Florence with Kids: Visiting the Toddler-Friendly Boboli Gardens

When my son was two, we visited Italy for a wedding and spent the best week exploring Florence and Tuscany. First of all, Florence and Italy overall are DEFINITELY places I recommend visiting with young kids. The culture is incredibly welcoming for families and if your kids are as carb-loving as my son is, they’ll love the cuisine. 

On one of our last days in Florence, I wanted to find a laid back activity where my son could walk around and explore. We spent the afternoon at the Boboli Gardens, and it was the perfect toddler-friendly activity, and I’d recommend it to any families of young children visiting Florence. 

History of the Boboli Gardens

The Boboli Gardens are located behind the Pitti Palace, which is one of the palaces owned by the Medici family, a centuries-old powerful Florentine dynasty. The family designed the gardens, and although the gardens have been updated over time, have remained true to their original design. 

Why visit the Boboli Gardens in Florence with little kids

Essentially, there is SO much room to walk around and explore. Not only are the grounds immaculately kept, there are statues, fountains and grottos throughout the property. We loved finding these, then sitting by a fountain and relaxing under the Tuscan sun. 

The ground are so expansive that I’d recommend planning at least an afternoon to explore. When buying your tickets, you can either opt for just the Boboli Gardens or Boboli Gardens and Pitti Palace. A few days prior to this, we had taken a tour of the Palazzo Vecchio, and it wasn’t the best with a 2-year-old, so when we visited, we opted just for the gardens. 

Logistics

The Boboli Gardens are located on the opposite side of the Arno River from most of Florence’s main attractions. Florence is definitely a walking city, so be prepared to walk a decent distance depending on where your lodging is. 

The bridge that you’ll likely use to cross the Arno is the famous Ponte Vecchio. There is tons of shopping throughout the bridge, which is fun to check out as you cross, but be aware that it gets very busy, especially during peak times. 

The Boboli Gardens open early (8:15), so if your kids are early risers like mine, this is a great way to get some early morning energy out. Closing times vary throughout the year, and last admission is an hour before closing time (but trust me, you’ll want more than just one hour here!). They’re closed the first and last Monday of each month, so make sure you plan accordingly as you’re building your itinerary.