In August 2025, we went on a cruise that departed from Rome. We decided to spend two nights in the city before the cruise, and then stay another four nights afterwards. To be honest, we hadn’t originally planned to spend so much time in Rome with the girls (ages 2.5 and 5.5), but the more convenient flight times made us book our tickets this way.
We had already been to Rome a few years earlier, just Romen and I (I even have a detailed post about what to do in Rome), so this time I had a few concerns: I worried it would be too hot in August, I remembered that the sidewalks aren’t always stroller-friendly, and I also feared it would be too crowded with tourists. In reality, we had such a great time! I felt like there was still so much left to see and explore, and the girls adapted perfectly.
So, if you’re wondering whether to visit Rome with little kids, I can confidently say it’s a fantastic option, with plenty to see and do for the whole family. 
Where to Stay in Rome with Kids
At first, I looked at hotels, but quickly realized that most of them were too expensive, and many had less-than-stellar reviews. I also figured it might be more comfortable to stay in an apartment with two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a washing machine – much more practical with kids.
I ended up booking two apartments:
- Appartamento Piazza del Parlamento (before the cruise), near the Parliament.
- Cola Di Rienzo A E B (after the cruise), near Piazza del Popolo.
Both were in excellent locations. The first one was less fancy but cheaper, while the second one was more spacious and comfortable. Both had two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
The girls loved the first apartment’s design, as it felt like a loft with stairs in the middle of the room leading to a window and hidden corners to explore. The main bedroom with the double bed was great, but the second bedroom had a very low ceiling and two single beds, which felt a bit claustrophobic. The owner was super nice – he met us at 11:00 p.m. when we arrived, showed us around, and didn’t charge extra for late check-in. The location was convenient, the price was fair, and each room had air conditioning. Link to Appartamento Piazza del Parlamento 3 
The second apartment was more spacious and luxurious, with a fully equipped kitchen. The owner was also very kind and gave us a key to a small storage room next to the elevator, where we could keep our stroller. The apartment was located above a gelateria and surrounded by shops and a great café. Each room had air conditioning Link to Cola Di Rienzo A E B
Another plus: there were no stairs at all, and having the storage room for the stroller was especially convenient – no need to carry it inside every time. 
Getting from Rome Airport to Your Apartment or Hotel
We landed at FCO (Fiumicino Airport). I had read that booking a taxi in advance could be more expensive than taking the licensed taxis at the airport, and this turned out to be true. The fixed fare from the airport to the city center is €55, and you can easily find a taxi right outside the terminal.
There are also train and bus options, but since we were traveling with the girls and landed around 10:00 p.m., we preferred to take a taxi and get straight to the apartment as quickly and comfortably as possible. Tips for Visiting Rome with Young Kids
Villa Doria Pamphili
We love spending time in parks with the girls, and Villa Doria Pamphili is one of the largest and most beautiful in Rome. It has wide walking paths, manicured gardens, a lake with ducks, and endless green spaces, perfect for kids, picnics, and outdoor activities.
We got there by taxi from the city center, about 15 minutes, costing around €20. The paths are stroller-friendly if you have sturdy wheels, though basic strollers may struggle with gravel. Directions.
The girls had a blast running around, and we stopped by a small lake with geese for a picnic. Later, we walked to a gorgeous wooden playground with stunning park views. Right next to it is ViVi – Villa Pamphili, a restaurant offering healthy dishes, including vegetarian and vegan options. The food was hit-and-miss: the kids’ meals (nuggets, fries, and a hotdog bun) weren’t great, but my tuna salad was delicious, and Romen loved his “wellness bowl.”
Tip: The restaurant also sells picnic boxes to-go – perfect if you’d rather eat on the grass. 
Villa Borghese
Another park we loved was Villa Borghese, located in the city center. Here, you can rent rowboats on the lake or pedal-powered carts to explore the grounds. We didn’t try those because it was too hot when we visited, but we enjoyed strolling around, relaxing by the lake, and letting the girls play in the open spaces.
The park is stroller-friendly, with wide shaded paths – a great spot to cool down on hot days. 
La Casina di Raffaello – Playroom & Library
On our last day in Rome, we needed an indoor activity before our flight. Since it was Monday, most museums were closed. On Google Maps, I found Casina di Raffaello, a small library with a children’s play area inside Villa Borghese.
It turned out to be a hidden gem: not very big, but it had shelves of books (mostly in Italian) and a small playroom that kept the girls happy for a while. Entry was free. We grabbed iced coffees from the nearby kiosk and relaxed inside the air conditioning – they even let us bring in drinks.
It’s also a bookstore, so you can buy books and toys for kids. 
The San Carlino – Puppet Theater
Inside Villa Borghese, there’s also The San Carlino Puppet Theater, a fun attraction for kids. Unfortunately, we couldn’t see a show because they only resume performances in September. Still, reviews are great, so it’s worth checking the schedule in advance – it looks like a magical experience for families. Hop-on Hop-off Bus
The Hop-on Hop-off bus is a tourist bus that allows you to explore the city in a convenient and easy way – especially for those who have little time in the city or are traveling with children. The bus stops at several stations along the route, and allows you to choose whether to get off and explore the area or stay on the bus and continue. Usually, the buses arrive every 10–15 minutes.
On the bus, there is audio in different languages that explains about the attractions and the stations themselves. You can purchase tickets for 24, 48, or 72 hours, and there are companies that offer routes in different colors – some covering less familiar points and some of the main sites in the city.
In the past, we didn’t use this type of bus much because we preferred to explore the city on foot, but since we are traveling with the girls, we discovered that the buses are very convenient and fun. Maya is already old enough to listen to the audio and learn about the places, and even Sophie, the younger one, enjoyed just sitting upstairs and watching the city. In August, this option is especially good – there is a pleasant breeze when sitting on the upper deck, and at the same time you can discover new places worth checking out.
One of the stops where we got off was the Trevi Fountain – the place was very crowded, one of the most crowded we saw in Rome. From the station, it took us about 10 minutes to walk to the fountain, where we looked for a few minutes and then moved on. Sophie was especially excited, but it was really packed.
There are several companies that offer this service in the city. We chose I Love Rome, which was the cheapest that seemed to us, and also had some advantages, for example, children under the age of 6 travel for free (usually in other companies free is only up to age 5). In addition, we got the price itself with a discount through the website.
The main disadvantage is that sometimes the stations are full, not everyone managed to get on the bus and had to wait for the next one. I don’t know if this comes only from this company or if it happens in all the companies, especially in August. What we especially liked is that there is child-friendly audio, with simple stories in English, and in all the places where we sat the audio worked, unlike previous experiences in other cities.
Booking tickets for the Hop-on Hop-off bus – discounted price for the bus we were on
Price comparison with another Hop-on Hop-off bus company 
Ikono Interactive Museum
I discovered Ikono Museum on Google Maps – a fun, interactive activity for kids on a hot day. It’s centrally located near the Pantheon. You can book tickets online, but we bought them on-site around 5:00 p.m.
The museum isn’t very large; you can spend anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on your kids. Highlights included:
- A giant ball pit
- A fan shooting paper confetti
- A light-effects recording room
- A retro games area (our girls loved this most!)
- and more….
We spent just over an hour there and had a great time – it was playful, interactive, and fun for all ages. 
Gelato
No trip to Rome is complete without gelato!
We took the girls to Venchi, near the Pantheon. We thought this was the branch with the famous chocolate wall (which Maya really wanted to see), but that’s located elsewhere. Still, there was no line, and the gelato was just as good. 
Another favorite was Gelateria La Romana, right under our second apartment. Usually, there was a line (especially on weekends), but we managed to go when it wasn’t busy. The girls loved it, and besides gelato, they also serve cakes and desserts. 
Campo de’ Fiori Market
A lively central market with colorful stalls selling local products: cheeses, cured meats, olive oil, handmade pasta, fresh produce, spices, liqueurs, and small gifts. Great for picking up snacks or picnic supplies.
Around the square, you’ll also find restaurants, cafés, and bars. In the evening, the piazza transforms into one of the liveliest spots in Rome, with music, street performances, and a fun atmosphere.
Market hours: Monday–Saturday, roughly 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Directions. 
Rose Garden & Orange Garden
We had visited these gardens a few years ago (without the kids), but didn’t make it this time. Still, they’re worth mentioning:
- Rose Garden: A beautiful, peaceful place with stunning city views. Perfect for a quiet break or picnic.
- Orange Garden: About 10 minutes’ walk from the Rose Garden, less impressive but still scenic with panoramic views.
Both are free to enter and located near Circo Massimo metro station. Museums for Kids
We didn’t manage to visit these because they’re closed on Mondays, but they look great for children:
- Explora – The Children’s Museum of Rome: Interactive, with play areas like a supermarket, fire station, science experiments, and more. Best for ages 3–10. Directions.
- Museo delle Illusioni Roma: Small but fun, with optical illusions, upside-down rooms, and mirrors. Very central, near Piazza Venezia. Directions.
Piazzas
Rome is full of piazzas, and they’re magical, especially in the evenings when it cools down. They’re lively, with street musicians, restaurants, and plenty of space for kids to run around.
Our favorites:
- Piazza del Popolo: Spacious, close to Villa Borghese. If you climb up from here, there’s a nice viewpoint (a bit tricky with a stroller, but doable).
- Piazza Navona: Stunning, full of street performances, and always buzzing.
Colosseum and the Vatican
Of course, you cannot talk about Rome without mentioning the Vatican and the Colosseum – the two most famous sites in the city. This time, we didn’t manage to go inside with the girls. We only saw them from the outside during a tour with the Hop-on Hop-off bus, and we were struck by how crowded it was, especially in August, so we decided to skip the interior visit.
Still, these are definitely attractions that can also be interesting with children – of course, you just need to take into account their age and patience.
The Vatican:
- You can visit the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
- It is highly recommended to book tickets in advance with a skip-the-line option, to save time, especially during the summer months. Link for booking skip-the-line tickets to the Vatican with free cancellation.
- It’s best to arrive early in the morning or in the late afternoon to avoid the heat and the crowds.
The Colosseum:
- It is advisable to book tickets in advance with early entry or guided tours, both to avoid the long lines and to enrich the experience for children. Link for booking skip-the-line tickets to the Colosseum with free cancellation.
- Bring water, hats, and be prepared for walking with a stroller or comfortable walking shoes if traveling with young children.
Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Rome
Back when Romen and I traveled alone, I used to do in-depth research on which restaurants were worth visiting. But with the girls, it’s different – our schedule is less flexible, and many times we just stopped to grab something quick wherever we happened to be. Still, there were a few restaurants that really stood out, especially the first two.
Spizzicamo – Italian restaurant with great prices
Located near the courthouse in Rome, this place really impressed us. It had excellent reviews on Google, but we weren’t sure what to expect. The décor is simple yet modern and pleasant. We ordered three different pastas, and they were all delicious – especially the one I had, tonnarello Spizzicamo. The wine we ordered was also excellent. website. 
CiPASSO – Gourmet dining, highly recommended
We came across this restaurant by chance on our first evening, as it was close to the first apartment we stayed in. We didn’t know what to expect, but it looked nice from the outside and had good reviews on Google. As soon as we sat down, we realized it was a high-end place, and luckily there was a free table for us for an hour. I recommend reserving in advance. We ordered several dishes, and every single one was amazing, with unique and surprising flavors. Definitely worth it if you’re looking for a gourmet experience. Directions. 
Prefetti 19 Bistro – Great for breakfast
On our first morning in Rome, I looked for a breakfast spot and found a boutique hotel near our apartment that had a good bistro. We ordered avocado toast with scrambled eggs, avocado toast with a fried egg, sunny-side-up eggs and fruit salad for the girls, and everything was very tasty. The coffee was also great. Directions. 
Caffè Vergnano 1882 (Prati, Cola di Rienzo)
Just a 3-minute walk from our second apartment, this quickly became our regular café for five days. Excellent coffee, delicious mini muffins (the chocolate ones were our favorite), great sandwiches that can be toasted, pastries, fresh fruit, and very affordable prices. Plus, the service was quick and friendly. Highly recommended if you’re in the area. Directions. 
Pastasciutta – Quick pasta spot
A great option for a fast meal when traveling with kids or if you’re just in a hurry. They serve a variety of pasta dishes for €7–8 each. Service is very fast, and you can either sit down or take it to go. We picked up pasta twice after visiting Villa Borghese, since it’s close by, and it was tasty both times. Directions.
Smash Tag Prati – Quick burgers
Another easy option for a fast meal with kids if you want a break from Italian food. On our last evening we went there for a quick dinner, and the girls devoured their burgers and fries, saying they were delicious. I had a vegetarian halloumi burger with their special sauce, which I really enjoyed, and Romen had a regular burger that he said was excellent. Directions.
For conclusion ,Rome is a wonderful destination with kids, even in August. Between shaded parks, fun museums, bustling piazzas, good food, and the convenience of the Hop-on Hop-off bus, we found so much to do and enjoy as a family.
The city may seem challenging with young children, but in reality, it turned out to be full of family-friendly options and unforgettable experiences. Pin below to save on Pinterest
More posts I wrote on that
Our Top cafes & bars in Rome
Great Italian restaurants in Rome
10 Best things to do in Rome
10 days in Italy – Our itinerary from central to north Italy
Things you must do in Lake Maggiore, Italy
6 things not to be missed in Milan
Best things to do in Lake Como
Things to Do in Lucca – An Incredible City in Tuscany