Florence is a city for children of all ages with lots of unique experiences that your kids will love. There are lots of things to do in Florence with kids, including museums, cooking classes, gardens, viewpoints, and easy day trips. You will also love that the city is a compact and small one, which makes it possible to walk around the main attractions with ease.
Italy Family Travel: Florence With Kids
Things to Know About Florence
- Location: Florence is a city in Italy.
- Currency: The currency in Florence, Italy, is the euro. Exchange rates change regularly, so check the current rate shortly before your trip.
- Language: The official language in Florence is Italian. Finding people who speak English isn’t uncommon.
- Visa: U.S. citizens can currently visit Italy and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within 180 days without a visa for tourism. ETIAS is expected to begin during the last quarter of 2026, although the exact date has not been announced. Always check the official entry requirements before traveling. Before leaving home, use my Ultimate Guide to Traveling Internationally With Kids to prepare your family’s passports, documents, flights, packing, and arrival plans.
- Car Seats: Child car seats are required when driving in Italy. Reserve the correct seat with your rental company before arrival or bring an approved travel car seat.
- Stroller: Because there is a lot of walking, a sturdy but compact stroller is recommended for younger kids who may get tired. Florence has cobblestones, uneven sidewalks, steps, and crowded streets, so small plastic stroller wheels may be difficult to manage.
Best Time to Travel to Florence with Kids
You can enjoy Florence throughout the year, but April through June and September through October usually offer the most comfortable weather for families. July and August can be extremely hot, humid, crowded, and expensive. November through March is colder and quieter, but some families may prefer the lighter crowds and lower accommodation prices.
We were in Florence with kids in October 2018; the weather was warm, and there were crowds everywhere.
When choosing between European destinations, you can also read my guide on the best time to travel to Portugal.
How many days do you need in Florence with kids?
1. Minimum stay: Two full days
2. Ideal length: Three to four days
3. Day 1 focus: Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and the carousel
4. Day 2 focus: Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, and Boboli Gardens
5. Extra time: Cooking class, Fiesole, Pisa, or rural Tuscany
When planning things to do in Florence with kids, two days will cover the main attractions. However, three or four days will give your family enough time for museum breaks, playground stops, long meals, and an easy day trip without rushing.
Transportation Options in Florence with Kids
- Taxi: Taxis can be expensive in Florence, especially because one-way roads and restricted traffic areas may require longer routes. They are most useful for carrying luggage between the airport, train station, and hotel. You will find official taxi stands outside Santa Maria Novella train station and around major squares.
- Rental Car: There are several car rental agencies in Florence. However, you should check the exact pickup location and avoid driving through the historic center because Florence has restricted traffic zones known as ZTLs. A rental car is useful when visiting the Tuscan countryside, but it is usually unnecessary if you are staying only in central Florence.
- Public Transportation: Autolinee Toscane operates Florence’s buses and trams. As of July 2026, a standard ticket costs €1.70 and is valid for 90 minutes. The fare is scheduled to increase to €2 on August 1, 2026. Tickets purchased directly from the driver cost more, so buy and validate your ticket before traveling whenever possible. You can also use approved mobile apps or contactless payment on supported services. Most things to do in Florence with kids are located within or near the historic center, so your family will probably walk more often than use public transportation.
The city is extremely walk-able and instead of looking for a public transportation, you can just walk to were you need to. We had a rental car in Florence and finding parking was quite an issue. If you plan to spend a few days there and visit other places, then I suggest getting a rental. If you plan to stay in Florence then I suggest using public transportation or taxis as needed.
Pisa is also an easy addition to a Florence itinerary. Read my updated guide to visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa with kids before planning the day trip.
Where to Stay in Florence with Kids
There are many family friendly hotels in Florence with kids’ activities. It is advisable to book a hotel that is close to top tourist attractions like the Palazzo Vecchio and Boboli Gardens. Renting a home is also a great idea to save costs, as well as have kitchen for when you need to cook something. You can book homes using HotelsCombined, Booking.com, Hotels.com, HomeAway and VRBO.
Before booking, check whether the room has air conditioning, elevator access, connecting rooms, enough beds, and space for your stroller. Some historic buildings have small elevators or no elevator at all.
For a quieter stay outside Florence, read about our farmstay experience in Tuscany with kids.
Top Hotels To Stay At When In Florence with Kids
- Four Seasons Hotel Firenze – This is a lavish hotel that is made of two Renaissance buildings and then equipped with a pool, spa, and Jacuzzi which is surrounded by an 11 acre private garden. The hotel also has kids’ amenities like a playground with activities in the summer, babysitting services, kid-sized robes, and slippers. You kids will also love to experience the hot air balloon ride, and so on that is provided by this hotel.
- Palazzo Vecchietti – Boutique hotel is found in a 16th-century palace with large suites, apartments, and penthouses. All the rooms include a hideaway kitchenette equipped with coffee maker and dishwater. Some suites also have private balconies, soaking tubs, rooftop terraces, or Turkish baths. You will also love the mouthwatering breakfast provided by this hotel.
- Portrait Firenze – Luxury hotel and all the details in the room will be made to suit your style if you want and you will also get stunning views of Ponte Vecchio and Arno River from this hotel room. The hotel also has a lot of children’s activities like spy games in the Uffizi, Italian cooking classes, and so on. You will also find Children’s menus at their restaurants.
- Hotel Lungarno – Located right on the river and they offer wide varieties of children’s activities which will make their time here memorable. Some of the kids’ programs offered by this hotel are trips to the Bargello Museum, pizza-making classes, hands-on experiments based on Da Vinci’s and Galileo’s works, and so on.
- The St. Regis Florence – This historic hotel was designed by Brunelleschi. It has a great restaurant with mouthwatering food, a full-service spa, and family amenities. All the suites are equipped with tubs and a signature butler service. The hotel also offers complimentary meals for children, kid-sized robes and slippers, and a connecting room at half price.
- Rocco Forte Hotel Savoy – This hotel offers stunning rooms and suites as well as provides services like round-trip airport transfer, packing and unpacking services, a bottle of champagne, and a daily breakfast which will be delivered to your room. The hotel also offers age-appropriate amenities based on the age of your kids and babysitting service.
- Villa La Vedetta – Stunning boutique hotel overlooking the city. The hotel offers two suite types for families, which are the Suite Deluxe and the Bellavista Suite. The hotel has many kids’ amenities like stepping stools and coloring books in the rooms, a special menu for kids in the restaurants, and babysitting services. Hotel programs, family packages, meal offers, and children’s amenities can change. Contact each hotel directly to confirm what is currently included before booking.
What are the best things to do in Florence with kids?
1. Explore Palazzo Vecchio’s family tours and secret rooms
2. See Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo or the Duomo
3. Make fresh pasta, pizza, or gelato together
4. Take a child-friendly tour of the Uffizi Gallery
5. Run, explore, and picnic inside Boboli Gardens
These are five of the easiest things to do in Florence with kids because they combine history, food, art, city views, and outdoor time. Choose activities based on your children’s ages, interests, energy levels, and how much walking they can manage.
Top Things to Do in Florence with Kids
- Visit Palazzo Vecchio: This is among the best family-friendly museums with stunning children’s activities like a scavenger hunt, puppet shows and stories, a children’s kit with maps and tools to keep your little ones busy while on the tour of the museum. There is also a Life at Court tour where your kids will get to dress up in clothes that the royal family’s children wore. You can also go to the tower where you can se see magnificent views of the city.
- Get magnificent views of the city of Florence from the top: Many locations in the city offer great views from the top. The best options are:
- Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo
- Florence from Duomo
- Florence from Fiesole
- Florence from the Department Store in Piazza della Repubblica
- Florence from the Ponte alle Grazie
- Take a cooking class: This is one of the top things that you should not miss while in Florence. There are many cooking classes in Florence that you can choose from, and the lesson will start with your kids picking the fresh produce and then making the meal from the beginning to the end.
- Go on a Family Tour of the Uffizi Gallery: This is a mesmerizing gallery with superb exhibits and lots of engaging kids’ activities like trivia games, treasure hunts, and educational games that are going to keep your kids entertained while you admire the artworks.
- Go on the Hop-On Hop-Off tour bus: This is a fabulous and convenient way to explore the city with kids. The bus is also going to stop at about 15 major tourist attractions.
- Ride Antique Carousel: This can be found in Piazza Della Repubblica, and your kids will surely enjoy their time here with a lot of fun things to do before they then stroll through the city.
- Visit the Boboli Garden: This garden will make a great outdoor activity for your kids as they will enjoy the freedom to run and just explore every pathway of the garden.
- Visit Leonardo Da Vinci Museum: This is a small but interesting museum where your young ones will be entertained with the reproductions of several civil engineering projects that were designed by Leonardo Da Vinci.
- Visit the Galileo Museum: This is a kid-friendly museum that preserves collections of tools that were designed by Galileo Galilei. The museum also organizes kids’ activities on weekends that your kids will not want to miss out on.
- Visit Bargello Museum: This is a museum with lots of kids’ activities. The museum also has a relaxing courtyard where your kids can sketch art.
- Try out tasty Ice cream: Florence is filled with many good ice cream shops, and you should not miss the chance to taste one of the best gelatos in the world while you are in the city.
Best Gardens, Parks and Playgrounds To Visit When In Florence With Kids
- Folon e il Giardino delle Idee
- Giardino Bardini
- Giardino dell’Iris
- Giardino di Boboli
- Le Cascine
- Parco Delle Cascine
Best Places To Eat In Florence With Kids
Florence is said to have amazing pizza. Either way, you’re guaranteed to enjoy a meal regardless of what restaurant you choose. If you’re on a budget, make sure to check the menu and prices before you sit down for a meal.
- I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti
- Ettamo Gelateria
- La Boheme Restaurant & Café
- Ristorante Il Ricettario
- Salumeria Verdi – Pino’s Sandwiches
- Gelateria dei Neri
- Da Angelo Gelateria
- La Schiaccia Della Signoria
- Rooster Cafe Firenze
- Bottega Conviviale
Best Tips for Visiting Florence on a Budget
- Skip The Lines: Invest in a Firenze Card, which is a 72-hour pass and will give you access to up to 30 museums and public transport. The card costs €72 per person. You can also skip the line by making a reservation online or on the phone.
- Save money on food: You should try to eat lunch at a restaurant with a fixed lunch menu or get a slice of pizza, which is a cheap lunch option. Dinner meals can get expensive, so you can use this opportunity to cook dinner if you’re staying at a place with a kitchen.
- Save on transport: The main monuments in Florence are located in the city center close to each other, and you can easily access them by walking around. You will only need the bus if you want to explore the further part of Florence and also cross the river. You can also buy a Firenze Card as they offer free transport for 3 days. You should also avoid taxis because they are quite expensive.
- Learn a few Italian words: It is good to learn some basic words and phrases even for a short visit, as this is a polite thing to do. Plus, the locals love it too.
- Yes: Sì
- No: No
- You: Tu
- I: Io
- Please: Per favore
- Thank you: Grazie
- You’re Welcome/Please: Prego
- Sorry: Scusa
- I don’t understand: Non capisco
- Hello/HiL Ciao, Salve
- Good morning/Good day: Buon giorno
- Hello, my name is: Ciao, mi chiamo
- How Are You?: Come Stai? / Come va
Frequently Asked Questions About things to do in Florence with Kids
1. Is Florence safe for families with kids?
Florence is generally safe for families, especially around the central tourist areas. The main concerns are pickpocketing, crowded streets, uneven sidewalks, and traffic. Keep bags closed, watch your belongings around the train station and major attractions, and hold younger children’s hands when walking through busy squares.
2. When is the best time to visit Florence with kids?
April through June and September through October are usually the best months to visit Florence with kids. The weather is more comfortable for walking than during July and August. Winter can be quieter and cheaper, but families should prepare for cooler weather, occasional rain, and shorter daylight hours.
3. How expensive is Florence for a family?
Florence can be moderately expensive, especially during summer and major holidays. Central hotels, museum tickets, guided tours, and restaurant meals will take up most of your budget. Families can save money by walking, staying in an apartment, booking early, eating simple lunches, and comparing attraction passes with individual tickets.
4. What age is best for visiting Florence?
Florence works for children of all ages, but children aged five and older may enjoy its cooking classes, museum tours, towers, gardens, and Renaissance stories more. Toddlers can still enjoy carousels, gelato, parks, and open squares, although cobblestones, stairs, long museum visits, and summer heat require a slower schedule.
What other countries did we visit on this trip?
- Denmark
- United Kingdom
- Italy
- Morocco
- Spain
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find the best flight deals with Skyscanner. It searches airlines and travel sites around the world so you can compare routes, schedules, and prices in one place.
Book Your Accommodation
Book family-friendly hotels, apartments, resorts, and vacation rentals with Booking.com. It’s an easy way to compare accommodations and find the right fit for your family and budget.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance can help protect your trip in case of unexpected delays, cancellations, lost luggage, or medical emergencies. Before your next international trip, check Nomad Insurance for coverage options.
Want to Travel for Free?
Travel credit cards can help you earn points and miles that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and other travel expenses. Check out my recommended travel credit card resources to start making your travel budget go further.
Need a Rental Car?
Use Discover Cars to compare rental car options and find competitive rates worldwide. It’s a simple way to compare prices and find the best option for your trip.
Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?
Viator makes it easy to discover tours, attractions, day trips, and local experiences. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly activities or unique adventures, you’ll find plenty of options to enhance your trip.
Shopping for Travel Essentials?
From packing organizers and travel gear to family travel must-haves, you can find many of my favorite travel essentials on Amazon.
Ready to Book Your Trip?
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