Have you heard San Gimignano is gorgeous and you want to visit with your kids, but… you’ve also heard it’s a crowded tourist trap to be avoided?
Do you want your kids to see Tuscany’s ‘Medieval Manhattan’ but aren’t sure how you’ll pass the time there with little ones?
I’m a mamma of three living in Tuscany, just 40 minutes from San Gimignano. I’ve spent plenty of time in San Gimignano with my kids, with visiting friends and family, and with other families for work. I hope this look at San Gimignano from a mom’s perspective helps you plan your trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site with your family.
Helpful Tip: San Gimignano is pronounced sahn jee-mee-NYAH-noh.
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Where is San Gimignano?
San Gimignano is a small town in the Tuscan countryside. If you draw a line between Florence and Siena, it’s about halfway in between and a little bit west.
Why Visit San Gimignano with Kids
San Gimignano is a great stop with your family for the day or longer. Why?
- The town’s towers are a unique feature. You can even climb one (the Torre Grossa).
- San Gimignano is the home of Gelateria Dondoli (don’t miss it!).
- The center is compact, pedestrian friendly and stroller-friendly.
- There are plenty of kid-friendly places to eat in town.
- It’s good to see a smaller town if you’ve spent your time in Italy in larger cities like Florence or Rome.
Still, San Gimignano isn’t for everyone. You may want to skip a visit if:
- You’re not a fan of crowds. San Gimignano is one of the busiest towns in Tuscany.
- Your only chance to visit is during the day in the summer. It gets hot in San G – really hot. Dragging your kids around the town in 35° C heat isn’t a recipe for success.
- You’re craving a visit to a super-authentic Tuscan town. San G is beautiful but it’s got its share of souvenir shops.
When to Visit San Gimignano with Kids
You can visit San Gimignano year-round.
Summer is the busiest and hottest period of the year. If you come in the summer with your family, I highly recommend staying out of the town center during the middle of the day when temperatures soar. Take a dip in your agriturismo’s pool or relax in your air-conditioned hotel room. Explore San Gimignano in the morning and in the evening when it’s a little cooler.
Winter is quiet but you can still climb the towers, visit shops, etc. Things are still open, unlike in many other Tuscan towns and villages in the off-season.
Spring and Fall are lovely times to visit San Gimignano. Crowds are still plentiful, but the temps are lower, which makes daytime visits much more pleasant.
Read more about visiting Tuscany in the Spring – Summer – Fall – Winter
Kid-Friendly Things to Do in San Gimignano
Whether you’re in town for a day or you have a week, here are the best things to do with kids (based on my experience).
Good To Know: For our family, the ‘musts’ are climbing the Torre Grossa and getting gelato at Dondoli.
Climb the Torre Grossa – Climb the 200 steps up and check out the views of San G and the countryside. The railings are good (no big gaps), but you can see through some of the steps and down to the bottom, so kids who are afraid of heights may not like it.
Get Gelato at Gelateria Dondoli – This is a highlight of any San Gimignano visit for my kids. The line is long but moves quickly. Order your gelato and then pay. You can see the flavors in English and Italian on the screens inside the shop. You can eat your gelato in the shade just around the corner in Piazza Duomo.
Explore the Town Hall Museum – I know, it doesn’t sound very exciting. But, my kids love looking at the crowssbow, war helmet, dagger, and the paintings that change as you walk by them.
Play at One of the Playgrounds – There are two playground in San Gimignano (both marked on the map above:
- La Rocca Playground – Grassy area with swings, slide, construction toy, spring toys. A little bit of shade, water fountain. This is the playground we prefer and always end up at.
- North Playground – Smaller, a little bit of shade (but not over the toys).
Visit Mini San Gimignano – This tiny museum (the main photo) is free to enter (you can make a donation or buy something if you like) and the star of the show is the miniature San Gimignano on display. This is a great quick stop and the location is convenient (close to the Duomo).
Stroll the Pedestrian Streets – The main pedestrian streets in San G are Via San Giovanni and Via San Matteo (they’re linked by Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Cisterna). This ‘main drag’ is full of shops selling local food and wine, souvenirs, leather, clothing, linens, and ceramics. There are also a couple of contemporary art galleries.
More Things to See and Do – Older kids may be interested in the Torture Museum near Porta San Giovanni. It’s in two locations on Via San Giovanni and it’s a private collection. Inside the Duomo, you can point out some interesting Biblical frescoes. Find a favorite viewpoint. Try something with the local saffron. Find the chocolate fountain!
Check out Things to Do in San Gimignano – Tried and Tested
Where to Eat with Kids in San Gimignano
There are plenty of family-friendly restaurant options in San Gimignano. If you’re set on a particular place, it’s best to call ahead to reserve. If you have a chance to have dinner in San Gimignano, I highly recommend it, as the daytrippers are gone, the town quiets down, and takes on a completely different mood in the evening.
Here are a few places to eat for lunch and/or dinner:
Vinaio (Piazza della Cisterna, 16) –Grab panini to go or eat in the restaurant (seating upstairs too). Little kids can share because the panini are huge. Kind of cramped, so you’ll need to leave your stroller outside.
Boboli (Via San Giovanni, 30) – Good pick for an easy pizza or pasta. Seating indoors and outdoors.
Le Vecchie Mura (Via Piandornella, 15) – Classic Tuscan dishes with spectacular scenery (reserve a table on the detached terrace).
Risto Macelleria i Piaceri della Carne (Piazza Sant’Agostino, 3) – Perfect spot on Piazza Sant’Agostino for a tagliere di salumi (cold-cut platter). Mamma and papà can also have aperitivo here. I love eating on this piazza with kids because it’s a quiet one away from the crowds and kids can play freely (and adults can relax a bit!).
Coop (Via Baccanella, 37) – Grab picnic supplies at this grocery store on the edge of town and have your meal at one of the playgrounds or at the Parco della Rocca. Easy, inexpensive, and a staple of our family’s San Gimignano daytime visits. Read about Going to the Grocery Store in Italy.
Where to Stay in San Gimignano with Kids
The main thing to think about if you want to base your family in San Gimignano is whether you want to stay in the center of the town or in the countryside. Both are good options for different reasons.
You can read more about this choice and get some suggestions on where to stay in Where to Stay in San Gimignano with Kids.
How to Get to San Gimignano with Kids
By Car – Driving is easiest, mainly for flexibility with arriving and departing. You’ll need to find parking in San Gimignano, and there’s plenty, but many lots fill up quickly. I always park at the Giubileo lot (P1), which is an 8-minute walk to town (doable with a stroller). It does fill up too, but if you arrive in the morning, you should be able to find a spot there. If not, follow the blue and white ‘P’ signs to other lots around town.
Helpful Tip: Follow this route from the P1 Giubileo lot to Porta San Giovanni. It’s stroller-friendly and you pass by a public toilet and the Coop (snacks, water).
By Private Driver – If you’re staying nearby, you could also hire a private driver. This is the most expensive option, but you can get dropped off and picked up right at the entrance of town, and your timing can be flexible (if arranged with your driver). See my list of recommended drivers.
By Bus – Public transport by bus is also possible from larger cities like Florence. This is the least expensive option and you get dropped off right in front of Porta San Giovanni, but it’s also the least flexible, as you’re at the mercy of the bus schedule. You’ll also need to change buses in Poggibonsi. You can check bus schedules at Autolinee Toscane.
By Plane – If you’re flying in and heading straight to San Gimignano, the most convenient airports are Florence Peretola Airport (FLR) and the Pisa Galileo Airport (PSA). You could rent a car in either airport and drive to San Gimignano.
You may want to read
Tuscany Car Rental
Renting a Car in Pisa
Renting a Car at the Florence Airport
Car Seats in Italy
Florence Airport Quick Guide
Tuscany Without a Car
San Gimignano with Kids – Basics
Water – You can find a few public water fountains in San Gimignano like at the playground next to La Rocca and here. Otherwise, purchase water at the Coop or at a bar or restaurant.
Strollers – San Gimignano is stroller friendly. There are a couple of hills in town, but they’re doable. Be careful if it’s rained, as the short-but-steep hill just before the Piazza della Cisterna (if you’re coming from Porta San Giovanni) can be slick if wet.
Toilets – There is a public toilet steps away from San Gimignano 1300 (mini San Gimignano) and the central location makes them very convenient. Another public toilet that comes in handy is one in the bus parking area below Porta San Giovanni. Both are paid. There’s another public toilet a street north of the Duomo, but I’ve never used it (the first one I mentioned is easily-reached from anywhere in town).
Snacks – You can pick up snacks in town or at the Coop near Porta San Giovanni.
Breastfeeding – There are plenty of quiet places to breastfeed in San Gimignano. The key is to get off the main streets, and you’ll find benches and shade. If you’ve got other kids, you can head to either of the playgrounds and you’ll find benches where you can breastfeed while your other kids play.
Heat – If you’re visiting in the summer, try to avoid being out exploring the town during the hottest hours of the day (around lunchtime). Keep hydrated with water from fountains and keep cool with gelato! If you can, visit in the morning or in the evening.
Family-Friendly Things to See and Do Near San Gimignano
These are all less than an hour (driving) from San Gimignano:
Monteriggioni – Tiny, walled, walkable medieval village.
Volterra – Another medieval town in the countryside. Make sure you stop at the famous ‘O’ sculpture on the way into town.
Peccioli – I think Peccioli’s underrated. It’s a lovely village to wander through with your kids, eating gelato and looking for outdoor art. It’s also near colorful Ghizzano and the Peccioli Dinosaur Park (good for dino-obsessed kids).
Chianti – If the adults in your group love wine, you could make your way over to the wineries, villages and castles of Chianti for the day.
Read more about
Visiting Monteriggioni
Outdoor Art in Tuscany
Castello di Brolio with Kids
Tuscany Family Activities
