1. The Colosseum. What visit to Rome would be complete without seeing this? Your mini-gladiators will love it and all of its 2000 year old gory history! Hire an audio phone to find out exactly what it is you are looking at whilst you are wandering, or go on a tour with an Arena Guide (this incidentally is the only way you get to see the very top and bottom levels!). Be sure to set aside at least half a day to explore Rome’s most famous landmark… (see point 7 for ticket info!).
2. Explora – If it’s raining and you need to find something to keep your small charges happy – head to Explora (make sure to pre-book a time slot first)! This great interactive Children’s Museum covers everything from technology to the environment. Here children can be firemen (and women) in the water play area, practice their math skills as a bank manager, co-ordinate a supermarket, or just hang out in the garden – once it’s stopped raining perhaps….
3. Villa Borghese – Rome’s enormous green lung is a fantastic place to unwind after city sightseeing, plus the zoo is a close neighbour! Additionally the gardens host many a puppet show, and there’s also some slightly more grown up theatre to be found in the shape of a replica Shakespearian Globe theatre. Still got energy to burn? The gardens have great bikes (motorised and unmotorised) for hire, some of which the entire family can pedal at the same time!
4. Underground Rome – How about a trip deep under the city to learn about Rome’s bygone eras and say hello to some ancient former residents (quite literally)? These fascinating tours are a must for those wanting to do something completely different and educational at the same time (probably best for the 8+ age group!), If you are lucky, you may well be shown around by a real archaeologist as we were – a true Roman who knows her city inside out, so you will leave with plenty of great local tips too (you can read about our experience here)!
5. Pizza… I promise you won’t be disappointed with the pizzas in Rome, freshly baked (often in front of you!) with beautiful seasonal toppings. We particularly loved Da Francesco for great authentic pizza without a stuffed crust in sight! Pizzarium and Da Remo also get amazing reviews.
6. Ice cream – in keeping with the food theme, the ice cream here is some of the best in the world, and it also comes in handy for travel blackmail purposes… Our particular favourite is Grom, of which there are a few branches around the city – but you won’t have to look too far to find decent gelato all around Rome…
7. The Forum – not only is The Forum rich in Roman history, but it’s a stunning place to spend a few hours. The entrance opposite the Colosseum is quiet, and your ticket will also gain you entrance to the Palatine Hill Gardens and The Colosseum itself. Step back in time and admire the ancient pillars, temples and buildings – the stomping ground of Emperors past… Seek shade amongst the ruins whilst you take it all in, and keep an eye out for today’s residents – brightly coloured scuttling lizards that live amongst the stones…
8. A City Sight-Seeing Bus. Not that original, but Rome is huge, and it can be quite overwhelming for small people. Take the weight off,climb to the top deck and point out some of the sights that you might not get to see otherwise…
9. Visit La Bocca Della Verita – the Mouth of Truth can be found at the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. The legend surrounding this ancient “lie detector test” purports that if someone really is telling the truth they can safely put their hand into the statues mouth. However, if they are telling a lie, they could well lose a limb! Who dares?!…
10. The Trevi Fountain – If you are travelling with children, you may well be up at the crack of dawn, so I suggest you get yourself down to one of Rome’s most famous landmarks super early to avoid the crowds – that way you can have Triton’s glorious horses all to yourself! Stand with your back to the fountain, and chuck in a coin over your left shoulder to ensure that you will one day return to this fabulous city (often safer at this time of day with children too, some of our coins were accidentally chucked anywhere but…). If I were you, I would save your money though, the chances are high that you will want to return one day anyway!…
About Emma Raphael
Emma Raphael left the UK for Copenhagen in 2009, with her ever-patient husband and two small children. Having enjoyed a couple of years in Scandinavia, Emma and her family found they enjoyed Expat life so much that they now reside in Munich – where the pace of life is relaxed, her language skills are small, and the mountains and bier halls are very large. Being one half of a self-proclaimed foodie couple, Emma enjoys the new produce and restaurants in each new country she resides in, and has made it her mission to convince people that English food no longer deserves the bad rap it once had. She can be found in the kitchen when she’s feeling homesick, trying to recreate comfort food from home. She also has huge passions for travel, photography, art, wine, gardening (although according to her Bavarian neighbours, she’s not much good at that!) and her family (of course)!
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Louise Barrett
Tuesday 17th of June 2014
We took the Kid to Rome when he was 8, we had a fabulous time. I would have no hesitation in taking him again. There is so much to do. We/He had a brilliant holiday and he still tells all Pizza place owners that their pizzas are not as good as the ones he had in Rome!!
Great post, a few things on there we didn't do so will certainly bear them in mine for next time.
Louise x
Emma
Wednesday 18th of June 2014
Thanks Louise, it's an amazing city isn't it? :)