Visiting Rome with children calls for a little extra planning.
Between monuments, museums and walks, a day can become tiring without breaks and activities suited to the children’s ages.
To make the most of your days, choose a few destinations, alternate visits with time for play and rest, and avoid overloading the schedule. Sometimes even a break in a park can become one of the best memories of the trip.
For children who love animals, Rome’s Bioparco, inside Villa Borghese, is certainly worth considering. A visit offers the chance to observe different animal species and spend a few hours outdoors.
The same area is also home to Casina di Raffaello, a space for children aged two to eleven, offering workshops and educational activities, especially at weekends. Before going, it is advisable to consult the official programme for the activities available, prices and participation arrangements.
Another place to play and experiment is Explora, Rome’s Children’s Museum, near Piazza del Popolo. This interactive space for children aged zero to twelve encourages learning through play. Visits last one hour and forty-five minutes and are organised in timed sessions with limited numbers, so it is worth checking times and prices and booking ahead.
With older children, these activities can be combined with exploring the historic centre: the Colosseum, the Imperial Fora and the best-known squares offer opportunities to discover Rome’s history, always choosing routes suited to the ages and interests of young visitors.
There is no need to see everything in a single day: a walk and a stop in a garden provide variety and help keep tiredness at bay.
To avoid unnecessary journeys, organise visits by area, check opening hours and book activities that require reservations.
With younger children, allow for extra breaks and avoid treating every stop as a commitment that must be kept at all costs.
Accommodation can also make a difference when travelling as a family.
Little Blue and Little Red, in the San Paolo district, are two independent apartments a few minutes’ walk from Metro Line B, which makes it easy to reach the Colosseum and the historic centre.
Both are one-bedroom apartments with a double bedroom separate from the living room, a double sofa bed, an equipped kitchenette, a bathroom and a balcony.
Having a kitchen allows you to prepare breakfast or a simple meal, while a bedroom separate from the living room offers more flexibility at rest times.
Schuster Park is also nearby, for a walk without going too far from your accommodation.
