How to spend 3 days in Rome with kids- the outdoor and artistic treasure

29.05.2023.

A marvelous city like Rome deserves more than 3 days, but it will open up the wings of history. Absorbing ancient magic can take your children to another world.

The unparallel beauty of Rome belongs to its fountains and art, to the powerful heart of the Empire.

The vibrant Italian capital bursts with activities, but 3 days will give you a precious piece of cake. The leisure basis shines with the cheerful spirit of Rome. It’s a great alternative to the artistic towns of Tuscany.

Together with Val d’Orcia you’ll experience dreamy Italian vibes.

Getting to Rome is easy thanks to low-cost flights and cheap train tickets throughout Italy. Rome is pretty walkable, giving you the chance to admire the historical buildings.

Rome will satisfy your wanderlust spirit, unveiling artistic inspiration. Here’s your itinerary of the most astonishing places for your family vacation. Don’t just limit yourself to Rome, but plan a fabulous itinerary with your family to the most attractive Italian places.

Day I: Colosseum and Palatine Hill

Colosseum is an essence of Roman attractions, something your kids will know by itself. Admiring a historical treasure like this will let you and your kids understand the past.

Buying tickets in advance gives you the best option to enjoy Colosseum. Only pre-booked tour counts and Colosseum itself takes about 2h to explore. The underground access is a special bonus to the ticket. It might be of high interest to your children.

Palatine Hill in Rome- Credit: Italymagazine.com

Several official tours are dedicated to children, some having only Colosseum in focus.

Via dei Santi Quattro is an excellent choice to have lunch, especially Cafe Cafe. Their buffet will satisfy even the most choosy people. If you would like to enjoy the typical Italian food for travellers, head to the pizzeria La Pace del Cervello.

Roman Forum and Palatine Hill

Just across the Colosseum lies the Roman Forum and next to it Palatine Hill to enjoy the city view. Your kids will love the outdoor treasure of archeological sites, which are pretty large. Climbing up around will give them a lot of fun.

Roman Forum deserves much more attention than it has. The ancient Roman streets stretch in all their glory. The Temple of Antoninus and Faustina is the most astonishing sight, still very well preserved.

Palatine Hill is a jewel to discover as it’s not so crowded. Being one of the seven hills, it’s quite impressive. You can enter Palatine Hill directly through Forum. It’s also the place where Rome was founded.

Their largeness offers the time to relax while your children smash the energy. You can get one ticket for all three sites.

Afternoon- Trastevere

Trastevere is an area to relax your rhythm and absorb the boemic vibes of narrow streets. It’s a chance to enjoy some ice cream while discovering lovely restaurants.

Trastevere literally means „on the other side“, referring to the Tiber river. The cobblestone streets that intertwine with pastel-coloured houses will unveil the fantasy world.

Boemic vibes of Trastevere in Rome- Credit: Wantedinrome.com

Trastevere holds the authentic shine of Rome, where the local feeling is pretty strong. It’s the place to taste some of the best pizza in Rome. Trastevere is full of lovely squares and artistic shops. Rome’s botanical gardens take place in Trastevere and belong to University. Spring is so charming and cherry blossoms take the rule here.

Day II- Castel Sant’Angelo & Piazza Navona

Castel Sant’Angelo offers charming views near the Tiber river. Once it served as a mausoleum to Emperor Hadrian.

Unveiling the adventure spirit is the main reason why your kids will love it. The most attractive point to see the castle stretches next to the St. Angelo Bridge. Its turrets will awaken the children’s imagination while discovering the secret passages.

Visiting the castle inside is simply fantastic thanks to its unique purpose. The bastions with cannons are just astonishing for kids, giving them medieval feelings. It was not only a mausoleum, but the Pope residence (there’s direct access from the Vatican).

Though tourist attention grows in recent times, it’s still considered a hidden gem in Rome. The top terrace delights with the stunning panorama of Rome.

The Borgo area nearby offers several cozy restaurants.  

Piazza Navona

A short walk from the Castle Sant’Angelo lies the splendid Piazza Navona. Definitely don’t miss it as it looks fabulous. In the ancient past, it served as the Stadium of Domitian but now you can admire the Baroque architecture.

The Fountain of the Four Rivers is the second most popular fountain in Rome. Dating back in 1651, it’s a precious trace of history. In the company of another two fountains, Piazza Navona is an irresistible treasure of Rome.

Fontana del Moro stretches at the southern corner of this beautiful square. It represents the four tritons, which was done in 1575 by Giacomo della Porta.

The Fountain of Neptune decorates the northern part of Piazza Navona. It was made in 1878.

You can actually explore the Stadium of Domitian at the underground of Piazza Navona. Once serving the Olympic Games, today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What else to see at Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is a fun place to stroll around. There are many street artists that will make an unforgettable experience for your children. This vibrant square feels up your senses while enjoying the delicious ice cream.

Not only ice cream, but you should also try a famous dessert Tartuffo truffle cake. Tre Scalini restaurant and bar offers this fabulous opportunity.

The little Gladiator Museum is a place that boosts children’s fantasy so take a moment to stop by.

Al Sogno Toy Shop is a treasure that you cannot miss. You’ll find all kinds of teddies, dolls, marionettes and other stuff.

Artigiano Gift Shop has a rich offer of items such as ceramics, vintage products, pasta machines, Italian toys and etc. Head to Society Limonata Roma, another gift shop with all kinds of home decor.

Afternoon- Trevi fountain

Coming before sunset is the perfect time to enjoy the glory of the Trevi fountain as crowds tend to lower. It’s the most famous fountain in Rome, a fascinating monument to admire.

Throwing the coins inside will be a lovely entertainment for your kids. Your biggest concern would be if children tend to lean in the water. Not only it’s funny observing people here, but this is a place to take a relaxing moment. The enchanting artwork of the fountain is enough to keep you inspired.

The area around Trevi fountain is very touristy so you can catch up a lovely restaurant. Temakinho Roma Rinascente is a Brazilian-Japanese restaurant. It’s full of adorable murals and very sympatic for kids.

Day III- Spanish steps & Borghese Gardens

You can start your day in an easy rhythm, heading straight to the Spanish steps. Piazza di Spagna is an iconic square in Rome, only 10 minutes from the Trevi fountain. Following the vibrant Via del Corso you’ll be there. This street is filled with lovely shops and pastries to take some ice cream.

At Piazza di Spagna stop for a moment to marvel at the fabulous Fontana della Barcaccia („Fountain of the Leaky Boat”). Made in Baroque style, it gives praise to the flooding of the Tiber river in 1598.

After climbing 174 steps, you’ll reach the fantastic viewpoint. The first terrace welcomes you with artistic portraits and the beautiful Trinità dei Monti Church. It also offers a view of the amazing shopping street Via dei Condotti.

Afternoon- Borghese Gardens

Within 25 minutes from the Spanish steps, you’ll reach Borghese Gardens. This charming park is perfect for framing your 3-day itinerary in the tranquil ambiance. Beautiful sculptures and fountains spice up the atmosphere. You can also enjoy the lovely lake and rent a boat. Kids will have their heavenly moments at fresh air, surrounded by other families.

Spending the entire morning here gives an enchanting experience. A very beautiful botanical garden fills up the experience.

The oasis of greenery in Rome- Borghese Gardens

If you have time, visit one of the three museums. Galeria Borghese is one of the most amazing museums in Rome. The National Etruscan Museum covers the stunning collections of ancient civilizations. The National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art highlights the paintings of Van Gogh and Cézanne.

Why to avoid visiting the Vatican with kids

Vatican Museums could be boring for kids but you can easily visit the rest of the area. This includes Piazza St. Pietro and St. Peter’s Basilica, which give a lot of fun for kids. The square is very beautiful and the basilica looks very impressive inside. Climbing the dome leads you to stunning views.

Vatican Gardens enrich the experience of this fabulous place, but you need to take a private tour. Their elegance is just enchanting, though kids cannot play there.

Final thoughts

Rome will fill your soul with historical treasures and green spaces. Plenty of ideas will brighten up your family vacations in Rome. The iconic charm of Rome dwells at its marvelous architecture, museums and fountains.

Ice cream is a promise of something fun after a challenging day and Rome will not disappoint. I hope you’ll have a wonderful time in Rome with your kids.

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