Rome with Kids: 11 Tips for Sightseeing with Children in Rome

Welcome to Rome: The History of Rome in 3D

A completely interactive museum about the history of Rome. 3D projections show the development of the city — for example, what the Forum Romanum or the Colosseum once looked like.

With the help of video, light, and sound effects, visitors of all ages can much better imagine how, over more than 2,700 years, a small village in antiquity grew into the city it is today.

We’d strongly suggest visiting this museum at the very start of your trip, even before you head to the archaeological sites around the Colosseum. That way, the ruins will make a lot more sense to kids too.

Get tickets for Welcome to Rome

Tossing Coins at the Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is one of the top attractions in Rome and absolutely cannot be skipped. What kids love most is the tradition of tossing coins into the fountain and making a wish.

They say that if you throw a coin over your right shoulder into the fountain, your wish will come true. Throw two coins and you’ll fall in love with a Roman!

By the way: the coins tossed in every day are regularly collected and donated to a good cause.

Family-Friendly Tour of the Vatican Museums

Most kids get bored in museums — which is why many parents skip them on family trips entirely.

But you can visit the Vatican Museums on a guided tour specifically designed for families. You skip the entrance line, and with the help of pop-up books, iPad games, and a scavenger hunt, the Vatican’s artworks come to life in a way that even kids get genuinely excited about.

The tour is suitable for children ages 6 and up.

Book the family-friendly Vatican Museums tour

Climbing the Dome of St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica is so massive and impressive that a visit leaves even kids in awe.

First things first: admission to St. Peter’s Basilica is free! You do have to wait in line at the entrance, but it moves along pretty quickly.

Even more exciting is the climb up to the dome. The entrance is to the right of the main entrance, so you’ll need to exit the basilica first.

You take the elevator partway up, but once you get off, there are still around 300 steps to climb. Well — who can count to 300?

From about 330 feet up, you’ll have a breathtaking 360-degree view of St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican Gardens, and all of Rome. There are restrooms and a small snack bar on the terrace too.

One thing to note: strollers can’t be taken up to the dome because of those remaining 300 steps after the elevator.

Our tip: With kids, the day usually starts early — which actually works in your favor in Rome. Try to visit St. Peter’s Basilica as early in the morning as possible so you can get inside without too much of a wait.

Try Out Leonardo da Vinci's Inventions

Even though Leonardo da Vinci was far more active in Florence and Paris and only spent a few years in Rome, you’ll find the interactive Leonardo Museum here, entirely dedicated to his work.

It’s one of the museums in Rome that genuinely works for both kids and adults. Around 65 models are on display, built directly from Leonardo’s drawings — and visitors are allowed to operate them.

The museum isn’t particularly large and you’ll see everything in about an hour. Still, it’s really interesting and a perfect escape from Rome’s summer heat!

Exploring the Secret Passages of Castel Sant'Angelo

Castel Sant’Angelo was originally a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Hadrian and was later converted into a fortress during the Middle Ages.

Today it still houses catapults, cannonballs, weapon collections, and a prison. Super exciting for little knights fans!

There are also secret passages, spiral staircases, and a great viewing platform with a café that has one of the best panoramas over Rome.

Castel Sant’Angelo is also never as crowded as the Vatican Museums or the Colosseum. Definitely not to be missed when you’re visiting Rome with children.

It’s located in the Parco della Mole Adriana, where you’ll also find a playground.

Bonus: children under 18 get in free.

Cycling & Biopark at Villa Borghese

This enormous park in the heart of Rome is full of meadows, walking paths, fountains, and monuments. Here and there you’ll find a carousel, there are playgrounds, and at the lake by the Temple of Asclepius you can rent boats.

Near the park entrance by Piazzale Brasile, you’ll find the Pincio bike rental. In addition to children’s bikes, you can also rent e-bikes and four-seat go-karts — a great way to explore the large park.

There’s also a small electric train that runs through the park: a round trip takes about 25 minutes and costs €3 per person.

The Villa Borghese park is also home to Rome’s zoological Biopark, which houses around 200 animal species.

Get tickets for the Bioparco

Exploring the Catacombs of Callixtus

The Catacombs of Callixtus are among the most significant catacombs in Rome and are located a bit outside the city center. Since the third century AD, a total of 500,000 Christians have been buried here, including 16 popes.

You can only visit as part of a 45-minute guided tour, and there’s often a wait at the entrance — so this one is better suited for older kids who can handle a bit of queuing. Once you’re inside, exploring the underground passages and chambers is seriously exciting, though.

Our tip: No matter how warm it is outside, it can get quite cool in the catacombs. Bring a sweater just in case.

Taking a Trip to the Beach at Ostia

Building sandcastles and splashing around in the Mediterranean? The perfect change of pace on a city trip with kids!

The best bet is to head to Ostia, right on the coast. From the city center, you can reach this popular city beach in less than an hour by subway and regional train.

Ostia is really well set up for families: there are beach umbrella rentals, playgrounds right on the beach, beach bars, changing rooms, and showers. So if you only have a few days in Rome and want to squeeze in an easy beach day, Ostia is perfect.

From Roma Termini, take Metro Line B and transfer to the regional train at the Piramide stop toward Ostia. From the Stella Polare station, the beach is about a five-minute walk.

Trying the Best Ice Cream in Rome

Rome has no shortage of gelato shops, and honestly, bad ice cream is just not a thing here. But for the absolute best gelato with great value for money, head to Gelateria Fassi, Rome’s oldest ice cream shop.

All the flavors are homemade, the portions are generous, and whipped cream is free. There are tables so you can sit down and relax, plus a drinking water fountain where you can refill your bottle at no cost.

If after cooling down you’re in the mood for some lesser-known spots away from the tourist trail, check out our insider tips for Rome.

Taking a Hop-On/Hop-Off Bus Tour

A great way to see Rome’s highlights while keeping the kids entertained is the classic Hop-On/Hop-Off Bus in Rome.

The red double-decker bus with the open roof, cruising past all the city’s top sights, is always a hit with kids. And whenever you need a change of scenery, you can simply hop off at the next stop, let the kids run around, and jump back on later.

Children under five ride for free, and strollers fit in the bus too.

Get tickets for the Hop-on/Hop-off Bus

Extra Tip for a Break from Sightseeing: The Explora Children’s Museum

If after all those Roman impressions you’d like to give your kids a change of pace, you should definitely check out Explora.

It’s a large children’s museum with hands-on educational games near the Villa Borghese park, for children between 0 and 12 years old. Kids learn through play about the principles of physics, chemistry, and architecture, as well as how to read emotions and work together as a team.

For babies, there’s a crawling area with age-appropriate toys.

The museum also has an outdoor playground and a large restaurant with free Wi-Fi. Perfect for a rainy day or just to let the kids burn off some energy!

Tickets for Explora should definitely be booked in advance. We’d recommend visiting on a weekday, when it’s less crowded.

How to Best Prepare for Your Family Trip to Rome

Rome is a fantastic destination for families with children. To make the trip truly perfect, here are some personal tips from us.

Buy a Children's Book About Rome

Something that always works well: getting kids excited about a trip with a book!

There are many great children’s books about Rome that explain ancient Rome in an age-appropriate way. It builds anticipation and lets your child pick what they’d most like to see.

These are the Rome books we recommend for kids:

• Children’s travel guide “Come with Me to Rome” by Lonely Planet – for ages 8 to 12. Gladiators, pizza, and ghost stories from Castel Sant’Angelo: Lonely Planet explains Rome’s sights and culture in a way that’s easy for kids to understand. Not too much text and lots of lovely illustrations.
• With the Romans from the Wieso? Weshalb? Warum? series – for ages 4 to 7. This beloved series with its exciting flap pages also covers ancient Rome, tackling all the topics young kids love: chariot races, gladiator fights, and bathhouses.
• Rome for You – for ages 10 to 16. A Rome travel guide for teenagers that makes exploring the city really exciting with puzzles and fun comics.
• Angels & Demons – ages 12 and up. Both the book and the film are great for getting a teenager — and adults too — excited about Rome’s highlights and legends. Dan Brown’s thriller is set entirely in Rome, with landmarks like Castel Sant’Angelo, the Vatican, and the Fountain of the Four Rivers in Piazza Navona playing a key role.

Bring Sturdy Shoes and a Stroller with Air-Filled Tires

Rome’s sidewalks are often in pretty rough shape, and potholes are a fixture of the cityscape. Sturdy shoes are definitely a good idea — it’s easy to twist an ankle in sandals on the uneven streets.

The same goes for strollers: travel strollers with large air-filled tires are a real advantage in Rome, while simple plastic wheels can give your child quite a bumpy ride on the cobblestones. A baby carrier is also a solid alternative.

For everything else you should pack, check out our packing list for vacations with kids.

Bring a Thermos Bottle

Rome has many drinking water fountains where you can refill your bottles for free. This is especially handy in summer, when you’re out and about for longer stretches and a regular half-liter bottle empties fast. A thermos also keeps the water cooler for longer.

Book Your Flight to Fiumicino

Rome has two airports: Fiumicino and Ciampino. Fiumicino is much better connected to the city center — you can get into the city comfortably within half an hour on the Leonardo Express. That’s a real bonus when you’re traveling with kids and luggage.

From Ciampino, you’d need to take a shuttle bus and hold babies and toddlers on your lap. The more active your little ones are, the more exhausting that bus ride into the city will be.

Book a Suitable Accommodation for Families

Choosing the right place to stay for a family trip isn’t always easy. Hotel or vacation apartment? The age and number of children often plays a big role in that decision.

Aparthotels are a great middle ground: you can prepare your own meals, the kids have space to play, and you still benefit from hotel services like a front desk, room service, and a breakfast buffet.

These are the aparthotels we recommend in Rome — centrally located, close to many of the top sights, and good value for money:

Trianon Borgo Pio Aparthotel – Apartments for 2 to 6 people, centrally located between Castel Sant’Angelo and Vatican City. There’s also a fitness area and a breakfast room.

Incentrum – Stylish apartments with frescoes and a balcony or terrace, right in the heart of the historic center and just a few minutes’ walk from the Spanish Steps.

Alternatively, here are some great hotels with family rooms:

Meininger Hotel – Spacious family rooms with a double bed plus one or two bunk beds. The hotel is located near the main Termini train station, making it super easy to reach from the airport. All rooms are wheelchair accessible.