Florence with Kids: Our Favourite Tuscany Base for the Perfect Family Holiday

Florence with Kids: Our Favourite Tuscany Base for the Perfect Family Holiday
“Can we have another gelato?”

That was probably the question we heard most during our time in Florence. And honestly? We couldn’t blame the girls. Between wandering through centuries-old streets, crossing the famous Ponte Vecchio and discovering yet another incredible ice cream shop, Florence has a way of making every day feel like a little adventure.

If you’re dreaming of Italy, chances are Rome, Venice or Lake Garda are already on your list. But let us tell you a little secret: Florence completely stole our hearts.

Not only is it one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, it’s also the perfect base for exploring Tuscany. Think rolling vineyards, medieval villages, endless sunflower fields, delicious food and those postcard-worthy roads that make you want to pull over every five minutes just to admire the view.

This is exactly how we spent our family holiday—and we’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Why Florence is Perfect for Families
When people think of Florence, they often picture museums and Renaissance art. And while you’ll certainly find plenty of both, Florence is surprisingly fun with children too.

The historic centre isn’t huge, which means you can explore most of it on foot. The streets are lively, there’s always a musician playing somewhere, and every few minutes you’ll discover another beautiful square where everyone can take a little break.

Our daughters loved spotting tiny Fiats, choosing a different gelato flavour every day and crossing the famous Ponte Vecchio. We loved sitting on a sunny terrace with an espresso while watching the world go by.

It’s one of those cities where you don’t need a strict itinerary. Simply wandering around is part of the experience.

Driving or Flying to Florence?
One of the questions we get most is whether it’s worth driving to Tuscany.
For us, the answer was an easy yes.

Driving from the Netherlands takes around 1,300 kilometres, but we actually enjoy road trips. Having your own car means complete freedom once you arrive. Want to stop at a vineyard? Go for it. Fancy exploring a tiny medieval village you spotted from the road? No problem.

That flexibility is exactly what makes Tuscany so special.

Not keen on such a long drive? Flying is incredibly easy too.

Direct flights from Amsterdam to Florence take around two hours, making it a perfect destination even for a long weekend.

Whenever we book flights, we always compare prices first. Our favourites are Skyscanner, because their flexible calendar quickly shows the cheapest travel dates, and Tix, where we’ve sometimes found better prices or more flexible booking conditions.

Travelicious Tip ❤️ Before booking, also check flights from Brussels and Düsseldorf. They’re only a short drive from the Netherlands and we’ve often saved a surprising amount of money by flying from there instead.

Renting a Car in Florence
Even if you fly, we highly recommend renting a car.
Yes, Florence itself is easy to explore on foot. But Tuscany? That’s where having your own wheels becomes absolutely priceless.

Some of our favourite memories weren’t planned at all. We’d spot a little village on a hill, follow a winding road through vineyards and suddenly find ourselves enjoying lunch in a tiny family-run restaurant where nobody spoke English—but the pasta was unforgettable.

Those moments simply don’t happen when you’re tied to public transport.
We usually book our rental car well before departure.
For complete peace of mind, we love booking with Sunny Cars because everything is insured, so there are no stressful surprises at the rental desk.

If you’re mainly looking for the lowest price, it’s always worth comparing with Expedia too.

When is the Best Time to Visit Florence?
Florence is beautiful all year, but if we could choose again, we’d visit in May, June or September.

The temperatures are pleasant, the countryside is incredibly green and you’ll avoid the biggest summer crowds.
July and August are fantastic if you’re combining Florence with a campsite or swimming pool, but be prepared for high temperatures and busy attractions.

No matter when you visit, one thing is guaranteed—you’ll eat far more gelato than originally planned.

Flying from Schiphol?
If you’re flying from the Netherlands, don’t leave airport parking until the last minute.
Booking your parking online well in advance can save quite a bit of money, especially during school holidays. We always compare prices before booking and have often found great deals by reserving early.

Our Favourite Place to Stay Near Florence
Instead of staying in Florence itself, we chose Norcenni Girasole Club in Figline Valdarno.

And honestly?
It was one of the best decisions of the entire trip.

During the day we’d explore Florence, Siena or San Gimignano, and in the afternoon the girls couldn’t wait to get back to the campsite.

There were multiple swimming pools, water slides, climbing activities, entertainment, mini discos and even foam parties.

While they were having the time of their lives, we finally had the chance to slow down with a cappuccino—or let’s be honest, sometimes a lovely glass of Chianti.

Because yes… you’re in Tuscany after all.
The resort offers much more than camping too. You can also stay in apartments, bungalows or hotel rooms, making it suitable for almost every type of traveller.

Even better, there’s a direct bus from the campsite to Florence, so you don’t have to worry about city parking.

The Florence You Simply Can’t Miss
Florence is one of those cities where every street seems more beautiful than the last.

Of course you’ll want to visit the impressive Duomo, admire the colourful marble façade and wander through Piazza della Signoria.

Walking across the historic Ponte Vecchio is another must. Despite being one of Florence’s busiest spots, it still feels incredibly magical.

But our absolute favourite?
Without question, Piazzale Michelangelo.

Go just before sunset.
Bring a drink, find a spot on the steps and simply watch as the city slowly turns golden.
Street musicians start playing, locals gather after work and Florence lights up beneath you.

It’s one of those travel moments you’ll remember long after you’ve unpacked your suitcase.

Explore the Best of Tuscany

One of the biggest reasons we chose Florence as our base was everything surrounding it. Every day we headed somewhere different.
One day we’d stroll through medieval San Gimignano with its famous towers.

The next we’d be exploring the beautiful streets of Siena.

Or we’d spend the afternoon wandering through Lucca, climbing the city walls and enjoying another Italian lunch that somehow lasted two hours.

Other fantastic day trips include:

Pisa
Volterra
Montepulciano
Greve in Chianti
Vinci

The drive between destinations is often just as beautiful as the towns themselves. Expect vineyards, olive groves, cypress-lined roads and countless places where you’ll suddenly feel the urge to stop for a photo.

A Hidden Gem Near Figline
If you’re visiting during the warmer months and fancy escaping the crowds for a while, head towards the natural swimming area near Figline Valdarno.

The scenic drive alone is worth it.

Crystal-clear water, peaceful surroundings and a refreshing swim after a busy sightseeing day—it was exactly what we needed.

Sometimes it’s these little unexpected places that become your favourite memories.

Shopping in Tuscany
Need a little retail therapy?
Fashion lovers should definitely visit The Mall Luxury Outlets near Montevarchi.
Here you’ll find many luxury Italian brands with outlet prices, making it a great stop if you’re already driving through the Chianti region.

Even if shopping isn’t your thing, it’s fun to wander around for an hour before heading back to one of Tuscany’s cosy villages.

More Great Places to Stay
Looking for something closer to Florence? We can also recommend:

Villa Royal
Hotel Orcagna

Both are excellent options if you’d like to spend more time exploring the city itself.

Is Florence Worth Visiting?
Without a doubt. Florence is one of those destinations that somehow manages to have everything.

History.
Amazing food.
Beautiful architecture.
World-famous art.
Incredible scenery.
Friendly Italians.
And of course… gelato on practically every street corner.

Add the rolling hills of Tuscany, charming villages and unforgettable sunsets, and you’ll understand why this region keeps calling us back.
Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a road trip through Italy or a family holiday like ours, Florence is a destination you’ll never regret visiting.
And who knows… You may already be planning your return before you’ve even left.

Travelicious Tips ❤️
✔ Compare flight prices before booking—you’ll often find surprisingly good deals by being flexible with your travel dates.
✔ Rent a car if you can. Tuscany is all about freedom, scenic drives and discovering places you never planned to visit.
✔ Stay just outside Florence. You’ll enjoy more space, lower prices and the perfect balance between city trips and relaxing pool days.
✔ Don’t overplan your itinerary. Some of our favourite memories came from simply getting lost in Tuscany.