florence with toddlers
Fountain of the Piggy) is a bit of an institution in Florence. On this site, you will find Italy travel ideas, inspiration, guides and tips that I hope will help you plan a wonderful stay in my wonderful, complex, magical country. Best things to do in Florence with kids tip:there are two ways to view the Last Judgement frescoes: it can be viewed from the inside of the Cathedral or, for a close up, by climbing the dome. You want the right stroller Florence has cobbles, historical streets that can be hard on stroller wheels. Kids tickets: Tickets for kids under 6 are not available online but you can pick up from the ticket office at the back of the cathedral beside the Duomo Museum. Le Cure this is my favorite area for longer stays in Florence and anyone who wants to be in a residential area with a local feel. Near the Duomo, the small Leonardo da Vinci Museum is a great choice for older kids and teens, who want to see another side of this Renaissance master. This post may contain compensated links. Before you explore Palazzo Vecchio, call in advance to book the museum's special English-language family tours (with costumed guides) and children's activities. Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and a place everyone should see while visiting Italy. Young fans of knights and armor will especially love the Stibbert Museum (Museo Stibbert). Ciao! Our favourites included: A cookery class is another kid-pleasing activity in Florence and its a fantastic way to learn how to cook Tuscan food and recreate it at home. They point and scream: I know what that is! and then they start recalling what they learned on the tour. We highly recommend booking a priority entrance ticket for Galley Della Accademia as securing a ticket when you arrive in Florance can be very difficult check prices now! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Disclaimer:As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Florence Treasure Hunt walking tour for kids, Florence walking tour for families with local guide, Accademia and Michelangelos David tour for kids, Skip the line private family tour of the Uffizi Museum. Before you leave, don't miss snapping a photo with your face peeking through the hole in the Mona Lisa reproduction near the entrance. Florence with kids: All you need to know to plan the perfect family trip to Florence a baby, toddler or school-age children. Parco delle Cascine this is also where you find a family friendly swimmin pool club offering day passes, perfect for hot summer days! You can reach it by bus or on foot, climbing up beautiful, easy to manage steps from the banks of the Arno river and it is a place that usually leaves a strong impression on children (and adults!). If you are planning to visit a number of these we highly recommend booking priority tickets in advance of your trip to avoid disappointment or really long wait times in queues. Were Elaine, Dave and Baby E and Toddler J exploring the world as a family one country at a time! Street musicians and performers often entertain the crowds, and shops and cafs line the square, including Cafe Gilli, which tempts the sweet-toothed with its Florentine pastries and sweets. To kick a ball and let loose, the beautiful Parco delle Cascine is a better option! Rather than a normal bridge, Ponte Vecchio is like a road, flanked with shops on both sides! The Uffizi Gallery is one of the oldest and most visited galleries in the world. The Ponte Vecchio is a Florence icon and the medieval stone bridge spans across the beautiful Arno River. Florence Pasta making class >> this class was highly recommended by me by Lauren, who took a fantastic trip to Italy with her son and shares her full itinerary here! The most distinctive and iconic landmark in Florence is Florences Duomo, Santa Maria del Fiore. Wine tasting in Tuscany with kids: all you need to know + how to go about it, The best Italy beaches for families in each region, Archaeological sites in Italy that are great for kids. A short climb from the Arno River, Piazza Michelangelo is easily one of our favourite places in Florence. event : evt,
Near Todo Modo Dila you have Gelateria La Carraia so my recommendation is to have a bit in Todo Modo, cross the river, and indulge in a gelato + childrens bookshop stop! You can find more tips about traveling around Italy with babies and toddlers here. Strollers are not allowed so make sure to bring a carrier for younger kids who cannot climb themselves. You will need to get the bus to get into the city center, but this green and family-friendly area is perfect to relax and call Florence home for a few days.
Good hotels here are Hotel Palazzo Belfiore and Palazzo San Niccolo. As a perk, you'll also have a chance to explore areas that are usually closed to the public. Note that the gardens are terraced, so it's an uphill climb and not suitable for strollers. Not far from the duomo lies another one of Florences most famous landmarks, Ponte Vecchio. Little chefs use fresh organic ingredients to create classic Italian specialties under the guidance of an expert chef. Lying on the soft grass here, watching the play of dappled light through the trees and listening to the soft burble of the fountains is the perfect anti-stress activity after a hectic day of museum hopping. The constant rubbing of the snout has ensured the bronze remains shiny! The museum displays reconstructions of Da Vinci's civil engineering, military, and flying projects. Some of the best kid-friendly museums in Florence are: Museum Stibbert (with armors etc), Museo dei Ragazzi al Palazzo Vecchio on Piazza della Singoria (opportunity to dress up etc), Galileo and Leonardo Museum (a Florence with kids favorite for us), perfect for science lovers and construction-loving kids. Todo Modo DiLa is their sister library on the other side of the river and while it has no food, it has a wondeful kids section with books in Italian and English. Kids aged 6 to 11 are eligible for reduced price tickets which can be purchased online. A pricey option but, at least on the basis of my personal experience of the place, a good investment, if within reach. Things to do in Florence with kids tip: We highly advise booking all your tickets in advance and getting the reserved entrace/ priority tickets to avoid disappointment or really long wait times in Florence. After viewing all the exhibits, you can take the kids to the little caf here, or stroll through the English-style gardens surrounding the villa. You can hop on and off the bus at any of the stops, and the lower level is wheelchair accessible. They are free to see and a great way to introduce some art in your day, without having to tackle one of Florences big museums with kids! Just strolling the cobbled streets of the compact historical center is a sensory adventure for children as they savor creamy gelato, listen to street musicians, and gawk at the scenery along the Ponte Vecchio. Good family accommodation here is at Sweetstay apartment Tornabuoni and Capri Moon Guesthouse and Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni, all offering spacious accommodation for families of 4 or more. 20 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Italy, 22 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Venice, From Florence to San Gimignano: 3 Best Ways to Get There, From Florence to Pisa: 4 Best Ways to Get There, From Florence to Cinque Terre: 4 Best Ways to Get There, Where to Stay in Florence: Best Areas & Hotels, 10 Top-Rated Palaces in Florence: A Visitor's Guide, 22 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Florence, Italy, From Florence to Siena: 4 Best Ways to Get There, 10 Top Highlights of Piazza della Signoria in Florence, Exploring Palazzo Vecchio in Florence: A Visitor's Guide, Visiting the Uffizi Gallery in Florence: 12 Top Highlights, Tips & Tours, Exploring Piazza del Duomo in Florence: A Visitor's Guide, Exploring Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral: A Visitor's Guide, 17 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Tuscany, 22 Best Places to Visit in the United States, 20 Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World, http://musefirenze.it/en/musei/museo-di-palazzo-vecchio/, Florence Cooking Class: Learn How to Make Gelato and, superb exhibits at the famous Uffizi Gallery, Skip-the-Line Private Uffizi Tour for Kids and, Skip-the-Line Florence Duomo with Brunelleschi's Dome. Palazzo Vecchio offers a Life at Court program which is a great tour for kids: once the residence of Duke Cosimo I de Medici, his wife Eleonora de Toledo and their 11 sons. Please note: this post contains affiliate links and, should you make a purchase, we might make a small commission at no extra cost to you. forms: { Brunelleschis Dome is one of the highlights of Florence. Child-friendly attractions in Florence, best places to stay and practical tips for families visiting Firenze. I hope you enjoyed this quick guide to visiting Florence with kids. Budding chefs can attend small-group cooking classes to learn how to make these popular foods. At just 1 Euro a ride, enjoying Piazza Della Repubblica from one of the carousels 20 horses is an absolute must do when exploring Florence with kids. { Before visiting the spectacular Duomo, try sharing some of its history with your children. A classics graduate, teacher of Italian as a second language and family travel blogger, Marta launched Mama Loves Italy as a way to inspire, support and help curious visitors to make the most of a trip to Italy and learn about Italian culture on the way.
You will be hard-pressed to find a bad meal in Florence. It is at the entrance of Mercato Nuovo, in Florence city center and it is fun for kids because of its animal shape. Piazzale Michelangelo is the starting point of a Ferrari Tour of Florence. In 1296, construction began on the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.
Florence is easy to visit at your own pace. Best things to do in Florence with kids tip:the Uffizi is incredibly popular so make sure to book tickets in advance before you travel. Editor's Note: The museum closed from September, 2019 for renovations, with a projected reopening in 2021. Some of the highlights are: The piazza itself, vast and perfect for little kids and toddlers to run around and has lovely benches for you to rest! Kids will love the multicolored marbles of its facade, tower and baptistry and will love the idea of climbing all the way up to the top!
However, if you are short on time or you want to add context to what you visit, you can choose a family-friendly tour of the city. It targets children up to eight, but even teenagers will enjoy learning about the Medici's privileged lifestyle.
We recommend these family-friendly hotels, with easy access to top attractions like the Boboli Gardens and the Palazzo Vecchio: Europe with Kids: Planning an epic European family vacation? With its shiny, polished snout the Fontana Del Porcellino is one of the iconic images of Florence. Part of the Duomo complex, Giottos Bell Tower has one of the best views of the Duomo in Florence. The merry-go-round welcomes kids and adults alike and it is a wonderful place for little children to get a bit of a break from sightseeing. Advance reservations are mandatory. From the beautiful vintage carousel in the Piazza Della Republic, the fascinating museums honouring Tuscanys greatest minds and day trips to the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside heres our guide to the 15 best things to do in Florence with kids! Good to know if you have kids who love cars! Our favorites were a revolving crane, an armored car and a wooden parachute. Borgo Ognissanti Borgo Ognissanti is a lovely area of Florences city center. Their shop on Via dei Calzaiuoli always catches our kids attention because it has a chocolate waterfall occupying a whole wall! Frederick collected artifacts from all over the world, including costumes, tapestries, furniture, musical instruments, and paintings. We highly recommend booking your priority entrance pass in advance check prices here! There are three floors in the bell tower: it is a 414 step climb to the top floor, an open-air section. A baby carrier will be super handy For museums or if you are visiting Florence with a baby, a baby carrier is the best choice. The museum lies adjacent to Boboli Gardens, so you can take a picnic lunch here and let the kids blow off steam after your visit. Its interior and exterior are equally captivating. Marta Correale is an Italian mama of two.
Official site: http://musefirenze.it/en/musei/museo-di-palazzo-vecchio/. Even if you don't enroll in a cooking class, kids might enjoy a visit to the Mercato Centrale, the city's large food market. Check out our list of the top things to do with kids in Florence. You can find entry tickets and prices here.
You won't find many flowers here, but the gardens are still beautiful, with winding paths and fountains. Located to the rear of the Pitti Palace, the sloped gardens house sculptures, ponds and a star-shaped fort. My name is Marta Correale, I am the travel-loving Italian Mama behind this Mama Loves Italy Blog. As well as Florence and Pisa we also loved the Tuscan favourites of the medieval towns of San Gimignano and Siena and the wine regions of Chianti and Val DOrcia. The best way to make this decision is to know what to expect. At sunset, there is a fantastic ambience at Piazza Michelangelo and its the perfect place to watch a stunning sunset with a bottle of wine and enjoy some family time. The large elevated piazza south of the Arno river offers incredible panoramic views across Florence: there are postcard-perfect views of the Florence skyline and the Duomo. Along with Boboli Gardens, Palazzo Vecchio features in Dan Browns best selling book, Inferno. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( Our favourite was the I love Florence mural which we stumbled upon close to the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. Click here to book your Uffizi Priority Entrance. Entrance to all three of the sitesis included in the Florence pass which you should purchase in advance during busy periods the dome climb slots sell out days or even weeks ahead of time buy your Florence Pass now. The website offers mini-guides you can download (available in several languages) to help you organize your visit, including a map of the two floors of the museum. Weve included our recommended tickets for each attraction below. We loved sharing delicious pizzas and mouthwatering pasta bowls before ending our evening with a smooth, creamy gelato and choosing between the endless flavours! After your tour, it's time to enjoy the views. Some nice accommodation options such as Family Apartments Signoria and Hotel Lungarno, Hotel Davanzati. One of the most iconic images of Florence, and possibly of all Italy, is Michelangelos statue of David. Older school-age kids and teens, especially math, science, and gadget geeks, will enjoy this little museum, just around the corner from the Uffizi Gallery. Several hotels also offer children's cooking classes, and a few start with a Florence market visit, so young cooks can help pick the fresh produce and create the meal from start to finish.
