![\"Things](\"https:\/\/www.romeing.it\/florence\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Leonardo-da-Vinci-interactive-museum.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMUSEUMS<\/h3>\n\n\n\nGet to know the Medici at Palazzo Vecchio <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nPiazza della Signoria
musefirenze.it\/en\/musei\/museo-di-palazzo-vecchio\/<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Palazzo Vecchio served as the center of government<\/strong> and eventually as a home for the Medici family <\/strong>in the 16th<\/sup> century when they transformed the already grand palazzo into a home fit for the dukes of Tuscany. The museum offers numerous children and family-friendly tours<\/strong> that will take you behind the scenes of what life was like at the Medici court. Visit the secret painted chamber of Duke Francesco\u2019s collections, see where the Vasari corridor<\/strong> really begins, pay your respects to the death mask of the great poet Dante and climb the tower for a view over all of Florence<\/strong>. On one tour, you even have the chance to go through a hidden doorway in the map room and down a secret passageway to try on Renaissance costumes <\/strong>like what the Medici children would have worn.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNote: Keep an eye on the website for changing tours based on what current covid restrictions allow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nBest of Florence Guided Tour<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nAncient armor at the Stibbert Museum <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nVia Stibbert, 26
museostibbert.it<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nOne of the most eclectic<\/strong> and unique museums in Florence, the Stibbert museum is a bit outside the city center, but so worth a visit for the vast array of pieces on display in this historic 19th-century museum. The highlight has to be the incredible collection of armor and weaponry<\/strong> from Europe, the Middle East and Japan along with a rotating exhibition of clothing from the 18th century onwards including a cape worn by Napoleon<\/strong>! After you visit the museum, don\u2019t miss the garden<\/strong> complete with exotic temples <\/strong>and a lake that allude to the Stibbert family\u2019s archeological interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\nInteractive Leonardo Da Vinci Museum<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nVia dei Servi, 66\/R
mostredileonardo.com\/en\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Explore the life and inventions of Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci <\/strong>in this interactive museum in the center of Florence. See reconstructions<\/strong> of his flying machines, his war vehicles and weapons and find out if you have the smarts to build the \u201cinfinity bridge\u201d as he imagined it! There are recreations of his paintings<\/strong> like the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper (though no original works) and everywhere you turn, you\u2019ll find a new invention<\/strong> that gives insight into the creative and innovative mind of Leonardo. Note: There are two of these museums in Florence but my favorite is on Via dei Servi. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Natural History Museum, La Specola<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nVia Romana, 17
www.sma.unifi.it\/vp-245-la-specola.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nThis museum was founded in the 18th<\/sup> century<\/strong> and as you enter the large stone palazzo it certainly feels a little like you\u2019re going back to an earlier time. Around 5,000 preserved animal specimens<\/strong> from all over the world poise behind large wooden and glass-paned cabinets from mammals large and small to birds and sea creatures. (They have even preserved the Medici\u2019s pet hippopotamus<\/strong> that once lived in the Boboli gardens!) The \u201croom of the skeletons<\/strong>\u201d boasts 3,000 pieces including a giraffe, whales, and an Indian elephant. It also has the largest collection of wax anatomical figures<\/strong> in the world, many of them were made in the 1700s<\/strong>! <\/p>\n\n\n\nEgyptian Rooms at the National Archaeological Museum<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nVia della Colonna, 38<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The National Archaeolgical museum holds the second-largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in Italy (after the Museo Egizio In Turin) and is a fun place to visit for younger kids as well as adults! The collection includes a mummy<\/strong> (of a human as well as one of a tiny crocodile<\/strong>), sarcophagi <\/strong>and funeral masks, a war chariot and numerous amulets, statues and examples of hieroglyphs<\/strong>. The Museum includes a beautiful Etruscan and Greek section<\/strong> as well that are worth visiting. <\/p>\n\n\n\nPalazzo Davanzati<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nVia Porta Rossa, 13
bargellomusei.beniculturali.it\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nAll over Florence, you\u2019ll see the remains of the medieval tower houses <\/strong>that Florentines built sky-high to impress (and intimidate) their neighbors. Palazzo Davanzati was one of these medieval homes that have now been renovated to recreate its medieval aspect complete with a medieval kitchen<\/strong>, bedrooms frescoed with plants and animals<\/strong>, the inner courtyard with stone staircases and balconies and even an ancient toilet<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\nBoboli Gardens<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nPiazza Pitti Main Entrance
uffizi.it\/en\/boboli-garden<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nPack a picnic lunch and spend an afternoon (or longer!) exploring the vast grounds of the Boboli Gardens at the Pitti Palace<\/a><\/strong>. These gardens are huge and there\u2019s always a new corner to discover from winding forested pathways, to fountains<\/strong> and meadows<\/strong>, to vistas over the city and small grottoes full of unexpected statues.<\/strong> For more gardens to visit in Florence like the charming Rose and Iris garden, check out our guide to historic Florentine gardens<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nINSPIRATION<\/strong><\/span>
The Most Beautiful Gardens and Parks in Florence<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nMuseo Galileo<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nPiazza dei Giudici, 1
museogalileo.it\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nThis museum is well suited for older kids with an interest in science<\/strong>, astronomy<\/strong> and of course Galileo! The museum used to be called The History of Science Museum, and perhaps while less catchy than \u201cGalileo\u201d this is a better indication of what you will find here. There is a huge collection of scientific instruments, telescopes<\/strong>, gigantic celestial and planetary globes<\/strong>, a \u201cchemistry cabinet\u201d and electricity machines. Plus one very odd addition in a glass sphere: the actual preserved finger of Galileo<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\nViews from the Duomo<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nPiazza del Duomo
romeing.it\/florence\/what-to-see-at-florence-piazza-del-duomo\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nNothing beats the views over Florence from the top of the Duomo. There are over 450 steps<\/strong> to the top but you\u2019ll be walking between the two shells of Brunelleschi\u2019s great 15th-century dome<\/strong> until you emerge on the top for an epic vista from the tallest point in Florence. To get a view of the dome itself and take a walk with a few more breakpoints along the way, I recommend climbing the bell tower <\/strong>next to the duomo. Note: Remember to book your tickets in advance. Not suitable for younger kids who might find the climb difficult \u2013 remember, no elevators <\/strong>up to the top!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBest of Florence City Center Tour with Accademia and Uffizi<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tExperience the best of Florence on this private guided tour of the city center. You\u2019ll skip the line at the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo\u2019s David before taking in the highlights of the city center from the Cathedral Square to the medieval district, Signoria Square and Ponte Vecchio.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\n\n\n![\"Things](\"https:\/\/www.romeing.it\/florence\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Fontana-del-Porcellino.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFREE in the CITY CENTER<\/h3>\n\n\n\nAntique Carousel in Piazza Repubblica <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nPiazza della Repubblica<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take a ride on the beautiful early 20th-century carousel <\/strong>in the middle of one of Florence\u2019s most lovely squares, Piazza della Repubblica. See if you can recognize the different Italian towns <\/strong>painted in brightly colored panels at the top before choosing your noble steed (or carriage). In the evening, with the lights turned on, it always puts a smile on my face as I walk through the piazza.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPat the Nose of the Porcellino for Good Luck <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nPiazza del Mercato Nuovo<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll find little stuffed animals of wild boars, complete with plush tusks hanging from the souvenir stands in Florence, a reference to the famous ragu al cinghiale<\/strong> (or wild boar ragu) served all over the city but also the bronze fountain of the wild boar in the city center known as Il Porcellino<\/strong>. Tradition has it that rubbing the nose<\/strong> of the boar brings good luck <\/strong>and you\u2019ll find a crowd gathered around him, dropping coins through the grate for financial luck and patting the nose down to a fine bronze polish. <\/p>\n\n\n\nModern Art in the courtyard of Palazzo Strozzi<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nPiazza degli Strozzi
palazzostrozzi.org\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe art on display<\/a> in the Palazzo Strozzi courtyard is constantly changing but it\u2019s always big, bold, interesting<\/strong>, frequently interactive and free. Enormous mirrors, multicolored hammocks and once even a gigantic slide are among some of the previous works on display. If you\u2019re in the area, don\u2019t miss a chance to peek into this courtyard and explore or even head into the museum to see their ever-changing exhibition<\/strong> space that often boasts modern or interactive<\/strong> exhibitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nCLICK HERE TO SEE THE BEST MUSEUMS IN FLORENCE<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"best-gelato-in-florence\"](\"https:\/\/www.romeing.it\/florence\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/best-gelato-in-florence-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFOOD & ARTISANS<\/h3>\n\n\n\nLeather Making Studio at the Scuola del Cuoio<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nscuoladelcuoio.it\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Florence Leather School<\/strong> was started in the 1950s<\/strong> to teach orphans a useful trade that would benefit them and post-war Florentine society. Today, you can still visit the studio located behind Santa Croce and often see modern-day artisans themselves at work at their stations, stitching leather, hammering in studs or cutting pieces for bags, jackets and wallets. It\u2019s a great place to see artisans<\/strong> at work with their hands and older kids might also enjoy the half-day leather making workshops <\/strong>they offer where you\u2019ll construct your own small leather keepsake.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTaste Gelato<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nGelato was literally invented in Florence<\/strong> so what better place to try some of the best artisanal flavors<\/strong> (check out our guide<\/a>!) or seek out the famous \u201cBuontalenti<\/strong>\u201d flavor at Gelateria Badiani which is probably the closest you can get to trying that first gelato ever created, named after the supposed inventor. Keep your eye out for gelato-making classes <\/strong>as well to really get behind the scenes of this delicious Italian specialty.<\/p>\n\n\n\nINSPIRATION<\/strong><\/span>
The Gelateria Guide of Florence<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Fiesole](\"https:\/\/www.romeing.it\/florence\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/fiesole.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDAY TRIP<\/h3>\n\n\n\nAncient Roman Theatre at Fiesole<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nmuseidifiesole.it\/en\/museums\/archaeological-area<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Piazza della Signoria The Palazzo Vecchio served as the center of government<\/strong> and eventually as a home for the Medici family <\/strong>in the 16th<\/sup> century when they transformed the already grand palazzo into a home fit for the dukes of Tuscany. The museum offers numerous children and family-friendly tours<\/strong> that will take you behind the scenes of what life was like at the Medici court. Visit the secret painted chamber of Duke Francesco\u2019s collections, see where the Vasari corridor<\/strong> really begins, pay your respects to the death mask of the great poet Dante and climb the tower for a view over all of Florence<\/strong>. On one tour, you even have the chance to go through a hidden doorway in the map room and down a secret passageway to try on Renaissance costumes <\/strong>like what the Medici children would have worn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note: Keep an eye on the website for changing tours based on what current covid restrictions allow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Via Stibbert, 26 One of the most eclectic<\/strong> and unique museums in Florence, the Stibbert museum is a bit outside the city center, but so worth a visit for the vast array of pieces on display in this historic 19th-century museum. The highlight has to be the incredible collection of armor and weaponry<\/strong> from Europe, the Middle East and Japan along with a rotating exhibition of clothing from the 18th century onwards including a cape worn by Napoleon<\/strong>! After you visit the museum, don\u2019t miss the garden<\/strong> complete with exotic temples <\/strong>and a lake that allude to the Stibbert family\u2019s archeological interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Via dei Servi, 66\/R Explore the life and inventions of Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci <\/strong>in this interactive museum in the center of Florence. See reconstructions<\/strong> of his flying machines, his war vehicles and weapons and find out if you have the smarts to build the \u201cinfinity bridge\u201d as he imagined it! There are recreations of his paintings<\/strong> like the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper (though no original works) and everywhere you turn, you\u2019ll find a new invention<\/strong> that gives insight into the creative and innovative mind of Leonardo. Note: There are two of these museums in Florence but my favorite is on Via dei Servi. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Via Romana, 17 This museum was founded in the 18th<\/sup> century<\/strong> and as you enter the large stone palazzo it certainly feels a little like you\u2019re going back to an earlier time. Around 5,000 preserved animal specimens<\/strong> from all over the world poise behind large wooden and glass-paned cabinets from mammals large and small to birds and sea creatures. (They have even preserved the Medici\u2019s pet hippopotamus<\/strong> that once lived in the Boboli gardens!) The \u201croom of the skeletons<\/strong>\u201d boasts 3,000 pieces including a giraffe, whales, and an Indian elephant. It also has the largest collection of wax anatomical figures<\/strong> in the world, many of them were made in the 1700s<\/strong>! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Via della Colonna, 38<\/p>\n\n\n\n The National Archaeolgical museum holds the second-largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in Italy (after the Museo Egizio In Turin) and is a fun place to visit for younger kids as well as adults! The collection includes a mummy<\/strong> (of a human as well as one of a tiny crocodile<\/strong>), sarcophagi <\/strong>and funeral masks, a war chariot and numerous amulets, statues and examples of hieroglyphs<\/strong>. The Museum includes a beautiful Etruscan and Greek section<\/strong> as well that are worth visiting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Via Porta Rossa, 13 All over Florence, you\u2019ll see the remains of the medieval tower houses <\/strong>that Florentines built sky-high to impress (and intimidate) their neighbors. Palazzo Davanzati was one of these medieval homes that have now been renovated to recreate its medieval aspect complete with a medieval kitchen<\/strong>, bedrooms frescoed with plants and animals<\/strong>, the inner courtyard with stone staircases and balconies and even an ancient toilet<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Piazza Pitti Main Entrance Pack a picnic lunch and spend an afternoon (or longer!) exploring the vast grounds of the Boboli Gardens at the Pitti Palace<\/a><\/strong>. These gardens are huge and there\u2019s always a new corner to discover from winding forested pathways, to fountains<\/strong> and meadows<\/strong>, to vistas over the city and small grottoes full of unexpected statues.<\/strong> For more gardens to visit in Florence like the charming Rose and Iris garden, check out our guide to historic Florentine gardens<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n INSPIRATION<\/strong><\/span> Piazza dei Giudici, 1 This museum is well suited for older kids with an interest in science<\/strong>, astronomy<\/strong> and of course Galileo! The museum used to be called The History of Science Museum, and perhaps while less catchy than \u201cGalileo\u201d this is a better indication of what you will find here. There is a huge collection of scientific instruments, telescopes<\/strong>, gigantic celestial and planetary globes<\/strong>, a \u201cchemistry cabinet\u201d and electricity machines. Plus one very odd addition in a glass sphere: the actual preserved finger of Galileo<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Piazza del Duomo Nothing beats the views over Florence from the top of the Duomo. There are over 450 steps<\/strong> to the top but you\u2019ll be walking between the two shells of Brunelleschi\u2019s great 15th-century dome<\/strong> until you emerge on the top for an epic vista from the tallest point in Florence. To get a view of the dome itself and take a walk with a few more breakpoints along the way, I recommend climbing the bell tower <\/strong>next to the duomo. Note: Remember to book your tickets in advance. Not suitable for younger kids who might find the climb difficult \u2013 remember, no elevators <\/strong>up to the top!<\/p>\n\n\n Experience the best of Florence on this private guided tour of the city center. You\u2019ll skip the line at the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo\u2019s David before taking in the highlights of the city center from the Cathedral Square to the medieval district, Signoria Square and Ponte Vecchio.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t Piazza della Repubblica<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take a ride on the beautiful early 20th-century carousel <\/strong>in the middle of one of Florence\u2019s most lovely squares, Piazza della Repubblica. See if you can recognize the different Italian towns <\/strong>painted in brightly colored panels at the top before choosing your noble steed (or carriage). In the evening, with the lights turned on, it always puts a smile on my face as I walk through the piazza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Piazza del Mercato Nuovo<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll find little stuffed animals of wild boars, complete with plush tusks hanging from the souvenir stands in Florence, a reference to the famous ragu al cinghiale<\/strong> (or wild boar ragu) served all over the city but also the bronze fountain of the wild boar in the city center known as Il Porcellino<\/strong>. Tradition has it that rubbing the nose<\/strong> of the boar brings good luck <\/strong>and you\u2019ll find a crowd gathered around him, dropping coins through the grate for financial luck and patting the nose down to a fine bronze polish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Piazza degli Strozzi The art on display<\/a> in the Palazzo Strozzi courtyard is constantly changing but it\u2019s always big, bold, interesting<\/strong>, frequently interactive and free. Enormous mirrors, multicolored hammocks and once even a gigantic slide are among some of the previous works on display. If you\u2019re in the area, don\u2019t miss a chance to peek into this courtyard and explore or even head into the museum to see their ever-changing exhibition<\/strong> space that often boasts modern or interactive<\/strong> exhibitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n scuoladelcuoio.it\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Florence Leather School<\/strong> was started in the 1950s<\/strong> to teach orphans a useful trade that would benefit them and post-war Florentine society. Today, you can still visit the studio located behind Santa Croce and often see modern-day artisans themselves at work at their stations, stitching leather, hammering in studs or cutting pieces for bags, jackets and wallets. It\u2019s a great place to see artisans<\/strong> at work with their hands and older kids might also enjoy the half-day leather making workshops <\/strong>they offer where you\u2019ll construct your own small leather keepsake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gelato was literally invented in Florence<\/strong> so what better place to try some of the best artisanal flavors<\/strong> (check out our guide<\/a>!) or seek out the famous \u201cBuontalenti<\/strong>\u201d flavor at Gelateria Badiani which is probably the closest you can get to trying that first gelato ever created, named after the supposed inventor. Keep your eye out for gelato-making classes <\/strong>as well to really get behind the scenes of this delicious Italian specialty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n INSPIRATION<\/strong><\/span> museidifiesole.it\/en\/museums\/archaeological-area<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
musefirenze.it\/en\/musei\/museo-di-palazzo-vecchio\/<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\nAncient armor at the Stibbert Museum <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
museostibbert.it<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nInteractive Leonardo Da Vinci Museum<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
mostredileonardo.com\/en\/<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Natural History Museum, La Specola<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
www.sma.unifi.it\/vp-245-la-specola.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nEgyptian Rooms at the National Archaeological Museum<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Palazzo Davanzati<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
bargellomusei.beniculturali.it\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nBoboli Gardens<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
uffizi.it\/en\/boboli-garden<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Most Beautiful Gardens and Parks in Florence<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nMuseo Galileo<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
museogalileo.it\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nViews from the Duomo<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
romeing.it\/florence\/what-to-see-at-florence-piazza-del-duomo\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nBest of Florence City Center Tour with Accademia and Uffizi<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFREE in the CITY CENTER<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Antique Carousel in Piazza Repubblica <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Pat the Nose of the Porcellino for Good Luck <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Modern Art in the courtyard of Palazzo Strozzi<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
palazzostrozzi.org\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFOOD & ARTISANS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Leather Making Studio at the Scuola del Cuoio<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Taste Gelato<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The Gelateria Guide of Florence<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDAY TRIP<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Ancient Roman Theatre at Fiesole<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n