Rome With Kids

11 tips for sightsseing in Rome with Kids

Latest update: July 25, 2023

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, and you get to see how the Roman Forum and the Colosseum once looked.

With the help of video, light and sound effects, visitors of all ages can get a better idea of how a small village in ancient times became the city of today in over 2700 years.

You should definitely visit the museum at the beginning of your stay, even before you visit the archaeological sites around the Colosseum. This way, the ruins make much more sense for children as well.

To the ticket for Welcome to Rome

Throwing coins at the Trevi fountain

The Trevi Fountain is one of the main attractions in Rome and should not be missed, especially if you are in Rome with children. Kids are especially fascinated by the custom of throwing coins into the fountain and making a wish.

It is said that if you throw a coin into the water over your right shoulder, your wish will come true. If you throw two coins, you will fall in love with a Roman!

By the way: The coins that are thrown into the fountain every day are regularly fished out and donated to charity.

Child friendly tour of the Vatican Museums

Children usually get bored in a museum, which is why many parents skip museum visits on family vacations.

But you can visit the Vatican Museums on a guided tour designed especially for families.

You can skip the line at the entrance, and pop-up books, iPad games and a treasure hunt are used to introduce children to the artworks of the Vatican Museums in a way that they too can get excited.

The tour is suitable for children aged 6 and older.

To the kid-friendly tour of the Vatican Museums

Climbing the dome of St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica is so huge and impressive that a visit does not even leave children cold.

The most important thing first: Entry to St. Peter’s Basilica is free! You do have to stand in line at the entrance, but the line moves pretty quickly.

Even more exciting is the climb up to the dome. The entrance to the dome is to the right of the main entrance, so you’ll have to come out of St. Peter’s again.

The ascent is by elevator, but once you reach the top you still have to climb about 300 steps. So, who can count to 300?

From a height of around 100 meters, you’ll have a stunning 360-degree view of Vatican City and all of Rome. There are also restrooms and a small snack bar on the terrace.

Unfortunately, due to the remaining 300 stairs after exiting the elevator, strollers cannot be taken up to the dome.

Our tip: Days usually starts early with kids, which has its advantages in Rome. You should visit St. Peter’s Basilica as early as possible in the morning so that you can get inside quickly.

Try out Leonardo da Vinci's inventions

Even though Leonardo da Vinci was much more active in Florence and Paris and spent only a few years in Rome, the interactive Leonardo Museum is located here and completely dedicated to his works.

Leonardo Museum is one of the museums in Rome, which is interesting for both children and adults. About 65 models are exhibited here, built according to Leonardo’s drawings, which visitors are allowed to operate.

The museum is not very big and after about an hour you have seen everything. Nevertheless, it is very interesting and perfect to escape the heat of Rome!

Visit secret passages in the Castel Sant'Angelo

Castel Sant’Angelo was originally a mausoleum of the Roman emperor Hadrian and was then rebuilt as a fortress in the Middle Ages.

Today the castle still houses catapults, cannonballs, weapons collections and a prison. Very exciting for little knight fans!

There are also secret passages, spiral staircases and a great observation deck with a café, from which you will have one of the best views over Rome.

Castel Sant’Angelo is also never as crowded as the Vatican Museums or the Colosseum. So with children it is definitely a must.

It is located in the Parco della Mole Adriana, where you will also find a playground.

Children up to 18 years can enter for free.

Cycling & Biopark at Villa Borghese

This huge park in the middle of Rome is full of meadows, walkways, fountains and monuments. You can find a merry-go-round, playgrounds and you can rent boats at the lake by the temple of Asklepios.

At the entrance, near Piazzale Brasile, is the bike rental Pincio. You can rent children’s bikes, electric bikes and 4-seat go-karts. It’s absolutely perfect to explore the large park.

A small electric train also runs through the park: a round trip lasts about 25 minutes and costs 3 euros per person.

In Villa Borghese Park you will also find Rome’s zoological biopark, which is home to around 200 animal species.

To the ticket for Bioparco

Explore the Calixtus Catacombs

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

You can only visit the catacombs as part of a 45-minute guided tour and you often have to stand in line at the entrance. Therefore, it’s better to visit with older children who are also okay with waiting. You then get to explore the underground passages and chambers, which is very exciting.

Our tip: No matter how warm it is outside, it can get quite chilly in the catacombs. So it’s best to bring a sweater.

Go to Ostia to the beach

Building sandcastles and splashing around in the Mediterranean is the perfect break from sightseeing.

The best place to do so is the Ostia district, which lies directly on the coast. From the center of Rome you can reach the popular city beach in less than an hour by subway and regional train.

Ostia beach is perfectly equipped for families: there are umbrella rentals, playgrounds right on the beach, beach bars, changing rooms and showers. So if you’re only in Rome for a few days and want to have an uncomplicated beach day, Ostia is perfect.

From Rome Termini, take metro line B and change at Piramide station to the regional train to Ostia. The beach is then only a five minute walk from the station Stella Polare in Ostia.

Taste the best ice cream in Rome

There are countless ice cream parlors in Rome, but if you want to try the absolute best ice cream, with a good value for money, you should definitely head to Gelateria Fassi. It’s Rome’s oldest ice cream parlor.

The many ice cream flavors are all homemade, the portions are generous and cream is free. The ice cream parlor has tables, so you can sit down and relax. There is also a drinking fountain where you can fill up your water bottle for free.

Take a tour with the Hop-On/Hop-Off bus

A great way to see Rome’s sights while also keeping the kids entertained is on the classic Hop-On/Hop-Off bus.

The red double-decker bus with the open roof, which drives by all the attractions in the city, is always a highlight for children. And if you need a change of pace, you can simply get off at the next stop, go for a walk or to the playground and get back on later.

Children under 5 ride for free and strollers also fit on the bus.

To the ticket for the Hop-on/Hop-off bus

Extra tip as a break from sightseeing: The Explora Children’s Museum

If you want to give your kids a change of pace after all the Rome impressions, then you should definitely take them to Explora.

This is a large children’s museum with educational games near Villa Borghese Park, for children between 0 and 12 years. Children learn about the principles of physics, chemistry and architecture through play, but can also interpret emotions or solve tasks in teams.

For babies there is a baby corner 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 for the kids to romp around!

You should definitely book tickets for the Explora in advance. It is best to visit the museum with kids during the week, then it’s not that crowded.

How to prepare for your vacation in Rome with kids

To make sure you and your kids are fully prepared for Rome, here are a few additional tips prior to departure:

#1 Buy children’s book about Rome

What always works well: Preparing children for a trip with a book!

There are many great children’s books about Rome that explain ancient Rome in an age-appropriate way. This increases the anticipation and your children can choose for themselves what they would like to see in Rome.

We can recommend these books about Rome for children:

• Children’s travel guide “City Trails – Rome” by Lonely Planet – for ages 9 to 12. Amazing facts and fascinating stories about culture, food and nature: The Lonely Planet Kids explains the sights and history of Rome in a way that children can understand. The texts aren’t too long and there are many pretty drawings.
• Kids’ Travel Guide – Rome – for ages 6 to 12. With this travel guide your children will become little Rome experts! They will have fun with challenging tasks, useful tips, coloring pictures and exciting quizzes. The best sights, piazzas and parks for children are also highlighted.
• Rome in a Weekend with Two Kids – for parents. Are you overwhelmed by all the articles and books about what to do in Rome? This step-by-step travel guide will help you plan your trip and tell you exactly what to do with your family in Rome when you have limited time. It shows you family-friendly activities, what to see and where to eat in a short and precise way.

#2 Bring sturdy shoes and stroller with air wheels

Rome’s sidewalks are often in pretty bad shape and potholes are part of the cityscape. So sturdy shoes are recommended in any case, especially as you can easily twist your ankle with sandals.

The same goes for strollers: Travel strollers with large air-chamber wheels are recommended in Rome. Simple plastic wheels will shake your child quite a bit on the uneven cobblestones. A good alternative would also be a baby carrier.

#3 Thermos bottle to take with you

In Rome there are lots of drinking fountains where you can fill up your bottles for free. This is an advantage especially in summer, when you are out and about in the city for a longer time and a normal 0.5 liter bottle is quickly emptied. With a thermos bottle, the water also stays cool longer.

#4 Book your flight to Fiumicino

Rome has two airports, Fiumicino and Ciampino. However, Fiumicino is much better connected to the center of Rome and you can easily get to the city within half an hour with the Leonardo Express. This is an advantage especially with children and luggage.

From Ciampino you would have to take a shuttle bus and hold babies and toddlers on your lap. The more mobile your babies are, the more exhausting such a bus ride into the city can be.

#5 Book a suitable accommodation for families in Rome

Choosing the right accommodation for a family vacation in Rome is not always easy. Do you prefer a hotel or rather a vacation rental? The age and number of children often play an important role in the decision.

Aparthotels are a good compromise: you can cater for yourself, the kids have enough room to play and you can also benefit from hotel services, such as a reception, room service and a breakfast buffet.

We can recommend these aparthotels in Rome because they are central, close to many highlights and offer good value for money:

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

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

Alternatively, we can recommend regular hotels with family rooms:

Meininger Hotel – Spacious family rooms with double bed and one or two additional bunk beds. The hotel is located not far from the main train station Termini, so you can easily reach it from the airport. All rooms are barrier-free.

These were our tips for Rome with children!

Have you ever been on a family vacation in Rome? How did you get your kids excited about the Eternal City? We look forward to hearing more tips in the comments!