The Best Theme Parks In Tuscany

A key summer activity for many people is to head to theme parks and water parks for the day. It makes for a fun, special day out that is a big treat for kids, if you are travelling as a family, and also a great excursion for friends and couples.

Tuscany might not be the first place you associate with such outings – cultural and foodie events will likely spring to mind first – but the region actually has some rather unique and interesting theme parks.

If you are planning a visit to Florence, for example, there is the excellent Il Gigante Adventure Park. One of the many surprising adventures to be had in Tuscany, it is a great spot to visit with the kids once you have found a luxury villa in Florence.

Here you can experience “Tarzaning” or “Arboring”, an activity that, unsurprisingly, involves swinging from tree to tree. This is basically jumping into the air, hanging from your climbing harness and pulley, and swinging from one tree to another with the help of small bridges, ropes, and gangways.

Il Gigante Adventure Park offers 10 different aerial trails, all at different heights and designed to cater to every age group: the Butterfly trail, ideal for children 3 to 6 years old; the Dormouse and Sloth Bear trails, for children 6 to 10 years old; the Ladybird and Cricket trails, for children 8 or over; and the 4 Acrobatic “Tarzaning” trails that can be as high as 10 meters, for adults and adolescents 14 years or older.

Located near Villa Demidoff, the park is the perfect place to take a day trip to when visiting Florence and to take time out to try something a little different.

Another unique theme park in Tuscany is located in the town of Collodi in the Tuscan hills, also not far from Florence. This is the birthplace of Pinocchio and there is a theme park called Pinocchio Park that is dedicated to him. A perfect place for kids, you can easily spend a pleasant day in the park together as a family once you have found a luxury villa in Collodi.

Opened in 1956, the park physically takes visitors through the story, following paths lined with mosaics, small buildings and statues of Pinocchio characters. It is home to a museum dedicated to the story and all of the versions and interpretations that it has spawned, some amusement park rides, a snack bar, picnic area and gift shop. Puppet shows is performed every day in the theatre near the entrance (in Italian only) at 12 and 4 pm and there is also a crafts laboratory for children. Plenty to see and do and to tire the little ones out!

For even more of Tuscany's unique theme parks, be sure to read on to the following articles.