Top 5 Neighborhoods for Family
Family in Florence
The Oltrarno is many families' preferred neighborhood. South of the Arno and west of Palazzo Pitti, the streets around Via Romana and Via dei Serragli are residential, the rents are lower than the historic center, and the Boboli Gardens provide an enormous green space -- terraced gardens, grottos, fountains, and views across the city. The playground at the base of the gardens near Porta Romana is a local gathering spot.
Campo di Marte, east of the center near the stadium, is a more conventional family neighborhood. It is quieter, more spacious, and has Parco delle Cascine -- Florence's largest park -- accessible along the river. The park stretches for 3 kilometers along the Arno and has playgrounds, a public pool, and Sunday morning markets.
The hills immediately surrounding Florence offer a suburban family life with extraordinary settings. Fiesole, just 8 kilometers north, has its own Roman amphitheatre, excellent views, and a small-town atmosphere. Bagno a Ripoli and Galluzzo to the south are popular with families who want gardens and space while remaining on bus routes to the center.
School options include Italian state schools, which are generally good at primary level, and a handful of international schools. The British Institute and the International School of Florence in Bagno a Ripoli are the main English-language options. Italian school culture involves shorter days -- children are often home by 1pm -- which requires planning for working parents but also means long afternoons for activities.
The city's museums offer family-friendly programming -- the Palazzo Vecchio has children's workshops, and the Museo Galileo with its scientific instruments fascinates older children. Weekend family life often revolves around trips to the Chianti countryside, swimming at river pools in summer, or visiting one of the many agriturismos that welcome families.