The proud residence of Michelangelo's David

Word to the wise: Take a break from the crowds by seeking out the gallery’s idiosyncratic Russian icon collection, lovingly assembled by the Grand Dukes of the House of Lorraine.

Originally founded in 1784 as a single museum to unite Florence’s many fine art schools, the Galleria dell’Accademia is now one of the most important galleries in the western world. Renowned as the home of masterpieces by famous Florentine artists like Paolo Uccello, Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Andrea del Sarto, it also houses earlier draft artworks (like Giambologna's ‘Rape of the Sabine Women’) and impressive international collections.

Most famously of all though, the Galleria dell’Accademia is home to probably the world’s most recognised sculpture: Michelangelo’s ‘David’. It was moved to the gallery in 1873 and now attracts visitors from far and wide - so get here early to avoid the snap-happy throng.