Tuscany with kids - why we love it (and why you will too!)
A mama's overview of the many things you can see and do in Tuscany with kids to inspire you and help you plan a family vacation here
Do you always look for new places to explore? Or do you like to go back to a beloved place, letting a familiar place soothe your heart with homely notes and hues?
I am very much a beloved place type of girl. Despite an almost insatiable curiosity for new places, I really enjoy going back to areas I know and learning new things about them by going deeper into what they have to offer.
Sometimes ‘new’ can be a new village in a region I know or even a smaller thing, an activity I had never taken before, a walk we didn’t know, a place seen through the eyes of the kids rather than my own only.
One such place I love to always go back to is Tuscany.
I have a very special connection with the region.
My dad’s family is from Florence and for the entirety of my childhood, Tuscany has been my summer playground, the tiny town of Castiglincello being our summer escape place for generations!
Over these many trips and extended stays, I got to experience many aspects of Tuscany and fell in love with all of them.
This is why I always recommend Tuscany as a destination to all families who ask me for a beautiful, mellow, and fun place to visit with kids!
Tuscany is a large region, with many things to see and do for all ages.
Depending on the season of your visit, style of travel, and age of your kids, you can opt for a countryside stay in a secluded villa, an action-packed family vacation at a seaside resort, a city stay, and much more!
I know a family stay in Tuscany is a dream for many parents.
It’s hard to resist the allure of the rolling hills, the art and that beautiful coastline, but I know that a trip here also triggers some worries.
First time visitors worry they won’t be able to enjoy the stunning Tuscan wineries with kids (no need to worry about that), or that the children will be bored with all the art and museums (no need to worry about that either) and they also worry about picking the right place in this vast region.
I am here to help you with all this! Tuscany is a large region and feeling overwhelmed is valid and normal.
Let’s start by looking at fabulous places to visit in Tuscnay with kids and the best things you can do in Tuscany as a family!
(In case you are wondering, this is us! Hi!)
Things we love to do while in Tuscany with kids:
Visit Florence
Florence, the main city in Tuscany, is a treasure trove of wonders for families.
Many first-time visitors worry Florence may be boring with kids: one of the most common concerns from parents getting in touch with me is that the children may find the Renaissance thoroughly unappealing and boring.
however, Florence and its art are all but boring and can be a real treat for kids! All you need are the right tips to make it come to life.
Florence city center is, as a whole, Unesco World Heritage Site, and this means children (and you) experience it as a real open-air museum.
Here, art is all around you and leaves and breathes with you are you take it its beauty, but also immerse yourself in the dynamic, pleasant pace of this beautiful city.
In Florence, you can take leisurely strolls (even with a buggy) to see Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s Duomo, taking it invaluable art without tours, guides, or any agenda.
You can treat the kids to a gelato class; you can bring them to the hands-on Museo Leonardo; you can have them have a go at the historic merry-go-round in Piazza della Repubblica; you can get even them to take Instagram-worthy shots at the selfie museums, a place that proves art in Florence truly comes in all forms!
You can of course also get them to admire the most famous art, both the free one in Loggia dei Lanzi (a favorite of mine) or that in museums like the Uffizi or the Accademia, which become pleasant for kids with the aid of a specialized guide The Uffizi, in particular, is hard without).
When I see Florence is fabulous with kids, I really mean it, it’s a world of wonders for all ages! We spent a full summer there, loving it despite the intense heat, and we regularly go for family weekends. There is no such thing as too much time in Florence, in my opinion!
Recommended visit length: 3+ days
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Visit Lucca
Tuscany is known for pretty medieval towns, and one of the prettiest and most family-friendly is Lucca.
A gorgeous, small medieval hamlet still surrounded by imposing walls, Lucca is a cute town with a toddler-friendly center and one activity that is special for kids: the opportunity to cycle along the walls!
Unlike many other small towns in Tuscany, Lucca has a flat center that is perfect for strollers and has excellent train connections to Florence, Pisa and even the coast.
All this, without compromising on beauty and history: Lucca has stunning churches, a delightful medieval center and a unique piazza, still retaining the shape of the Roman amphitheater it’s built upon!
Recommended visit length: 1 day. If you have toddlers, Lucca is also a good base for a slightly longer stay, especially in spring and fall.
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Visit Siena
One of the most fascinating and beautiful towns in Italy Siena is great for kids, especially those of school age (strollers are not great here as the town is steep).
A visit to Piazza del Campo and learning about the rivalry between Siena’s contrade is a fabulous way for kids to tap into medieval history in a fun and immersive way and the town has several cute playgrounds and a lovely green area called Orto de’ Pecci which is great for children
Recommended visit length: 1 day for the town; longer if staying in the countryside and use a farm stay as you base to explore
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Visit Pisa and its leaning tower
Children love the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and it is easy to weave a visit to this world wonder into a Tuscany itinerary.
I love Pisa. I know many visitors have mixed feelings about it as they feel it is all about tourism and no autenticity; however, I disagree on a couple of accounts.
The first one is thay I find Pisa’s Piazza dei Miracoli so stunning, its beauty overcomes any crowding that may be there. Michelangelo is said to have named that piazza ‘Piazza dei Miracoli’ (Square of Miracles); he found it so beautiful, and I don’t think a better definition could exist for it.
If you look at the magnificence of those buildings, the elegance of the volumes, the grace of the carvings and how they all come together, you can feel this is a place of magic!
The other account is that Pisa is more than the tower and, in a funny way, just because only a few go beyond the piazza with the tower, it is one of the most authentic cities in Tuscany you can get!
So if you are looking for a local town where to lean into local life, Pisa is a great one!
Recommended visit length: 1/2 day for the tower and immediate surrounding area only.
Go on a child-friendly winery visit
Tuscany is famous for its wine production, and wine-loving parents will be happy to hear they don’t have to renounce wine tasting in a vineyard on account of the children!
There are many wine estates in Tuscany that welcome kids and that you can visit on your own or with a driver/ guide (recommended, so you can sip away!)
The best areas for wine tasting with kids in Tuscany are Chianti and Val d’Orcia (click on the links to find the dedicated guides on the website. They’ll come into this newsletter soon, too!).
Explore a medieval hamlet
Tuscany has many thriving towns in the Middle Ages, many of which are now wonderful to visit.
Often perched on top of hills for protection, they still now tower above the landscapes with their towers, turrets, gates and more.
Medieval towns are all over Tuscany and include some known ones such as San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, Montepulciano, Volterra, Pitigliano and many many more.
A list of my favorites will follow!
Medieval towns may or may not be of great interest to children. Some kids will love them and will only need a gelato in hand to enjoy a wander around their historical centers.
Some others will need a more structured approach that can come in several forms.
For instance, Monteriggioni has a museum with medieval clothing you can try on, or in Lucca you can rent bikes and cycle along the city walls. San Quirico d’Orcia has a wondreful catapult!
In all towns, you can just rest while having a lovely meal, our go-to approach for the the kids would rather spend a day at the pool while we’re in the mood for exploring!
Take a cooking class
Tuscany has a wonderful culinary tradition and is a wonderful place to treat the kids to a cooking class.
Pasta and cakes are traditional, and you can pick classes in Florence or the countryside, or you can learn to make gelato in Florence and learn why the city has a special connection with this quintessential Italian delicacy!
Go horse riding
Tuscany has wonderful countryside and one great way to explore it is by going horse riding.
Many country stays offer horse riding as part of their packages or you can go to the local ‘Maneggio’ (stable) for a class or a horseback walk.
Explore the countryside by bike
Bikes are another popular way to explore Tuscany.
Many country stays offer the option to borrow bikes or rent them and several providers also offer ebikes, perfect for those famous rolling hills!
Fabulous areas offering this option are Florence/Fiesole and Montepulciano, perfect for rolling hills and farm visits on two wheels.
Enjoy Tuscany beaches
Tuscany is known abroad for its rolling hills, but it also has a wonderful coastline!
Parts of it are rocky with small coves; other parts are sandy and perfect also for young kids.
Fabulous child-friendly beaches are in Southern Tuscany (Follonica area) and in Versilia especially, which are areas blessed with fabulous sandy beaches perfect also for littles.
Stay in an agriturismo
Agriturismo is the Italian word for country stay and is an exceptionally popular type of stay in Tuscany in particular.
Agriturismo come in all shapes and sizes, some of them being rural and simple homes, other placer placing themselves at the top end of luxury.
Some agriturismo offer on-site activities, some accommodation only; some have a restaurant, and some offer self-catering options.
However you want to do it, an agriturismo stay is one of the most common and beloved ways to experience Tuscany as a family and a great way to experience Tuscany even if traveling during busy school-holiday times. Being in the countryside is ideal to escape crowds, just make sure you have a pool in summer as Tuscany gets very hot!
Go to a hot spring
Tuscany is home to delightful hot springs, several of which you can enjoy with kids!
With our two, we loved Saturnia, probably the most photographed hot springs of all of Italy, Bagno Vignoni thermal baths and the pools in Chianciano, which have a fabulous family area.
As you can see, we have quite a lot to cover about Tuscany and this is just an overview - if you would like to discover more and deep dive into the best areas of Tuscany to enjoy all this beautiful region has to offer, as well as more guides to other parts if Italy all from a family friendly angle, subscribe, and our next guides will get to you as soon as out!
Or get info straight away by clicking here and find our list of Tuscany activities for families on our website!