Lazio is Italy's most historically rich region, home to Rome — the Eternal City — as well as ancient ruins, medieval hilltowns, volcanic lakes, and a stunning Tyrrhenian coastline. From the Colosseum to the vineyards of the Castelli Romani and the thermal baths of Viterbo, Lazio offers an unparalleled blend of art, history, nature, and cuisine.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Colosseum with Gladiator-Themed Tour
The Colosseum captivates children of all ages — the scale, the history of gladiators and the underground hypogeum (with premium booking) make it a genuinely thrilling experience.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Bomarzo Monster Park
A surreal garden of enormous stone monsters, a leaning house and mythological creatures carved from rock — perfect for children who find regular museums too serious.
Duration: 2 hours
Bioparco Zoo in Villa Borghese
Rome's zoo set in the beautiful Villa Borghese park is home to 200 species. After the zoo, explore the park with pedal boats on the ornamental lake.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Ostia Antica Archaeological Walk
A much more relaxed alternative to Rome's crowded sites — children can run freely through ancient Roman streets, spot mosaics and explore the theatre. Less intimidating than the Colosseum for younger children.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Villa Borghese Pedal Boats and Bike Rental
Rome's central park offers pedal boat rental on the ornamental lake, bicycle rental, an outdoor cinema in summer and puppet shows (burattini) at the old-fashioned puppet theatre.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Trevi Fountain Coin Tossing
Young children love the ritual of throwing a coin over their left shoulder with their right hand to ensure a return to Rome — a classic Roman family experience.
Duration: 30 minutes
Lake Bracciano Swimming and Kayaking
The clean volcanic crater lake is ideal for family swimming, kayaking and picnicking, with the impressive medieval Orsini-Odescalchi castle visible on the shore.
Duration: Half day
Sperlonga Beach Day
A beautiful family beach below a whitewashed village with calm, clear Mediterranean water excellent for children. The adjacent archaeological museum is free for under-18s.
Duration: Full day
Gladiator Experience Training
The ACTA (Accademia Romana dell'Arte del Gladiatore) school near the Appian Way offers genuine gladiator training lessons for children and families — dressing in Roman costume and learning combat techniques.
Duration: 2 hours
Gelato Making Workshop
Several gelato schools in Rome offer child-friendly gelato making workshops where children learn to make authentic Italian gelato and eat the results.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Hotel Santa Maria Trastevere
Built around a peaceful 16th-century cloister with orange trees — an unusually tranquil spot in Rome's most charming neighbourhood. Ground-floor rooms are spacious and quiet.
Family features: Cloister courtyard for children to play, adjacent to family-friendly trattorias, spacious rooms, bicycle rental
Grand Hotel Villa Tuscolana, Frascati
A historic villa hotel in the Castelli Romani hills with extensive gardens and a large outdoor pool. Excellent for families wanting a countryside base with easy Rome day-trip access.
Family features: Large swimming pool, extensive gardens, spacious rooms, parking, half-board available
The Beehive Hostel
Rome's most welcoming family-friendly budget option with private family rooms, a garden and a genuinely community-oriented atmosphere.
Family features: Private family rooms, communal garden, café, welcoming to families with children of all ages
Agriturismo Il Casale del Lago, Bolsena
A working farmstay on Lake Bolsena with farm animals, lake access and simple country cooking — an ideal experience for children who want to see Italian country life.
Family features: Farm animals, lake access, home cooking, spacious outdoor areas
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Italian restaurants genuinely welcome children — it's normal to bring babies and toddlers to dinner even at 9PM
Ask for the menu dei bambini (children's menu) — usually pasta al burro, cotoletta (breaded veal), pizza and gelato
High chairs (seggiolone) are available at most family-oriented restaurants
Gelaterias are essential stops for children — budget €2-3 per cone
Afternoon snack time (merenda): Roman bakeries sell fresh pizzette, maritozzi and biscuits ideal for hungry children at 4-5PM
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Children under 18 enter all Italian state museums free — this saves considerable money across the Colosseum, Forum, national museums
Plan around riposo (1-4PM rest period) — attractions and towns get quieter, children can nap or rest
The summer heat July-August can be extreme for young children — base coastal or mountain trips in this period
Rome's cobblestones are challenging for pushchairs — a compact baby carrier is often more practical
The Roma Pass doesn't cover under-18 museum entry (already free) but does cover their public transport
Beach holidays: Sperlonga, Sabaudia and Santa Marinella are all excellent family beaches with calm water and good facilities