Hadrian's Villa
Hadrian's Villa near Tivoli is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Italy's most spectacular Roman ruins, perfect for a family day trip from Rome.
0 guides · Rome & LazioExplore →
🇮🇹Rome
Discover Rome with your family: the Colosseum, Vatican, Trevi Fountain, and incredible food — all in one extraordinary city.
Your family guide
Rome with kids: where every street tells a story
“Walking through Rome feels like stepping through thousands of years of history: all in one afternoon.”
— San & Jo
Rome is one of those rare cities that genuinely delivers on its reputation. From the moment your family rounds a corner and spots the Colosseum rising above the rooftops, you understand why people fall in love with this place. It is ancient and alive at the same time, and that combination is endlessly fascinating for curious kids and adults alike.
What makes Rome so wonderful for families is that so much of it happens outside. The piazzas, the fountains, the open-air ruins: Rome rewards you simply for wandering. Toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain, share a slice of pizza al taglio on a cobblestone street, or let the kids run loose in the Villa Borghese Gardens while you catch your breath. There is always something to see, and always a gelato nearby.
Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, with mild temperatures and fewer crowds than the peak summer months. Most families need at least three to five days to take in the major sites without feeling rushed. Come with comfortable shoes, a loose itinerary, and a genuine sense of wonder: Rome will do the rest.
Rome, ItalyCapital city of Italy
Spring and AutumnBest time to visit
Mid-range to premiumBudget level
Best things to do
Why we love Rome for families
The Colosseum and Roman Forum
Standing inside the Colosseum is one of those travel moments your kids will genuinely remember. Built nearly 2,000 years ago and once seating up to 70,000 spectators, it is jaw-dropping in scale. With your Colosseum ticket, entry to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill is included: giving you an entire open-air museum of ancient temples, gardens, and panoramic views right next door.
Book timed entry tickets well in advance: queues without a ticket can be very long
Half day
The Trevi Fountain
The most famous fountain in Europe is every bit as spectacular as the photos suggest. Toss a coin over your left shoulder with your right hand and legend says you will return to Rome one day. Visit at sunrise or after dark to avoid the biggest crowds: the fountain is lit beautifully at night and the atmosphere is magical.
Come before 8am for a near-empty fountain and the best photos
30 minutes
The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo's ceiling frescoes in the Sistine Chapel are one of the great artistic achievements in human history, and seeing them in person is genuinely moving. The Vatican Museums also house works by Raphael, Caravaggio, and Bernini. Plan at least half a day and pre-book your tickets: this is one of the most visited museum complexes in the world.
Pick up a children's audio guide or family guide book to make the art come alive for younger visitors
Half day
The Pantheon
The Pantheon is the best-preserved ancient building in Rome and one of the most extraordinary structures you will ever walk into. The massive dome, with its central oculus open to the sky, has stood for nearly 2,000 years. It is free to look at from outside, and the interior is worth the small entry fee. Kids are often fascinated by the hole in the roof and the question of what happens when it rains: it drains through the floor.
Entry requires a ticket since 2023: check the official website for current pricing before you go
1 hour
Villa Borghese Gardens
When the cobblestones and crowds start to wear your family down, Villa Borghese is your answer. Rome's equivalent of Central Park, these beautiful gardens offer space to breathe, paths to cycle along, a lake with rowing boats, and a puppet theatre. It is the perfect place for a picnic lunch between sightseeing sessions, and a genuine favourite with kids of all ages.
Rent bikes or a family pedal cart near the park entrance for an easy way to explore
2-3 hours
Piazza Navona
Built on the site of an ancient stadium, Piazza Navona is one of Rome's most beautiful squares and a wonderful place to simply sit and soak up the atmosphere. The centrepiece is Bernini's dramatic Fountain of the Four Rivers, and street artists and performers add to the lively feel. It is a great spot for an early evening stroll with the family.
Grab a gelato from a nearby shop rather than the cafes directly on the square, where prices are higher
1 hour
The Spanish Steps
All 135 steps of the Spanish Steps lead up to a sweeping panoramic view over Rome's rooftops. Note that sitting on the steps has been banned since 2019, so this is more of a walk-up-and-look moment than a lingering stop. The view from the top is genuinely lovely, and the neighbourhood around Piazza di Spagna is great for a stroll.
Combine with a visit to the nearby Trevi Fountain: they are an easy walk apart
30 minutes
Our verdict
How Rome scores for families
Kids
Open piazzas, ancient ruins, gelato at every turn, and the sheer drama of the Colosseum make Rome a city that genuinely excites children. It helps to keep days manageable and build in downtime.
Culture
Few cities on earth can match Rome for cultural depth. Ancient Rome, the Renaissance, Baroque art, and living Italian culture all exist side by side. This is world-class, full stop.
Food
Roman food is bold, simple, and deeply satisfying. Kids tend to love the pasta, the pizza al taglio, and the supplì. Even picky eaters usually find something to enjoy here.
Nature
Rome is primarily an urban destination. Villa Borghese Gardens offers a welcome green escape, but if your family craves wide open spaces, you will need to head further afield.
Budget
Rome is not cheap. Entry fees for major sites add up quickly, and eating near the tourist hotspots is expensive. With some planning, you can eat well and affordably by choosing local trattorias and street food.
Planning your visit
How long should you stay in Rome?
2
2 days
Quick visit
Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and a wander through the historic centre. You will scratch the surface but leave wanting more.
sweet spot
4
4 days
Sweet spot
Enough time to see the major sites without rushing, enjoy a relaxed meal, and let the city sink in. This is what most families actually need.
7
7 days
Deep dive
A full week lets you explore neighbourhoods like Testaccio and Trastevere, visit the Vatican properly, and discover Rome at your own pace.
Did you know?
Things about Rome your kids will remember
More fountains than any other city
Rome is said to have more fountains than any other city in the world. Wherever you walk, you are never far from the sound of running water. Many of them are drinking fountains called nasoni, and the water is perfectly safe to drink straight from the tap.
Older than Italy itself
Rome was legendarily founded in 753 BC, which makes it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth. Italy as a unified country only came into existence in 1861: meaning Rome is thousands of years older than the nation it now belongs to.
The Colosseum had a secret underground
The floor of the Colosseum has been removed, revealing a maze of underground tunnels beneath the arena. Gladiators, wild animals, and enslaved people were held down there before being lifted up into the arena through trapdoors. Seeing it in person is genuinely dramatic.
Taste Rome
What to eat with your family in Rome
Cacio e pepe
Must tryGrappolo d'Oro
Just three ingredients, pasta, pecorino romano cheese, and black pepper, but when done well, it is one of the most satisfying bowls of food you will eat anywhere. This is the dish that defines Roman cooking: simple, bold, and completely delicious.
Pizza al taglio
Daily treatAntico Forno Roscioli
Pizza by the slice is Rome's great street food. You point at what you want, they cut it, weigh it, and charge you accordingly. Pizza rossa, plain with tomato sauce, is a classic. It is cheap, filling, and perfect for kids who need fuel between sightseeing stops.
Supplì
Kids love itAntico Forno Roscioli
These fried rice balls filled with ragù and stretchy mozzarella are one of Rome's most beloved street snacks. They are crispy on the outside, gooey in the middle, and almost universally loved by children. Find them at bakeries and street food spots across the city.
Maritozzi
Local favouriteAntico Forno Roscioli
Rome's favourite breakfast pastry is a soft, sweet bun split open and filled generously with whipped cream. Dusted with icing sugar and eaten with a coffee (or a hot chocolate for the kids), it is a wonderfully indulgent way to start a day of sightseeing.
Carciofi alla romana
Safe choiceGrappolo d'Oro
Artichokes stuffed with mint and garlic and slowly braised until tender: this is one of Rome's most celebrated vegetable dishes and a great way to introduce kids to something a little different. Spring is the best time to find them at their freshest.
More places across Italy
6 places
Tivoli / Villa d'Este
Tivoli is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the fountain-filled Villa d'Este and ancient Hadrian's Villa. A perfect family day trip from Rome.
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Aeolian Islands
Discover the Aeolian Islands with your family: active volcanoes, black-sand beaches, thermal springs, and some of the freshest seafood in Italy.
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Agrigento / Valley of the Temples
Explore the Valley of the Temples with your family: a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sicily with ancient Greek ruins, hidden gardens, brilliant street food, and goats with twisted…
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Alberobello
Alberobello is a UNESCO-listed town in Puglia famous for its trulli, cone-roofed stone houses that give the whole place a storybook feel perfect for families.
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Alghero
Alghero blends Catalan heritage, Gothic architecture, and Sardinian beaches into one of Italy's most unique and family-friendly destinations.
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