One Week in Italy with Kids: A Bucket List Itinerary

If there’s one trip that’s been on my bucket list since forever…it’s Italy. I studied abroad in Florence in college, and it’s had a piece of my heart ever since. So when my cousin got married in Tuscany and gave us the perfect excuse to finally go back (with my husband and three boys in tow this time!), I RSVP’d yes before I even finished reading the invitation.

We actually started our trip in France for a few days, then made our way into Italy for about a week of Florence, Rome, and everything gorgeous in between. This post covers our exact Italian itinerary, plus how you could tweak it if you want a more typical version without a wedding built in. Let’s get into it!

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Day 1: Arrive in Florence, Italy

My heart was SO full the second we landed in Florence. I hadn’t been back since I left my study abroad program, and getting to come back with my family this time made it even sweeter.

One of the best decisions we made before we even left home? Booking our transport from the airport to our hotel. After a long day of travel, not having to hunt down a taxi with three tired kids is worth its weight in gold.

We checked into The Artists’ Palace Florence and headed straight out for our first taste of the city: lunch at Mercato Centrale. Lively, delicious, casual…exactly what we needed after a travel day. Then we settled into our hotel. 

That evening we had dinner at Ristorante Il Morellino, then capped things off with a little bit of magic for the kids…a ride on the carousel in Piazza della Repubblica, a couple with the most beautiful voices serenading the Duomo, and a nightcap at the lounge back at our hotel. A perfect, low-key first night.

Day 2: A Kid-Friendly Tour of Florence and an Epic Sunset

We started the day with a kid-friendly walking tour, and it kept the boys engaged the ENTIRE time (a small miracle). Highlights included Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and a stop for gelato at Edoardo il Gelato Biologico.

From there we grabbed pizza for lunch at Mister Pizza, then checked out one of the many wine windows around the city before heading to the hotel to rest. Bonus points: the wine window we visited was near a gelato place, so…wine for us, gelato for the boys! Win win!

Later that day we grabbed sandwiches from the famous All’Antico Vinaio, then made our way up to Piazzale Michelangelo, where we picnicked, listened to some live music, and watched an incredible sunset over the city. On the walk back, we stopped briefly at Santa Croce…if we hadn’t used the middle of the day to rest, this would’ve been a great spot to explore more fully in daylight.

I go much deeper into all our favorite Florence stops (plus a few we wished we’d added) in my full Florence with kids guide…this is just the highlight reel!

Day 3: Michelangelo’s David, then a Day Trip to Siena

First stop of the morning: Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia. Even the boys were impressed, and that’s saying something. I HIGHLY recommend purchasing your tickets in advance for this one. We snagged tickets for first thing in the morning, and the line was already crazy long. We were SO happy to bypass it.

Afterward, we checked out of our Florence hotel, picked up our rental car from the Santa Maria Novella train station, and drove to Siena. We parked at Il Campo (an easy spot to find) and grabbed lunch before exploring. Siena’s highlights for us were Piazza del Campo (the famous square where the Palio horse race takes place) and the stunning zebra-striped Duomo.

We purchased tickets in advance for the “Gate of Heaven” rooftop tour, and the boys will still bring it up to this day. They thought it was SO COOL (and I totally agree with them!). 

From there, we drove on to our home base for the next few days.

Renting a Car vs. Taking the Train in Italy

Since we picked up our rental car on Day 3, this feels like the right spot to talk through both options…because honestly, either one can work depending on how your trip is shaped.

Renting a Car

We picked up our rental in Florence and used it to explore Siena, the Tuscan countryside, and Orvieto, then eventually made our way down to Rome. Having a car gave us so much flexibility, especially with kids…we could stop when we needed to, take detours through postcard-worthy villages, and not feel tied to train schedules.

That said, driving in Italy has its quirks. City centers are tight, parking can be a puzzle, and drivers sharing the road aren’t always the most patient. The biggest thing to watch for is ZTL zones…restricted traffic areas in most Italian towns and cities. Drive into one by mistake, and you’ll get slapped with a hefty fine later. They’re usually marked, but easy to miss if you’re not paying close attention. The trick is to plan your parking before you head into a new town, stick to designated lots, and be ready to walk a bit.

Out on the country roads, though, it’s a dream…rolling hills, vineyards, wide-open views that feel like they go on forever. If you’re up for a little adventure, renting a car is 100% worth it.

Taking the Train Instead

If a rental car isn’t your thing, Italy’s trains make it so easy to get around without ever getting behind the wheel. You might not get the unplugged, middle-of-nowhere Tuscany vibes, but you’ll still be able to explore big cities and small towns. That’s the only way I explored Italy when I studied abroad there and got to experience a TON. 

If you go this route, pick a couple of home bases during your trip (Florence and Rome would be great!), then take day trips. 

So Which Should You Choose?

If you want the flexibility to build in a Tuscan countryside stay (like the agriturismo I’m about to talk about!) or make spontaneous stops, rent the car. If you’d rather skip parking headaches and ZTL zones and stick to your home bases, the train covers all of it beautifully. You really can’t go wrong either way.

Days 4–5: Unplugging at a Tuscan Agriturismo

If you haven’t heard of an agriturismo before, it’s basically a working farm that also welcomes guests. It’s SUCH a special way to experience the Tuscan countryside. 

And this part of the trip is why I specifically chose the words “bucket list” for the title of this article! Because people go to Italy all the time, but road tripping off the beaten path through Tuscany and staying at an agriturismo gives you an experience that not many tourists get. 

We stayed at Agriturismo Pometti, and it’s hard to even find the words to explain how breathtaking this place was!

Since we were there for my cousin’s wedding, that meant we got to be lucky bystanders while the wedding activities basically became our itinerary for a few days. Someone else did all the planning…we just got to show up and enjoy it!

Truffle hunting, olive oil tasting, wine tasting, a cooking class, a day trip to Pienza…that came courtesy of the wedding festivities, but things like this can be booked on your own if you don’t have a wedding handing you a ready-made itinerary.

For the boys, the farm stay itself was heaven. Wide open space to run around, animals to spot, dirt paths to explore…it gave them the freedom to just be kids in between the days of city sightseeing. What I loved most was the balance. It felt like the perfect reset button in the middle of our trip, and I’d 100% recommend an agriturismo stay if you’re traveling in Tuscany with kids.

Day 6: Day Trip to Orvieto, then on to Rome

We checked out of the agriturismo and hit the road south, breaking up the drive with a stop in Orvieto. We parked at the funicular station, rode it up into the hilltop town, and spent a few hours exploring. Orvieto’s Duomo is gorgeous (are there any duomos in Italy that aren’t?!). We grabbed some breakfast, then we were back on the road. 

If we had more time, we would’ve loved to check out the spiral staircase down into the old well (Pozzo di San Patrizio). But we were ready to get to Rome!

We arrived at the Termini train station in Rome, where we returned the rental car, then took a taxi over to our hotel, HiSuite Rome. We absolutely LOVED the location, and it was a huge plus that it was apartment-style. 

Day 7: Colosseum Tour and Vatican City

It was nice to get two major sites checked off our must-see list in one day without feeling too rushed on this day.  

We started bright and early with a family-friendly Colosseum and Forum tour. Having a private guide was worth every penny…she made history come alive in a way the boys actually enjoyed.

From there, we slowly made our way toward Vatican City, stopping for lunch and a break back at our hotel along the way. In the afternoon, part of our group toured the Vatican Museums while the rest of us explored St. Peter’s Basilica. The climb to the top of the dome is a workout, but the views were worth it!

TIP: Purchase your dome climb tickets in advance to avoid the long lines! And yes, the ticket that includes the lift is worth it. It’s a long climb up, so being able to take the lift partway was nice!

Day 8: Explore Rome

Our last full day! And we ended the trip with a hodgepodge of things. We started early (once again) at the Trevi Fountain to beat the crowds, then made our way to the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona. In the evening, we crossed the river for dinner in Trastevere, which has such a fun, unique vibe. Cobblestone streets, outdoor cafes, a mix of ivy and graffiti on the walls…just such a cool area.

While this was just the quick overview, I dive into the specifics during our time in Rome in this post. 

Day 9: Fly Home

We arranged a transfer to the airport through our hotel (another reason we loved this hotel!) and off we went. Leaving Italy is always bittersweet…but what a trip.

Final Thoughts: One Week in Italy with Kids

This trip had it all: Florence for art and history, Tuscany for family time and celebration, and Rome for those iconic moments. Traveling with kids always adds a layer of chaos, but it also makes the memories that much sweeter. If you’re planning a similar trip, I hope this itinerary gives you some inspiration…and permission to build in both the big sights and the slower moments.