Florence with Kids: A Family Itinerary

A Florence itinerary with children requires different planning from a classic museum tour. Children tire quickly in long queues and silent galleries, but Florence can surprise you: it has enormous gardens, lively markets, artisan workshops where you can touch and make things, and a history full of extraordinary characters told like an adventure story.

Day 1: Duomo, carousels and gardens

Start the first morning with a walk towards the Duomo. Children are often left speechless by the size of Brunelleschi’s dome: it is still today the largest masonry dome in the world. It is not necessary to climb with very young children, but the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, directly opposite the cathedral, has spacious rooms with original sculptures by Donatello and the gilded Baptistery doors up close. The visit is suitable for children aged 5 and over.

Piazza della Repubblica and the historic carousels

A few minutes from the Duomo is Piazza della Repubblica, Florence’s only large neoclassical square. At the centre of the square are the historic carousels, running all year round: a traditional children’s merry-go-round and, in winter, a small ice-skating rink. Children love them.

In the afternoon, head to the Parco delle Cascine, Florence’s green lung: 160 hectares of tree-lined avenues, lawns, cycling paths and play areas. It is the largest park in the urban centre and the Florentines’ favourite place to walk at weekends. You can get there from SMN station in about 15 minutes on foot or by tram.

Day 2: Palazzo Vecchio Kids and the Boboli Gardens

Palazzo Vecchio has one of Italy’s most acclaimed educational programmes for children. The “Mus.e” workshops offer interactive tours suitable for children aged 4 to 14: dressed as Medici messengers, children explore the palace with a map and solve historical puzzles. The programme must be booked in advance on the City of Florence website. Duration: about 1h 30min. Cost: around €6–8 per child in addition to the entrance ticket.

The Boboli Gardens in the afternoon

The Boboli Gardens, behind Palazzo Pitti, are an adventure for older children: statues emerging from bushes, artificial grottos (the Buontalenti Grotto with its bizarre figures is very popular with children), fountains and paths that feel like labyrinths. Younger children simply enjoy the large lawns and dirt tracks.

Entry to the Boboli Gardens costs about €10 for adults; children under 18 from the European Union enter state museums free of charge. Wear comfortable shoes because the ground is uneven and there are uphill sections.

Day 3: Natural History Museum and Mercato Centrale

The third day is perfect for the Natural History Museum “La Specola”, on Via Romana in the Oltrarno. It is one of the oldest scientific museums in the world and holds an extraordinary collection: skeletons of exotic animals, insect collections, and the famous anatomical wax room. This last section is not suitable for very young children, but the natural history exhibits on the lower floor are perfect for children aged 6 and over who love nature and animals.

Lunch at Mercato Centrale

For lunch, the Mercato Centrale di San Lorenzo is ideal for families. On the upper floor you find a wide choice of dishes: fresh pasta, pizza, lampredotto (for the brave), artisan gelato. Children can choose freely from the various stalls and sit at the large communal tables. The atmosphere is lively but not chaotic.

In the afternoon, if children still have energy, the Galleria dell’Accademia allows you to see Michelangelo’s David: even small children are struck by the statue’s dimensions (4.10 metres tall). The visit is brief, about 45 minutes, and does not tire children.

Practical tips for a Florence itinerary with children

A few precautions make the trip much more enjoyable for the whole family. State museums in Florence are free for children under 18 from the European Union: always bring a child’s identity document. For municipal museums such as Palazzo Vecchio, reductions vary.

Pushchairs are allowed in most museums but some rooms with steps or uneven surfaces can be difficult. For older children, a small notebook to draw the artworks they see turns the visit into a game.

Gelato is an integral part of any Florence itinerary worthy of the name. The best artisan gelaterias are recognised by their covered tubs (not the brightly coloured pyramid cones): Gelateria dei Neri on Via dei Neri and Gelateria Edoardo on Piazza del Duomo are among the most reliable.

For getting around, Florence’s centre is almost completely walkable, but if children are tired the T1 and T2 trams and the numerous buses cover the entire urban area well. A single ticket costs €1.70 and is valid for 90 minutes with the option to change.

Where to stay

Homelink Charlotte, at Via Guido Monaco 19, is the ideal solution for a Florence itinerary with children: it has a triple room, is a 5-minute walk from SMN station and just 7 minutes from Mercato Centrale, with the lively and safe San Lorenzo neighbourhood all around.

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