Italy captivates travelers with its unparalleled blend of ancient history, Renaissance art, and world-renowned cuisine. From the romantic canals of Venice to the ancient ruins of Rome, the rolling hills of Tuscany to the dramatic Amalfi Coast, Italy offers diverse experiences across its varied regions.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Gladiator School (Scuola Gladiatori), Rome
Children and adults dress as Roman gladiators and learn ancient fighting techniques from costumed instructors at this educational drama experience near the Colosseum. One of Rome's most memorable family activities.
Duration: 2 hours
Gondola Ride, Venice
Gliding through Venice's narrow back canals on a traditional gondola is magical for children — spotting cats on windowsills, passing under low bridges, and experiencing a world without cars. Book from San Marco or Rialto area.
Duration: 30-40 min
Explora Children's Museum, Rome
Rome's outstanding interactive science and society museum for ages 0-12 has hands-on exhibits about food, money, communication, environment, and the body. Time slots required; located near Villa Borghese.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Pompeii Archaeological Site
Children are fascinated by the frozen Roman city — the plaster casts of Vesuvius victims, preserved bakeries, and streets with original wheel ruts create a vivid connection to history. Hire an audio guide to bring the site to life.
Duration: Half day (3-4h)
Climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Climbing the 294 spiral steps of the famous tilted tower rewards the effort with hilarious perspective-shifted views and the physical sensation of the lean. A memorable family photo op in Pisa's stunning Piazza dei Miracoli.
Duration: 30-45 min climb
Gelato Making Workshop
Several gelaterie in Rome, Florence, and Venice offer family gelato-making classes where children learn the difference between artisanal (artigianale) and industrial gelato, choose flavors, and take their creations home.
Duration: 1.5-2 hours
Rowboat Rental, Villa Borghese Lake, Rome
Rome's most family-friendly outdoor activity — pedal boats and rowboats on the small lake in Villa Borghese park surrounded by umbrella pines and Roman skyline. Combined with Borghese Gallery and Explora museum for a full family day.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como
Lake Como's legendary Belle Époque hotel has a dedicated kids club, three swimming pools including a floating pool on the lake, and family rooms with connecting bedrooms. The lake setting, boat trips, and children's activities make this Italy's best family luxury resort.
Family features: Kids club (4-11), floating lake pool, connecting rooms, child menus, babysitting, boat excursions
Hotel Brunelleschi, Florence
Centrally located Florence hotel in a converted Byzantine tower and medieval building offers family suites sleeping 4, a small tower museum kids can explore, and easy walking to Duomo, Uffizi, and Ponte Vecchio.
Family features: Family suites, historic tower to explore, central location, breakfast included
Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
Florence's finest hotel has 11 acres of private botanical gardens for children to explore, a kids program with Florentine art activities, pool, and family suites in a Renaissance palazzo.
Family features: Kids activity program, 11-acre private garden, pool, family suites, babysitting
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Italian restaurants welcome children without reservations about it — ask for seggiolone (high chair) and mezza porzione (half portion) which most places provide
Kids menus (menu bambini) €6-10 typically include pasta, chicken or pizza with a drink — good fallback for picky eaters
Gelato after museum visits works brilliantly as motivation — Italy has the world's best gelato and it's everywhere
Lunch is ideal for families — restaurants less crowded at 12:30-1:30PM than at 8PM, prices lower, children better rested
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Pack baby carrier for Venice and hill towns — cobblestones make strollers challenging, and narrow bridges and steps require carrying
Children under 18 enter most Italian state museums free — significant savings for families at Colosseum, Uffizi, Vatican, and national sites
Train travel is excellent for families — more space to move than a car, dining car for meals, children's fascination with high-speed trains