The 12 must-see works at the Uffizi and where to find them
Quick answer
The key works at the Uffizi are Botticelli's The Birth of Venus and Primavera (rooms 10 to 14), Leonardo's Annunciation (room 15), Michelangelo's Doni Tondo (room 35), Raphael's Madonna of the Goldfinch (room 38), Titian's Venus of Urbino (room 83) and Caravaggio's Medusa (room 90).
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The 12 masterpieces
The order follows the chronological route. Room numbers are a guide and can change because of loans or rearrangements; the plan at the entrance is the reference.
- 1
Room 2
Ognissanti Madonna (Giotto)
Around 1310. An enthroned Madonna with real presence and weight; it opens the way to the Renaissance.
- 2
Room 2
Rucellai Madonna (Duccio)
Around 1285. Compare it with Giotto to see the shift from Gothic to modern.
- 3
Room 8
Portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Urbino (Piero della Francesca)
Around 1470. A near-sculptural double profile in front of a landscape of great atmospheric clarity.
- 4
Rooms 10–14
Primavera (Botticelli)
Around 1480. An allegory of spring with Venus, the Three Graces, Mercury and Flora. More than 500 plants are identifiable.
- 5
Rooms 10–14
The Birth of Venus (Botticelli)
Around 1485. One of the most recognisable images in Western art, and the mythological nude returning after the Middle Ages.
- 6
Rooms 10–14
Portinari Triptych (Hugo van der Goes)
Around 1477. A Flemish triptych whose realism impressed Florentine painters.
- 7
Room 15
Annunciation (Leonardo da Vinci)
Around 1472. A very young Leonardo, with perspective and naturalistic detail.
- 8
Room 35
Doni Tondo (Michelangelo)
Around 1507. The Holy Family in a roundel of vivid colours, a foretaste of the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
- 9
Room 38
Madonna of the Goldfinch (Raphael)
Around 1506. A perfect example of Raphael's pyramidal composition.
- 10
Room 83
Venus of Urbino (Titian)
Around 1538. Venus's direct gaze sets it apart from earlier nudes, and it was copied for centuries.
- 11
Room 90
Medusa (Caravaggio)
Around 1597. Painted on a ceremonial shield, the severed head of Medusa shows a frozen scream.
- 12
Room 90
Bacchus (Caravaggio)
Around 1598. A young god with fruit and wine, with hyper-realistic details such as the already withering grapes.
How not to miss the best
- Start with the Botticelli rooms before they fill up and leave Caravaggio for last.
- If a work is not in its room, it is on loan or being restored: ask staff or check the plan.
- Point the AnyArt camera at any painting and hear its story, no audio guide rental needed.
Frequently asked questions
What are the must-see works at the Uffizi?
Botticelli's The Birth of Venus and Primavera, Leonardo's Annunciation, Michelangelo's Doni Tondo, Raphael's Madonna of the Goldfinch, Titian's Venus of Urbino and Caravaggio's Medusa.
Is the Mona Lisa at the Uffizi?
No, the Mona Lisa is in the Louvre in Paris. The Uffizi has Leonardo works such as the Annunciation and the unfinished Adoration of the Magi, which may be moved or restored.
Where is The Birth of Venus?
In the Botticelli rooms (10 to 14) on the gallery floor. Confirm the room on the plan at the entrance.
Can you take photos in the Uffizi?
Yes, without flash, in the collection rooms. Check museum notices in case a room has restrictions.
How long does it take to see the main works?
Between 2 and 3 hours at an easy pace. In 1 hour, focus on Botticelli, Leonardo and Michelangelo.