Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens
Across the river, in Oltrarno, lie the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. Built in 1440, for the wealthy Pitti family, this monstrous palace was intended as a challenge to the omnipotent Medici. The architectural snub was short-lived, however, when the family fortunes dwindled and the palace was acquired by their rivals.

It is best for visitors to start early in the day, as the palace now houses a number of museums and galleries, including the lavishly decorated State Apartments. Most visitors only make it around the Galleria Palatina, a tour of which includes the State Apartments, and houses yet more paintings from the Medici collection. Rubens, Titian and Raphael, wrapped in heavy gilt frames, vie for attention amid frescoed ceilings and opulent furnishings. Museums on site are the Galleria d'Arte Moderna (Gallery of Modern Art), Galleria del Costume (Costume Gallery), Museo degli Argenti (Silver Museum) and Museo delle Porcellane (Porcelain Museum).

Visitors at saturation point might choose to skip the galleries and head straight for the Boboli Gardens, a haven of fountains, grottoes and shady walks, populated by local cats and perfect for sun-drenched picnics. The carpet of medieval Florence rolls away beyond the palace - visitors are advised to crack open the Chianti, unwrap the salami and slip back into the Middle Ages.

Piazza Pitti
Tel: (055) 238 8611.
Opening hours: As for separate museum opening hours (see below).
Free admission. 

Galleria Palatina
Tel: (055) 238 8614.
Website: www.polomuseale.firenze.it/palatina  
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 0815-1850.
Admission charge (combined with Galleria d'Arte Moderna).

Galleria d'Arte Moderna
Tel: (055) 238 8601 or 8616.
Website: www.polomuseale.firenze.it/gam  
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 0815-1850.
Admission charge (combined with Galleria Palatina).

Galleria del Costume
Tel: (055) 238 8763.
Website: www.polomuseale.firenze.it/musei/costume
Opening hours: Tues-Sat 0815-1350; second and fourth Mon 0815-1350 of each month; first, fourth and fifth Sun of each month 0815-1350.
Admission charge (combined with Galleria d'Arte Moderna).

Museo degli Argenti
Tel: (055) 238 8709 or 8761.
Website: www.polomuseale.firenze.it/musei/argenti
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 0815-1630 Nov-Feb, closes at 1730 Mar and mid Oct after clocks change; 1830 Apr, May, Sep and from mid Oct; 1930 Jun-Aug; also opens second and third Mon of each month  closed first and last Mon of each month.
Admission charge (combined ticket available with all palace museums  ).

Museo delle Porcellane
Tel: (055) 238 8709 or 8761.
Website: www.polomuseale.firenze.it/musei/porcellane  
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 0815-1630 Nov-Feb, closes at 1730 Mar and mid Oct when clocks change; 1830 Apr, May, Sep and Oct; 1930 Jun-Aug; closed first and last Mon of each month.
Admission charge (combined ticket available with all palace museums).

Boboli Gardens
Tel: (055) 238 8786.
Website: www.polomuseale.firenze.it/musei/boboli
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 0815-1630 Nov-Feb, closes at 1730 Mar and mid Oct when clocks change; 1830 Apr, May, Sep and Oct; 1930 Jun-Aug; also opens second and third Mon of month, closed first and last Mon of each month.
Admission charge (combined ticket available with all palace museums).