First Timer's Guide to Rome with Kids (+ 10 Things to Do for Families)

In the last few years, Italy has been an incredibly popular travel destination for visitors from around the world. Most tourists vacationing in Italy choose to spend at least some time in the capital city of Rome.

My family jumped on the bandwagon last summer after a successful first European vacation with our kids in London and Paris the previous summer. My husband had a work trip that took him to Milan, so the kids and I planned to join him there. From Milan, we embarked on an epic 2 week journey through four of the major cities in Italy. The last and longest stop on this trip was in Rome.

Rome is one of the most-visited cities in the world and the city in Europe I personally had visited most before having kids. But we knew we'd be exploring it a bit differently with kids in tow - especially during the absolute peak summer tourist season when we were there in late June.

Visiting Rome in summer is not necessarily ideal. As you probably suspect, it's hot and it's crowded. In fact, it's super hot and very crowded! With our kids getting older, however, skipping school for travel isn't really realistic right now. We have to schedule longer international trips when school is not in session. The silver lining is that I'm able to test of strategies that readers like you may need most - because chances are good that is when a lot of you will be visiting too.

If you are considering or planning a trip to Rome with kids, here are all the basics you need to know, from where to stay to what to do to how to get around.

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Getting to Rome with Kids: Airports & Trains

If it's been awhile since you've been to Rome or this is your first vacation there, what are the best options for getting there with family in tow?

Rome Airports

Rome is a huge European travel hub so many travelers arrive directly into city's major airport: Rome–Fiumicino International Airport "Leonardo da Vinci" (airport code: FCO). The airport is served by dozens of airlines from around the world. All three large US legacy carriers (Delta, United, and American) have service from several of their major US city hubs into FCO.

FCO is a bit distant from the city center, so you need to plan on travel time to and from the airport. We didn't experience arriving into FCO, but we did depart from it at the end of our trip. We found it took about 40 minutes, but we didn't experience much traffic which is sometimes possible.

For a city as large as Rome, there aren't a lot of alternate airports to the major one at FCO. The only other alternative is Ciampino (CIA), which is mostly served by low cost carriers - most notably RyanAir. It's not really a viable option for travelers coming from the United States and Canada, although it may be useful if you are starting elsewhere in Europe and are looking to hop a short flight to Rome instead of taking a train there.

Related: Tips for Flying EasyJet

Train Service to and From Rome

Speaking of trains, rail is a very common way many travelers may arrive into the Eternal City, especially if you are touring elsewhere in Europe or Italy first. Our family took a short train ride from Florence to arrive into Rome ourselves, having started our travels in Milan.

The major train station in Rome is known as Roma Termini. It's located in the city center, but in a city as large as Rome, it's not necessarily with walking distance of many central neighborhoods like the main train station often is in other European cities. The station connects to two Metro lines, multiple bus lines, and has ample taxi service for getting elsewhere in the city.

Where to Stay in Rome with Kids

We did a tremendous amount of research when looking for lodging for our family in Rome. As always, we are looking to find the perfect combination of space, kid-friendly amenities, and location -- and all at the right price. The choices in such a large city will likely seem overwhelming to other first time travelers as well.

We looked at some hotels, but they really weren't practical or affordable for our family of four. Even more so than in London or Paris, hotel rooms in Italy usually are limited to occupancy of 2 (or maybe 3) people. Family rooms are nearly impossible to come by. And renting two hotel rooms at peak summer pricing could easily run $1000-$1500 a night or more.

As a result, we quickly pivoted to looking at vacation rentals, as we did elsewhere in Italy. There are a few neighborhoods that we quickly zoned in on as the best options for family travelers. Those are:

• Piazza Navona
• Campo De Fiori
• Travestere

We ultimately booked this one bedroom flat in Campo De Fiori and found it was as close to perfect as it could be. It was located steps from a back alley entrance to the square and within walking distance of several activities we enjoyed (more on those below) and numerous restaurants. (It's currently listed as unavailable on TripAdvisor, but hopefully will return again.)

The accommodations were definitely tighter than we had elsewhere in Italy at similar prices, but that's to be expected. If you are traveling in peak season, expect that 1 bedroom vacation rentals in well-located areas will probably be about $400-500+ a night. And of course, prices fluctuate quite a bit with the changing exchange rate.

A few other accommodation issues to keep in mind:

• Bed types: If you can find a room that sleeps 4 in Italy, it may just two double beds. Can you and your partner share a double? If you have more than one child, can your kids?
• Air conditioning: I already mentioned that Rome gets super hot in summer. Most hotels and accommodations thankfully have AC, but it may not be central air and it may not be as cool as we are used to in the States. So if you need that to be comfortable, check reviews carefully. Inquire specifically about AC with vacation rental owners before booking.
• Elevators: Many historic buildings in Italy do not have elevators. While my kids are now big enough to carry a suitcase up a few flights of stairs, lodging options without lifts may not be ideal for families with younger kids, especially those of stroller age.

Getting Around in Rome with Kids

I'll level with you - as much as we loved Rome, we didn't love the process of getting around the city. Italy isn't known for its efficiency, and you can definitely see that most when it comes to transport. So if you are Type A (like I am), take a deep breath and adjust your expectations.

Subway/Metro

Because of the ancient ruins located beneath the city, Rome hasn't been able to develop as extensive of a subway system as many other major European cities. There is a subway, but it won't necessarily take you everywhere (or perhaps anywhere) you need to go. We never used it because it simply didn't connect the destinations we needed to visit. There is an expansion project ongoing, but it is understandably going very slowly.

Buses

The city does have a sprawling bus network that works pretty well. But as you might imagine, buses in the heat of summer are not the most comfortable of transportation methods and can get snarled in the summer traffic that all the tourists contribute to.

Taxis & Rideshares

With limited time in the city, we found ourselves taking taxis and rideshares quite a lot. Or at least trying to. The problem is that the demand for those far exceeds the supply in peak summer travel season. We often requested a ride (using multiple apps like Uber and FreeNow) and wouldn't be able to connect with a driver at all at certain times of day.

Your best bet may be to find an official taxi stand closest to your place of lodging and walk there if you really need to catch a ride at a reliable time. One word of warning about taxis though - taxis are supposed to have meters in Rome, but I didn't see a single one. I'm pretty sure we were moderately overcharged for our first ride in one (from the train station to our lodging). But hey, Italy is a little loosey goosey on rules and such, so it's all part of the travel experience! Just try to negotiate in advance so you aren't taken advantage of.

Hop on, Hop off Bus

Many tourists opt to take a different kind of bus to travel around major cities in Europe, including Rome - a hop on, hop off. Yes, they are touristy, but guess what? They work.

While not official public transportation, definitely don't dismiss these buses as a potential form of transportation. They will move you between a lot of the city's highlights via multiple routes. Plus they offer audio commentary to help you learn about the city and get your bearings. Just be aware that traffic and long lines can be an issue (more so than in some other European cities). Plus, you may still have to walk a bit as the buses can't get as close to some of the attractions on certain narrow streets.

Bus companies to consider include Big Bus Tours, City Sightseeing, I Love Rome, and Green Line Tours.

Best Times to Visit & How Long to Stay in Rome with Kids

When should you go to Rome and how long should you stay with kids? As always, your family's schedule is the first consideration.

Summer is truly peak season all over Italy, but Rome gets even busier than everywhere else in the country. We visited during the last week of June, and I have to admit, it was a madhouse. Temperatures soared to nearly 100 degrees one of the days of our trip (it tends to be in the high 80s or low 90s as a more typical high temperature in summer), and every major site was swarmed with tourists. I say this not to discourage you to visit during this time of year (we are glad we did) but just to prepare you.

If your family has a more flexible schedule, spring and fall have much more temperate weather for touring. Spring break brings plenty of crowds, but certainly not of the same level that summer does.

As for how long you need in Rome, the longer the better! The depth and breadth of things to do and see is extensive. I'd recommend a bare minimum of 3 days/nights with kids, but a visit of 4-7 days or more is ideal. We had four nights ourselves and were able to hit most of our must-do highlights. But we easily could have filled several more days if we had wanted to.

Top Things to Do in Rome with Kids

Whether you have just a day or two or are planning a week or more, what is there to do in Rome with kids? So, so much!

Few cities in the world have such rich history, mixed in with amazing food and modern sites of interest. Start by gathering the family and making a list of everything that interests you. Your list is likely going to be very long. We put all of our family's choices into TripAdvisor so we could easily see on the map which ones were close to one another and possible to string together in a single efficient day.

Here are about a dozen of the best things to do in Rome with kids (with a map to all of them to assist in your navigation and planning).

When applicable, I've included age recommendations for the activities that may be better suited to younger vs. older kids.

Colosseum & The Forum

One of the main reasons to visit Rome is to explore the history of Ancient Rome. The two most famous spots to see excavated ruins are at the Colosseum and the adjacent Roman Forum. The Colosseum is where gladiators once battled two millennia ago and the Forum was the center of political life during the same period.

Tickets to see both are reasonably priced but can be quite competitive. I highly recommend booking online in advance at the official site to avoid long queues in the heat.

Alternately, consider taking a tour of these two areas so you and your kids can learn more about the area instead of just staring at ruins. We booked a 2.5 hour private Colosseum and Forum tour with Mariaclaudia Tours that was easily the best tour we took anywhere in Italy. Our tour guide Veronica was nothing short of fabulous and knew how to keep the kids engaged even while we all battled a heatwave that unluckily rolled in the day of our pre-booked tour.

The Vatican

Whether you are Catholic or not, visiting the Holy See is one of the major must-see sites in the city of Rome. The country-within-a-country is home to the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, and many other buildings filled with the finest artistic, architectural, and religious treasures from the past 2000+ years.

More than anywhere else in Rome, this is the place to take a guided tour to be able to learn while efficiently touring the massive space. We took the early morning Pristine Sistine tour from Walks of Italy to beat the crowds. The 4+ hour tour was a touch too lengthy for our then 9 year old, but was perfect for our teenager. If you have younger kids, taking a private tour with a family-focused tour company would be wise.

Be sure to check closure dates as you plan your overall itinerary for your time in Rome. The Vatican Museums are generally closed most Sundays as well as another dozen or so days a year.

A fun additional activity to do with the kids as you leave Vatican City is to stop by the Vatican post office (near the exit of St. Peter's) and send a few post cards. Because it is technically an independent country, the Vatican has its own stamps and postmark.

Welcome to Rome

Welcome to Rome is one of Rome's newer tourist attractions and is really helpful for introducing the city's history to kids. The attraction is an indoor multimedia experience near Piazza Navona with physical models of key sites in the city. It uses projection mapping on the models to help visitors visualize what Rome looked like thousands of years ago vs. today. The attraction also has a movie theater with a 30 minute film that takes visitors through highlights of ancient Roman history.

You'll need only about 1-1.5 hours for a visit, so this is an ideal attraction for an arrival day before you set off on longer adventures in the city. There's no need to pre-book (although you can if you wish), so it's a rare flexible activity find you can work in as your schedule allows.

Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is one of Rome's most famous squares, built on the ruins of an ancient stadium. If you take a walking tour of the central city, it's sure to be a stop. The square has three fountains, the most famous of which is Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers.

Piazza Navona is an ideal place for a delicious and kid-friendly meal in one of the many outdoor cafes. There are also gelato shops aplenty for dessert, as well as the Instagram-famous Two Sizes tiramisu shop just off the square. After dinner, there is plenty of car-free open space to allow younger kids to run around and explore a bit as well.

Pantheon

The Pantheon is a former Roman temple that became a Catholic Church when the pagan traditions of Ancient Rome were replaced by Christianity. It's an ideal stop for explaining those very different historical eras to kids. The building is known for its dome with an opening (oculus) to let in light and air.

There is often a very long line to enter the Pantheon, especially in the middle of the day and in summer. If you can visit earlier at opening time (usually 9AM), you can dodge a lot of the crowds. Tickets to enter are 5 Euros and you can pre-purchase online to avoid the line. Remember that as a working Catholic Church, guests should cover knees and shoulders and the Pantheon may close for religious ceremonies. Once inside, you'll likely need no more than a 20-30 minutes with kids to take it in.

Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is a Baroque fountain built in the 18th century on the terminus of an ancient Roman aqueduct. The legend says that if you throw a coin in, you'll return to the city of Rome. Tourists flock to this square to throw their change (upwards of 3000 Euro a day is collected from the fountain!) and snap photos.

Even if you are lucky to visit Rome in the off-season, the Trevi Fountain will likely be quite crowded. And if you visit in peak summer like we did, it's likely to be a madhouse. Embrace the insanity, get a few photos, and throw your coins anyway! If you want to see it with fewer people, your best bet is in the very early morning hours. Late night, it's crowded too as Italians are night owls.

Spanish Steps

One of Rome's most photographed spots is the Spanish Steps, an enormous staircase leading to the Trinita de Monti church and connecting two of Rome's piazzas.

Like at the Trevi Fountain (which is only a 20 minute walk away and can be combined on a single stroll), tourists swarm the area. Nevertheless, it's worth a short visit to get the photographic proof that your family made the trip. And, if your kids have energy to burn, climb to the top for an overlooking view of the city.

Appian Way & Catacombs

While there is a ton to do in Rome's city center, there is also a lot of history outside the walls of the ancient city. One of the most family-friendly unique sites is to take a tour along the Appian Way, one of main roads entering the city during the Roman Republic. There are several ancient underground burial sites called catacombs located along or near the Appian Way.

Most travelers see both the road and the catacombs on a single half day tour, and we actually chose to do this excursion by e-bike! (As our kids have gotten older, we have become big fans of bike tours as a way to explore and get oriented to new cities.)

We booked a combination tour with Roma Starbike. This tour visited the Catacombs of San Callixtus, which offers English tours with a guide through some of the subterranean mazes.

Our son was just a bit too small to go on his own e-bike so we used a trailer bike for him which turned out to be difficult to maneuver on the cobblestone roads. I'd recommend this tour but only for families with older tweens/teens confident enough to operate their own e-bike (probably 11-12+). Families with younger kids should see these sites with a motorcoach group tour or by booking a private tour guide.

Leonardo da Vinci Museum

Every city in Italy seems to have one or more of these, and they are a bit of a tourist trap. But if you have an engineering-minded kid in the family, you should really find an hour or so to visit a Leonardo da Vinci museum.

We tried to visit the one in Milan earlier on our trip, but my son was sick for a day there and we missed our chance. So when the rain rolled in one afternoon we were in Rome, my son and I took the chance to visit one that was located not far from our flat in Campo De Fiori.

These museums are all different but each of them feature models of Leonardo da Vinci's contraptions and inventions. There are usually things to touch and turn. The one we visited in Rome took less than a hour to walk through but it was a low stakes easy activity ideal for a bad weather day.

The Food: Pizza, Gelato, Pasta and Cooking Classes

Lest you think Rome is all historic and religious sites, I have to close this list with a mention of the food. The food in Rome is as much of an attraction as anything else. So many menu items are remarkably kid-friendly, from pizza to pasta to gelato. You'll likely have a much easier time with picky eaters here than you'll have in most other international destinations. So absolutely make time in your schedule to enjoy good food in Rome - which doesn't necessarily have to be expensive!

We went a step further and scheduled a pasta-making class at one of the restaurants in Piazza Navona during our stay (here's the one we booked). We made pasta from scratch by hand, selected our own sauces, and then were served our creation at the restaurant with bread and wine. Usually these classes don't take substantially more time than a lunch or dinner itself and most of them are quite kid-friendly.

Our Family's 5 Day/4 Night Rome Itinerary

Need a framework for how to spend your days in Rome? Here is the itinerary we followed for our four nights in the city:

Day 1 - Arrival & Orientation

• Early afternoon: Arrive by train into Roma Termini, take taxi to lodging, check into apartment
• Shop for groceries in Campo De Fiori
• Visit Welcome to Rome (1.5 hours)
• Dinner & gelato in Piazza Navona (Restaurant recommendation: Mimi e Coco)

Day 2 - The Vatican & The Colosseum

• Early entry tour into The Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica (4.5 hours). We booked Pristine Sistine from Walks of Italy.
• Lunch/rest at our apartment
• Afternoon kid-friendly private tour of the Colosseum & Forum with Mariaclaudia Tours

Day 3 - Walking Tour of Central Rome Highlights

• Sleep in a bit.
• DIY walking tour of the highlights of Central Rome (Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps). We used the Rick Steves Audio Europe app as our guide.
• Evening pasta cooking class in Piazza Navona

Day 4 - Bike Tour

• E-bike tour of the Appian Way & Catacombs (this tour with Roma Starbike) (4 hours)
• Afternoon break at our apartment
• Late afternoon visit to the Leonardo da Vinci Museum
• Dinner in Travastere (Tonarello)

Day 5 - Head Home

• Pack up and check out
• Final brunch/lunch on Campo De Fiori
• Head to airport for late afternoon flight home

Final Thoughts on Rome with Kids

Rome turned out to be a very rewarding destination to visit with kids. The city does have its inefficiencies (in part thanks to the throngs of tourists we helped contribute to), but that's just an indication of how much it has to offer. With historical sites that are engaging for kids of all ages as well as amazing food even picky eaters will be able to manage, Rome should definitely be on the short list of must-sees in Europe for families.