The Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge), with its many goldsmiths, spans the River Arno and immediately catches the eye with its unusual appearance.

You can walk across the Ponte Vecchio for free at any time, even in the evening. Jewellery shops are situated directly on the bridge, with the famous Vasari Corridor running above them. The corridor is now open to the public again, but only with a pre-booked ticket.

Would you like to see the whole bridge? For the best photo, head over to the neighbouring Ponte Santa Trinita. From the Ponte Vecchio itself, on the other hand, you can enjoy the view along the River Arno.

Top 10 best hotels in Florence

What to see and when to visit

The Ponte Vecchio connects the historic centre near the Uffizi Gallery with the Oltrarno district, from where you can easily reach the Pitti Palace.

You don’t need a ticket to cross the bridge, and it has no set opening hours. The shops have their own opening hours; you can still browse the shop windows even after they’ve closed.

In the middle of the bridge, the shops give way to a view of the Arno. You’ll also see a bust of the goldsmith Benvenuto Cellini here. If you want to take photos of the little houses and shops from the outside, head to the Ponte Santa Trinita, ideally before dusk or after the lights come on.

The Vasari Corridor: entry and price

The covered walkway above the shops is open to visitors. The tour starts at the Uffizi, crosses the Ponte Vecchio and ends at the Pitti Palace.

It is a one-way route and the tour takes approximately 45 minutes.

Select the Uffizi + Vasari Corridor ticket and book a time slot.

Adults pay 43 eur when purchasing on the day of the visit, subject to availability, or 47 eur when booking in advance. You may enter the Uffizi two hours before your booked start time for the tour of the Corridor. The Uffizi ticket itself does not include entry to the Corridor.

If you also wish to visit the Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens, there is a five-day combined ticket available at 58 eur, which includes the gallery. The gallery ticket alone does not grant entry to the palace or the gardens.

• 👉 Book admission to the Vasari Corridor on the official Uffizi website

Why are there jewellers’ shops on the bridge?

The present-day bridge was built in 1345 on the site of an older structure that had been destroyed by a flood. The architect is not definitively known: both Neri di Fioravante and Taddeo Gaddi are cited.

Originally, the shops were occupied by butchers, fishmongers and other traders; tanners were also based here. Waste ended up in the river and the area was foul-smelling. Following a decision by Ferdinand I de’ Medici, their places were gradually taken over from 1593 onwards by goldsmiths and jewellers, whose shops can still be found here today.

In 1565, Cosimo I de’ Medici had Vasari’s Corridor built above the shops. Giorgio Vasari designed it as a covered passageway linking the Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi and the Palazzo Pitti, so that the ruling family could move through the city without having to pass through the crowds.

Shops also line the Venetian Rialto Bridge. If it was this unusual bridge design on the Ponte Vecchio that caught your eye, be sure not to miss the Rialto when travelling to Venice.

Accommodation with a view of the bridge

The view of the Ponte Vecchio from your room depends on the specific room category, so always check this before booking:

• Hotel Lungarno – a luxury option right by the Arno; for example, the Prestige Double River View rooms face the bridge.
• Hotel Continentale – a hotel right next to the bridge with a roof terrace and views of both the Arno and the Ponte Vecchio. Please check the view from your room when selecting your option.
• Pontevecchio Relais – a smaller riverside property just a few steps from the bridge; views vary depending on the room.

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Firenze.