What should you see in Florence with kids? Florence is Italy’s city of beauty. It’s a place you explore by looking up—at domes, Renaissance palaces, and piazzas that feel like open-air museums.
But kids are only about three feet tall—what’s at their level? And how can you make Florence truly family-friendly?
Florence is stunning, but visiting Florence with kids requires thoughtful planning and a pace that works for families.
In this guide, you’ll find the best things to do in Florence with kids, a family-friendly itinerary, practical tips, and ideas that really work. From kid-friendly museums to pre-bookable experiences, green breaks, and iconic spots explained in a way children can enjoy. It’s perfect for anyone planning a trip and looking for a smart, relaxed Florence kids attractions guide.
Florence with Kids at a Glance
● How long to stay: 2 days (perfect for a first visit without rushing)
● Getting around: walk in the historic center; use public transport for hills and gardens
● Itinerary: Day 1 in the city center, Day 2 gardens and viewpoints
● Kid-friendly museums: yes, especially interactive ones with good planning
● Green breaks: Boboli Gardens, Cascine Park, Rose Garden
● Book in advance: Duomo complex, Uffizi Gallery, weekend family activities
● Top 5 highlights: Duomo, Piazza della Signoria/Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, Boboli Gardens, Uffizi (or HZERO for younger kids)
Tickets and Reservations: What to Book in Advance
When visiting Florence with kids, booking ahead makes a big difference. It helps you skip lines, choose better time slots, and manage your day more easily.
● Duomo complex (dome, bell tower, baptistery)
● Uffizi Gallery (especially on weekends)
● Boboli Gardens
Check the tickets on Tiqets
Check the availabity on GetYourGuide
Visits and offers on Civitatis
Florence with Kids in One Day
If you only have one day, focus on the historic center and choose a few well-connected stops:
● Piazza del Duomo (outside or one climb)
● Piazza della Repubblica and carousel
● Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio (outside)
● Ponte Vecchio
● Lunch at Mercato Centrale
This compact walking itinerary is perfect for a first taste of Florence with kids—without rushing.
And then, maybe, plan a second visit.
Florence with Kids: 2-Day Itinerary
This two-day itinerary is designed for families who want to see a lot without feeling overwhelmed. Everything is walkable and balanced between landmarks, museums, and relaxing breaks.
Day 1: The Heart of Florence and Iconic Landmarks
Let’s start right in the heart of the city, beginning the day in Piazza del Duomo, home to the stunning
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (inside you’ll find masterpieces such as Masaccio’s Trinity, Giotto’s Crucifix, and Ghirlandaio’s frescoes),
Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistery of San Giovanni.
We recommend booking Duomo tickets in advance, especially if you want to climb the dome. The same applies to the Bell Tower and the Baptistery.
You can find several options on Tiqets.
However, since they sell out quickly, also check GetYourGuide and Civitatis—sometimes they offer different deals.
If you’re traveling with young kids, choose the earliest time slot in the morning.
If you want to admire the Duomo from above and away from the crowds, there are two panoramic terraces. The first is paid but includes entry to the Museo degli Innocenti (directions here), which we really loved. The second is the top-floor café at the Oblate Library (direction here, closed on Sundays).
Second stop of the day: the carousel in Piazza della Repubblica.
If children are loning for slides and swings, you can find some playground in the city center and in the immediate vicinity:
- Piazza Indipendenza
- Piazza Massimo D’Azeglio
- Piazza dei Ciompi
- Parco della Carraia (via dell’Erta Canina)
- Parco delle Cascine
After a ride on the historic carousel, head toward Piazza Strozzi, where you’ll find Libreria Giunti Odeon. It’s about a 5-minute walk, and you’ll love it—it’s a former cinema that still screens films among the books.
If your kids love trains, take a short 300-meter detour to visit the HZERO Model Train Museum in Piazza degli Ottaviani.
Here you’ll find a 3,000-square-foot railway model, one of the largest in Europe, with over 70 trains running on nearly a mile of tracks.
Next, a true classic: the Porcellino Fountain (actually a wild boar) at the Loggia del Mercato Nuovo.
You’re just a short walk from Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria. Rub its nose and place a coin on its tongue—if it falls through the grate below, it’s good luck!
Then head to Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio, a true open-air museum.
Don’t miss Neptune’s Fountain, Cellini’s Perseus, and the other sculptures decorating the square.
Palazzo Vecchio also offers a museum with interactive routes for children.
Now it’s time for a walk across Ponte Vecchio, lined with artisan shops and jewelry stores.
Final stop: Santa Croce. The Basilica of Santa Croce is a must-see, where historical figures like Galileo and Michelangelo are buried.
Here too, we recommend booking tickets to avoid long lines.
This first day includes many stops, but the total distance is just over 1.2 miles. You won’t walk too much, and you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy monuments and museums.
Day 2 in Florence: Gardens and Florence from Above
On the second day, take it easy—fast-paced schedules are never a good idea with kids.
Start your morning on Via del Corso at Cucciolo bar, famous for its fried bomboloni (filled with cream or jam, or plain).
They’re inexpensive, but the fun part is watching the empty donuts arrive from the kitchen through a tube and “dive” into a bowl of sugar from above.
It’s quite a show—and they’re delicious.
Then plan a day in nature at the Boboli Gardens (free entry for children and teens under 18), and continue to Piazza Santo Spirito in the Oltrarno district, where you’ll find markets, restaurants, cafés, and artisan shops.
Crossing Ponte Santa Trinita, you’ll reach Via de’ Tornabuoni, Florence’s luxury shopping street.
Other park options include Cascine Park (the city’s green lung), which runs along the Arno River. Here you can rent bikes or skates, have a picnic on the grass, or eat at Buoneria.
You can also visit the Iris Garden and the Rose Garden.
For a panoramic view, head to Piazzale Michelangelo, one of the most famous viewpoints in Florence.
From Piazza Poggi, you can climb via the Poggi Ramps (about 15 minutes—scenic but a bit challenging).
Alternatively, take Viale Michelangiolo from Piazza Ferrucci. It’s less steep but longer (about 30 minutes).
Florence with Kids: What to Do by Age
Toddlers (0–3 years)
Focus on short walks, open squares, and frequent breaks. The historic center is flat and stroller-friendly.
- Piazza della Repubblica carousel
- Piazza della Signoria (open space)
- Boboli Gardens or Cascine Park
Ages 4–6
At this age, visual and storytelling experiences work best—avoid long visits.
- HZERO Model Train Museum
- Porcellino Fountain
- Palazzo Vecchio (family routes)
Ages 7–10
This is the perfect age for interactive museums and first encounters with great art, if presented the right way.
- Leonardo da Vinci Interactive Museum
- Dome, Bell Tower, or panoramic terraces
- Uffizi with family activities
Ages 11–14
With older kids, you can be more adventurous, mixing art, views, and less touristy areas.
- Uffizi Gallery
- Piazzale Michelangelo
- Oltrarno and artisan workshops
Museums and Activities for Kids in Florence
If you’re looking for a guided family tour, check the activity calendar on Muse.
Alternatively, you can email hello@viaggiapiccoli.com to organize a private visit with our map and Safari Urbano guides.
If you prefer to visit independently, here’s a selection of the best museums in Florence for kids—just choose the one that suits your family.
In our opinion, the Leonardo da Vinci Interactive Museum is a must-see. You can book tickets directly here.
The Uffizi with Kids
We saved it for last because it deserves special attention. You can skip some churches or just admire them from the outside, or return to Florence and dedicate half a day to the Uffizi.
You don’t need to spend hours inside. The key is to plan your visit well and prepare in advance—maybe with an art book or by creating a small treasure hunt.
For example, ask your kids to find Botticelli’s Primavera and Birth of Venus, Leonardo’s Annunciation, Michelangelo’s Doni Tondo, or Caravaggio’s Medusa.
After the visit, a slow lunch helps process all that beauty.
The good news is that every weekend families can join dedicated activities, with tours for younger kids (ages 7–10) and special routes for pre-teens (11–14). Booking is always recommended—check the updated program here.
UffiziKids is a dedicated team that provides support and information for families, including self-guided routes and activities for children. Even if you visit on your own, your kids can enjoy a tailored experience.
Practical Information for Visiting Florence with Kids
Here’s a collection of useful tips to help you plan your trip to Florence with kids: how to get there, where to stay, where to eat, and a fun tool to explore the city.
How to Get to Florence
If you arrive by train, Santa Maria Novella station is right in the city center, just steps from the basilica of the same name. From here, it’s a short walk to Piazza del Duomo.
If you’re arriving by car, we recommend two paid parking options. The first is Oltrarno Parking in Piazza della Calza (about €2 per hour, directions here), near the Boboli Gardens.
It’s a strategic location in the southern part of the historic center. From here, you can reach Ponte Vecchio in 10–15 minutes, passing Palazzo Pitti.
The second option is Sant’Ambrogio Parking in Largo Pietro Annigoni 9, close to Santa Croce Basilica (directions here), on the other side of the Arno River.
Where to Stay in Florence with Kids
Florence’s center is easy to explore on foot and can even be visited in one day—but there’s so much to do.
If you can stay at least one night, you’ll enjoy the city much more. When traveling with kids, location and accommodation type matter more than luxury.
Here are some family-friendly options, tested or selected for convenience and location:
The most classic and convenient choice is a hotel in the center, such as Hotel Brunelleschi (pet-friendly), or an apartment like Palazzo Alfani.
For a stress-free stay just 4 miles from the center, consider Agriturismo Il Milione (with a pool), ideal if you’re traveling with friends (check availability and book).
A fun and different idea, especially in spring and fall, is camping in the city. Near the center, you’ll find HU Firenze Camping in Town (see photos and book), a solution kids really love.
- If you wanna see other options read our article where to stay in Florence
Where to Eat in Florence with Kids
Here’s a selection of restaurants we’ve personally tested—convenient along the itinerary and family-friendly.
Traditional restaurants:
- Da Zazà – Piazza del Mercato Centrale 26r
- Mercato Centrale di San Lorenzo – Piazza del Mercato Centrale
- Da Nerbone – Piazza del Mercato Centrale (8–15)
- Focaccine Bondi – Via dell’Ariento 85r
- Fiaschetteria Nuvoli – Piazza dell’Olio 15
- Il Magazzino – Piazza della Passera
- Osteria del Bricco – Via di San Niccolò 8r
- Trattoria al Tranvai – Piazza Torquato Tasso 14r
Other restaurants:
- Il Pizzaiuolo – Via dei Macci 113r
- La Ménagère – Via de’ Ginori 8
- Finisterrae – Piazza di Santa Croce 12
- Gelateria La Carraia – Piazza Nazario Sauro 25r
- Lungarno 23 – Lungarno Torrigiani 23
- La Buoneria – Via del Fosso Macinante
- Hard Rock Cafe – Via dei Brunelleschi
Florence with Kids: Final Tips
Florence with kids works beautifully if you choose a few key stops, book popular attractions in advance, and allow for a long midday break.
The historic center is easy to explore on foot, and in two days you can see the main highlights without turning your trip into a marathon.
If you have less time, use the “one day” section to build a simple itinerary. If you can stay overnight, the pace slows down and the city becomes even more enjoyable for families.
If you’d like, email us at hello@viaggiapiccoli.com—we love updating our guides with tips from families who return from Florence.
