I’ll always remember my first glimpse of the Colosseum. My husband and I had simply landed in Rome. I used to be bleary-eyed and nervous with anticipation about my first journey to Europe. My first view of Rome out the taxi window appeared like every other cosmopolitan metropolis. After which it occurred. I glanced down a aspect avenue and there it was — the last word icon of Rome, the Colosseum. When visiting Rome with children I needed my daughter to have that very same degree of pleasure and awe.
Italy is a perfect nation for a primary household journey to Europe for a lot of causes. First, most youngsters love pizza and pasta, so the meals isn’t an impediment. Second, by the point they’ve reached elementary faculty, most youngsters have seen some pictures of Historical Rome or fashionable Italy in books, reveals, or motion pictures (and if not, see my studying checklist beneath!)
Visiting Rome with children could be a variety of enjoyable as a result of you will notice their eyes gentle up as they make connections between issues they’ve heard about or seen on screens or in books to what they’re experiencing and seeing in actual life. Who wouldn’t love consuming gelato whereas taking part in close to the fountains in Piazza Navona? Or get pleasure from watching the sundown from the highest of the Spanish Steps in Piazza di Spagna?
After all, visiting Rome with youngsters may also be overwhelming. There may be a lot historical past to soak up. The crowds could be difficult and there’s simply a lot to see. Dad and mom usually marvel the place to start out. What is going to the children get pleasure from? How do you select from the plethora of strolling excursions which can be on the market? Are children sufficiently old to understand what they’re seeing?
If you’re having those self same considerations, learn on. On this information, I’ll try to point out you one of the best age to go to Rome with children, one of the best time of 12 months to go to Rome with children, the place to remain in Rome with children, and, most significantly, provide you with a family-friendly 5-day Rome itinerary which you can comply with. If you’re staying longer, comply with one among these 10-day Italy itinerary concepts.
Do you want assist planning your journey? If you’re feeling overwhelmed and don’t have the time or sources to wade by way of tons of data and query your selections, I assist purchasers plan a customized itinerary, tailor-made to your pursuits and journey model. Be taught extra about my journey planning providers.
Itinerary for five Days in Rome with Youngsters
We visited Rome in June, earlier than heading to the Amalfi Coast for just a few days in Positano and Capri. Our daughter was 10 on the time, so this itinerary is finest if you’re visiting Rome with tweens or school-age children. I do know household journey is completely different for every household, so use this as a information to assist form your selections and planning. I hope you discover it useful!
Notice: Take into account that if you’re visiting throughout the 2025 Jubilee 12 months, issues might be further crowded and you should plan forward. Working with a journey advisor to plan your journey and reserving very early effectively assist make your journey go extra easily. Learn extra about visiting Rome throughout Jubilee.
Day 1 (Saturday): Welcome to Rome
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Arriving in Rome from an in a single day flight from the States, you will want time to recuperate from jetlag and have a straightforward day. One of the simplest ways to get by way of a scarcity of sleep and the time change is to get contemporary air. The exhilaration of attending to discover a brand new place is energizing. Strolling round a metropolis is an effective option to see some informal websites and get your bearings.
Nonetheless, when visiting Rome with children, you don’t need to overdo it or depart issues to loosey-goosey and unstructured so that everybody get just a little cranky. We determined to take a “Night Stroll with Gelato” tour with Walks of Italy to see Rome’s most scenic highlights. Nonetheless, one other good choice, particularly for little legs that may’t deal with a lot strolling, is to take a non-public Rome tour by golf cart. Older children may love the Vespa with sidecar tour of Rome.
Whether or not you e book a tour (I like doing excursions as a result of we be taught a lot extra and I want non-public excursions that may be extra simply tailor-made to my household and our pursuits and power) or not, I might suggest strolling across the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona in your first afternoon or night in Rome with children.
Ending off with gelato or an awesome dinner of pasta or pizza is an ideal finish to your first day in Rome with children. Should you finish close to Piazza Navona, take a look at Tre Scalini’s well-known tartufo or have an espresso at Caffé Sant’Eustachio, in Piazza di Sant’Eustachio.
Day 2 (Sunday): Historical Rome
If you’re planning a Rome household trip and likewise arriving on the weekend, remember the fact that many points of interest and eating places are closed on Sunday so plan accordingly.
We determined that Sunday can be day to go to the Colosseum. We discovered from a earlier mistake that you should e book a tour or tickets upfront, in any other case, you’ll be caught ready for hours within the sizzling solar to get in. The Colosseum is the most-visited website in Rome, so you should plan forward.
I might suggest taking a tour of the Colosseum and Roman Discussion board. There are a variety of choices which you can select relying on the ages of your children and their pursuits:
TIP: Be sure you put on comfy footwear and hats and produce alongside snacks and water. Strollers will not be appropriate for visiting the Colosseum and Roman Discussion board.
Our tour began on the Colosseum, the place we have been in a position to skip the road and undergo a shorter line for teams with guides. On our tour, we bought look into the corridors underneath what was once the ground of the Colosseum, each from the principle degree and a greater vantage level up above. We discovered all concerning the video games, the lifetime of the gladiators, and the interior workings of the Colosseum. We additionally bought to see most of the artifacts preserved from these days and will begin to think about, each by way of our information’s iPad renderings and the remaining elaborations, what the Colosseum appeared like 2000 years in the past.
Our heads spinning with historical past, we moved on to exploring Historical Rome, within the Roman Discussion board and Palatine Hill. As we walked in, the place we discovered concerning the legend of Romulus and Remus and the forming of Historical Rome.
We spent 1.5 hours within the discussion board and Palatine Hill, studying concerning the Temple of Julius Caesar, the Vestal Virgins, the Temple of Romulus and its huge bronze doorways, the Basilica of Constantine, and the Arch of Titus. Our information additionally took us to a fantastic overlook and picture level with an ideal view of the Colosseum.
After the tour, you possibly can stroll over to Capitoline Hill to take a shortcut to the Victor Emanuelle II monument with out climbing all of the steps (discover the she-wolf statue then take steps throughout from the statue into the constructing behind S. Maria d’Aracoeli Church. Enter, flip proper. Comply with lengthy hall on left to Victor Emanuelle II terrace & café.)
After lunch, examine Trajan’s Column, then stroll over to the Bocca Della Verita (Mouth of Reality) in Piazza Bocca Della Verita.
After taking time to chill out, I booked an 8 pm dinner at Taverna dei Fori Imperiale, By way of Della Madonna de Monti 9. We liked this place, particularly the artichoke with white wine and lemon and the normal Roman carbonara.
Day 3 (Monday): Exploring Trastevere
Monday is a busy day to go to the Vatican and St. Peter’s and a few eating places and points of interest are closed. This is the reason we determined to get off the overwhelmed path and discover one among Rome’s most charming neighborhoods, Trastevere.
If you’re an early riser, you possibly can cease by the market at Campo dei Fiori and choose up pastries at Forno Campo dei Fiori, 22 within the Piazza or 5 By way of dei Baullari earlier than heading to Trastevere.
One of the simplest ways to discover Trastevere is thru a meals tour! We took the Trastevere Daylight Meals Tour (now solely supplied as a night tour) with Consuming Europe. This allowed us to get a “actual” style of Rome and discover the energetic neighborhood of Trastevere.
This was one among our favourite excursions of Rome, particularly for older youngsters. It’s also the meals tour that fully offered us on meals excursions and has led to us attempting them in so many cities. Devour Excursions additionally provides an night Trastevere meals tour.
Since these meals excursions are actually within the night, it’s possible you’ll need to take a gelato-making or pizza-making class, or Devour Excursions’ Road Meals Tour with pizza making, trattoria tasting, and gelato. I’ve just lately taken a non-public cooking class in an area’s house by way of Cesarine, which was a improbable expertise.
An alternative choice is a Trastevere and Jewish Ghetto mixed tour with LivTours.
That day, we headed again to the house to chill out, bathe, and alter earlier than assembly up with household associates who reside in Rome for dinner. Nonetheless, if you wish to spend a while enjoyable, you possibly can head over to the Villa Borghese Gardens, the place you possibly can hire bikes and rowboats, take a stroll, and even go to a zoo.
Day 4 (Tuesday): Hidden Gems
On our fourth day, we needed to take a day journey or get exterior of the town heart and discover a few of the lesser-known Rome highlights.
We took a tour that included the Appian Method, Aqueduct Park, Baths of Caracalla, Janiculum Hill, Aurelian Partitions, and the Pyramid of Cassius Cestius.
I liked attending to see this very historic a part of Rome and stroll within the grooves made by chariots so many centuries in the past. Likewise for the Aqueduct Park, which is a captivating instance of Roman ingenuity and engineering experience.
After the tour, we went over to the Jewish Ghetto for lunch at Trattoria Gigetto (By way of del Portico d’Ottavia, 21/A) for fried artichokes after which paid a go to to the Jewish Synagogue. Take into account that no shorts are allowed and shoulders should be lined — no shorts on the eating places both. As an alternative of Trattoria Gigetto, you can too strive Piperno or Ba Ghetto.
An alternative choice for the afternoon or night, particularly when you have teenagers, can be to go to the crypts and catacombs on an Underground Tour of Rome with Walks of Italy or take a Night time Catacombs tour with LivTours
You may also use this present day to take a preferred day journey from Rome together with:
Day 5 (Wednesday): Catholic Rome
We saved our final full day in Rome for exploring the Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s Basilica. The museum is closed on Sundays and due to this fact Mondays are typically the busiest. We picked to go on Wednesday morning, whereas the Pope was giving his Papal Deal with subsequent door in St. Peter’s Sq.. Whereas 1000’s flock to listen to this well-liked Pope every Wednesday, they’re occupied from the time they line as much as get tickets within the early morning till someday after 11 when the Papal Deal with concludes.
Whereas this implies the museum and St. Peter’s might be crowded later, in the event you get in throughout the morning you would possibly discover the museum at one among its least busy occasions. We took benefit of the slight lull within the crowd to e book a Vatican Museum / Sistine Chapel Tour.
One other option to keep away from the crowds is with an Early Entry Tour that will get you into the Vatican Museum early to see the Sistine Chapel with out the crowds. If you’re visiting with children, I’d extremely suggest reserving a non-public, family-friendly tour that comes with a Vatican Treasure Hunt.
Day by day over 25,000 folks go to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, making it the quantity two most-visited attraction in Rome. Throughout my earlier go to to the Vatican, we have been brief on time and beelined by way of the complete museum, not taking in a factor, to get to the principle attraction…the Sistine Chapel. This time, we needed to do it proper and see extra of the highlights of the Vatican Museum.
One of many first highlights you will notice as you enter is an superior view of St. Peter’s dome. What I by no means thought of is which you can’t see the surface of St. Peter’s dome from the sq.. The facade of St. Peter’s is so tall it blocks the view of the dome so that you solely see it from the within until you go to the Vatican Museum or different elements of Rome with a view.
Within the courtyard, we took within the sculptures and discovered rather a lot concerning the Sistine Chapel. There isn’t a speaking contained in the Sistine Chapel so we would have liked to be taught the historical past earlier than getting into.
The additional into the museum we went, the extra crowded, noisier, and stickier it turned and the climate, closeness, and lack of air-con started to take their toll. We discovered about Greek and Roman statues of goddesses, heroes, and muses and visited the Egyptian room with its sarcophagi manufactured from porphyry.
From there we made our method by way of the map gallery, tapestry gallery, and different grand hallways on our method towards the Sistine Chapel. Our final cease earlier than the Sistine Chapel was the Raphael Rooms. These rooms have been almost as crowded because the Sistine Chapel however not as strict on speaking and film taking.
Ultimately, we made it to the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo was disgruntled at having to color this ceiling and he insisted on doing it his method, regardless of the Pope’s needs. To get again at those that criticized him, Michelangelo painted them in hell, with a snake biting his non-public elements and carrying donkey ears. Fairly harsh — there was a man with an ego.
As soon as we exited the Sistine Chapel, we bought fortunate in that the aspect door connecting the Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s Basilica was open for the reason that Papal Deal with was completed early. This was nice information as tour teams can exit this manner and get straight into St. Peter’s with out having to queue up exterior. Eleonora secured our entrance after which advised us concerning the door at St. Peter’s that’s sealed with concrete and solely opens each 25 years when the Pope breaks the concrete on the within.
We completed our tour with a fast overview of the Basilica together with Michelangelo’s Pieta, the chapel of John Paul II, and the altar. After that, we have been in a position to keep inside and discover on our personal so long as we preferred.
Our authentic plan was to climb the Dome, however after the tour, we have been sizzling, drained, and in determined want of one thing to eat. Our choices have been to go away St. Peter’s to eat and are available again to climb the Dome…however that will imply having to hitch the very lengthy queue exterior to get again in. Regardless of actually desirous to see that magnificent view, I knew our drained legs weren’t as much as the climb and our persistence was exhausted, and standing in line later wasn’t going to work both so we headed out to Piazza Navona for lunch and Tartufo.
Suggestions for Visiting the Vatican Museum with Youngsters
Should you determine to take the children to the Vatican Museum, listed here are some suggestions:
- Put on comfy footwear. Not solely it’s a variety of strolling, however additionally it is a variety of standing and shuffling, which you are feeling greater than hours of strolling by way of the Colosseum and Discussion board.
- Ebook tickets upfront. Should you aren’t happening a tour, you possibly can e book your timed entrance on-line to keep away from the lengthy queue.
- Go throughout the low season. Many of the museum isn’t air-conditioned and on the day we have been there it was extraordinarily humid, making it fairly insufferable at occasions.
- Take breaks. You don’t have to see every thing and also you actually don’t have to see every thing unexpectedly. Make the most of the cafe, sit within the courtyard for some time, and attempt to discover some pockets of house to decompress.
- Get one thing to eat earlier than going into St. Peter’s. There’s a “secret” passage that connects the Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s. It’s positioned simply exterior the exit of the Sistine Chapel. Usually, that is solely open to tour teams and it’s generally locked (undoubtedly throughout the Papal Deal with.) Nonetheless, whether it is open and you might be both in a bunch or can sneak by way of with one, it’s going to prevent an extended stroll again by way of the museum and round to St. Peter’s however it’s going to additionally prevent from queueing up within the lengthy line exterior ready to get into St. Peter’s. However if you’re additionally visiting St. Peter’s, you’ll want a snack first.
- Cowl your self. Identical to St. Peter’s, the Sistine Chapel is a chapel, and to enter you will want to cowl your knees and shoulders.
- Make sure to construct in time to discover St. Peter’s Basilica and climb the dome.
- To climb the dome, veer proper earlier than coming into the basilica.
In case you have the power, you can too embody a go to to Castel Sant’Angelo close by, which is open every day 9 am to 7 pm, apart from Mondays.
And that wraps up an incredible 5 days in Rome with children. Learn on for extra recommendations on visiting Rome with children.
Finest Ages to Go to Rome with Youngsters
I discover the candy spot for worldwide journey with children is from 8-12 or so. Youthful children can actually have enjoyable and luxuriate in making enjoyable household reminiscences, however you’re a little extra restricted on how a lot historical past and touring they will deal with.
Teenagers also can get very enthusiastic about visiting Italy, you simply have to construct in additional distinctive experiences into your itinerary (equivalent to a non-public e-bike tour of the Appian Method or a evening tour of the catacombs.)
Finest TIme to VIsit Rome with Youngsters
When you find yourself visiting Rome with children, you’ll probably have to work round a typical faculty schedule. Take into account that summers in Rome are very popular and solely getting hotter. There are solely a handful of inns with swimming pools, and touring the Historical Discussion board in the summertime could be like baking within the solar.
In case your solely choice is to go to in the summertime, attempt to go to as early in the summertime as doable, hopefully earlier than July when European faculties get out for summer season break. Take into account that many Italian households go on trip for the month of August so some eating places and retailers might be closed in cities and the seaside locations might be much more crowded. August fifteenth can also be a nationwide vacation the place most issues might be closed. See extra suggestions for visiting Italy in August.
In case your little one has an October break or half-term, that will be a perfect time to go to. Spring break is one other excellent time. Simply remember the fact that in case your spring break falls together with Easter, Rome goes to be further crowded for non secular observations and plenty of retailers and eating places might be closed from Good Friday by way of the times after Easter.
Christmas time could be beautiful, though chilly. There are just a few Christmas markets round Rome which you can get pleasure from, together with a fantastic one in Piazza Navona. Simply remember the fact that many issues might be closed on Christmas and St. Stephen’s Day. If visiting throughout non secular holidays, it could be higher to remain in a rental the place you possibly can inventory as much as put together meals earlier than retailers shut, or in full-service inns that provide on-site eating.
The place to Keep in Rome With Youngsters
In Rome, you could find a number of boutique inns that provide household suites or connecting rooms for charges that aren’t fairly as outrageous as cities like Paris. I nonetheless discover trip rental flats by way of vrbo choice for households to provide everybody further house to unfold out and a kitchen to eradicate the necessity to eat out for each meal. This helps with the Italy journey funds and for everybody’s persistence for consuming at eating places.
Another inns that provide a household room or suite at an reasonably priced value embody:
Discover extra locations to remain in Rome:
Books to Learn Earlier than Visiting Rome with Youngsters
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A good way to arrange children for a visit to a special nation (or anyplace actually) is by studying about that vacation spot earlier than the journey. This helps them perceive what to anticipate, be taught just a little concerning the historical past, and have every thing soak in just a little deeper on the journey. Listed here are a few of our really helpful books to learn earlier than a household journey to Rome:
- That is Rome by Miroslav Sasek – this previous favourite image e book depicts all the key points of interest in Rome and even describes a few of the historical past and symbology of Rome (like what SPQR means). Regardless that my daughter is well past image books, she nonetheless bought one thing out of it as a result of as I used to be speaking about our itinerary and talked about the Bocca della Vertita, she knew precisely what it was.
- Not For Dad and mom: Rome: Every little thing You Ever Needed to Know from Lonely Planet – this “Not for Dad and mom” not-a-guide e book tells the story of Rome that not even dad and mom know. My daughter took it fairly severely and hid the library e book from me at any time when she was studying it.
- G is for Gladiator: An Historical Rome Alphabet by Debbie Shoulders – This A-Z image e book introduces youngsters to the historical past of Historical Rome, an awesome precursor to a go to to the Colosseum and Discussion board.
- The Coliseum Con by Geronimo Stilton – if graphic novels are extra your child’s factor, they could benefit from the well-liked Geronimo Stilton and his adventures in Rome.
- Trip Beneath the Volcano by Mary Pope Osborne – an ideal intro to a aspect journey to Pompeii, that is a part of the favored Magic Tree Home collection the place Jack and Annie discover themselves in Pompeii as Vesuvius begins to erupt.
- Magic Tree Home Reality Tracker #14: Historical Rome and Pompeii by Mary Pope Osborne – the non-fiction companion to Trip Beneath the Volcano, this goes deeper into the historical past of Rome and Pompeii.
- Historical Rome (DK Eyewitness Books) by Simon James – this well-liked nonfiction collection provides details in a really graphical format that’s straightforward to digest.
- The Assassins of Rome (The Roman Mysteries) by Caroline Lawrence – if mysteries enthrall the children in your own home, take a look at the collection of The Roman Mysteries.
- The Orchard Ebook of Roman Myths by Geraldine McCaughrean – 15 of the most well-liked Roman myths retold in a method that’s interesting to younger readers.
- Rome with Youngsters by J.M. Pasquesi – this guidebook is for fogeys however pleasing for teenagers too as every part suggests issues for teenagers to search for and enjoyable details about Rome. It provides an inside view of all of the highlights of Rome with options on the place to remain and the place to eat. Higher than a mean guidebook, that is actually geared towards household journey and what issues are fascinating to children. It’s a must-read!
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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Writer of We3Travel. A former advertising government and journey advisor, Tamara is an award-winning journey author and acknowledged professional in household journey. Tamara is a member of SATW, NATJA, IFWTWA, and the Journey Journey Commerce Affiliation, and serves on the Board of the Household Journey Affiliation. She can also be the writer of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Trip Professionals journey podcast.
