Florence with Kids: A Family Guide to the Best Activities
By Matt Cuckston, Founder & Travel Technology Expert at TixLayer
Travelling with children does not have to mean skipping the good stuff. Florence is proof of that. As one of the most rewarding things to do in Florence is simply wander and discover, families will find that the city rewards curiosity at every turn, whether your child is three years old and fascinated by pigeons near the Arno, or fourteen and suddenly very interested in how Brunelleschi built a dome without any scaffolding. This guide is here to help you plan a trip that works for your whole family, with honest advice, age-appropriate recommendations, and a few shortcuts that will save your sanity.
Climb Brunelleschi's Dome
Best for ages 8 and up
This is the one activity that tends to convert even the most reluctant young travellers into genuine history enthusiasts. The climb up to the top of the dome involves 463 steps, a narrow spiral staircase, and a jaw-dropping view of the city from the top. It is genuinely exciting, and older children tend to love the sense of adventure. Book the Florence: Brunelleschi's Dome Climb Entry Ticket & Duomo in advance to avoid queuing, especially in peak season. Note that the climb is not suitable for pushchairs or very young children, so plan accordingly if you have a toddler in tow.
Visit the Accademia Gallery to See Michelangelo's David
Best for ages 7 and up
Seeing the David in person is one of those moments that tends to stop children in their tracks. The statue is simply enormous, and no photograph prepares you for the scale of it. The gallery itself is manageable in size, which is a genuine bonus when travelling with children who have limited patience for long museum visits. Grab a Florence: Michelangelo's David Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket so you walk straight in rather than standing outside for an hour. Before you go, tell your kids a little about the story of David and Goliath. It gives the sculpture a narrative, and children who understand the story tend to be far more engaged.
Explore the Uffizi Gallery (Selectively)
Best for ages 9 and up
The Uffizi is one of the world's great art museums, and yes, you can absolutely visit it with children. The key is to be selective. Do not try to see everything. Pick five or six paintings in advance, look them up together as a family the night before, and treat the visit as a treasure hunt. Botticelli's Birth of Venus is always a hit. The Small-Group Tour of the Uffizi Gallery with Skip-the-Line Tickets is a particularly good option for families because a guide can tailor the experience and keep things moving at a pace that works for children.
Tour Palazzo Vecchio
Best for ages 6 and up
Palazzo Vecchio is arguably the most family-friendly major attraction in the city. The medieval fortress has secret passages, hidden rooms, and a rooftop terrace with sweeping views. Children who are into castles, knights, or anything remotely mysterious will be completely hooked. The Palazzo Vecchio Tour with Audio Guide lets you explore at your own pace, which is ideal when you have children who want to linger in one spot or race ahead to the next room. The Piazza della Signoria right outside is also a wonderful open space where kids can run around and look at the outdoor sculptures.
Take a Day Trip to Pisa
Best for ages 4 and up
No child is too young to appreciate a tower that is visibly falling over. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is genuinely funny to children, and the photo opportunities are a guaranteed source of family entertainment. The Afternoon Excursion to Pisa with Leaning Tower and Cathedral Tickets from Florence makes the logistics simple, with transport and entry sorted so you can focus on enjoying the day. Pisa is about an hour from Florence by train, making it a very comfortable half-day or full-day outing.
Walk the Boboli Gardens
Best for all ages
The Boboli Gardens, located behind the Pitti Palace, are one of the best places in the city to let children run free. The formal Italian gardens stretch across a hillside and include fountains, grottos, statues, and shaded pathways. Toddlers will enjoy the open space, while older children can explore the more elaborate sections of the garden. Pushchairs are manageable on the main paths, though some of the steeper areas are better navigated on foot. It is also a wonderful spot for a mid-afternoon rest if anyone is flagging.
Cross the Ponte Vecchio and Browse the Market Stalls
Best for all ages
The Ponte Vecchio is one of those places that captures children's imaginations simply because it looks like something from a storybook. A bridge with shops built on top of it? Brilliant. Walk across at a relaxed pace, let the children look at the jewellery in the windows, and stop for a gelato on the other side. The surrounding area of the Oltrarno neighbourhood is also quieter and more relaxed than the city centre, which is a welcome change of pace when you are travelling with children.
Try a Self-Guided Audio Tour of the City
Best for ages 5 and up
One of the smartest ways to explore with children is to let them feel like they are in charge of the adventure. The Florence Self-Guided Audio Tour covers over 130 points of interest and lets you move at your own pace, stopping whenever you like and skipping anything that does not hold interest. Children often respond well to audio guides because the format feels like listening to a story. You can pause for snacks, double back to a favourite spot, or cut the tour short if nap time calls.
Eat Well and Eat Often
Florence is an exceptional city for family dining. Pasta, pizza, ribollita, and schiacciata (a soft Tuscan flatbread) are all crowd-pleasers for children. Most trattorias are genuinely welcoming to families, and it is perfectly acceptable to share dishes or ask for smaller portions. Gelato is obviously non-negotiable. Look for gelaterias that display their product in metal tins with lids rather than piled high in colourful mounds, as this is generally a sign of higher quality. Lunch tends to be the best time for a proper sit-down meal, as children are usually more patient earlier in the day.
Practical Family Tips
Stroller access: The city centre has a lot of cobblestones, which can be challenging with a pushchair. A carrier or lightweight umbrella stroller is easier to manage than a large pram. Most major museums have lifts and are stroller accessible.
Nap strategy: Plan quieter activities after lunch. Gardens, a slow walk along the river, or a gelato stop are all good options for the post-lunch lull.
Booking in advance: Florence attracts enormous crowds, particularly in summer. Skip-the-line tickets are not a luxury here, they are a practical necessity. Queuing for an hour with children is no one's idea of a good holiday.
Timing your days: Start early. The city is much calmer before 9am, and children are often at their best in the morning. Save the afternoons for outdoor spaces and lower-key activities.
Getting around: The city centre is compact and very walkable, which is great news for families. Taxis are easy to find for longer distances or when tired legs need a break.
With a little planning and a flexible attitude, a family trip to Florence can be one of the most memorable holidays you will ever take together. The art, the food, the history, and the sheer beauty of the place have a way of getting under everyone's skin, children included.