Tuscany ticks all the boxes when it comes to family-friendly holidays – think big, open countryside, glorious beaches, and cities packed with exciting experiences. There are rich cultural experiences for kids to discover, not to mention delicious food that even the pickiest eater will be asking for seconds. Planning a trip with the family? You’ve come to the right place, as our travel experts at Plum Guide have all there is to know about where to stay with kids in Tuscany. From seaside towns to lush valleys, here are our top destinations.

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It wouldn’t be a list of where to stay with kids in Tuscany without a mention of its spectacular Renaissance city. If you think it’s going to be boring art galleries and museums, think again – Florence is a fantastic place to immerse kids in culture, and there are plenty of things to keep them entertained. As you’re surrounded by art, a fun idea is for kids to have a go at creating their own masterpieces – Il Papiro offers paper marbling workshops, or check out the street art and visit the Clet Studio.

If the kids are full of energy, the best way to burn it all off is to climb the numerous towers and viewpoints across the city. Giotto’s Bell Tower is a great choice, with amazing views and platforms to catch your breath. When you need some downtime, many green spaces are spread across the city. In addition to the famous Boboli Gardens and Bardini Gardens, you’ll also find smaller parks and playgrounds that are less busy. Parco Giochi d’Azeglio is just on the outskirts of the historic centre, with a playground and a merry-go-round. Need a little treat? Check out the many gelaterias – Perchè No! is one of our favourites.

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Pisa is an excellent place to stay with kids as the city centre is compact and walkable – not to mention it's well-connected by train with other Italian cities. It goes without saying that seeing the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa is the top thing to do in the city. Kids below the age of eight aren’t allowed to climb the tower, but those between eight and eighteen are permitted with the company of an adult. Nevertheless, the little ones can spend time taking silly photos with the tower. The rest of the Campo dei Miracoli is also worth checking out – older kids will be fascinated by the relics and tombs in the Camposanto.

If you have primary school-aged kids or older, they’ll love the Italian Army Paratrooper Museum. Outside, kids can experience the thrill of sitting in a helicopter and armoured vehicles, while inside is full of mannequins and artefacts. If you can drag them away from the museum, there are a few playgrounds around the city – Parco dello Squalo has some climbing frames and swings, while Giardino Scotto has an old fortress and tons of green space to run around in.

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The walled city of Lucca is just the right size to use as a base for your stay in Tuscany – small enough not to be overwhelming, but large enough not to run out of things to do. It’s mostly car-free, too, so you can safely push a stroller through the cobbled streets. One of the best family activities is to rent a bike and cycle along the medieval walls. It’s a popular place for local families to hang out, and your kids will have fun cycling under the tree-lined path and admiring the view. For more panoramas, climb up one of Lucca’s many towers. The two best ones for kids are the Guinigi Tower and the Tower of the Hours (Clock Tower).

If all that cycling and climbing has left you tired out, head straight for Lucca’s botanical garden. With its mature trees, ponds and flowering plants, it’s a little oasis for all ages to relax and unwind – ideally with a gelato from Gelateria Veneta. If you’re planning on driving during your time here, you can also take day trips to nearby attractions such as Pinocchio Park, Collodi Butterfly House and Garzoni Garden.

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Nature lovers looking for somewhere to stay with kids in Tuscany will absolutely love the Garfagnana Valley. Its stunning landscapes are one big playground, with loads of activities for kids to connect with nature. Take a walk along the lake at Lago di Pontecosi, venture deep below the surface at Grotta del Vento, cycle around Lago di Vagli, go canyoning in Parco del Battiferro, and try a range of activities in Levigliese Adventure Park. In the winter months, you can even go cross-country skiing. For a truly memorable day out, head to Fortezza delle Verrucole, a medieval fortress where kids can engage with costumed staff members and learn what it would've been like to live there back in the Middle Ages.

When you need a break from nature, there are enough towns and villages to keep the kids entertained. Barga is a pretty market town, and kids will love exploring the winding alleyways and the historic palaces. Castelnuovo di Garfagnana is another picturesque town, home to the magnificent Rocca Ariostesca. This 12th-century castle houses an archaeological museum which budding historians will find interesting.

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Another area where you can breathe in the fresh air is Val d’Orcia. This beautiful region of Tuscany looks like it belongs in a postcard, with its fields of red poppies, elegant cypress trees and storybook villages and towns. It’s the ideal destination for a relaxing country stay, with an interesting mix of things to do. One of our favourite activities is swimming at the hot springs in Bagni San Filippo. There’s an easy path along the river, and you’ll find several pools with milky-blue white waters and impressive calcium rock formations.

You won’t have to miss out on any winery tours just because you have the kids with you. In fact, many wineries are actually kid-friendly, offering activities like worksheets and colouring while adults try famous local wines like Rosso di Montalcino, vino nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino. Some of our favourite wineries include La Ciarliana and Podere Franco Pacenti. Another great place to spend the day is Podere Il Casale, a restaurant and estate where kids can meet farm animals, learn how to cook pizza, go truffle hunting and watch a cheese-making demonstration.

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Often overlooked in favour of Florence and Pisa, Siena is a quieter Tuscan city with just as many things to see and do. It has a much more relaxed pace with fewer crowds, making it a perfect choice for families. Your first port of call should be the Torre del Mangia. Kids aged ten and under can climb for free, and the tower is full of narrow passageways and little lookouts all the way to the top – the views from up here make a spectacular background for family photos.

While Siena isn’t packed with playgrounds, there are a few that are worth visiting, such as the one in Piazza San Francesco and the one just outside Porta San Marco. If the kids are allowed a little treat, stop at Pasticceria Nannini Conca D’Oro for ricciarelli. These powdered sugar-covered cookies are a Siena speciality, and this is the best shop to try them. All that sugar got them excited? In the city centre is the Orto dei Pecci, Siena’s green lung with a lush garden, vast green space for running around, orchards and a well-rated restaurant for some home-cooked Italian food.

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What child doesn’t like the beach? When it comes to where to stay with kids in Tuscany, its coastline is one of the best places for a family-friendly holiday. There are many cities and towns strewn along the coast, from renowned towns like Viareggio to quieter options such as Orbetello. One of our favourite destinations is Follonica, a family-friendly seaside town with a laid-back atmosphere. Spend your holiday down on its Blue Flag beach, where little ones can splash about safely and build sandcastles while older kids amp up the excitement with watersports. Another place we recommend is Castiglione della Pescaia, a blissful fishing village backed by green hills. The long, sandy beaches are ideal for families, with plenty of facilities like watersports, playgrounds and ice cream shops.

When you feel like a day out, an activity you simply can’t miss is taking a boat trip to the islands of Elba and Giglio. There are many opportunities for adventures here, where you can explore idyllic towns, swim and snorkel in crystalline waters and play on sandy beaches. Although they’re easily visited in a day, once you get there, you’ll find yourself wanting to stay longer.

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Explore our hand-picked homes in Tuscany.