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Florence with a baby or toddler: how to plan a perfect visit and love it – tips from a mama!

An Italian mama’s guide to plan a trip to Florence with a baby or toddler: need to know, baby friendly hotels, toddler friendly attractions in Florence and practical tips to enjoy your stay.

Florence is one of the most famous cities in the world for art lovers, so if you are visiting Italy with a baby or toddlers, you may be wondering if Florence is the right destination for you.

The doubt is fair: how does this city of art caters to families with littles?

Can you bring a baby to the Uffizi? Climb the duomo with a toddler? Is there anything for toddlers to do, or will I be stuck in a crowded museum with an overwhelmed child as other visitors look at us judging our parenting?

I know these doubts well and believe: I hear you!

But I have good news: Florence may not be the most obvious destinations for a toddler but it can be a lovely one – all you need are the right tips and I here to share them with you!

I am an Italian mama of two: I am from Rome (a little over an hour from Florence!) and I have visited Florence infinite times since my kids were tiny and we love it.

Over time, we have seen the challenges Florence poses to families with babies and toddlers, we have found ways to enjoy all the sightseeing and we have found toddler friendly activities that have made our visits fun and easy for everyone.

On this page, you find all my tips. I trust they’ll help you plan a great stay. Safe travel planning!

Please note: this post contains affiliate links. Should you make a purchase, we might make a small commission.

Why visit Florence with a baby or toddlers

I recommend visiting Florence with a baby or toddler if you:

Want to experience one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities in Europe, where to feel immersed in living history

You love art

You are visiting Italy in winter and want to be in a small yet lively town, with a thriving restaurant scenes, museums and indoor attractions

You are looking for a city with a walkable city center and top notch services including hospital etc

View of Florence Duomo

Why not visit Florence with little kids

I recommend reconsidering trip to Florence with small kids, or limit your time there if:

You are going in July or August, when the city is unbearably hot

You have no interest in art: in this case, I recommend you come to Florence for a day but opt for alternative destinations. The art is Florence compensates for the high crowds so if you take art out of the equation, you may find the city too busy, for little reward

You prefer a very green city: Florence has some parks and there is countryside immediately outside the city but it is not a very green city in terms of trees etc

You are hoping for many indoor kids’ attractions and playgrounds: Florence has some (see below), but they are a nice to have in addition to sightseeing and not a reason for visiting as such.

Piazza della Signoria in Florence, last November

Visiting Florence main attractions with a baby or toddler

Florence city center

Florence city center is the part of Florence that feels like an open air museum and what made Unesco list the historic center of Florence as World Heritage Site as a whole.

Most of the city’s main landmarks are here (Santa Maria Novella Church, Duomo, Ponte Vecchio etc); On a first visit especially, this is the part of Florence you’ll spend the most time in.

The area is easy to enjoy with kids. You’ll have to deal with crowds around the main landmarks but the area is largely car free, flat and stroller friendly.

hotel minerva santa maria novella square florence

For kids, there are some fun shops and cute things to spot, as well as a merry go round and several kid-friendly attractions like Biblioteca delle Oblate or Selfie Museum (see below). Gelato shops, restaurants, kid-friendly shops etc abound.

Climbing Florence’s Duomo Dome with a baby or toddler

The architectural complex of the Duomo in Florence is stunning and easy to visit with little kids if you stay at ground level.

However, if you want to climb to the top of the tower or the dome, which is the most popular things to do among tourist, you need some tips as it is not as straightforward as taking an elevator up.

The climb up to the Duomo involves steep steps, narrow passages and it is very long. Older toddlers with a lot of stamina do it, but it not for everyone and there are no stops to rest really, so if you have any doubts about ability, it’s probably better to play it safe and skip it.

If you have a baby or use a carrier, make sure you wear it on the front for ease of movement.

The climb to the top of the belltower is easier and there are some areas to stop which usually makes it a better choice for families with little kids.

You can get a ticket to the bell tower here / ticket to the whole complex (Brunelleschi Pass) here

The Uffizi with a baby or toddler

The Uffizi Gallery is a major art museum with the best collection of Renaissance art in the world (Botticelli, Michelangelo, but also Caravaggio etc)
 and maybe the hardest attraction to visit in Florence with little ones as they are huge, exceptionally busy and adult -oriented: definitely a classic museum, not one for kids to run around touching things.

If visiting, a baby carriers is handy and I recommend you go at opening or invest in a private, before opening hours tour so you avoid the sardines-in-the-can feel.

A great private tour I recommend is this one If you prefer to visit in your own time, you can get budget friendly tickets from the museum website direct: read here how.

Outside of Uffizi Gallery

Accademia Gallery

The Accademia Gallery is major art museums most commonly known for hosting Michelangelo’s David and one of the easiest museums to visit in Florence with a baby or toddler.

The David attracts many visitors so you will have some crowds to battle with but the rest of the museums is wonderful and quiet, so if you want you art fix without the hordes and some silence for your sleeping baby, many of the lesser visited rooms are perfect!

Get Accademia Gallery Tickets here


Piazza della Signoria

Piazza della Signoria, grand piazza with historical palaces including Palazzo Vecchio, symbol of Florence, a monumental fountain and the stunning and free Loggia dei Lanzi .

The piazza is super easy to visit with a baby or toddler and gives great satisfaction!

The piazza is car free, stroller friendly, flat and has plenty to see for free and in your own time: the piazza itself, the excellent replica of Michelangelo’s David, the Fountain of Neptune and the stunning Loggia dei Lanzi, an outdoor collection of outstanding statues, free to visit!

This is one of the best places to see art in Florence without having to commit to a museum visit.

David statue in front of Palazzo vecchio in Piazza della Signoria in Florence

Ponte Vecchio

Ponte Vecchio, historic bridge and one of the symbols of Florence
 and an easy outdoor attraction to see while strollling around Florence.

The bridge itself is car free but but very busy so make sure you hold hands or use a carrier / stroller.

Ponte Vecchio is free to visit and requires no planning.

Good to know: often, from the bridge you can spot nutrie, beaver like animals that live along the river. Toddlers love to spot them – just keep your distance as they are not pets, they are best seen from the distance but they are cute!

Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy

Santa Maria Novella Basilica

Santa Maria Novella is a stunning, significant basilica in Florence city center, with fantastic artwork by artists such as Masaccio and Lippi (XV century).

The basilica opens onto a large, car free piazza with space to run and benches: a great place for kids to run around and parents to relax.

Piazza della Repubblica – amazing for kids!! One of the best places!

Piazza della Repubblica is a stunning piazza in Florence city center with something special for kids: a historic merry go round!

Families flock here for it as, genuinely, kids adore it, but as they ride on, make sure you look around as the piazza has a lot to offer.

The piazza is no less than the ancient Roman Forum of the ancient Roman city of Florentia and has been in use ever since as a market square, public area and refurbished and embellished when Florence became capital of Italy.

Very much a one of the best places to see in Florence with toddlers, but not just!

Carousel in Florence

Best attractions in Florence for toddlers, playgrounds and playcenters

Biblioteca delle Oblate (library): A lovely place in Florence city center where to find refuge in case of rain is the library ‘Biblioteca delle Oblate’.

This is a fantastic library with a large children’s section and a handy place to know if you are visiting Florence with a baby or toddler as they have also have changing facilities! Address: Via dell’ Oriuolo, 24, 50122 Firenze Map: https://goo.gl/maps/MBadF7VCQKgTeaeB7

Bebilandia Scandicci indoor playground (small kids)
An indoor playground and kids’ party venue popular with local families in Scandicci (outside the city center). Contact them on Facebook before going https://www.facebook.com/babilandiapark/

Mondobimbo play park
: A large game area popular with local families also for birthday parties and indoor play, it has inflatables, climbing frames, carousel etc. Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/parcodivertimenti.mondobimbogroup/?locale=it_IT

Playgrounds are not one of Florence’s strong points. While the city has some, the city center is not particularly well equipped with them and those that are there tend to be basic. However, they do the job!

Addresses you may find useful, not far from the main attractions are are

Parco Giochi Piazza Massimo D’Azeglio 39, 50121 Firenze Map: https://goo.gl/maps/1RkZNw5XcaHbAnqG7

Parco Piazza della Indipendenza, 50129 Firenze Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5vGVk2cLNJhkSWzm6

Parco giochi Piazza dei Ciompi 50122 Firenze Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/AUDtcak4y4XiqBaV9


Merry Go Round Piazza della Repubblica 50123 Florence Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9WW34b2wY58N1KbT8

Parco delle Cascine (further from the centre but a fab park!) – this is also where you find a family friendly swimming pool club offering day passes, perfect for hot summer days!

Parco Giochi Lungarno Santa Rosa, Lungarno di Santa Rosa, 25, 50142 Firenze Map: https://goo.gl/maps/pJMvbifZxWVkGjNr7
•

Terreno di Gioco (Oltrarno), Via dell’Erta Canina, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PxUsB9oXifrS8iUu5


Kid-friendly museums in Florence

Kids museum in Florence are aimed at kids of primary school age and up but some are fun for littles too.

Interactive Leonardo Museum

One of the best child friendly museums in Florence where they can see, touch and operate Leonardo da Vinci’s machines.
Address: Via dei Servi, 66/R, 50122 Florence Map: https://goo.gl/maps/MZd8afNGfWNjor7AA Web: https://leonardointeractivemuseum.com/en

Florence Selfie Museum


A fun and colorful museum suitable for kids of all ages as it has a ball pit with colorful balls you can jump into: a cool place for funny and silly family pictures in imaginative settings.

Address: Via Ricasoli, 44, 50122 Florence Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NXrqyGrUcSYAFEqM8

My daugher in the Selfie Museum ball pit (a huge success with older kids and toddlers alike!)

Stibbert Museum


Out of the center, this museums is great for kids who love knights as it displays wonderful armors. Toddler may be a little small for it but they often marvel at the big armors so if you have an interest in the place, it can work!

Address: Via Federico Stibbert, 26, 50134 Firenze Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9JrcEPoVtscfwbc76

Museo delle Illusioni (Museum of Illusions)

Museo delle Illusioni (Museum of Illusions)
The Museums of Illusions is Florence is a fun and interactive place for kids, perfect especially for primary school kids and up, who will make the most of the experience

The Museum has an interactive format with immersive exhibits, optical illusions and fun photo ops.
Address: Borgo degli Albizi, 29, 50122 Florencw Map: https://goo.gl/maps/uTAxJ2jrorgZ8j2t7

HZero mini railway museum


An absolute treat for train lovers of all ages, this easy to visit space has a lovely miniature railway kids (and usually dads!) love.

Address: Piazza degli Ottaviani, 2, 50123 Firenze Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cTLADLhWraLKX3By

Finding baby and toddler essentials in Florence is easy

Finding baby and toddler essentials in Florence is easy.

Groceries and daily essentials

Grocery, daily essentials and toiletries and available in supermarkets, alimentari shop (gourmet / deli shops) and pharmacies.

Supermarkers / Supermercati: usually small / medium in size in the city center, they have all daily essentials ranging from food to toiletries, baby everyday items, household essentials, etc. Google maps will easily show you the closest to your accommodation.

Supermarket names to look for are: Coop, Conad, Carrefour, Pam. They are very similar to those you may be used to back home (in the US, we found Traders’ Joe to be very similar to an Italian supermarket experience, just bigger).

If you want to learn a little more, you can read here all about Italian supermarkets

Mom trick! Most supermarkets have deli counters selling cured meats, fresh bread, focaccia, cheese, fresh food etc.

They are excellent and a great resource if you want to buy a fresh sandwich (stuffed just as you want it, so they can be super simple for your toddler) or make an easy meal at home without having to cook much… or at all! They cost a fraction of the ‘social media famous’ ones and quality is top!


Alimentari – independent food shops / deli shops. These are less and less common in Italy but they are still a very good option for high quality ingredients and food souvenirs you may want to bring home. You can usually get fresh bread, focaccia (schiacciata is the Florence version of it!) and usually they also have a small fridge with milk, yogurt and frozen snacks.

Medications and toiletries

Supermarkets in Italy do not sell medications of any sort: pharmacies do.

Pharmacies in Italy are a great resource also if you need a quick, non-urgent opinion about an ailment.

While the pharmacist cannot diagnose and cannot prescribe medications as such, they are often able to recommend an over the counter remedy or, the opposite, suggest you contact a doctor if deemed appropriate.

Italian pharmacy sign in green saying Farmacia

Daily clothing and essentials

Daily clothing, baby onsies, toddler everyday clothes, socks etc are easy to find in Florence city center and I find department stores such as OVS or Upim to be the best low-budget solution.

OVS – several locations such as:
• Via Nazionale 29
• Via Panzani 31F
• Via dei Mille 140


La Rinascente (brands), Piazza della Repubblica

Upim, Via Gioberti/ Via Cimabue, snc, 50121 Firenze FI, Italy

Bus Tickets, basic stationery, miscellaneous (trinkets, small toys)

Tabaccaio shops – bus tickets, stationery, gum, tobacco products, and miscellaneous items. This is also where yo go to pay a fine, for instance a parking ticket!


Bigger baby items (strollers, potties etc)

If you need a bigger baby item while in Florence, such as a car seat, a stroller etc, you need a baby shop such as:
Chicco Store (city center), Via de’ Vecchietti, 25R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
•

Prenatal, (towards the airport), Via Francesco Redi, /12, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino FI, Italy
• Viale Ludovico Ariosto, 11R, 50124 Firenze FI, Italy



Baby gear rental: Babonbo.com offers baby gear rental in Florence (cots/cribs, strollers, etc)


More mama’s tips for visiting Florence with little ones

Strollers

Florence is flat and in large parts closed to car traffic, two things that make it easy to explore it with a stroller.

However, there are some challenges you may encounter, such as some streets with no pavements or with uneven terrain. Overall, having a stroller here helps but you may want to have an easy to fold one and also a baby. carrier for the odd time (for instance a short trip to the shop or the Uffizi)

You can find here >> my tips for using strollers in Italy

Public toilets and baby changing stations

Changing diapers on the go is always a little bit of a headache and Florence is no exception. Not all Florence toilets are equipped with changing stations and you don’t have many public toilets around either, but don’t despair yet!

Museums and department stores have good facilities (La Rinascente on Piazza della Repubblica has great facilities) and all food establishments such as cafes and restaurants must grant access to facilities to patrons, so if you are on the go, just pop in and ask.

I highly recommend you get hold of a portable changing mat so you have your own, clean mat and equipment whenever needed.

You can read: all my tips about toilets in Italy and baby changing on the go!

public bathrooms sign in italywith WC and a make and female figurine

Weather

Florence gets very hot in summer, danger level hot.

With little kids, this means you have to plan your days to avoid being out at the hottest time of the day and you may have to adjust nap and bed time to allow for longer evenings out.

I also recommend you keep handy this list of swimming pools in Florence and this one of family friendly beaches not too far from the city.

Family-friendly hotels in Florence Italy

You can find my list of family friendly accommodation in Florence (hotels and rentals) here. This is a preview of my shortlist:

Hotel Roma, 4 star hotel, Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, 8, 50123 Florence

Grand Hotel Minerva, 5 star hotel, Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, 16, 50123 Florence


Relais Piazza della Signoria (Apartments), Via Vacchereccia 3, 50122 Florence

Hotel Davanzati, 3 star hotel, Via Porta Rossa, 5, 50123 Florence

Eating out in Florence with toddlers

Restaurants in Florence are family friendly, in the sense that you can always have your kids with you!

Restaurants in Florence, like in the rest of Italy, may not have a kids’ menu but this doesn’t mean they cannot cater to kids.

This is just the Italian way: kids are welcome by default!

To order for them, should adult portions be too big or the type of food not suitable, it is always ok to half portion for your child or a simple pasta. You can learn more about eating out in Italy with kids here.

Even if not on the menu, places are usually ok to make a simple pasta with tomato sauce, a bolognese (In Italian we call it ragu’) or pasta in Bianco (which can be plain ‘senza niente’ or with butter ‘al burro’).
It is not common to find chicken nuggets.

However, Tuscany has a fried chicken specialty called Pollo Fritto Toscano that is fried chicken that usually goes down a treat!

Some places can make a cotoletta alla milanese which is thin chicken or veal breast, breaded and fried. Not as common as simple pasta, ask before promising it to your kid!

In terms of quality, you will be hard-pressed to find a bad meal in Florence but may find here some tried and tested family friendly restaurants in Florence we like.

How to get around Florence

On foot

The best way to explore Florence city center is on foot. This area is small, compact, and largely car free.
If you have a stroller, you’ll be happy to hear Florence is, for the most part, flat!

However, do expect some roads to have no sidewalk, the occasional, step and some bumpy roads with uneven paving. Not a deal breaker: overall a stroller is a good idea here, especially if short on time.

By taxi

You can find taxis at taxi stands. Need to know: taxis and uber do NOT carry car seats for kids and do not require them.

There are many around the city, but some you may find useful close to popular attractions are:
• Ponte Vecchio – Lungarno Acciaiuoli 
• Santa Croce – Piazza Santa Croce 
• Train station Santa Maria Novella – Piazza Della Stazione (other stations have their own taxi stand too)
• Piazza dell’Unità Italiana 
• Piazza Ognissanti
• Piazzale Michelangelo 


You can also use taxi apps such as:
• itTaxi
• weTaxi
• Uber (calls a standard taxi or Uber black, not an Uber as you know it outside of Italy)


Or Call one on the phone: 055 4242 ; 055 4390


In theory, all operators speak English. In practice, some do not. I recommend using alternative methods of calling a cab if you do not speak Italian (or your hotel can call one for you of course).

Tram and bus

Tram and buses can be useful if you are staying out of the center especially. You can buy tickets and passes at tabaccaio shops, at the automatic machines or by downloading the app at-bus.

At a higher cost, it is also usually possible to get tickets on the bus.

Kids less than 1mt tall travel free IF not occupying a seat, up to one child per adult only.
Make sure you validate your ticket on board to make it valid.

Driving in Florence

Florence city center is largely closed to cars and An even bigger area is only open to permit holders/residents (ZTL area); their permit does not cover visitors: therefore, if you are in a hotel/Airbnb within the ZTL, it is most likely you won’t be able to drive in. Make sure you clarify this with your host if planning of getting to Florence by car.

Fines are steep and they do follow you home, often several months after you have left Italy. This means that, as much as possible, it is advisable to not have a car in Florence.

If you do, there are several parking lots that can keep it for the day / several days.
Some handy ones near the center are:
Stazione Santa Maria Novella, Piazza della Stazione
San Lorenzo Mercato Centrale
You can find a list of parking places around Florence with a countdown of available places here >>> Firenze Parcheggi (website, need internet connection to work)

Florence Emergency addresses

112 – Emergency number, all type of emergencies
118 – Ambulance
English speaking Doctors, available for consultation online: DoctorsinItaly.com
Hospital:
University Hospital Meyer (with children department and A&E) Website: https://www.meyer.it/

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Marta Correale is an Italian mama of two. Born and raised in Rome, Marta has a passion for travel and especially enjoys showing off Italy to her kids, who are growing up to love it as much as she does! A classics graduate from the University of Rome, Marta channeled her passion for culture and travel into the creation of family travel websites that inspire, support and help curious visitors to make the most of a trip to Italy and learn about Italian culture on the way. Marta also manages the thriving online community of parents 'Italy with kids' who turn to her for expert advice and competent Italy travel planning support. She is the author of the travel guides 'Best of Rome with kids' and 'Best of Florence with kids' available on Amazon and of an array of kids printables (scavenger hunts, info booklets etc) available on her Etsy shop 'Mama Loves To Print'