The Vasari Corridor: Is It Worth the Extra €18?

Florence is a city that thrives on its history, art, and—let’s be honest—tourist pricing strategies. The long-awaited reopening of the Vasari Corridor in 2024 has been met with much fanfare, but is it really worth the additional €18 on top of your Uffizi Gallery ticket?

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Spoiler: Probably not.

A Brief History of the Vasari Corridor

Built in 1565 by order of Cosimo I de’ Medici, the Vasari Corridor was designed by Giorgio Vasari as a private passageway connecting the Palazzo Vecchio to the Palazzo Pitti. The Medici family, ever concerned about security-Casimo I’s predecessor had been assassinated-used it to move between their residence and government offices without setting foot in the streets.

The elevated walkway runs above the Ponte Vecchio, offering views of the river Arno. Historically, it housed an incredible collection of self-portraits from renowned artists, including Rembrandt and Velázquez.

The New Experience: What You Actually Get

Unfortunately, the corridor you can visit today is a stripped-down version of its former self. Gone are the self-portraits, relocated to the Uffizi, and what remains is essentially an empty, elongated hallway with windows.

Yes, the views are nice, but you can get equally spectacular (and free) panoramas from the nearby Piazzale Michelangelo or even a simple stroll along the Arno.

The Logistics: A Test of Patience

To access the Vasari Corridor, you must first enter the Uffizi Gallery, a fantastic experience in itself, but one that requires strategic planning. Your Uffizi ticket grants access two hours before your scheduled Vasari Corridor entry, meaning you need to arrive well in advance to queue, even with a pre-booked slot.

Once in, you make your way through the Uffizi before reaching the corridor entrance, where you’ll walk the 1km stretch over the Ponte Vecchio before exiting into the Boboli Gardens.

The Price Tag: Justifiable or Not?

Charging an extra €18 for what is essentially a glorified pedestrian bridge seems excessive, especially given the lack of artwork or furnishings that once made it a truly unique experience. When compared to other attractions in Florence, this feels like a cash grab rather than a must-do cultural highlight.

The Verdict

Unless you’re a die-hard Medici enthusiast or desperate to walk a historic hallway with good views, your money might be better spent elsewhere. Florence is full of incredible sights that don’t require navigating multiple queues or paying a premium for an empty corridor.

The Uffizi alone is worth your time (and ticket), but the Vasari Corridor in its current form? Not so much.