Emanuela and Ruggero
Piazza Nova Guest House, Ferrara
Our daughter Sofia learned to ride a bike in the Parco Urbano, spent whole afternoons looking for fish in the Castle moat, and left crumbs of Tenerina cake absolutely everywhere. Raising a daughter in Ferrara has given us an extraordinary perspective: we know exactly what works with children in this city, what truly excites them, and which places are genuinely worth visiting.
Ferrara with children: what we have learned as parents and hosts to families
What you will find here is exactly what we would tell you if you were sitting on the sofa with us before setting off: what really works with children, how to organise your days at a relaxed pace, and which places are truly worth every single step. Take it from local parents with real on-the-ground experience.
For each topic, you will find a dedicated in-depth guide complete with up-to-date opening hours, prices, and practical tips. Here, we give you the big picture.
Why Ferrara works so well for children
Here is why: the historic centre has an extensive traffic-restricted zone (ZTL) with next to no cars, completely flat routes, and parks everywhere. For a parent with young children, it is a sense of freedom you feel straight away.
Virutally car-free
An extensive ZTL, where bicycles outnumber cars. Children can walk and pedal freely.
Human-scale
From the Castle to the City Walls by bike takes less than ten minutes. Distances here are tailor-made for little legs
Green areas
The City Walls, Parco Bassani, Parco Massari. Greenery here is part of the city’s fabric.
A slower pace of life
No overwhelming crowds, no rushing. Ferrara is in no hurry, and this rubs off on the children.
Children who visit Ferrara and stay for at least three nights, by the time they leave simply don't want to leave. Non per le attrazioni spettacolari ma per come la città funziona su di loro: silenziosamente, profondamente.
What to do: experiences that linger
There is no need for a packed itinerary. Just a few well-chosen experiences are enough. These are the ones that, in our experience, children remember long after they have gone.
The Este Castle
When the Este Castle appears at the end of a street, with its four towers and water-filled moat, children stop in their tracks. Always. The drawbridge, the underground dungeons, the fish in the moatit is exactly the kind of castle you imagine in fairy tales. It works for anyone from three years old upwards, in a different way at every age.
Biglietto adulti 12 euro, biglietto ridotto 10 euro, ragazzi tra gli 11 e i 17 anni 5 euro, gratis sotto gli 11 anni (per ogni adulto pagante un minore entra gratis). Consigliamo le visite guidate “Castello formato famiglia” per bambini dai 5 ai 12 anni.
Our insider tip
Pair your visit to the Castle with the Museum of Natural History, just a two-minute walk away. Entry is free for everyone, and they have a T-Rex skull that is sure to impress any child. It makes for a perfect half-day out for ages 5 and up.
Cycling along the City Walls
Nine kilometres of flat cycle path,free from traffic, surrounded by the greenery of the earthen ramparts. For children who can ride a bike, it is an adventure. For younger ones, nature is soothing. For parents, it is a breath of fresh air.
Adult bicycles are included free of charge with your stay. As for children's bikes, we will happily guide you to the most convenient rental service near our accommodation. Safety first, always.
Nature just a stone’s throw away: Parco Bassani, Parco Massari and the Botanical Garden
- The Giorgio Bassani Park is the largest: endless lawns, canals, century-old trees and a play area. It is the natural final destination when cycling or walking along the City Walls.
- The Massari Park is right in the historic centre, perfect for a break with toddlers and young children near the Castle and Palazzo dei Diamantiwhere they can have fun on the swings, slides and roundabouts.
- The botanical garden right opposite Parco Massari, where your children can discover terrapins and carnivorous plants.
- The Associazione Nuova Terravivalocated close to our accommodation, offers a beautiful countryside setting right in the heart of the city a true'countryside in the town'experience—complete with an adventure trail through the trees."
- Piazza Ariostea with its ring-shaped track perfect for cycling and roller-skating, and its lawn for playing football.
The Nena Boat: a water adventure
To the south of the historic centre, near Porta Paola, flows the Po di Volano. This is where you will find the Darsena di San Paolo, where the Nena boat is moored.
THE NENA BOAT - DARSENA DI SAN PAOLO
The Nena is a river boat offering excursions and cruises sul Po along the Po di Primaro, the Po di Volano and the Po Grande. For children aged five and over, it is a completely different experience from a museum visit: seeing Ferrara and its surroundings from the river, with the slow-moving water beneath you, is something that stays with you forever.
The marina can be reached by car in just a few minuti. Abbinare il giro delle Mura al battello è una delle giornate più riuscite che consigliamo alle famiglie.
Upon your arrival, you can ask us to make the booking for you, or you can call the information and reservations line directly on +39 347 713 9988
Family - friendly museums
In Ferrara, even the museums know how to captivate the little ones. The Natural History Museum sparks curiosity with its animals, fossils and discoveries about the natural world, the Archaeological Museum transforms the past into an adventure amidst artefacts and ancient civilisations, while Palazzo Schifanoia fascinates with decorated rooms and Renaissance stories to imagine as if in a fairy tale. There are plenty of opportunities to learn while having fun as a family.
The year’s best events for families
Ferrara has a packed calendar of events. We are highlighting only those that, in our experience, really work with children.
Palio of Ferrara
Historical parades in costume and horse races in the Piazza Ariostea. Free entry to the square. Children watch the procession open-mouthed. Read more →
END OF AUGUST
Ferrara Buskers Festival
Street music from all over the world in every alleyway and square in the city. Completely free of charge, it is an extraordinary sensory experience for children. Read more →
SEPTEMBRE
Giostra del Monaco
A medieval reenactment with knights in armour, historic costumes and an authentic joust. For children who love the Castle, it is the natural continuation of that fascination with the Middle Ages.
SEPTEMBRE
Ferrara in Fiaba
Parco Bassani is transformed into a fairytale land: creative workshops, puppet shows, inflatable planetariums and mini go-karts. Two weekends of pure magic for ages three and up. Free entry to the park.
Travel logistics
Prams and pushchairs
Ferrara is a family-friendly and accessible city: being entirely flat, getting around the historic centre and along the 9 km of parkland atop the City Walls with a pushchair or wheelchair is convenient, safe, and completely effortless.
MyFE Ferrara Tourist Card
MyFE Card — real savings for families
Almost all of Ferrara’s civic museums are free of charge for under-18s. For adults, it is well worth purchasing the MyFE Card: it offers free entry to civic museums and discounts at other places of interest. If you plan more than one or two visits, the savings are real from the very first use.
Find out more on the official website: MyFE Card →
Why an apartment makes all the difference
Travelling with children in an apartment means being able to count on larger, more comfortable spaces, where the whole family can move around freely and everyone has their own corner. Having a kitchen available allows you to manage meals and snacks at your own pace, following your routine at home. And with no rigid schedules, the day naturally adapts to the pace of the little ones, between naps, playtime and moments of relax.
Ferrara FAQs
Is Ferrara a UNESCO World Heritage Site? What does the recognition include?
Yes. Ferrara’s historic centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, recognised as the most complete example of Renaissance urban planning in Europe. The recognition includes the Addizione Erculea (Herculean Addition), the City Walls, the Estense Castle, and the system of historic palaces and gardens. In 1999, it was extended to include the Po Delta.
What can you see in Ferrara in a weekend?
A weekend allows you to visit the Estense Castle, cycle along the City Walls, stroll through the Addizione Erculea, and discover Piazza Ariostea and the Palazzo dei Diamanti. With a two-night stay, you can experience the city at a leisurely pace, without having to rush. We have designed a 48-hour itinerary perfect for first-time visitors: Two days in Ferrara → LINK
Is Ferrara suitable for those who aren't interested in art and history?
Sì. Ferrara funziona anche come destinazione di turismo lento: la bicicletta, le Mura, il ritmo della città, la quiete del centro storico. Molti ospiti che non si definiscono “turisti culturali” tornano proprio per l’atmosfera e la scala umana della città, non per i musei.
Is Piazza Nova Guest House in the historic centre?
Yes, we are located within the city walls of Ferrara in the Addizione Erculea, the Renaissance quarter in the heart of the UNESCO-listed historic centre. We are a ten-minute walk from Corso Ercole I d’Este, just one minute from the City Walls, and fifteen minutes from the Estense Castle. The guest house itself is a 19th-century cassero, a historic building typical of Ferrara.
How do I reach Ferrara by car? Is there parking available?
Ferrara can be reached by car via the A13 motorway (taking either the Ferrara Nord or Ferrara Sud exit). Free public street parking is available directly in front of the guest house, with no time limits. Once you have parked your car, a bicycle is the best way to get around – and it is included in your stay.
Are you planning a family stay in Ferrara?
Please get in touch with us before booking: we reply in person and will help you choose the most suitable apartment, offering the right advice based on the age of your children.
Do you need to know anything else to help you plan your stay perfectly?
Message us on WhatsApp: Emanuela and Ruggero reply personally.