Tuscany is packed with great day trips for kids: from medieval towns with towers to climb to rugged nature where you can swim in mountain streams. The best outings combine experience with activity, keeping children active rather than dragging them through museums. In this article you’ll find concrete answers to the most frequently asked questions about day trips in Tuscany with children.
What types of day trips are suitable for children in Tuscany?
The most suitable day trips in Tuscany for children are outings centered on movement, discovery, and experience. Think towns with open spaces, national parks with hiking trails, river beaches, and hands-on workshops. Tuscany is perfectly suited for families seeking adventure without complicated planning.
Children in Tuscany have the most fun on outings that let them do something. That could be a medieval town with narrow alleys to explore, a forest where you hunt for truffles, or a river where you simply kick off your shoes and wade in. The region offers enough variety to experience something new every day.
- City day trips: historic centers with towers, squares, and gelato
- Nature outings: national parks, mountain streams, and hiking routes
- Workshops: making pasta, baking bread, hunting for truffles
- Swimming and water fun: river beaches and outdoor pools
- Cycling trips: e-bikes through hills and valleys
Which Tuscan towns are best for a day out with children?
The best Tuscan towns for a day out with children are Arezzo, Siena, and Cortona. These towns are compact enough to explore on foot, have historic squares where children have room to roam, and offer an authentic atmosphere without the overwhelming crowds of Florence.
Arezzo
Arezzo is ideal for families who want to stay nearby. The historic city center has wide squares, an impressive Roman amphitheater, and a lively market on the first Sunday of the month. Children love wandering through the narrow streets and exploring the cathedral. The town is easy to reach and not too large to cover in a single day.
Siena
Siena has the famous Piazza del Campo, one of the most beautiful squares in Italy, where children can roam freely. The Palio, the historic horse race event, draws large crowds every year in July and August. Outside of the race, the medieval neighborhoods and the cathedral are impressive for older children and teenagers.
Cortona
Cortona is a smaller hilltop town with a relaxed atmosphere and stunning views over Lake Trasimeno. The town is very manageable with children: little traffic, friendly locals, and pleasant terraces. It is also the town made famous by the book and film Under the Tuscan Sun.
What are the best nature and adventure outings in Tuscany for children?
The best nature and adventure outings in Tuscany for children are hikes in the Casentino National Park, swimming in the Arno or the Corsalone, and cycling trips through the hills. The region has wild nature within a short distance of most accommodations, without having to drive far.
The Casentino National Park is one of Tuscany’s best-kept secrets. The park has dense forests, waterfalls, and routes that are manageable even for younger children. In summer, the streams in the valley are popular swimming spots for families: the water is cool, clear, and safe for children. Older children and teenagers can also rent e-mountain bikes to explore the hills, which is an adventurous way to discover the area.
Truffle hunting is another activity that surprises children: roaming through the forest with a dog in search of something you can then eat yourself is an experience they won’t soon forget.
How far are popular sights in Tuscany from the Casentino region?
From the Casentino region, most popular sights in Tuscany are reachable within one to two hours by car. Arezzo is about 30 minutes away, Florence about 1.5 hours, Siena just over an hour, and Cortona about 45 minutes.
This makes the Casentino an excellent base for day trips, without spending long hours in the car every day. Below is an overview of travel times:
- Arezzo: about 30 minutes, ideal for a half-day trip
- Cortona: about 45 minutes, compact town, easy to combine with a picnic
- Siena: about 1 hour and 15 minutes, plan a full day
- Florence: about 1 hour and 30 minutes, definitely worth it, but choose quieter days
- Pisa: about 2 hours, great for children who want to see the Leaning Tower
What child-friendly activities can you do without driving far?
Right around the Casentino valley there are plenty of child-friendly activities without needing a car. Hikes through the national park, swimming in the river, making pasta with local ingredients, and cycling trips on e-bikes are all possible at or very close to your accommodation.
Families who choose a vacation home in Tuscany in the Casentino region don’t necessarily need to get in the car for a full day of activities. The valley itself offers plenty: a swimming pool, a river, forests to hike in, and workshops organized together with the local community. Children staying in a car-free village also make friends more quickly with other children on the property, giving the holiday its own unique social dimension.
When is the best time for day trips in Tuscany with children?
The best time for day trips in Tuscany with children is from May through September, with June and September as the absolute highlights. During these months the weather is pleasant, most attractions are open, and nature is at its most beautiful. July and August are busier and hotter, but ideal for swimming and outdoor activities.
In high summer, particularly in the second half of July and August, popular cities such as Florence and Siena are very crowded and hot. Plan city visits early in the morning or in the late afternoon. For nature and water outings, the hottest weeks are actually perfect: streams are pleasantly cool and children can play outside for hours. In June and September it is quieter, cooler, and prices are generally lower — ideal for families with flexible travel dates.
How Novanta helps with a family-friendly vacation in Tuscany
Novanta is an experience hotel, tucked away in the Gello valley in the Casentino, and offers exactly the base families need for an authentic Tuscan vacation with children. Not a holiday park, but a car-free borgo with space, nature, and real experiences.
What Novanta specifically offers families:
- Self-contained vacation homes with their own kitchen and multiple bedrooms, suitable for large families or multiple families together
- Two outdoor swimming pools and direct access to the river
- E-mountain bikes for adventurous cycling trips through the hills
- Workshops such as pasta making, truffle hunting, and wine tastings
- Car-free village where children can roam freely and safely
- Borders the Casentino National Park, with hiking routes starting right at the door
View the available vacation homes in Tuscany and plan your family holiday in the Casentino hills.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep young children (under 5) entertained during a day trip in Tuscany?
For toddlers and young children, short outings work best: plan a maximum of one activity per half-day and always build in rest time. Choose destinations with open spaces such as the Piazza del Campo in Siena or a river beach in the Casentino, where children can move freely without you having to hold their hand constantly. Bring familiar toys or a sand play set for moments when children have had enough of walking around.
What are common mistakes when planning day trips in Tuscany with children?
The most common mistake is trying to see too much in one day: a packed itinerary with multiple towns or sights often leads to tired, irritable children and stressed parents. Instead, plan one main destination per day and leave room for spontaneous stops, an ice cream, or an unexpected playground. Also remember to travel outside peak hours: leaving early saves you parking hassle and crowds in popular cities like Florence and Siena.
Are there specific hiking routes in the Casentino National Park suitable for children?
Yes, the Casentino National Park has several routes that are manageable even for children aged 5 and up, such as the short forest routes around Camaldoli and Badia Prataglia. These paths are well signposted, run through shady forests, and have plenty to see along the way, from waterfalls to squirrels and birds of prey. Combine a hike with a swimming break in one of the streams for a perfect day without children complaining about tired legs.
What should I bring for a day trip with children in the Tuscan summer?
High-factor sunscreen, a good sun hat, and plenty of water are absolute must-haves for every summer day trip in Tuscany. Also bring light snacks for the road, as children get hungry at unexpected moments and not every route has a restaurant nearby. For water and river outings, water shoes or old sneakers are handy, as the riverbeds in the Casentino can be stony.
Can I do a day trip to Florence with young children, and how do I approach it?
Florence is certainly doable with children, but requires smart planning: choose a maximum of one or two sights, such as the Ponte Vecchio and the Boboli Gardens, and avoid the busiest hours between 11:00 and 15:00. Always book museum tickets in advance online to avoid long queues, and plan a relaxed lunch at a terrace outside the tourist center. Leave early from the Casentino so you can be on your way back by midday and avoid the heat and crowds of the afternoon.
Are workshops such as truffle hunting and pasta making suitable for children, and from what age?
Yes, most workshops in the Casentino region are set up to be child-friendly and suitable for children from about age 6. Truffle hunting with a dog is particularly popular with children: it feels like a treasure hunt through the forest and ends with a home-cooked meal. Pasta workshops are also a hit, because children get to knead and shape the dough themselves, which is much more fun than just watching. Always check with your accommodation or local provider about the minimum age and group size.
How do I arrange transport for day trips if I don't have a car or prefer not to drive?
From larger Tuscan cities, regional trains and buses run to destinations such as Arezzo, Siena, and Florence, but for the Casentino valley a rental car is by far the most practical option. Without a car you miss many of the most beautiful, off-the-beaten-path spots in the region. If you prefer not to drive, you can also opt for organized day trips from your accommodation, where transport and a guide are included, so you can relax and enjoy without having to navigate yourself.
