Exploring Rome with kids is a must for lovers of history, culture, and, of course, gelato! In this guide we’ll share our favorites from our recent family trip to Rome. Discover the best of Rome, incuding the best family friendly attractions, tours, restaurants, and hotels.
Best Things to Do in Rome with Kids
Rome is a city brimming with history and adventure, perfect for the whole family. Here are some sites you won’t want to miss!
1. The Colosseum: Reliving Gladiator Glory
No Rome itinerary is complete without a visit to the Colosseum. Standing before the colossal Colosseum, we could almost hear the echoes of roaring crowds and clashing swords. To make the experience engaging for the kids, we shared tales of gladiators and wild animals. Booking a family-friendly tour with skip-the-line access saved us from long waits and brought history to life in an interactive way.
2. The Roman Forum: Walking Through Ancient Rome
Adjacent to the Colosseum lies the Roman Forum, a sprawling ruin of temples, basilicas, and public spaces. Our children enjoyed imagining life as ancient Romans, walking the same paths as Julius Caesar. A guided tour tailored for kids can turn these ruins into a game, engaging even the most reluctant explorers.
3. The Pantheon: A Temple Turned Church
The Pantheon’s massive dome and the oculus at its center is worth a visit, but it’s not the most exciting thing for kids. Fortunately, it’s an inexpensive ticket and doesn’t take long to explore. If you’re going a busy time of year, consider skip the line tickets.
4. Trevi Fountain: Toss a Coin for Good Luck
No trip to Rome is complete without tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain. Our kids loved participating in this tradition, ensuring our return to this enchanting city. Visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds and enjoy the fountain’s beauty in a serene setting. We went mid-day, and jockied for position to throw our coins in.
5. Vatican City: Art and Adventure
Exploring Vatican City is a highlight of any visit to Rome. It’s incredibly popular so skip-the-line advance tickets are a must. You’ll want your kids to take in the priceless wonders of their art collection and the Sistine Chapel. To avoid whining kids, I highly recommend a kid-friendly tour guide. Our guide turned the experience into a scavenger hunt, and I was shocked how much my kids enjoyed the Vatican.
6. Villa Borghese Gardens: Nature’s Playground
After days filled with historical sites, Villa Borghese Gardens offers a refreshing break. Rent bikes and ride through the lush park, enjoy a family picnic, or rent a rowboat on the lake. The kids will love the open space to run and play. At the same time, parents will appreciate the tranquil environment amidst the bustling city.
Why Kid-Friendly Tours Are a Must in Rome
When you visit Rome with kids, you have to balance kids’ attention spans with the wealth of history and art this city offers. That’s why booking kid-friendly tours is an absolute game-changer. The right tour guide can transform a museum or centuries-old ruins into an adventure your kids will rave about.
We’ve experienced firsthand how engaging a kid-focused guide can be. Our tours of the Colosseum and the Vatican were nothing short of magical, thanks to guides who brought history to life. In both cases, they turned the visit into a competition, and my kids loved a chance to earn points and beat the adults!
Favorite Kid-Friendly Rome Tours
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Where to Stay During Your Rome Family Vacation
Choosing the right neighborhood can enhance your family’s Roman holiday. Here are some family-friendly areas with accommodation options to suit different budgets:
Centro Storico (Historic Center)
Staying in the heart of Rome offers proximity to major attractions like the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.
- Hotel Martis Palace (family suite available)
- Smeraldo Townhouse (2-bedroom apartment)
- Singer Palace (junior suite or adjoining double rooms)
Monti
Monti is charming and well located for tourists. Howeve, it’s cobblestone streets might make it difficult for families to navigate with strollers.
- Sentho Roma (junior suite available)
- Palm Suites (family suite available)
Vatican Area (Prati)
Close to Vatican City, this area is quieter and well-connected.
- Domus Alberico (double rooms available)
- Domus Gracchi (3 bedroom apartment available)
Trastevere
Known for its charming streets and vibrant atmosphere, Trastevere offers a more relaxed stay.
- Be Mate Trastevere III (2 bedroom apartment available)
- Window on Rome (quadruple room available)
Dining in Rome with Kids: Family-Friendly Delights
Finding food your kids will love in Rome is a breeze. From pizza to pasta, the city’s culinary offerings are a hit with young palates. Keep in mind, Italians dine late; restaurants often open around 7:30 p.m.
To keep hunger at bay, indulge in an afternoon gelato. We loved Fatamorgana’s pistachio and fig flavors!
For a memorable meal, I Pizzicaroli offers a charming atmosphere with local favorites like salumi, bruschetta, and porchetta. We kicked off our most recent trip here, and it was perfect! Other family-friendly restaurants in Rome include Cul-de-sac, Mimi & Coco, and La Polpetta (where they make everything into balls!) One restaurant to skip – Emma Pizza receives lots of praise online, but we were deeply underwhelmed.
Pro Tip: Stop for an apertivo between 5 pm and 8 pm and enjoy a spritz – a quintessential Italian cocktail. Even better, most places will serve a plate of nibbles alongside the drinks, and they’re included in the cocktail price. It’s a fantastic way to unwind and bide some time before dinner. Aperol spritzes aren’t my jam, but a glass of wine and some olives at Cantina Belsiana near the Spanish Steps were perfect for a pre-dinner stop.
Food Tours: A Delectable Adventure for All Ages
Enjoying a food tour is a fantastic way to sample Rome’s culinary delights. Our tour through Trastevere and Campo de Fiori introduced us to suppli (fried rice snacks) and Roman pasta favorites like amatriciana and cacio e pepe. Ending with a scoop of gelato was the cherry on top. Scheduling a food tour early in your trip can provide dining inspiration for the rest of your stay.
Our Favorite Food Tours for Families in Rome
Cooking Classes in Rome
Looking to get a little more hands-on with Italian cuisine? Consider a cooking class! My kids loved taking a class in Italy with a real nonna. In fact, they get so excited I can just sit back and enjoy my wine while they do all the work!
Our Favorite Cooking Classes for Families in Rome
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Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Rome with Kids
1. How many days in Rome is enough with kids?
A 3 to 4-day stay allows you to explore major attractions at a comfortable pace. Plus it provides enough time for rest and spontaneous adventures.
2. How do you make Rome fun with kids?
Incorporate interactive activities like gladiator schools, cooking classes, and engaging tours. Allow time for gelato breaks and visits to parks to keep the experience enjoyable.
4. Are there family-friendly hotels in Rome?
Yes, neighborhoods like Trastevere, Monti, and Prati offer family-friendly hotels ranging from moderate to luxury options.
5. How do I get around Rome?
Rome’s public transportation is generally safe and convenient for families. However, strollers can be challenging on crowded buses and metros. Consider using baby carriers or lightweight, foldable strollers.
Be aware of pickpockets throughout Rome but especially on busy buses. I once caught someone trying to pick my pocket while she was pretending to breastfeed so everyone would look away!
7. Is it necessary to book tours and tickets in advance?
For major attractions like the Colosseum and Vatican Museums, pre-booking tickets can save time and ensure availability, especially during peak seasons. When we visited in October, the line to visit the Vatican was shockingly long. We were very happy to have skip-the-line tickets!
Adventurous Tastes is reader-supported. I’ve included affiliate links in this post and may receive commissions for purchases made through links.
Hungry for More Tips for Traveling with Kids?
- If you have longer, consider extending your trip with a visit to beautiful Tuscany.
- If you’re looking for other family-friendly travel ideas, don’t miss our guides to Iceland or Paris
- Haven’t picked your next trip? Discover 10 European destinations to consider for your next trip.
Adventurous Tastes is reader-supported. I’ve included affiliate links in this post and may receive commissions for purchases made through links.
Pin for Later
Updated April 2025
Our kids loved visiting Rome. We had a wonderful apartment with a roof deck near the Piazza del Popolo, which was a great place to come back to after a day of exploring.
I can’t stress enough the importance of getting “skip the line” tickets. We thought we would chance the line for the Vatican Museum because we weren’t sure of the exact date we would want to visit. Big mistake. We waited in line well over an hour!
Agreed, they’re really a must. I couldn’t believe how long the lines were when we visited in October. I was thrilled to get whisked past them with my tour guide!
I absolutely loved your post! Rome is such an incredible city, and it’s great to see how family-friendly it can be. The tips about visiting the Colosseum and making it fun for the kids really stood out to me – it’s easy to forget that history can be so engaging for them if you know how to present it!
This is a great post! I love Rome and it’s nice to know it can still be done easily with kids. Civita di Bagnoregio
is another great day trip to add to your list! It’s a small little hilltop village!!
I would love to visit Rome (without my children because they are young adults). Your blog has inspired me to look into going.
When I went to the Coliseum, we had an amazing tour, and it made what might have been boring for the kids an amazing experience.