The Palazzo Pitti is a vast mainly Renaissance palace in Florence. It is situated on the south side of the River Arno, a short distance from the Ponte Vecchio. The palazzo is now the largest museum complex in Florence. The principal palazzo block, often in a building of this design known as the corps de logis, is 32,000 square metres. It is divided into several principal galleries or museums detailed below. The Palatine Gallery, on the first floor of the piano nobile, contains a large ensemble of over 500 principally Renaissance paintings, which were once part of the Medicis' and their successors' private art collection. The Silver Museum, sometimes called "The Medici Treasury", contains a collection of priceless silver, cameos, and works in semi-precious gemstones, many of the latter from the collection of Lorenzo de' Medici, including his collection of ancient vases, many with delicate silver gilt mounts added for display purposes in the 15th century.

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the oldest and most famous art museums of the Western world. It is housed in the Palazzo degli Uffizi, a palazzo in Florence. Building of the palace was begun by Giorgio Vasari in 1560 for Cosimo I de' Medici as the offices for the Florentine magistrates — hence the name "uffizi" ("offices"). Construction was continued to Vasari's design by Alfonso Parigi and Bernardo Buontalenti and ended in 1581. Today the Uffizi is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Florence. In high season (particularly in July), waiting times can be up to five hours. Visitors who reserve a ticket in advance have a substantially shorter wait. Here is only a small selection from the world-class collection of paintings: Cimabue (Maestà), Duccio (Maestà), Leonardo da Vinci (The Annunciation, The Adoration of the Magi). The collection also contains some ancient sculptures, such as the Arrotino and the Two Wrestlers.

The Palazzo Vecchio is the town hall of Florence. This massive, Romanesque, crenellated fortress-palace is among the most impressive town halls of Tuscany. Although most of the Palazzo Vecchio is now a museum, it remains the symbol of local government: since 1872 it has housed the office of the mayor of Florence, and it is the seat of the City Council. At the end of the hall is situated a small sideroom without windows. This masterpiece, the Studiolo of Francesco I was also designed by Vasari in a manneristic style (1570-1575). The walls and the barrel vault are filled with paintings, stucco and sculptures. Most paintings are by the School of Vasari and represent the four elements: water, fire, earth and air. Private Chamber of Eleanor was one of the private rooms of Eleonora of Toledo, wife of Cosimo I de' Medici. The paintings are by the Flemish painter Jan Stradan, better known under his Italian name Stradone. Against the wall is a cabinet with Florentine mosaic designs.

The Bargello, also known as the Bargello Palace or Palazzo del Popolo is a former barracks and prison, now an art museum, in Florence. The Bargello opened as a national museum in 1865, displaying the largest Italian collection of gothic and Renaissance sculptures (14–17th century). Its collection includes Donatello's David and St. George Tabernacle, Vincenzo Gemito's Pescatore, Jacopo Sansovino's Bacco, Giambologna's L’Architettura and his Mercurio and many works from the Della Robbia family. Benvenuto Cellini is represented with his bronze bust of Cosimo I. The museum also has a fine collection of ceramics (maiolica), textile, tapestries, ivory, silver, armours and old coins.

Casa Buonarroti was built in the 17th century by the great master Michelangelo for his family. It was restored to resemble the original designs of the master, and was converted into a museum by his great nephew. Some of the early works of Michelangelo are displayed in this house.

This beaux-arts academy was founded in the 16th century by Cosimo I de Medici. The academy is famous for housing the genuine David by Michelangelo together with other stunning works created by him. The academy boasts other valuable works by Ghirlandaio, Botticelli, Giambologna and other great artists.

This 15th century palace was built to reflect the Medicis' wealth and power. Being big art lovers, this dynasty had the palace decorated with lots of paintings and sculptures. The collection of this palace is one of the greatest and largest in Italy.