A Guide on How to Spend 3 Days in Florence, Italy with a Toddler
During our 10-day trip to Italy, my favorite place we visited was Florence. It’s a small town with much history, art, and culture. Small towns are the best because they’re easy to navigate and you don’t feel like you’re rushing to see everything. Here is how we spent 3 days in Florence with our toddler, which was enough time to see everything and soak it all in.
Where to Stay:
Corte Guelfa: A boutique hotel within walking distance from the main landmarks, The Corte Guelfa is a great hotel for families with small children. I love staying in boutique hotels because the service is always top-notch and the rooms are clean with great views. The number one tip for staying at any hotel is to have them book transportation back to the airport or train stations for you since the checkout times for hotels can be quite early.
Things to know before you go:
-Use a stroller or a baby carrier. the roads are fairly narrow so you have to share the road with cars but traffic doesn’t get crazy if you’re -staying in the more popular areas.
-Be sure to find the nearest supermarkets for snacks and milk for the kids.
-The best time to visit September-November which is off-season with great weather and not as crowded.
-Book all tourist attractions beforehand and make reservations to popular restaurants weeks, if not months before your visit. Reservation times aren’t guaranteed even after you book and sometimes the restaurants will change the time for you (this is something we experienced in France too).
Things to do
Visit Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (The Duomo) and Giotto’s Bell Tower
You can’t start in Florence without first exploring the historical sites and The Duomo and the Bell Tower are the first things to visit during your few days here. Because there aren’t any elevators in both of these landmarks, it will be hard to take a toddler up but if you’re ambitious enough to make the climb it can be done. While strollers are allowed, they have to be closed which can be a bit tricky so skip the stroller if your hotel is close by and use a baby carrier if you decide to climb to the top. The exterior is just as breathtaking; so skip the climb, walk around, and take it all in. The best time to visit is early morning, it gets fairly crowded in mid-afternoon when the restaurants are closed and tourists are looking for something to do. If you do decide to make the climb, make sure to purchase tickets beforehand to avoid long lines.
Piazza della Repubblica – Carousel Fun!
This is a short walk from the Duomo and my son had the best time here, we came here every day we were staying in Florence. The best time to come is at night when everything is beautifully lit up with crowds, live music, and fun carousel rides for all ages. It’s about $2-3 for the carousel ride and only children are charged for it, one parent can get on for free. Walk around after for a nice meal or gelato to end the night with plenty of restaurants and cafes around the area.
Ponte Vecchio
If you’re looking to purchase jewelry or souvenirs, or just want to take a stroll with your kids, take a walk through Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s most famous bridge with options for food and snacks as well. The streets can be a bit more rocky so be prepared to take pauses if you’re taking a stroller. If you’re looking for great jewelry and a great experience, visit Cecchi Carlo Di Ricchi Giuliano, a family-owned business with the cutest handmade earrings, necklaces, and bracelets that are customized to your size. If there’s a specific color you like they can create those for you as well all while you wait.
Pitti Palace & Boboli Gardens
The palace is great for adults but the Boboli Gardens is perfect for toddlers and adults. It is stroller-friendly and even has a view of the Duomo. This place is HUGE so get here early where you can purchase tickets at the palace but it will take at least half a day to get through so plan accordingly.
Piazzale Michelangelo – Best Sunset Spot in Florence
Take a taxi or a leisurely uphill walk to Piazzale Michelangelo, the best place to catch a sunset over Florence. This panoramic spot is ideal for letting your toddler run around while you soak in the breathtaking view. The walk is a bit steep so if you want to see the magical sunset view start a bit earlier so you can go at a slower pace to reach the top.
Dinner at Trattoria Dall’Oste
You can’t go to Florence and not have a famous Florentine steak and Trattoria Dall’Oste has some of the best steak to try. Reservations are recommended otherwise they have long wait times and even without reservation, we had outdoor seating which worked out with beautiful weather and more room for a high chair. A great experience with a friendly staff, this is a must-try!
Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
Another place to purchase gifts for friends and family, this perfume shop carries so much history and has beautiful architecture with the best staff for a great experience testing out perfumes of all kinds. With choices from subtle to stronger fragrances, there is plenty to choose from. It is a bit on the pricey side so I recommend taking your time taking it all in because once you make a purchase it is extremely addicting. My favorite scent is Magnolia and I use it for all occasions with the most beautiful subtle scent that lasts all day.
Be sure to add these to your next visit to Florence and have the best time at the perfect place for toddlers and kids of all ages!