Your family friendly travel guide through Italy with kids. Ideas and tips for your Italian family holiday including when to go, where to go, what to see, and things do with kids in Italy, or how I call it, Bella Italia!

Travel Italy with Kids: Your Italy Family Holiday Guide

Ahhh Bella Italia, I just love Italy!

As a former tour leader, guiding travellers around Italy and Europe, I was lucky enough to experience some of Italy’s best. Enough so that I ended up staying there over a decade, marrying an Italian, and having a couple of kids!

Travel with kids in Italy is not like travelling solo, I learned that along the way. When you visit Italy with kids, there are many things to consider in order to have the perfect Italian family holiday.

But not only is Italy a family friendly place to visit, Italians are very welcoming when it comes to children.

Here I share my best tips so that you can plan your Italian family holiday, and make it the perfect trip to Italy with your kids. In this post you can find:

• When to plan your Italian family holiday.
• Where to go in Italy with kids.
• What to see and do in each place we recommend
• Family friendly places to stay.
• Getting around in Italy with kids
• Eating out with kids in Italy.
• Some local tips and hidden gems.
• General tips for family travel in Italy.

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When to plan your family trip to Italy

Italy is a family friendly destination which is pleasant to visit all year round. However, the period when you decide to go really depends on what you prefer to see and do while you are there.

Summers are great on the coast, and if you are planning on visiting the beautiful Italian beaches, or one of the Italian islands, then it is a great time to visit. However it can sometimes be uncomfortable for younger kids in the bigger cities as it gets very humid.

Winters can get cold. You may encounter rain, wind, or even snow, which could be a good or bad thing depending on what your plans are.

When planning your Italy family holiday note that peak season is between June – August. This is the European Summer and during this period, Italy attracts tourists from around the world.

If you travel to Italy during peak time, accommodation will be the most expensive. It is also extremely hot during these months, and in August Italians usually leave the big cities to holiday on the beach.

Because of this, you may find some attractions closed during this time. This is especially true around the 15th August, which is the mid Summer festa.

In general, unless you are spending your whole trip at the beach, I recommend if you are travelling to Italy with kids, it is best to go during the shoulder season, either April-May or September-October, which are the Italian Spring/Autumn months. Most of the time days are warm and sunny, but not scorching hot, with little rain.

If it is a family beach holiday you are after, then summer is great too because you can always cool off in the sea.

Best places to visit in Italy with kids

Although it looks small on the map, Italy is actually quite large and has so much to see and do.

From Northern Italy to the very South can take around 10-12 hours by car or train. Even on a fast train getting from Rome to Venice is around 4 hours so depending on how long you have you may need to choose to visit either the North or the South regions.

For families who have only a week, choosing a couple of places, or one region to explore is best. If you have longer, the options are endless, just keep the distances in mind when you plan your trip to Italy with kids.

Best Places to visit in Northern Italy with Kids

From the capital of Rome and all of the best places in Northern Italy

Rome with kids

Kick of your Italy family holiday in the Italian capital Roma which is in the middle of the country! Being the capital, most international flights will arrive in Rome, so it is worth stopping for a few days.

Rome is one of the must-see places in Italy for people of any age but there is so much to do in Rome with kids too.

What to see and do: Explore the famous Colosseum, test your children on the Mouth of Truth, walk the gorgeous Spanish Steps, or one of our family favourites, take a picnic and have a rickshaw ride around the beautiful Villa Borghese, it will be one of the highlights for the kids.

If you have enough time, take a day trip to Orvieto or the Monstor park in Bomarzo! There really is so much to do in Rome.

See our full guide: Rome with Kids>>>

Local tip: Buy your tickets for the Colloseum early, or book a tour to skip the lines. It can be quite busy, especially if you travel to Rome during peak periods. Make sure you take a look at these Day Trips from Rome if you are have time.

Florence with kids

Firenze is an art lovers dream and a gorgeous city to visit for any traveller. Travelling around Florence with kids is quite easy as it the city is quite small when you compare to Rome or Milan and most things can be seen and done on foot.

There are many family friendly restaurants and cafes too and Florence makes a great base to visit other nearby towns and the Tuscan countryside!

What to see and do: Climb the famous Duomo, cross the “Ponte del vechio” (bridge), visit the Uffizi Museum, or just let the kids run around one of the piazzas or take a ride on the antique carousel. Take a pizza making class or for those who are up for it take a walk up to the Piazzale Michaelangelo at sunset to see a view of the entire city. Kick back and have a drink while the kids burn off their energy.

See our full guide: Things to do in Florence with kids>>>

Local Tip: Head to the big food market where you can buy some delicious Italian produce for fresh lunches. Do yourself a favour and order one of the huge paninis stuffed full of your favourite fillings.

Lucca with kids

Out of the big cities, and into the Tuscan countryside, you can soak up the Italian culture and breathe some of that fresh Italian air in the gorgeous city of Lucca. It is a great alternative to staying in Florence if you prefer a smaller town, but still close enough to visit on a day trip.

Less widely known and very underrated, the historical centre is surrounded by thick tall walls that date back to the Middle Ages. It is a beautiful spot to base yourself on your Italian family holiday because of it is easy to day trip to a lot of other places.

What to see and do: Explore the historical centre and make sure to check out the Roman amphiteater. If you are up for it, or the kids need to burn off some energy climb one of Lucca’s tours, the largest is La Torre Guinigi. You can also hire bikes for the day and ride around the city walls or head outside, there are some gorgeous views of the Tuscan country side and is definitely one of the main highlights in Lucca.
See our full guide: Lucca with Kids>>>>

Local tip: If you plan your Italy family holiday during the Summer make sure to check out the Lucca Summer Festival.

Pisa with kids

The city of Pisa is a must see when in Italy with kids even just for the cheesy photo! You can’t travel to Italy with kids and not visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

You don’t have to stay there, in fact I don’t recommend it. It can make an easy stopover while you are visiting Florence or Lucca as it is just a short train ride from each place, and you only need a few hours there. You can even make a stop on the train and get back on with the same ticket.

What to see and do: The leaning tower of Pisa is the main attraction and there isn’t really much more to do in this city so a quick stopover is fine. It will be a highlight and your kids will love taking funny photos in front the tower and having that memory of their Italy family holiday forever.

This tower is truly impressive and when most people see it for the first time they can’t believe their eyes. “It really does lean” I have heard over and over again! Yes, it really does lean, and it is unbelievable to be able to see it in person.

Local Tip: If you want to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa get your tickets as soon as you arrive as only a certain amount of people can go up at the same time. While you wait you can take your funny photos of the tower.

Venice with kids

Ahhh Venice, the city where getting lost is all part of the experience of your Italian family holiday. It is one of our top places to visit in Italy with kids as it there is nowhere in Italy like it, in fact you won’t find anywhere like it in the world!

Tell your kids the city is like a giant maze and wonder through all of the tiny cobbled streets. Get yourself lost in the moments, stopping for gelato and pizza. Families with kids of all ages will enjoy this gorgeous city on water.

What to see and do: Chase the pigeons in St Marks square, watch the glass blowing in Murano and finish your day with a relaxing gondola ride exploring the gorgeous city of Venice which will be a definite hit with the whole family.

See our full guide: Things to do in Venice with Kids>>>

Local Tip: The streets are gorgeous but they exactly pram friendly so if you can, use a baby carrier for your little ones. Or at least a light easy stroller.

Cinque Terre with kids

Still one of my highlights of Italy, and I have lost count how many times I have walked the stunning coastline of the five villages which make up the Cinque Terre.

It makes a great stop on your Italy family holiday if you are an active family and you love the coast.

Set up on the North West coast of Italy, these five  beautiful little fishing villages are built up on the coast and are accessible on foot or by train. You can stay on the outskirts in either Levanto or Laspezia for easy transport, but the real experience is staying in one of the villages themselves.

What to see and do: While travellers do come to see the five villages, the village hike is the main attraction. Depending on your fitness level, there are different trails, however the coastal trail is the most popular for families.

To complete the coastal walk it takes around 5-6 hours but the best part for those with young children is that you don’t have to do it all by foot, you can take the train through to each village as well. It isn’t the easiest of hikes, but young kids can easily walk half way and the train trip is all part of the fun too!

Local Tip: Buy your pass before you arrive, you can find more information about the Cinque Terre on the Parco Nationale website.

Lago di Garda with kids

You have probably heard of Lake Como, where the famous George Cloony has a property but there are a couple of other impressive Italian lakes that are just as good, including Lago di Garda which aren’t too far from the famous city of Milan. The Italian lakes are a great place to stop in Italy with kids as you can do as much or as little as you want.

What to see and do: Gardaland on Lago di Garda is one of the biggest theme parks in Italy and kids will love this place! It’s like a mini Disney Land in Italy. You can also take a boat ride and find numerous little lake side villages to visit and the kids will love a boat ride around the lake.

Local Tip: Base yourself in one of the little villages on Lago di Garda and you can even sneak in a day trip to Verona to see the famous Romeo and Juliette balcony.

Best places to visit in the South of Italy with Kids

If you and your kids want to see the real Italy, make time to travel down the southern part of the country. We lived in the South for 3 years so got to experience quite a bit of it with our kids.

Once you have seen the main sights that everyone comes to see, come and experience the real Italian culture, the best food, and the best beaches in Italy. Southern Italy will be a highlight of your Italy family holiday and will leave a long lasting impression.

Amalfi Coast with Kids

The Almalfi Coast is one of Italy’s most popular tourist destinations. However because most of the towns are built up on cliffs it isn’t the most kid friendly place for younger ones. It is still definitely a place to visit though and there is lots to see and do for older kids.

If you visit with younger kids I recommend staying in Sorrento as the accommodation options are easier to access. If you base yourself in Sorrento rather than on the actual Amalfi coast you will be able to explore the area easier as Sorrento is well connected by public transportation.

What to see and do: Walk around Sorrento’s historical centre, then take a bus ride to Almalfi or Positano. A boat ride is a must to the Isle of Capri. If you are keen, and love a bit of history you can take a day trip to see the famous ruins of Pompei, or even head to Naples for some of the best pizza in Italy!

Local Tip: Make sure to choose accommodation wisely. Many bnbs and hotels are perched on cliffs, and while they have an amazing view, the climb to get there isn’t the easiest with young kids. There are plenty of hotels on the main street in Sorrento with easy access to everything you need.

Alberobello with Kids

Like stepping into a fairy tale, Alberobello is a gorgeous little town in central Puglia. This historical town is lined with Unesco Heritage Listed Trulli Houses which are limestone houses with white coned roofs that date back to the 14th Century.

You can actually stay in these houses which gives the full Pugliese experience and will be a hit with the kids too!

What to see and do: Explore the historical centre, and taste some of the Pugliese cuisine. Then visit the nearby Castellana Caves and beachside towns like Polignano al Mare and gorgeous Monopoli.

See our full guide: Puglia with Kids>>>

Local Tip: Check out some of the cafes with a terrace where you can see a full view of the city from the top. Simply breath-taking! Make sure to visit the Fasano Zoo not too far away where you can drive through and feed the animals from your window!

Tropea with Kids

The heart of Calabria, down on the toe of the boot of Italy, Tropea is perfect for beach lovers, nature lovers, and families travelling Italy with kids who want to experience the “real Italy”.

What to see and do: Wonder through the historical city where you can find numerous churches and ancient buildings. View the Santa Maria Della Isola from the balcony, or just spend the day on the gorgeous beach. Many boat rides leave from Tropea to visit Capo Vaticano and the Aeolian Islands too.

See our full guide: Calabria with Kids>>>

Local Tip: Hire a car and visit the nearby Capo Vaticano beaches, they will take your breath away!

Taormina with Kids

You can find the little town of Tauromina perched on a hill about 250 meters above sea level on the East coast of Sicily, right down the South of Italy.

What to see and do: Explore the old town, and visit the Greek theatre, or take a cable car down to Isola Bella where you can relax on the pebble beach.

The town has the most incredibly scenic views and makes a great base if you want to visit Mt Etna, Italy’s active volcano. For older kids and teens you can climb Mt Etna, for younger kids wondering around at the bottom is just as fun!

Local Tip: Head out for breakfast with a view and taste the Sicilian specialty, the cannoli. A delicious sweet ricotta filled pastry that is to die for.

See our full guide: Sicily with Kids>>>

Family friendly places to stay in Italy with kids

When you plan to travel Italy with kids, it is easier to choose a few main destinations where you can stay a few nights each, rather than bouncing around every night to new places. This will give your kids a bit of stability, and you can do day trips to the surrounding areas.

Here are a few examples of best places to stay in Italy with kids:

Rome: If you stay in Rome for a few nights you can not only see the big city, but can take a day trip to Orvieto, or even Naples on a fast train.

Lucca: This beautiful town in Tuscany and the perfect base for visiting Florence, Pisa, and the Chianti region.

Venice: You can stay in Venice and visit Mirano, or even the Dolimites if you are keen to see the mountains.

Sorrento: Sorrento is a great base to visit the Almalfi coast. Take a day trip to see the ruins of Pompei, have a pizza in Naples, or take a boat ride over to Capri.

Alberobello: A great base when visiting Puglia and such a beautiful spot. From here you can visit Polignano, Astuni and other surrounding towns.

Tropea: If you are heading to Calabria I suggest basing yourself in Tropea.

Getting around Italy with Kids on your Family Holiday

Train: If you plan to visit the big cities on your Italian family holiday, the easiest way to travel is by train. Italy has an extensive network of fast-speed inter-city trains and regional services that connect larger cities as well as smaller towns. The trains are quite comfortable and kids are able to walk around too. If you book a hotel near the train station it is quite easy to move around. You can see the train schedules and prices at Trenitalia.com

Car: If you plan on visiting a a southern region such as Puglia, Calabria, or even the Almalfi Coast, I suggest hiring a car as you will have the flexibility to move around where you want when you want as public transport isn’t as easy in these parts of Italy. You can hire a car in most major cities, a popular company is Europecar.com

Plane: If you are set on seeing the North and South of Italy and don’t  have a lot of time, there are budget flights on Blu-Express, Easyjet and Ryanair, which fly between the main cities. Just take care to look at the baggage fees so you don’t get caught out at the airports.

Eating in Italy with kids

One important thing to note when heading out for a meal in Italy with kids, is that Italians eat late so you may need to adjust your routine.

Don’t expect to arrive at a restaurant before 7pm. Most don’t start serving food until after 8pm. Italians eat quite late and it is common to see kids still up until midnight in a restaurant during Summer.

Most restaurants in Italy accommodate for kids, but don’t expect the average kids meals such as nuggets and chips. Italian kids eat what adults eat, just smaller portions.  You can find Pizza and Pasta almost everywhere though and you can never have enough pizza on your Italian family holiday!

If you are heading out for the day check out one of the local markets where they will make you a “panino” (sandwich or roll). You can always find fresh cheese, salami, olives and other toppings along with “Pizza al taglio” ( pizza by the slice), and “arancini” (rice balls.)

Enjoy your Italy Family Holiday!!!!

Travelling through Italy with kids is fairly easy and once you visit this beautiful country, your whole family will fall in love. So now that you have all of this information to help with your Italy family holiday, what are you waiting for?

Have you travelled to Italy with Kids? We would love to know all about your Italian family holiday! If you have a baby or toddler, make sure to check out our post on Italy with a baby for more Italy family travel tips!

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