This post on visiting Rome with kids contains affiliate links, but all opinions are 100% my own. That means I earn a small commission if you purchase through my link, but doesn’t increase your price. Thank you for supporting this … Read More
One thing about traveling a lot is we’ve taken a LOT of family photos. A fair number of those are ones where we’ve handed off our camera or phone to a stranger and we’ve had plenty of duds with just … Read More
You know those places that are so hyped that there’s no way possible for them to live up to expectations? I was worried Norway would be like that. I mean, could anywhere really be that magically beautiful? Yes, yes it … Read More
In our family during this particular season, my husband is working out of the home, and I am home with the kids. We’ve done it a few different ways in the past – me in grad school, working part-time, etc., … Read More
Is visiting Sweden with kids on your radar yet? If you’re interested in a family travel destination that is interesting, clean, and supremely accommodating for families, it’s a perfect choice. Here are 7 reasons to visit Sweden with kids! If … Read More
1. What shape do you see repeated in the Colosseum? The arch! Ancient Roman engineers used a lot of arches to remove weight but still keep the structure super strong. The arch allowed the Colosseum to be built to enormous … Read More
I feel like this is such a tricky subject that varies so much between families. There are those who homeschool while traveling and it works great for them. While part of me thinks that would work really well for our … Read More
                       We started our big summer adventure in Italy solely because we were using miles for our transatlantic flight, … Read More
Do you ever feel like Father’s Day gets a little forgotten? Between Mother’s Day just a month before and school ending and summer travel, I feel like it doesn’t usually get the attention it deserves. But I’ll tell ya what, … Read More
If there were ever a perfect, kid-friendly hike, Lake Lagunitas would be it. It’s another Marin County gem, tucked into Fairfax. It’s about a 1.5 mile loop that’s almost all flat, but with plenty of interesting things for kids big … Read More
Friends! I know lots of you are starting to plan fun things with your kids this summer, so I managed to narrow down a list of some of our favorite adventures big and small. I’d love if you’d share your … Read More
     We’d been married all of 6 weeks, and we were settling into our first married apartment in Philadelphia. I’d been living in the apartment previously with a roommate, and friends of friends of friends had … Read More
This post on visiting Rome with kids contains affiliate links, but all opinions are 100% my own. That means I earn a small commission if you purchase through my link, but doesn’t increase your price. Thank you for supporting this blog!
Ever wondered, “is Rome kid friendly?” European cities don’t get much more magical than Rome with kids. There are tons of fun and historic activities, it’s super walkable, and, let’s be honest, there’s gelato after (or in place of) every meal. Kid (and adult) heaven! There are so many things to do in Rome with family that it’s hard to narrow down the list for a perfect Rome itinerary. Here’s a perfect three-day itinerary when visiting Rome with kids!
If you’re wondering how many days in Rome with kids, three days is a nice amount of time to be able to see quite a few of the main attractions. Of course, you could spend years exploring, but three days in Rome gives a nice overview and allows you to eat some great food.
Plus, then you’ll hopefully still have time in your schedule to visit a couple other Italian cities, as well. We had three days for our kids’ first visit in the summer of 2018, and we absolutely loved visiting Rome with kids. (Here’s how we kept under a budget of $4,000 – including flights – for 6 people for 2 weeks.)
There are so many options for things to do in Rome in 3 days, but below are some of our very favorites in Rome for families. It’s a Rome itinerary that will allow you to see the highlights of the city without being so exhausting that you don’t enjoy your visit.
When planning a family vacation to Rome, three of the best areas to stay in with kids are the Historic Center (Centro Storico), Trastevere, and the Vatican City area. The Historic Center, with its proximity to iconic attractions like the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and Pantheon, offers convenience and the opportunity to explore ancient Rome on foot. Trastevere is a charming, family-friendly neighborhood known for its lively piazzas, delicious gelato shops, and beautiful Santa Maria in Trastevere basilica. Staying near Vatican City allows easy access to the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel, making it an ideal base for families interested in history and culture. These areas offer a mix of family-friendly accommodations, excellent dining options, and plenty of parks and open spaces for kids to enjoy.
Especially with a big family, it’s important for us to pack minimally so we don’t feel totally overwhelmed when we travel. Here are some of our favorite minimal packing essentials for families!
For more packing ideas here’s what I packed for:
See THIS MAP to view all the stops on our 3-day Rome itinerary with kids!
Here’s how our family would spend three days visiting Rome with kids, including what to doing in Rome with kids and the best Rome activities for kids!
Hit the ground running on your Rome itinerary by visiting the Colosseum with kids. Make sure you buy tickets in advance, and try to get an early time slot before it gets crazy crowded. We paid just a tiny bit extra to get a short tour. The tour was only about 30 minutes, which was perfect as far as things to do in Rome with kids, and we learned some interesting facts. Plus, what kid doesn’t love having headphones? If you’re interested in something more comprehensive, check out this Colosseum and Ancient Rome tour.
Spend about 2-2.5 hours here walking around, exploring the various levels and areas, and talking about gladiators nonstop. I was surprised by how much my kids loved imagining here – it’s one of the very best things to do in Rome with kids.
After finishing up at the Colosseum, head out to go find some lunch. We liked the Celio neighborhood that’s sort of on the back side of the Colosseum (opposite the Forum). Even though it’s very close, it was quiet and calm and perfect for sitting outside and enjoying a meal.
After lunch, wander through the Roman Forum and go up to Palatine Hill for a great view. There are some great tours that include the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. It’s a lot of history in one day, but the climb up and through the ruins make it fun for little ones. Plus, the sites are so close to each other that it’s worth doing them both in the same day and a must-see for 3 days in Rome with family.
The hill also tends to be less crowded on top than the Forum below. There’s a nice garden maze that’s fun for kids to explore. There’s lots of space to run around and burn off some energy without risking running into thousands-of-years-old columns. 😉 Plus, there’s some nice shade at the top.
Finally, finish the first day of your Rome itinerary with kids by heading over to Sora Margherita in the Jewish Ghetto for dinner. The fresh pastas are amazing and the waitress we had was the most Italian person I’ve ever met – she was feeding the kids by hand within seconds of us being seated. Make sure to get the cacio e pepe (a Roman specialty – eat it as many times as you can while here) and the fried artichoke. (Make reservations in advance.)
After dinner, go crash into bed! There are tons more potential additions to the list of things to do in Rome in 3 days, but it’s worth getting some rest on your first night. Visiting Rome with kids can be exhausting and everyone will surely sleep well tonight.
Get up bright and early and head straight to the Trevi Fountain. If you manage to make it early enough, you may even avoid some crowds! Either way, grab a coin to toss with your right hand over your left shoulder. Try (but possibly fail) to keep your kids out of the fountain, but do let them drink out of the many ancient drinking fountains. If you push the right spot, it will shoot up like a modern drinking fountain! Even though it’s touristy, it’s still one of those really fun things to do in Rome.
No Rome itinerary would be complete without the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Despite often being crowded, they’re still some of the best things to do in Rome in 3 days for their awe-inspiring structures and history. While you’re in this area, be sure to stop into the church San Luigi dei Francesi, which has a set of 3 moving Caravaggios of St. Matthew. It might not be top of mind when considering things to do in Rome with kids, but the nice thing is that it’s not a full museum – it’s just a few pieces of art! Perfect for a short visit when traveling to Rome with kids, or to trade off with a friend or partner.
If you need something kid-friendly and air conditioned, the little Gladiator Museum in Piazza Navona is worth a short stop. Our kids loved looking at all the armor! It won’t take you long, but it’s fun for little ones if you need to stop and cool down. Don’t forget to grab some gelato at Gelateria del Teatro.
From there, head over to Campo de’ Fiori market, which is bustling and fun. Grab some lunch and eat it picnic-style as you sit or wander. Fresh fruit will make a perfect treat. If you want a bigger meal, try Roscioli just down the way, which has fantastic handmade pasta.
After lunch, head over to the Borghese Gallery. If you were smart, you got tickets well in advance. If you procrastinated (like we did), then you may want to rearrange your day to try to get there right at opening. There’s a decent chance you’ll get in if you visit early in the day (we did). We arrived first thing in the morning and didn’t have a problem purchasing tickets.
It gets very busy (and unlikely to get tickets) later in the day, especially during busy season. The Borghese was one of our very favorite things to do in Rome in 3 days as well as one of the best museums with kids in all of Europe, so it’s worth the effort when visiting Rome with kids.
Before heading in, stop at the gift shop to pick up the I Am the Artist book. It has about 15-20 works of art with just the right length description for preschoolers/early elementary kids. Plus, then they get to color in their version later! This is the museum from which my kids learned and remembered the most, and this book was a big reason why, and was largely responsible for why the museum topped our Rome itinerary. Plus, having a set number of pieces to find really helped focus our time and help us to not feel overwhelmed. It was one of our favorite things to do in Rome with kids!
Even if you don’t get in, the gardens are delightful and are one of the best places to visit in Rome in 3 days. You can rent bikes, take a carriage ride, or just meander. In fact, if you don’t want an art stop, I’d highly recommend spending the afternoon in the Borghese Gardens – there are several playgrounds and lots of room to run and play for little ones. There aren’t many places better places in Rome with kids.
Walk over to the area near Como il Latte gelato, our very favorite gelato in Rome (and likely all of Italy). Grab something for dinner first, or just…have gelato. 😉 I mean, when in Rome…
Head over to the Vatican bright and early. (Make sure you reserve tickets in advance. This tour includes the Vatican and Sistine Chapel.) While it’s sure to be crowded and hot, it’s still incredible and is a must see on the list of things to do in Rome in 3 days. Be sure to pace yourselves, though. Unless you are a museum superhero, you should be in there no more than 2-3 hours, or everyone will be grumpy and exhausted. It is, in my opinion, on the can’t-miss list of things to do in Rome, but we definitely had to set some limits for ourselves so the Vatican with kids stayed a positive experience.
We enjoyed doing a tour when visiting the Vatican with kids, but it’s doable without. Audioguides are accessible and informative, and everything is well-labeled if you just want to google along the way. Be prepared for sensory overload – there is just So. Much. (Incredible) Art.
Don’t miss the Raphael rooms, the Sistine Chapel, and stop into St. Peter’s Basilica. (I really liked this blog post on 10 must-sees in the Vatican Museums.) No one batted an eye at our little ones (we’re certainly not the first ones to visit Rome with kids). But we still appreciated the small courtyards and open spaces where we could take a quick break when needed. 3 days in Rome is exhausting for kids AND grownups!
Spend the rest of the day wandering around the darling neighborhood of Trastavere. Take in the atmosphere, eat, and, of course, get gelato. (Are you seeing a theme here?) You’ll see lots of tiny and charming restaurants as you wander. Consider finding a pizza-making class that will be fun for all ages. I’ve heard it’s one of the most fun things to do in Rome and we were sad to not be able to schedule one in! Or here’s a dinner-time food tour of Trastavere!
With only 3 days in Rome, I’d highly recommend spending some more time in Italy with kids and traveling to a different part of the country.
For a first visit, we love going North – the mountains are beautiful, or you could spend some time in the amazing city of Florence (check out all these Instagrammable places in Florence!). Or if you’d like to see some beautiful scenery and beaches, check out this guide to Cinque Terre. You can’t really go wrong when traveling to Italy with kids (or kids-at-heart)!
If you’d like to see more but are sticking to Rome as a home base, try a day trip to Pompeii, Amalfi and Positano or a day in Tuscany.
