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Top 10 Tuscany Activities for Families – From a Family in Tuscany

Are you coming to Tuscany with your family and want to make sure there’s plenty to keep your kids entertained and engaged?  Don’t worry – there is!  I’ve posted a whopping 70+ Things to Do with Kids in Tuscany to give you some ideas and inspiration.  But, I get messages asking which are the best.

Of course, the answer to that depends on your family – your kids’ ages, your family’s interests, your budget, etc.

Still, I have a few activities and places that come to the top of my head when I’m asked – because I’ve seen my kids enjoy them as well as countless other kids and families during my time as an active travel guide and vacation planner here in Italy.

So, after toodling around Tuscany for 2+ decades with families and kids, here are the top 10 things to do with kids here (all enthusiastically approved by my kids).

Table of Contents

Map of the Best Tuscany Activities for Families

Explore the Chianti Sculpture Park

The Chianti Sculpture Park ( Parco Sculture del Chianti ) is made up of unique works of art created by artists from around the world.  My kids love exploring the artworks on the ~1 kilometer dirt path.  Some are colorful, some are made of natural materials, and some you can go inside or interact with.

How to Get There:  You’ll need to drive your own car.  There’s a gravel parking lot right at the entrance.

Best for Ages:  All ages.  I’ve pushed babies in strollers here and let toddlers and older kids run around.  Older kids and teens can use the app to learn about the sculptures and explain to the rest of the group.

Kid Logistics: You can bring strollers on the path but there are a couple of artworks you can’t reach with the stroller (no big deal).   There are porta-potties, and the best place for diaper changes is on a bench.  They sell water but if you want food or snacks, you’ll need to bring them.  There’s a picnic area.

Helpful Tip: Download the app so you can learn about the sculptures as you visit them.

Things to See & Do Nearby:  Be sure to drive by the village next door (Pievasciata) and look for more outdoor art (12 more pieces!) in the village and close by.  We love the bell peppers and the man painting.  You’re also near Siena, Monteriggioni, and Chianti villages like Gaiole , Radda , and Castellina .

Find more Outdoor Art in Tuscany

Ride Bikes on Lucca’s Walls

Lucca is a gem and a family-friendly small-ish city in Tuscany.  One of the best things to do in Lucca as a family is rent bikes and ride on top of the city walls!  I know, it sounds dangerous, but there are wide, paved paths like in the video above.  If you have kids in your group who don’t ride yet, you can also get family bikes that fit multiple passengers.

There are places to stop along the way (cafes, small play areas), and you can also take the ramps down to the bigger playgrounds below. 

The loops is over 4 kilometers, and it takes between 30-60 minutes, depending on how fast you ride and how many times you stop.

How to Get There:  You can reach Lucca easily by car or train.  It’s a practical and fun family day trip from Florence .

Best for Ages:  All ages.  Plus, after the ride, there are things to do in Lucca for all ages.

Kid Logistics: Lucca (and the walls) are stroller-friendly.  You can change diapers in café and restaurant bathrooms, or use a bench and your portable changing mat.

Helpful Tip:  Call ahead to reserve bikes and helmets.  Then you can show up to your bike shop and start your ride right away (vs dragging your kids around to multiple shops).  We’ve rented from Tourist Center Lucca Bike Rental , conveniently located just outside the train station.

Things to See & Do Nearby:  In Lucca, older kids will love the Torre Guinigi climb (there’s a tree at the top!) and visiting one of Lucca’s playgrounds.  Outside the city, you can visit a beach, or go to the nearby Pinocchio Park, Pisa , or Pistoia Zoo .

Play at the Beach

Tuscany has a gorgeous coastline that runs along the Tyrrhenian Sea from Versilia up north to Maremma down south.  The beaches up north tend to be a little more developed (think beach clubs with perfectly-lined up umbrellas and lounge chairs), while the southern beaches down in Maremma are typically more wild and tend to have fewer services.

Wherever you choose, your kids are bound to have fun playing in the sand and splashing in the sea.

Read more about Beaches Near Florence Beaches Near Lucca Forte dei Marmi with Kids

How to Get There:  While you can reach some beaches easily by train (I’m thinking of Viareggio, just north of Pisa), it’s simpler to visit Tuscan beaches with your own car.  You’ll have flexibility with timing and you’ll have a place to carry beach gear (which can be a lot with kids!).

Best for Ages:  All ages.

Kids Logistics and Helpful Tip: Decide if you want to have the amenities of a beach club, and if so, try to book it in advance.   As much as I like wild beaches, as a mom, it’s just easier to book a beach club – you’ll have access to bathrooms, showers, changing rooms, umbrellas and lounge chairs, and usually a restaurant or bar. 

Things to See & Do Nearby:  Depending on the beach you visit, you may be close to cities like Pisa and Lucca or to family-friendly theme parks like Cavallino Matto or Aqua Park Cecina.

Take a Kid-Friendly Cooking Class

If you have any aspiring chefs in your group, book a cooking class!  There are so many offered in Tuscany, and many of them are kid-friendly. 

My son loved a class we took at Toscana Mia, in the Tuscan countryside, and I’ve also really enjoyed family cooking classes at Let’s Cook with Jacopo and Anna.

How to Get There:  Depends on the location.  Book an in-city class if you don’t want to worry about transport.  Or, head to the Tuscan countryside with your own car.

Best for Ages:  I think elementary-age and up get the most out of Tuscan cooking classes, but many welcome toddler-age kids too – they can help knead dough, mix ingredients, etc. 

Kids Logisitics:  You’ll have access to a bathroom if you need to change diapers. 

Helpful Tip:  If you have different interest levels in the cooking class, try to book a class that has an outdoor area for kids to play in or something else they can do if they lose interest.

Things to See & Do Nearby:  You can combine your cooking class with a visit to a local market.

Honorable Mention: Learn all about Southern Tuscany’s famous pecorino (sheep’s milk) cheese at a farm near Pienza .

  Read more about Toscana Mia Cooking School

Visit the Giardino dei Tarocchi (Tarot Garden)

Tuscany’s Tarot Garden is deep in the Maremma, so it’s not really a place you just happen to drive by – you need to go out of your way to get there.  You’ll be happy you did!

This whimsical, colorful sculpture garden is the work of artist Niki de Saint Phalle and it’s a gem.  Everyone in your family will find something to love in her quirky and interesting sculptures.

How to Get There:  You’ll need to drive your own car or visit as part of an organized group tour.

Best for Ages: All ages! 

Kids Logisitics:  It’s a very kid-friendly park.  You can bring your stroller to part of it, there are diaper changing tables in the toilets, and there’s a café and picnic area.  It is crowded though – always.

Helpful Tip:  Book your tickets online as soon as you know your dates – it can sell out.

Things to See & Do Nearby:  Visit the hilltop village of Capalbio and spend time at one of Maremma’s gorgeous beaches.

Read more about Visiting Tuscany’s Tarot Garden Capalbio with Kids

Explore Family-Friendly Florence

We have plenty of things for kids in Florence, like:

• Family-friendly museums like the Leonardo da Vinci interactive museum or the Stibbert Museum
• Easy opportunities to see famous art like Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia
• Amazing gelato!
• Places to run around and check out amazing views
• Towers to climb – our favorite is Giotto’s bell tower

How to Get There: Florence is easy to reach by train, but you can also reach it by bus or your own car.

Best for Ages:  Any age! 

Kids Logisitics:  Florence has a compact city center, and you can use your stroller.  Diaper changes are best done in restaurants or cafés.  You can find anything you need here – from diapers to clothing to a new stroller.

Helpful Tip:  If you’re visiting in the summer, know that Florence gets toasty!  Try to avoid exploring mid-day and try some of our other Tips to Beat the Heat in Florence .

Things to See & Do Nearby:  Florence is connected to other nearby Italian cities by train (Pisa, Lucca, Bologna), and you can also head into the countryside with your own car.

You may want to check out Florence with Kids Our Favorite Family-Friendly Museums in Florence Where to Find the Best Gelato in Florence Boboli Gardens with Kids Piazzale Michelangelo with Kids Best Day Trips from Florence with Kids What to Do With Your Kids on a Rainy Day in Florence

Go to a Soccer Game

Soccer – or calcio in these parts – is a huge part of Italian culture.  So if you want to immerse your kids in Italian culture, why not attend a soccer game?  There are Serie A teams in Tuscany – Florence’s Fiorentina and Empoli – but lower division games can be just as much fun (especially if you have little ones and don’t want to deal with crowds).

You can watch Serie B squad Pisa play, or even lower divisions or school-age kids. 

How to Get There:  It’s usually easiest to arrive for Serie A matches with public transport, while lower divisions can be reached using your own car (or even a taxi).

Best for Ages:  You could take younger kids to lower divisions, but it will be most fun if your kids know what they’re watching.  Our kids first went to the stadium in Florence at age 3.

Kids Logisitics:  Italian soccer stadiums (big matches) aren’t super kid-friendly.  Don’t bring your stroller, and be prepared to get creative with diaper changes. 

Helpful Tip:  If your kids want to wear a jersey, make sure the jersey is for the home team (where you’ll be sitting).

Things to See & Do Nearby: Explore the city or town you’re in! 

Learn more about Tips for Taking Kids to an Italian Soccer Game Going to a Soccer Game in Italy

Climb the Torre Grossa in San Gimignano

If your kids have energy like mine do, you’ll want to work a tower climb into your itinerary.  Torre Grossa (the ‘fat’ tower) in San Gimignano, is a fun one to climb with kids because it’s not too challenging (just over 200 steps), the views are spectacular (countryside and other towers in San Gimignano), and there are more fun things to see and do in San Gimignano for children. 

How to Get There:  Depending on where you’re located, you can reach San Gimignano by car, train, or bus.  Note that parking is a little outside of town, so expect to walk 5-10 minutes to reach the entrance to town.

Best for Ages:  True, babies won’t really appreciate the climb.  But, technically they’re aloud to go up with you (I’d bring a baby carrier). 

Kids Logisitics:  You can leave your stroller at the base of the tower.  You can use a stroller in San Gimignano (I do), but know that there are a couple of steep climbs in town.  I haven’t found diaper changing tables in the public toilets in San Gimignano. 

Helpful Tip:  A visit to the torre’s palazzo is included.  My boys like to look at the rifle, crossbow, war helmet, and dagger.

Things to See & Do Nearby:  Be sure to explore San Gimignano and get gelato at Gelateria Dondoli, one of the Best Gelaterie in Tuscany .  San Gimignano is near Volterra, Chianti Villages, and Monteriggioni.

Learn about Siena’s Palio

Siena is home to an incredible twice-yearly bareback horserace that takes place in its picturesque main square, the Piazza del Campo.  Everyone (yes, everyone) in Siena is emotionally involved in the races, which are run each July 2 nd and August 16 th .

I’ve been to the actual race (I stood with the hordes in the middle of the piazza – it’s hot and there are no potty breaks!), and I wouldn’t recommend it with kids unless you’re able to get a pricey spot in the stands or in one of the buildings on the square. 

Luckily, even without attending the race, you can still soak up the Palio joy and energy any time of the year.  If you’re in town in the week or so around the race, you’ll see festivities and traditions taking place (the neighborhood’s horse is blessed in the neighborhood chapel).  Otherwise, your kids can roam the contrade (neighborhoods) and choose their favorite symbols. 

How to Get There:  Depending on where you are, you can reach Siena by bus, train, or car.  If you’re using public transportation, I actually prefer the bus, because it drops you off a little closer to the action in the city center.

Best for Ages:  My preschooler and elementary-age boys love the Palio ‘scene,’ and younger kids can run around the Piazza del Campo and play at Siena’s playgrounds.

Kids Logisitics:  Siena is stroller-friendly.  The best diaper-changing spots are in restaurants or cafés you use or you can use your portable changing pad outdoors.

Helpful Tip:  If you or your kids are craving some green space, walk downhill (yes, you need to come back up) to the Orto dei Pecci.  Kids can play in the grass and say hello to the ducks. 

Things to See & Do Nearby:  Siena isn’t far from Monteriggioni , Chianti villages, or the Chianti Sculpture Park.

Read more about Siena with Kids

Visit the Pinocchio Park

This retro-style Pinocchio theme park is in the small village of Collodi, and it’s the perfect place for kids to run around for a few hours.  If you can, read the book or watch the movie before your visit. 

There’s plenty to do at the park, like running through the bamboo forest, ziplining across the river, playing at the playgrounds, watching a short play (in Italian), crawl inside the huge dogfish’s mouth, and participating in workshops. 

How to Get There:  You’ll need your own car to get to the Pinocchio Park. 

Best for Ages: All ages, but little kids will appreciate it the most.  There’s something for everyone in your family – like ziplining for the bigger kids.

Kids Logisitics:  The park is stroller-friendly and there are toilets with changing tables.  There are picnic areas so you can bring your own food if you want to.

Helpful Tip: The tickets are pricey, but they include the Garzoni Gardens and the Butterfly House, so allow enough time to check out at least two of them.

Things to See & Do Nearby:  Collodi is also home to the Butterfly House and Garzoni Gardens (included in your Pinocchio Park ticket).  Nearby, you’ll find the Pistoia Zoo

Read more about Visiting Tuscany’s Pinocchio Park

That’s it – our family’s top 10!  I hope you enjoy one (or more!) of these family-friendly activities in Tuscany as much as we do! 

Candice Criscione

Candice, a mamma of three, is an Italy trip planner and travel guide who has been living, traveling, and working in Italy for over two decades. She uses her extensive experience in Italy to help travelers plan their first (or tenth!) trip to bella Italia. She lives in Tuscany with her husband and three boys and when she’s not writing for Mom in Italy or The Tuscan Mom, you can find her cycling the Tuscan hills and exploring Italy with her boys!

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The best places to visit in Tuscany with kids

The last flight I took with my daughter (before the world changed) was to beautiful Italy , and before our plane home from Rome had even touched down, I started plotting our return with my wishlist of places to visit in Tuscany with kids.

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Because there are so many tempting reasons to visit Tuscany on a family holiday: from Florence and Siena , which I’ve explored and love, to the historic hilltop villages, the famously gorgeous countryside with its vineyards, plenty of luxury villas in Tuscany , even the chance of beach too.

So if you’re wondering where to go in Tuscany with kids, I’ve picked my top 13 places to visit and things to do.

Contents - click to jump to a section

You can’t visit Tuscany with kids without at least a day exploring Florence – although having first seen the city on a meltingly hot day, it’s best to avoid peak summer.

And if you think your kids are going to be bored by art galleries and architecture, there’s plenty to capture their interest. I tried a family tour of the Uffizi , which was perfect to bring the paintings to life, including titbits on the Medici family and a quiz to follow.

Or stroll the streets instead and look for street art – we wandered from Piazza della Signoria towards the Ponte Vecchio bridge, ambling along backstreets and side streets before walking across the famous bridge itself.

There are markets to stroll through, pizza by the slice to buy and gelato galore, including Florentine speciality semifreddo – Perche No, where you can also try making gelato is fantastic.

Find more tours of Florence with kids here

Don’t miss the Duomo, but team it with a ride on the traditional carousel in Piazza della Repubblica, before dressing up as the medieval Medici in the Palazzo Vecchio and rubbing the nose of the bronze boar statue, Il Porcellino, to ensure you return.

Then burn off some energy (and sugar) in the Boboli Gardens or marvel at some of the machines designed by Da Vinci himself in the Leonardo Interactive Museum .

Where to stay in Florence with kids

There are villas within a short driving distance of the city, but if you want to be right in the heart of Florence, Palazzo Bartolommei is almost literally a stone’s throw from the Ponte Vecchio.

With space for 10, it also has its own balcony looking out onto Florence, and modern decor under the ancient wooden ceiling beams.

For somewhere within easy reach of the city, but where you can retreat after a day exploring, Top Villas has some gorgeous properties which are perfect for bigger families such as Villa Beltrami , with its own pool.

Quieter than Florence – unless you visit for the Palio! – Siena is made for wandering around. Home to another beautiful cathedral, even kids will love spotting the colours of the ornate ceiling and the mosaics on the floor, as well as great views from the tower.

Kids who love animals will be fascinated by the tales of Siena’s different areas or ‘contrada’, each with their own mascot, still used today for the Palio horse race.

You could set yourself a mini treasure hunt to spot as many animals as you can along the streets (fuelled by more gelato, of course), or try a walking tour of Siena to discover more about the historic rivalries and how the different areas got their names – the silkmakers are represented by a caterpillar, for example.

Everywhere you look, there are mementoes of Siena’s past – medieval toilets attached to the outside of houses in Piazza del Campo, iron rings on walls to tether horses, even the relics of Saint Catherine in the Basilica San Domenico.

There’s also a Children’s Art Museum to explore within Santa Maria della Scala, including opportunities to get hands on.

Where to stay in Siena with kids

There are some great villas around 30 minutes’ drive from Siena, including renovated farmhouses for larger groups and options for smaller families – the collection from Top Villas has some gorgeous luxury properties.

Or consider the areas of Poggibonsi and Colle di Val d’Elsa, which make an ideal base to explore the whole area, including Florence and Volterra.

Villa Ellerone sleeps up to 24, perfect ifTop you’re planning to escape with a group of friends or for a big family holiday (or you can also rent 7-8 rooms for smaller groups), and has its own pool.

If there’s one landmark that’ll definitely be on your kids’ wishlist, it’s the Leaning Tower of Pisa , tilting at its 4 degree angle.

Dating back to the 12th century, the bell tower has been tilting little by little since it was built, until work to stabilise it finished in 2001. You can climb the tower, although only with children over the age of 8.

Buy a skip-the-line ticket here

And it might be touristy but who can resist posing for a photo looking as if you’re holding it up? You can’t go onto the grass in front but stand on one of the bollards and wait for a clear shot to get the pose – or just amuse yourself looking at the shapes everyone else is pulling.

You can also head over to the cathedral for a different view, which can be quieter. But be prepared for crowds here: this is another one that’s best done in shoulder season or arrive early, to avoid standing in the sun too long.

As well as exploring the rest of the cathedral complex, you’re not far from Pisa’s botanical gardens, the Orto Botanico di Pisa , a lovely shady spot for a stroll. Or head out to see the remains of an aqueduct at Parco Don Bosco (with a playground for kids).

Where to stay in Pisa with kids

It’s best to stay somewhere outside the city, as a base to explore this part of Tuscany – pretty Villa Gioli in Fauglia is only a half-hour drive from Pisa itself, but also a good base to explore Livorno, and even Viareggio and Lucca. Sleeping up to 12 (with the option to hire four bedrooms), it has its own pool.

To be even closer, Villa Rossa from TopVillas is less than 15 minutes’ drive and sleeps up to 14.

Enclosed by its medieval city walls, Lucca is ideal with younger kids – smaller than Florence, and less visited than Pisa and Siena, its relaxed feel is perfect for strolling.

Take a walk along the walls themselves, or hire a bike, before getting some of the best views from the top of Lucca’s towers: you can climb the 14th century Torre della Ore, the town’s tallest, and Torre Guinigi, with its garden at the top.

If you prefer to let an expert reveal the city to you, check out this guided walking tour of Lucca for kids .

Don’t miss Piazza dell’anfiteatro, originally a Roman amphitheatre that’s now lined with cafes (and room for kids to run around). And in summer, you’ll find festivals and music to entertain too, even a chance to hear some Puccini in his home town

If you’re driving to Lucca, don’t try to head within the walls as you risk a fine: there is parking on the outskirts or it’s a short train ride from Pisa (and just over 90 minutes by train from Florence)

Where to stay in Lucca with kids

Only 10 minutes’ drive from Lucca, six-bed Orfea has its own infinity pool and is only half an hour from the beach, while Villa Arianna – a former manor house – is another lovely family base, 4km from the city.

The Campannori area is also a lovely option, close enough to Lucca to explore but with the chance to stay in a villa, so you have your own space and a pool to lounge by.

Villa Chiodo is a lovely old stone building with wood beamed ceilings, plus a huge kitchen, stylish bathrooms and great views.

The best hilltop towns in Tuscany with kids

Away from the cities, you can’t visit Tuscany with kids without seeing at least one of the picturesque hilltop towns . How many you squeeze in depends on your kids’ love of wandering through the little streets and the views of the countryside.

Volterra is one of my favourites – and if you have older kids who love the Twilight books, it’s unmissable. Make a stop at Dolceria del Corso, the town’s oldest pastry shop for cakes and treats, including bite-size doughnuts, before strolling off to discover Roman history, Etruscan tombs, crafts made with local alabaster marble and viewpoints galore.

Not far away is San Gimignano , one of the most famous Tuscan hilltop towns with its 15 towers, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Tuscany – both are driving distance from Siena, Florence and Pisa.

Further east towards Arezzo , you’ll find Cortona and Montepulciano – the first known as the location where the bestselling book Under The Tuscan Sun was set. Montepulciano rivals San Gimignano for the ‘most beautiful’ title (not to mention being famous for its wine).

Or south of Siena, Montalcino is another great option for those who love food and wine.

The beach in Tuscany with kids

The seaside might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Tuscany, but if your family holiday isn’t complete without a beach, you won’t be short of choice.

If you’re staying around Volterra or Livorno, it’s even possible to drive to Piombino to take the ferry across to the island of Elba – a long day, but a memorable one, and the long sandy beach at   Marino di Campo is perfect with kids.

Not far from Lucca, Viareggio also has a fabulous sandy beach – the northern end around Forte dei Marmi is packed with stylish beach clubs and places to see and be seen rather than making sandcastles, but you’ll find ‘spiaggia libera’ or free beach at Viareggio.

Head further south towards Maremma and you’ll find the beaches most popular with Tuscan families – follow in their lead and rent a villa by the beach .

More things to do in Tuscany with kids

Vineyards in tuscany with kids.

Visiting a vineyard might be on most parents’ wishlists for a family holiday in Tuscany, but what about the kids? Happily as Italians love children, everywhere is family-friendly, and many will provide grape juice for them to try at the tasting sessions.

Many are also set on farms, so there’s a chance to spot animals between sips: Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona even has wolves along with its Brunello di Montalcino vintages.

You need to make reservations for tastings at any vineyards, so it’s easy to check in advance – or consider a tour guide who can recommend the best options with children.

Family attractions in Tuscany

If wandering medieval streets and historic towns loses its appeal for your kids after a few days, there are some great family attractions to visit in Tuscany with kids as well.

Head into the trees – Parco Avventura Il Gigante , north of Florence, has a high ropes course in the trees, as well as easier routes for younger kids.

Or if you’re staying near the coast, you could visit a waterpark in Tuscany. Acqua Village in Cecina, just sound of Livorno, has flumes, pools and other splashy fun – plus a sister waterpark in Follonica, not far from Piombino.

Visit the zoo – choose from the Zoological Garden of Pistoia near Florence, with more than 400 animals to spot, or the smaller Poppi zoo to the east of the city.

Explore a castle – there are some majestic fortresses and fairytale castles dotted across Tuscany. Some have become libraries and museums, others are still intact, but it’s a great place for kids to let their imaginations run widl.

One of the most impressive is the Castello Dell’Imperatore – the emperor’s castle in Prato , built for the King of Sicily, Frederick II. Take the stairs to the viewpoint at the top and debate how you’d have finished this grand fortress if you were in charge – building work stopped on the emperor’s death so it was never completed.

Gaze at the stars – out in the heart of the countryside, there’s plenty of inspiration to stare up to the heavens. But if you want to know more about what you’re seeing, head to the Planetarium at the Fondazione Scienza e Tecnica in Florence, which you can visit on Sunday afternoons.

Visit an unusual theme park – the author of the Adventures of Pinocchio was born in Collodi in Tuscany, so it’s unmissable for anyone who loves the stories, especially the Parco di Pinocchio theme park, with a sculpture trail, rides that are perfect for younger kids, and puppets.

PIN FOR LATER: WHERE TO GO IN TUSCANY WITH KIDS

Disclosure: Compiled in collaboration with Kinglike Concierge villas. This post also contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission . All opinions and love of gelato are my own

Images: Pisa/Lucca/beach/vineyard/castle courtesy Depositphotos, villa images courtesy Kinglike Concierge, all others copyright MummyTravels

Award-winning family travel blogger and mum to the mini traveller, aka Minnie. Together we've visited Europe, America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia, tried a cruise and a road trip, and survived countless long-haul trips. London (UK) based. Serious beach habit.

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Top 7 Things to Do in Tuscany with Kids

Tuscany family holidays are absolutely perfect for those who have a family of inquisitive minds, playful attitudes and explorer tendencies. While it may be seen as a bit more of a grown-up destination, there’s actually loads of stuff things to do in Tuscany for families, and a whole bunch of events and activities that make a perfect day out.

Take the history of the region for example, from the interactive museums and galleries of Florence to the living history of Lucca’s city walls, Tuscany is a place in which it’s impossible not to learn a little, which is great for inquisitive minds. Having played an important role in Italian, European and world history, Tuscany is just the place to get your kids interacting with Renaissance art and Roman history on a first-hand basis. 

If you’ve got a couple of young’uns that can’t stay still then don’t worry on that account either, because Tuscany is a destination that offers an incredible range of activities. The region is a cyclist’s paradise, and trails, routes, and famous climbs can be found near the majority of our holiday villas. In the rural interior, there’s plenty of opportunities to go hiking, mountaineering, and exploring or to get your hands dirty and try helping out on a farm. Horse riding is also a popular option for children of all ages.

If you’re a family of beach lovers and water babies, then the resorts and nature parks that make up a significant portion of the Tuscan coast will be right up your street! Whether your teens want to give scuba-diving a shot or the whole family fancies kayaking down a gently-flowing river, there’s plenty of opportunities to dive on in and get yourself wet.

Don’t forget that our huge range of villas in Tuscany means that whatever age kids you’ve got, we’ve got the amenities and extras to make your holiday a breeze – everything from babysitters to baby rattles and games and even games console and wifi for older ones. But when you want to get out and about this list will help you out!

The best things to do on a Tuscany family holiday:

1. wander the vineyards with walk about tuscany.

Why go: Walking tours and children aren’t always a match made in heaven, but they can be. All you need to ensure the youngsters aren’t bored out of their minds is a patient guide who uses child-friendly lingo and lots of space for the kids to run about. And a castle doesn’t hurt either. At seven kilometres, this child-suitable walking tour around the Chianti vineyards from Walk About Tuscany is manageable for little legs. The whole family will ramble together through vines that are owned by the family behind the famous Chianti recipe. You’ll then head to the gardens of the magnificent Brolio Castle; the historic and imposing structure will capture the imagination of children.

Location:  Via Duprè 3 53100 Siena, Italy

Book: Call +39 349 710 3833

Walkabout Tuscany

2. Monkey around at Parco Avventura Il Gigante

Why go : One way to keep kids cheery while on holiday is to intersperse regular sightseeing with some more adventurous activities they’re bound to love. Treat them to an afternoon of climbing through the trees at this high ropes course, set in the woods north of Florence. A low-level route with a tunnel and a mini zip-line allow for nippers as young as three to get in on the action. Other more demanding courses, with ascending levels of difficulty, will put older children’s, teenagers’ and even adults’ balance and acrobatic skills to the test.

Location:  Via Fiorentina, 276, 50036 Vaglia FI, Italy

Book: Online at   Parco Avventura Il Gigante

Parco Avventura Il Gigante – Tuscany

3. Whizz around Florence with Italy Segway Tours

Why go: One way to make Florence’s arresting architecture seem more exciting for children is to change the mode of transport. Walking, particularly when it’s aimless, can feel boring and mundane for little ones; flying around on a Segway, however, is much more fun. Plus, you’ll see more in three hours than you could ever possibly see on foot, including Duomo Square, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery, Uffizi Square and Repubblica Square. Arrange for a private family tour and you’ll have your very own licensed tour guide to provide explanations and information about everything you see, meaning your youngsters might even learn a thing or two. This activity is best suited to slightly older children, as they need to be at least four foot six inches tall and weigh more than 90 pounds.

Location: Various Locations

Book:  Online at Italy Segway Tours

Italy Segway Tours – Tuscany

4. Inspect medieval weapons at Museo Stibbert

Why go: The Uffizi may be revered among art-loving adults, but we’re confident that most people under the age of 16 will prefer this incredible and utterly eccentric private collection. Entrance to this museum includes a guided tour around the rooms of a vast villa where the original owner of the collection, Stibbert, once lived. The rooms now hold a gobsmacking assortment of old weapons (swords, bow and arrows, daggers and more) that will amaze children with even a passing interest in armour and knights, as well as various tapestries, paintings and costumes. The museum makes for a refreshing break for families who have had enough of the Renaissance art, churches and palaces.

Location:  Via Federigo Stibbert 26, Firenze, Italy

Book: Call +39055475520

Museo Stibbert – Tuscany

Most Exciting Ways to Explore Tuscany and its Countryside How to Spend a Family Holiday in Italy Top 10 Family Friendly Villas in Tuscany

5. Cool off at Acqua Village

Why go: Few things signal summer more than a day out at a water park, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a child who isn’t keen on water-based fun. If you’re anywhere near the Tuscan coast, it’s definitely worth devoting a day of your holiday to fooling around at the Acqua Village. This large waterpark has two outposts: one in Follonica near Grosseto, the other in Cecina near Livorno. Both are equipped with enough flumes, chutes and pools to entertain your offspring for hours.

Location:  via Tevere, 25 , 57023, Cecina, Italy

Book: Call  +39 0586 622539

Acqua Village – Tuscany

6. Stalk big cats at the Zoological Garden of Pistoia

Why go: One thing that never fails to raise a smile for kids? Animals. When it comes to furry creatures, children are easily pleased – even a squirrel or sheep will have them squealing with delight. Of course, when the species get a little more exotic, the squeals get even louder! If this hypothesis is true, you may want to cover your ears for the duration of your visit to Pistoia Zoo. Located just outside of Florence, Pistoia is the most popular zoo in the province and is home to more than 400 animals. From the cuddly (alpacas and penguins) to the cheeky (monkeys) to the scary (lions, tigers and bears), creatures of all kinds can be found within these enclosures.

Location:  Via Pieve a Celle Nuova 160/a 51100 Pistoia

Book: Online at  Zoological Garden of Pistoia

Giardino Zoologico di Pistoia – Tuscany

7. Conduct experiments at Museo Galileo

Why go: Wannabe scientists will love this kid-centric museum in central Florence, which is filled to the brim with science-related equipment and curios. All manner of ancient scientific, astronomical and mathematical instruments are displayed here, including old telescopes, barometers and clocks. Be on the lookout for the rather grisly exhibit that includes two of Galileo’s own fingers as well as a tooth from the Pisa-born astronomer’s mouth. Aspiring physicists will be tickled pink by the interactive sections, where they can get their little mitts on replica instruments and observe live demonstrations.

Location:  Piazza dei Giudici, 1, 50122 Firenze, Italy

Book: Call +39 055 265 311

Museo Galileo – Tuscany

Tempted to take the whole clan to Tuscany yet? You can get a few more ideas over on our blog, where you can browse through our  most beautiful towns and villages in Tuscany or get tips on ‘must see’ Tuscan places straight from a bunch of well traveled bloggers . If you’re thinking of booking one of our holiday villas, you might want to talk to our helpful concierge team ! They can help tailor your rental so it’s perfect for your family, and even help arrange those little extras that make a family holiday extra memorable. Fancy perusing our collection yourself? Head on over to our website !

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The 9 Best Under-the-Radar Family Activities in Tuscany

Tuscany is one of Europe’s most visited tourist destinations, and there’s no shortage of family-friendly activities to choose from. While you can’t go wrong with a stroll across the Ponte Vecchio in Florence or a trip to Pisa to pose with one of the world’s most photographed monuments, some of the best-kept secrets are tucked within the lesser known foothills and mountaintop villages. From cheese-making at a local family-owned dairy farm to grotto diving to truffle hunting, here are some of the best family-friendly activities to enjoy under the Tuscan sun all-year round.

1. Take a Cooking Class

One of the best ways to enjoy the rich bounty of Italian cuisine is by learning how to make it from scratch. And there’s no better way to do that than at Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa. C hef de cuisine Alessandro Manfredini will take you on a tour of the local markets in the beautiful hilltop town of Barga before heading back to the hotel’s private kitchen, where he’ll teach you how to make a traditional Italian meal.

2. Learn How To Make Cheese

Set in the world famous winemaking region of Montepulciano, Cugusi Dairy is a great place to stop and learn all about the art of Italian cheese-making. In the area’s largest producer of pecorino, the Cugusi family has been producing some of area’s most distinguished pecorino since 1962. Today you can tour the farm, meet the cows and learn how to make cheese in their on-site facility.

3. Hit the Beach

Beaches probably aren’t the first thing you think of when you think of Tuscany, but with more than 200-miles of beautiful coastline, a day on the beach — especially in the dog days of summer — can be just as appealing as a day in the countryside. Some of the most beautiful and family-friendly beaches can found along the Maremma coastline. Check out the beaches in Viareggio, which are known for their calm waters, long sandy shores and month-long carnival season every March.

4. Go on a Truffle Hunt

Some of Tuscany’s most delightful, if not delicious, exports are truffles. Many of the best white and black truffles are grown throughout Tuscany due to the rich minerals and mild climate found there year-round. Go on a truffle hunt in the hills around San Miniato with the Truffle Hunter before enjoying a truffle infused lunch afterwards.

5. Bike Along a Medieval Wall

Lucca is easily one of Tuscany’s most charming medieval towns, and there’s no better way to see it than on a bicycle. One of the best places to start in this fortified city is by biking the very walls that were once meant to protect it. Dating back to the 16 th century, the walls remain completely intact. Grab a bike from one of the many bike rental spots in town or hop on a tour. Either way, this is a leisurely, can’t-miss activity in Lucca.

6. Head Underground

Set in the northern part of Tuscany in Apuan Alp Park, Grotta del Vento — or the ‘windy cave’ — is an intricate system of underground caves and grottos that date back to the 17 th  century. See stalagmites, stalactites and the underground pools and waterfalls that abound in this otherworldly realm.

7. Take a Hot Dip

Perhaps one of Tuscany’s lesser known tourist attractions, thermal pools are ubiquitous throughout the region and are a great family-friendly activity all-year round. Located in the Maremma region of southern Tuscany near the village of Saturnia,  Terme di Saturnia  and Fonte Pura Thermal Baths  are two great places to take a dip — if you can stand the smell, that is.

8. Walk Across Devil’s Bridge

Just outside of Lucca, Ponte della Maddalena, or ‘Devil’s Bridge’ as it’s commonly known, is easily one of Tuscany’s most beautiful places to visit. Built in the 12 th  century, the folklore surrounding its infamous name varies depending on who you ask. One of the most common tales stems from the legend of Saint Julian, the protector of travelers. When unable to finish building the bridge, he asked the devil for help — in return offering the soul of the first person to cross it. They struck a deal and according to legend, Saint Julian sent a dog across (some people say it was a pig). Either way, what stands today is a magnificent piece of architecture that is well worth the visit.

9. Check Out The World’s Smallest Theater

Heralded as being one of the smallest theaters in the world, Teatrino di Vetriano is an absolute must-do. Dating back to the 19 th century and measuring 765 square feet, this 80-seat jewel box of a theater in the village of Vetriano still hosts small concerts and plays.

Where to Stay:

While there are a number of excellent family-friendly hotels to choose from all across Tuscany,  Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa — set in the hills overlooking the village of Barga — is an especially great place for families. The resort is situated on 1,700 acres and is replete with both indoor and outdoor pools. a Plus, they also offer babysitting services so you can sneak in some romance or relax in the full-service spa. It makes for an ideal location to post up for a few days and explore the Tuscan countryside and just a few miles from outdoor activities ranging from kayaking and river-rafting to biking.

By Michelle Gross

Find more  Tuscany  family travel inspiration.

Related articles, west is best: sicily's less travelled coast wins hands down with kids, find the best family cruise vacations for adventurous kids in 2023, the best family activities in naples, italy, the ultimate family-friendly luxury hotel on italy’s amalfi coast, roaming the roads of the romans: the ultimate ancient italy road trip, 5 reasons to love trentino, italy, love to travel with your family.

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Experience the best of Tuscany with this regional guide

Apr 7, 2024 • 11 min read

Have the most memorable trip to Tuscany with this comprehensive guide to the best of the region © Gavin Hellier / Stocksy United

Tuscany escapes easy definition. The Apennines – Italy’s mountainous spine – slope into vineyard-covered rolling hills, which in turn fade into the Mediterranean coast. This blend of diverse landscapes is home to the remains of millennia-old Etruscan settlements, isolated hamlets whose stone-built bell towers date back to the Middle Ages, and grand art cities whose heritage is invaluable. 

With sarcasm being the local language, Tuscans may not seem to take such wealth too seriously. Understanding the many different facets of this rich Central Italian region can feel overwhelming. Florence tends to grab most of the attention, but it's worth exploring beyond the Renaissance city to discover more unexpected treasures.

Whether you are planning an art-filled tour of medieval cities, a road trip through the twisting countryside roads of Val d’Orcia, or a multi-day hike along the Via Francigena pilgrim route, here is how to figure it all out.

When should I go to Tuscany?

Late spring to early autumn is when most people visit Tuscany. It’s easy to understand why – days get longer and warmer, the countryside comes to life, outdoor dining opportunities abound, and festivals happen all around. Florence runs its Calcio Storico tournament and the region’s largest music festival, Firenze Rocks ; Siena has its traditional Palio horse race; Pistoia hosts its Blues Festival ; and Cortona its International Photography Festival  (and there’s more).

July and August are peak holiday season. It’s when most Italians go on holiday and temperatures get scorching – days surpassing 35ºC (95ºF) have become the norm at this time of the year. Visiting in the middle of summer (especially in August) means finding beaches clogged and cities empty. Prices are significantly higher in popular destinations and booking accommodation in advance is well advised.

The two shoulder seasons – either between late April and June, or in September and October – typically offer the best compromise between good weather, flows of people, and prices.

Come in spring and you’ll see the countryside in full bloom; visit in autumn to catch the wine harvest – and related events like the Expo del Chianti Classico in September – and truffle fairs such as San Miniato’s White Truffle Exhibition in November.

Tourism slows down during winter, especially after the Christmas holidays. The coast goes into hibernation, and many countryside hotels shut down until spring. Cities offer the chance to visit famous museums without crowds – often at reduced prices, as is the case for the Uffizi in Florence – and deals on accommodation are more easily found.

How much time do I need to visit Tuscany?

With so much to see and do, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed in Tuscany. There is no perfect length of stay when it comes to exploring the region – whether you feel drawn to art, food, or the outdoors, you’ll likely leave looking forward to a second trip. 

With walkable cities well-connected by public transport, five days will allow you time to tour Florence’s main sights and then jump on the train for a day trip in Siena , Lucca , or Arezzo . If you’d rather drive yourself, you can explore Val d’Orcia in about three days or plan a week-long road trip starting from Pisa which will take you through the rural towns that dot the hilly interior.

Slow travelers can also walk the path of the Tuscan section of the ancient Via Francigena – the pilgrim route that connected the Canterbury with Rome during the Middle Ages – crossing 38 municipalities over the course of 16 (or more) days.

Basing yourself in Rome?  Here's how to plan a day trip to Tuscany

Is it easy to get in and around Tuscany? 

Tuscany has two international airports, Florence and Pisa. Pisa's Galileo Galilei (PSA) airport is serviced by many low-cost airlines and has twice the passenger traffic of Firenze's Amerigo Vespucci (FLR) airport. The two cities are connected with a direct railway, which takes just over an hour to travel.

If you're not flying in from abroad, it is possible to reach Florence with high-speed trains departing from many major Italian cities, including Rome , Naples , Milan , Bologna  and Venice .

Tuscany's rail network spans across 181 stations, providing an affordable means of exploring the region. You can buy regional train tickets conveniently through trenitalia.com, or at any station. Remember to validate paper tickets purchased at the station before boarding the train.

Trains do not run to many of the smaller towns and while buses are available, the best way of moving around rural areas is by car. Major rental companies, such as Budget, Sixt, Hertz, operate around Tuscany, with the largest offer available in Florence and Pisa.

Link your trip with these other great destinations in Italy

Where are the best places to go in Tuscany?

Tuscany is divided into ten provinces and people are famously proud of the defining characteristics of each. The days of warring city states are long gone, but by speaking to locals you will learn that food, dialects, and traditions can still differ widely from city to city – here is what to expect.

Renowned for its incomparable Renaissance heritage, Florence often feels like an open-air museum. The Tuscan capital is far from large, but its compact historic core packs grandiose cathedrals – such as Santa Maria del Fiore topped by Brunelleschi’s cupola, Santa Croce and Santa Maria Novella  – opulent palaces, and some of the region’s best art museums.

The Galleria degli Uffizi , one of Italy’s most visited museums, tends to be high on everyone’s list, but there are plenty more options for art lovers including Michelangelo’s masterpieces in the Cappelle Medicee and the Galleria dell’Accademia , and the Medici’s heritage at Palazzo Pitti and Palazzo Vecchio .

Outside the thick stone walls of its captivating galleries, Florence boasts a cosmopolitan character and a vibrant culinary scene. Roam its markets in San Lorenzo or Santo Spirito , explore crafts and design workshops in the Oltrarno, and then fuel up with a stuffed schiacciata  (Tuscan flatbread) at Forno Becagli or Sapori Toscani. Before dinner, get a negroni then hit one of the city’s many trattorias .

Traveling on a budget? Here are our tips for saving your euros in Florence

The Chianti region

The core of Tuscany’s most famous wine region stretches between Florence and Siena, offering as many tasting opportunities as you can imagine. The Strada Statale 222, better known as Via Chiantigiana, runs through the whole of the Chianti region north to south, twisting among vineyard-covered hills and medieval castles, making for an ideal road trip.

Antinori nel Chianti Classico , on the outskirts of Florence, is perhaps the region’s best-known winery – its futuristic headquarters in were completed in 2012, but the Antinori family has been in the wine business for over six hundred years, since Giovanni di Piero Antinori joined the Arte Fiorentina dei Vinattieri (Florentine Winemakers' Guild) in 1385. Many other wineries are found along the way, including the excellent boutique winery Capanelle and the imposing Castello di Brolio of the Ricasoli winery.

One of Tuscany’s most beautiful squares – Piazza del Campo – marks the center of Siena, Florence’s eternal rival that emerged during the Middle Ages as a progressive city-state where art and architecture flourished. Each year, the semi-circular piazza commonly known as “Il Campo” hosts the Palio, one of the most heartfelt events of the year in which Siena’s neighborhoods compete in a horse race with thousands of people watching.

Siena is worth spending a few days in, but if you are short on time make sure to enter its Duomo – Giovanni and Nicola Pisano, Pinturicchio, Michelangelo, Donatello and Gian Lorenzo Bernini all contributed to making the cathedral an unchallenged masterpiece. Don’t miss the floor, a composition of 56 marble panels forming a mosaic with scenes from the Old Testament, created by various artists between the 14th and the 19th centuries.

Val d’Orcia

The postcard image of Tuscany you have in mind likely comes from Val d’Orcia, the UNESCO-inscribed region where cypress-lined roads lead to dreamy farmhouses surrounded by hay bales that look like they are just about to roll down the hills. Films such as Anthony Minghella’s The English Patient and Ridley Scott’s The Gladiator have used Val d’Orcia as their backdrop and road tripping this region guarantees exceptional views all around.

Many charming towns dot this rural area. The construction of Pienza was commissioned to architect Bernardo Rossellino, a student of Leon Battista Alberti, by Enea Silvio Piccolomini, a humanist born who would become Pope Pius II in 1458, as the “ideal Renaissance city” and still stands as one of the main settlements in the Val d’Orcia. Nearby you can find the thermal waters of Bagno Vignoni and the fortress of Montalcino , globally revered for its prized Brunello wine.

The 12m tall walls surrounding Lucca’s historic center, built between 1513 and 1650 and stretching for four kilometers across eleven bastions, are among Europe’s best preserved fortifications and function as the city’s green lung with large parks and tree-lined paths offering great views over Lucca’s heart.

This charming city makes for an ideal day trip from Florence – inside the fortress walls, you’ll find Lucca’s Cattedrale di San Martino , where Gothic and Romanesque elements blend to form the structure housing one of Tuscany’s most precious artifacts, the celebrated Volto Santo (holy face) crucifix, believed to be one of the oldest wooden sculptures in Europe.

In summer the city hosts its Lucca Summer Festival , held in Piazza Napoleone. Over the years, artists such as Elton John, The Scorpions, Green Day, and Sting have played in the city. Another important event is the Lucca Comics & Games , one of Europe’s largest comics festivals held each year in autumn.

Pisa is often reduced to its leaning tower but there is much more to see, both inside and outside the UNESCO-listed Piazza dei Miracoli. In the Middle Ages Pisa was one of Italy’s most powerful maritime republics, and signs of its wealth are still part of this city which is now home of one of Tuscany's most important universities.

The monumental cemetery of Piazza dei Miracoli, established in 1277 to house the remains of the city’s elite, houses one of the city’s most important frescoes, the recently restored Il Trionfo della Morte (The Triumph of Death) by Buonamico Buffalmacco. Beyond Piazza dei Miracoli you find the new Navi di Pisa Museum which traces the history of the city’s relationship with the sea and features parts of over 800 ships excavated in Pisa’s surroundings.

The islands

Distant from the museums and the cathedrals of the region's art cities are the seven islands of the Tuscan archipelago, ideally positioned for a Mediterranean escape after an overload of culture. The islands – Elba, Giglio, Montecristo, Capraia, Pianosa, Giannutri and Gorgona – come to life during summer and it’s worth booking accommodation well in advance if you plan to visit in the high season. Elba is the largest of the seven, offering both great beaches and hiking opportunities along its Grande Traversata Elbana (GTE, Elba’s Great Crossing) trail.

The Apuan Alps

The Parco Naturale delle Alpi Apuane stretches across two areas of northeastern Tuscany that few people take the time to visit, Lunigiana and Garfagnana. The rugged Apuan Alps take their name from their resemblance to the actual Alps, although they are much smaller in size with peaks under 2,000 meters. 

Historically these mountains have been the main source of Carrara marble, extracted since Roman times in the quarries surrounding the city of Carrara. Today, much of the area is a protected nature reserve marked by a vast network of hiking trails. The hamlets of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana and Barga are good spots to start your exploration of the region – either by relaxing around the Lago di Vagli or committing to a multi-day hike along the Via Vandelli, connecting Massa to Modena.

How much money do I need in Tuscany?

Costs in Tuscany can vary widely depending on where and when you go. Prices tend to be inflated in areas that attract large tourism flows like central Florence and Siena and skyrocket along the coast during summer months. Still, it is possible to visit on a budget by relying on public transport and looking for accommodation deals outside peak summer months.

Find out what one visitor spent on a weekend trip to Florence

A guide to daily costs in Tuscany

• Basic double room: €80
• Espresso coffee: €1.20
• Car rental: €65
• A stuffed schiacciata sandwich: €5
• Dinner for two with a bottle of local wine: €70
• Museum ticket: €10€to €20
• Petrol: €1.80/liter
• City parking: €2/hour
• Aperitivo cocktail: €7
• Glass of wine: €5
• Train ticket from Florence to Pisa: €8.90

This article was first published August 2023 and updated April 2024

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10 Unmissable Family Attractions in Tuscany

As the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, Tuscany was once the home of outstanding artists, scientists, and polymaths such as Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo, Michelangelo, and Botticelli. Influenced by earlier Tuscan thinkers such as Dante Alighieri and Petrarch and under the patronage of powerful Tuscan benefactors, the Medicis, these thinkers helped turn the region into the cultural powerhouse that it remains to this day.

Indeed, with its medieval cities, fascinating museums, gorgeous vineyards, and charming villas, Tuscany remains famous as a travel destination par excellence. For families who love combining travel fun with historical cities and educational opportunities , it doesn’t get much better than a trip to this northern region of Italy.

Here are just ten great sites to visit with the whole family in Tuscany , and why a trip here can create memories for a lifetime.

This post is part of our destination series Discover Europe 

1. Uffizi Gallery, Florence

Home to some of the most beautiful Renaissance artworks in all of Europe, the Uffizi is justly considered one of the world’s great museums. The building was commissioned by a powerful member of the Medici family in the 16th century, and its extensive list of works for display includes pieces by Michelangelo, Caravaggio, da Vinci, Botticelli, Raphael, and Titian.

2. Leaning Tower of Pisa

As one of Tuscany’s most distinctive landmarks, the Leaning Tower will provide families with a great way to learn about Italian history and architecture. No trip to Italy would be complete without a family photo taken at this historic place!

You can see a great 2-week itinerary for Italy here

3. museo galileo, florence.

If your kids love learning about science, they’ll love a trip to the Museo Galileo in Florence. One of the most revolutionary figures in science history, Galileo’s ideas cemented the humanistic drive of Renaissance culture and changed the way that human beings pictured the universe around them.

4. Villas in Tuscany

While a stay in Florence has its marvels and unique way of living, many travellers now opt to experience Tuscan country life firsthand by staying in a local villa. By spending time at a Tuscan villa , families can experience the wonders of the Italian countryside in true style.

Whether we’re relaxing with a glass of wine from a local vineyard or simply taking in hilltop views with our families, a stay in a villa in Tuscany can be a truly remarkable experience.

5. Family Cooking Class, Florence

Tuscany is justly famous for its world-class cuisine, and families who love to cook together will greatly enjoy taking a cooking class for all ages in the region’s beautiful capital.

A great way to show off new cooking skills to friends back home, a Tuscan cooking class is a fun (and delicious!) way for the whole family to learn more about the wonders of Italian culture. It is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Florence with kids .

6. The Medieval City of Siena

For families who like to take their travel experiences with a bit of history thrown in for good measure, it doesn’t get much better than a day trip to the city of Siena . Still defined by its medieval fortifications and timeless architecture, Siena offers families a chance to see what Tuscan life was like in a bygone age.

7. Leonardo da Vinci Museum, Florence

While he is primarily known as the painter of such works as the “Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper,” Leonardo da Vinci was also a keen inventor who envisioned underwater boats and flying machines hundreds of years before the invention of either the submarine or the aeroplane.

Da Vinci’s inventions seem to spring to life at this wonderful museum; here, kids can learn more about what made da Vinci a great artist and the quintessential Renaissance man.

8. Galleria dell’Accademia, Florence

As the current home of Michelangelo’s famous sculpture of the biblical hero David, the Galleria dell’Accademia remains one of Tuscany’s premiere destinations for travellers. Set in one of Florence’s most beautiful districts, the Galleria offers families the chance to enjoy some of the greatest works of art from the Renaissance.

Afterward, families can bask in the ambiance of the location’s nearby cafes, parks, and restaurants in true Florentine fashion.

9. Palazzo Vecchio, Florence

Dominating one of Florence’s central squares and providing visitors with a glimpse into Tuscany’s proud heritage as a once-great Medieval power centre, the Palazzo Vecchio traces its origins to a period of history when poets like Dante Alighieri strolled the city’s streets. Nearby gelato stands can also provide families with a fun treat as they journey through the city’s ancient streets.

10. Pinocchio Park, Collodi

While most of us are familiar with Pinocchio due to the Disney film of the same name, the character actually has his roots in Tuscan culture. First published in 1883, “The Adventures of Pinocchio” was a book that revolutionized Italian literature.

Now based in the Tuscan town from which the book’s author took his pen name, Pinocchio Park offers families a great chance to experience the world of the character firsthand.

A trip to Tuscany can be one of a family’s greatest experiences. Whether we’re learning more about great Renaissance thinkers like Galileo or Leonardo da Vinci or simply basking in the glory of the Tuscan countryside, there is nothing quite like a visit to one of Italy’s most charming regions. Truly, that is travel at its best!

You may also like to read more about Tuscany in Winter , or why not learn more about Florence with kids

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Family holidays in Tuscany

Family holidays in Tuscany are all about sandy beaches, quirky museums, some mysterious castles and glorious parks where children can run free.

Go Medieval in Tuscany

Medieval towns in Tuscany  can be like historical amusement parks for children. Take the small walled town of Monteriggioni  for example, an atmospheric Medieval town complete with towers where video game Assassin’s Creed is set. Walking along the perfectly preserved ramparts can set off any child’s imagination, and at the Armoury Museum they can even experience being a knight for a day. Check out the Summer Medieval festival for some full immersion Medieval fun.

Another mighty medieval town is  San Gimignano . Its famous towers are still standing after eight centuries and it has a Torture Museum that’s not for the faint hearted. For something less gruesome, visit San Gimignano 300 with faithful reproductions of the Medieval town that can entertain kids and adults alike.

And don’t forget Volterra and Montepulciano , the ideal stop for fans of the Twilight saga. Vampire geeks can visit the town where the books are set and see the square where some of the scenes from “New Moon” were filmed. This fun Vampire Tours of Volterra follows in the footsteps of Bella and Edward Cullen !

Fun with history in Florence

For more history-inspired entertainment, make a visit to Palazzo Vecchio in Florence . This Small-Group Palazzo Vecchio Secret Passages Tour is a great way to bring the city’s history to life and explore some hidden rooms and passageways.

Florence is full of child-friendly museums  which are a great way to give them a break from all that art. But if what they need is a bit of action, an afternoon spent in the vast, and safe, Boboli Gardens  make a ideal spot for a little hide-and-seek.

=> Have a look at this great Florence’s guide for kids

Get a ticket for the hop-on hop-off Bus Tour of Florence . Select a 1-, 2- or 3-day pass and travel around the city’s top attractions, hopping on and off as you like . See the panoramic views from Piazzale Michelangelo, the burial spot of Galileo and Machiavelli at Santa Croce church and more. Your pass includes unlimited rides for the duration selected and 360-degree views from the open air of the upper deck.

Get active!

Places to stretch your legs aren’t lacking in Tuscany. If what you’re looking for is open spaces and nature, a great day’s excursion from Florence is the Pratolino Demidoff Park , easily reachable via public transport. Or you could venture into one of the great Parks and Gardens of the region.

Lucca is a relaxed destination and perfect if you’re travelling with young kids. Compact and traffic free, the city centre is surrounded by a massive set of walls that is really a park in itself – a green oasis great for cycling or running around.

A few kilometers from Lucca you’ll find the Orecchiella Natural Park . It has a small and well kept zoo, plenty of space to relax and play, and a few places to grab a bite. Further north, in the Garfagnana area (a bit out of the way but worth the trip for more Medieval excitement) is the Archeopark Verrucole Castle , kept alive by a team of young enthusiasts that organise guided tours and occasionally historical re-enactments. It’s near San Romano in Garfagnana. There’s a steep walk to get there and no refreshment points, so bring your own food and drinks.

For the adventurous kids, a day spent exploring a cave could be a nice respite from all the culture. The best caves in Tuscany are the   Antro del Corchia and the Grotta del Vento , both in the Apuan Alps in the province of Lucca. These are fascinating places filled with stalactites and little lakes perfect for fertile imaginations.

Climb one of the Medieval towers

Another totally Tuscan activity that might appeal to older kids is climbing a tower. Here you’re spoilt for choice, from the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa to Giotto’s Bell tower at Florence’s Cathedral. Alternatively take them to the top of Siena or San Gimignano’s towers and they’ll feel like they’re at the top of the world.

Special Summer destinations for family holidays in Tuscany

The kids will thank you for taking them to Maremma in Tuscany. With clean, safe beaches, lots of space, and pine groves offering refreshing shade, this could be the ultimate family-friendly summer destination. This is especially the case if you travel out of season, avoiding the busy times when Italians take their holiday (second half of July and August).

In the Maremma you’ll find the best beaches in Tuscany . Some are free, some are resorts, and some have lovely child-friendly opportunities for excursions. There’s the Sculpture Park of Capalbio , filled with colours and weird looking figures that children can interact with. There are adventure parks, and the fairy tale town of Pitigliano with its old stone streets and intriguing networks of passageways hollowed out of the tufa, “ The Vie Cave” .

Some love Versilia , the northern coast of Tuscany, as it’s busier and livelier . The sea is less clear here as a result of the currents. The beaches are big and can be pricier in up-market resorts like Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi . (Think comfortable deck chairs, cabins and bars). It’s an ideal destination for children as these places are often choc-a-block with things to do along the avenues, with a colourful parade of ice-cream shops and games.

Join a sagra (local food fair)

For a true taste of Tuscany, how about a bit of fun and food cooked up by the locals? These fairs form an important part of Tuscan life. You can sample the delicacies and leave the children to run around and play together; they are a perfect chance for your kids to make some Italian friends.

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An Italian Mama's Guide to Italy

Lucca with kids: all you need to know about Tuscany’s most family-friendly town

Lucca with kids: a family-friendly travel guide to Tuscany’s most kid-friendly town with practical tips by an Italian mom.

Lucca is one of the prettiest towns in Tuscany and a fantastic destination for families with small kids.

Located in the north of Tuscany, close to Pisa, Florence and the coast, Lucca has everything you can wish for in a family-friendly town.

In Lucca, you find a car-free center, plenty of shops for necessities and nice to have, a plethora of family-friendly restaurants, playgrounds, and the typical atmosphere of medieval, Tuscan towns, a plus for parents who, for once, don’t have to choose between convenience and charm!

I love Tuscany and visit with the kids regularly.

Lucca is one of our favorite places in Tuscany and, in a previous article, we shared how to spend a day in Lucca with or without kids.

Today, I want to share what makes it one of the best places for a family vacation.

This guide talks about the best things to do, where to stay, and what makes Lucca the best place in Tuscany for families with young kids.

At the end of this article, I believe you’ll agree Lucca is the best small town in Tuscany for families with toddlers and young kids.

Good to know: Lucca is also one of the best places to stay if you visit Tuscany without a car !

Safe travel planning!

If you want even more help or you have any questions, please in my FREE Facebook group about traveling to Italy with kids: I will be happy to have you there and the tips from me and the other members are FREE!

Please note: this post contains affiliate links. Should you make a purchase through them, we might make a small commission, at no extra cost to you

Why visit Lucca with kids

There are many things that make Lucca perfect for kids.

It has a car-free town center – Lucca is a walled town with a beautiful historical center mostly closed to traffic.

Cars can get special permits to get into the city, so some attention is still required on bigger roads. however, most of the town’s piazzas and central streets are pedestrianized, which means kids can walk around safely and, often, even run a little ahead of you without big risks.

It is stroller friendly – Unlike many other towns in Tuscany, Lucca is flat and stroller friendly.

Like all medieval towns, the city has some cobbled streets; however, it doesn’t have the steep inclines typical of localities in Val D’rocia and it doesn’t require driving on bendy roads to reach it.

It is safe – Lucca is a safe small town, so if you have slightly older kids, it can be a good place to give them a little bit of independence such as going to the shops for a basic errand

It has good train connections with the rest of Tuscany – Lucca is well served by regular trains. This makes it ideal for families with kids who suffer from motion sickness and do not like being in the car.

The train connects Lucca to Florence and Pisa and it is safe and convenient: kids go free on Italian trains and the line is safe and well kept.

It has nice playgrounds – Lucca has nice playgrounds and green areas that make is pleasant for little kids

It has good facilities – Lucca is a historic town but also a living and thriving town with an active community. Here, you have many shops, restaurants and facilities that make the town the best of both worlds: a charming medieval hamlet with many modern comforts!

As you can see from the points above, Lucca ticks all the boxes of a family-friendly and, specifically, toddler-friendly location.

Why not visit Lucca with kids

I find Lucca perfect for families with little kids and I also like it as a day trip destination for older kids of primary school age.

However, if you have older tweens and teens, or if you are hoping for the quintessential hilltop town Tuscany experience, you may want to take into account the following.

Lucca is not on a hilltop – as mentioned above, Lucca is flat, so you won’t get here the typical Tuscan landscapes of rolling hills and cypress trees.

For those, you need to go to Val D’Orcia or, possibly, the Chianti area.

There is not a lot to do – Lucca is a great place to call home for a while but it is a small town so teenagers may find they quickly run out of things to do.

If you have older kids, I highly recommend planning several day trips from Lucca, so you can have the best of both worlds: exploration during the day and pretty town at night!

The best things to do in Lucca with kids

Lucca is very much a place to soak up slowly, enjoying long days of gelato eating, park going and people watching.

These are some of the best things to do in Lucca with kids.

Rent bikes and cycle along Lucca’s walls

Ask any family their list of the best things to do in Lucca with kids and you’ll hear the same answer: cycling along Lucca’s walls!

Lucca is a walled town with strong and beautiful medieval walls still surrounding the city: the walls are large and flat and now host cycling paths on top, competing with lawns and shaded areas to rest and enjoy views over the city.

Cycling on Lucca’s walls is a family-friendly activity you can do at any age.

The walls overlook the city but they feel like a park (don’t have visions of balancing on a narrow lane with a sheer drop, they are nothing like that) and you can rent individual bikes, bikes with child seats and family bikes.

Bikes are available almost everywhere in Lucca and, usually, you can just get them on the day.

This is a popular activity and rentals are easy to find as soon as you enter the town center.

Climb Torre Guinigi (Guinigi Tower)

Torre Guinigi is a medieval tower in Lucca which is wonderful to explore with kids for a couple of reasons.

The first is that it is so tall, it offers fantastic views over the city.

The second is that it has a surprise on top: a tree, which makes it look as if the tower had a head full of (green) hair!

Climbing the tower takes effort as you get up via 230 steps: however, kids usually love it as if feels challenging and exciting!

Torre Guinigi Opening Hours:

1 January – 20 March : 10.00 – 16.00 | 21 March – 31 May (weekdays) : 10.00 – 18.30 | 21 March – 31 May (weekends) : 10.00 – 19.30 | 1 June – 20 September 10.00 – 19.30* (*June-July weekends: late closure at 20.30. August weekends: late closure at 20.00) | 21 – 30 September: 10.00 – 18.30 | 1 October – 31 December : 10.00 – 16.00. Closed on Christmas day.

Climb Torre delle Ore

Lucca has more than one tower and while Torre Guinigi gets all the attention, you can also climb Torre delle Ore!

Torre delle Ore means ‘tower of the hours’ in Italian and it is a clock tower, with a clock still striking the time every 60 minutes.

The tower offers views similar to those you get from the Guinigi tower and it is a lovely alternative, especially on a busy day, when the Guinigi tower may have lines incompatible with the patience of little kids.

Please be advised that you must buy tickets in advance either at the guiding Tower or the Botanical gardens to climb Torre delle Ore.

The tower is only open in certain seasons only. Opening Hours for 2022:

21 March – 31 May : 10.30 – 18.30 | 1 June – 20 September: 10.30 – 19.30 | 21 – 30 September 10.30 – 18.30 | 1 October – 2 November : 10.30 – 16.00

Eat the best gelato in Lucca

Lucca gets hot in summer but it has many gelato places to help you and the kids cool down.

While not exclusive to Lucca, strolling around Lucca with a delicious cone is a must-do when visiting Lucca with kids.

Great gelato places in Lucca are:

• Gelateria Paniko Via San Girolamo 28, 55100, Lucca Italy Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
• Gelateria dell’anfiteatro – Piazza Dell’ Anfiteatro 18, 55100, Lucca Italy Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
• Gelateria Veneta – Via Vittorio Veneto 74, 55100, Lucca Italy Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options

Spend time in Lucca’s playgrounds – the best thing to do in Lucca with toddlers!

Lucca has nice playgrounds that are perfect for toddlers and little kids.

Among the best playgrounds in Lucca, there are:

• Parco Giochi (Playground) at Porta San Donato, on Lucca’s walls, near Porta San Donato, Lucca
• Parco Giochi (playground) Alessandro Bertolucci, on Via dei Bacchettoni, Lucca
• Giardino degli Osservanti, on Via della Quarquonia, Lucca

Explore Lucca’s Botanical Gardens

Another lovely place for kids in Lucca’s town center is Lucca’s Botanical gardens.

The garden is shaded and pretty, with stunning trees, and it is perfect for escaping the crowds or the sun in the hottest hours of the summer.

Address: Via del Giardino Botanico, 14, 5 5100 Lucca

Listen to delightful music during the Puccini music festival

Lucca is the birthplace of composer Puccini. The town, rightly proud of his wonderful creations, turned his house into a museum and celebrates the musician with a summer music festival in his honor.

During the festival, Lucca holds several concerts and literally feels with music, both in specialized venues and on the streets, which fil with talented performers, filling the air with their wonderful notes!

Good to know! With kids, the street performers may be the easiest to enjoy. However, in summer many Italian families keep their children out late to make the most of the milder temperatures so if you have kids who like to stay up, the concerts are also wonderful and family-friendly.

Find dates and info here

Admire stunning Piazza dell’Anfiteatro

Lucca has ancient origins and, in Roman times, used to have an amphitheater which is now a stunning piazza!

Aptly called Piazza dell’Anfiteatro is one of the most beautiful piazzas in Italy and one of the most peculiar.

The square developed over the ruins of the ancient amphitheater and you can still notice its shape since the houses follow its oval shape, giving the square a unique appearance and feel.

Piazza dell’Anfiteatro is one of the best places in Lucca for kids to run around and for parents to relax with a cold drink with a view!

Browse Lucca’s delightful shops (including chocolate shops!)

Lucca has lovely shops for kids and adults.

On Lucca’s main shopping street, Via Fillungo, you find a mix of fashion shops with all Italian high street main brands, lovely bookshops, food shops, and gourmet shops, where you can buy anything from daily essentials to pretty clothes and Italian food souvenirs to bring back home.

If you or your kids love chocolate, don’t miss a stop in Caniparoli Cioccolateria, the best chocolate shop in Lucca

Marvel at Lucca’s churches

Lucca has many stunning churches (they call it the city of 100 churches!) and while a church visit is not exciting for little, ones, a visit to some of Lucca’s most peculiar churches can be a fun thing to do with kids in summer especially, when the shaded naves of these stunning medieval marvels work as lovely shelter from the sun!

Lucca’s churches have peculiar facades with marbles of different colors, columns and gargoyles which also can pique the kids attentions.

To make them excited about them, we got postcards of the churches we wanted to see and let the kids guide us in a short od diy, super simple scavenger hunt!

You can find here >>> all our tips to visit churches and museums in Italy with young kids

Among the best churches in Lucca, there are:

• San Michele in Foro – Piazza San Michele, 55100 Lucca
• San Frediano – Piazza S. Frediano, 55100 Lucca
• Cattedrale di San Martino (Lucca’s cathedral) – Piazza Antelminelli, 55100 Lucca

Enjoy Lucca’s Christmas market

If you are visiting Lucca at Christmas, then you are in for a treat as Lucca has a lovely Christmas market with a lovely family-friendly atmosphere, food, stalls, trees and all you can expect from a family-friendly Christmas event

Go ice skating (winter)

Another thing to do in Lucca in winter is go ice skating!

During the months of December and January, Piazza Napoleone turns into an ice skating rink for kids and grown-ups to enjoy.

Find info and dates here

Bring older kids to Lucca’s Comics & Games festival

Lucca regularly hosts Lucca Comics and Games, a fantastic festival with plenty of talks, workshops and activities for kids of (almost) all ages.

The event attracts many visitors and can be a fun thing to experience if you have kids of primary school age, tweens or teens.

You can find info here

Visit a family-friendly winery near Lucca

Lucca is close to wonderful vineyards and offers many options to spend time wine tasting in a family-friendly setting.

While wineries do not offer kids’ activities as such, they are lovely outdoor areas and pleasant hosts accommodating and welcoming to kids.

The best way to plan a day with them is to make contacts directly and specify the age of the kids, so they can welcome you at best.

Family-friendly wineries in the Lucca area you may enjoy for a meal, a wine tour, or a longer stay in a wine resort are Fattoria Sardi Wine Resort , Fattoria al Dotto and Fattoria Colle Verde

Good to know! Winery visits in Italy may be very different from what you are used to back home (especially if you are from California, where you have amazing, kid-friendly wineries we loved!). Learn here >>> all you need to know about going wine tasting in Tuscany with kids .

Visiting Lucca with teens

Lucca is a small town and so it can be a fun place for teens or a boring one, depending on what they enjoy most.

In terms of things to do, there is not a lot to do in Lucca for teens: they are likely to enjoy the cycle along the walls, the shopping at the sightseeing. however, unless they make friends and can enjoy a bit of freedom, they may find the town not exciting enough.

However, Lucca can really work for teens who enjoy day trips as the town is well located for reaching both Florence and the coast.

The best things to do near Lucca with kids: day trips from Lucca

Lucca is in a great location to take day trips to other parts of Tuscany.

The best day trips from Lucca for kids include:

Going to the beach : Versilia has stunning, family-friendly beaches your kids (and teens) are sure to enjoy. The journey takes a little over an hour and you can go by train or car.

Find here >>> our guide to the best beaches near Lucca

Visit Parco Pinocchio in Collodi – this is one of the best day trips from Lucca for families with young kids.

Parco Pinocchio is a funny place, a sort of out-of-time amusement and adventure park with a Pinocchio theme.

Don’t expect anything fancy, it is not Disneyland, but for little kids, it has its charm!

Catch the train to Florence – Florence is only a short train ride from Pisa and it is lovely for an afternoon with the kids!

Catch a train to Pisa – Pisa is very easy to reach from Lucca and always a treat for little kids who will want to see the tower! You can read here >>> how to spend one day in Pisa

Visit Pistoia Zoo – Pistoia doesn’t usually make the list of places to visit in Italy however, it is a lovely city and has something special for kids: a zoo! Find info and tickets here

Where to stay in Lucca with kids

Lucca has many beautiful accommodation options for families with kids.

If you are coming into Lucca by train, you will want to opt for a place inside the walled part of the city.

If you are driving into Lucca, especially in summer, I recommend you opt for accommodation in an agriturismo near the town but with a large garden and a pool, so the kids can cool down and play during the day and you can all enjoy the town in the evening.

Some good ones for families are:

B&B il giardino del pettirosso

Agriturismo La Conte

Agriturismo Casa Rosa

Tenuta San Giovanni

Where to eat in Lucca

Lucca has delicious food and you don’t really need recommendations to get a wonderful meal.

Some addresses recommended by local friends, however, are worth knowing:

• Osteria da Pasquale – Via del Moro 8, 55100, Lucca Italy
• Cantine Bernardini – Via del Suffragio 7, 55100, Lucca
• Pan di strada – great for sandwiches – Corso Garibaldi 34, 55100, Lucca, Italy
• L’isola che non c’era – Via delgi Angeli 7, 55100, Lucca, Italy

How to get to Lucca Transport guide

The best ways to get to Lucca are by train and car.

Getting to Lucca by train

Lucca’s train station is outside of the city’s walls. From there, you can walk into the city center in about 15 minutes: do not get put off by the tunnel to get in, the town is wonderful!

You can find the schedule of trains to/from Lucca on the Trenitalia website .

You can also >>> read here our full guide to train travel in Italy

Getting to Lucca by car + parking in Lucca

Lucca is on the main road between Florence and the coast and it is easy to reach by car.

Since the walled part of the city is closed to traffic, you must leave the car outside of the walls: if you don’t, you will incur in steep fines that may even reach you once you are back home. Lucca is notorious for them!

However, there are plenty of parking options in Lucca, about 15 mins walk from the city center.

In Lucca, you can park:

On-street, where you see blue lines. These indicate pay and display parking and are suitable for visitors. Do not park on yellow lines as those are for residents only!

In Lucca’s parking lots: secure ones are Parcheggio Carducci at Porta Sant’Anna; Parcheggio Palatucci or, inside the walls. Parcheggio Cittadella.

I hope you enjoyed this overview of the best things to do in Lucca with kids and made you see why we think it is one of the best places in Tuscany for families . Safe travels!

Visiting Lucca with kids travel guide – pin this!

Photo credit: photos in this article are my own + some of them purchased, with license, from Depositphotos.

Marta Correale

Marta Correale is an Italian mama of two. Born and raised in Rome, Marta has a passion for travel and especially enjoys showing off Italy to her kids, who are growing up to love it as much as she does! A classics graduate, teacher of Italian as a second language and family travel blogger, Marta launched Mama Loves Italy as a way to inspire, support and help curious visitors to make the most of a trip to Italy and learn about Italian culture on the way.

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Tuscany, Italy   Travel Guide

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Why Go To Tuscany, Italy

When the film adaptation of Frances Mayes' "Under the Tuscan Sun" came out in 2003, the idea that Tuscany was indeed a place of romance, chianti wine, olives, aromatic cooking and, of course, sunshine was deeply embedded in our brains. Today, many travelers visit this glorious region in northwest Italy to escape the hustle and bustle of Rome or Milan and instead take in the Italian countryside. The combination of castles-turned-wineries-turned-hotels, elegant cypress trees, cascading hills and sprawling vineyards is simply heavenly.

Time seems to slow in this effortlessly idyllic place. And what better way to unwind than by savoring a glass of vino or eating homemade gnocchi under the Tuscan sun? 

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• # 1 in Best Destination Wedding Spots in Europe
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Best of Tuscany, Italy

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• # 1 in Rosewood Castiglion Del Bosco
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• # 3 in Castello di Casole, A Belmond Hotel, Tuscany

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• # 1 in Florence
• # 2 in Siena
• # 3 in Lucca

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Tuscany, Italy Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best times to visit Tuscany are between late September and October and between April and May. During these months, travelers will find comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds at the major sights. As expected, summer ushers in high temperatures and heavy crowds. If you want Tuscany all to yourself, visit during the winter low season, but expect the cold and lots of rain. 

What You Need to Know

Take a cooking class You can bring home some cooking skills if you take a class at traveler-recommended schools like Tuscana Saporita and Chef Paolo Monti's Cucina Italiana .

Take your time — the locals do  Tuscany, like the wines it produces, should be savored. Life moves at a very slow speed. Try and relax, and if you can, spend at least a week here.

Public transportation is rough Thanks to the rolling hills, getting around the Tuscan valley with public transportation is tough. The best way to get from winery to winery is with a car (hired cars are readily available). If you're feeling brave, you can always rent a Vespa — just be careful, roads are narrow and windy.

Learn Italian English isn't as widely spoken as it is in other Italian cities. Knowing a few key Italian phrases will help, plus the locals love when tourists try to speak Italian.

How to Save Money in Tuscany, Italy

Stay in an Agriculturismo  Instead of staying at a fancy (and expensive hotel), consider staying in an agriculturismo — or an authentic Italian farmhouse, villa or winery. Most offer all inclusive deals that are incredibly cheap.

Bike or walk Taxis and public transportation get expensive. Many of the towns in Tuscany are small and easily walkable.

Skip the menu touristico  Many restaurants — especially the touristy ones — will offer all fixed-price menus for tourists, except often times these are more expensive than ordering al la carte. Not to mention, you should probably just skip the restaurants offering menu touristicos altogether.

These are the types of sunsets you'll see in Tuscany. 

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15+ Things To Do In Tuscany Italy

T uscany. The word itself evokes a feeling in you of green rolling hills, Tuscan trees, wine, a slower pace of life, and the Tuscan sun! In this post, we will share our list of the top things to do in Tuscany.

When planning a trip to Europe you will want to have Tuscany on your list (along with Cinque Terre and Rome )! The food makes it 100% worth it not to mention that Tuscany is one of the most instagrammable places in Italy .

Tuscany is a region located on the western side of central Italy bordering the Ligurian and the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is home to large cities like Florence and Pisa and has a gorgeous landscape of hills and mountains.

It is a region known for its agriculture and wine. Being home to influential figures in the history of art and science and amazing museums. It is a large area to cover so you will want to decide how you want to spend your time in Tuscany.

• Agriturismo Farm – You can choose to immerse yourself in the Tuscan culture by staying at an Agriturismo Farm.
• Big City – You can explore the big cities of Florence and Pisa and spend days exploring the city, restaurants, history and the museums.
• Walled Cities – You can explore the historic walled cities and all of their tiny small streets, delicious gelato and history.
• Wine – Make it all about the wine and wine tasting. Don’t forget to try the olive oil too!

Whatever you choose you are going to love Tuscany and everything it brings to the table. Below we share our recommendations on how to do a little bit of everything when you are in Tuscany.

Getting Around

If you want to explore all around Tuscany you are going to need to rent a car, hire a driver or join a tour. If you are just going from Pisa to Florence you can take the train but getting out into the Tuscan countryside (which we do recommend) you will need another way to get around.

When we went we took a train to Pisa and rented a car at the airport there . We did have to walk from the train station to the airport it was about a 20 minute walk.

Renting a car in Tuscany was not difficult and I am glad we did it, it gave us the freedom to stay where we wanted to and to explore all over Tuscany!

The roads are tight but you are driving on the same side of the car and road as in the US (I’m looking at you UK!) so it wasn’t that bad at all. It just took a minute or a few miles to get used to it. We only ended up driving the wrong way on one street . . . really that was all and it all worked out. 

After our week in Tuscany, we returned the car and took the train from Pisa to Florence. We would not recommend a car for visiting Florence. It isn’t needed.

Where To Stay

Tuscany is a large area. Here is a map of where we stayed and how far out the different places we visited were. If you have specific cities you want to visit while in Tuscany you may want to find a place that is close to those.

The roads are almost all country roads and none of them are just straight. That means there is extra time added on for driving. From our location at the Diacceronia Agriturismo it was a 1 hour 15 minute drive to get to Lucca. Volterra – even though it looks a lot closer was 30 minutes and San Gimignano was about 40 minutes.

Florence was almost a 90 minute drive but we didn’t plan to explore Florence while we were staying at Diacceroni. Instead we stayed in Florence for 3 nights which we would definitely recommend you do.

We thought our location was perfect for what we wanted to do and we would recommend it IF you have a car. But based on the activities you want to do and the cities you want to visit you will want to pull up a map.

Agriturismo Farm

Stay at an Agriturismo farm . These are farm stays and one of the coolest ways to truly experience the Tuscan countryside. I researched a variety of places to stay when we were in Tuscany and they ranged from bigger cities like Pisa to small towns like San Gimignano. Throughout my search, I kept coming across these Agriturismo options and knew I needed to dig in deeper!

The further I looked the more I knew this is where we needed to stay. In a sense, it is staying on a company’s farm/property usually in an apartment, villa, or in our case a glamping tent! The place we picked made wine, wheat, Prosecco, jams, and many more delicious things! 

When we were going it was the off-season so unfortunately, we missed out on the daily planned activities that started just a couple of weeks after we left. But what that meant is we almost had the whole place to ourselves and we really got to know the owner and the amazing people working there. It was one of our top experiences in our whole 3-month trip to Europe!

Ok, so now that you know you should say at an Agriturismo Farm while you are visiting Tuscany let’s get into more details on what to do. And never fear there will be more details on our stay down below under our Where To Stay section. Make sure to keep reading to that section so you don’t miss out on pasta making, truffle hunting, wine tasting, and more!! 

Top Things To Do In Tuscany

We were able to experience the truffle hunting, pasta making and wine tasting with 5 course meal at the Agriturismo farm we were staying at and we wouldn’t have it any other way! 

Truffle Hunting

What an experience! They had a local Truffle hunter come with his 2 dogs and they took us truffle hunting on their property. He showed us how to truffle hunt, talked about the history of truffle hunting, and off we went!

We found multiple truffles – well the dogs did! And the kids were able to dig them up. After we found them they brought them to the chef and he made us an appetizer with the truffles. AMAZING!!

We also got to meet his sweet dogs and got to know more about them. When in Tuscany do this!! 

Pasta Making

We knew we wanted to do Pasta Making while in Italy and it was perfect that they offer this right on-site. Each one of us had our own station and the local chef walked us through the process of how to make multiple different kinds of pasta from scratch.

We got to choose which kind we wanted to make. After that, we used a few ingredients they had given us and made our pasta. 

We came back later that night and enjoyed our pasta for dinner! They also offer Pizza making classes which would be awesome to do too. 

Wine Tasting with 5 course meal

We did this one with just Craig and I and my parents. It was exactly how you would picture a Tuscan dinner – relaxed, long and delicious!!

They brought out 5 different courses and 5 different wines. It was done at a leisurely pace with history shared on each wine and dish we had. It was such a fun night. Another top recommended thing to do when visiting Tuscany! 

One of the beautiful sites of Northern Italy is the Apuan Alps. These majestic mountains overlook the coastline. To the locals, this mountain range is known as the Marble Mountains, because of its famous marble quarries. If you love hiking the Apuan Alps are filled with amazing trails and one of the largest cave systems.

Traditional Cooking Class with Dessert

Can you really go to Italy without learning how to make pasta and dessert? With this great cooking class , you will learn how to make 3 different types of authentic pasta and a traditional dessert. And the best part is after the class you get to eat what you prepared.

Places to visit in Tuscany

When in Tuscany we knew we wanted to visit as many walled cities as we could. What I didn’t really plan for was where we were staying and how close/far everything was. If you are someone who likes a tight itinerary where everything flows and makes sense I recommend picking out what places you want to visit in Tuscany first and from there figure out what part of Tuscany you should stay.

We did the opposite. But in the end, it all worked out and there was no way we were going to see all of Tuscany in 1 week so it was all good. 

I listed Volterra first because it was my favorite. It is so hard to believe that these types of towns actually still exist. It was literally like stepping back in time. This gorgeous hilltop town in Tuscany should not be missed.

No matter what you do when you are here make sure to set aside time just to walk the streets and explore, take pictures and just imagine yourself here hundreds of years ago. 

Here is what we did when we visited.

Parking In Volterra

You can’t park in the town. This is serious – don’t do it. It will ruin your trip to come out and find a ticket, or worse, your rental car towed away! 

Instead, find a lot to park in outside of town and be prepared to walk up the street and when I say up I mean uphill to get into Volterra. 

We parked here as this made sense based on the direction we came into town and because it was by a grocery store and we needed to get groceries before heading back to our glamping tent. Parcheggio “Torricella”, Viale Carlo Cassola, 56048 Volterra PI, Italy

A few other options we came across were: Parcheggio Porta Fiorentina parking lot (GPS: 43.403735, 10.860952), Parcheggio Macelli (GPS: 43.404381, 10.861361) or you could try the Parcheggio Docciola lot (GPS: 43.403384, 10.863572). The Vallebona lot is residents only so even though it looks tempting don’t do it! For any of these make sure to read the signs and that they haven’t changed anything about who can park here.

Map Of What We Did In Volterra:

Click here for the Interactive Map.

View point Teatro Romano

From here you can view the Teatro Romano ruins. They are really well preserved and it was interesting to look down at them from above and imagine what they were like hundreds of years ago. 

You can go down to explore the ruins and see the museum. But unfortunately, when we were there they were closed. 

San Michele Arcangelo

In Europe, you can’t not stop in a church. They are almost all unique and have amazing architecture and a story to tell. Admission into the sanctuary is free but you have to book a guided tour if you want to see the crypt.

L’isola del Gusto Gelateria

You don’t go anywhere in Italy without getting Gelato! This one did not disappoint! Be prepared for each shop to tell you that they are the best in Italy and why. It is fun to hear and we loved everyone’s passion for Gelato!

Palazzo dei Priori

We kind of stumbled into this one. It is the Bell Tower that you can pay to climb to the top of! Ask them about the city pass so you can also get entry to the Cistern and Archeologico park. Or book a private tour of Volterra and visit Palazzo dei Priori and the Cathedral.

Cisterna Romana

An old cistern that you can climb down and into. It was huge down there! Warning, if you don’t like tight spiral staircases you might want to sit this one out. If you make the trek to the bottom you will be amazed at how well-preserved this cistern is.

Parco Archeologico “Enrico Fiumi”

This green space is located in the middle of the city and is another set of ancient ruins to walk around and explore or a great place to stop and take a break. Be sure to check out the view of the Medici Fortress from the park.

La Mangiatoia

Stop here at the end of the day for a HUGE pizza. Seriously it was the largest pizza we had in Italy! 

Map of the day: https://goo.gl/maps/B1Jy5SfP8XCpbs8y6  

San Gimignano

We had heard a lot of good things about San Gimignano. We actually almost stayed here. I am glad we didn’t since the Agriturismo farm was so good. But after visiting I could see coming back to stay for 2-3 nights right in the middle of town. 

It is another walled city on the top of a hill and had so much charm!! Unfortunately the day we were there it was super rainy. But that didn’t stop us from exploring. 

We also knew we had to get Gelato here. We heard again that it was the best in Italy. I told you people like to say this! 

Parking in San Gimignano

Parking was very easy here. We parked in this lot: Parking Publico, Via Bagnaia, 89, 53037 San Gimignano SI, Italy.

Map Of Our Day In San Gimignano

Click here for the interactive map.

Piazza della Cisterna – Town Square area

When we first got there we walked the streets and made our way to the Piazza Della Cisterna. It was like the town square area and was so cool to just stand in the middle and look around. 

Gelateria Dondoli – Gelato

Right in the Piazza is the Gelato place! We got our Gelato and continued exploring San Gimignano. The architecture, the doors, the towers. It is all so cool!

San Gimignano 1300 – Model of the city

We didn’t even plan to go here but came across the building and went in and they have this awesome model of the whole town. Well worth a stop! Plus a cute gift shop. 

Chiesa di Sant’Agostino Church

From the outside, you couldn’t even tell this was a church. But once you opened the door and walked in it was gorgeous. 

Cheese Shop

Via S. Matteo, 66, 53037 San Gimignano SI, Italy (website: https://www.formedarte.it/ )

Another random stop that was so worth it! Cheese is like Gelato for me in Europe. I see it and I want it! We came across this shop that wasn’t even on Google maps and headed in. The lady inside was amazing and she let us try all different kinds of cheeses and told us all about where they come from, and why they tasted different, and asked us questions to try to figure out which cheese we would prefer. 

With it being such a rainy day we didn’t get to explore San Gimignano the way we wanted to. But what we did say definitely made us add it to this list and we 100% want to go back! 

Lucca is one of the bigger cities in Tuscany and still has the full wall around the city intact! Here is what we recommend when you visit Lucca. 

Parking in Lucca

Depending on where you are coming in from you are going to park in a lot that is located outside of the city walls. You should put: Parcheggio gratuito into Google maps and see what comes up for you based on the route you are taking into Lucca. Parcheggio gratuito means free parking.

Map Of What We Did In Lucca

I used this view for the map so you can better see where the city wall is and how it goes around the whole city.

For an interactive map click here.

We also downloaded the GPSMyCity guide of Lucca so we could learn more about the city and share it with the kids.

Ride Bikes Around The City Wall

There is a path that goes around the whole top of the City Wall. When we got there we found the closest bike rental place and rented 4-person bikes to take around the wall! 

We rented our bikes from the corner of Via Francesco Carrara & Via San Girolamo, 55100 Lucca LU, Italy. The place isn’t listed on Google – but it looked legit . . . so we went with it. We took the bike up to the top of the wall and made our way all the way around the wall.

The route is 2.7 miles. Click here to see the route.

It was a little bit of a workout but not bad and was a great way to see the city!

Piazza San Martino

This large piazza, located in the center of Lucca, holds many events for the city and also has a Romanesque style cathedral that is worth seeing! We didn’t go inside but from the outside it is very impressive to look at.

Guinigi Tower

We paid to climb a lot of steps up to the Guinigi Tower. You can see the tower from all over town and it has full-grown trees on top of it! 

It was cool to climb up there and it gave us a great view of the city.

Piazza dell’Anfiteatro

This circular shape piazza is built on the grounds of an ancient Roman amphitheater. It is one of the most recognizable piazza’s in Tuscany due to its shape and the colorful buildings around the piazza. You can access the piazza from 4 “doors” that lead you into it.

Walk through the city

It is always good to just wander through the city streets to see what you come across and to just explore the city without a plan! There are also a variety of Piazzas throughout the city that you can stop at. 

Pizza – Pizzeria da Felice

You can’t eat enough pizza while you are in Italy. It’s all so tasty and a very cheap meal. This was a little shop where you order the pizza and bring it outside to stand and eat or grab one of the 2 small tables inside.

Be aware you are eating along a very narrow street that cars do come down! The cars go slow but just a heads up this isn’t going to be a sit down and relax kind of meal.

Visit the historic city of Siena and check out the Piazza del Campo. It is said to be one of Europe’s greatest medieval squares. Siena is one of 7 Unesco World Heritage Sites in Tuscany. While walking through the city be sure to check out Duomo to see the masterpieces made by Michelangelo on a guided tour .

You can never eat too much while in Italy. Be sure to take a Food and Wine Tour of Siena to experience the best tastes the city has to offer.

I am not going to include Florence in this post as we have a whole post coming on Florence AND Florence needs its own trip! When you visit Florence you will want to stay in the city so you can walk everywhere. See the amazing renaissance art at the Uffizi Gallery, do a local food tour, visit the Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset, and check out the Ponte Vecchio to name a few things!

When you visit Tuscany you will want to stay out in the Tuscan countryside or in one of the walled cities. If this isn’t an option there are a lot of day trips from Florence that you can take to explore more of Tuscany.

Here are a few great options:

From Florence spend a day visiting the beautiful medieval cities of Siena, San Gimignano, and Monteriggioni. This great tour includes wine and olive oil tastings.

Explore the Tuscan countryside and winding roads via Vespa on this guided Vespa tour.

See the beauty of the floating city of Venice with this great guided tour that leaves from Florence. Spend a full day exploring Venice on this amazing guided tour.

We went into Pisa to rent the car but that was it. But we were just too excited to get to our glamping tent that we didn’t take the time to explore Pisa. We have heard great things about it and of course you can go and see the leaning tower of Pisa!

Here are a few other things we saw that would be fun to do in Pisa:

Learn about the history and architecture of Pisa including the iconic Leaning Tower on a guided walking tour . You can even climb up the tower for great views of the city.

Visit Pisa’s Square of Miracles and get fast-track tickets to the Cathedral, the Opera del Duomo Museum, Baptistery, Cemetery, and the Sinopie Museum with this audio-guided tour .

Explore the magic of Pisa on this private sightseeing walking tour . Find out what makes Pisa unique from a local.

Diaccorni Farm Stay

We stayed for a week at Diacceroni Agriturismo Farm and it was amazing! By staying at a family-run place for a week you really get comfortable and start to feel like you are part of the family. 

The owner is walking around all the time and checking in on you. So are all of the workers from the waitresses to the chefs and the social media person. We felt so welcomed and had an amazing time!

If you come in the summer season they have weekly activities set up (pizza making, welcome dinner, etc). We came in the off-season so none of this was going on yet. Which may have been better?? Since we got to spend more time with the people who work here since they weren’t as busy! 

The one we stayed at is known for its wheat production and also has a delicious line of wine. At the front store, they had a shop filled with pasta, wine, sauces, etc. You were able to select whatever you wanted and write down in a book what you took and how much it was. At the end of the week, you pay for all of it. 

They also had a huge breakfast spread every morning and would make omelets to order. It was a set fee for the all-you-could-eat buffet-style breakfast with yummy coffee and juices too. 

You could make a reservation for lunch or dinner and order off of the menu. We did this a couple of nights and got the Florentine steak multiple times! Most of the food is local from the farm which means it is so fresh!! 

When the weather was nice we were able to sit out on these gorgeous spots overlooking Tuscany. It was so nice to be able to just walk everywhere, have a nice leisurely breakfast or dinner and walk back. In the summer they also have a saltwater pool available. 

Besides all the great food they offer a variety of activities that they offer on-site: Horseback riding, 4X4 rides, wine tasting, and tours.

We are going to stay true to our one recommendation of the Dacciaroni Agriturismo Farm . They have a variety of options for what type of place you can stay in. We opted for the glamping tents and loved it!

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The post 15+ Things To Do In Tuscany Italy appeared first on Crazy Family Adventure .

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With only 18 summers to enjoy together before kids grow up, many travel-loving families choose to visit new places each year. But one vacation to Tuscany, and families find themselves longing to return again and again. It’s simply one of the best places for kid-friendly fun that parents and grandparents will enjoy just as much. Admire the art and architecture on day trips to cities like Florence and Pisa; enjoy horseback riding and bike tours through the countryside; take a cooking class; sip incredible wines and nibble delightful foods to sustain you. Don’t forget to set some days aside just to enjoy leisurely morning cappuccinos, walks through village markets, afternoon swims and evening sunsets overlooking the rolling hills. Accommodation options in Tuscany are limitless, from private luxury villa rentals to modest agriturismos with tons of kid-friendly appeal. Ciao Bambino Advisors know how to sift through the many options to find the right match for your family.

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Top Articles About Tuscany with Kids

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Family-Friendly Hotels in Tuscany

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California Park Hotel

Forte dei marmi, italy.

Borgo Scopeto Relais

Castelnuovo berardenga, italy.

Borgo Santo Pietro

Chiusdino, italy.

Albergo Villa Marta

Lucca, italy.

Al Gelso Bianco

Barberino val d'elsa, italy.

Hotel Adler-Thermae

San quirico d'orcia, italy.

Grand Hotel Minerva

Florence, italy.

L’Andana

Castiglione della pescaia, italy.

Marignolle Relais and Charme

Portrait Firenze

Le Terre Dei Cavalieri

Cortona, italy.

Sarteano, Italy

Chianciano Terme, Italy

Hotel Villa Fiesole

Fiesole, italy.

Residence Hilda

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Resource Guide

Tuscany with Kids , Where to Stay Tags: Beaches , Family-friendly hotels , Farmstay , Florence with Kids , Lucca with Kids , Siena with Kids

Where to Stay in Tuscany for a Family-Friendly Holiday

Tuscany is an enchanting region in Italy that offers a perfect blend of culture, history, and natural beauty. Tuscany is one of the biggest provinces in Italy. When planning a family vacation to Tuscany , it’s important to choose the right location to stay with your kids to ensure there is a range of kid-friendly activities and amenities, such as shopping, close enough to be convenient. From charming hilltop towns to seaside resorts, we’ve put together a guide to help you decide where to stay in Tuscany with kids .

The Val d’Orcia

The Val d’Orcia is a picturesque area in southern Tuscany that is one of our favorite areas for families with children. This area is known for its rolling hills, vineyards, and charming medieval towns. Kids will love exploring the winding streets of towns like Pienza, Montepulciano and Montalcino, and parents will appreciate the region’s famous wine and food. The Val d’Orcia is also home to several natural hot springs. There are family-friendly bike trails and hiking paths, as well as fabulous farm visits. Visit a pecorino cheese-making farm, or introduce the kids to the wonders of olive oil. The Abbey of San Galgano is another magical family-friendly site to visit in Tuscany, where the legendary true sword in the stone myth is said to have originated.

One of our favorite places to stay in the Val d’Orcia:

Podere Spedalone  – An agriturismo with a full farm experience, run by a family passionate about the land.

Florence and the Chianti Region

Florence is a must-visit destination for families traveling to Tuscany. The city is full of history, art, and culture, and there are plenty of activities to keep kids entertained. Visit the Uffizi Gallery to see famous works of art, climb to the top of the Duomo for stunning views of the city, try a kids art workshop in Florence , or stroll through the Boboli Gardens. Outside of Florence, families can explore the Chianti region, known for its majestic countryside and famous vineyards. The town of San Casciano Val di Pese is a great base for exploring the area, with plenty of family-friendly accommodations and activities nearby.

A few of our favorite places to stay in the Tuscan countryside near Florence:

Borgo Bottaia – A super kid-friendly agriturismo just 10 minutes from Florence city center in Grassina. The property has a range of self-catering apartments with full kitchens and terraces. There is a small kids playground and swing set with a picnic area and a super kid-friendly pool with views to die for.

Salvadonica – A refined agriturismo in San Casciano val di Pese, close to Florence yet in the heart of Chianti country. This family run property is a working vineyard and olive farm with a pool, soccer pitch, and the option to go horseback riding.

Siena and the Crete Senese Region

Siena is another lovely destination for families visiting Tuscany. The city is known for its elegant medieval architecture and the famous Palio horse race that takes place twice a year during July and August. Kids will love exploring the unique architecture and piazzas of the city. The Crete Senese region, just southeast of Siena, is also a nice area for families to stay. The countryside is dotted with charming hilltop towns and vineyards, and there are lots of opportunities for hiking and biking.  Just north of Siena, the town of Monteriggioni is a fortified castle town with incredible 360 views of the surrounding countryside. During the first weekend of July, Monteriggioni is transported back to the Middle Ages for a 2-day festival that will captivate the kids’ imagination!

A few of our favorite places to stay near Siena:

Hotel Romantik Monteriggioni – Hotel in the historical center of Monteriggioni built into the fortifications of the wall, with a pool and kid-friendly garden overlooking the surrounding countryside.

Castel Petraia – Agriturismo consisting of a fortified hamlet just minutes from Monteriggioni. Family suites and self-catering apartments are available. The property has a pool, bbq area, and kids playground.

Lucca and the Garfagnana Valley

Lucca is a charming walled city in Tuscany that is an excellent base for families with children who want to enjoy being in town, the beach, and the countryside. The city is pedestrian-friendly and car free, with plenty of parks and playgrounds for kids to enjoy. Families can rent bikes and ride along the top of the Lucca city walls, or take a leisurely stroll through the historic center. 

Immediately outside of Lucca to the north are the famous Lucca Hills, one of our favorite spots for a villa stay. Further north of Lucca is the Garfagnana Valley, a beautiful area with stunning mountain views and a variety of outdoor activities. Families can go hiking, horseback riding, or even try their hand at rock climbing. The town of Barga is a nice base for exploring the Garfagnana Valley, in an area known for sustainable farming and traditional artisanal food production.

Lucca and the surrounding countryside are also very convenient to some of our favorite beaches of the Tuscan Coast: Lido di Camaiore and Lido di Pietrasanta. The chic seaside town of Forte de Marmi is here as well. From the coast, you can catch a ferry for a stress-free way to see the Cinque Terre with kids from the water, and then return to enjoy a less crowded beach!

A few of our recommendations on where to with kids in Lucca:

Tenuta San Pietro – Luxury vineyard resort in the Lucca Hills

Casa del Campanaro – Historical 3 bedroom 3 bath apartment w/full kitchen and living room in Lucca’s city center

The Tuscan Coast and Islands

The Tuscan Coast is often overlooked by families planning their beach holiday in Italy, which makes the area all the more a wonderful option for families with children. The seaside town of Viareggio has a long stretch of sandy beach and a lively promenade with plenty of restaurants and shops. Families can also take a boat trip to the nearby islands of Elba or Giglio, where they can explore picturesque towns and sandy beaches with crystal clear water’s and excellent snorkeling. Further south in the Maremma region, the seaside towns of Orbetello and Porto Santo Stefano are situated in a less developed area of stunning natural beauty, also with very kid-friendly beaches.

One of our favorite family hotels on the Tuscan Coast:

Hotel Villa Ottone on Elba Island is paradise for families! Set on a kid-friendly private beach with pool, restaurant, gardens and a nice variety of family rooms ​​

Josie, Age 12

"Minori, Amalfi Coast is my favorite place for the beach in Italy."

Bella, Age 15

"I love the Roma Estate Festival along the Tiber river in the summer."

Marco, Age 7

"Biking on the city walls in Lucca, Tuscany was the best."

Lucia, Age 9

"Visiting the Trulli houses in Alberbello in Puglia was so fun."

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8 Steps For Planning an Epic Trip to Tuscany

Sean Finelli Last Updated: November 14, 2022

Planning a trip to Tuscany? Lucky you! It’s one of the most scenic and peaceful places most of us mortals will ever visit. Tuscany is an incredible destination that absorbs your anxiety and turns it into vino! But, where do you start? Here are eight steps to planning your ideal Tuscany trip.

Pro Tip: Planning what to do on your trip to Florence? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you need it. Check out our guide to Tuscany for more planning resources, our best Florence and Tuscany tours for a memorable trip, and how to plan a day of wine tasting in Tuscany .

Step by Step Tips For Planning Your Trip To Tuscany

Planning a trip can be daunting. Not to worry—we’ve got you covered. This article is composed of two parts. The first will cover some basic facts about Tuscany and the second offers some actionable tips on how to plan including where to stay, what vineyards to visit, and how to get around. Enjoy!

Step 1: How Long To Go For

There are three options for visiting Tuscany, really. You can do a day trip, spend a few days there (four days of your 10-day Italy trip, for example), or spend your entire trip in Tuscany. Don’t worry, I will make deciding easy. Ask yourself these questions to narrow it down.

Have you ever been to Italy?

If you’ve been to Italy’s main cities already, you should gravitate towards the option of a few days in Tuscany or your entire trip there. If this is your first visit to Italy, then choose a day trip or spend a maximum of a few days of your trip there.

Are you willing to rent a car and drive in Tuscany?

If you’re willing to rent a car in Tuscany and have visited the main cities of Italy on a past trip, I recommend doing a week in Tuscany, which could be your entire trip. There are such a variety of towns to visit and plenty to keep you occupied.

Take a day trip if you don’t like the idea of renting a car. Our Chianti Wine Day Trip from Florence is a top-rated option. If you have decided on a day trip, the good news is that your journey ends here and the planning is over!

If you don’t want to rent a vehicle but want to spend a few nights in Tuscany, maybe two or three, there are some great accommodations right outside Florence. We share some great vineyards with hotels and accommodation in this article.

Step 2: Start in Florence

Florence is a great starting point. You’ll probably arrive in Italy via Rome, but I don’t recommend driving in Rome if you’ve not been before. You can take a train to Florence in less than two hours and navigate easily from there.

Florence is an amazing city that is always worth another visit. It’s full of wonders like the Uffizi Gallery , which I visit every time I’m in Florence if only to see the Birth of Venus .

There is an international airport in Florence and, as mentioned, many fast trains arrive in the city from Rome, Naples, Venice, Bologna, Milan, and Torino. It is the perfect jump-off point for a visit to Tuscany, especially Chianti, which is very close. If you’re willing to rent a car you can pick it up at the Santa Maria Novella station and easily get out of the city using your phone’s GPS.

You’ll have to decide if you want to spend the night in Florence or not. If you don’t, schedule to pick up your rental car early. Ask if you can leave it in the garage for the rest of the day and leave your bags inside the car while you sightsee.

Travel Hack: If you can find wi-fi, you can use your phone even on airplane mode. Pull up your map and search for directions. Hit “go” when you’re ready, then keep your phone on airplane mode and leave wi-fi. Your GPS will still work, and you shouldn’t be eating away at your roaming data. Be sure to turn that off in your settings. You won’t be able to search for a new destination when you leave wi-fi, but your GPS pin will work all the same.

Tours of Chianti and Florence

Top-Rated Experience

Chianti Day Trip from Florence with Vineyard Lunch

Want to have an epic experience in Tuscany? Remove the guesswork and the hassle of transportation by joining us on a day trip to Chianti from Florence. You’ll enjoy time in the enchanting cities of Siena and San Gimignano with lunch and wine tastings too. Make your Tuscany day trip one to remember!

Best-Selling Tour

Florence in a Day Combo Tour with David & Uffizi

This tour is your best value in Florence. See Michelangelo’s David statue in the Accademia Gallery with a licensed guide before exploring the Uffizi Gallery. You’ll also have plenty of time to see the outside of the Florence Cathedral, Baptistry Doors, Ponte Vecchio, and more. All your skip-the-line admissions are included along with an English-speaking guide.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our  Tuscany guide for more info.

Step 3: Rent a Car

As a rule of thumb, the most beautiful and well-preserved areas are the least connected by train or highways. For me, I would not travel to Tuscany without renting a car. Does that make you nervous?

You can rent a car from any online agency and they’re pretty much all the same. I wouldn’t stress much about being charged extra for scratches you aren’t at fault for. I’ve rented dozens of cars in Italy and have never been charged extra due to a false accusation.

In general, a small cross-over SEO is a good option for two people. If you are driving with kids, look at the larger SUVs or a station wagon. A station wagon may not sound sexy but they are pretty popular in Europe and easy to drive.

Step 4: Decide on Mobile Roaming Data

Traveling abroad with mobile usage turned on used to be the key to bankruptcy, but today it’s actually affordable. AT&T charges $10/day and some carriers charge nothing.

With AT&T, the only one I am familiar with, you just have to tell them you are traveling and they will only charge you if you go off airplane mode. If I’m in a city with wi-fi, I keep airplane mode on. If I’m renting a car and using my phone to navigate, I turn data on.

Step 5: Get Advice

We want to be your end-all source for advice on traveling to Tuscany and we make it as free as we possibly can. All our tours are designed to make your trips memorable and stress-free, so you can enjoy being in Tuscany without worrying about any details. Check out our Florence and Tuscany tours .

There is also a wealth of free information on our online Tuscany guide to help you plan. If you’re looking for a more customized experience, we offer trip planning services through Finelli & Shaw.

Step 6: Book Your Stay in Tuscany

Again, if you can’t make time to stay in the countryside, our Chianti day trip visits Tuscany for a full day and includes lunch in the vineyard. Here’s a quick guide on where to stay in Tuscany based on the number of nights you have.

Two to three nights

If you’re going to spend two to three nights in Tuscany, you’ll want to pick one destination and spend your time there. We have a great article on the best vineyards to stay at in Tuscany . If you’re renting a car, think about staying at Fonte de’ Medici or near Montalcino. Medici Villa is a great option if you’re not renting a car.

Four nights or more

If you’re going to spend more than four nights or possibly a week, you should move around a bit. With some money set aside to buy wine, possibly €50 to €150 per day, you could explore some really cool areas and have a great experience. Here are the areas I would dive into:

• Montalcino and Val d’Orcia
• Chianti Classico (specifically near Tignanello)
• Bolgheri (where Sassicaia is made)

Step 7: Don’t Ask “How Much For a Tasting”

I will rarely walk in and ask, “how much does a tasting cost?” On your trip to Tuscany, be prepared to buy wine. If you have a great budget, ship some home.

If not, plan to buy a few bottles per person at each vineyard and they’ll normally waive any tasting fees. When staying in Tuscany, you may well be consuming a bottle of wine per day minimum, so it’s better to stock up!

Step 8: Be Spontaneous

It almost always pays to plan ahead, but you can leave yourself some wiggle room to be spontaneous. You can stop by most vineyards unannounced in the summer to have a tasting.

If you have a phone plan working in Italy, you can call ahead by 20 or 30 minutes to see if you can stop by, but I have also popped in unannounced. That said, vineyards prefer a little notice.

It’s better to call the day before if there’s a vineyard you really want to visit, but you can fill in the blanks around that stop. That said, when you see a beautiful road that you simply must drive down or a vineyard calling your name, then you should change your plans and follow your dreams!

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our article on the best Florence tours to take and why .

Where To Stay in Florence

Florence has a small historical center packed with iconic landmarks to explore. Plan where to stay in the best neighborhoods in this beautiful city.

About Sean Finelli

Sean is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy. He studied finance and statistics, but that is his "Dr. Jekyll" side! His "Mr. Hyde" is in love with travel, art, history, and culture. Sean has read libraries of historical text and believes that all internet content should come from books. A practice he follows!

Reader Interactions

Comments (2).

July 28, 2021

Do you have any ideas of a location to stay in Tuscany and be able to stay in one place but take day trips? If so I would appreciate your suggestions. Will be in Tuscany at last 5 days

July 29, 2021

I prefer the area surrounding Siena. I just wrote this article on places to stay near Siena . The countryside there, especially near Montalcino , is so beautiful.

Montalcino is more remote, but if you are ok with 2 hour drives it’s perfect. You’re near Siena, Florence, Orvieto, and a ton of other cities. To answer your question, I would stay near Siena if you want a great balance between beauty and proximity and near Montalcino if you want to be in the most beautiful place in the world.

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Advice | Wine walkabout: We visit Tuscany wine…

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Advice | wine walkabout: we visit tuscany wine country and eat well with a chef’s recipe.

It’s been more than a week since we’ve been in the wine walkabout bus as we make our way through the wine regions of the world.

Our somewhat reliable ride has been tuned up, so sit back and fill up your wine glass because we’ve just crossed into the rolling hills of Tuscany, a breathtaking landscape that the sun seems to hold in the highest regard. This is where vineyards and timeless villages appear as if out of a Renaissance painting. This is the heartland of Italian wine, a place where every bottle tells a story of the terroir and the deft hands that coax out the grape’s greatest potential.

Let’s begin in the Chianti region with its iconic namesake wine that put Tuscany on the global map. However, let’s get one thing straight, the Chianti you find here is nothing like the, macro-produced liquid that comes in a wicker basket and often has a candle sticking out of it as it adorns the tables of restaurants far and wide. No, this, my friends is the real deal. This is a wine with roots as deep as the region’s cypress trees and with a flavor that whispers of the land itself.

Chianti Classico, which is inked on the neck of the bottle by its iconic black rooster, is the gold standard of Sangiovese-based wines, so make sure you look for that specifically. As with life, great wine is all about balance. Chianti is medium to light bodied, earthy with bright cherry, violets, and balsamic vinegar flavors balanced by assertive tannins and palate-cleansing acidity.

Chianti pairs perfectly with the region’s local dishes—think pappardelle with a wild boar ragu.

Just to head off any perceived grievances of me not writing about Super Tuscan’s and Brunello di Montalcino’s in a Tuscany wine article it is only because they will get their specific article in due time. The town of Montepulciano is not to be confused with the Montepulciano grape, from Abruzzo to Tuscany’s north. The town of Montepulciano plays muse to its shining star Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which is often overshadowed by its famous neighbor (Brunello) and has the humiliating label of “Baby Brunello.”

Outrageous as that is, the wine suffers through with flavors that offer a softer more approachable style of red that doesn’t require years of cellaring before enjoying. On the palate, there is red fruit, mushroom, earth, and tobacco with medium tannins and body. Crafted from the Sangiovese varietal with the sometimes blending in of the ancient Canaiolo grape that has always been the secret to bringing color, structure, and depth to not only this wine but Chianti as well. Also, don’t forget to share the reds with a beautiful chunk of Pecorino cheese followed by any hearty meat/pasta dish.

I know I’ve spent what may seem like an inordinate amount of time on reds, however, Tuscany’s white wines are not to be overlooked, especially Vernaccia di San Gimignano. This ancient varietal does well when young but becomes more nuanced and assertive while its color moves from pale yellow to golden with a couple of years under its belt as more nutty notes blend in with the bright acidity, lemon, and apple on the palate. Accompany this with seafood or a light antipasto spread.

My intention with this drive-by tale of Tuscany is that you can start to understand that wine isn’t just something you drink, or purchase because of slick marketing that creates something in your glass that more closely resembles sugary flat grape soda than wine.

Moreover, the wine bottle you purchase should represent a way of life from the winemaker, blending passion with family pride and heritage on a historical level. Step outside your comfort zone. I, of course, can be your somewhat mischievous wine guide throughout all of this, always ready to bail you out.

Some specific wines to consider:

• Castelgreve Chianti Classico Riserva 2017
• Poggio Stella Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2019
• Tenuta Le Calcinaie Vernaccia Di San Gimignano 2022

Bolognese Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1⁄2 cup white onion, chopped • 1⁄2 cup celery, chopped • 11⁄2 cup carrot, chopped • 1 pound ground pork (85% lean/15% fat) • 1 pound ground beef (85% lean/15% fat) • 1⁄4 bottle (750ml) red wine, such as Chianti • 6 ounes tomato paste • Kosher Salt • Freshly ground black pepper • 1 pound dried pasta, such as pappardelle • Fresh parsley, chopped • Parmesan cheese, shaved

• In a stockpot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrots, then sauté until translucent. Add in both the pork and beef and cook until browned.
• Pour the wine into the pot, then stir in the tomato paste. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. and let this mixture simmer for an hour, stirring occasionally.
• Use a spoon to skim extra fat from the top of the liquid in the pot. Salt and pepper the sauce to taste.
• Prepare your favorite pasta according to the package directions. Serve the Bolognese over pasta.

Garnish with parsley and cheese.

Johnny Noakes is sommelier and general manager of Maximum Beverage , West Hartford, and you can visit him there or on YouTube Channel @ MaximumBeverageCT , or Instagram and X @Maximumbev and @Behindthewinecru; recipe is by Chef Greg Marcuson of The North House, 1 Nod Road, Avon. 

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