An Exciting 5 to 10-Day Rome Itinerary With Kids: What To Do And Where To Go

A young boy looks over a bridge at the river in Rome, as well as the surrounding sights.
Photo Courtesy: Gunjan Prakash

Say ciao to some of the best sights in Italy thanks to this 5 to 7-day Rome itinerary with kids! If you’re ready for an epic vacation brimming with delicious food, fascinating history, and priceless art, this culture-filled city should be at the top of your list. Sure, visiting Rome with kids may seem a bit complicated, given the crowds, abundance of popular things to do, and summer heat. However, we’ve put together this incredible 5 to 7-Day Rome Itinerary With Kids to help you start the planning process. It includes where to stay in Rome with kids, things to do in Rome as a family, and so much more. Keep reading to get inspired for your next adventure! 

Day 1: Ancient Rome

Home to impressive landmarks, ancient architecture, and archaeological sites from thousands of years ago, Rome’s historic city center is a must-visit during your vacation. Start your exploration at the Spanish Steps, a famous monument towering above Piazza di Spagna. Here, families can take in the ambiance while they appreciate the view. From there, you can head to the Trevi Fountain, one of Rome’s most recognizable landmarks. Don’t forget to toss in a coin and make a wish! Nearby, families can also stop at the Marcus Aurelius Column and enjoy a break in the town square. Then, make your way to the Pantheon to admire its beautiful domed ceiling. Grab a quick gelato at Gelateria Della Palma, then head to Piazza Navona to see The Fiumi Fountain, Neptune Fountain, and more! 

Best Tours for Exploring Ancient Rome with Kids

There are many ways to tour this area with kids. Families with teens will love touring by bike or Segway, while multigenerational groups may prefer touring by bus. Those who prefer luxury tours may do so by vintage car. Here are some tours to consider as you plan your own itinerary for Rome with kids.

Walking Tours

Biking Tours

Families with older kids and teens will love the chance to jump on a bicycle to explore the city. Here are some great tours to consider when planning your trip to Rome with kids.

Touring on Wheels

Book an excursion by golf cart, bus, segway, or vintage car to enjoy Rome on wheels. Here are some fantastic tour options for families with kids of all ages. Certainly, families with young children or traveling in multigenerational groups will appreciate this way of seeing the Eternal City.

Look here for more Rome tours through Getyourguide.com!

Day 2: Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s, and Castel Sant’Angelo

Start the second day of your Rome itinerary with kids at St. Peter’s Basilica. Since the lines can get long during the day, we suggest arriving before 9:00 AM and checking out the main floor, which is free to enter. (Even then, a wait is likely inevitable.) As the largest Christian church in the world, St. Peter’s features works by many famous Italian artists, including Michelangelo’s famous Pieta statue and art by Bernini. You can also climb to the top of the dome for a rewarding view, but we don’t recommend this with young kids. We also don’t suggest taking an audio tour with kids. However, you could take a private or semi-private tour. GetYourGuide offers various Tours of St. Peter’s Basicilia, as does Viator, which features a Private Tour of The Vatican & St. Peter’s. 

Pro Tip: Remember that St Peter’s Basilica has a strict dress code: no shorts, sleeveless tops, or short skirts showing knees. Please read the requirements online before visiting. 

Once you’ve toured the basilica, head outside to St. Peter’s Square. This famous town square is a work of art within itself, perfect for letting kids run around and see the elegant and colorful Swiss Guards. If you have time, we also suggest a stroll through the pristine Vatican Garden. Next on your Rome itinerary with kids, visit the Vatican Museums. Located right next to the basilica, it would be ideal to see this stroller-friendly destination at the beginning of your visit. However, the lines are often long, so some families prefer to see the museums after. One ticket gives you access to all the galleries. Kids can explore Egyptian relics, Renaissance paintings, Greek and Roman Sculptures, and of course, the Last Judgement in Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel! 

Check Viator for additional Rome Tours here!

More Tips for Visiting Vatican City with Kids

We highly recommend taking a private or small group tour with kids so they can learn more about the exciting history of the Vatican and stay engaged the whole time they explore. Viator offers a family-friendly Vatican Museum Tour, which includes special skip-the-line access. We also recommend the Vatican Tour for kids via Context Travel. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes, since there’s a ton of walking. The Vatican has a cafe, and a variety of vending machines if you’re hungry as well. You can also eat lunch there, but make sure to pre-book. Carve at least three hours in your Rome itinerary with kids to see these sights in Vatican City. You can also spend a whole day, so plan before you visit. 

Optional: Beautiful Sunset Views from Castel Sant’Angelo

While the second day on this Rome itinerary with kids has been a long one, we highly recommend visiting Castel Sant’ Angelo. Overlooking the River Tiber near Vatican City, it was originally commissioned as a mausoleum for Roman Emperor Hadrian. Now, families can visit this gorgeous destination for a 360-degree view of Rome! We suggest taking a tour to see the inside as well, where kids can all kinds of historic weapons, former prisons, plus secret apartments. End your day enjoying the panoramic vistas of St. Peter’s Basilica at the top! You can even take a meal at the top of the castle, if interested.

Note: parts of the castle are not very stroller-friendly, babywearing will be your best option.

Book your tour of Castel Sant’Angelo using Viator today! 

Day 3: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill

Three kids stand together, while looking at the Colosseum, a must stop on our Rome itinerary with kids.
Photo Courtesy: Hannah Maunder

Visiting the Colosseum is a must during any 5-day Rome itinerary with kids! Families will be impressed by this historic amphitheater, offering a glimpse at life as a gladiator amid deadly battles and other forms of entertainment. A free Rick Steves Audio Tour is available if you want to save money on exploring. But we recommend booking a tour, especially an underground tour to see the Colosseum’s lower level. This is where gladiators used to wait their turn. It also features props, plus the elevator that lifted animals into the arena! Underground tickets can sell out, especially during peak seasons, so be sure to book in advance. We suggest companies such as CoopCultureCivitatis, and Viator, which has a Semi-Private Colosseum Underground Tour.

Families who want to skip the underground tour can also combine a trip to the Colosseum with other sites in the historic city center. Viator offers a wonderful Colosseum and Roman Forum for Kids Tour, including the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Roman Forum. This was once the center of daily life in ancient Rome, featuring ruins, an ancient plaza, and other historic points of interest. Palatine Hill is located above the Roman Forum and is the most important of Rome’s seven hills. See a variety of ruins, the grand Flavian Palace and Farnese Gardens, and the Palatine Museum. If you’re not taking a tour and want a budget-friendly way to see the Forum, download the Parco Colosseo app or Rick Steves Audio Tours Europe.

Save with discounted tickets and explore Rome with Go City®. Get your pass here!

Optional: Circus Maximus, Bocca Della Verita, Dinner in Trastevere

La bocca della verita, a must stop on our Rome itinerary with kids.
Photo Courtesy: Gunjan Prakash

If you have extra time during your 5-day Rome itinerary with kids, you could walk from the Colosseum to the Circus Maximus below Palatine Hill. Though most of this chariot stadium has been destroyed, kids will love walking around the oval racetrack and imagining their own chariot games.

Then, learn more about an iconic legend at Bocca Della Verita, located in Santa Maria in Cosmedin Church. Kids will surely get a kick out of sticking their hands inside the face and taking a funny photo! (Just remember there’s often a line here.) Once you’re done exploring, head across the bridge to Trastevere to eat dinner. Trattoria Da Enzo is a kid-friendly restaurant that’s wonderful for classic pasta dishes and other Roman delicacies, but you can expect a wait. 

Day 4: Appian Way, Gladiator School, and the Catacombs

Families visiting Rome with teens or tweens should take an underground adventure to the Catacombs of St. Callixtus. As one of the largest burial grounds in Rome, visitors can learn more about the hidden history and incredible artifacts with a guided tour of the Catacombs through Viator. Since the catacombs aren’t stroller-friendly, we don’t recommend this for younger kids. However, you can also combine a quick visit with a bike ride along the Appian Way. Also known as Appia Antica, it’s one of the oldest roads in Rome. On the way from the catacombs, stop for lunch. Or, pass by other important historical sites, like the Quo Vadis Church and ancient Roman Tombs.

If you’re searching for tours to maximize your time on day four of this Rome itinerary with kids, here are some great options to consider.

Best for Young Kids and Pre-Teens

Visiting Rome with young kids? They’ll jump at the chance to live like a gladiator for a day at the nearby Gladiator School Of Rome! At this museum and historical attraction, little ones can explore hands-on exhibits and travel back in time two thousand years with an exciting two-hour class. Learn more about Ancient Rome and what it took to survive back then – all with replica gladiator clothing and weapons!

Book the Gladiator School through Viator here for free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and the tickets are cheaper than buying direct!

Best for Tweens and Teens

If you’re in the mood to take another class, end your day with an evening cooking class from companies like Local Aromas, Eataly Roma, or Viator. Not only will you learn how to make delicious fettuccine, gnocchi, or pizza, but you’ll get to eat your hard work for dinner too! 

Best for Teens

If you have a foodie teen then try one of these delicious food tours in Rome. Firstly, consider a Rome Secret Food Tour, and a Savor Italy Walking Tour. Viator also offers a Small-Group Food Tour through the Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere. Or, if you’d rather taste some delicious dessert, a Rome Gelato Tour is a wonderful option.

Look here for more Food Tours and Cooking Class options in Rome with Viator!

Day 5: Villa Borghese, Bioparco di Roma, and Piazza Navona

A 5-day Rome itinerary with kids should always include some time to enjoy the city’s beautiful outdoor landscapes. From the convenient Parco dei Daini entrance, families start their exploration of Villa Borghese, one of Rome’s biggest public parks. It features gardens, ponds, and ancient statues. Combining several scenic sites, there’s also a tourist train that travels through the park. There are many ways to explore Villa Borghese with kids, here is what we recommend for each age group.

For Toddlers and Young Kids

  • Bioparco di Roma is ideal for toddlers and young kids. At this zoological park, families can see hundreds of animals like zebras, tigers, giraffes, and monkeys.
  • Since there are a lot of picnic and play areas (including two playgrounds in different parts of the park), Villa Borghese is also a nice way to spend a quiet afternoon lounging and letting kids play.
  • Young kids will also love the nearby Explora Children’s Museum, where they can challenge themselves with science, art, and history-related exhibits.

For OIder Kids + Teens

  • Tweens and teens will adore renting surrey bikes or quads. Grab a map of the enormous park and gardens and start exploring.
  • Borghese Gallery is another great option for older kids and teens. This spectacular destination is home to masterpieces by Caravaggio, Raphael, Bernini, Canova, and Titian. Viator offers a wonderful Art & Mythology in the Borghese Gallery Tour for Kids to give kids more context.
  • Museum Carlo Bilotti, located nearby, showcases contemporary sculpture and painting in a lovely 19th-century orangery.

All Ages

  • On a sunny day, families with kids of all ages can also rent rowboats to take out onto the lake and see the ancient Temple of Asclepius.
  • Visit Terrazza del Pincio, located at the Southern end of the Pincio Promenade, if you’re looking for a great view of the city.

To end your day, exit near the Spanish Steps, then head to Piazza Navona for dinner. Saltimbocca Ristorante serves traditional pasta dishes in a cozy setting, and there are two sizes for tiramisu! 

Optional Days on a Rome Itinerary with Kids

Looking to extend your 5-day Rome itinerary with kids? If you’re planning a 6-day Rome itinerary with kids or a one-week family vacation in Rome, use the extra time to venture outside of the city or explore beyond-the-beaten-path. Keep reading to learn more about how to spend days 6 through 10, you can mix and match them as you please!

Visit the Beach

Child in walking into the water at a public beach in Santa Marinella, Italy, an optional stop on our Rome itinerary with kids.
Photo Courtesy: Antonia Grant

On day 6 of your Rome itinerary with kids, visit the beach! Going from site to site can be tiring for kids, and Rome can get really hot during the summer months. A fun beach day is a perfect antidote to all this, particularly with toddlers, since you can ensure your family doesn’t get burned out from all the walking. Beaches are easily accessible by local trains. Families can book a one-day round trip and reach their desired beach within an hour or so. Alternatively, families can choose to rent a car for the day (depending on your group size, this may be more cost- and time-efficient than the train). Upon arrival, most beaches are then within walking distance of the train station. Select your beach and then plot your travel plans accordingly.

One of the best and easiest beaches to reach from Rome is Lido di Ostia. Here, families can enjoy a long, sandy coastline dotted with umbrellas, beach chairs, and calm, blue waters for swimming. North of Rome, Santa Severa is a favorite beach destination among locals, famed for its beautiful view of an ancient castle. It also has shallow waters for young kids to swim. Other beaches near Rome for families include Civitavecchia, Santa Marinella, Sabaudia Beach, and Gaeta. 

Planning a trip to Rome with toddlers? Check out this article on The Best of Rome with Toddlers

Altare Della Patria, Capitoline Hill, and Monti

A young boy, wearing a red baseball hat, looks up at the historic Capitoline Hill on a sunny day, an optional stop on our Rome itinerary with kids.
Photo Courtesy: Gunjan Prakash

Spend at least one day of your extended itinerary exploring Monti, an eclectic neighborhood in Rome’s city center. First, start your exploration on the edge of the district with a trip to the Vittoriano, also known as Altare Della Patria. Towering above Piazza Venezia, this large, neoclassical building comprises the main staircase, colonnade, and two propylaea (tall sides). There are multiple terraces overlooking the city with a beautiful view, so it’s a great place to explore with kids for a little while. If you didn’t have a chance to fit the Roman Forum into your itinerary before, visit nearby Trajan’s Market and the Trajan Forum afterward. This set of ruins is located at the beginning of the Roman Forum and features exhibits to teach kids about its history. 

Next, head to Capitoline Hill, one of Rome’s seven hills. This scenic destination is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful hills to visit, mostly thanks to Michelangelo, who transformed it into an elegant town square. The main way to access the square is from Piazza dell’Ara Caeli, near Piazza Venezia. From here, you’ll climb up a staircase designed by Michelangelo to be rewarded with amazing views of the city from Piazza del Campidoglio. Remember to look out for the huge equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius as you stroll through the piazza! Then, visit Palazzo dei Conservatori and Palazzo Nuovo, home to the Capitoline Museums. It’s definitely worth a trip here to see some of the most famous Roman sculptures in the world, including the Capitoline Wolf! 

Day Trip to Tivoli

Find out more about Italian art and history on a day trip to Tivoli! Located around an hour northeast of the city, this picturesque town is a wonderful complement to your family vacation in Rome. Tivoli dates back to ancient Roman times and features historic architecture, verdant gardens, and other sites for families to explore.

Families with kids of all ages can visit the Villa Adriana, created for the Roman Emperor Hadrian, and see what remains of the classical architecture, pottery, and mosaics. Or, enjoy a sunny day at the Villa d’Este Palace & Gardens. Kids can roam the manicured gardens and appreciate the elaborate fountains. Families can also visit the palace for scenic views of the town or to see some excellent artwork. For more amazing views, head to Via Delle Cascatelle, a walkway along the river in Northern Tivoli. Finally, families with toddlers will also find a nice playground in town (near the fountain).

Day Trip to Florence

If you are looking for an exciting day trip filled with Tuscan food, art, and culture, Florence is a great option for families. From Rome’s Termini Station you can take a fast train to Florence for the day (the journey takes about 90 minutes). Tickets can be booked with Trenitalia (be sure you book the fast train for Firenze, and not a regional train, which would take you 4 hours instead). Upon arrival, there will be much to do! Start your day by walking to Piazza del Duomo. Here, take in an iconic sight in Florence of Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral (be sure to take in the view from the top too!). Families can also take a ride on the Hop-On Hop-Off Tour Bus for a lovely tour of the city and to get your bearings.

Then, you can visit the towering statue of David at the Galleria dell’Accademia. Other family-friendly museums include Leonardo Da Vinci Museum and the Uffizi Gallery (family tours are available here from Viator). Afterward, stroll across the Ponte Vecchio, which is Florence’s oldest bridge and a great spot for a family photo. Want to take in more views of the city? Head to Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato al Monte for stunning views. Those with toddlers or small children in tow also need to check out the Piazza della Repubblica’s Antique Carousel for a fun ride. Given the distance and long day of travel, however, a day trip from Rome to Florence is best for tweens and teens who are up for additional museums.

Research and reserve your Florence Tour tickets here with Viator or GetYourGuide!

Day Trip to Lake Bracciano

A mama swan and two babies swim in Lake Bracciano, with the city nestled along the far shore, an optional stop on our Rome itinerary with kids.
Photo Courtesy: anguillara

If you’re planning a 9 or 10-day itinerary in Rome with kids during warmer weather, you can also take a day trip to Lake Bracciano. Located around an hour outside of the city, it’s accessible by public transportation if you don’t have a car. Take the train toward Viterbo from the Ostiense train station (connected to the metro at the Piramide stop), and you’ll soon arrive at this hidden gem. This crystal-clear volcanic lake offers swimming, kayaking, sailing, and more! After you’re done spending time in the water, explore the winding, cobblestone streets of the city center. Don’t forget to look out for the incredible Renaissance castle! 

Where to Stay in Rome with Kids

A staff member stands outside the door to J.K Place Roma, with vines hanging on the sides of the building, at dusk.
Photo Courtesy: J.K Place Roma

Once you’ve planned your Rome itinerary with kids, look for somewhere to stay. For a convenient stay in the historic city center, consider hotels such as Hotel Nazionale Roma, Crossing Condotti, Grand Hotel de la Minerve, Albergo Santa Chiara, St. Regis Rome, Hotel Artemide, and Hotel de Russie. A few more boutique options include Bio Hotel Raphaël – Relais & Châteaux, J.K Place Roma, and The Inn At The Spanish Steps. Families who want to stay in trendy Trastevere will love the Villa Agrippina Gran Melia, located on the banks of the River Tiber. Or, another wonderful option is Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, which offers panoramic views of Rome from its prime hilltop property. 

Need room to spread out? Reserve a home rental in Rome using Vrbo, Plum Guide, or Homes and Villas by Marriott International now.

Happy Travels!

We hope you liked this 5 to 10+ Day Rome Itinerary With Kids: What To Do & Where To Go! Between tasty food, iconic history, and so much culture, Rome is surely a one-of-a-kind destination for a family vacation. Enjoy Italy with your kids! 

BOOK TOURS AND ACTIVITIES IN ROME:

*This post may contain affiliate links that may earn us a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links in no way inform the hotels, sights, products, or other recommendations included in our articles. All opinions and recommendations expressed here are compiled from submissions submitted by the generous members of our Families Who Love To Travel community.

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The Families Love Travel Team has a zest for life and an even bigger passion for globetrotting! Comprised of real-life travel professionals, we work hard behind the scenes to provide dynamic solutions for adventuring with children. Our enthusiastic team understands the challenges that often accompany traveling with kids and is committed to making Families Love Travel an inclusive space to convey these experiences.