View of Florence from PIazzale Michelangelo
Italy with kids

Visiting Florence with kids: all you need to know for a perfect stay

Florence with kids: All you need to know to plan the perfect family trip to Florence with a baby, toddler or school-age children. Best child-friendly attractions in Florence, best places to stay and practical tips for families visiting Firenze.

Florence is one of my favorite cities in Italy and one we thoroughly enjoy with our kids.

We spent an entire summer there when they were little, an amount of time that allowed us to really experience this wonderful and historical Italian town, and we loved it so much, we now go every time we can.

This year alone, we have already been three times!

So when I tell you I have tips for visiting Florence with kids, you know I mean it!

All you find in this guide is based on our first-hand experience of the place, plus the excellent tips of local friends who gave us the inside scoop!

Florence appears on all Italy travel itineraries, often recommended as a stop for art lovers.

In this guide, we share why we think Florence is fabulous for families too and why we highly recommend including some time in Florence when planning your family trip to Italy!

New!! My Ebook Best Florence with kids – a practical guide for Parents is now available on Amazon! Written with families with kids, visiting Florence for the first time, all bases on our own experience of the city with our two kids!

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

Visiting Florence with kids: why go

Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and a place everyone should see while visiting Italy.

It is famous for art, history and food but it is also a very family-friendly city.

Some of the best reasons to visit Florence with kids are:

  • Florence City center is UNESCO World Heritage Site: walking here is like waking in living history, a wonderful way to get history come to life for little kids!
  • Florence has lovely child-friendly museums that make it easy to mix learning and fun
  • Florence is full of attractions but compact, so it is easy to go around even with little legs in tow
  • Florence has a historic carousel and a fantastic park, Parco delle Cascine, that are sure to conquer adults and kids
  • Florence is in a perfect position to explore the rest of Tuscany by train and makes a great base if you want to explore yet avoid driving to a new destination every day.

How many days to see Florence with kids

Most families stay in Florence 1-3 days.

  • One day in Florence allows you to get a feel for the city center and see one museum – find here >> our one day in Florence itinerary
  • Two days in Florence give you time to see both Uffizi and Accademia, too overcoming if visited in one day
  • Three days in Florence allow you to explore the city, see a couple of museums and take a class
  • More than three days allow you to also take day trips for the Tuscan countryside. Find here>>> the best day trips from Florence for families

I believe 3 full days is a perfect length of time to spend in Florence with kids.

Essential tips for visiting Florence with a baby or toddler

Florence is a family-friendly city.

However, like many historical Italian towns, it can pose some challenges to parents visiting with babies or toddlers.

Mostly, you need to remember:

You want the right stroller – Florence has cobbles, and historical streets that can be hard on stroller wheels.

I highly recommend you bring a stroller (find my tips for using strollers in Italy here) if you are visiting Florence with toddlers.

You will find yourself walking extensively in Florence and I suggest you opt for one with well-cushioned wheels rather than a tiny one.

The extra bulk will be compensated by the extra protection to your child and your back – cobbles and potholes are everywhere in Florence and make for a bumpy ride.

A baby carrier will be super handy – For museums or if you are visiting Florence with a baby, a baby carrier is the best choice.

Parks and playgrounds in Florence worth knowing:

  • ParcoGiochi Lungarno Santa Rosa
  • Parco Giochi Piazza Massimo d’Azeglio
  • Merry Go Round in Piazza della Repubblica (see below)
  • Giardino di Villa Strozzi
  • Giardino dell’Orticultura
  • Parco delle Cascine, where you find a family-friendly swimming pool club offering day passes, perfect for hot summer days!

Biblioteca delle Oblate mentioned above is a good place doe a rainy day in Florence with a toddler and has good baby-changing facilities

Most restaurants in Florence will cater to a toddler making a smaller portion of whatever is on the menu or simple pasta with tomato sauce on request. This also applies to restaurants without kids’ menus as such

Florence has strict occupancy rules in hotels: make sure you book a bed for your baby or inform the hotel if you are bringing your own pack and play, to make sure you get a suitable room.

You can find more tips about traveling around Italy with babies and toddlers here.

The best things to do in Florence with kids

Take a walk in Florence city center

Florence has a compact and historical city center that is a delight for kids and adults.

In one morning or less, you can see some of Florence’s main attractions such as Santa Maria Novella, Florence’s Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria without exhausting yourself and, even better, you can do it by letting your kids lead the way!

Florence city center is small so even without following a detailed itinerary, you will likely stumble upon many of its highlights.

Guiding us around Florence was one of the things our kids loved the most.

Occasionally, just occasionally, you will have to stir the towards the attractions below but truly, wandering around Florence City center is the best way to enjoy the city.

Good to know! If you have small kids, they may enjoy our FREE Florence scavenger hunt and activity sheets. You can find it here!

Climb the tower of Florence’s Duomo (or its dome)

Florence’s most distinctive and iconic landmark is Florence’s Duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore.

Kids will love the multicolored marble of its facade, tower and baptistry and the idea of climbing up to the top!

There are two climbs you can choose from: the dome, from where you see the tower, and the tower…. from which you see the dome!

A climb to the top of the duomo excites children who love heights; however, it is best to know that the steps are many and there are some narrow passages.

Florence Duomo

While fine for older kids, it can be tiring and tricky with a toddler.

Personally, I recommend this climb only if you are comfortable with high and narrow places and do not have an antsy child who may need extra supervision.

Primary school age and up would be my recommendation.

Advance booking is essential. You can book directly with the duomo or via GetYourGuide (easier interface but a third-party site)

Fun fact kids will love: The large dome of Florence Duomo, at the time of its built, was the largest dome in the world and still is the largest of its kind!


The David by Michelangelo is one of the most famous and visited art pieces in Italy.

Preserved in the beautiful Academia Gallery, it is high on the list of must-see things in Florence and school-age kids are often interested in it because it’s been covered in art class in school.

Despite its popularity, the Academia Museum is easy to visit and you don’t need a tour or m much planning to enjoy it.

How to visit: Tickets are available online on the official Accademia Museum.

Advance booking is recommended but, at the time writing, not essential. Official site: https://www.galleriaaccademiafirenze.it/en/

Should the official site be sold out, you can get tickets on GetYourGuide or Tiqets, official resellers. If buying on tiqets, use code MAMALOVESITALY for a discount!


Address: Via Ricasoli, 58/60, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy Map: https://goo.gl/maps/LdjjLw2Xj2ZDnr9T6

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

Good to know: close to Accademia, you also have the Selfie Museum (see below), which can be a great treat for the kids afterward!

Top Tip! If you have a little kids and cannot take one more museum, in Florence, you can see an incredible replica of the David right in front of Palazzo Vecchio in Piazza della Signoria. It is free!

See the free art in Loggia del Lanzi in Piazza della Signoria

Florence is like an open-air museum and this is even more true in Piazza della Signoria, where you find stunning Loggia dei Lanzi.

Sculptures in Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence

Loggia dei Lanzi is a portico overlooking the historic Piazza della Signoria and it is filled with stunning sculptures and statues.

They are free to see and a great way to introduce some art in your day, without having to tackle one of Florence’s big museums with kids!

Top tip: this is a great place for Percy Jackson lovers! Get them to notice the statues: can they find Hercules? And Perseus? Ask them what other characters they can recognize, there are a few (with info panels to double check your guesses)!

Often lesser-known than Palazzo Vecchio or the Neptune Fountain, also on this square, Loggia di Lanzi is a Florence highlight I highly recommend you seek out.

Walk across the river on the historical Ponte Vecchio Bridge

Not far from the duomo lies another one of Florence’s most famous landmarks, Ponte Vecchio.

Photo of Ponte Vecchio in Florence with a pigeon in the foreground

Ponte Vecchio is a historic bridge that connects the two sides of the Arno river, so Florence city center with Oltrarno Neighborhood, and has a peculiarity.

Rather than a normal bridge, Ponte Vecchio is like a road, flanked by shops on both sides!

For little kids, the most interesting thing about Ponte Vecchio will probably be the opportunity of spotting river animals from its entrance.

Older kids will no doubt marvel at this peculiar bridge and will love to learn elements of its story such as the following:

  • Ponte Vecchio dates back to 1345
  • It was the only bridge in Florence not destroyed by bombs during the II world war
  • The first shops on Ponte Vecchio were grocers and butchers. In the XVI century, they were kicked out and the place was given to Goldsmiths and jewelers, still nowadays trading on the bridge.

You can find here >>> fun and interesting facts about Ponte Vecchio

See the chocolate waterfall in Venchi

Venchi is a famous chocolatier and gelato shop but the reason why we include it in this guide of the best things to do in Florence with kids goes beyond their food offering.

Their shop on Via dei Calzaiuoli always catches our kids’ attention because it has a chocolate waterfall occupying a whole wall!

Never fails to gt a ‘wow’ if kids don’t expect it!

Piazza della Repubblica is a lovely piazza in Florence City center with historical carousel kids love.

The piazza hosting the merry-go-round is one of the most ancient in Florence so coming to play here is a treat for both kids and sightseeing loving parents!

The merry-go-round welcomes kids and adults alike: around it, you also often find street performers and buskers, making the square one of the liveliest in town for children.

Address: Piazza della Repubblica, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy Map: https://goo.gl/maps/nNAxbxpmc5oBK3GD6


Good to know: on the same square you find the department store La Rinascente. A good address to know if you need a bathroom break as their toilets are clean and well-equipped!

Piazza della Repubblica carousel: a favorite stop when visiting Florence with kids

Run around Piazza Santa Maria Novella

Florence has many wonderful squares and one of the most beautiful and family-friendly is Piazza Santa Maria Novella, close to the train station of the same name

The square takes its name from the church of Santa Maria Novella that dominates the landscapes.

There are many things to do with kids in this square. Some of the highlights are:

  • The church of Santa Maria Novella itself, one of the most important in Florence and with a stunning facade of multi color marbles that will capture the attention of everyone in the family

Top tip: challenge your kids to find the astronomical items on the facade: there is a sundial and an armillary sphere, an early astronomical device!

  • The Officina Profumo Santa Maria Novella, said to be the world’s oldest pharmacy and now a wonderful museum and shop where to smell and buy perfumes and beauty products. A lovely stop for older kids especially.

The piazza itself, vast and perfect for little kids and toddlers to run around and has lovely benches for you to rest!

You can also stop for a juice or gelato at the cafe’ on the piazza.

Marvel at the wonderful Boboli Gardens

The Boboli Gardens are a large, wonderful monumental garden on the Oltrarno side of the river.

The gardens belong to Palazzo Pitti and are not a public park but a manicured space to marvel at what the art of gardening can do.

The Boboli Gardens are magical for kids and adults however, it is important to know that this is not a public park with playgrounds and kids’ attractions as such.

To kick a ball and let loose, the beautiful Parco delle Cascine is a better option!

Catch a view from Piazzale Michelangelo

Piazzale Michelangelo is a large, panoramic square where to catch beautiful views over Florence.

You can reach it by bus or on foot, climbing up beautiful, easy to manage steps from the banks of the Arno river and it is a place that usually leaves a strong impression on children (and adults!)

The square is effectively a large parking space now but the view it offers over the city is stunning!

Good to know if you have kids who love cars! Piazzale Michelangelo is the starting point of a Ferrari Tour of Florence. The cars are not for kids but they are always parked on the square and never fail to impress car-loving children. If the place is not too busy, the owners often allow you to take pictures with them, something my car-crazy 5 year old adored!

Have a break in Biblioteca delle Oblate

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 good changing facilities!

Visit one of Florence’s child-friendly museums

Florence has many child-friendly museums that are easier to visit and more enjoyable for kids than the Uffizi, which is stunning but vast.

Some of the best kid-friendly museums in Florence are:

  • Interactive Leonardo Museum (a Florence with kids favorite for us), perfect for science lovers and construction-loving kids.
  • Museum of Illisions, great for all ages
  • Stibbert Museums, with full armors!
  • Museo dei Ragazzi at Palazzo Vecchio on Piazza della Signoria, with special tours for kids: a wonderful way to learn about Florence’s most important building
  • Galileo Museums, perfect for lovers of the genius of Galileo and astronomy studies
  • Selfie Museum, new and super fun for when you want a different type of museum experience

See the cute Fontana del Porcellino

Fontana del Porcellino (lit. Fountain of the Piggy) is a bit of an institution in Florence.

Fontana del Porcellino in Florence (fountain sculpted in the shape of a wild boar)

It is at the entrance of Mercato Nuovo, in Florence city center and it is fun for kids because of its animal shape.

Despite its name, however, the statue is not of a cute piggy but of a spikey wild boar kids usually love!

The ‘porcellino’ is said to bring luck so you often find a bit of line of people waiting to touch its nose.

While not worth a long wait, it is a cute stop for kids and it is in such a central part of Florence, you are likely to pass it anyway.

Browse (and have a bite) in pretty Todo Modo bookshops

If you and your kids love bookshops, then you will love a stop at Todo Modo and Todo Modo Dila’.

Todo Modo is a beautiful cafe and bookshop in Florence city center, with lovely decor and bites (titles in Italian and Engish) and it is a great place if you have older kids or you want a nice place for a quick bite.

Todo Modo DiLa’ is their sister library on the other side of the river and while it has no food, it has a wondeful kids’ section with books in Italian and English.

Near Todo Modo Dila’ you have Gelateria La Carraia so my recommendation is to have a bit in Todo Modo, cross the river, and indulge in a gelato + children’s bookshop stop!

Visit the Uffizi with kids (or not!)

One of the big decisions to make when planning a visit to Florence with kids is whether to bring them to the Uffizi Gallery or not.

The Uffizi Gallery is a stunning, huge, traditional art museum. As such, it is perfect for adults who enjoy large art collections and a must for those who want to see masterpieces of Florence Reinassance.

For kids, it is a little less of a paradise as overwhelm easily sets in.

The best way to make this decision is to know what to expect.

The Uffizi Galleries in Florence are one of the great museums of the world.

Its masterpieces include invaluable art works such as the Birth of Venus by Botticelli, Tondo Doni by Michelangelo, Bacchus by Caravaggio, Mary Jesus and St John the Baptist by Raphael, just to name the few most famous.

The Galleries are a must for art lovers; however, they can be hard on kids.

A little bit like the Vatican Museums in Rome, the Uffizi are a traditional museum and a very busy one.

This means that kids cannot touch anything, there is no interactive element to it and the crowds can make the hard to take.

The best ways to visit the Uffizi with kids are:

Go self guided – by using the kids’ printables available on the galleries’ website, the most budget friendly wat to tackle the Uffizi Galleries with kids.

Go guided, with the aid of a family tour – this option is pricier but allows to visit the galleries in a time-efficient way and get kids to learn with a guide who is there just for them and can make the works engaging and fascinating.

Recommended Uffizi Tours for families:

LivTours Uffizi Family Experience: a fabulous, private tour with a kid-centered guide who helps tackling the crowds and building a kid-friendly, interesting museum itinerary. Info here >> LivTours private Uffizi Tour for kids.

Uffizi Tours for kids with Martina by Mariaclaudia Tours (enquire via Facebook) >> a great, budget-friendly tour with a lovely local guide to help your kids engage with this difficult museum. tell them you found her on MamaLovesItaly, she knows us!


How to visit: advance booking is essential. Official tickets have timed entrance and allow to avoid long lines.
Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy Map https://goo.gl/maps/xFERmF3eQGmhHtSEA

My son and I during our Florence day trip, with Ponte vecchio in the background
Hello! This is me and my son in Florence!

Visit the Italian soccer museum in Coverciano

Outside of the center this is a fantastic museum for soccer lovers.

If you are staying in Florence a while, keep an eye out for their kids’ events and opportunities to play with Italian Soccer federation coaches!
Web address: https://www.figc.it/it/museo-del-calcio/

One of the absolute best things to doing Florenc with kids who love soccer!

Take a gelato making class

A gleato-making class is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon with kids in Florence and learn about what makes gelato special (and different from ice cream!)

If you take the class at the start of your stay, you never have to worry about about how to spot the best gleato as your kids will know!

The gleato class I recommend in Florence is with the fun Vetulio Bondi gelato makers. You can book him via LivTours here >>> Gelato class in Florence for kids

italian gelato in traditional gelato shop in Rome

Take a pasta making class with kids in Florence city center

Making pasta is fin for kids as the activity is hands on and the result delicious!

Taking one ifn Florence is also a fantastic way to tap into Tuscany cuisine, among the very best in Italy and to have a nice meal in a relaxed atmosphere, away from the crowds!

A great pasta class you’re sure to love is this one by PastaMania bookable via Viator, which is super fun also for kids and a great family activity.

Learn to make marbled paper with a local artisan

Marbling paper is a traditional Florentine craft and a wonderful activity to do with kids.

Exceptional place for it are:

this laboratory >>> decorazioniepitture.it

Il Papiro paper shop https://www.ilpapirofirenze.com/about-us/

And laboratorio Giannini workshop https://www.giuliogiannini.com/en/

Best family Tours of Florence and family classes in Florence

Florence is easy to visit at your own pace.

However, if you are short on time or you want to add context to what you visit, you can choose a family-friendly tour of the city.

I find them to be a good way to get the children engaged and excited about the city, especially if taken early on in your stay.

A good kids’ guide will be able to get children interested in the city and my two always love to recognize places when we pass by them on subsequent days.

They point and scream: ‘I know what that is!’ and then they start recalling what they learned on the tour.

Family tours of Florence are:

Florence walking tour for kids with Michelangelo’s David by Mariaclaudia Tours (tell her Marta from Mama Loves Italy sent you! – a really fun way to explore Florence with kids, with a local guide who will keep them engaged and interested telling them fun and interesting anecdote about the city.

A great way to get them walking without realizing it!

Florence walking tour for families with local guide – a tour for kids and adults to discover Florence city center. Most suited to families with kids age 6 and up due to the length (2.5 hours) and story-driven nature of the tour

Accademia and Michelangelo’s David tour for kids

Skip the line private family tour of the Uffizi Museum

Private Gelato Class in Florence – a fun and hands-on way to learn how to make real Italian gelato

Family-friendly pasta making class in Florence – making pasta is incredibly satisfying and fun for kids as it is very hands and engaging.

This class was highly recommended by me by Lauren, who took a fantastic trip to Italy with her son and shares her full itinerary here!

Kid-friendly Marbled paper workshop in Florence – marbled paper is a traditional craft in Florence and you can see and experience how it is made in Giulio Gannini workshop

Marbled scarf making – a great activity for older kids and their parents, to learn how textiles get marbled and bring home a unique souvenir from Florence

A day on the farm – if you want your kids to spend a day on a farm, learning about the animals, olive oil production and more, then I recommend you look at Fattoria di Maiano, a didactic farm and agriturismo with wonderful activities for kids in Fiesole (immediately outside Florence city center)

Where to stay in Florence with kids: best areas for families and family hotels in Florence

Click >>> HERE and find my list of 15 great family-friendly hotels and rentals in Florence (tried and tested!) <<<

There are 4 areas I recommend as the most family-friendly in Florence.

Borgo Ognissanti – Borgo Ognissanti is a lovely area of Florence’s city center.

Close to Ponte Vecchio and palazzo Strozzi, it is immediately beside the busy area of the Duomo and strikes a perfect balance between being a central location yet away from the maddening crowds.

Good family accommodation here Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni, all offering spacious accommodation for families of up to 7 people.

Duomo area – to be in the heart of everything, there is nothing better than to be in the very center of Florence, so you can walk everywhere and have all the attractions on your doorstep.

This location is particularly suited to families with kids who visit outside of the busiest season and can enjoy this otherwise busy location.

Some nice accommodation options such as Relais Piazza Signoria (mid-range) and Hotel Lungarno (luxury), Hotel Davanzati (budget)

Oltrarno – Oltrarno is a fabulous Florence neighborhood, close to all attractions but also with a quieter feel that makes is perfect for families, especially in some parts.

Good hotels here are Hotel Palazzo Belfiore and Palazzo San Niccolo’.

Le Cure – this is my favorite area for longer stays in Florence and anyone who wants to be in a residential area with a local feel.

You will need to get the bus to get into the city center, but this green and family-friendly area is perfect to relax and call Florence home for a few days.

Where to eat in Florence with kids: family friendly restaurants in Florence you’ll love

You will be hard-pressed to find a bad meal in Florence.

However, these are some addresses you may enjoy particularly:

  • NeroCarbone Bistrot Toscano, Via del Parione, 43/45r, 50123 Firenze
  • Martare, Via Degli Alfani 93/r, 50121, Firenze
  • Osteria dello sgrano (gluten free), Via dei Benci, 30r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
  • Antico Noe’, Volta di S. Piero, 6/R, 50100 Firenze FI, Italy
  • Trattoria Mario, Via Rosina 2/r, 50123 Firenze
  • Mercato Centrale (covered market): Piazza del Mercato Centrale, Via dell’Ariento, 50123 Firenze
  • Ciro and sons (gluten free, lactose free and vegan options): Via del Giglio 28R, 50123, Firenze

Find here>>> even more family-friendly restaurants in Florence, including addresses for Florentine steak and non-Italian restaurants, for when you need a different food experience!

I hope you enjoyed this quick guide to visiting Florence with kids.

Safe travel planning!

How to see Florence with kids – Pin this!

Image of Florence Ponte Vecchio with a pigeon and text: visiting Florence with kids: practical travel guide for parents

This article was originally written in 2020 and has now been fully updated on the basis of our ost recent trip is in 2022 and 2023.

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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, teacher of Italian as a second language and family travel blogger, Marta launched Mama Loves Italy as a way to inspire, support and help curious visitors to make the most of a trip to Italy and learn about Italian culture on the way.