Visiting Italy with a Baby, Toddler, Young Kids Everything to know
Everything you need to know before you travel to Italy with a baby, toddler or young kids. Whether you are heading on your family holiday to Italy, or planning on an extended stay, these tips will make life much easier with your little one on your arrival to bella Italia.
Travel in Italy with a Baby or Toddler
Travelling while your kids are young has so many advantages and Italy is a fairly kid friendly place to live and travel.
To Italians, family is everything, and there are plenty of traditions centred around kids. So, travelling in Italy with a baby or toddler is actually easy compared to other places around the world.
Restaurants are generally accommodating all through Italy, there is plenty of family friendly accommodation, and if you choose your destinations right, you really can have the perfect Italian family holiday.
While you don’t have to stress to much about travelling to Italy with a baby or toddler, there are probably a few things you should know before you arrive.
Below you can find the following:
- Frequently Asked Questions about visiting Italy with a baby or toddler
- General tips for visiting Italy with a baby or toddler
FAQ’s – Visiting Italy with a Baby, Toddler or Young Kids
As an Aussie who lived in Italy for over a decade and had my 2 kids here, these are the most common questions I am asked about travelling with a baby or toddler to Italy/
Is it safe to visit Italy with a baby or toddler?
Yes! In general Italy is considered a safe country to visit for any type of traveller, so Italy with a baby is no exception. As with anywhere you travel, alone, or with your family, you should of course always take precautions.
Some of the larger cities may seem unsafe, however no more than any big city around the world like London, Paris or New York.
When is the best time to travel to Italy with a baby or toddler?
You can travel to Italy with a baby any time so it really depends on what you want to do and where you want to visit.
Keep in mind that the warmest months are between June – August as that is Italy’s Summer. It can get quite hot during these months so you don’t want to be walking around one of the main cities like Rome or Florence during this time. However if you plan on being on the beach somewhere like Sicily or Puglia, Summer will be ok.
The coldest months are between December – February where it will rain quite a bit and will even snow in some places. Again, depends on the type of holiday you want. In the north of the country in the mountains the snow is gorgeous and you can even ski.
For us May and September are the absolute best times to visit Italy with a baby as the temperature is mild and you will still get some nice sunny days. The kids won’t need to cover up from the sun every day, and it is the most comfortable time to travel.
Can you buy baby products and baby food in Italy?
While some brands may vary, your general baby products such as nappies, wipes, creams etc are found in most cities and towns so you don’t have to worry about bringing over a heap of products as you can purchase them on your arrival.
Baby food is also widely available, but again brands will vary. You can find baby formular, snacks, and food jars in most pharmacies or supermarkets.
Do I need to bring a car seat for my baby or toddler?
If you plan on riding on public transport, you will not need a car seat. In Italy it is ok to ride in a taxi with a baby or toddler without one. However, if you plan to hire a car you will need one.
The best thing to do is hire the car seat when you hire your car. Unless you need your seat for the plane, then you could also bring it over. But it is really up to you. When you travel with a baby in general, the less you can bring, the better.
Can I bring my baby or toddler to a restaurant in Italy?
Yes! And you will probably see more than a few kids in restaurants when you go out to eat. Italians are known for bringing their kids to restaurants.
Many will have highchairs for your toddler. The only issue you may encounter in the restaurant is small, is that there might not be room for your pram. Depends where you eat really. Some of the best restaurants in Italy are the little ones in side streets.
One thing not to expect though is a child menu. You will rarely find one in Italy. Adults and children eat off one menu (which is one of the things I love!). The waiter will usually recommend a smaller portion of one of the adult meals and will probably bring out the kids meals first.
Don’t worry there is almost always going to be pasta in every restaurant!
Another thing to consider is that Italians eat late, so you probably won’t be able to book a table before 7.30pm. Keep that in mind if your kids are on another schedule.
Is Italy pram friendly?
It really depends where you go. Most cities have cobbled streets so they aren’t very pram friendly if you have a small stroller. However, if you have a pram with larger wheels, it could be ok.
Smaller towns are usually easier to navigate as they will have more footpaths on the sides of the streets.
Do your research on where you are visiting first to know whether it will be worth bringing your pram. When in doubt, bring the baby carrier.
Where are the best places to visit in Italy with a baby or toddler?
We have a full guide on the best places to visit with little ones with things to see and do and even recommendations on where to stay.
From the bigger cities like Rome, Venice and Florence, to the lesser known regions like Sicily, Puglia and Calabria. Check out this post for the full details: Things to do in Italy with Kids.
Tips for visiting Italy with a baby or toddler
After having 2 babies in Italy, living there for over a decade and frequently travelling back and forth to Melbourne and back, these are my best tips for visiting Italy with a baby or toddler.
1. Be Flexible
Probably the best advice I can give anyone visiting Italy with a baby or toddler is to be flexible. The main things you will be able to find like food and baby products. However, you may have to be flexible on your baby’s schedule such as feeding or sleeping times.
2. Rent a car
Having a car will make life much easier. You will have your car seats and you can drive within cities quite easily on the autostrada, and it will mean you can visit the little towns too, that would otherwise be more difficult to get to on public transport.
3. Bring a Baby Carrier
Even if you do bring a pram or stroller, make sure you have a baby carrier for when you visit the bigger cities. There are plenty of cobble streets and you will be walking around a lot. A carrier will make life much easier.
4. Make sure to bring a portablechange mat
You will rarely find a change table in a restaurant or in many places in Italy so bring a portable one around in your nappy bag if you can.
5. Take advantage of the siesta
Except for the larger touristic cities, many shops close between around 1pm-4pm for siesta. Use this time to chill out in your accommodation, have a nap and have a siesta yourself.
6. Choose child friendly destinations
Italy is a child friendly destination in general, however see our full guide for the best things to see and do in Italy with kids – Italy Family Holiday Guide
Italy with a Baby or Toddler
Hopefully this post has helped you prepare for your family trip to Italy with your baby or toddler. Have an amazing time on your Italy trip!
Any questions please feel free to get in touch. I lived in Italy for over a decade, in Rome, as well as down the south in Calabria. My kids were born there, and we still have a lot of family in Italy so we travel frequently back and forth. Happy to help!
Travelling with a baby? Check out these general travel tips to make life on the road easier: Tips for travel with an infant. Follow us on Facebook for more family travel tips!
