Florence is renowned for its immersive world of art and culture, yet this simply isn’t just for the entertainment of adults. When travelling to the Tuscan capital, the Renaissance city is filled with unique and exciting things to do and explore with kids in tow. Here are a few of our favourite things to fill a day as a family, each offering a one-of-a-kind experience. Discover the best things to do in Florence with kids.
Gallivant The Florence Galleries
Florence boasts nearly one hundred museums, with many of them family-friendly. Palazzo Vecchio, the city’s iconic medieval town hall, has guided tours in its grand Salas and secret apartment rooms. One of the most popular tours is the ‘Life at Court’ tour, which takes visitors back to 16th century Florence during Duke Cosimo I de Medici’s reign, offering a unique and educational experience for both kids and adults. Views from Torre di Arnolfo are worth climbing, as they include the terracotta rooftops and a magnificent view of the city’s iconic Duomo at its peak, 95m in the heavens. Also noteworthy is the Natural History collection, La Specola, the oldest scientific museum in Europe and the recently revamped Museo Innocenti, a former 14th-century children’s refuge that boasts parts designed by Brunelleschi and includes classic art masterpieces by renowned artists, including Botticelli.
Park Life – Boboli Gardens at Pitti Palace
There isn’t a lot of open green space in Florence; however, Boboli Garden, conveniently tucked behind the grandiose Pitti Palace, is a large pedestrianised space with many leafy paths for kids to explore. This 45,000 square metre extensive parkland is filled with ornate fountains and grassy areas to picnic in the shade of old cypress and oak trees. A more recent addition of the Coffeehouse – an 18th-century tea room built during the rule of the House of Lorraine – offers sweeping views of the city, while the Grotto features Giambologna’s famous Bathing Venus. Whilst here, don’t forget to seek out the curious statue of court dwarf jester Morgante, who sits nude atop a tortoise when exiting the gardens.
Mangiare (Eat) in Florence with Kids
Food is a big part of Italian life, and indulging in local fare shouldn’t be passed up when travelling to Florence, especially as a family. Pizza and gelato are two favourites for children, with Florence littered with pizzeria and gelateria stores, which is the perfect pit stop between cultural pursuits. La Carraia has two ice cream outposts on each side of the Arno River, with all the icy treats made in-house. Or go one step further and take a pizza and gelato-making course with ArtViva. In this course, you’ll learn to create your perfect pizza from scratch, then make, taste, and tantalise gelato.
