Why

Florence is a city with a past and one that is full of history and sights to enthral young people. It is renowned for its art and culture. Florence has always been one of the world's great cities to visit and you should try to take the kids to Florence while they are still young. Even with younger children you can do most of your sightseeing on foot. It is chaotic and hot though so do pace the family.

Kids will feel like they are going back in time with all of the old monuments and galleries and do make sure you leave time for some fun and some free play as well. It is possible to combine a visit to Florence with a few days in the beautiful countryside of Tuscany and can check our guide to Tuscany also.

When and how 

Florence is a great year round destination but can get crowded and hot in July and August. April, May and June are best.You can fly to Pisa and Bologna direct and take a train or via the UK to Florence. You can check special offers or deals and book flights here.

Family friendly accommodation

There are a wide range of family friendly accommodation options available. Most hotels welcome children even if there are no special facilities and you can check for special offers and deals here with booking.com.

Italy specialists Citalia are one of the leaders in the upmarket package market for Italy and you can check their hotel and self catering accommodation only and full packages here. They have a 5% discount for online bookings.

Authentic Italy  specialise in a wide range of villas and apartments if you want to book a self catering option and the Apartment Service also have good city centre locations.

The Grandumo Suites get great reviews and offers lots of space for families. An elegant, 18th-century Florentine home, the hotel was beautifully restored in 2007 while maintaining the original architectural style. The suites are finely furnished and equipped with good amenities. Each apartment has a foyer, living room, kitchenette, bedroom, bathroom and all modern comforts. Windows overlook the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and you can book this here with booking.com for special offers and deals.

The Residence Hilda gets great reviews from parents. It has 12 modern suites just 3 blocks away from the Dumo in a quiet pedestrian area. Families will appreciate the separate bedroom, kitchenette and living room. There are three classes of apartment (Standard for 2, Superior and Deluxe for 4). there is good access to supermarkets, bars, restaurants and cafes and the main museums and art galleries. Childbeds and highchairs are available on request and free of charge. You can book this online with booking.com for special offers and deals.

At the top end of the market the Hotel Savoy is a family-friendly boutique hotel which is super-central, with the Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi and the Duomo all within easy reach. Studios have a living area (ask for one without a balcony if you're travelling with young children) and interconnecting rooms are available on each floor. There is no extra charge for children sharing parents' room and all rooms have mini-bars handy for storing milk in.

Kid's menus are available in the restaurant and via room service. Colouring books and small toys are available to keep kids entertained. Complimentary children's toiletries, pint-sized robes and slippers are all provided in-room. High chairs, changing mats, games, bibs, bottle warmers and cots are also available. There's a good range of kids' DVDs, plus there are PlayStation 2 consoles and games available for hire. Young children are given a Savoy teddy bear, milk and biscuits, and those aged eight to twelve are treated to chocolates and a cartoon guide to Florence. You can book this here with Mr and Mrs Smith.

What to see and do with the kids

For inspiration about things to see and do the kids before you go you can have a look at the tours and activities offered by isango and book them online. This will save you time and hassle while you are away and help you plan your activities.

Have a hunt for art in the Uffizi and try to time your trip right. If you can get an advance pass to skip the long queues or go later in the day when the crowds have moved on about two hours before it closes do so. If possible try to get a guide as they are great at getting children and adults alike to track the development of the styles in the painting of the Madonna and Child. Get the kids to think of famous places as they see them.

Climb to the top of the Duomo for great views and check out the mosaics on the ceiling.

Stroll around the Piazza della Signoria to check out Michelangelo's David although the original has now been moved indoors and this is just a copy.

Chill out in the Boboli gardens which have large impressive fountains to look at, pebbled paths flanked by neoclassical statutes to run along and pretty gardens to play in.
Cross the Ponte Vecchio and browse in the little shops there.

Visit the Mercato Centrale which has colourful stalls full of flowers, vegetables, local delicacies and fruit.

The Mueso di Storia della Scienza is a science museum which is well worth a visit. It features Galileo's telescopes and has demonstrations of his experiments on motion.

Tuscany is an easy day trip if you have a car and if not you can try a coach trip if you feel confident. San Gimignano is one of the most enticing of all the Tuscan hilltop towns. Children will just adore the fairytale like towers 14 of which remain from the original 70. The streets, towers and entire village are a fantastic experience for adults and children alike. This town does however experience high numbers of tourists in high season and during the day and we would suggest to take to make the best of your visit you visit this either out of high season or early in the morning or even better late at night before dark when the birds are circling which adds to the mystery of the town. For the best views climb up the ramparts of the Rocca and bring the kids to be Torre Della Tortura which houses a torture museum.

Sienna is a beautifully preserved mediaeval maze of lanes and Piazzas and has an energetic bareback horserace each year, the Palio, on the 2nd of July and the 16th of August. This is a fiercely contested race in which neighbourhoods in the town compete. De Torre Del Mangia is one of the tallest mediaeval towers in Italy and the views are great. There are lots of places to stop for ice cream and have a coffee in the Piazza del Campo.

You will find lots of family friendly travel tips and advice in our research and advice section to help you book the right family holiday. Check out also the experiences of other parents and travellers in our parents forum and add your own experiences as we are a great believer in real parent's experiences as the best measure of whether somewhere will suit you for your family holiday. 

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