There is a purpose that Florence, Italy is such a well-liked research overseas vacation spot. The Duomo, the artwork, the slim streets, the Ponte Vecchio…the gelato! Of course youngsters are going to fall in love with Florence, it is without doubt one of the most stunning cities in Italy (and now we have visited fairly a number of!) If you’re planning a household journey to Italy, let me clue you in to some issues to do in Florence with teenagers.
If you may have three days in Florence, you possibly can simply squeeze in the entire highlights. Staying longer? Then you may have time to plan some day journeys to neighboring cities, discover Tuscany, or add in a number of extra specialty actions (don’t fear, I’ve solutions that many teenagers would love.)
Florence is a must-see vacation spot and needs to be on each itinerary for a primary journey to Italy or a particular graduation journey maybe? Usually households will begin in Rome after which go to Tuscany, Florence, and Venice when visiting Italy with teenagers, however there are numerous choices. You can spend 5 nights in Rome and three nights in Florence or 5 nights in Rome, three nights in Florence, and two nights in Venice or 5 nights in Rome, every week in Tuscany with day journeys to Florence…simply be sure to don’t skip visiting Florence with youngsters!
How Long Should you Spend in Florence?
You ought to plan on spending at the least 3 days in Florence, however even that feels just like the naked minimal. Even with three full days in Florence (not together with journey time or accounting for jet lag), you received’t get to see all the pieces, however it is possible for you to to soak up the entire highlights with out being too rushed. After all, it is advisable to save one thing for a second journey, proper?
While you possibly can journey to rural Tuscany after your time in Florence, the town would additionally make a beautiful base to discover so many charming cities and cities resembling Bologna, Lucca, San Gimignano, and Siena if you’ll be able to keep 5 days or longer.
What is the Best Time to Visit Florence?
Florence’s reputation retains rising. Could or not it’s because of motion pictures like Netflix’s “From Scratch“ which might be set in Florence? Perhaps. But the phrase is out on Florence’s attraction and sadly, that may make Florence rather less charming. Nothing dashes expectations greater than overwhelming crowds.
To keep away from the worst of the crowds (and the warmth waves which have been plaguing Europe throughout latest years), skip touring in the summertime excessive season in case you can keep away from it. I do know that’s going to be onerous with teenagers, however in case you can choose spring break, fall break (in case you are fortunate sufficient to have one), and even Thanksgiving or winter break (that point between Thanksgiving and Christmas means Christmas markets are open), you should have a greater expertise.
Recently, I’ve discovered that even the shoulder season of September by October doesn’t really feel like shoulder season in Florence. Other cities (suppose Verona, Bologna, Parma) will cool down by then, however Florence remains to be going robust. If journey throughout busy seasons can’t be averted, it is advisable to understand that it will likely be crowded and anticipate finding lengthy traces in any respect the primary points of interest.
The finest manner across the crowds is to skip the traces with a Florence City Pass. The cross offers you skip-the-line entry to the Uffizi, Accademia (to see the David), and the Duomo. Plus you’re going to get a spherical journey airport switch to the town heart and 24-hour tickets for the Hop on Hop off bus.
Getting to Florence
Italian trains are quick and might take you throughout Italy in just some hours. Milan, Bologna, Venice, and Verona within the north and Rome to the south are all reachable in beneath two hours on excessive pace trains from Florence. There are three major railway stations in Florence. The major and the most important one is Firenze Santa Maria Novella, others are Firenze Campo di Marte, and Campo di Marte prepare station. They are all situated within the metropolis heart, though you’ll discover most guests arriving and departing from Santa Maria Novella (SMN).
You can even fly into Florence (FLR) from many cities all through Europe. There will not be any direct flights from the United States to Florence, however you possibly can join on airways resembling Delta, Lufthansa, and United.
If you’re driving (see my suggestions for driving in Italy) to Florence and simply spending the day, you could wish to take into account parking simply outdoors of the town heart or on the prepare station. The historic a part of the town heart is a restricted site visitors space and also you want a particular allow to drive there. Trying to navigate the streets, crowds, and guidelines is a headache that you simply don’t wish to cope with.
The excellent scenario is to take the prepare or fly into Florence and take a taxi and stroll across the metropolis to your three days in Florence. If it is advisable to have a automobile for a part of your trip (e.g. you’re spending every week in Tuscany), then I’d advocate choosing up the automobile on the automobile rental facilities on the outskirts and driving from there (or doing the reverse). What I did on one journey is fly into Rome, take a cab to the lodge, after which when leaving Rome I picked up a automobile to drive round Tuscany. Then I dropped the automobile off at one of many automobile rental places of work outdoors of Florence and took a cab into the town. The additional expense was effectively value it.
Taxis are comparatively simple to search out, however if you wish to schedule a automobile service or switch, I’ve used Welcome Pickups in Florence and have been very blissful.
Three Days in Florence with Teens
Note: This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. If you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I could make a small fee.
Day 1 – Introduction to Florence
On your first full day in Florence, begin off with a strolling tour of the town to study the lay of the land but in addition to find Florence’s wealthy historical past. You can’t actually perceive Florence with out understanding the Medicis. I’d advocate the City Highlights tour with LivTours, which additionally features a fast cease on the Accademia Gallery to see Michelango’s well-known David statue, and finally ends up on the Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore, the place you possibly can see Brunelleschi’s Dome.)
Both of those are must-do sights when visiting Florence with teenagers. And the David actually is the primary attraction on the Accademia and one you don’t wish to miss whereas in Florence. No matter what number of photos you will have seen, and even what number of occasions you regarded on the duplicate in Piazza della Signoria, you’ll nonetheless be awed by the craftsmanship and artistry of seeing the actual factor.
If you’re keen to spend a bit extra for a wow expertise, I’d recommend the VIP David & Duomo tour from Walks of Italy with skip-the-line entry to the Accademia Gallery to see the David and a skip-the-line Duomo climb with unique terrace entry.
The tour may also embody a cease on the Baptistery. The Baptistery doorways encompass elaborately carved reliefs from the Bible.
If you don’t select a tour that features Duomo entry, I’d advocate pre-booking tickets to climb both the Duomo or the Giotto’s bell tower (or each in case you are energetic). Keep in thoughts that it is advisable to arrive inside 5 minutes of your scheduled time and convey your tickets. You will wish to be sure to are carrying comfy sneakers and guarantee your shoulders and knees are lined to enter the church.
By this time, you can be hungry for lunch. I’d advocate both strolling over to Mercato Centrale (Central Market), standing in line for one of many well-known paninis at All’antico Vinaio (considered the very best road meals in Italy), or strive Mama Mia Firenze.
If you’re craving some good gelato after lunch (and what teen wouldn’t be), a number of the finest gelato in Florence may be discovered at both Grom, Venchi, Vivoli, Edward Bio (close to the Duomo), Innocenti-Gelateria La Carraira (within the Santo Spirito neighborhood), Per che no, or My Sugar. Just keep away from the faux, fluffy and artificially coloured choices which might be in every single place.
By this time, your teen can be getting drained and prepared for a bit down time (or possibly telephone time.) I’d recommend a bit R&R on the lodge earlier than strolling or taking a taxi as much as Piazzale Michelangelo for sundown. You in all probability wish to get there early to safe a spot to take a seat as this can be a very fashionable factor to do in Florence with teenagers (or anybody.)
As you stroll again in the direction of the Ponte Vecchio or metropolis heart, you possibly can cease for drinks at Le Volpi e l’Uva wine bar and have dinner at Trattoria 4 Leoni. Quattro Leoni is on the Arno River’s south financial institution within the Oltrarno neighborhood.This space is like Florence’s Brooklyn. A bohemian neighborhood with so many good eating places! The restaurant was located in a picturesque Florentine piazza and served fantastic ravioli and recent appetizers like Florence’s prosciutto di Toscana.
Day 2 – Art & Artistry
Your second day can be all about what Florence is known for — its artwork! Start off with a non-public or semi-private tour of the Masterpieces of the Uffizi with LivTours. I’d say to take the Express first entry tour to keep away from crowds, however I do know most teenagers don’t wish to stand up early on trip.
The Uffizi is an enormous museum with a number of the most well-known items of artwork on this planet and deserves at the least of few hours of your time in Florence. You ought to start with medieval artwork, principally altarpieces, step by step shifting into the Renaissance. The museum is organized such which you could see the evolution of portray and sculpture from the medieval period to the baroque period.
Of course, you possibly can’t miss out on The Birth of Venus, Raphael’s portraits, and one in all Michelangelo’s solely round work. I’ll warn you that medieval and Renaissance artwork can get a bit repetitive after some time, however having a information to be sure to see and perceive the masterpieces, in addition to can interpret the non secular iconography, may be very useful.
All that artwork goes to make you hungry and I’d recommend making a lunch reservation so that you don’t have to attend to eat and get your teen hangry. Signorvino Firenze is only a five-minute stroll from the museum throughout the Ponte Vecchio. You could make reservations through The Fork.
After a leisurely lunch, in case your teen is into artwork or drawing, I’d recommend reserving a drawing class. These will usually take you to varied spots within the metropolis and supply instruction on drawing a few of Florence’s well-known sights. We additionally discovered a drawing class utilizing pencils and watercolors on Airbnb Experiences.
If your teen is extra into studying than doing, strive an Artisan tour to study extra in regards to the craft of paper making or leather-based working.
This would even be a very good time to see a number of the different highlights of Florence, such because the Santa Croce Cathedral, which is Florence’s second most well-known cathedral. It incorporates the tombs of many well-known Italians, together with Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli.
The church additionally has an empty tomb, held for Dante, who was buried in Ravenna after his exile. The church is embellished by many well-known artists, like Vasari and Giotto. Unfortunately, a lot of the church’s artwork was destroyed, so a number of the partitions are naked. The church additionally has a stunning backyard.
Another possibility is to go to Florence’s synagogue and Jewish Museum. The constructing is a fully stunning synagogue, within the model typical of North African synagogues. The major room is roofed in purple and blue designs with richly embellished arches.
For dinner, strive Acqua al 2 for a memorable meal.
Day 3 – Choose your Own Adventure
On your final day in Florence, I’d recommend you discover one thing that your teen and the entire household would take pleasure in. One possibility can be to discover a few of Florence’s scrumptious meals by a meals tour with Taste Florence meals excursions. The firm does small group excursions with not more than 15 friends.
One of our favourite stops was a tour of Florence’s Central Market. We went to 2 or three stalls, tasting pasta, pastries, and greens. The tour ended with a cease at a Florentine store specializing in cheeses, wines, and sweets. A desk was arrange within the store’s huge wine cellar so that you could strive wines, cheeses, Tuscan meats, and actual balsamic vinegar.
Other day journey choices embody:
You may additionally simply wish to spend extra time having fun with the websites of Florence such because the Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens, the Galileo Museum, the perfumery/pharmacy at Santa Maria Novella, Piazza della Signoria, or a few of these different issues to do in Florence.
For dinner in your final evening, both get conventional Florentine steak at Il Latini or strive Trattoria Cammillo, on the south financial institution of the Arno. This restaurant was a favourite of NYT meals critic Mimi Sheraton and us as effectively. You’ll gorge your self on the selfmade pasta and Tuscan fried greens. On the way in which again to your lodge, you possibly can cease for gelato at Emporio Gelato, proper subsequent to the Ponte Santa Trinita.
Where to Stay in Florence
In Florence, it’s best to remain within the metropolis heart. It’s not a really giant metropolis and its winding streets and brightly coloured buildings are suited to strolling. We liked the rooms, terrace with wonderful views of Florence at evening, and breakfast on the Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni.
From the Antica Torre, nothing was greater than a ten-minute stroll. If you don’t plan on taking excursions, the Firenze Card is an effective deal. For 72 euros it provides admission to 72 websites (together with the Uffizi, Academia, and the Duomo) and allows you to skip the road.
Search for Florence motels and leases:
PIN THIS FOR LATER
