Hi guys, we’ll be on a very tight timeline and are deciding which of the three cities are worth visiting - Florence, Siena, or Venice. We only have four days total for Italy. We’ll be with our 2.5 year old.

I’d stay closer to cortona, in the countryside and do a day trip to Florence 1.5 hour drive) and tour around Tuscany for the rest of the time. Gorgeous little towns that are peaceful, ready to explore like pienza. Florence is great, but busy, lots of tourists.

We stayed in a 2 bedroom VRBO in Venice, location was good and the host was fantastic. Listing #1097927

We have been, several years ago to all three. I would be inclined to visit Venice. Flying in in daylight get window seats

Venice - more compact and you can see more - don’t forget to visit Moreno too

Florence. Art, architecture, street markets, culture, gelato...

We’re also going in a few weeks to Italy and are planning Florence and Rome. Also traveling with our almost 3 year old. I’ve been to Florence before and it’s my favourite city in the world! It is very busy but absolutely beautiful and so much to see and do there. I didn’t like Venice as much so I’d either just go for a day or skip it for Siena instead.

Definitely is a different experience with a toddler

I think Florence is a beautiful city and I would visit it again in a second. Loved the architecture and art. Personally I’d skip Venice in order to go to Florence. Never been to Siena.

Venice

Florence. Amazing art, food, beer, wine, culture and history. I’ve not been to Siena but thought Venice was much busier and hurried by comparison.

Venice and Florence

Florence. There’s more diverse things to do. I can’t imagine doing Venice with a 2.5 year old, it’s way too confusing!!

Do you mean because there's too much to see, too much walking?

Adriana too much walking - you can’t not get lost in Venice, or at least that’s what my experience tells me. Plus, it’s so so crowded with tourists. With Lots of slippery and questionable staircases and entryways... And a lot of very fancy buildings/churches/museums that aren’t exactly child friendly either. For me it would be too stressful to have a little one with me there! (It is beautiful though).

Venice

Been to both - with such a young child I would go to Florence. More variety in Florence.

Venice hands down.

If you do Venice, make sure to go to Lido. You can take a vaparetto there. It is a little beach town on the Adriatic Sea, it has a nice beach and it would be great for your 2.5 year old.

Definitely Florence especially with a little one.

Florence

Venice

Florence

Venice is amazing, Florence second. I haven't been to Siena so can't say there.

I think with Venice you get such a unique experience. Maybe more to do in Florence?? Must take a gondola ride!

For sure! Everyone has been telling us to avoid this overpriced tourist trap, but I mean, how can you go to Venice and NOT? lol

Haha totally. The last trip to Europe we did we did all the major tourist things and it was great to have those memories. The next time we're going we will see some tourist things but also smaller towns as well since we're going to Ireland and northern France mostly.

There is only ONE Venice - don't miss it. Florence next.

I agree Venice is a must see but with a little one it may be difficult. Just my opinion and that gives you a reason to go back in a few years:)

Florence

Venice

Florence

Venice Venice Venice. wonderful. I must see again.

Siena. Venice and Florence are super busy.

With a small child, I agree! And Sienna was my favourite

Venice

I'd happily go back to any of them, but I'd say go to Florence. You can do Siena as a day trip from there if you really want.)

Venice definitely

Love Venice! Plus it’s sinking so go while you can

Florence over Venice for sure, haven't been to Siena yet.

Tough choice. Florence for the art, 2.5 yr old will be in a stroller anyway, Venice because it’s just spectacular. You can tell your grown child they were in a gondola at 2.5.

That's exactly how I feel! She's a pretty good girl and loves walking and exploring so hoping for the best

Adriana lots of street sweet treats and masks, and a pretty cool Ferrari shop

In Venice I meant

100% venice

Venice

They are all beautiful but Venice is so unique - it's truly magical!

Florence over Venice definitely. I haven’t been to Siena yet so I’m not sure what it’s like. I wouldn’t go back to Venice but I would go back to Florence in a heartbeat.

Thanks so much for all the feedback everyone. Many seem like they thought Venice was overrated? But it's one of those things, you have to see once right? I have decided on Florence for sure and maybe 1 day in Venice.

We totally felt the same..Venice is a place you have to see once especially when in Italy already! We spent a few days in Florence and 1 day in Venice and it was a perfect amount of time!

We did the same. So many people told us the Venetians are completely sick of tourists. I wonder how many of the Venice lovers were there years ago. We go next week.