See what I did there?
If you’re thinking of visiting Bolgheri with kids, my guess is you’re a wine lover and are interested in sampling some of the area’s vini deliziosi.
You can! Bolgheri is tiny and filled to the brim with enoteche and restaurants where you can sample wines and purchase them.
Or, stroll around the village and then head out into the countryside to visit some of Italy’s most well-known wineries.
I’m a mamma of three, based in Tuscany, and our family loves exploring. We think Bolgheri is one of the region’s most charming tiny villages. Yes, it’s ‘touristy,’ but it’s lovely, and worth a stop!
Let’s take a look at how you can visit Bolgheri with your kids.
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Bolgheri Basics
Bolgheri is a tiny medieval village in the Maremma area of Tuscany. It’s less than 5 miles from the Tuscan coast, and it’s in an area best known for its production of the famous Super Tuscan wines (think Ornellaia and Sassicaia).
Heads Up: As I mentioned above, Bolgheri caters to visitors, so if you’re looking for a super authentic Tuscan village, you may want to give Bolgheri a pass.
What to Do in Bolgheri with Kids
Arrive by the Cypress-Lined Lane
The 5-kilometer cypress-lined road leading to Bolgheri is one of the iconic photos of Tuscany. It’s a great visual for your arrival and there are places to pull over if you want to take a photo.
Stop at Bolgheri’s Playground
Once in town, stop at the *tiny* playground. It’s just a slide, house structure, peacock spring toy, and a merry-go-round, but the best thing about it is you can sit right in front of it and sip wine or have a snack.
Get Gelato
A must in Bolgheri if you’re visiting with kids is to get a scoop or two at the little stand in front of the playground. There are classic flavors and more unique gusti – I just got a cup with lavender and with ricotta/figs.
Discover the Best Gelato in Tuscany
Check out Bolgheri’s Shops
Bolgheri has quite a few food and wine focused shops, and there are also a few that your kids may enjoy. Lavender is grown locally (you’ll drive by small fields near the coast) and there’s a little shop selling lavender products in town. You’ll also find souvenir shops with plenty of trinkets that dazzle little ones.
Try the Acqua di Bolgheri Olfactory Experience
This experience is for big kids because there’s fragile glass involved. Acqua di Bolgheri is a local perfume brand and you can stop in the ‘Olfactory Experience’ room to smell the perfumes from glass vases. Charts on the wall behind them show what you may smell (top notes, base notes, etc). It’s a fun activity with elementary age kids and older.
Things to with Kids Do Near Bolgheri
I think Bolgheri is worth a quick visit with kids, but they’ll likely be more attracted to what’s nearby – the beach, a water park, and the Cavallino Matto theme park!
Cavallino Matto is just 12 kilometers away, and we’ve been throughout the year and have always had a blast. There are rides for all ages, and the park is clean, organized, and fun even when it’s busy.
The beach is also just a few kilometers from Bolgheri. San Vincenzo and Cecina are the most popular beaches nearby and they’re both family-friendly. We often stay at Paradú EcoVillage & Resort and use the beach area in front of the property.
There’s a water park nearby too – Acqua Village Cecina.
Read more about
Cecina with Kids
Acqua Village Cecina
One Day in Cecina
What About Winery Visits with Kids?
If you’re here, you likely want to sample the area’s wines. I could sugar-coat it for you, but I won’t – this isn’t the place to visit wineries with kids. The local producers are very serious about their wines (along with people stopping in to try them), and kids aren’t very welcome in the tasting rooms.
That doesn’t mean kids are prohibited (although at some wineries, like Le Macchiole, kids under 12 aren’t allowed at tastings or visits). But, it does mean if you’ve got wild toddlers or loud kids, there are better places in Italy for you to sample wines with kids (even in Chianti, just a couple of hours away!).
If you’ve got well-behaved kids who can sit quietly through a tasting, go for it. I’ve seen kids at the tasting rooms. Having been in wineries in the area, I’d bring my 10-year-old along, but wouldn’t bring my younger (and more active) two.
The best ways to sample the area’s wines if you’re visiting Bolgheri with kids?
- Have a meal with a wine pairing on one of the wine estates. At Antinori’s Guado al Tasso, kids are welcome at the restaurant for lunch or dinner. The outdoor dining area has a relaxed, casual vibe, and kids are giving a special Guado al Tasso coloring book. Likewise, families can dine at Tenuta San Guido.
- Try wines at an enoteca in Bolgheri, like Enoteca Tognoni (mentioned below).
- Trade off on parent duties. If this is a dream wine destination for you, have one adult watch the kids while the other visits a winery (or two).
- Purchase wine at the wineries and try it at your agriturismo. Bonus – no driving involved.
Helpful Tip: Reserve your winery visits and meals.
Family-Friendly Restaurants in Bolgheri
There are multiple restaurants in Bolgheri. My top spots for kids are:
- Enoteca Tognoni – Our family’s pick for a place that’s kid-friendly and has delicious food. Mamma and/or papa can do a wine tasting before dinner (the places closes between 5:30-6:30pm), or have a wine pairing with dinner (first seating at 7:30pm). The vibe is casual and the food is excellent. The only thing I don’t love about this place with kids… there are bottles of wine everywhere, so it may not be a match for you if you have a toddler that likes to grab things.
- Ristorante Il Granaio – This place is technically outside the city walls, but you only have to walk a few steps to reach it from the village. As a parent, it’s a dream because there’s a huge kids play area in front of the restaurant so you can enjoy your wine and finish your dinner while your kids play in front of you (no cars). Note that the play area is on dirt, so this isn’t the day to dress your kids in white clothing.
- Osteria Magona – Osteria Magona is outside of the village, on the road between Bolgheri and Castagneto Carducci. It’s a casual setting, and kids will like the treehouse and play area. Be sure to sit at an outdoor table. This is a dreamy option on a summer evening.
Getting to Bolgheri with Kids
It’s best to arrive by car, whether it’s your own rental car or with a private driver.
You can park in the small lot that’s about 400 meters (5 min walk) east of town on the cypress-lined road. Be careful walking into town, as there’s no sidewalk. If, for some reason, that lot is full, you can drive through town (but don’t enter the ZTL when you pass through the arch – veer right!) to get to another parking area (also paid).
Pay for your ticket in the machine and display it on your dash. On my last visit, the EasyPark app wasn’t working in the lot before town – have some cash handy.
Read my Guide to Driving in Italy
How to Get Around Bolgheri with Kids
You can walk everywhere in the village. Bolgheri is tiny – as in you could walk the loop of town in less than 5 minutes. But, you’ll likely want to check out some of the shops, stop for a glass of wine or a gelato, and have a quick go at the playground.
Where to Stay Near Bolgheri
There are rooms to rent in the village, but with kids, I recommend staying at one of the many agriturismi in the area. That way, you’ll have a pool, space for your kids to run around and play, and *bonus* some agriturismi here also produce wine!
Here are a few places to look at:
- Agriturismo Il Lentisco – Set between Bolgheri and the beach, Il Lentisco has a swimming pool and other kid amenities like fusbol, a trampoline, and kids play structures. Plus, there’s plenty of grassy area for kids to run around in. Apartments available and there’s on-site coin laundry. More info and rates -> Agriturismo Il Lentisco.
- Paradú EcoVillage & Resort – This is where I end up when I’m in the area with kids. We’ve been here multiple times – with family and friends. We like staying in the little cabins, but there are other options (like glamping tents). There’s entertainment for the kids, playgrounds, swimming pools, and of course, the beach! My kids are always happy to be here, and as a parent, it’s an ‘easy’ option. There are restaurants on-site, but you can also cook in your kitchen. Heads Up: During the summer, there’s a minimum stay of a few nights. More info and rates -> Paradú EcoVillage & Resort.
- Agriturismo Tra gli Ulivi – This agriturismo is conveniently located about 5-7 minutes away by car from Bolgheri, so you can have visit Bolgheri easily but have a countryside stay. You can also sample the property’s wines and olive oil (kids can do the oil tasting too). Apartments are available so you can cook on your own if you like, and there’s a swimming pool. More info and rates -> Agriturismo Tra gli Ulivi.
Helpful Tip: The area around Bolgheri (and neighboring Castagneto Carducci) is hoppin’ in the summertime as wine-loving Italians and visitors come to the area. Book your accommodation as soon as you know your dates.
Bolgheri Logistics with Kids
Pedestrian area – Bolgheri is not completely car-free.
Strollers – Bolgheri is a stroller-friendly village, but it’s small enough that you could let little kids walk a bit and carry them when needed.
Toilets – There’s an unmarked public toilet just behind the playground (walk down the steps).
Snacks – There are plenty of snack options in town, including gelato, panini, and bagged snacks like chips. In warmer months, you can also stop at a fruit stand on your way to Bolgheri. There are usually a few set up around La California.
Breastfeeding – Besides in restaurants/cafés, you can also use the benches at the playground.
