Florence with kids was the second half of our Italy adventure this April, following four incredible days exploring Venice. We planned a double city break – 4 days in Venice, then 4 days in Florence – travelling between the two by train. We booked our train tickets through Trainline and travelled from Venice on the Italo high-speed train, which took just 2 hours and 15 minutes. Tickets cost around €40 per person, and the journey was smooth, fast, and comfortable, even with kids and luggage in tow. Here’s how we spent 4 days in Florence with kids – what we did, what we skipped, and what we’d definitely do again.
1. Where to Stay in Florence with Kids
If you’re visiting Florence with kids for a few days, you’ll want to carefully consider where you base yourself. Florence is compact and walkable, but it’s also extremely busy, especially around the historic centre. So, location really matters when travelling with children.
If your plan is to explore Florence at a slower pace, consider staying outside the city, in the Tuscan countryside, and doing day trips into Florence. This would’ve been my ideal setup in hindsight. The countryside offers fresh air, open space, and family-friendly villas or agriturismos, which feel much more manageable with younger kids. This is especially so after a day navigating crowded piazzas and museum schedules.
If you want to stay in the city itself, and are only visiting for a shorter stay (1–2 days), then it makes sense to stay as central as possible. Somewhere within easy walking distance of the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, or Santa Croce will give you quick access to most of the sights, which is a big plus when you’re trying to squeeze in key attractions between snack stops and rest breaks.
Where We Stayed in Florence
We booked a rental apartment in Florence via Booking.com, which worked well for our four-night stay. It had two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a separate living area, ideal for slow mornings, home-cooked breakfasts, and early nights in. The kids had their own room, which helped with rest and routine, and being able to prep snacks and meals at home gave us some breathing room between restaurant meals and sightseeing. That said, our central location meant we were still navigating busy streets and crowds pretty much as soon as we stepped out the door. If I were to do it again, I’d seriously consider booking a place just outside Florence, and driving into the city when we wanted to explore.
Tips: Narrow Pavements & Mosquito Warnings
Florence is incredibly walkable, but the pavements are narrow. Often these are just wide enough for two people walking shoulder to shoulder (and sometimes not even that). You’ll often find yourself walking single file or stepping into the road to get around others. If you’re travelling with younger kids, you’ll need to keep a close eye on them to make sure they don’t accidentally step into traffic. It’s also not very stroller-friendly, especially in the older parts of the city.
Another surprise? Mosquitoes in April. We weren’t expecting it, but they were out in force. If you’re staying in an apartment or hotel where you plan to open the windows, definitely pack or pick up a plug-in mosquito repellent to keep the bugs at bay.
Family-Friendly Hotels in Florence
If you prefer the convenience of a hotel and the guarantee of an elevator (and honestly, next time in Florence we just might!), here are some top-rated family-friendly options to consider.
If you want to stay right in the heart of Florence, just steps from the Duomo, Palazzo dei Conti Residenza d’Epoca is a good choice. It offers stunning city views, beautifully designed rooms, and complimentary breakfast, a huge bonus when travelling with kids. For something a bit more upscale but still family-friendly, Brunelleschi Hotel is a standout. Also located in the historic centre, it’s a stylish and contemporary hotel with connecting rooms and baby gear available on request, ideal for families with younger children. If you’re looking for a quieter stay just outside the busiest streets, Hotel L’Orologio, near Santa Maria Novella, offers spacious rooms and a more peaceful base while still being within walking distance of the Duomo. It’s a boutique hotel that strikes a nice balance between comfort, location, and calm.
2. How We Spent 4 days in Florence with Kids
Day 1: Duomo, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Rose Garden & Piazzale Michelangelo
After breakfast we headed straight to the Piazza del Duomo, Florence’s most iconic square. I’d pre-purchased the Giotto Pass, which included access to the bell tower, cathedral, baptistery, and museum – and I’m so glad I did. When we arrived just before 10am, the crowds were already packed in, and the queues for the cathedral were snaking around the square.
Climbing Giotto’s Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto)
Our timed slot for the bell tower was at 10:30am, and they were strict about entry times. The line was not too bad and moved quickly.
There’s no elevator in the bell tower, just over 400 steps up a narrow, winding staircase. That said, there are several levels where you can stop to rest, take in the view through arched windows, and let little legs catch a break. Our kids handled the climb surprisingly well, and the view from the top was worth every step. There’s a safety mesh around the upper level, and you get fantastic views over Florence. You also get a great close-up of Duomo, plus sweeping views over the city’s rooftops and the surrounding Tuscan hills. For us, it was the perfect way to take in the city on Day 1.
Tip: Don’t bring a backpack, even a small stylish one. If it’s classified as a backpack, you’ll be sent around the building to drop it off at the bag deposit. It didn’t take long and it was free, but it’s an annoying detour.
Visiting the Cathedral (Duomo di Firenze)
After the bell tower, we joined the Giotto Pass queue for the cathedral, which was slightly shorter than the general line but still long. The line moved fairly quickly, and we were inside within 20–25 minutes.
The interior of the Duomo is surprisingly simple compared to its elaborate exterior. It’s spacious, quiet, and intentionally austere, a reflection of Florentine values at the time it was built. The real showstopper inside is the dome ceiling fresco, The Last Judgement, painted by Giorgio Vasari and completed by Federico Zuccari in the 16th century. It covers 3,600 square metres and is one of the largest frescoes in the world. We stood together and looked up at the huge painting on the dome ceiling. The ceiling fresco shows a big scene where people are being sent to heaven or hell. We pointed out some of the details they could spot: angels flying up near the top, people being pulled into the fire near the bottom, and even strange monsters and devils.
Tip: If you’re going to climb – choose either the bell tower or the dome. The dome climb gives you a look inside the fresco; the bell tower gives you a view of the dome. Both are physical, so maybe not both on the same day if you’re with kids.
Piazza della Signoria & Crossing the Ponte Vecchio
After lunch at a nearby trattoria, we strolled through Piazza della Signoria, where the kids got a kick out of the many statues outside Palazzo Vecchio. It’s a great open space to stretch legs and absorb some history without needing to enter a museum. There is a beautiful carousel on the nearby Piazza della Republica which the kids will love.
From there, we crossed the Ponte Vecchio, the famous medieval bridge lined with jewellery shops. It was packed, as expected, but fun to walk across and peek into the windows. It’s not stroller-friendly and can be overwhelming with crowds, but it’s a big attraction in Florence.
The Rose Garden (Giardino delle Rose) and Piazzale Michelangelo
After a full morning in the city, we needed some green space. From the bridge, we headed across the river and walked uphill to the Rose Garden. This was such a peaceful oasis with shaded lawns, sculptures, and flowers. The kids collected daisies while we relaxed on the grass with views over Florence below. We spent such a fun afternoon here.
From the Rose Garden, it’s just a bit further uphill to Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence’s most famous viewpoint. The panoramic views are excellent, but it was very busy, and I found the souvenir stalls a bit much. Still, it’s a good photo stop if you’re already nearby, especially around sunset. If you’re looking for that postcard shot of Florence, this is where you’ll get it.
On the way home, we stopped at a gelateria called Sbrino where we had our best gelato in Italy! They had unusual flavours (like Easter cake), and everything was rich, creamy, and made on site. Highly recommend making the detour for this one. There was a line but it’s 100% worth the wait.
Day 2: Florence with Kids: A Day Trip to Chianti & Villa Le Corti
After a busy day of sightseeing in central Florence, we were ready for a change of pace. With the April sun out in full force and the city getting more crowded by the hour, we decided to escape to the Tuscan countryside for the day. The night before, we booked a rental car through Rentalcars.com, which cost around €60 for the full day.
Villa Le Corti: Wine, Lunch & History
I’d read about Villa Le Corti before we even left for Italy, and it was on my wishlist. The estate is owned by the Corsini family, one of the oldest noble families in Italy, with a winemaking tradition dating back over 600 years. Today, the estate still produces Chianti Classico wines and extra virgin olive oil, and offers several types of wine tastings and estate tours.
We had booked lunch in advance, meaning our tasting was served alongside our meal rather than as a separate tour. The estate offers guided tours of the historic wine cellars (about 1.5 hours long) and private or group cooking classes in the 17th-century villa kitchen. If we’d had more time, a cooking class would’ve been high on the list too, classes run for about 4 hours and must be booked ahead on their website.
Our lunch was served on the shaded outdoor terrace, overlooking olive groves and vineyards. The food was fresh, seasonal, and beautifully prepared with homemade pasta, local vegetables, and simple ingredients done perfectly. It was relaxed, unfussy, and an absolutely beautiful way to spend the afternoon.
Exploring the Chianti Countryside
After lunch, we hopped back in the car with no real plan, just the goal of exploring the hills, pulling over for photos, and enjoying the drive. We stopped at a couple of scenic spots for views of cypress-lined roads, stone farmhouses, and tiny hilltop villages we hadn’t even planned to see. That’s the beauty of Tuscany, you don’t need a schedule. We even stumbled upon a local playground, where the kids happily spent a good chunk of time just running around and playing.
Day 3: Michelangelo’s David, Last-Minute Tickets, Parks & More Gelato
By Day 3, we felt more settled into the pace of Florence but also very aware of the growing crowds. The city was busy, and the lines outside major attractions were getting longer by the day. We hadn’t prebooked tickets to the Accademia Gallery, but still really wanted to see Michelangelo’s David, so we decided to test our luck and see how bad the line actually was.
Accademia Gallery
When we arrived at the Accademia in the morning, the line for general admission stretched around the block. It was clear we weren’t getting in without a better plan. We went online and found a skip-the-line ticket via Viator for a time slot just 15 minutes later. So, we were inside the museum in less than 30 minutes from arriving without pre-booked tickets! Our tickets cost about 20% more, but it saved at least an hour of waiting in the heat with kids.
The Accademia isn’t a huge museum, which makes it manageable with younger kids. You don’t need a tour to enjoy it. While there are other rooms and works of art, everyone is really there for David—and it does not disappoint.
I’d seen countless photos of Michelangelo’s David, but nothing prepares you for the sheer scale and presence of the real thing. Standing over 5 metres tall, carved from a single block of marble, the statue is astonishingly detailed and lifelike. Even the kids were awed. We walked around it several times, pointing out the veins in his hands, the curled toes, the intense expression. You could spend 10 minutes or an hour there and still keep noticing more.
Tip: We picked up two audio guides at the entrance, one for adults and one for kids. The children’s version is designed for ages five and up and was a great way to keep them engaged with what they were seeing.
Why We Skipped the Uffizi (For Now)
We decided to skip the Uffizi Gallery this time around, even though it’s one of the most famous museums in Italy. It was a conscious choice, and one we’re saving for another visit. Living in Paris, our kids are already pretty familiar with major art museums. They’ve spent time in places like the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and Centre Pompidou, so we’re not starting from scratch when it comes to exposing them to art.
That said, the Uffizi is massive, and it’s also dense and demanding, especially for younger kids. I know we’ll be back to Florence someday, and when our youngest is a bit older, we’ll return and do it properly, at a pace where they can really engage with what they’re seeing.
Sometimes, the best travel decision is to save something for later, and this was one of those moments. There’s no prize for ticking every major sight off the list, especially if it means dragging tired kids through galleries they won’t remember.
Gelato & Local Playground Break
After the museum, we grabbed lunch nearby and made our way to La Gelatiera (Via de’ Ginori, 21r), a small gelato shop. Once again, Florence delivered, excellent texture, bold flavours, and no gimmicks. Highly recommend it if you’re in the area.
In need of a break from sightseeing, we wandered over to Piazza Massimo d’Azeglio with a playground and carousel, just a 10-minute walk from the Duomo, but it felt like a completely different world. Calm, shaded, and full of local families rather than tourists, it was the perfect spot to slow down. The kids made a beeline for the swings and slides, while we enjoyed a quiet moment on a bench. Carousel rides were €2 each or four for €5, a great deal, and a big hit with our youngest. We ended up staying for a couple of hours, just letting the kids be kids. After days of museums, queues, and walking, it was exactly the reset we all needed.
Day 4: The Galileo Museum & Boboli Gardens
For our final day in Florence, we had originally planned to visit the Leonardo da Vinci Interactive Museum. It’s hands-on, family-friendly, and full of working wooden models based on his inventions—exactly the kind of museum my kids usually love. Unfortunately, when we checked online that morning, it was already sold out. Lesson learned: book this one in advance if you’re visiting Florence with kids, especially during school holidays. We still stopped by to take a look at the entrance, and it did look great. Definitely something we’d like to come back and do on a future visit.
Exploring the Galileo Museum (Museo Galileo)
With Plan A off the table, we pivoted to Plan B: the Galileo Museum, located right near the Uffizi Gallery and overlooking the Arno. The museum houses an extensive collection of scientific instruments, globes and telescopes. It’s the kind of place that’s more about curiosity. It’s ideal for slightly older kids who like gadgets, gears, and weird old tech.
The exhibits were labelled in both English and Italian, and while not everything is hands-on, there were a few interactive digital displays the kids enjoyed including a Virtual Reality experience. The rooms were uncrowded, easy to navigate, and air-conditioned, a big plus after days of heat and walking.
Tip: It’s not a big museum, and you can see most of it in under an hour, which makes it a good option for families with shorter attention spans or limited time.
Choose Your Gardens
A great option for the afternoon is to visit one of Florence’s bigger parks, either the Boboli Gardens or Parco delle Cascine. The Boboli Gardens, just behind the Pitti Palace, aren’t the kind of park for running around or picnicking on the grass. Instead, they’re perfect for a slow stroll through beautiful Italian-style gardens, with fountains, statues, and shaded paths. It’s one of the oldest formal gardens in Europe and a peaceful break from the city.
Tip: You’ll need to book tickets in advance to enter, and kids under 18 are free.
If you want more of a traditional park experience, head to Parco delle Cascine, Florence’s largest public park. It’s less polished but great for kids. It has lots of space, a few playgrounds, and local families hanging out. Perfect if your kids just need room to run and burn off energy. Both spots offer a welcome break from sightseeing and are great to include in your Florence itinerary with kids.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Florence with Kids
Florence was fun and packed with history, beauty, and some truly memorable moments. We spent four full days in the city, but if I’m being honest, I think we could have comfortably seen what we wanted in two. With younger kids, the sheer number of tourists and the intensity of the crowds made the city feel a bit overwhelming at times. There are family-friendly tours and activities of the city available if you’re short on time or just want a guided tour of the city.
If I were planning this trip again, I’d seriously consider staying just outside Florence, somewhere in the Tuscan countryside, perhaps at a family-friendly hotel or villa, and then doing day trips into the city. That way, we could have enjoyed the best of both worlds: a slower pace surrounded by rolling hills, and focused city visits when we had the energy.
Compared to Venice, which felt more walkable, playful, and unique for kids, Florence was a bit more full-on. I’d say four days in Venice was perfect for our family, while two days in Florence would have been plenty. Still, I’m glad we came. We saw world-famous art, ate incredible food, and carved out some great moments in the middle of the chaos. And next time? We’re definitely booking that Leonardo da Vinci museum in advance.
If you’ve been to Florence, let me know what you thought of it in the comments below.
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