed tickets for Pitti, the Palatine Gallery and the Boboli Gardens, in about 3 hours. Lunch and tips are not included.
Check availability →Highlights walk with a guide
A 1.5-hour walk with a guide and free luggage storage. The meeting point depends on the option you pick.
Check availability →Florence tours and tickets
Walking tours across the Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi and Vasari Corridor tickets and food tours, with live prices and availability.
Explore this guide
Each page goes deeper into one part of a visit.
History of the bridge
From the flood of 1333 and the rebuilding in 1345 to the Second World War.
Goldsmiths and jewellers
Why goldsmiths took over the bridge and what to know before you buy.
The Vasari Corridor
Tickets, the one-way route and the Friday evening visits in 2026.
Uffizi Gallery
Ticket prices, opening hours and the afternoon rate.
Palazzo Pitti and Boboli
Tickets, opening days and how to combine palace and garden.
Piazzale Michelangelo
The hill terrace with a view of the bridge and the city.
The Oltrarno
Workshops, Santo Spirito and evenings across the river.
Florence Cathedral
Free church interior, dome passes and opening times.
Photo spots
Where to stand for the bridge by day, at dusk and after dark.
Getting there
Station, airport tram, traffic zones and parking.
Best time to visit
Seasons, crowds and museum closing days.
Where to stay
Which areas suit a short stay near the bridge.
Walking tours compared
Group size, length and what a city walk includes.
Good to know before you plan
A few things that save time on the day.
The bridge is free, the corridor is not
You can cross the bridge without a ticket. The Vasari Corridor above it has reopened to the public since 21 December 2024 and needs a reserved, personal ticket.
Corridor guide →The corridor does not always come with the Uffizi
The regular ticket combines both. In 2026 there are also Friday evening visits without the Uffizi collection, from 3 July to 20 November.
Ticket options →Pitti and Boboli follow different closing days
The palace is closed on Mondays. The garden closes on the first and last Monday of each month. Some rooms in the palace are closed, so check the current state before you go.
Pitti and Boboli →The dome needs a timed, named pass
The church is free, but the 463 steps up the dome need a pass for a set time, and the name on it is checked against your ID.
Cathedral →Main prices at a glance
Adult prices in euros, state 2026. The later figure applies when you buy before the day of your visit.
| Visit | On the day | Booked earlier |
|---|---|---|
| Uffizi Gallery | €25 | €29 |
| Uffizi plus Vasari Corridor | €43 | €47 |
| Palazzo Pitti | €16 | €19 |
| Boboli Gardens | €10 | €13 |
| Pitti and Boboli together | €22 | €25 |
| Walk across the Ponte Vecchio | Free | – |
Reduced and free categories exist, and the museums ask for ID that matches the name on the ticket. Details are on the pages for the Uffizi and Pitti and Boboli.
Opening days at a glance
Regular hours in 2026. Check the current timetable before you go.
| Place | Days and hours | Closed |
|---|---|---|
| Uffizi Gallery | Tuesday to Sunday, 08:15 to 18:30 (ticket office to 17:30) | Mondays, 1 January, 25 December |
| Palazzo Pitti | Tuesday to Sunday, 08:15 to 18:30 | Mondays, 1 January, 25 December |
| Boboli Gardens | From 08:15, closing between 16:30 and 19:10 depending on the month | First and last Monday of each month, 25 December |
| Cathedral interior for visitors | Monday to Saturday, 10:15 to 15:45 | Sundays and religious holidays |
| Vasari Corridor | Tuesday to Sunday, groups from 10:15 | Mondays |
Ponte Vecchio: frequently asked questions
Is it free to walk across the Ponte Vecchio?
Yes. The walk across the bridge costs nothing. Only the corridor above the shops is a ticketed visit. Shop opening hours differ from shop to shop, so check before you plan a purchase.
Can I walk through the Vasari Corridor?
Yes, since it reopened on 21 December 2024. You need a reserved, personal ticket, and groups of 25 enter at set times. The route runs one way from the Uffizi over the bridge to the Pitti side. See the corridor page.
How long do I need for the Ponte Vecchio?
Crossing the bridge takes a few minutes. Add time for the shop windows and the view from the middle. A walk with the Uffizi, Pitti and the Oltrarno fills a day, and museum visits are the part that takes longest.
How do I get from the airport to the bridge?
The T2 tram links the airport with San Marco in the city centre, and a single ticket costs €2.00 in 2026. From there you continue on foot or by bus. The getting there page explains the options.
Where should I stay to be close to the bridge?
Areas on either bank of the Arno work for a short stay, and the right one depends on how much you want to walk. See where to stay for a comparison of areas.
Is this the official website of the bridge?
No. This is an independent guide with no link to the city of Florence, the Uffizi, any shop on the bridge or any tour operator.