Florence with Kids: Itinerary, Things to Do, Places to Eat

Last Updated on July 26, 2026 by Tori Pines

We just spent two days in Florence with kids, and it was absolutely MAGICAL and I would go back in a heartbeat. The city is walkable, gorgeous around every single corner, and packed with experiences that work beautifully for families. We spent two full days there and came away with some of our favorite memories of the entire trip.

Here is exactly how we spent our two days in Florence, plus some extra ideas and restaurant recommendations to help you plan yours. These tips are great for everyone visiting, but we specifically focused on things that would be fun with kids!

Oh, and be sure to watch my YouTube video of us exploring Florence with our kids to see the magic for yourself!

Day 1: Markets, the Duomo, and the Best Views in the City

Walk the City and Hit the Markets

There is so much to see just wandering the streets of the historic center, beautiful piazzas, stunning architecture around every corner, flower vendors and street musicians, and an energy that is just completely unlike anywhere else.

One of our first stops was Il Porcellino, the famous bronze wild boar fountain near the Mercato Nuovo. The legend goes that if you rub his snout and drop a coin in the grate below, you’re guaranteed to return to Florence. We absolutely did this and fully believe it because we are already planning trip number two. It’s such a fun little moment, especially with kids, and makes for a great photo!

From there we wandered into the Mercato Nuovo, an open-air covered market with vendors selling leather goods, scarves, jewelry, and all sorts of beautiful Florentine souvenirs. Then we made our way over to the Mercato Centrale, which is one of the coolest markets I have ever been to in my life. The ground floor is a bustling fresh food market with stalls of cheese, meat, produce, and pasta that is just stunning to walk through, and the upper floor is a gorgeous food hall with every kind of food you can imagine. It’s a great spot to grab an early lunch or just browse and graze.

And before you leave Piazza della Repubblica, please stop and ride the carousel. Our daughter absolutely LOVED it and it was one of those spontaneous joyful moments that you just can’t plan for. It’s right in the center of the piazza, beautifully ornate, and the kids will beg for more than one ride. Budget accordingly and just enjoy it!

Have Lunch

For lunch you have two incredible options depending on your vibe.

Mercato Centrale (upper food hall) is perfect if you want variety and flexibility. Everyone in your group can get exactly what they want, there’s plenty of seating, and the whole atmosphere is really fun and lively. It is totally kid friendly and very easy with a stroller. We have been here on both of our trips since we love it so much. We usually enjoy the fresh pasta and pizza, but everything here is wonderful.

All’Antico Vinaio is an absolute Florence institution and one that I think every single person visiting the city needs to experience at least once. It’s the third most reviewed restaurant in the world on Tripadvisor and Saveur magazine has called it the maker of the world’s best sandwiches. They serve enormous schiacciata sandwiches, a traditional Tuscan flatbread, stuffed with incredible combinations of Italian meats, cheeses, and spreads. Favorites include La Schiacciata del Boss with prosciutto toscano and truffle cream, and La Paradiso with mortadella, stracciatella, and pistachio cream. Be prepared for a line, but it moves quickly and is 100% worth every second of the wait. Take your sandwich to go and find a nearby piazza to sit and eat in the sunshine. Truly one of the best things we ate in all of Italy.

They have locations in the US now, so you might be able to find one close to you. We live in Nashville and have two now and honestly they’re even better there than I remembered them tasting in Florence. I go every time I’m near one and they are always outstanding.

The Duomo

After lunch, make your way to the Duomo. Even if you’ve seen a hundred photos of it, nothing prepares you for standing in front of it in real life. It is jaw-droppingly beautiful and our kids were wide-eyed the moment we walked into the piazza.

If your kids are up for it and old enough, climbing to the top of the dome is an experience unlike anything else. The climb is steep and narrow (463 steps!) so it’s really best for older kids who can handle that. For families with toddlers and babies, just spending time in the piazza taking it all in, exploring the exterior, and ducking inside is more than enough and completely wonderful. Make sure you book your tickets in advance because oftentimes reservations are required.

If you’re considering climbing to the top but not sure if your kids can handle it, be sure to watch this video that my friend made of their experience!

Family Photos at Basilica di San Miniato

This is one of my absolute favorite stops in all of Florence and an absolute must, especially for families who want incredible photos and a more peaceful, off-the-beaten-path experience. The Basilica di San Miniato sits on one of the highest points in Florence, and with your back to the front of the church you can enjoy an even more impressive view than the famous Piazzale Michelangelo below, with sweeping views of the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and the city stretching out into the Tuscan hills. While everyone else is fighting for a spot to get a photo at Piazzale Michelangelo, you’ll have all of this space to yourself with even better views.

It is stunning and the perfect backdrop for family photos. So I cannot recommend enough that you book a professional photographer to capture this visit. I promise, you don’t need magnets or t-shirts or other souvenirs, you need gorgeous family photos with the stunning cityscape in the background. Book a photographer through Flytographer for the ultimate experience.

Flytographer is an online marketplace that connects travellers with local photographers in 350+ cities worldwide for fun vacation photo shoots. Flytographer’s community of carefully-chosen, passionate photographers not only takes stunning photos, but also shares insider tips on things to eat, see, and do while showing travellers unique parts of the city they may not discover otherwise.

We chose Ken as our photographer because of his stunning photos and I am SO glad that we did. He was so easy to communicate with in advance when planning the photo shoot. Then he was incredible to work with and was great with the kids. He captured the most beautiful photos of our family that I will cherish forever and ever. Book Ken using my link and save $25 off your first photo shoot!

Eat Dinner

For dinner on night one, head to Trattoria Zà Zà. This beloved trattoria has been a Florence institution since 1977, located right next to the Mercato Centrale in the San Lorenzo district. It is exactly the kind of place you dream about eating at in Italy, warm and lively with charming decor, generous portions, and food that is just really, truly spectacular. Plus the prices are incredibly fair, with most of the pasta dishes between 10 and 12 euros!

The menu is full of classic Tuscan dishes including ribollita, wild boar paparadelle, and the famous bistecca alla fiorentina, and every single thing we ordered was incredible. The homemade pasta is something I am still dreaming about. The staff are wonderfully accommodating with families and go out of their way to make you feel welcome, which we really appreciated with little ones in tow. The manager could not get enough of them and spent so much time at our table talking to them and entertaining them. It was such a treat. Make a reservation in advance, especially for dinner, because this place fills up fast and for very good reason.

Get Gelato

Finish off the day with some incredible gelato. Be sure to only stop at the places with authentic gelato and not the tourist traps (more info on that in my Italy travel tips). Some of our favorite spots are Perché no!…, La Strega Nocciola, Gelateria La Carraia and Venchi.

If you’re up for more sightseeing, take a look at my guide on things to do in Florence at night for ideas.

Day 2: Affogatos, Pizza Making, and the Chianti Countryside

Affogatos for Breakfast

Start day two with a very important stop: Vivoli. Florence’s oldest gelateria, established in 1929, and now most famous for their absolutely incredible affogato. If you don’t know what an affogato is, let me explain: it’s a shot of hot espresso poured over a generous scoop of gelato, and it is one of the most perfect things that has ever existed. Vivoli’s signature affogato starts with their exquisite cream gelato spread into a pre-chilled cappuccino cup with a square carved out in the center, into which a shot of fresh espresso is poured. It went viral for a very good reason and honestly the hype is completely warranted.

The pistachio affogato is especially incredible and the line is worth every minute of the wait. Get there when they open for the shortest wait, and plan to sit on the curb out front like every other happy tourist eating their gelato in the morning sun. It is a perfectly wonderful way to start a day in Florence.

Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class

After breakfast, we headed to our pizza and gelato making cooking class with Ciao Florence and honestly it was one of the absolute highlights of our entire Italy trip. There are several cooking class operators in Florence that offer these for families, but I cannot recommend Ciao Florence highly enough.

Ours was a hands-on class where both the adults and our three year old got to make their own pizza from scratch, stretching the dough, adding their own toppings, and then watching it come out of the wood-fired oven. Then we made our own gelato. It was SO fun, incredibly interactive, and the food we made was genuinely delicious. Our toddler was completely engaged the entire time and it is one of those experiences she still talks about. Look for classes that specifically advertise as family-friendly or kid-friendly, as some are geared more toward adults. Book well in advance as the popular spots fill up, especially in peak season.

Ciao Florence offers tons of tours all throughout Florence, Tuscany, and all of Italy. Any of their tours would be so much fun so find some that work for your Italy itinerary. Use my discount code toripinestravels for 5% off!

Chianti Region Wine Tour with Winedering

After your cooking class, head on a tour of the Chianti region through Winedering, for a special way to spend the afternoon. The Chianti countryside, rolling green hills dotted with vineyards and cypress trees and medieval villages, is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful landscapes I have ever seen in my life. Getting out of the city to experience it is something I would recommend to absolutely everyone visiting Florence.

Winedering offers plenty of family-friendly Tuscany tours that travel through the rolling countryside with a knowledgeable local guide, visiting traditional Tuscan farms where you can taste local honey, aged cheeses, traditional balsamic vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil but most importantly, wine for the parents! The scenery on the drive alone is worth it, and getting to sit in a vineyard with a glass of Chianti while the kids run around in the Tuscan sunshine is a moment you will never forget.

Book through winedering.com and look specifically for their family-friendly options, as some of their shared tours have minimum age restrictions. Private tours are especially great for families since you get full flexibility on timing and pace.

Where to Stay in Florence with Kids

We stayed at Martelli 6 Suites and Apartments and I cannot say enough good things about this place. We were in the standard studio room which at the time was around 230 euros per night, and it had so much space. A full kitchenette, a proper living area, everything was clean and nice. And the air conditioning worked perfectly, which, if you don’t know, can be SO hard to find in Europe in the summer, so do not underestimate this.

But here is the thing that made it truly extraordinary. It is literally half a block from the Duomo. HALF A BLOCK. We stepped outside our front door and we were basically there. For a city as walkable as Florence, this location is absolutely unbeatable. I cannot recommend this place enough.

More Things to Do in Florence with Kids

If you have more than two days or want to swap something out, here are a few more great options for families. And check out my 1 Day in Florence guide if you only have one day!

Piazzale Michelangelo: The most famous viewpoint in Florence and for good reason. The panoramic views of the Duomo and the whole city skyline are absolutely spectacular, especially at sunset. It’s a bit of a walk uphill but worth every step, and there’s a gelato cart at the top that is a non-negotiable stop.

Boboli Gardens: The stunning formal gardens behind the Pitti Palace are a wonderful place to let kids run and explore. There are fountains, sculptures, hidden paths, and beautiful open spaces to spread out. The gardens require a ticket but are such a lovely, relaxed outing.

Accademia Gallery (Michelangelo’s David): Obviously one of the most famous sights in all of Italy and worth seeing. Older kids tend to be really amazed by it. Book tickets well in advance online as the lines without a reservation are absolutely brutal. The Uffizi Gallery is another option, but not nearly as kid friendly.

Piazza della Signoria: This gorgeous open-air piazza is essentially a free outdoor sculpture museum and is a wonderful place to wander with kids. The Palazzo Vecchio towers over the square and the whole area is just stunning to explore.

Ponte Vecchio: Florence’s famous medieval bridge lined with jewelry shops is a must-walk. The views from the bridge and of the bridge are iconic and it makes for incredible photos. Go early in the morning before the crowds arrive.

More Places to Eat in Florence with Kids

Parione: If you are looking for something a bit fancier, with an incredible bistecca Fiorentina, we love, love Parione. It’s likely a place to take older kids (which is why we went on our first trip without kids, and not this one with our baby and toddler. But it’s one of our favorite places to eat in Florence.

Pino’s Sandwiches: If you’re not looking to wait in line for a sandwich, or want to try something different from All’Antico Vinaio, then head to Pino’s! They’re said to be just as delicious and a much smaller and more local spot that is loved by locals!

Vini e Vecchi: A very loved restaurant in Florence that serves incredible food and has a great atmosphere. But this spot requires reservations and you cannot make them online. Get reservations as soon as you get into town.

Osteria da Fortunata: Another solid option for dinner, with freshly made pasta right in front of you. The food here is delicious and it is much more casual than some of the other dinner spots in town, so is great if you have any concerns about taking your kids to fancy spots.

Buca Mario: One of the oldest restaurants in Florence, dating back to 1886, and a wonderfully classic, traditional Tuscan dining experience. The atmosphere is warm and old-world, the pasta is incredible, and the staff are very accommodating with families.

Il Latini: A Florence institution known for its communal long tables, enormous portions of classic Tuscan food, and incredibly lively atmosphere. It’s loud and festive and just really fun. You may be seated with strangers, which is part of the charm, and kids tend to love the energy of the place.

Packing List for Florence with Kids

I have a full Europe Packing guide, and video on YouTube to watch, plus a traveling to Europe with Kids toddler packing and baby packing guide. But here are a few of my absolute must-haves!

Mabē baby carrier: If you’re bringing a baby or small toddler this is a must. I have tried so many carriers and this is by far the most comfortable. I love it so so much! Use my link for 10% off your purchase!

Level 8 Suitcase: My favorite suitcase brand and incredible quality to handle the European cobblestones!

Umbrella Stroller: This one has double wheels to help handle the cobblestone streets. It’s a must for visiting Florence with small kids. Plus if you have a stroller you fast-track the lines at border control!

Stroller Fans: If you’re visiting in the summer like us then these are a must!

Sunscreen Stick and Sunscreen Powder: Easy way to protect from the sun.

Pick-Pocket Proof Backpack: To keep your stuff safe as you explore Europe.

Florence with kids is one of the most special travel experiences I have ever had. It is a city that somehow makes you feel like you’re living inside a painting, and sharing that with your children is just the most extraordinary thing. Go, eat everything, rub that boar’s snout, and make the most incredible memories. You will not regret a single second of it.

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