Five days in Rome with kids: this is my carefully curated Rome itinerary for families, studied to mix Rome must-see sites and child-friendly attractions and organized so you can follow a slow pace that is suitable for all ages and the best of what Rome has to offer. Fully updated in 2024 with current recommendations.
And so you are planning a 5 day trip to Rome, how exciting!
I am from Rome and I can tell you with confidence that 5 days are a wonderful length of time to visit the city.
This time is short enough to keep your visit entertaining for the kids but long enough to factor in downtime, may it be back in your hotel or in one of Rome’s many parks.
Never believe those who say you can ‘do’ Rome in two days, they don’t know how much they are missing by only seeing the most famous landmarks!
The biggest risk you run into, with 5 days in Rome, is trying to do too much.
To help you avoid this trap and tiredness-induces meltdowns, I have written this 5 day Rome itinerary for families with small children in mind (check out also my tips for visiting Rome with a toddler).
As you will see, it allows for many stops and plenty of time at each attraction.
If you have older kids you can also use this itinerary and follow my recommendation on attractions.
Whenever possible, I have given alternatives of possible add-ons to each activity so you can tailor your experience to the specific needs of our family.
if you don’t have quite as much time in Rome, you can also check out our three days in Rome with kids itinerary instead.
Please note: this post contains affiliate links and, should you make a purchase through them, we might make a small commission.
Before we start: practical tips for this family itinerary through Rome
Rome is vast and sprawling and over the course of 5 days, you will find yourself exploring several areas, sometimes close to each other and sometimes far.
With children in tow, Rome passes and discount cards are usually not worth their price (read here my full overview of discount passes) but it will be worth getting a carnet of bus tickets to have the freedom to jump on a bus when needed.
You can buy tickets at most newsagents and at vending machines at main bus terminus (Piazza Venezia has some) and you can choose among several types including single hop / 1 day / 2 days / weekly.
You can have a look at the options available here
If you find yourself far from your hotel and in need of a taxi, flag one on the street but be advised: they do not carry car seats.
They are not compulsory in taxis so you will not be refused a lift but I feel it is important for you to know in terms of how comfortable you are with the arrangement.
If you are looking at accommodation, I recommend you check out this article >>> where to stay in Rome with kids, which has all my best recommendations!
Five days in Rome with kids itinerary overview
| Day/ Time | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
| 1 | Golf Cart Tour | Colosseum | Trevi |
| 2 | Pantheon / city center | Kids’ class (several options, see below) | Trastevere |
| 3 | Vatican | Sant’Angelo | Navona |
| 4 | Spanish Steps | Explora | Ghetto |
| 5 | Borghese gallery | Borghese Park and Zoo | Testaccio |
Rome family itinerary: Day 1
Morning: Golf cart Tour
A few years ago I discovered the option of exploring Rome by golf cart tour and despite my initial resistance (I am from Rome and, as a local, I feel it was too touristy as an activity) I know LOVE a golf cart tour to get a first sense of the city.
Golf cart tours are guided tours of Rome in one of the few vehicles able to enter the small streets of Rome city center: a golf cart!
With kids, they are an excellent way to cover a lot of ground without having to walk and they are priceless to get the lay of the land.
The guide will tell you all the essential facts about the main landmarks and you can quickly see what places you’d like to see again later in your stay.
My favorite golf cart tours are:
Private Golf Cart Tour of Rome by LivTours I love that it is entirely customizable and covers a lot more than than many cheaper tours that only limit the tours to a rather small area (I do not have those in this post, I only include tours I truly like)
Golf Cart Tour by My Best Tour also an excellent provider that covers the city with good golf carts and competent, child-friendly guides
Afternoon: the Colosseum and Roman forum
The very first stop on my family-friendly itinerary of Rome is the Colosseum.
Kids usually love it, for many, it is ‘the’ reason to go to Rome and indeed, it is a special place.
The Colosseum grabs your attention from the very first moment you see it: its rows of arches tower above you and kids will recognize it straight away from books and cartoons.
I highly recommend booking a visit to see the inside of the Colosseum: the ones I love the most for kids are those including access to the underground area and the belevedere on the top tier.
You can visit the Colosseum with or without a tour.
Without a tour, you can find here >>> how to get tickets to the Colosseum
if you prefer a tour, I can recommend two that are excellent for kids as they are specifically for families:
Tour of the Colosseum for kids age 6 and up by Mariaclaudia Tours (well priced, fun, interactive). You can contact her on Facebook, tell her Marta from Mama Loves Rome sent you
Tour of the Colosseum and Roman Forum by LivTours, perfect for all ages and tailored around the needs of your family (tell them the age of your kids so they can customise it just for them)
Good to know: public restrooms are available beside the Colosseum and cost 1 euro (surprisingly well kept)
Have lunch at Cafe Cafe, just beside the Colosseum on Via dei Santi Quattro.
This is a colorful, informal family-friendly lunch place with a good selection of Mediterranean dishes and a handy buffet.
Evening at the Trevi fountain
At the end of this first day, the kids will be quite tired but should still have the strength to get to the Trevi fountain.
Make a gelato stop on the way and get a glimpse of the fountain in the late afternoon, after the crowds have thinned.
Take a stroll in the area, check out the local shops and head for dinner in nearby Piccolo Arancio.
Rome itinerary for families – day 2
Day 2 of this family itinerary around Rome leads you to my favorite part of the city and includes my favorite activity of all: an art class for children!
Morning: the Pantheon and leisure stroll in the city center
Rome city center is an area you’ll wander through over and over again, during your trip, but one that is worth exploring every time as it has marvels at every corner!
Most things you can explore without booking but the Pantheon is worth seeing and is ticketed. You can read here >>> how to book tickets to the Pantheon.
The Pantheon is surprisingly cool for kids, due to its very special architecture.
They will notice straight away the massive hole in the roof (the oculos) but only the most attentive ones usually notice the holes on the floor that make up the draining system of the building: indeed, the hole in the rood here lets the rain in, and it is by design!
Find my guide to Rome’s Pantheon with kids here.
From here, stroll to Piazza della Minerva nearby and let them marvel at the small elephant statue in it and then stretch your legs to Piazza Argentina.
Here, you have the site of Caesar’s murder (closed to visitors but you can see it from street level) and Rome’s cat sanctuary, a bit of a treat for cat lovers.
Eat at nearby Rimes Roscioli / Emma Pizzeria / Armando Al Pantheon
Afternoon: kids class
Rome offers many kids’ classes that are a fun and cool way to get to know elements or traditions from the city in a fun and interactive way.
Depending on what your kids like, I can recommend (I did all these and they are all super fun and kid friendly)
Gladiator Class – great for kids who like gladiators and moving a lot. This is a fun class led by a historical re-enactment group (meaning: it is well made and not a gimmick for kids) and get children and adults to learn about the Roman army, gladiators and learn gladiator fighting techniques. Book here (Use code MAMALOVESITALY at checkout for a discount)
Pasta Making class – perfect if to do at lunchtime as you also enjoy the fruit of your labor! Book direct on instagram @lucillacookingclass (read my review here >>> Lucilla’s class review)
Pizza Making Class – a super fun and hands on class to learn to make a kids’ favorite they’ll be also able to easily replicate at home. Book here
Evening: dinner in Trastevere
End your day with dinner in Trastevere, a lovely part of town with a lot of character and many eateries. If not hungry as you’ve been cooking already, this is a lively and fun area to explore in the evening anyway (even when busy, the atmosphere here stays family friendly)
Rome itinerary for families: day 3
On this day we are crossing the river.
Morning – The Vatican
The Vatican is not the easiest or most entertaining place for kids to visit but it is unmissable if you are in Rome and it does have some elements kids may like.
First and foremost, the fact that it is a different state and second that the basilica is the biggest in the world.
When tacking the Vatican, I recommend:
- if visiting the museums, make sure you book a family tour that is just for kids. The Vatican Museums are very hard for kids (due to the style of museum and the crowds) and having a kid centered tour will make everything easier.
My favourite Vatican tours for kids are:
Vatican Museum tours for kids age 6 and up by MariaclaudiaTours (tell her Marta sent you!) | Also: Private Vatican Tour for kids by LivTours (which includes the amazing Egyptian wing) | Also Express Sistine Chapel Tour by LivTours which is perfect if you need a shorter tour and are mostly interested in the Chapel rather than the rest: this is ideal if you have a baby / toddlers (the tour will be for you but since it is private, they can adapt to your needs) or older kids.
- If interested in the basilica, make sure all parties are dressed appropriately (no short, no mini skirts or bare shoulders)
- If climbing up the dome, make sure your kids are up for the challenge and don’t get tired midway: it gets so narrow at some stage the om;y way is up and carrying is not an option!
- if you think the Vatican will be too much or too boring for the kids, consider a visit to Castel Sant’Angelo instead
Have lunch in Borgo is the area around the Vatican and hosts a good selection of restaurants.
I like Borghiciana pastificio artigianale which is tiny (not for groups) but friendly and with gorgeous pasta.
Afternoon: Castel Sant’Angelo
I know planning a second visit to a historical site after the Vatican may seem to much for kids but don’t discount the idea just yet!
Castel Sant’Angelo is the castle of Rome and one of the places kids usually love the most. In origin, the castle was the tomb of the ancient Roman Emperor Hadrian, who want it I built as a resting place for him and his family.
Over the course of the centuries however, it got fortified and became the Fortress of the Pope (complete with a secret passage connecting it to the Vatican, so he could escape here), a prison and then the Pope’s residence.
Here kids can see cannons, ammunitions, trapdoors, walk along the bastions and get really high up to the top terrace, from where the view of Rome is spectacular.
I recommend to visit the castle without a guide if coming from the Vatican, to avoid overwhelm.
You can read here >> how to visit Castel Sant’Angelo with kids
Alternative: if you’re kids are too tired for another visit, there is a good playground under Castel Sant’Angelo or they may enjoy time in one of Rome’s parks (find the best parks in Rome here), go shopping on Via Cola di Rienzo.
Dinner: Piazza Navona area
Piazza Navona is one of the most beautiful squares in the whole of Rome and an easy one to enjoy with kids.
The piazza is the old stadium of Domitian and nowadays a great place for kids to run around and learn about the city (the stories about the fountain in the center and the nearby statue of Pasquino are fun for kids and adults).
Here you also have a wonderful toy shop called ‘Il Sogno’ with life-size teddies: it was wonderful when I was a child and it still is- a truly magical place!
Have a gelato stop in Gelateria del teatro, then cross Corso Vittorio to have an aperitivo in car-free Campo de’ fiori and check out the cool shops on via del Governo Vecchio
Places I love for dinner in this area are Grappolo d’Oro, Mimi e Coco (specifically for carbonara), and Cul de Sac.
Fun fact! Cul de Sac is in Piazza Pasquino, which takes its name from a statue called ‘Pasquino’, famous for being one of the six ‘talking statues of Rome‘ (click for info). He doesn’t actually talk but his story is fun!
Rome itinerary for families: day 4
Morning: Spanish steps, Piazza del Popolo
Day 4 takes in one of the city’s most iconic sites and what my kids consider the best place in Rome of all: Explora children’s museum!
Start your day at the Spanish steps: if you can, get here before the crowds of day-trippers and let the kids run loose up and down the big stairs.
If you love shopping, this is a great area to get yourself a new wardrobe: Via Condotti is full of designer boutiques with gorgeous styles while nearby Via del Corso has high street brands, making this area a good stop for all needs.
You won’t go hungry in this part of Rome: cafes and restaurants abound although I have a couple of address you may like:
Ginger Roma, with healthy options and light bites
Babingtons, English tea room with nice dishes and teas, if you’re looking for something different
Numbs Bar and restaurant, with lunch and light bite options
Afternoon: Explora
To let the kids loose and give them playtime there is no better place than Explora, Rome’s children museum. The museum operates with shifts, each of 1h45 minutes, but has an outdoor area with zipline you can linger in for as long as you want.
This is a wonderful place for kids to play and a great stop to make them recharge in between sightseeing!
While there is nothing specifically ‘Roman’ in this museum, this is the most child-friendly place in the whole of Rome and could not miss from a Rome itinerary for families with small kids.
Should you kids be too old for this type of entertainment, this can be a good day to go cycling along Via Appia. In that case, I suggest you reverse the order and go cycling in the morning and a stroll in town in the afternoon.
Evening: dinner in the Jewish Ghetto
After an afternoon playing the kids may be ready to tolerate a more grown-up type of evening and if this is the case, I recommend you go for dinner in Rome’s ghetto.
Here you have wonderful restaurants serving the famous specialties of the Jewish community of Rome (the fried artichokes are special).
The proximity to the river makes this spot a lovely one for an evening walk too, if you are in the mood for fresh air.
Rome family itinerary day 5
For your last day in Rome I cannot make my mind up: part of me wants to recommend a trip to the Borghese Gallery and the other half wants to send you outside of Rome to gorgeous Ostia Antica (this would take most of the day even if the distance is minimal).
The choice will largely depend on your interest, so I will describe the Borghese option below and encourage you to read this post >>> all about Ostia Antica, so you can see whether it may be to your taste.
Morning – Galleria Borghese (Borghese Gallery)
Start your day with a family tour of Galleria Borghese.
This is one of the most famous art galleries in the world and relatively easy to enjoy with kids.
The Gallery is full of beautiful animal sculptures (you can engage the kids asking them to find them) and it is not so big to be overwhelming. The fact that the massive Borghese gardens surround it, make it even more appealing!
This is one of the best museums in Rome to visit with kids.
Have a picnic lunch in the park and then head to the zoo just beside.
Afternoon – the zoo and shopping
The zoo is just beside the gallery and it is an easy hit for the kids.
It is not particularly large or impressive compared with others around the world but for kids it is great and a good place to escape the crowds and spend the afternoon outdoors.
If you prefer to skip it, the Borghese gardens have anyway lots to offer: bike rentals, playgrounds and a lovely pond are always popular with kids (and a good place to meet locals, should you kids feel like seeing other children)!
After the visit, you are close enough to the center for a last bit of shopping around via del Corso and via del Tritone.
Evening: Testaccio
For your last evening in Rome, I have foodie treat: dinner in Testaccio, one the best places for Rome’s traditional food.
You are likely to have to catch a taxi here or hop on the tram but the trek is worth it: this is where you find the best cacio and pepe in the whole of Rome, the perfect way to end your Rome family vacation!
I hope you found this Rome itinerary for families useful and it helped to answer the question: what can I do with 5 days in Rome with kids?
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