In a nutshell
- Tuscany is a fantastic destination for a family vacation. Lots of nature, quiet roads, beaches with playgrounds, and the birthplace of Pinocchio. We’ll show you exactly where to go in Tuscany with kids.
- When we’re in Florence with our kids, we always head to the Cathedral. Our boys absolutely love the climb up to the dome or the bell tower — counting all those steps is half the fun.
- The Grotta del Vento cave in northern Tuscany is seriously fascinating. It has an underground lake and tons of stalactites and stalagmites — we visited with a 3-year-old and a 7-year-old, and both were blown away.
- Doing Tuscany with kids? You really should spend at least one night at a winery. A wonderful pick for families is Agriturismo Belmonte — it has a pool, riding stables, and a playground.
Cool Activities for Kids in Tuscany
Climb the Bell Tower of the Florence Cathedral
The bell tower of the Florence Cathedral has around 400 steps, and there’s no elevator.
It’s not really suitable for very young children, but energetic preschoolers can handle the climb just fine. And counting the steps is a lot of fun too!
At the top there are binoculars and a seriously stunning view over all of Florence.
To climb the Giotto, you’ll need the Giotto Pass. For children between 7 and 14 it costs 7 euros, adults pay 20.
With it, you can visit the entire cathedral complex for three days, except for the dome. For that you’ll need the Brunelleschi Pass.
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Climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Every child knows what a tower is — but when is a tower ever leaning?
The Leaning Tower of Pisa, with its unmistakable tilt, is one of those Tuscany attractions that kids absolutely love. You can climb it too — the skip-the-line ticket costs 25 euros for adults. Kids, however, are only allowed up from age 8.
But even just seeing the tower from the Piazza dei Miracoli is an experience in itself.
Besides, Pisa is one of the most beautiful places in Tuscany — so the trip is totally worth it for the whole family!
Bathe in Hot Springs
The most well-known hot springs in Tuscany where you can swim for free are:
- Saturnia
- Bagni di San Filippo
- Bagni di Petriolo
- Bagno Vignoni
Here, warm, sulfur-rich water bubbles up from the ground into naturally formed pools that are perfect for bathing in the open air.
The water is wonderfully warm 365 days a year and has a healing effect on muscle tension, colds, and skin problems.
Because the springs are freely accessible, there are often no restrooms or showers on site. And since you’ll smell strongly of sulfur afterward, it’s best if your Tuscany accommodation isn’t too far away.
Alternatively, in Saturnia and Bagno Vignoni there are also fully equipped wellness hotels right next to the freely accessible springs: the Albergo Posta Marcucci and the Terme di Saturnia Natural Spa.
These are fed by the same spring water — except here you get full service, with showers, restrooms, and changing rooms.
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Explore the Grotta del Vento Cave
In the Garfagnana mountain region, in the far north of Tuscany, you’ll find the Grotta del Vento cave, which is open for guided tours.
You can choose from three different routes through the cave. The shortest takes one hour and works well even for toddlers.
A guide leads you through the cave past an underground lake and impressive stalactites and stalagmites — with audio commentary available along the way.
There’s also a bear skeleton to discover. We visited with a 3-year-old and a 7-year-old, and both absolutely loved it!
You can buy tickets on site or on the website. Tours start every hour.
Note: Even in summer, make sure to bring a sweater. The cave is only 50°F (10°C) inside.
Visit the Fortress of Montalcino
When you’re doing a Tuscany family vacation, a trip to the Val d’Orcia is non-negotiable.
Conveniently, the village of Montalcino is right there too, with its perfectly preserved fortress. Super exciting for kids!
For a 4-euro entry fee, you can explore the medieval halls and walk the entire length of the fortress walls. There are arrow slits, battlements, a medieval pit toilet, and breathtaking views of the Val d’Orcia.
Inside the fortress, adults can also pick up the renowned Brunello di Montalcino, one of Italy’s most famous red wines.
Mercantia: The International Street Art Festival
If you’re in Tuscany in July, don’t miss this wonderful festival: the theater and street art festival Mercantia in Certaldo.
Certaldo’s tiny historic center sits on a hilltop you can only reach on foot or by funicular. And in the medieval alleyways of the old quarter, the festival takes place every evening for five days in mid-July.
Figures in elaborate costumes parade through the streets, music is played, dance and light shows are performed, and regional crafts are sold.
Note: The festival always starts at 6 PM and some of the figures can look quite eerie. It’s probably better suited for school-age children.
Parco di Pinocchio
Who doesn’t know the talking wooden puppet whose nose grows whenever he tells a lie?
The tale of Pinocchio was written by children’s book author Carlo Collodi in the small mountain village of Collodi, not far from Lucca.
And because the town is so proud of its famous fairy tale, the amusement park Parco di Pinocchio was opened here.
The park features playgrounds, carousels, a giant chessboard, a labyrinth, a climbing course, and sculptures of all the story’s main characters.
Collodi is about an hour’s drive from Florence.
By the way: In addition to the Parco di Pinocchio, Collodi itself is really worth a visit. It’s home to one of the most magnificent villas in Tuscany, the Villa Garzoni with its famous botanical garden — and the visit is included in the Pinocchio ticket.
Get tickets for the Parco di Pinocchio
Parco Archeominerario di San Silvestro
The Parco Archeominerario is a mining park near the coast, in Campiglia Marittima.
Copper, lead, and silver were mined here in antiquity, and since the shafts are no longer in operation, the entire area has been converted into an archaeological park.
There are museums, a walkable tunnel, and medieval village ruins with a fortress. The real highlight for kids, though, is a small train that carries visitors through the depths of the Lanzi-Temperino shaft.
Note: Even in midsummer, temperatures in the mine can drop to around 57°F (14°C). Definitely bring sweaters.
Tarot Garden
The Giardino dei Tarocchi, or Tarot Garden, is a sprawling park full of whimsical sculptures that are somewhat reminiscent of Park Güell in Barcelona.
The enormous, colorful figures, covered in mirrors, glass, and ceramic mosaics, are inspired by tarot cards and were created at her own expense by French artist Niki de Saint Phalle.
Some of the sculptures are also walk-through, with mirror-lined interiors and vivid mosaics. Even toddlers will be amazed!
Children only start paying admission from age 7, and tickets must be booked online in advance.
Horseback Excursion
Horseback riding has a centuries-old tradition in Tuscany, and in the south of the region there are even wild horses.
Many farms and agriturismi keep horses and regularly offer guided rides through the Tuscan countryside.
The Riding Tuscany Ranch equestrian center near San Gimignano offers a special riding program for children from age 3.
They offer horseback excursions as well as a child’s very first time sitting on a horse or pony — a magical experience for little ones.
The ranch also has an agriturismo with a restaurant, pool, and vacation apartments, so you can easily spend a few days here.
Beach Vacation in Tuscany with Kids: The Best Beaches
Especially with young children, a well-maintained sandy beach with good facilities makes everything so much easier. Think umbrella rentals, beach bars, restrooms with changing tables, and showers.
In Tuscany, beaches like this are mostly found in the north, between Viareggio and Livorno. The following spots are perfect for a beach vacation in Tuscany with kids:
- Forte dei Marmi
- Marina di Pietrasanta
- Viareggio
- Follonica
- Marina di Bibbona
- Tirrenia
- San Vincenzo
- Marina di Campo, on the island of Elba
At most of these spots you’ll also find playgrounds right on the beach, plus paddleboat rentals.
The south of Tuscany, on the other hand, is wilder — you’ll need to come well-equipped, especially with children.
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Accommodations in Tuscany with Kids
Tuscany is a fantastic destination for a vacation with kids, and a big reason for that is the abundance of beautiful agriturismi. These are large, historic farmhouses or wine estates that also offer vacation apartments.
They always come with large gardens, a pool, and sometimes play equipment, animals, and a range of leisure activities.
From there, you can comfortably explore the sights during the day, then settle in for the evening among the olive trees.
These agriturismi are especially well suited for families with kids in Tuscany:
Agriturismo Belmonte: With a pool, equestrian center, tennis court, and playground. There’s also a restaurant and vacation apartments with up to 3 bedrooms.
Agriturismo Vecchio Borgo di Inalbi: Just outside Florence, with double rooms and apartments, two pools, and a playground.
Agriturismo Le Gallozzole: Near Siena, with vacation apartments, and olive oil and wine produced on-site. There’s also a pool and playground.
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General Tips for Tuscany with Kids
Explore Tuscany by Car
Public transportation won’t get you very far in Tuscany.
There are trains running between Florence, Pisa, and Siena, but the rest of the region is hard to reach without a car.
On top of that, many train stations have no elevators — getting around with a stroller is therefore pretty cumbersome.
Your best bet is to rent a car locally or drive yourself. Compare rental car deals on Discovercars to find the best price before you go.
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Prepare for a Full-On Mosquito Invasion
From April to October, Tuscany has a serious mosquito problem, especially in rural areas. You simply can’t do without mosquito repellent — neither during the day nor at night.
If you’re traveling with a baby, Italy has specially designed stickers for babies that attach to clothing and strollers and keep mosquitoes away with a lemongrass scent. You can find them in any pharmacy or supermarket in Italy.
For children ages 2 and up, Autan Familycare or Autan Kids work really well.
Stay at an Agriturismo
In Tuscany’s cities there are very few playgrounds and traffic can be pretty chaotic and dangerous.
If your kids are still at an age where they need lots of room to run around, you’re much better off staying at an agriturismo outside the cities.
Many have a great range of things for kids — gardens, a playground, and a pool. After your sightseeing, the kids can run around freely and safely to their hearts’ content.
