Rome is truly a bucket list city! When we visited Rome with our baby we found it to be the perfect city for a family city break. To convince you to the same here are our best reasons to visit Rome for Families.
Reasons to visit Rome for Families
Family Friendly Food in Rome
Food in Rome is amazingly child friendly. Let’s be honest – who doesn’t love Italian food?! And with Italian staples such as pizza, pasta and gelato even the kids will love it too. For the parents there are plenty of more sophisticated dishes. The perfect food for all the family.
Family Friendly Accommodation in Rome
There are lots of family friendly accommodations from AirBNB to luxury high end hotels. We chose to stay at the Westin Excelsior, (you can read a full review here), a 5* hotel on the lovely Via Veneto which was absolutely great for a families, even those like us travelling with a small baby! The rooms were big (I’ll admit we way overpacked so needed a large room) and the staff were very accommodating with the Baby.
How accessible is Rome for families?
Many people say it is impossible to do Rome with a stroller. I am sure in some places such as the colosseum and Metro this is true. But if you are anything like us and enjoy walking, Rome is actually a very easy place to get around with a pram or stroller. We managed to visit the Vatican, Colosseum, Pantheon and Trevi Fountain all in one day walking with a stroller. However if you want to go into places like the Forum then it is definitely worth having a stroller with you aswell!
Rome also has quite a good public transport system in case any little legs get tired and there is a hop on hop off bus tour that drops you off near all the major sites?
For the best Rome itinerary with kids check out this post.
The Piazzas of Rome
Many of the Piazzas are pedestrianised which means that you aren’t worried about safety. It also means that if your child is at the toddling stage, there are plenty of safe places to give them a run around in the city. Most also have a fountain, a Bernini one if your lucky ! It’s also a great place for weary parents as most Piazzas are filled with restaurants and bars to sit and rest your tired toes!
Are there any family friendly parks in Rome?
For me all great cities have at least one great park. In Rome this is Villa Borghese Gardens (you can read a full review here). It is filled with plenty of places for kids to run around, suitable playgrounds and even a small boating lake. There is also plenty of shade if you need to escape the summer sun.
But for me the top reason to visit Rome is …
Italians love kids
I know its a cliché but Italians really love babies! We found this to be true when we were visiting Rome with a baby. There was no where we didn’t feel welcome. From small cafes to 5* hotels Baby E was literally welcomed with open arms. Waiters would keep her amused which gave us the rare chance to eat a meal somewhat together and helped with any request. Everywhere we went our Principessa or our Bella Bambino was showered with attention and love. It was like going on holiday with a celebrity. Baby E loved the attention and we loved the welcoming family atmosphere.
For me Italy really is one of the best places to take a baby on holiday. Looking for more advice on travelling to Rome with a little one? Then why check out our advice on travelling to Rome with a little one take a look at our Essential Information Guide for Travelling to Rome with a Baby!
If you enjoyed this post you may enjoy our practical guide for parents visiting Rome including top tips about where to buy baby products, changing facilities and getting around in Rome.
Travelling to Rome with kids that are slightly older? Why not check out this guide of things to do in Rome with kids by our friends over at Learning Escapes
If you are looking for other family friendly city break inspiration then why not check out the following destination guides:
Nell Heshram will revisit Oslo, one of her favourite cities, this summer. On her blog the Pigeon Pair and Me she’s put together a round-up of the top family-friendly museums in the Norwegian capital.
Samantha from North East Family Fun has visited Barcelona on numerous occasions with her three children and highly recommends the Catalonian capital as a fantastic city to visit with the kids. Did you know that Barcelona is one of the few cities in the world with it’s very own beach? Find out why Samantha rates Barcelona so highly and recommends as the perfect option for a family city break her
Emma from A Bavarian Sojourn is well qualified to recommend a family trip to Munich having lived there up until recently for the past five years. This city is surprisingly child friendly, and really does have something for everyone. Explore Munich’s green spaces (look out for the surfers in the Englischer Gartens!), visit a local museum, swim in a nearby crystal clear lake, or explore the biggest science museum in the world. Emma’s list of things to do and see here goes on (and on)…
Joanne and the eldest take you on a tour of Brussels, Belgium and show you the essential stuff to do, what to eat, and where to stay.
Lisa from Travel Loving Family shares her five must see sights in the capital of Madeira, Funchal. Her recommendations include a scenic cable car ride to a view point at an incredible 1,800 feet overlooking the whole island, a thrilling toboggan ride in a wicker basket and a visit to Blandy’s Wine Lodge to taste the famous Madeira wine.
With three hundred days of sunshine, six theme parks and miles and miles of golden sandy beaches, Jane Batt from Taking 5 says you should definitely consider Benidorm when planning your next family holiday. Pop over to Taking 5 and have a look at Jane’s recommendations for what to do and where to stay in Benidorm as well as her family’s top ten Benidorm activities.
Daisy over at Dais Like These Family Travel Blog shares a few ideas on how to keep kids entertained during 24 hours in Bruges, Belgium.
Ting from My Travel Monkey spent a week exploring snow covered Iceland and discovered there was so much to see and do in Reykyavik – even for young children…
Check out POD Travels if you’re looking to visit Berlin in the near future. Charly shares the top 30 places to visit with kids and where you can explore without them. With posts on the Berlin Wall, East Side Gallery and Wall Museum, a round up of the top Christmas markets in the city and a look at the Berlin street art scene, there’s more than enough to keep you occupied
If you are planning to visit the UK during your European break, Zena talks about why her family loved their visit to Liverpool and why it’s worth visiting if your looking for a vibrant and cultural city outside of London.
Pop over to Mums do travel to find out why Gretta Schifano and her teenage daughter think that Belfast is a great place for a family city break.
Susanna from A Modern Mother tells us the 12 reasons that families should visit Costa Barcelona.
And
Over on Space in Your Case Penny visits Bologna, few people realise it is the foodie capital of Italy. Bologna also has lots to keep children entertained, as Penny discovered on a weekend break courtesy of Bologna Welcome.
Cal at Family Makes
Saturday 7th of January 2017
I absolutely love Rome! It's on my bucket list to go back there and take our kids this time - I think they'd love it. They are old enough now to understand the history and appreciate the architecture and beauty. #ThePlacesWeWillGo
Wandermust Mummy
Sunday 8th of January 2017
Rome is my favourite city - i think there is really something for everyone
Karen | TwoTinyHands
Friday 25th of November 2016
That's great to hear that Rome is family friendly. I went when I was 16 it's really is a brilliant place. So much culture. I totally agree with you about Italians loving babies, we went to a restaurant the other day and our little man was entertained and fussed over the entire time! Thanks for linking up to #familyfun
Wandermust Mummy
Friday 25th of November 2016
Rome is one of my favourites
Tammymum
Wednesday 23rd of November 2016
I really love this and I love Rome. We went when I was pregnant with my first and I would love to return. We have mostly written city's off with a 1 and 2 year old but you are so right. There are lots of parks, we walk everywhere and there are lots of pedestrian places they can toddle. Also pizza/pasta is a massive hit with my kids so they certainly wouldn't go hungry. Thank you for sharing this with us at #familyfun and inspiring me! Xx
Wandermust Mummy
Thursday 24th of November 2016
Thank you for such a lovely comment. It's lovely to hear you are inspired. I do hope you return soon
Jemma
Wednesday 23rd of November 2016
My children are desperate to go to Rome, mainly for the pizza and pasta! Thanks for linking up! #HMcapturingmoments
Wandermust Mummy
Wednesday 23rd of November 2016
You should definitely go they would love it
Mrs Morgan Plus 3
Wednesday 23rd of November 2016
I haven't taken my 3 out of the UK yet! I really must change this soon! My daughter is the only person I know who doesn't like pizza! Strange girl! #FamilyFun xx
Wandermust Mummy
Wednesday 23rd of November 2016
I hope you all get away soon - doesn't like pizza ???! Replace it with gelato