Rome, Italy

While Rome is not known as a child friendly destination, we found lots to entertain children and parents. Check out the links to our blog on the right hand side of this page. While there aren't many activities (or restaurants) that are specifically targeted towards children, kids are expected to be a part of everyday life. This means that kids (and especially toddlers and babies) are welcomed into most restaurants and activities. It also means that they're expected and encouraged to run in Rome's many piazzas.

Tips for Family Travel to Italy

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½ Day Family Itineraries

Historic Rome and Italian Life with Kids

Ancient Rome with Kids (Colosseum and Forum)

Activities

Campo Dei Fiori

Address Piazza Campo Dei Fiori, Roma Map, Hours Mon-Sat 8-1

This bustling outdoor food market is best visited in the morning. Your kids will be doted on, and may even be given gifts of fruit! They'll have the opportunity to see produce we don't usually see in the States (zucchini blossoms in the spring, different varieties of berries ...

Cavalieri Hilton Swimming Pool

Address Via Cadlolo 101, Rome Map, Tel 06/35091, Website

If you need to beat the afternoon heat, the Cavalieri Hilton Swimming pool is the place to do it. There is a kids pool and a grownup spa as well as beautiful views and a luxurious spa. The price tag for visiting as a non-guest isn't cheap, but if ...

Colosseum (Colosseo)

Address Colosseo, Roma Map, Tel 06/7004261, Hours Mon-Sat 9-2 hours before sunset; Sun 9-1

The Colosseum is arguably the top tourist site in Rome for kids and adults alike. The excellently preserved ruins make it easy for kids to imagine gladiators, lions, and chariots. Pay special attention to the labyrinth of tunnels where the gladiators and animals waited to enter the colosseum and the ...

Explora Children's Museum

Address Via Flaminia 82, Rome Map, Hours Visits have a timed stop and start. Check the website for details and book in advance., Cost Children 3-12 7,00 Euros; Adults 6,00 Euros Website

The relatively new Explora Children's museum is a rarity in Italy... a place designed specifically for kids. This hands on museum has activities like a miniature grocery store, a bus that kids can "drive" and more.

Pantheon

Address pantheon, rome Map, Tel 06/68300230, Hours Mon-Sat 9-6:30

The Pantheon, designed around 120 AD is beautiful in its symmetry. The diameter of the dome is equal to the height of the walls. Kids will be fascinated by the open "window" hole at the top of the dome (and the holes in the marble floor designed to allow the ...

Piazza Celimontana Playground

Address Piazza Celimontana, Rome Map,

Take a break after your visit to the Colosseum at this large playground. There are climbing structures and swings as well as a bit of shade.

Piazza Navona

Address Piazza Navona, Rome Map,

This famous 17th-century piazza is always teeming with activity. There are street performers, live music, and lots of people. There's also a beautiful fountain that toddlers will love.

Roman Forum (Foro Romano)

Address Foro Romano, Roma Map, Tel 06/6990110, Entrance Via dei Fori Imperiali and Piazza del Colosseum, Cost Free, Hours Mon-Sat 9-2 hours before sunset; Sun 9-1

Arrive early in the day to avoid heat and crowds, and come prepared for lots of sun. The Forum, unlike the Colosseum is mostly in ruins and it might be difficult for kids to imagine what it was like. If you're concerned that a trek through the ruins themselves ...

Sinagoga Roma (Synagogue)

Address Lungotevere Cenci, Rome Map, Tel 06/6840061, Hours Mon-Thurs, 9-5; Fri 9-2; Sun 9:30-12:30

This off-the-beaten-path landmark (and the Jewish Ghetto surrounding it) hold lots of great lessons for older kids. The Jews of Rome have chosen to live in a place where they'll always be markedly different than the mainstream Catholic culture. They've suffered at the hands of various rulers, during ...

The Janiculum Hill

Address Piazza Garibaldi, Rome Map, Transportation 115 bus

The Janiculum Hill, one of the seven hills of rome, provides views over the entire city.

Villa Borghese Park

Address Piazzale Borghese Scipione, 5, 00197 Roma (RM), Italy Map, Tel 39 06 8548577, Cost Adults 12,50; Children 6,00 Website

This 148-acre park is the second largest in Rome, and one of the few green spaces easily accessible from the city center. Filled with statues and fountains, the park also includes a merry-go-round, a mini train, a zoo, a puppet theatre, and a small lake with swans and boats. Our ...

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Hotels

ComfortItalia Rome Apartment Rentals

Tel 39-06-686-7932, Website

On our most recent trip to Rome, we rented our apartment through ComfortItialia. While our specific apartment is no longer available, our overall experience was good and we recommend the agency.

FourtySeven Hotel

Address Via Petroselli 47, 00186, Rome Map, Tel 39.06.6787816, Website

This modern hotel prides itself in being family friendly. Children are given a special greeting, and there is a special children's room service menu (although, frankly, we find Italian menus to be pretty child friendly as is). Rooms are clean, quiet, and well appointed, and the breakfasts draw rave ...

Grand Hotel De La Minerve

Address Piazza della Minerva 69, Rome Map, Tel 39 06 695201, Website

The Grand Hotel de la Minerve is the only hotel of its caliber and size in the old city. Perfectly located in the Piazza della Minerva, you'll be in the center of the most charming part of Rome. The hotel itself was recently (and expensively) renovated, with great results ...

Raphael Hotel

Address Largo Febo, 2, 00186 ROMA Map, Tel 39 06 682831, Website

This elegant, secluded little hotel is hidden behind the Piazza Navona -- right in the center of the action for restaurants, old city sightseeing, and shopping in artisan and food shops. The lobby is decorated with art and antiques and the rooms are each uniquely and comfortably decorated. Richard Meier recently ...

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Restaurants

Alfredo e Ada

Address Via dei Banchi Nuovi 14, Rome Map, Tel 06/6878842, location near San Pietro

Eating dinner here is like getting to going to an Italian friend's grandmother's house. Kids are doted on, and they'll be comfortable in the homey, bustling atmosphere. Ada (the owner) will make you feel right at home in this small and often crowded restaurant.

Antico Forno Roscioli

Address Via dei Giubbonari 21/22, Roma Map, Tel 06/6875287, Website

Antico Forno Roscioli has one of the best cheese and meat cases in town. This is the perfect place to pick up takeaway items (or splurge on bottle of wine or one of the lovely jars of jam, truffles, olive oil or balsamic vinegar to take home. The restaurant is ...

Forno Campo De Fiori (Bakery & Pizza)

Address Campo De' Fiori, 22, Roma Map, Tel 39 06.68806662, Website

The takeaway Pizza Bianca at the Forno Campo de Fiori is among the best in town, and all of their pasteries are excellent. A daily ritual for us was to pick up a few slices, watch the bakers in action through big glass windows, and then sit in the market ...

Forno del Ghetto (Burnt Bakery)

Address Via del Portico d'Ottavia 1 Map, Tel 06/6878637, Hours Closed Friday at sundown and Saturdays.

This small bakery in the heart of the Jewish Ghetto (near the synagogue) has no sign and no tables. You'll recognize it by the crowd spilling out the door and the slightly burnt pastries in the display case. Everything is a little bit burnt, which caramelizes the sugars just ...

Giolitti

Address Via Uffici del Vicario 40, Rome Map, Tel 39 06 699 12 43, Website

Giolitti is one of the most famous gelato shops in Rome for a reason. The gelato is impossibly creamy, there are a wide variety of flavours, and there is great people watching. Brave the crowds inside to order a cone for takeaway (order first and pay on the way out ...

Home Food

Website

Home Food is an association dedicated to preserving traditional Italian home cooking. Locals open their doors to a limited number of visitors for home cooked dinners based on local ingredients and traditional recipes. There are also a limited number of cooking classes (also in homes). Your host might not speak ...

Pizzeria Ai Marmi

Address Viale Trastevere, 53-59, Roma Map, Tel 06 580 09 19, Location just north of Piazza Mastai, near the cinema and the McDonalds

Authentic Italian food is super kid friendly, which makes it easy for parents to eat at local favorites like Pizzeria Ai Marmi. Italian foodies think this is the best sit down pizzaria in the city, and you'll find it jam packed. Look for the sign saying "Pizzeria" and the ...

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Shopping

Babe

Address Via della Palombella, 22, Rome Map, Tel 06. 683 01975,

This sweet little shop behind the Pantheon is crammed with adorable clothing for babies and toddlers made in Italy and France. Prices are reasonable compared to the high-fashion kids clothing stores near Via Condotti, especially when there is a sale, but still high by US standards.

Biancaneve e i sette nani (Hair Salon)

Address Via Metastasio 17, Roma Map, Tel 06/6865409, Appointments Call for an appointment Website

If your child is caught up in the glamour of Italian fashion, a trip to this children's hair salon might make a fun memory. The salon is decorated fancifully with hobby horses and carousel creatures for chairs.

Città del Sole

Address Via Della Scrofa, 65, Roma Map, Tel 39 06 68803805, Website

Citta Del Sole is our favorite toy store in Rome. Featuring a nice selection of well-made European toys and books, this is the place to splurge on one or two special items to take home. We found some great books, cute puppets and costumes, and much more.

Mel Giannino Stoppani Children's Bookstore

Address Piazza Apostoli, 59/65, Rome Map, Tel 06/69-941045, Website

One of our favorite souvenirs for the kids is books from the countries we visit. We look for wordless books, books with few words, and interesting translations. This excellent children's book store, the best in Rome, is a great place to look for something special. There is even a ...

Prenatal

Address Via della Croce, 48, 00187 Rome RM Map, Tel 06/6793932, Website

Stroller lost or damaged in transit? Forgot to bring sippy cups? Prenatal has almost anything you might need (including clothing) for babies, toddlers and moms. Clothing is mid-range price and of reasonable quality, but doesn't have a particularly European look.

Pure Gold

Address Via del Babuino 150 Map, Tel 06/3235464, Hours Closed Sunday

If money is no object and the only thing that matters is getting the most beautifully made, most fashionable clothing for your daughter (no boys clothes here), Pure Gold is the place to go. Even if cashmere sweaters and silk skirts aren't in your budget, it can be fun ...

Delicious Baby

Living the Good Life with Kids