Visiting Rome with teenagers: fun things to do and travel tips for the perfect family stay. Tips and ideas for enjoying Rome with teens by a local mama of two teens!
Rome is a great city to visit with teens and I know this well because I have two of them!
My kids are now 13 and 15 and I am from Rome so the question of how to entertain them, get them to know and appreciate the city and how to do it as a family come up often.
Teens are highly opinionated creatures and gone are the times when a playground and gelato would do the trick: if you are visiting Rome with teens, you want more than that in your arsenal of travel hacks.
However, visiting Rome with teens is easier than it may seem as the city is beautiful, busy and varied, Rome is an endlessly exciting place.
The biggest mistake first time visitors to Rome make is expecting a place of ‘boring old buildings’ (yes, a more common idea than you may expect) – Rome is much more!
If your teen is already excited about visiting Rome, then the city is sure to deliver. Rome’s historical sites and charm are every bit as fabulous as they expect them to be, and more!
If you have a less excited travel companion however, Rome also works!
Historical sites, Instagram worthy spots, incredible fashion and shopping opportunities, fun rides on Vespas: these are only some of the fun activities for teenagers in Rome and make for great parent-teen bonding time.
In previous articles, we have looked at things to do in Rome with kids, especially younger ones.
Today, I will share the best things to do in Rome with teenagers and young adults.
I include tips for visiting Rome’s main attractions with teenagers, best tours and fun things you can plan with kids aged 13 to 19.
I trust Rome has enough teen-friendly attractions to keep even the hardest to please teenager entertained!
These are my favorite teen-friendly activities in Rome.
Please note: this post contains affiliate links and, should you make a purchase through them, we might make a small commission.
My favorite things to do in Rome with teens mix sightseeing with teen-friendly experiences that will make them feel involved and stimulated.
Go on a vespa sidecar tour with your teens
One of the most fun, enjoyable and cool things to do in Rome with teen is exploring the city with a vespa sidecar tour.
I did this recently with my son and it was the best thing we had done in a long time, it was absolutely great! The idea of the sidecar was appealing to my son and there was a lot of anticipation about this tour, which was fully justified once the tour started.
The vespa and sidecar were beautiful and comfortable and they are a reasonably unusual sight in Rome, so anywhere we zoomed, we had passers by looking at us and waiving.
It was a fun feeling as it was a ‘fifteen seconds of fame’ thing without the awkwardness, as you go so fast, they waved, we waved back and were gone!
The tour covers a lot of ground and we saw beautiful landmarks, viewpoints and local neightborhood you couldn’t really otherwise get to easily. This is a fantastic tour and super fun, teen approved thing to do in Rome! The tour we took is this one. We took it as semi private as we liked the idea of meeting another family and it was perfect!
Go on a bike tour along Via Appia
Rome is not a very bike friendly city. However, there are some areas that are great on wheels and are great especially for teens who will be able to use ebike, be in nature and immersed in Roman history all at the same time.
The best area to explore in Rome by bike is ancient Via Appia. Via Appia is one of the most ancient roads in Rome and it starts from near the center, then stretched out a long way south.
In ancient Roman times, it was of the main arteries in and out of the city (all roads lead to Rome..) but it is also a very special one as along this road you find several of Rome catacombs, the ancient underground Christmas cemeteries from the early days of Christianity.
Via Appia is now Unesco World Heritage Site and partially closed to traffic: biking here means you have a change to escape the busy city and be active while still very much been immersed in Roman history.
You can take a self guided tour by renting bikes or go for a guided experience also including the catacombs.
See a Roma or Lazio Football Match at Stadio Olimpico
Rome has two big football (soccer) teams: Rome and Lazio.
They share the same stadium, Stadio Olimpico and matches there are great fun. For teens who love sports, even if not soccer specifically, it is a great event to take part into as the atmosphere in the stadium is electrifying – the rules of the game also not that complicated that you cannot enjoy it if you are a newbie!
The best tickets to get for families with teens are in the ‘family section’ – there are good seats and they are close enough to the action to be exciting yet far enough from the more intense supporters to be safe.
The site we used to book thickets for us and hte kids was the Rome one >>> find matches and tickets here.
The best matches to go for are those at the beginning of the football calendar and against smaller teams.
The Rome-Lazio Derby, on the other hand, is charged with rivalry between supporters so I advise against getting tickets for that one, especially if this is your first time in Rome or at the stadium.
Read here >> how to go see a soccer match in Italy as a family
Pop into Ikono Rome for some selfie fun
Ikono Romę is an interactive space that has nothing specifically Roman about it but it fun for teens and it is immersive, colorful, fun and allows for great selfies.
The space is close to the Pantheon, so it is easy to add to any walking itinerary of the city center and usually doesn’t sell out, although it may have a line so booking ahead (even just an hour before) is recommended. The space also has a ball pool, always fun!
Visit the fun and immersive Museum of Illusions (young teens especially)
The Museum of Illusions is one of Rome’s best attractions in Rome for teens mom a rainy day or when you want something easy, indoors and easy to slot into your sightseeing itinerary.
Conveniently locates in Rome city center, Rome’s Museum of Illusions is part of the same family of Illusion Museums you may have encountered in other cities and it is as fun: the place challenges your perceptions and my teen loved it because of the illusions are captured via phone, which means you can also easily share fun photos of them with your friends.
The museum only opened in 2023 and is one of the few museums in Rome for teens that doesn’t involve history or traditional art. Perfect for a break from sightseeing!
You can find here >> our review of Rome’s Museum of Illusions
Go on a food tour in Trastevere
Trastevere is a hip, bohemian and beautiful part of Rome and teenagers usually love it as it has a fun and alternative vibe.
You can explore Trastevere during the day on your own following our Trastevere itinerary or you can tap into the fabulous food establishments of this area by joining a food tour.
Food tours are social and fun and especially extroverted teens can get a lot from them as they are a fun way to meet others and exchange travel stories. If your teen is into food of course they are going to get even more out of them but you have so much choice and freedom with with you taste, even if they don’t think of themselves as foodies, they may have a great time. A food tour I love is this one
This is great fun for teens who may enjoy discovering local eateries as well as tucking into the foodie side of Rome.
Or go on a self guided one
If a guided food tour is not your thing and prefer to do it in your own time, then you can also follow this self guided food tour myself and my teen son designed!
This ‘tour’ is a collection of places we like to eat at and that showcase the best food you find in Rome city center and has all places that do not requite sitting down, so you can just visit as you stroll. It is of course entirely free and since we are from Rome, you can trust we have actually chosen the best spots, not just the few learned from other peoples’ tours!
Explore Rome’s Jewish Quarter: il Ghetto
Rome’s Jewish ghetto is a stunning, historically significant part of Rome and one I believe it interesting and important to visit with teens, and a fantastic opportunity to talk about your kids about the history of the Jewish community, the events that preceded the II word world and, the horror of the racial laws and the Jewish prosecutions in nazi-fascist Rome and more.
The best way to explore the ghetto to understand its history is by joining a guided walking tour such as this one, with an optional visit to the Great Synagogue and Jewish Museum.
You can however also have a walk here by yourself: the area is beautiful, central and easy for a stroll. The only issue going alone is that there are no info panels so unless you read ahead, you will not know much about the area and may not even realise you’re in it.
You can find our very essential guide to the Jewish Ghetto of Rome here.
Have afternoon tea in Rome
Afternoon tea is not an Italian tradition. However, Rome has been the city of choice of many English visitors so now Rome happens to have delightful tea houses!
One of them, Babingtons, offers the proper English High Tea experience but you have several other addresses that can be fun for an unusual afternoon with teenagers in Rome. While this may not sound like a super roman thing to do, it is a really nice one if you have a daughter like mine who enjoys all things dainty and cute!
You can read here >>> our guide to tea and afternoon tea in Rome
Go to Romeow Cat Bistrot
If you have teens who love cats, like my two, then you may really like this idea as Romeow Cat bistrot is a vegan restaurant with real cats! Located in Ostiense, you can come here for a meal (book ahead) or cake and tea in the afternoon: as you sip and eat, you will have the company of the residents cats of this places, who roam free looking sometimes for company, sometimes just minding their own business on one of their perches or sofas.
This is a great place for cat loving teens in Rome and one of the coolest and most unique restaurants in Rome.
Go shopping
Rome is fantastic when it comes to shopping os if you are in Rome with teenagers who love fashion, a shopping spree here can be a lot of fun.
Rome has a mix of designer stores, high street shops, independent boutiques and markets.
Great areas for shopping in the city center are Via del Corso / Via Condotti area, also ), Monti (vintage shops), Via Cola di Rienzo (high street), Via del Governo Vecchio and Via dei Giubbonari.
You can find my guide to shopping in Rome here.
Sip aperitivo
Sipping aperitivo in one of Rome’s most beautiful piazzas is one of the best ways to take in the city while resting after a long day sightseeing.
Aperitivo comes in both and non-alcoholic forms and it is easy to enjoy in Rome with teens of any age.
Younger teens can order anything from water to juice, coke and other sodas, while older teens may want to get more adventurous and get typical Italian aperitivo drinks such as aperol soda or crodino (both alcohol free).
In summer the best places for aperirtivo are rooftop terraces.
Depending on what you like, you can opt for casual, relaxed environments or more upscale experiences that will require dressing up and will make you feel like a celebrity.
You can find my list of the best rooftop bars in Rome here.
Take a cooking class
If you have teens who love to cook, then they can have a lovely time in Rome by joining one of the several cooking classes available.
My daughter in particular loves cooking so we have taken several classes together, to make pasta, pizza and gelato and we have now declared our absolute favourite: this one! We loved this class in particular because it is social, interactive, properly hands on, in a cool school and part of the city and it is also included gelato demo and wine for the parents. A really nice one!
Discover Rome by night
Getting up late in the morning is not a problem in Rome with teens as you can make up for lost time by exploring Rome in the evening!
Rome is stunning at night.
The city’ beautiful piazzas, churches’ facades and many fountains are at their very best when illuminated and the atmosphere of Rome’s cobbled streets at sunset and after dark is rather magical.
Rome City center is safe enough for taking a stroll in the evening however, you can also get a guided tour like this one.
I feel this is the best way to enjoy Rome at night especially if you are not used to big cities: it takes away the stress of finding your way after dark and you will be sure to see the very best of the city.
Go on a Rome ghost tour
If you are in Rome with teenagers who love ghosts and spooky stories, then you may opt for a Rome ghost tour.
With well over 2000 year of history, Rome has its fair share of legends and several corners of the city are said to have their permanent ghostly resident!
A guided tour like this one is the best way to get to know about them.
Take envy-inducing photos in Rome more photogenic spots
Rome is a stunning city and your teens will have no issues finding fantastic photo spots to make their social media feel loon envy-inducing or plumping up their art portfolio with unique images.
To take good photos in Rome all you need is to look around you: beauty truly is everywhere.
However, there is no doubt that she areas are more photogenic than others! I have listed some of my favorite Instagram-friendly spots in Rome here.
Admire Rome street art
Rome is mostly famous for ancient, traditional art however, there are several areas with incredible street art too!
Pigneto, Garbatella, Ostiense and Tor Marancia area great places to discover a different, off-the beaten-path side of Rome and have some stunning murals.
The best way to visit is by joining a street art tour such as this one.
If you have a teen in Rome who likes street art or even just wants to break away from traditional museum experiences, that I believe this tour can be fantastic for them.
Cinecitta’ Studios and Cinecitta’ World
Cinecitta’ is the historical filming studio of the city and a great place to visit in Rome with teens.
Nowadays, you can have two experiences in Cinecitta’, very different from one another: the studios and Cinecitta’ World (TV and Cinema themes park)
The studios are not as fancy as those in Hollywood so, depending on what you are used to, some management of expectations may be needed!
However, it is fun to see the movie sets and if your teens are into old Italian movies and have seen some before the trip, this will be a special day.
Cinecitta’ World is an amusement park so it can be great for teens who want to have an afternoon of sheer fun on rides and shows. Find tickets and info here.
Like for the studios, some expectations management may be needed: this is not Disney so, if you are used to theme parks with bells, whistles and seamless organization, this may leave you unimpressed.
Visit the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
If this is your teens’ first time in Rome, then I highly recommend you visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill.
The Colosseum is awe-inspiring and beautiful at any age and one of those places that I call mood-proof.
No matter how you feel before you go in, once you are into the Colosseum, awesomeness take over: it is tough to stay mad at the world in a place this beautiful and mighty!
The Roman Forum and the Palatine are part of the same archaeological park as the Colosseum and they are equally beautiful albeit in a very different way.
While the Colosseum is imposing and mighty the Roman Forum and the Palatine hill are more dreamy and soothing and feel like a beautiful park.
They are a fantastic place to learn history but also to enjoy some fresh air, take beautiful photos and admire some of the best views over Rome.
You can visit the Colosseum and Forum on your own or with a teen-friendly tours.
If going on your own, you can find here how to get tickets to the Colosseum (and how to choose which ones to get), here my guide to the Colosseum and here my guide to the Forum.
If you prefer to go with a tour, I recommend this one as teen friendly: give them the age of your kids and any special interests, if relevant, so they can fully customise it for them.
Climb St Peter’s Dome and Visit the Vatican with your teens
The Vatican has exceptional meaning for religious visitors but it is a beautiful and evocative place regardless of your background!
Teens are likely to enjoy one thing in particular: the Dome climb to the very top of St Peter’s Basilica. Climbing the dome of St Peter’s requires good legs (it’s hundreds of steps!) and being comfortable with highs and narrow staircases but if your teens are up for the challenge, it is a really cool thing to so as the views from the top are insanely cool.
To climb, I highly recommend you book a time slot from the official site or the line can be signficant.
The Vatican Museums are likely to only be a hit if your teen loves art however, the Sistine Chapel is inside the museum and, like the Colosseum, a must see.
The best tickets to visit the Vatican with teenagers are:
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel entrance ticket by GetYourGuide: perfect for visiting the Vatican in your own time
Keyholder Tour TOP PICK: this is something super special as you get to the museums before opening and you join the Vatican KeyHolder as they open the museums. You literally get to open the Sistine Chapel yourself! The tour is exclusive and expensive to it is definitely not an easy one for all visitors but if you can, it is more than worth it! This is a once in a lifetime experience words struggle to convey, a truly magical one you and your teens will never forget.
Semi Private Vatican Express Tour: if you want a tour that is comprehensive but short and not too challenging for the attention span, this is a great one as it gets to cover the highlights without forcing the kids to long hours of visit.
Explore Castel Sant’Angelo
Castel Sant’Angelo is one of the most peculiar buildings in Rome.
Perched on the side of the River Tiber, the castle was initially the mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian and then turned into a Papal Fortress and castle.
A visit to the castle is a sure it with teenagers: the history, views and mystery associated with the place are unique and entertaining. I find you do not need a tour for the castle however getting a ticket with audioguide to explore in your own time is worth it.
You can see photos and read about this attraction here >>> our guide to Castel Sant’Angelo
Visit Nero’s Domus Aurea with teens
One of the most interesting archaeological sites in Rome is the Domus Aurea, the incredible and lavish palace of Emperor Nero.
At the time of its construction, the palace was the biggest and most luxurious ever seen in Rome.
However, when Nero died and his memory condemned, the palace fell into disgrace and got buried underground!
Nowadays, you visit the Domus Aurea as an underground site, walking along windowless tunnels that still retain some of the incredible decorations that once shone here.
This is an exciting place to visit a one of my favorite places to visit in Rome with teens who want to see a real dig, love archaeology and excavation work. It also comes with a short Virtual reality experience at the ends, during which you get a headset to see how the villa was and virtually walk around it, really cool and immersive.
You can find my review of our visit to the Domus Aurea here.
Visit Rome’s catacombs with teens
The catacombs are another very interesting underground attractions in Rome, easily one of the most curious, in the city for teens.
The Rome catacombs are early Christian underground cemeteries excavated under the city: they develop as a large network of tunnels with layers and layers of early Christian tombs from people of all walks of life. They are a fascinating place but please be aware: they have no skulls nor skeletons! To see those you need to go to the Capuchin Crypt instead!
There are several catacombs in Rome and those I love the most are the Catacombs of San Callisto.
Located along Via Appia, they are the largest in Rome and are accessible by guided tour. Find price and tickets here.
Where to stay in Rome with teens
The best area to stay in Rome with teenagers in the city centre, namely the area between the Colosseum, Pantheon and Piazza Navona.
Staying in Rome city center outs you close to all main attractions and means you can safely walk back home a little later at night, making the most of the nice Rome evening to have dinner out and explore the city after sunset.
Hotels I like for families with teens in Rome are:
Martis Palace, 4 star hotel – beautiful, boutique style hotel with a fantastic rooftop terrace, perfect for easy aperitivo with a view that will make them look up from their phone!
Hotel Kolbe, 4 star hotel – nice, modern hotel in stellar location close to the Forum and the Colosseum
Double Tree Hilton Monti Hotel – a great, new Hilton Hotel in a perfect location in the Monti district, close to the Colosseum and the Forum. Interconnecting rooms and family suites make this a great Rome hotel for larger families or for families with teens who want more personal space.
Villa Agrippina Gran Melia – 5 star, luxury hotel with spectacular pool and park. If budget is not an issue, this hotel is guaranteed to wow your teens and you: one of the best addresses in Rome.
See also >>> our complete guide to family accommodation in Rome (hotels suites, apartments)
How to get around Rome with teenagers
If you are staying in Rome City center, you are likely to be able to walk everywhere and reach most Rome attractions on foot.
For the occasional off the beaten path location, you can easily catch a bus or the metro: you can find our guide to public transport in Rome here.
What to pack for visiting Rome with teenagers
Mostly: shoes, camera and charger! For all sensible things to pack for Rome, you can find my complete packing list for Rome in each season here.
Rome with teenagers: pin this!
