Italy is iconic: everyone’s dream destination for food, culture and history. Make the journey to Italy with kids and you’ll find that unlike some places, it really does live up to the hype. The food is just as delicious, the hills just as beautiful, and the cities just as beautiful as you might imagine.
Whether you’re exploring ancient ruins in Rome, relaxing by the beach in Puglia, or enjoying a glass of vino at an agriturismo in Tuscany, you’ll find yourself wondering if life can really get this good.
Best Things to Do in Italy with Babies
Italians love babies and this is the perfect relaxed vacation destination to rest and recharge your batteries after sleepless nights. Life moves at a slower pace here: relax over a cappuccino, or a bottle of wine and watch the world go by in a charming village square.
Food Festivals
If you’re visiting Italy in late summer or early fall, look for the dozens of regional food festivals celebrating everything from artichokes to truffles to olives. Grab a travel stroller and make the most of this time when you don’t need to stick to kid-centric activities. Piedmont is a culinary hotspot, the home of the ‘slow food movement’ – try the Slow Food Festival in September.
Stay at The Cannero Riviera Residence
Visit Puglia
Buried down in the heel of Italy, Puglia is poised to become Italy’s next big thing. It’s got stunning sandy beaches overlooking the ionian and adriatic seas, which often center around beach clubs and restaurants serving the most delicious food. There are also interesting old cities like Monopoli and Lecce for days with the stroller and the pretty trullo architecture in the countryside. Puglia truly has its own unique culture and cuisine – some of the best in Italy.
Stay at The Madonna Della Torre Residence
Play at piazzas
Most of Italy’s towns and cities are centered around large open squares or ‘piazzas’, lined with cafes, bars and gelato stores. These piazzas are the perfect place for parents to relax in the sun while younger toddlers can wander safely around the pedestrianized spaces.
Stay at The Piazza Masimo D’azeglio Residence
Best Things to Do in Italy with Young Kids
Young kids and toddlers can be notoriously difficult to please with alternative and unusual cuisines. Italian food certainly lives up to its reputation, from pizza to pasta to gelato – it’s a safe bet you’ll find something for them to eat wherever you go.
Christmas Markets
Around Christmas time, Italy lights up like a sparkling ornament with unique snacks, gifts and entertainment. You’ll find markets in some of the major cities which are great entertainment for young kids. Venice has a Christmas Village for the 3 weeks before Christmas Day, offering sweet treats and craft gifts.
From here you can explore some other interesting areas in Veneto, such as Verona, the star of Shakespeare’s plays and Lake Garda, one of the largest lakes in Italy, and a cheaper alternative to expensive Como.
Stay at The Via Emilei Residence
Enjoy the outdoors
The rural hills of Italy’s countryside are perfect for young kids who just want to play in a backyard, splash in a pool and eat outdoors. Tuscany is one of the most popular areas of the country for visitors: best known for Florence, the city of the Renaissance, the beautiful countryside is full of charming hill towns, rolling vineyards and rustic food.
Umbria is like Tuscany’s underrated little sister. The same rolling hills, quaint small towns and agriturismos, without all the crowds – the perfect destination for a spacious rural family vacation home. Perugia, the capital, is a lively town to visit and a famous producer of chocolates!
Stay at The Piegaro Residence
Wildlife Spotting
Another great part of Puglia is Taranto, where you can spot dolphins, as well as nearby Fasano inland, where there is a drive-through safari park. If you’re headed to Rome there’s a large city zoo there too. Tuscany has its own offerings for wildlife-lovers in the Tuscan Archipelago National Park islands, where you’ll find all kinds of flora and fauna, birds of prey and marine animals.
Stay at The Campo Nell’elba Residence
Best Things to Do in Italy with Older Kids & Teens
One of the best things about Italy is that the country is full of history and culture. You’ll find ancient ruins thousands of years old, Renaissance palazzos, and more, which should spark imagination in older kids and teens, relate to their school learning and broaden their horizons.
Experience Carnevale
Carnevale is celebrated all over Italy in late February/early March, but the capital is Venice, which becomes a surreal scene of beautiful costumes and parade floats. Part of the wider celebrations for Easter season around the country, you’ll also find big festival-style celebrations for Carnevale in Viareggio (Tuscany), Acireale (Sicily), Ivrea (Piedmont), Putignano (Puglia) and Fano (Le Marche).
Stay at The Pergola Residence
Discover the History
Campania in the south is a historic yet picturesque place to explore with older kids and teens who are interested in history, architecture and geography. Most of Campania’s treasures lie along the coast, including Herculaneum and Pompeii – ancient tragedies that make for a fascinating visit. (Then there’s the lemon scented Amalfi coast nearby including Postano, Sorrento and the famous islands of Ischia and Capris for beach days.)
Rome is also a must-visit: the city is over 2000 years old so it’s bursting with layers and layers of history. It’s got tons of bucket list attractions including the Colosseum, the Vatican and the Pantheon It’s also a great city for walking; discovering hidden ruins and charming piazzas as you go, as well as visiting galleries and museums with the kids.
Stay at The Amedeo Residence
Go Soccer Mad
Some of Europe’s biggest soccer teams are located in Italy, so they’re well worth a visit if your older kids or teens are football fans. Book a stadium tour during your visit or if you’re lucky, try for tickets to a match during the soccer season (September to May). Head to for Juventus, Inter Milan or AC Milan, AS Roma or SS Lazio.
Stay at The Via Flavio Barrachini Residence
Tips For Traveling to Italy With Kids
The best thing about visiting Italy with kids is that children are welcome everywhere. Fancy art gallery? Cocktail bar? Restaurant at 10pm? No problem. Here are some more things to know about visiting Italy with kids:
- Trains are the easiest way to get around and will get you to almost any major city or town. Buy train tickets ahead of time using an app like Omio.
- If you’re renting a rural vacation house outside of the city though, you will probably want a car.
- Italians eat late! You will struggle to find a restaurant for dinner before 8pm.
- Some museums and monuments offer discounted admission for kids but many do not.
- Easter is mostly a religious holiday in Italy. Expect higher prices, crowded public transportation, and closures.
- Italy is extremely food allergy friendly. Most restaurants list allergens and will accommodate requests.
- Car seats are legally required, but that is often ignored by locals. It’s a good idea to either bring your own or rent one from a car rental company.
- Leave your massive stroller at home. It won’t fit on narrow sidewalks or tiny elevators. Go small, if you can.
- It’s very easy to find staples like diapers, baby food and formula in supermarkets and pharmacies.
- Credit Cards are accepted in all major cities and chains, carry cash elsewhere (ATMs are plentiful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! ‘La Dolce Vita’ means you can relax and take things slowly and spend quality time together.
You can choose from skiing or city breaks for older kids and teens, to beaches and rural retreats for young children and babies.
You can visit anytime as the country is so diverse. Beaches in summer, mountains, forests and hills. Italy has it all.