The highlight of many a trip to Italy lies in the beautiful city of Florence. From the Duomo, San Lorenzo and Santa Maria Novella to the statue of the David and the thousands of works of art housed in the Uffizi Gallery, a thorough tour of Florence requires weeks, no days. For families traveling to Tuscany with children, a good itinerary can make the difference between a successful trip and a miserable failure. Don’t miss the highlights of Florence, Italy, and keep the kids happy along the way.

Day One in Florence, Italy with Children

The highlight of this day trip in Florence is, without a doubt, the Duomo. Santa Maria del Fiore is one of the most famous churches in Italy, and the primary must-see sight in Florence. The Duomo is a massive structure, an architectural feat inside and out. Take the time to walk around outside and appreciate the hard work that went the Duomo. Entry to the Duomo’s main floor is free, and even my toddler and preschooler enjoyed walking into the building and looking around. For my children, overheated by the summer heat, the coolness inside the Duomo alone was worth the fact that they needed to be quiet inside. Expect to spend about an hour or so exploring the Duomo in Florence from outside and in.

After the Duomo, pop into one of the gelaterias that line the streets around the area. Children and adults alike will enjoy the treat!

After the Duomo, walk over towards San Lorenzo and the San Lorenzo market. My girls loved all the stalls outside, selling clothes, leather bags, shoes, souvenirs and trinkets, and more. There is an entry fee to enter the church in the center of the market, and it may be easier to skip the inside and enjoy the building from the outside if children are tired. Stroll through the market, view the building, and end the day at a pizzeria. Stay closer to the market than to Santa Maria Novella Station, where fast food to appeal to travelers seemed more common. Pizza and Pasterias were incredibly accommodating to children.

Day Two in Florence, Italy with Children
Spend a second day in Florence closer to the Arno River. Walk along the river with a cup of gelato to entertain the children, and parents can enjoy the view of the bridges and Tuscany in the distance.

After a walk along the water, head off down to explore the piazza and area surrounding the Uffizi Gallery. This section will be especially crowded during the summer, so be sure to have a pushchair for small children. During the summer months, book in advance to get into the Uffizi Gallery. We chose to skip the inside, instead devoting our time to exploring the vendors set up outside the gallery selling paintings and trinkets.

After a stroll along the piazza, tourists will reach the piazza where a well known life-sized replica of Michaelangelo’s David stands. For many tourists, this is as close as they choose to get to the David, taking photographs of it and the nearby statues of Neptune and Medusa. For families traveling with small children, this is an especially good choice, as the queues to see the real David can take upwards of an hour, more in the high season.

Stop for lunch at this point, again taking in one of the pizzerias or pasterias found in the streets surrounding the piazza.

After lunch, stroll through the small city streets and head towards Santa Croce and the Biblioteca Nazionale. The piazza here is less crowded, and children have more opportunity to explore while parents take in the architecture and statues that surround the area.

Additional Considerations in Florence with Children
Florence is a busy city, especially during the high season at the end of July and the beginning of August. Not only that, but it’s hotter than many tourists expect. Happy children are hydrated children, so be sure to bring plenty of water along. Stop often for gelato and at small cafes along the way. Not only will children enjoy the break, but part of the beauty of Tuscany is taking it easy and taking it in. This is the way to see Italy.

For small children, pushchairs can be lifesavers when exploring Florence. However, be prepared for cobblestone and uneven streets and sidewalks. Depending on the age of your children, slings or backpacks with leashes might be another option.

Set realistic expectations for your time in Florence. There’s more to see here than could be done in a month, and when you are traveling with small children to Florence, it’s important to remember to set realistic expectations. If these aren’t the highlights you want to see, adjust the itinerary to suit your needs. Try to limit any day with small children to just one or two major attractions, however, to avoid meltdowns and exhaustion.

Final Thoughts on Florence with Children
A trip to Italy with children should take place in Tuscany. Florence is one of the highlights of any trip to Tuscany. It’s possible to spend time in Florence, even with small children, as long as parents plan accordingly and keep their children’s needs in mind on the trip.

Originally posted 2008-12-23 16:01:05.