One among my favorite locations to go to with my daughter is gorgeous Italy, after incredible metropolis breaks in Venice and Rome, I began plotting our return with my wishlist of locations to go to in Tuscany with children.
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As a result of there are such a lot of tempting causes to go to Tuscany on a household vacation: from Florence and Siena, which I’ve explored and love, to the historic hilltop villages, the famously beautiful countryside with its vineyards, loads of luxurious villas in Tuscany, even the prospect of seaside too.
So if you happen to’re questioning the place to go in Tuscany with children, I’ve picked my high 13 locations to go to and issues to do.
Florence
You may’t go to Tuscany with children with out not less than a day exploring Florence – though having first seen town on a pavement-meltingly scorching day, it’s finest to keep away from peak summer time.
And if you happen to suppose your children are going to be bored by artwork galleries and structure, there’s loads to seize their curiosity. I attempted a household tour of the Uffizi, which was good to convey the work to life, together with titbits on the Medici household and a quiz to observe.
Or stroll the streets as an alternative and search for avenue artwork – we wandered from Piazza della Signoria in the direction of the Ponte Vecchio bridge, ambling alongside backstreets and aspect streets earlier than strolling throughout the well-known bridge itself.
There are markets to walk by way of, pizza by the slice to purchase and gelato galore, together with Florentine speciality semifreddo – Perche No, the place you can too attempt making gelato is incredible.
Discover extra excursions of Florence with children right here
Don’t miss the Duomo, however crew it with a experience on the normal carousel in Piazza della Repubblica, earlier than dressing up because the medieval Medici within the Palazzo Vecchio and rubbing the nostril of the bronze boar statue, Il Porcellino, to make sure you return.
Then burn off some vitality (and sugar) within the Boboli Gardens or marvel at among the machines designed by Da Vinci himself within the Leonardo Interactive Museum.
The place to remain in Florence with children
There are villas inside a brief driving distance of town, however if you wish to be proper within the coronary heart of Florence, Plum Information has some nice residences that are virtually actually a stone’s throw from the Ponte Vecchio.
The Excellent Rose sleeps 4, and has its personal courtyard area, in addition to a view of the Palazzo Vecchio. The Uffizi is on the doorstep, and you may request a cot for infants.
There’s sufficient marble and velvet to get you feeling like a Florentine noble however loads of trendy touches to make it simple for households.
For someplace inside simple attain of town, however the place you possibly can retreat after a day exploring, Prime Villas has some beautiful properties that are good for larger households equivalent to Villa Beltrami, with its personal pool.
Siena
Quieter than Florence – until you go to for the Palio! – Siena is made for wandering round. House to a different lovely cathedral, even children will love recognizing the colors of the ornate ceiling and the mosaics on the ground, in addition to nice views from the tower.
Youngsters who love animals shall be fascinated by the tales of Siena’s completely different areas or ‘contrada’, every with their very own mascot, nonetheless used at present for the Palio horse race.
You may set your self a mini treasure hunt to identify as many animals as you possibly can alongside the streets (fuelled by extra gelato, after all), or attempt a strolling tour of Siena to find extra concerning the historic rivalries and the way the completely different areas bought their names – the silkmakers are represented by a caterpillar, for instance.
In all places you look, there are mementoes of Siena’s previous – medieval bathrooms connected to the skin of homes in Piazza del Campo, iron rings on partitions to tether horses, even the relics of Saint Catherine within the Basilica San Domenico.
There’s additionally a Youngsters’s Artwork Museum to discover inside Santa Maria della Scala, together with alternatives to get palms on.
The place to remain in Siena with children
There are some nice villas round half-hour’ drive from Siena, together with renovated farmhouses for bigger teams and choices for smaller households – the gathering from Prime Villas has some beautiful luxurious properties.
Or think about the areas of Poggibonsi and Colle di Val d’Elsa, which make a perfect base to discover the entire space, together with Florence and Volterra.
Villa Wild Grapes is ready in a winery with beautiful views of the Val d’Elsa and its personal non-public pool, whereas the temptingly named A Glass of Brunello is good for bigger households, on the outskirts of Siena with its personal non-public pool.
Pisa
If there’s one landmark that’ll positively be in your children’ wishlist, it’s the Leaning Tower of Pisa, tilting at its 4 diploma angle.
Relationship again to the twelfth century, the bell tower has been tilting little by little because it was constructed, till work to stabilise it completed in 2001. You may climb the tower, though solely with youngsters over the age of 8.
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And it is perhaps touristy however who can resist posing for a photograph trying as if you happen to’re holding it up? You may’t go onto the grass in entrance however stand on one of many bollards and await a transparent shot to get the pose – or simply amuse your self trying on the shapes everybody else is pulling.
You can too head over to the cathedral for a distinct view, which could be quieter. However be ready for crowds right here: that is one other one which’s finest accomplished in shoulder season or arrive early, to keep away from standing within the solar too lengthy.
In addition to exploring the remainder of the cathedral advanced, you’re not removed from Pisa’s botanical gardens, the Orto Botanico di Pisa, a beautiful shady spot for a stroll. Or head out to see the stays of an aqueduct at Parco Don Bosco (with a playground for youths).
The place to remain in Pisa with children
It’s finest to remain someplace exterior town, as a base to discover this a part of Tuscany – fairly Villa Gioli in Fauglia is just a half-hour drive from Pisa itself, but in addition base to discover Livorno, and even Viareggio and Lucca. Sleeping as much as 12 (with the choice to rent a seventh bed room), it has its personal pool.
Or the well-named Portrait of Serenity is a nineteenth century manor home that’s been restored so the normal Tuscan type has loads of up to date touches, not least a pool and wood-fired pizza oven. To be even nearer, Villa Rossa from TopVillas is lower than quarter-hour’ drive and sleeps as much as 14.
Should you do need to be within the coronary heart of Pisa, test in to Pisan Memoir, just some minutes’ stroll from the leaning tower. Sleeping as much as six, the colorful condominium has its personal shady courtyard as properly, to flee from the hustle and bustle of town.
Lucca
Enclosed by its medieval metropolis partitions, Lucca is good with youthful children – smaller than Florence, and fewer visited than Pisa and Siena, its relaxed really feel is ideal for strolling.
Take a stroll alongside the partitions themselves, or rent a motorcycle, earlier than getting among the finest views from the highest of Lucca’s towers: you possibly can climb the 14th century Torre della Ore, the city’s tallest, and Torre Guinigi, with its backyard on the high.
Should you favor to let an knowledgeable reveal town to you, try this guided strolling tour of Lucca for youths.
Don’t miss Piazza dell’anfiteatro, initially a Roman amphitheatre that’s now lined with cafes (and room for youths to run round). And in summer time, you’ll discover festivals and music to entertain too, even an opportunity to listen to some Puccini in his dwelling city
Should you’re driving to Lucca, certainly one of my high journey suggestions is: don’t attempt to head throughout the partitions as you threat a fantastic – there’s parking on the outskirts or it’s a brief practice experience from Pisa (and simply over 90 minutes by practice from Florence)
The place to remain in Lucca with children
You’ll be spoiled for selection on the subject of household pleasant residences in Lucca, together with a string throughout the walled metropolis itself. Lucca Lullaby sleeps six, as does Candy Lucca with its rooftop terrace, whereas shiny and ethereal Renaissance Glory sleeps 4 and can be very central.
For a bit extra space, there are villas shut sufficient to discover. Solely 10 minutes’ drive from Lucca, six-bed Orfea has its personal infinity pool and is just half an hour from the seaside, as is Villa Marraccini which sleeps 4.
The Campannori space can be a beautiful possibility, shut sufficient to Lucca to discover however with extra choices to remain in a villa, so you could have your individual area and a pool to lounge by.
Villa Chiodo is a beautiful outdated stone constructing with wooden beamed ceilings, plus an enormous kitchen, fashionable loos and nice views.
The perfect hilltop cities in Tuscany with children
Away from the cities, you possibly can’t go to Tuscany with children with out seeing not less than one of many picturesque hilltop cities. What number of you squeeze in will depend on your children’ love of wandering by way of the little streets and the views of the countryside.
Volterra
Volterra is certainly one of my favourites – and if in case you have older children who love the Twilight books, it’s unmissable. Make a cease at Dolceria del Corso, the city’s oldest pastry store for muffins and treats, together with bite-size doughnuts, earlier than strolling off to find Roman historical past, Etruscan tombs, crafts made with native alabaster marble and viewpoints galore.
San Gimignano
Not distant from Volterra is San Gimignano, probably the most well-known Tuscan hilltop cities with its 15 towers, one of many best-preserved medieval cities in Tuscany – each are driving distance from Siena, Florence and Pisa.
Cortona & Montepulciano
Additional east in the direction of Arezzo, you’ll discover Cortona and Montepulciano – the primary often called the situation the place the bestselling e-book Beneath The Tuscan Solar was set. Montepulciano rivals San Gimignano for the ‘most lovely’ title (to not point out being well-known for its wine).
Montalcino
South of Siena, Montalcino is one other nice possibility for individuals who love meals and wine.
The seaside in Tuscany with children
The seaside may not be the very first thing that involves thoughts if you consider Tuscany, but when your loved ones vacation isn’t full and not using a seaside, you gained’t be wanting selection alongside the Tuscan coast.
Should you’re staying round Volterra or Livorno, it’s even potential to drive to Piombino to take the ferry throughout to the island of Elba – an extended day trip, however a really memorable day journey, and the lengthy sandy seaside at Marino di Campo is ideal with children.
Not removed from Lucca, Viareggio additionally has a superb sandy seaside – the northern finish round Forte dei Marmi is filled with fashionable seaside golf equipment and locations to see and be seen quite than making sandcastles, however you’ll discover ‘spiaggia libera’ or free seaside at Viareggio.
Head additional south in the direction of Maremma and Orbetello and also you’ll discover the seashores hottest with Tuscan households – observe of their lead and hire a villa by the seaside or on the little island connected by a highway to the mainland. The Fortune Teller sleeps 9, and as soon as belonged to a member of the Borghese household, with its personal non-public pool and views to the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Extra issues to do in Tuscany with children
Vineyards in Tuscany with children
Visiting a winery is perhaps on most mother and father’ wishlists for a household vacation in Tuscany, however what concerning the children? Fortunately as Italians love youngsters, in all places is family-friendly, and plenty of will present grape juice for them to attempt on the tasting classes.
Many are additionally set on farms, so there’s an opportunity to identify animals between sips: Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona even has wolves together with its Brunello di Montalcino vintages.
It’s essential make reservations for tastings at any vineyards, so it’s simple to test upfront – or think about a tour information who can suggest the most effective choices with youngsters.
Household sights in Tuscany
If wandering medieval streets and historic cities loses its attraction in your children after a couple of days, there are some nice household sights to go to in Tuscany with children as properly.
Head into the timber
Parco Avventura Il Gigante, north of Florence, has a excessive ropes course within the timber, in addition to simpler routes for youthful children.
A waterpark in Tuscany
Should you’re staying close to the coast, you would go to a waterpark in Tuscany. Acqua Village in Cecina, simply sound of Livorno, has flumes, swimming pools and different splashy enjoyable – plus a sister waterpark in Follonica, not removed from Piombino.
Go to the zoo
Select from the Zoological Backyard of Pistoia close to Florence, with greater than 400 animals to identify, or the smaller Poppi zoo to the east of town.
Discover a fort
There are some majestic fortresses and fairytale castles dotted throughout Tuscany. Some have turn out to be libraries and museums, others are nonetheless intact, but it surely’s an important place for youths to let their imaginations run wild.
One of the vital spectacular is the Castello Dell’Imperatore – the emperor’s fort in Prato, constructed for the King of Sicily, Frederick II. Take the steps to the point of view on the high and debate the way you’d have completed this grand fortress if you happen to have been in cost – constructing work stopped on the emperor’s demise so it was by no means accomplished.
Gaze on the stars
Out within the coronary heart of the countryside, there’s loads of inspiration to stare as much as the heavens. However if you wish to know extra about what you’re seeing, head to the Planetarium on the Fondazione Scienza e Tecnica in Florence, which you’ll be able to go to on Sunday afternoons.
Go to an uncommon theme park
The creator of the Adventures of Pinocchio was born in Collodi in Tuscany, so it’s unmissable for anybody who loves the tales, particularly the Parco di Pinocchio theme park, with a sculpture path, rides which might be good for youthful children, and puppets.
*First revealed 2021, final up to date 2024*
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Disclosure: This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee. All opinions and love of gelato are my very own
Photos: Pisa/Lucca/seaside/winery/fort courtesy Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels