Are you visiting Tuscany’s Chianti area and trying to figure out which ‘in Chianti’ village to visit with your kids?
Have your kids had enough of big cities like Florence and you need a quick break from museums and crowds?
Perhaps you’re determined to head to Greve in Chianti so you can sample wines at its excellent Enoteca Falorni, but you want to make sure there’s something in town to keep your little ones happy too.
Whatever the case, read on for the scoop on Greve in Chianti with kids. I’m a mamma of three living close to Greve and we visit Greve and find enough to keep the kids occupied for a couple of hours. It’s not a must-see destination for kids, but my kids are always ready to hop in the car for a visit if I suggest it.
It’s a lovely peek at the Tuscan countryside and life in Chianti and you can easily visit on a day (or half-day) trip from Florence.
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Table of Contents
When to Visit Greve in Chianti with Kids
We love Greve the most anytime outside of winter. Summer can be toasty, but you’ll find some shade at the playground and you can always get a cool drink or gelato in the center.
We find winter in Greve to be very quiet and chilly, so we only visit unless we have a reason (like to go to the market or meet friends at the playground).
Map of Greve in Chianti with Kids
Our 7 Favorite Things to Do in Greve with Kids
Say Hi to Giovanni da Verrazzano
You’ve probably heard of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, and you may have eaten at an Italian restaurant back home named after the Italian explorer. Although he’s from Tuscany, da Verrazzano sailed for France, and was likely the first European to enter New York Bay.
Verrazzano is a local legend, so he’s got his own statue in the center of Greve in Chianti’s Piazza Matteotti (the main piazza).
Good To Know: There is limited traffic in Greve’s main piazza and side streets, but it’s not totally car-free. While it’s tempting to get a coffee at one of the cafés on the piazza and let your kids play, know that there are local cars coming in and out.
Look for a Cinghiale (Wild Boar)
Not the real ones! My kids love looking for the wild boar around town – you’ll find a couple outside of shops, and a couple inside.
Visit the Falorni Butcher
It probably doesn’t seem like a kid-friendly activity, but my kids love to explore it. Look for the boar’s head and the jar of boar teeth. Check out the butcher’s knives, and see them at work.
Helpful Tip: If you want to walk around the inside of the shop/restaurant, try to visit outside of meal hours, when it’s less busy. And watch little ones as there are a lot of displays they can reach.
Visit the Playground
Greve has a new play area! There are some new toys, a lot of swings, a little kids climbing structure, a colorful new climbing structure, a slide, a huge rope structure, and a zipline! Yes, mom and dad, you can try the zipline too.
There are benches, there’s plenty of shade, and it fills up with local kids after school.
Helpful Tip: You can get snacks or picnic supplies and enjoy your food at the playground. Pick up food in town at Falorni or at the Coop.
Walk Up to the Terrazza Panoramica
If your kids are up for a 5-minute walk up a hill, bring them to the panoramic terrace for a view of Greve from above.
Stop in on a Market Day
You can shop Greve’s main market each Saturday morning, from 8:00 to 13:00ish. You’ll find a little bit of everything – like fresh fruit and vegetables, house supplies, and clothing. There’s also an organic market every fourth Sunday and this is a great place to shop for picnic supplies and food for your meals if you have a kitchen at your accommodation. Think lovely local honey, sauces, cheese, fruit and vegetables, and more. There are also handicrafts. It’s a fun one to browse.
Good To Know: There are also shops under the porticoes of the main piazza. The one my kids are most attracted to is the Gallo Nero Shop (Piazza Matteotti, 25).
Take a Dip at the Swimming Pool
This is an excellent option if you’re visiting during the hot summer and you don’t have a pool at your accommodation. You can buy inexpensive day passes (kids 3 and under are free and ages 4-9 get a discount) and enjoy a day or afternoon at the Greve pool. I’ve visited this pool with and without kids and always had an enjoyable time.
Where to Eat in Greve with Kids
These are our top places for a snack or a meal in Greve (and close by):
- Falorni – Right on the piazza, and there’s indoor and outdoor seating. Adults can also have a mini wine tasting at lunch. This is an easy place to eat at with kids (even a toddler). I prefer the outside tables, but we always do a little walk around the inside of the shop to see the boar’s head and the container of boar’s teeth!
- Picnic from the Coop – It’s easy to grab some supplies at the Coop and have a little picnic at the playground/park. We often have a merenda with goodies from the Coop – schiacciata, fruit, and something to drink.
- Pasticceria Chianti – Yes, this is a pastry shop and café, but they also make excellent panini. Let your kids pick their own sandwich (and maybe a cookie too!) and make your way to the playground to eat.
- Cantinetta di Rignana – This restaurant isn’t in Greve, but it’s close by and it’s a favorite of ours. It’s casual and kid-friendly, and the food is excellent. The sunset views are fabulous and there’s a little grassy area below the restaurant where kids can play (perfect if the adults want to linger a bit longer and enjoy the setting). Note that you’ll drive on a dirt road to get here.
- Cecchini Panini Truck – The famous butcher of Panzano, Dario Cecchini, has a food truck that serves up kid-favorites like burgers, hot dogs, and pastrami sandwiches. It’s on the side of the road just outside of Panzano and you can dine with a view (not recommended with small kids because it’s right on the road) or take your meal to the playground below Panzano (picnic tables).
Family-Friendly Greve Hotels
As mentioned, Greve is one of the easiest Chianti villages to reach on a day trip from Florence, but you can also stay in Greve or nearby if you want to see more of the area.
Here are a few places you may want to check out:
Antico Pastificio – Perfect if you want to stay in Greve. You can rent an apartment with a kitchen (and a bathtub!) and walk into town and to the playground whenever you like. Nice grassy area and swimming pool, plus games area with a ping pong table.
Agriturismo Le Cetinelle – Set amongst vineyards with amazing views; swimming pool (not fenced); you can rent an apartment with a lot of space; outdoor areas for kids to run around
Villa Le Barone – One of my favorite hotels near Greve; spectacular setting just outside nearby Panzano; lovely grounds, rooms, and swimming pool; best for older kids as it’s a fairly quiet property
Borgo Sicelle – Not far from Greve, this hilltop property has incredible views of the Chianti countryside; beautiful (fenced) pool; apartments with kitchen; gameroom for kids with foosball and ping pong
Villa Bordoni – Beautiful swimming pool and space for kids to play in the grass and the olive groves; family suite available
Good To Know: Most pools in Italy aren’t fenced.
How to Get to Greve with Kids
It’s best to drive your own car to Greve. It’s just 45 minutes from Florence, and about an hour from Siena, and the drive is beautiful. You’ll be in Chianti and can drive to nearby villages like Panzano, Castellina, Radda, and Gaiole.
If you don’t want to rent a car, there is also limited bus service from Florence (I recommend using Google Maps). Just keep in mind that you’re at the mercy of the bus schedule, which isn’t ideal if you’re traveling with kids.
You could also hire a private driver to take you to Greve and other Chianti villages. A driver comes in handy if any of the adults want to sample wines while in the area.
You may also want to read about
Renting a Car in Tuscany
Renting a Car at the Florence Airport
Driving in Italy
Italy Travel Apps I Use
Greve with Kids Logistics
Parking – There are a few places to park in Greve, but if you’re coming with kids, I recommend using the large lot – Largo Enrico Finetti. You can walk over a small pedestrian bridge (with a stroller too), cross the street, and you’ll be in town. If that’s full, you can go to the Parcheggio Piazza Resistenza. I’ve marked both on the map.
Strollers – Greve in Chianti is stroller-friendly. The park doesn’t really have paved paths but you can push your stroller around in the dirt (just be careful if it’s rained – mud).
Snacks – There are cafés in town and the Coop grocery store just outside the historic center.
Diaper Changes – You can use bathroom at Falorni (on the far right of the shop) – it has a changing table.
Breastfeeding – I breastfed in restaurants and cafés in Greve and there are also benches at the playground.
Water – There are a couple of water fountains in town, including at the panoramic terrace and by the church
Family-Friendly Things to See & Do Near Greve
If you’re spending time in the area, you could also check out (with a car):
Panzano in Chianti – visit the famous butcher; play at one of the playgrounds. Read my guide to Panzano with Kids.
Castello di Brolio (Brolio Castle) – explore the castle (my kids love this place)! Read my guide to Castello di Brolio with Kids
Chianti Sculpture Park – run around the forested trails and let your kids find their favorite art and sculptures; great place for a picnic too
Castellina in Chianti – small, walkable village; have some of our favorite gelato in Tuscany
San Casciano in Val di Pesa – join local kids at one of the larger playgrounds in the area; swim at the pool; explore the town center
Castello di Ama – wander the borgo and look for modern art; adults can sample the Chianti Classico wines
Toscana Mia – countryside cooking class for kids and adults Read about our experience at Toscana Mia Cooking School
Monteriggioni – walk on the well-preserved walls; check out the armor at the museum Read my guide to Monteriggioni
San Gimignano – visit Tuscany’s medieval Manhattan; climb the Torre Grossa
Greve in Chianti with Kids FAQ
Older kids and teens may enjoy the uphill climb to Montefioralle, one of Italy’s Borghi Più Belli (Most Beautiful Villages), but there’s really not much to see or do in the village.
Yes, you can bring your kids with you on the Verrazzano estate’s wine tasting. There aren’t any kids activities as part of the tasting.
