Florence with Kids - Is It Worth It?

Short answer: absolutely yes.

I see this question come up a lot and I understand the worry. Florence seems like it's all Renaissance art and wine — not exactly kid territory. But we've taken our kids (now 8 and 11) three times and they ask to go back every year.

Here's what works:

The Gelato Strategy — This is your secret weapon. Promise gelato after every museum and suddenly art becomes a lot more interesting. There are gelaterias on literally every corner.

Palazzo Vecchio Secret Passages Tour — Book this! It takes you through hidden rooms, secret staircases, and behind paintings. My kids thought they were Indiana Jones. It runs about 75 minutes and is available in English.

Boboli Gardens — Let them run. After being told "don't touch" in museums, kids need space to move. Boboli has fountains, grottos, and hills to explore. Pack a picnic.

Leather Workshop Visit — Some shops in Santa Croce area let kids try stamping leather. It's free and they get to keep what they make.

Piazza della Repubblica Carousel — Yes, there's an antique carousel right in the center of Florence. €2 a ride. Life saver when you need 10 minutes to check your map in peace.

Tips:

• Keep museum visits to 1 per day, max 90 minutes
• Apartment rental > hotel (you can make breakfast and have space)
• Italian kids eat dinner at 8-9pm so restaurants are very kid-friendly
• The Mercato Centrale food hall has something for every picky eater

Florence taught my kids that history isn't just something in books. That alone makes it worth it.