Florence, Italy is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Famous for its history and architecture, there are many family-friendly attractions here to entice both children and parents. Here is our list of the very best things to do in Florence with kids.
Florence is a world centre for Renaissance art, culture and architecture. Sounds amazing right? But let’s be realistic toddlers and young kids won’t be that interested in the Renaissance era art. In fact, even when I visited as a 13-year old I can’t say that I truly appreciated the artistic gems of Florence and when I revisited with my very young son well let’s just say he appreciated it even less!
BUT that doesn’t mean that Florence with kids should be kicked off your bucket list completely. With a little planning and preparation, you can enjoy the cultural delights of Firenze even with kids in tow.
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In our top things to do in Florence with children post, we’ll take you through some of our favourite Florence attractions for kids, share some family-friendly activities in Florence and give you plenty of first-hand tips and tricks for having a great stay in Florence with kids. We’ll try to give you a realistic overview of how to keep both energetic toddlers and culture-vulture parents happy.
This guide to things to do in Florence with kids is perfect for you if you’re planning a day trip to Florence, looking into spending a weekend in Florence with kids or thinking about spending longer in Florence with your family. We’ll show you the best kid-friendly places in Florence to visit and some great ideas to add to your Florence itinerary.
Tips for visiting Florence with babies, toddlers and preschoolers
If you’re planning a visit to Florence with a baby, toddler or children under-five, here are some of our top tips to help you and your family have a great time in Florence.
- Bring a portable changing mat. Not all toilets in Florence have baby-changing facilities so you will find yourself squatting on the floor changing nappies. Bring a light, portable (and washable) changing mat with you.
- Whilst central Florence does have a few parks, it has MANY plazas and squares. They may not be green but they are excellent places to let little ones run around.
- The streets of Florence may be historic and picturesque but designed for strollers they weren’t. We highly recommend using a lightweight sling or baby carrier when visiting Florence with a baby or toddler.
- Take advantage of your little one waking up at the crack of dawn for once and use the early mornings to explore Florence. We loved getting out and about at sunrise before the other tourists surfaced and having the city to ourselves.
- Gelato, gelato, gelato – it’s a cultural experience, energy-boosting refreshment and bribe all in one! How could you not love it?
Is Florence family-friendly?
Ok, let’s rephrase that question! Are Italians known throughout the entire world for their tight familial bonds, love of children and family-centred feasts? Totally! Itlay is an amazing place to visit with children.
Don’t feel embarrassed though for asking if Florence is family-friendly though. It’s a legit concern. I mean, Florence is large and it is BUSY. In fact, we’d be happy to argue with you about why Florence isn’t particularly family-friendly and how Sicily, for example, might be a better option. But Florence is famous, unique and grown-ups will regret not visiting if you’re nearby. Keep reading to find out our tips on the most family-friendly places in Florence to visit.
Visiting Italy with kids? Find out why we love exploring the stunning island of Sicily with the kids so much The Perfect Sicily Road Trip with Toddlers
Is Florence walkable for families with young children?
As we mentioned above, Florence is very walkable. However, it can be tricky with strollers and tired children. Our top tips are to pack a baby/ toddler carrier, plan lots of rest breaks and use one of the tour buses if you’re in a rush!
Can you see Florence in 1 day?
Of course, it is possible to visit Florence in 1 day. Yes, you can get a quick taste of Florence in a day. You might even be able to squeeze in a visit to a museum if you book a time slot in advance but one day will only give you a quick overview – you’ll definitely be left wanting to come back and explore more!
Is Florence safe?
Florence is as safe as any touristy town or city in Southern Europe. Of course, the hordes of tourists attract plenty of opportunistic thieves especially pickpockets who love the crowded plazas and square. Watch your bags and take the usual city precautions.
When to visit Florence with kids?
Florence is touristy all year around. There is no optimum time to beat the crowds but the damp winter months of January and February are the best time to try.
If you’d prefer better weather, then the shoulder-season of September-October and April -June will provide plenty of sunshine. Summertime will be crowded and hot. Christmastime is a great time to visit with gorgeous seasonal displays, Christmas lights and an annual German-style Christmas market.
Things to do in Florence with kids
Although our list of the best places to visit in Florence with kids is dominated by the cultural and historical highlights of Florence, we take you through why we consider each place to be child-friendly.
Florence’s Cathedral “The Duomo“
Perhaps the most photographed building in Florence, the wonderful Duomo is indeed a majestic building. It is free to enter most areas inside, however, young children may find the long queues difficult. Either opt for a quick selfie outside or buy some gelatos to keep the little ones occupied in the lines.
Leonardo Da Vinci Museum
A visit to the LEONARDO DA VINCI MUSEUM is a treat for everyone. It showcases real models of Da Vinci’s creations. Children can see the machines up close and can even operate some of the machines, including the rotating crane model.
There are four sections in the museum: Earth, Fire, Water and Air. Each section showcases the inventions of this incredible world-renown mastermind.
In the Air section, families get to see Leonardo’s “wooden” parachute, the hygrometer. The Earth section displays printing machines, rolling mill and other inventions of that time. And yes, some of Da Vinci’s important paintings are displayed here, too.
Piazza Della Carousel
For toddlers and younger children, a visit to the PIAZZA DELLA CAROUSEL is a must-have in any Florence with kids itinerary. Riding an antique carousel certainly takes you back in the time, and the best part is it’s located in the main shopping district, so adults can always make a quick visit to the nearby shops and cafes.
This beautiful antique carousel is located in a well-lit street, and it offers plenty of great family photo opportunities. The early 1900s carousel is priced at just 1 Euro a ride, and you can get great views of the entire Piazza Della Repubblica. The street usually has a festive ambience and there are street performers and musicians out there to entertain the crowds.
Ponte Vecchio
Perhaps the most famous landmark in Florence, Ponte Vecchio is known throughout the world. The Ponte Vecchio is a medieval stone bridge that spans the River Arno. The cluster of traditional shops on the bridge were once butcher shops. Now the shops sell souvenirs and jewellery.
Find out how we took the Ponte Vecchio photo that everyone takes and gave it a unique twist in our post on how to keep travel memories alive.
Palazzo Vecchio
Visiting the town hall of PALAZZO VECCHIO of Florence will give you and the kids a great insight into the art, culture, history and architecture of the beautiful city. It was built in the 13th century and it was the seat of government when Florence was the capital of Italy from 1865 to 1871.
It is one of the most family-friendly museums in Florence. It was once home of the Medici family. It offers an engaging opportunity for the kids to dress up in 16th-century costumes and play with the toys of that era. Children can dress up like the Medici family in old-fashioned costumes and accessories. Once a palace, this was turned into a residence by the Medici family in 1540. It features chambers, terraces, courtyards and secret passages, and the ARNOLFO’s tower at the palazzo gives spectacular views of the entire city of Florence. Guided tours are recommended for families.
Piazza Della Signoria and Michelangelo’s David statue
The Palazzo Vecchio overlooks Piazza Della Signoria. This Piazza is truly the heart of Florence and crowded with tourists. You’ll find the famous statue of David by looking for the biggest crowd!
Uffizi Gallery
The UFFIZI GALLERY is one of the oldest art museum galleries in the world; it showcases an incredible collection of historic sculptures and paintings by some of the greatest names in Italian history and beyond.
Some of the artwork is by such greats as Leonardo Da Vinci, Raffaello and Michelangelo. There are special guided tours designed for families with children of all ages. There are engaging activities for younger kids and teenagers at the museum including scavenger hunts and trivia quizzes. There are also private tours for kids and families that save you time as you don’t need to queue if you’ve pre-booked. Advance booking of tickets is highly recommended.
The National Archeological Museum
THE NATIONAL ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM is a wonderful museum to visit to gain a deeper insight into the history and arts and crafts of ancient Roman times. This museum was originally inaugurated in 1871 and features fascinating Roman and Greek antique collections. There is also an Egyptian exhibition showcasing mummies and Egyptian artefacts that will captivate young children! At the Egyptian exhibit, you can see an ancient Egyptian war chariot. Believe it or not but this is authentic and not a replica! The museum is located in PALAZZO DELLA CROCETTA, and the admission to the museum is free if you’ve visited the UFFIZI gallery. So keep hold of your tickets!
Boboli Gardens
Visiting the BOBOLI GARDENS is a must-do activity in Florence with kids. This wonderful historic park was opened to the public in 1766.
Located close to the historic Renaissance-era Pitti palace and Boboli Gardens is more of an open-air museum than a simple park. Along with ancient trees, and fountains and sculptures, ponds, flowers and lush green grass, the park features a large amphitheatre.
The Egyptian Obelisk in the centre of the amphitheatre dates back to 1789 and as you climb up, you see the fountain of Neptune and the large statue of “Abundance”. The open lush green space is great for picnicking and for kids playing around and soaking up some Sun. Due to the location of the gardens; it gives some great views of the Florence skyline and photo opportunities!
There are many wonderful play areas in Florence.
Cooking Classes
Italy is renown for its cuisine. If you feel like the kids need an activity for a few hours, a family-friendly cooking class could be perfect.
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Florence
For those families visiting Florence with kids who are short on time or have kids who just refuse to walk anywhere. Riding the Florence double-decker tour bus can be a great alternative way to see the city.
Hop on the bus with your family and see all Florence’s important sights and landmarks on the way. The double-decker buses are a comfortable and convenient way for families to roam across the city. Audio commentary is available onboard in multiple languages. Buses are wheelchair accessible, and children under 5 years of age can tour for free which is a bonus!
Natural History Museum
Finally, the NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM in Florence is an engaging attraction for kids that need time out from admiring paintings and sculptures all day!
The museum is located adjacent to Boboli Gardens. The museum can easily be visited after you’re done with your picnic at the gardens. It was founded in 1775 by the University of Florence and is home to over 4 million plants from across the globe. The zoology section in the museum features many animal skeletons and wax figures – always popular with toddlers!
Final Thoughts on Florence with kids
Florence is a wonderful city to visit with kids. A couple of days will give you plenty of time to explore the city before the kids get bored with ‘all of the museums’! Visiting the city’s parks or the nearby Tuscany countryside will give everyone in the family a good dose of activity and fresh air before you move on to another fantastic Italian city like Siena or Bologna.
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