Florence with children: Family vacation in the Tuscan capital
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Florence isn't just for art lovers: with gardens for children to run around in, viewpoints, gelaterias, and hands-on museums, the city is also a great experience for families. It's important to keep your itinerary short, book tickets in advance, and spend the hottest hours of the day in the shade or at your accommodation.
Living with family: Fiesole and the hills around Florence
For families, accommodation in the green hills above the city, such as in Fiesole, is a great option: it's quieter and a bit cooler there, and the view of Florence is magnificent. In Fiesole's archaeological area, children can discover a Roman theater, the remains of Roman baths, and Etruscan walls. Hiking trails wind through olive groves in the surrounding hills. If you have a car, accommodation outside the city is more practical anyway, as Florence's historic center is a limited traffic zone (ZTL). You can find vacation rentals and family rooms, for example, on Booking.com (Fiesole) ; families with tents or campervans can find tips under Camping in Florence.
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Florence with children: the best destinations
Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato
From Piazzale Michelangelo you have the classic panoramic view of Florence with the Duomo and the Arno River. A little higher up is the Romanesque church of San Miniato al Monte. From there, you can walk downhill to the Oltrarno district and across the Ponte Vecchio with its goldsmiths' shops into the old town.
Boboli Gardens: A place to romp around
The expansive Boboli Gardens behind the Palazzo Pitti in the Oltrarno district are one of Italy's most famous gardens. Children can play freely on the terraces, avenues, and lawns dotted with grottoes, fountains, and statues. Inside the Palazzo Pitti, the Treasury of the Grand Dukes (formerly the Silver Museum) displays magnificent Medici treasures.
Cathedral, dome and campanile
Brunelleschi's dome of the Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore remains the largest brick dome in the world. Climbing the 463 steps is an adventure for older children; those who prefer to photograph the dome up close can climb Giotto's Campanile. Tickets are required for both the dome and the campanile; entry to the dome is by appointment – book well in advance during peak season.
Hands-on museums and ice cream
- Im Leonardo Interactive Museum Children can try out replicas of Leonardo's machines.
- The Palazzo Vecchio on the Piazza della Signoria impresses with its magnificent halls and the view from the tower.
- As a reward, there's gelato: Florence has a long ice cream tradition and many artisanal ice cream parlors (gelateria artigianale).
Our Florence city tour showcases more sights . Ideas for beach days and excursions throughout the region can be found under Tuscany with Kids.
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Frequently asked questions about family holidays in Florence
Is Florence suitable for a holiday with children?
Yes, if you keep the program short: Boboli Gardens, Piazzale Michelangelo, Leonardo Interactive Museum and an ice cream in the Piazza are also exciting for children.
Where is the best place to stay with a family in Florence?
It's quieter and a bit cooler in the hills, for example in Fiesole. If you have a car, accommodation outside the ZTL zone of the old town is more practical.
Can children climb onto the cathedral dome?
The climb up 463 steps is strenuous and narrow – an adventure for older children, but not really suitable for younger ones. Tickets with a fixed time slot must be booked in advance.
What is there for children to see in Fiesole?
The archaeological area features a Roman theater, Roman baths and Etruscan walls, as well as hiking trails with views of Florence.
