Lombardy is Italy's most populous and economically powerful region, stretching from the Alps in the north to the Po Plain in the south. It encompasses world-class cities like Milan, the Italian fashion and financial capital, alongside alpine lakes of breathtaking beauty — Como, Garda, Maggiore and Iseo — and Renaissance gems such as Mantua, Cremona and Bergamo. The region blends metropolitan sophistication with timeless natural landscapes and a rich artistic heritage.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci
Italy's largest science and technology museum, with interactive galleries on Leonardo's inventions, plus real historic trains, aircraft, ships and the Enrico Toti submarine that children can visit.
Price: Adult €10, child €7.50 (ages 3-18), family ticket €28
Acquario Civico di Milano
One of the oldest aquariums in Europe, set in a charming Liberty-style building near Parco Sempione, with freshwater and marine tanks focused on Italian and Mediterranean species.
Price: Adult €5, free under 18
Gardaland
Italy's most visited theme park, with over 40 rides, roller coasters, themed lands, a water park and the adjacent SEA LIFE aquarium.
Price: Adult €45-52, child €38-45 (under 100 cm free)
Parco Sempione
Milan's main central park behind Castello Sforzesco, with 47 hectares of green space, a playground, a small lake, the Arco della Pace and the Torre Branca viewing tower.
Price: Free park; Torre Branca €5
MUBA Children's Museum (Museo dei Bambini Milano)
A dedicated children's museum in the historic Rotonda della Besana, offering hands-on, play-based interactive exhibitions and creative workshops designed for young children.
Price: Around €8 per child and accompanying adult, per workshop slot
Lake Como boat ride
A Navigazione Laghi ferry trip from Como to Bellagio or Varenna, with sweeping views of villas, villages and mountains that delight children of all ages.
Price: From about €10.40 one way; children under 12 half fare; day pass about €21.50
Leolandia
A family theme park geared to younger children, with gentle rides, a popular Peppa Pig land, a mini Italy of scale models, a farm and animal areas.
Price: Around €30-38 per ticket, cheaper booked online; under 90 cm free
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
NH Milano Touring
A reliable, well-located four-star hotel within walking distance of the Duomo and easy metro access, popular with families for its room sizes and green spaces nearby.
Family features: Spacious family and connecting rooms, cots on request, central location near the Giardini Indro Montanelli park and planetarium, and a generous breakfast buffet.
Hotel Berna
A friendly four-star hotel praised for attentive service, ideal as a base for combining Milan with train day trips to Como, Bergamo and beyond.
Family features: Family rooms and triples, welcome amenities for children, baby cots, and a large breakfast; steps from Centrale station for day trips to the lakes.
Grand Hotel Imperiale Resort & Spa
A lakeside resort just outside Como city, offering a relaxed family base with a pool and gardens and good connections to Como and Bellagio.
Family features: Outdoor pool, garden, family rooms, lakeside setting and easy ferry access for exploring the lake with children.
Parc Hotel Gardaresort
A spacious resort built for families, making it a practical base for a Gardaland and Lake Garda holiday with younger and older children alike.
Family features: Large pools with water features, kids' club, family suites, gardens and a short distance from Gardaland and the lake shore.
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Italian dinner service starts late, often from 7:30PM or 8PM; for young children aim for the start of service or look for a pizzeria or bakery that opens earlier.
High chairs (seggiolone) are widely available in restaurants and trattorias; simply ask staff on arrival.
Pizza and simple pasta dishes such as pasta al pomodoro are on almost every menu and are universally popular with children.
Gelato is everywhere and of excellent quality; a gelateria stop is a dependable treat and a reliable way to lift tired children.
Tap water is safe and free; a basket of bread and a cover charge (coperto) are normal, and most places happily bring a jug of water and split a dish between children.
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Children under 18 (EU citizens) enter state museums free — bring passports for age verification
Italian restaurants welcome children warmly; high chairs (seggiolone) are widely available on request
Lake travel is inherently exciting for children — prioritize ferry trips over car journeys
The Gardaland + Lake Garda combination makes an excellent 2-3 day family extension
Summer (July-August) at the lakes is very crowded — shoulder season is better for families
Gelaterias are everywhere and excellent — a gelato stop is a reliable mood-improver
Many hotels in Milan and the lakes offer family rooms or interconnecting rooms
Pack a swimsuit even in spring — many hotel pools and lidos are open from May