Rome is an amazing city to visit with children, so long as they are old enough to cover some ground. I found that my boys, aged nine and six, had absolutely no problem walking from our hotel to various historical sites each day. In fact, they were easily able to handle both Rome and our larger tour of the Italian peninsula. Ultimately though, the trick for visiting Rome with kids, as with most international vacations, is to plan ahead.
Pick the Right Hotel
First and foremost, it is essential to pick a hotel that is centrally located to the attractions that you want to see. Ideally this means within walking distance. But, for places located a little further away, you should also choose a hotel that is close to the Metro.
Other features to consider, when visiting Rome with kids, is onsite dining options. Having a casual restaurant on site, in addition to a more formal restaurant, can be extremely useful when your kids are too tired to eat out. A good breakfast service can also help fuel children ahead of sightseeing. The hotel we selected had all of the above, as well as the added bonus of a gelato shop. (Gelato and touring Rome with kids go hand-in-hand).
Similarly, I knew from past experience that Rome can be brutally hot and humid during the summer. A hotel pool was therefore at the top of my wish list. At the end of the day, I didn’t want my kids to melt quite like I had on my last two visits.
Choose Attractions Wisely
There is no shortage of things to see and do in Italy’s capital city. However, you are going to want to choose wisely when visiting Rome with kids. Hitting up an opera performance, or spending hours in a museum may tickle your fancy, but likely won’t appeal to your children.
If your offspring are old enough, seek their input about what they would like to see. If they are studying, or are about to study, the Roman Empire in school, paying a visit to the Colosseum is a must. As is the Roman Forum.
For other Rome attractions, like the Vatican, you may want to limit your sight-seeing to climbing just the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, and walking around Vatican City itself. Taking your kids down 8 miles of museum corridors just to see the Sistine Chapel will almost certainly result in complaints. And, while the Sistine Chapel is truly amazing, it may be claustrophobic and hard for them to see. Plus, the artifacts inside the Vatican Museums will likely only hold their attention briefly.
In contrast, Rome attractions like the Pantheon, and the nearby Trevi Fountain, which is located in front of the Palazzo Poli, are a lot quicker to visit. Although, my kids really loved Piazza Navona. Not only does it have three spectacular fountains of its own, but it is also the perfect spot for dinner. Afterward, you can cruise the square and check out local artists and street performers. You may even get lucky, and see a movie shoot – as we did.
Lastly, make sure any and all attractions are right for them. For instance, they may not be into seeing some of the catacombs dotted around the city. It will all depend on their appetite for spooky. Or maybe they love all things scary. In which case the Capuchin Crypt might be right up their alley.
Book Kid Friendly Tours in Advance
Standing in line to get tickets for a popular tourist attraction is never fun. This is particularly true when you are on vacation, as every minute is precious. I am therefore a strong advocate for always purchasing tickets in advance.
However, when it comes to seeing historical sites with my kids, I also like to look into private tours. Specifically, I search for kid friendly tours that can deliver information in an age-appropriate way. If you can’t find exactly what you want, don’t worry. Many private tours can be customized to fit your needs; you just have to ask. For instance, I have personally tailored itineraries to accommodate the amount of time I think I will have before my kids burn out. Another advantage of tours is that they help you skip lines. They can also give you exclusive access to areas that are not typically open to the public.
We took this route for both the Colosseum in Rome, and our visit to Pompeii. At the Colosseum, we were able to not only explore the two levels open to the public, but also the underground and third floor. Having such unique access gave us a completely different perspective on what life was like during the time of the Roman Empire. In addition, our tour included tickets for the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, which we were able to see at our own leisure.
For Pompeii we had an amazing custom 4-hour Pompeii KIDS tour. Our guide, Loretta, came armed with an iPad, visual learning aids, a pop-up book, games and little gifts. More importantly, she was able to convey information in a way that made it interesting and relatable to our boys. I think they got more learning out of her tour than any other they have taken to date.
Build in Some R&R
Remember how I mentioned our hotel had a pool? This proved to be essential after long mornings spent in the Italian heat. No matter how long you are visiting Rome with kids, make sure you build in time for relaxation. Fun day trips can be an easy way to do this – particularly day trips to nearby beaches. Or you can visit places like Borghese Gardens, where you can rent a row-boat on the lake for a few Euros.
Be Prepared
Before you head out to sightsee each day, make sure you are prepared for the day ahead. If you are visiting in the summer, you will want to take lots of water with you, as well as loose change for beverage and gelato purchases along the way. You also need to abide by local customs. For instance, any time you visit a church in Rome – or Vatican City – you need to make sure you adhere to the strict dress code. You will not be allowed entry if you are wearing shorts or skirts that are above the knee, or sleeveless or low-cut tops.
Happy Travels!
