What is it: An absolute treasure trove of Renaissance art.
Why go: Ultimately, to gaze upon one of Botticelli’s finest pieces: The Birth of Venus. If you get in really early, you may just get the fifteenth-century painting to yourself, but don’t spend too long at Venus’s feet because there are hundreds more iconic works to see. We’d recommend setting aside at least three hours to navigate the horseshoe-shaped gallery and glimpse at all the unmissables. Plus, the venue itself is architecturally fascinating: built in the 16th century and designed by Italian painter Giorgio Vasari, the extending colonnades, linear columns and traditional pediments all contribute to the classical design – a perfect pairing to the astonishing artwork housed within its walls.