In contrast to Rome, Florence’s historical center has fewer parks and playgrounds in its historical center. There are select neighborhoods in the Oltrarno, our preferred area for families in Florence, with some nice local parks with jungle gyms and swings where you can escape the crowds and mingle with the locals. Just a few minutes out of town, you will find the Cascine, the largest park in Florence, which offers many choices for recreation, particularly during the summer months.
In the charming Oltrarno neighborhood of San Frediano you will find a play park in Piazza Tasso, with shady benches, three play structures, swings, and a climbing structure. There is also a fenced soccer pitch. The park is a short walk from Piazza Santo Spirito, also a family-friendly location for a coffee, snack, or aperitivo, where the kids can run around in the piazza while parents relax at the outdoor café tables.
There is a larger play park in Florence in the historical center in the elegant San Niccolo neighborhood just beyond the Ponte Vecchio, behind Palazzo Pitti. The Giardino Carraia park at Via dell’Erta Canina (Via dell’Erta Canina 6R) is a nice grassy park with several play structures and a soccer pitch. Just beyond the park there are tennis courts at the Carraia Tennis Club. Nearby there is a family-friendly restaurant, La Beppa Fioriaia (Via dell’Erta Canina 6R, +39 055 234 7681), with a large enclosed garden serving an inexpensive menu, including pizza.
The Parco delle Cascine, on Viale degli Olmi on the outskirts of Florence along the Arno River, is a lush green park that once served as the private hunting estate for Medici dukes. The park is lined with paths for biking, jogging, or rollerblading, has several play parks with jungles gyms and swings, and in the summer months there is a public swimming pool, Le Pavoniere. The park also hosts family-friendly events all summer long.
Be sure to check our tips on Where to Stay with Kids in Florence, where we list our top picks for family-friendly apartments and hotels in these neighborhoods.
Add to favorites
Connect