best tours of rome for families

The best Rome tours for families in 2024: tried and tested by my kids!

Handpicked selection of the best Rome tours for families, English speaking activities and tours for kids in the Eternal City. This list has been updated in April 2024 with our current recommendations

I am passionate about my kids learning about my beloved Rome.

The city is generous of interesting stories, legends and funny characters and I love seeing my children’s eyes sparkle when they learn a funny anecdote, a new piece of history or spot an unexpected view.

I know a lot about Rome. I was born and raised in Rome, I am a Roman history graduate from La Sapienza University in Rome and have always been an avid city explorer and tourist in my own town. So, I am very often my own guide, and that of my children!

However, I am a strong believer in always learning and so, often, I enlist the help of professionals and join kids tours of Rome that help my kids get to know the city even more. I also often learn things myself, Rome is an endless treasure trove of facts and things to discover!

Taking family tours is my favorite type of research (that and gelato tasting to bring you the best addresses!!)

Rome has a good number of options when it comes to family tours.

Some are for kids, some are not specifically kid centered but do welcome children and others are not really tours, but full experiences that make children engage with the city via an activity on location, in real slow travel style.

 Over the last few years, my children and I have taken several family tours in Rome. This list is a result of that experience. Since we have visited some of the attractions multiple times, we have included all the goof tours we have come across, which therefore are presented here as valid alternatives one to the other.

Please note: this post contains affiliate links and, should you make a purchase through them, we might make a small commission.

Table of Contents

Best Rome tours for kids: how we chose them

This list is a work in progress and showcases tours that have been tried and tested personally..

These tours are a mix of tours for families (aka: group or private tours of Rome that are designed specifically for families with kids) and tours that are family friendly and welcome kids but are not for kids as such.

For each, I have written a short description that I hope helps you decide which tour is best for you and your kids.

What age are family tours of Rome suitable for?

Tours for kids cater to children of different ages and usually state the most suitable age in the tour description.

In my experience, children in primary school and tweens get the most out of these tours, so usually between the age of 6 and 11.

Toddlers, on the other hand, are often too young to be able to enjoy the tour activities.

If you are looking for tours for toddlers, I recommend you opt for those that include some clever form of transport (like a gold cart, see below), likely to stay as the highlight of the visit for your little ones!

Best Rome tours for families – city center / city highlights

Private golf cart tour of rome – super fun getting to know rome tour top pick.

A golf cart tour of Rome is the most recommended tour for kids in Rome in our group!

A golf cart is a fun and clever way to get to know Rome: small enough to be able to handle many small street in Rome city center, a gold cart is able to lead you much closer to attractions than a bus or hop-on hop-off tour.

The vehicle is fun for kids, allows for a lot of fresh air and views on the way and comes with a guide and driver that will take away the stress to find your way through the city and will share stories and info.

This is a great activity for your first day in Rome as it will allow you to find your feet and get a sense of what you may want to visit again.

The family friendly company I recommend for this tour is LivTours. Find info and prices here.

Rome scavenger hunt by Mariaclaudia Tours (best for primary school kids – tweens)

If you are looking for a family tour of Rome that will show you Rome’s highlight with a fun and engaging guide for kids, then you must book this scavenger hunt!

The tour is by Mariaclaudia, a local Rome guide and mom, and it is fabulous for kids but also interesting for adults.

The tour is setup as a competition kids vs grown ups and it is studied so you can see many of Rome’s main sights in a fun and engaging way.

The tour happens on foot so it is most suitable for families with kids who can walk independently.

I took this tour with my kids this summer: you can read my full review here >>> Mariaclaudia Tours review

Best tours of the Colosseum for kids

Tour of the colosseum by mariaclaudia tours.

The tours of the Colosseum by MariaclaudiaTours is a fun, game-based private tour for kids age 6 and up.

The tour covers the general areas of the Colosseum and while it doesn’t include the arena nor the underground, it gives and excellent picture of what the Colosseum was, how it was built and how it operated.

What makes this tour stand out is the price (it is the best priced kids’ tour we have found!) and the quality of the guides who are outstanding with children.

This tour sells out fast I highly recommend booking a few months in advance. You can contact them on Facebook https://facebook.com/mariaclaudiatours (tell her Marta from Mama Loves Rome sends you!)

Private family tour of the Colosseum by LivTours (all ages)

If you are looking for a fun and engaging tour of the Colosseum for kids which includes the Roman Forum, I recommend you pick this Colosseum Family tour by LivTour

The tour lasts 3 hours, it is a private experience so you know the needs of your kids will be at the center of it, and follows a treasure hunt format.

With the help of your guide and child-friendly maps and clues, this Colosseum tour for families will show your kids’ the gladiators’ arena and you will then be able to also visit the Roman Forum, which is also exciting for kids as it feels very much like a park!

Livitaly also offers the option of getting Augmented Reality glasses to see the Colosseum in its former splendor.

LivTour is a family company and the owner have kids themselves: they always have special attention for children and they share my love for cultural tourism with little ones, which is why I always recommend them to all families coming to Rome.

Find info and prices of their Colosseum Family tour here.

Express Colosseum tour with Galdiator Gate and Arena Floor (best suited for: older kids and teens)

Another fantastic family friendly tours of the Colosseum is this express one offered by LivTours.

While not for kids as such, this semi private tour is only 1.5h long (aka: more manageable in terms of duration, especially for younger kids) yes still gives a great idea of the Colosseum and how it worked: it also comes with the opportunity to step onto the arena, which is the old stage and where the gladiators’ fights happened.

Usually kids love this (and the views are stunning from here!).

As I mentioned, this is not a tour for kids but since it is a very small group there is great personal attention from the guides and they are able to involve children in the visit, even if not exclusively tailoring it to them.

Find info and prices here >>> LivTour Express Colosseum small group tour

Colosseum underground tour by the Colosseum direct

This tour is not for kids as such.

However, its is family friendly in many ways: kids go free, strollers are allowed (you are always given the option to use the ramp of lift when moving from one area to the next) and the guide makes a special effort to talk to children and involve them during the course of the visit.

There are two main things that make this tour stand out for me:

• It is cheap! By going direct you cut intermediaries and all third party fees (tickets are less than 30 Euro per person, kids go free)
• This tour is one of the very few that includes the underground part of the Colosseum. This is, I believe, the best part of the whole amphitheater for kids and I believe visiting is likely to be the highlight of the tour.

You can read here >>> why I recommend visiting the Colosseum underground with kids

The tour is very informative and the guide positively competent (I am a fussy Roman history graduate and I was impressed, it doesn’t happen often!)

The one thing I feel like warning families about is that the Colosseum saw many killings and this does get mentioned in the tour. 

This is not at the center of the experience but if you have small kids or sensitive ones, maybe ask the guide to give you a nod just before that bit so you can manage the situation at best.

Find my tips for visiting the Colosseum with kids here

I found this tour excellent for kids of all ages although toddlers may find the lack of props a problem.

On the other hand, this is a cheap tour (the cheapest and best I have experienced) so even if they don’t get much from it, at least you know you haven’t gone bankrupt in the process!

The Colosseum tour with kids at a glance:

• Skip the line? Yes, reserved entrance. You pick a time when booking and you show up 20 minuted before to pass security, usually very quick
• Child friendly? yes
• Small group? Not very small but manageable (about 20 of us when we went). Headphones are provided as extra aid
• How to book. Find here >> how to book tickets for the Colosseum from the Official site

Best Vatican Tours for Kids

Vatican and sistine chapel tours for kids by livtours.

LivTours, the same wonderful family friendly company I recommend for the Colosseum and the Golf Cart tour, also offers and exceptional Vatican Museum tour for kids.

This tour makes the large Vatican Museums manageable with a fun and game centred approach for kids and includes the Sistine Chapel, usually what parents want to see the most and the Egyptian Wing of the museum, which is hardly ever included in tours but is great for children especially!

Private Vatican tour for families at a glance:

• Skip the line? Yes
• Child friendly? Yes, for kids
• Group: private tour
• How to book: online, click here

Kids’ Tour of the Vatican Museums by Mariaclaudia Tours

MariaclaudiaTours also offers an excellent tour of the Vatican Museum which covers museums highlights and Sistine Chapel.

The tour is fun and interactive, uses a scavenger hunt / game approach and it is best suited for kids 6 and up although some of the guides are excellent with teens as well so, if you have teenagers, it is still worth enquiring.

This tour is very well prices: you can book directly with Mariaclaudia and her team on Facebook > Facebook.com/mariaclaudiatours

Rome4kids Vatican tour for families with Scavenger Hunt (Private Tour)

To visit the Vatican museums with kids you need a guide and our experience with Katja, owner and tour guide from Rome4kids was outstanding.

Rome4kids offer private tours of Rome for families and while pricey, you get a lot for your money.

This tour is specifically for children and leads you to the most family friendly areas of the Vatican as well as making sure you see the most famous sights there such as the Sistine chapel and the Laocoon statue (my favourite)! 

The tour includes a treasure hunt and is well paced so that children do not get excessively tired despite the large size of the museum and the crowds.

We particularly appreciated a break with took from walking when the guide sat us down for coffee.

She used that time to tell us stories about the Sistine chapel and showed us close up on the ipad of the ceiling frescoes, which are just too far up in the chapel to appreciate fully if you don’t know what to look for. 

This was an outstanding tour for kids and one we highly recommend if you decide to embark in the big task of visiting the Vatican with children ( if you are wondering what the big deal is and why we highly recommend to only go if you have a private guide, have a look at our tips for visiting , they will come in really handy!)

The tour as such did not include a visit to St Peter basilica but you do leave the museums just beside the main entrance so you can easily visit in your own time.

• Small group: private tour

Rome Food tour for kids (Jewish ghetto and city center) with LivTours

It has taken me ages to find a kid friendly food tour in Rome and I am delighted to report that I have finally found one, in the form the food tour by LivTour!

The tour covers the area of Rome’s Jewish Ghetto, which is famous for its delicious and unique food, and the Pantheon area, which is stunning, central and one of the most famous in Rome (so you get a lovely walk as well a lot of tasty food!)

The tour strikes a great balance between food exploration and kid friendliness as it skips the most controversial of Rome foods (tripe…) and focuses on pizza, several types, of pasta, street food and of course gelato!

Rome food tour for families at a glance:

• Kid friendly: yes,
• Skip the line: N/A
• How to book: online, click here (Put in the notes the age of the kids so they know to tailor it around their needs)

Best children classes in Rome (in English)

Rather than tours, in this section I share some classes that we have taken with our kids and that have allowed them to experience Rome in a deeper, meaningful way 

These classes are in English, made for families and open to families with children visiting Rome and, sometimes, local expats. 

Mosaic class in Rome for kids

If you have children who love art and making, then I highly recommend you look into the mosaics class organised by Arte al sole.

This class is held in a real mosaic workshop in Trastevere and your teacher is a real mosaic artist: she guides your child through all the steps needed to create a mosaic and helps them along the way with their creation while leaving them full room to express their creativity and vision.

This is an excellent class and one I highly recommend to all kids: all our friends who experienced Arte al Sole fell in love with what they do!a

You can read our full review here . You can book directly with Arte al Sole here

Please note – this is the only mosaic class in Rome I found that gets you to learn about REAL mosaic making and has a real mosaic artist to lead you.

Other classes we have seen do not use real stones or and are a fun game for kids but add very little to what you may get anywhere else in the world.

If you are looking for a real local experience, this is the class to choose!

Art and seek drawing tours for kids – best for also meeting local kids!

Art and Seek is different from the providers above in the sense that it caters for local expat children as well as visitors.

This means is doesn’t have tours on demand but rather set dates a for regular art based activities taking place in several parts of Rome. 

We took their excellent drawing session at Palazzo Braschi, a live drawing lesson/workshop for kids with a knowledgeable and fun guide, but they also have other locations such as Villa Giulia (Etruscan museum of Rome) and something I cannot wait to try, a street art tour for kids in Ostiense.

This is a really fun class expecially for slightly older kids (7 and up) and parents are welcome to tag along or take their own time around Rome. 

One of the things I loved about this class is that they select really interesting museum, often off the beaten track and also that it is very reasonably priced.

You need to sign up for their membership but it is a fraction of the cost of any other tour of Rome and a fun way for kids to meet other children their own age. You can book directly with them here

Pizza Making class for kids in Rome city center

If your children would like to learn to make pizza in Rome in a fun way, we recommend the class by Rome4kids, the same people we loved for the Vatican tour. 

The class is specifically for children and takes places in a real Rome pizzeria which adds to the fun.

The children make pizza from scratch, cook it in a real oven (all is safe, don’t worry) and you end the morning eating the results of your effort in the pizzeria itself. You can read our review here or book this activity online here

Pasta making class in Rome (private)

If your children are like my daughter, they may fall in love with this kid-friendly cooking class, perfect to learn and make pasta from scratch!

The class takes place in the private home of Lucilla, a local mom and trained chef and it is a a lot of fun.

Lucilla makes you feel at home and teaches you all the the tricks to make perfect pasta, which includes a lot of mixing, stirring, kneading, and the use of rolling pins and pasta making machine.

A fun, interactive, family friendly class!

I originally found Lucilla on airbnb experiences but the app only shows classes for kids age 10 and up. For private classes, you can contact her on instagram at FromZeroToPasta

Contact her here

I hope you found this overview of tried and tested kids tours in Rome useful and it helped up plan you family vacation in Rome. Safe travels!

Rome’s Gladiator school

An absolutely hilarious yes educational and entertaining class for kiss is the Gladiator Class offered by Gruppo Storico Romano.

The class is run by a professional group of historic performances and it is fantastic for kids age 6 and up but really, great for teens and grown ups too.

During your gladiator experience, you will explore the gladiators’ museum, try on gladiator armours and of course train like a real gladiator.

I was skeptical about it as I worried it would be very silly. however, I had to completely change my mind after doing it as it is genuinely so well done and so fun, I tis one of the best things to do in Rome with kids !

You can find info and photos here >>> my review of Rome’s Gladiator school with kids

Best Rome tours for families – pin this!

My name is Marta, I am a travel-loving mama born and bred in that messy, wonderful, infuriating, awe-inspiring unbelievably beautiful city that is Rome. A classics graduate and professional travel blogger, on this site I share my insider tips to help you plan your dream trip to Rome, Italy.

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19 Best Tours in Rome

By Maresa Manara and Erica Firpo

Vacation tours can be a divisive topic, particularly for people who feel passionately about exploring a city independently. But the truth of the matter is that exploring it with a local by your side will bring you to parts of it you might never find on your own. And no locals have as many stories to tell their city as the Romans. You'll find the most intellectual and personable tour guides to take you around vineyards, through olive groves, on vespa rides, through film studios, food markets, cemeteries, medieval churches, and the most iconic ancient sites. Without further delay, these are our picks for the very best Rome tours.

Click the link to read our complete Rome travel guide.

City Wonders: Ostia Antica Half-Day Tour from Rome Arrow

Ostia Antica is a historic seaside village an hour from Rome and these half-day tours of the coastal archaeological site are well-planned. Groups visit Ostia’s amphitheater, temples, historic baths, and ancient market. Guides seem to have real passion for the subject, talking visitors through the entire tour, peppering their commentary with anecdotes and fun facts. This is a slam-dunk for true history buffs who want to get deeper into the greater Rome area.

Elizabeth Lev: Rome's Historical Center, An All-You-Can-See Smorgasbord of Art Arrow

Elizabeth Lev is something else. Rome is her city, and this tour is her work of art. She has an incredible way of engaging with the history, the art, the monuments, and the stories. You'll find yourself wanting to spend all your time with her. The tour explores the ancient, medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque art periods; and it visits sites like 13th century frescos above the church of Santa Cecilia and art collections behind the facades of the Spada palace. You'll be wowed by all of the layers of the city and how it feels like Rome has been hitting a string of never-ending home runs since antiquity.

Elizabeth Lev: Borrowed but Never Baroque, Bernini & 17th Century Rome Arrow

This tour of Elizabeth Lev's meets up outside the beautiful Piazza della Repubblica . Our group was tiny, but Liz will accommodate larger private groups. She is both an incredible academic brain and a witty storyteller. And her tour shows of the dramatic  range of Baroque art and architecture within Rome. This tour is great for anyone who wants a deep dive into the city's Baroque history, and anyone who wants to appreciate Rome in an experience that's not quite in the guide books.

LivItaly Tours: Vespa Sidecar Tour Arrow

The Vespa Sidecar tour is entirely private and can be customized for return visitors who may have already seen the highlights. It is not, though, a show-up-when-you-want activity. It can be organized for up to six participants, but you'll only be in a group if you choose to be. My tour was perfect because it was just me and the driver/guide Luca.  As a licensed guide, he knows his history, is easy to understand, and is very friendly. He always has a plan, but is quick to change it at the first request. We talked Rome and food and went to all the right places, from big names to more under the radar finds. 

CNT Editors

Steph Koyfman

Shannon McMahon

Rome 500 Experience: The 7 Hidden Gems of Rome Tour in an Antique FIAT 500 Arrow

There's a lot of reasons to sign up for this tour through greater Rome, not least is that you get to drive yourself with the top down in a vintage Fiat 500. Another nice perk: Rome's traffic is seriously easier to deal with when traveling in convoy (the group can have up to 50 cars in it). And, as you will get your own car to drive, it can feel like a private tour, although groups are also organized by language, so communication shouldn't be a problem for anyone.  But most importantly, you just look so much better behind the wheel of a classic Italian car.

Top Bike Rental & Tours: Ancient Appian Way, Catacombs, and Aqueducts Park Tour Arrow

This tour will take the better part of your day (it's six hours start to finish). But going by bike to these outer city sites —the old Appian Way via the ancient aqueduct—is the easiest and most entertaining way to see them. Plus you won't want to cut out early: it ends with wine and some nibbles in Caffarella Park, which is so expansive it feels like you're in the countryside even though it's smack in the middle of the greater city. Bikes feel brand new and the confidence of the tour guides will put any nervous riders at ease.

Rome Tram Tracks Tour Arrow

This tour is a rocking dance  party on a vintage tram that rumbles through Rome. It lasts two hours, during which you'll cut up the dance floor, drink, and cheer as you roll past some of Rome's most iconic sites . This is really an evening activity for those who don't just want to go get dinner somewhere in town. The greatest part, however, may have been how the senior citizens on our ride managed to upstage all the thirty- and forty-year olds on the dance floor.

Casa Mia Tours: Rome Cinema & Food Arrow

Rome has a rich history of cinema, and while you could take any tour with any guide, there is nothing quite like seeing its cinematic history with Eleonora Baldwin, Cinecittà Studios veteran and granddaughter of famed director Vittorio de Sica, four-time Academy Award winner and father of Italian cinema. This tour is both Rome's history and Eleonora's story, and she is so passionate that it will make you want to spend all day with her, and all night watching films. There are only three requirements—a pair of comfy shoes, an empty stomach, and a reservation.

Non-Catholic Cemetery Tour Arrow

You should always visit the truly Roman neighborhood of Testaccio when in Rome, but this tour of its historic non-Catholic Cemetery gives you reason to stay in the area after you've hit its prime trattorias. It's a beautiful, unusually tranquil space, filled with bougainvillea and museum-worthy sculptures in the middle of the city. The informative guides will school you on the cemetery's 400-year history as you amble past the tombstones of Keats, Percy Shelly, and other famous expats.

Context Travel: Fall and Rise of Rome Arrow

This historical tour starts at a medieval church in San Clemente and ends at the church of SS. Giovanni e Paolo. Its chronology spans from the Roman Empire's fall to the Renaissance's beginnings. The guide Philip was total pro. He's an archaeologist with a great sense of humor and passion for every site. He knew exactly what to show me and could even point out where to stand so I had the best understanding of the sights. People who enjoy Roman, religious, and art histories will  love this tour. It's also a great opportunity for people who have already seen the main tourist attractions to see some gems off the beaten path.

The Roman Guy: Cocktail Bars in Rome, Evening Walking Tour Arrow

This English-speaking tour will take you to some of Rome's most popular bars, including Trastevere's Freni e Frizioni , with stop offs to major attractions along the way. Plus, company founders Sean and Brandon are always quick to offer tips on the best spots for gelato or pizza in the city as you pass by for that next negroni. It’s actually a fantastic way to experience life in Rome with locals—far more relaxing that spending time trying to avoid tourist traps. 

Katie Parla: Vineyard Visit to Cantina Ribelà Arrow

Sommelier Maurizio di Franco meets you at your hotel and accompanies you via hired car to Cantina Ribelà while enchanting you with a bit of Lazio history and winemaking background on Ribelà. Maurizio is a certificated sommelier, and it doesn't hurt that he's also super charming. His love of wine is contagious, he tells great stories, and his patience is wonderful. At the winery you'll be struck be the natural beauty of the landscape, close as it is to a city as big as Rome. 

LivItaly Tours: Virtual Reality Tour of the Colosseum and Domus Aurea Arrow

Imagine if you could physically see the sites, monuments, and reference points that tour guides bring up when ushering you around a city as ancient as Rome. This virtual reality tour lets you, by creating enhanced versions of the way the Eternal City appeared during the days of the empire, all visible through the glasses you'll wear as you make your way through the Roman Forum and Colosseum .

Vatican Museums: “Out of Hours” Guided Tour, Good Morning Vatican Museums Arrow

There is nothing like opening the doors to an empty Sistine Chapel . The exclusive private Out of Hours Good Morning Vatican tour must be booked months in advance and is subject to permission of the Vatican. You will be greeted by Vatican personnel and escorted through the complex by the Clavigero, holder of the 300 keys of the Vatican Museums. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and it does begin quite early in the morning. At 6 a.m. you and no more than 19 others will accompany the Clavigero to open the doors of the Vatican Museums.  

Johnny Madge: Olive Oil Tours Arrow

You'll have to trek well outside the city (close to an hour) to reach the olive groves in the Sabina country, but it's well worth the trip. Johnny Madge is an olive oil authority , judging competitions all over the world and this is his backyard. He clearly loves it, and that love is contagious. Tourees will learn to distinguish extra virgin olive oil from everything else and importantly that you do not drizzle oil on your food. You pour it. This  is best for foodies who want to get out of the city and deep dive in Roman food. 

Le Domus Romane di Palazzo Valentini: Multimedia Tour Arrow

The Domus Romane are ancient Roman villas and other structures, abandoned in antiquity, filled in with debris, and inadvertently used as foundations for Palazzo Valentini, a Renaissance palace turned government office building. They are now underground, obscured by buildings and pavement just beside Piazza Venezia. On this tour, in situ multimedia renderings recreate an Imperial Rome domus, as well as some aspects of Roman life. The guides are actual archaeologists, and the fact-checked audio is delivered cleanly. These language-specific multimedia tours are popular though, and must be booked in advance.

Tavole Romane Food Tours: The Rome Food Walking Tour Arrow

Think of Tavole Romane, the food-and-wine-focused walking tour of Rome, as getting access to the little black book of those who know the city's food scene best. Owners Gabriele and Silvia customize the tours based on the interests of each intimate group, which could mean wine bars in Trastevere or an aperitivo-heavy hop through the centro storico, led by somms, chefs, or another tapped in member of Rome's food scene.

Latteria Studio: Market to Table Arrow

This market tour and cooking class began with a wonderful walk through the market to Latteria Studios, a functional cooking studio and photo set. Alice, Rachel, and Carla, who head up the activities, are real professionals. They know everyone at the market, and they know all about food. Sitting at the table at the end of day fosters a real sense of community with what may have been a group of strangers from different countries and continents. You'll immerse yourself in Rome and make new friends at the same time. 

Cinecittà Studios: VIP Tour Arrow

This is your chance to see the studio that was once home to Fellini and Leone. It's still a working studio though, so you'll need to follow the guide's itinerary to the letter. She will know about Cinecittà though: its history, and its film productions, and its famous alumni. Also, Cinecittà owns every set that was built on the lot. Master artisans created them all—ancient Rome, a 1940s submarine, and fantastical, imagined worlds. They perfectly accurate to their settings, as well as pristinely preserved.

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A family guide to rome: 10 things to do with kids.

The ancient city of Rome has so much to offer for kids. Education, good food, and beautiful artwork around every corner. Taking kids to Rome can be amazing. Just follow this Guide to Rome with kids.

A Family Guide to Rome: 10 things to do in Rome with kids

Rome! One of the most visited cities in the world, full of great food, ancient sites, history and incredible works of art. There is also so much for families to see and do! We spent one week in Rome, but could have accomplished all we did in 4-5 days if we wanted to.

Where to Stay in Rome

Deciding where to stay in the Eternal City can be tough. It’s built on hills and distances can be deceiving. You want to stay close to the sites you plan on seeing so you won’t spend your whole trip walking or driving. I’ve written this detailed guide to the best places to stay in Rome that will be helpful. 

The Best Things to do in Rome with Kids

We did so much during our time in Rome and our kids honestly loved it all. The abundance of gelato didn’t hurt either. Here are our top 10 activities for your family trip in Rome:

1. Colosseum Tour with Dark Rome

I’ve never really been one for guided tours, preferring to wander at my own pace, which is also one of our travel tips whenever we go somewhere. But I’ve learned over the years that if I’m spending the time and money to take my family to these famous historical sites, then spending the extra time and money to take a tour is well worth it. We always try to book kid-friendly family tours where we can. The tour of the Colosseum with Dark Rome was fantastic.

Our guide was so great with the kids, giving them a good mix of fun and history. We all learned a lot and had lots of fun. The big bonus about booking tours is that you get to skip the lines!

I suggest doing a bit of ancient Roman studies before going to Rome so your kids can make a connection when they are there.

2. Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s   Basilica

I wish we would have done a bit more research before visiting the Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s. We had tons of tour sales people trying to get us to sign up for different tours and tickets here in Vatican City. It was so complicated and by the time we finished, I swore I would write a clear post about this so other families could be helped!

We ended up buying more expensive “skip the line” tickets, which I would never do again. We had to pick up the tickets in front of St. Peter’s, then walk a mile to the actual entrance of Vatican museums (there wasn’t even a line when we got there), then had to wait in a separate line to trade in our skip the line tickets for the “real” tickets! The whole situation was ridiculous! So I’m going to break it down for you here:

-Buying tickets to the Vatican Museum is the only way to see Michelangelo’s  Sistine Chapel. You have to walk through long halls (4 miles) of the museum, with interesting (and odd) artifacts and beautiful artwork to get there. You have to pay to enter the museum. It was 16 Euros for adults and 8 Euros for children when we went. The museum is closed on Sundays. You can find hours, prices and more here.

-You do NOT have to pay to enter St. Peter’s Basilica. There is a line, but it moves quickly and is worth it.

You can learn more about cheap Vatican tours here.

3. Campo de Fiori

This open-air farmers’ market in the heart of Rome is open every day and constantly buzzing with fresh fruits and vegetables, beautiful flowers, meats, cheeses, pastas in all sorts of shapes, and more!

It’s also a nice place to take a break in this public monument with a view of the ruins of ancient Rome. The kids loved all the sites, sounds and smells of the market! It’s also really fun to wander this piazza at night.

4. Trastevere 

Wandering the streets of Trastevere gives you a taste of what Rome without all the tourist hustle and bustle is like. Old buildings, laundry strung across tight alleyways, bikes and scooters lining the streets, locals smoking out of windows, wisteria hanging everywhere and delicious cafes!

We ate at Grazi et Graziele…delicious!

5. Fountains

Rome is full of beautiful fountains! The most famous and magnificent probably being the Trevi Fountain. When you ever visit Rome, make sure you check them out. It’s crowded and crazy, but a must!

6. Villa Borghese

Besides gelato, this was probably the biggest winner for your younger kids and older kids. Rome’s central park has so many school age kids things to do here. 

You can ride a carousel, rent a golf cart or Segways, see a Shakespearean play at a replica of the globe theater, play in a fountain, or just stroll through the beautiful, lush gardens (with gelato in hand of course)!

If you’re visiting Rome with a baby or toddler, this is a great place to go in Rome to let them run off some energy before bedtime or even a good place to escape the city sounds for a nice stroller nap!

7. Pantheon/Piazza Navona

I was surprised at how you can just stumble upon ancient ruins in Rome and the Pantheon is no exception. It’s just right there in the middle of Rome city center! And if you go around the corner, you’ll hit piazza Navona which has an amazing church. We lucked out and saw a youth choir sing there!

The best thing about piazzas is that there are usually no cars so the kids can run wild and dip in the fountain!

8. Take an UBER Tour

My very favorite thing to do in Rome with kids, besides eating of course, is an UBER Tour . We were exploring Trastavere and it started to drizzle. We were all a little worn out from a week of sightseeing and a little out of shape from a week of eating! We were just going to take an UBER back to our AirBnB, but saw “UBER Tour” pop up and we thought we’d give it a try. Our nice driver picked us up in a huge van that fit all 8 of us. He drove us around for about an hour and a half. He took us to all sorts of places that we didn’t even know existed!

Small, old churches with amazing art, huge fountains overlooking the city, a secluded orange garden, and much more. I have limited pictures, because my babies both fell asleep in the back seat on my lap. I was totally happy to enjoy the views from the window. Our driver would stop at each spot, drop us off and make a loop to pick us up 5-10 minutes later. No parking, or waiting for the next tour bus and no getting out of the car if we didn’t want to. The best part is that it is totally customizable. We just said, we’ve seen all the touristy stuff, show us something new! And he sure did. I thought it would also have been a great thing to do on your first day in Rome so you can get a feel for what you want to see and do and also to get a layout of the city, which is much more walkable than I originally thought. If you decide to do this, you can sign up for UBER and get $20 off HERE.

9. Drool Over Cars

Your kids and especially your boys would love seeing these vintage-looking cars on the road!

For reference, here’s how small these cars are! Aren’t they so adorable?!

Best Tours in Rome For Kids

Rome is an amazing city to explore! It’s filled with ancient history, stunning architecture, and beautiful culture. If you’re visiting Rome with kids, there are so many things to do and see. From visiting the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Pantheon to exploring the Trevi Fountain, there are endless activities for young ones.

To make the most out of your visit, here are some of the best Rome tours for families traveling with kids!

Ancient Rome Tour for Kids: Discovering the Colosseum and Roman Forum

As I’ve mentioned earlier, from all the tours we’ve taken during our Rome trip, having a guided tour of the Colosseum was so worth it!

Ancient Rome Tour for Kids is a family-friendly guide tour you can take to one of Rome’s most famous landmarks. This tour will take you back in time as your guide and tour leader tells stories about the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and famous archaeological sites nearby. These are what you can look forward to:

• Explore the Colosseum and Roman Forum with hands-on, interactive activities
• Led by a scholar specially trained to work with children
• Colosseum and Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

It’s a 2.5-hour tour by a licensed guide for kids and adults alike, perfect for those who are visiting Rome with kids.

Underground Rome Tour

The Underground Rome Tour is another great tour for kids, offering a unique experience. Kids will journey underground to explore the mysteries of Ancient Rome beyond what can be seen from the surface of the city.

It’s a 3-hour tour joined by an expert archaeologist where you can expect to:

• Explore the subterranean depths of Rome
• Led by an expert archaeologist
• San Lorenzo in Lucina and Vicus Caprarius

Vatican Tour for Kids

Another top-rated tour for kids is the Vatican Tour for Kids . This three-hour tour is guided by a family-friendly Ph.D. or MA-level art historian who will lead you through the famous Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.

These are some activities you can look forward to:

• Discover the stunning artworks and frescoes of the Vatican Museum collections
• Accompanied by a licensed guide, specializing in Classical History
• Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Rome Pasta-Making Class: Cook, Dine & Drink Wine with a Local Chef

What a great way to make your visit to Rome extra special by joining a cooking class while in Rome! The Rome Pasta-Making Class lets you experience an authentic Italian cooking session with a local chef.

Here are the highlights of what you can get from this tour:

• Learn how to make fettuccine and ravioli from scratch with a professional chef at a private cooking school in Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood.
• Get to know your chefs and fellow pasta makers over prosecco and aperitivi.
• Enjoy a live demonstration of the fine art of gelato making.
• Have a relaxed, fun experience with a small group of 14 participants maximum.
• Gain insider tips on Roman cuisine from a local chef so you can make the most of every meal during your stay.

It’s an educational yet fun-filled tour that will surely make memories with your kids.

Have you been to Rome? What are your favorite things to see, do and eat? We’d love to hear from you!

More Resources

Rome in a Day  Rome in 3 days Cinque Terre The Ultimate Guide to Italy How to Find the Best Gelato in Italy The Best Places to Visit in Italy 10 Day Italy Itinerary

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Colosseum and Ancient Rome

Fountains and squares, ostia antica, underground rome, taste of rome, galleria borghese.

EXPLORE ITALY WITH US!

Ciao! Do you want to make the most out of your family holiday? You should visit one of the most fascinating cities in the world-Rome! Well, if you are wondering how to make it into the Eternal City, we are there to help you navigate every step of the process.

Kids Tours of Rome is a private tour operator with the best guides for family tours with children aged 6 and older. But we don’t just offer tours, ours is an experience. Your children will be fascinated by the history, culture and art of the Eternal City.

EXPLORE OUR ROME TOURS FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES

If you are looking for a fun activity to do with your family while traveling to the Eternal City, then we are ready to make your visit to Rome extra fun.

Our friendly guides have a passion for and are specially trained to work with children so that your experience with us will be the one your family will brag about from your holiday vacation. Using technology, games, and other interactive activities everyone in the family will enjoy is an educational experience like no other could get sitting in a classroom. They say that positive emotions increase motivation and interest in learning. There’s no better way to create that experience than to have some family fun by booking with Kids Tours of Rome to learn about one of the world’s best cities full of culture and history!

This is an educational experience like no other!

Learning, educational experiences, visiting the Eternal City with children, and having fun can now go hand-in-hand!

With our Rome Tours with Kids, the entire family can enjoy moments of sheer pleasure, entertainment, and excitement. No matter which one of the Rome private family tours you choose, expect a friendly family tour guide in Rome that knows the ropes and has their way with children to show you more than just the same-old stuff you can find in most city guides. From the Colosseum and the Vatican to the underground sights, you have many reasons to book private family tours in Rome like, well, yesterday!

Check out some of our Rome tours for kids

We arrange private tours for families with school-aged children, and all of our tours will make your visit to Rome entertaining, educative and memorable.

Kids Tours of Rome is a family owned, licensed tour operator in Rome, Italy.

We work with a team of tour guides who are professionals with advanced degrees in the fields of History, Art History, or Archaeology and who have an exceptional ability to mingle and work for families with school-age children.

So if you are looking for fun and educational tours for kids when travelling to the Eternal City or Pompeii there is no better choice than Kids Tours of Rome!

With our private tours for families with children aged 6 and older, we will make your visit to Rome entertaining, educative and memorable.

Our passionate guides are super fun and specially trained to work with kids. Using technology, games and other activities, all members of your family will enjoy.

Let’s have some great time!

Book your Rome for kids tour online now or contact us if you have any special requests.

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Is rome worth visiting.

This is the number of Rome’s visitors per year. They are coming to our town to experience the spirit of the Eternal city. And we are always ready for the best walking tours of Rome with kids and families.

There are just eleven cities in the whole world with more visitors per year. Our most visited sites and most attended tours are the Colosseum tour for kids and the Vatican tour for families. Visit it with our guides.

You can travel around the globe for centuries, but the Eternal City is probably the most impressive place on the planet. The best thing you can do is visit Rome with Kids Tours of Rome. Many surprises await you!

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Best tours in rome [2024 edit] – colosseum, vatican, food tours and more.

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Rome is one of the most incredible cities on earth and you barely scratch the surface exploring on your own. Join a guided tour of Rome and you will discover the stories and beauty of the Eternal City with expert knowledge. They can even help you skip long lines at the major tourist attractions.

But, here’s the thing, there are so many to choose from and it can be quite overwhelming. So we searched high and low for the best tours in Rome to build this list. It includes private, large and small group tours so you can choose the perfect tours for you based on your budget and preference. 

• Our Top 5 Tours in Rome
• Colosseum Tour – visit the magnificent arena and step inside one of the world’s greatest monuments with Liv Tours who offer a variety of tours of the Colosseum some of which include the Arena Floor, Gladiator Gate or Domus Aurea, – Take 5% off with code UntoldItaly
• Vatican Museums – Take Walks early morning tour avoids the crowds so you can admire the Sistine Chapel in all its glory and in relative solitude
• 10 Tastes of Rome Food Tour by Withlocals – the food tour to rule them all. Taste all the classic Roman dishes with your expert local guide sharing the city’s best foodie secrets
• Rome in a Day – if you’re short on time and want to see all Rome’s highlights in the most efficient way, join this tour  by Liv Tours that takes you to the Colosseum, Vatican, Pantheon, Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona – Take 5% off with code UntoldItaly
• Day Trip: Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast – it’s a long day but if you’re itching to see Pompeii and have limited time in Italy, this Take Walks tour explores the ancient city and includes a stop on the Amalfi Coast for the ultimate sneak peek into one of Italy’s best-loved regions.

What's in this article

Best tours of Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Best tours of the vatican museums and st peters, full day rome tour, best rome walking tours, rome sightseeing tours, rome food tours, rome tours with a difference, rome night tours, best tours in rome for families, best day tours from rome, guides to rome and italy.

Sure you can buy tickets for the Colosseum and wander through on your own but there’s nothing quite like having the insider knowledge of a tour guide to bring this important monument to life. They will tell you stories of gladiators, emperors, battles and looting. It’s so much more fun than staring at some old rocks on your own. Plus, without a guide, we could have walked right by the tomb of Julius Caesar! Your Colosseum ticket includes access to the nearby Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. 

This is a huge area full of history and the important sites of Ancient Rome. A tour guide will help you navigate this incredible area and you’ll be amazed at how much we owe to this civilization that collapsed 2,000 years ago. The Colosseum is open from 08.30 until 16.30 (and as late as 19.15 from April to the end of August) every day except 25th December and 1st January. Plan to spend around 2-3 hours or half a day exploring this area. Most tours are for at least 2 hours. 

Basic skip-the-line Colosseum tours

The most basic tour of the Colosseum is a skip-the-line tour with audio guide. This self-paced tour allows you to hear narrated commentary on a handset for one hour and is great if you are traveling on a budget. You need to return the audio guide at a specified time. Where to buy tour tickets

• Colosseum site – can be difficult to use, sometimes does not accept international credit cards >> Click here to view options

NOTE: Co-op Culture is due to be replaced as a provider of official tickets, we will update with the new provider details when working effectively.

• Colosseum audio tour on Tiquets – authorized ticket partner with easy-to-use English language interface and app for storing ticket info >> Click here for tickets

NOTE: you can only purchase tickets and this basic tour of the Colosseum 3-4 weeks before your visit.

Large group tour of the Colosseum and ancient Roman sites

Tour the Ancient Roman sites including the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill on this 3 hour skip the line tour . This larger group tour (up to 30 people maximum) is extremely well-rated and great for those who are on a tight budget but don’t want to miss learning about this fascinating part of Rome. You’ll be provided with headsets so you can hear the guide at all times >> Click here for more details .

Recommended small group Colosseum tours

If visiting the Colosseum is a lifelong dream and you just want to soak up every second, join a small group tour of the Colosseum. You’ll enjoy VIP access to one of the world’s iconic monuments and the expertise of a passionate guide who will tell the tales of the gladiators and crowds who enjoyed the spectacle in the arena over 2,000 years ago. The best general tour is: Liv Italy’s Colosseum Tour with Underground, Arena and Gladiator Gate and Roman Forum ( plus you get 5% off with code UntoldItaly).

Colosseum at Night

For true history buffs, there are extra tour options for experiencing additional parts of the arena available. Numbers are strictly limited for these locations so you need to book early. Take Walks Colosseum at Night tour is beautiful and atmospheric. Seeing the monument under moonlight is a special treat and you even get to go underground and on the arena for a gladiator-level view of the stadium >> Click here for tour details .

Colosseum Virtual Reality Tour

As self-confessed tech nerds, this virtual reality tour of the Colosseum is at the top of the list for our next visit. Using state-of-the-art technology, the Colosseum is recreated in all its former glory. You actually feel like you are in the arena watching gladiators fight lions. Contrasting the ruins with the recreated arena is a very special and unique experience. There is a backstage glimpse at the preparations underneath the main arena and your guides help you to understand the history behind one of the world’s greatest marvels >> Click for more info and tickets .

PRO TIP: Make sure to book tours early – at least 2 months in advance for Summer, late Spring and early Fall/Autumn. In peak tourist times guided tours and attractions sell out fast.

The Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica are probably on your Rome bucket list and rightly so. You really must see the incredible works of Michelangelo and other great artists and one of the largest churches in the world with your own eyes. Many companies combine a visit to both places in their Vatican tours but you can also visit them separately.

In fact, if you are traveling with small children we recommend that you visit St Peters only and leave the museums for another visit as the museums are huge and involve a lot of walking and quiet time. 

Be warned though, these are some of the busiest tourist sights in the world. Queues for the Vatican attractions are legendary so choosing a skip-the-line Vatican Museums and/or Basilica tour is just common sense unless you like standing in lines all day. We do not!

TIP: For our pick of the best value combined Vatican group tours >> Click here .

Vatican Museums

One of the largest collections of art and antiquities in the world, the 54 galleries of the Vatican Museum display over 20,000 works of art. Most famous of these are the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel painted by Michelangelo depicting scenes from the Bible’s Book of Genesis. 

The Vatican Museums are open from Monday to Saturday 09.00 – 18.00 (final entry 16.00) and every last Sunday of the month (provided this does not coincide with Easter Sunday, 29 June Sts. Peter and Paul, 25 December Christmas Day, and 26 December Feast of St. Stephen) 09.00 – 14.00 pm (final entry 12.30). On Fridays between May and August, the Museums are open late with limited tickets available.

Also, consider your timing, as the museums can be very crowded in the morning. If you are an art lover or want to avoid the crowds take advantage of Friday late openings in the summer months and special early access tours available year round. 

NOTE: Make sure to dress appropriately for the Vatican as dress codes are strictly enforced. Both men and women are expected to cover their knees (ie no shorts) and shoulders.

St Peter’s Basilica

St Peter’s Basilica is a destination in its own right and apart from the interior of the Basilica you can also visit the Dome or Cupola for incredible views of the city (see above), the Treasury Museums and Grottoes. The Basilica is open every day from 07.00 to 19.00, April to September and from 07.00 to 18.00, October to March. On Wednesdays and Sundays, many tours are limited due to the Papal Audiences. Expect to spend at least 3 hours in the Vatican Museums and at St Peter’s. 

TIP: The most exclusive tour of the Basilica is the Scavi tour of the excavations below St Peters. The Necropolis is on the site of the original burial ground of the church and is said to be the final resting place of St Peter. Only 250 people per day are allowed in this area. Bookings by appointment only >> Click here for details .

Vatican Gardens

A stroll in the Vatican gardens is also included in some tours. The beautifully landscaped gardens are home to grottoes, statues and manicured lawns. Most visitors never make it to this part of the Vatican so it is a quiet area away from the crowds.

Basic skip-the-line Vatican Museum tours

The most basic tour of the Vatican is a skip-the-line tour with audio guide.  This self-paced tour allows you to hear narrated commentary on a handset and is great if you are traveling on a budget. 

Where to buy tour tickets

• Vatican Museums site – can be difficult to use, sometimes does not accept international credit cards >> Click here to view options
• Vatican Museums with audioguide tour – tours partner with easy to use English language interface and app for storing ticket info >> Click here for tickets

Basic skip-the-line St Peter’s Basilica tours

While entry to St Peter’s is free, you can pay a small charge to skip the line and tour with an audioguide

• St Peter’s site – information only plus a phone number >> Click here for details
• St Peter’s skip the line with audioguide on GetYourGuide >> Click here for ticket details
• St Peter’s skip the line with tour guide on GetYourGuide >> Click for more information

Liv Tours offers Untold Morsels readers 5% off all tours with code – UntoldItaly >> browse tours .

Group Vatican tour including the Vatican Museums and St Peters

This highly recommended 3-hour tour of the Vatican not only lets you skip the line but you will learn about the intrigues and mysteries of popes past and present.  During the tour, you visit St Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and Vatican museums. Expect tour group sizes of around 25 people and the use of headsets to hear the guide >> Click for more info and tickets .

Recommended small group Vatican tours

For art lovers and those who want a more intimate experience of the Vatican, choose Take Walks small group Vatican tours and let your guide navigate you through the crowds or even avoid them entirely! You can choose from early morning access, Friday night time tours in summer and tours that include the main sights plus more.

On our last visit, I took this Early Morning Vatican Tour that gets you into the museums well before the main crowds of the day arrive. Having experienced the crush of crowds in the mid-morning on several occasions I can tell you that this experience is well worth the extra you pay for exclusive access. You’ll actually stand in the Sistine Chapel for 20 minutes with very few people to obstruct your view. It’s an incredible experience >> Click here for tour details .

Some other small group options:

• Vatican Museums, St Peters + catacombs – popular 3-hour tour of the major Vatican highlights plus catacombs and grottoes underneath the Basilica >> Click here for details
• Early morning small group Vatican tour – top rated Vatican tour on Viator that gets you into the museums well before the crowds arrive >> Click here for more information

READ: Our complete analysis and recommendations for tours of the Vatican .

If you have one day in Rome for sightseeing, you might consider doing a full day of touring with a guide who will help you navigate the city efficiently. When choosing a ‘ Rome in a day ‘ tour make sure it covers all the sights – Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. This is achievable with expert planning and skip-the-line access that you can only get with a tour guide from Liv Tours >> Click here for tour details (Plus t ake 5% off with code UntoldItaly).

It’s important to remember also that they are only free if you don’t offer a tip at the end of your tour. And as this is what the guides rely on for their income – please tip! Around €10 per person is reasonable. We recommend joining a small group walking tour to take in the city highlights like the Pantheon, Trevi fountain and Piazza Navona. This way you can ask lots of questions and hear the guide properly.

Rome walking tour suggestions

• Best of Rome walking tour – a perfect introduction to Rome on this top rated 2.5 hour tour of the highlights including the Pantheon, Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona >> Click here for more details
• Welcome to Rome twilight stroll (with gelato!) – stroll from one romantic Roman piazza to the next at dusk. Don’t forget to throw a coin in the Trevi fountain! >> Click here for tour info  
• Ancient monuments of Rome – discover the ancient Roman sites on this 3 hour tour of the city where history is around every corner >> Click here for more information

A private tour guide can cater the tour to your interests and needs.  We love Withlocals tours because they have set itineraries that can be customized to your needs and are priced at around the same rate as a small group tour. 

TIP: Remember to wear comfortable shoes and bring water with you on your walking tour.

Bus sightseeing tours of Rome

Hop-on, hop-off tours are our pick for families with small children and those with mobility challenges.

Take a bus tour and ride around the city’s major sites listening to a recorded guide of the city. You can hop off at stops along the way and rejoin the bus tour after visiting your favorite sites.

Our favorite Rome bus tour  offers complimentary walking tours at the Vatican, Roman Forum and Spanish Steps. Tickets can be purchased for 24 or 48 hours and start when you join your first bus. >> Click here for tour times and prices . Note – this bus tour does not include tickets to attractions and landmarks.

PRO TIP: Take a full circuit of the bus route in the late afternoon/evening of your first day to get your bearings.

Golf cart tour of Rome

If you are unable to walk long distances you could try a golf cart tour of Rome . These private tours will take you quickly through the city so you can see the highlights and sights in comfort. Golf cart tours are flexible and can be customized to your interests and needs. They’ll even take you to the top of some of Rome’s famous seven hills for sweeping views of the city that you would never reach on a walking tour >> Click here for more information .

Feeling more adventurous? A Vespa side-car tour of Rome is a fun option.

Segway tours of Rome

The latest in fun tour options, a Segway tour is a great way to see Rome. On a segway, you can dive down small streets and laneways away from the traffic. Most tours last from 2-3 hours and cover the history of Rome and its ancient past. Plus, it’s almost like riding a Roman chariot! If you are young at heart or traveling with teenagers this tour is for you >> Click here for ticket info and prices .

Bike tours of Rome

Honestly, getting around Rome by bike is probably not the easiest thing to do. Crowds and traffic are a constant battle and you would need to be a confident rider to navigate all that plus the cobblestones. But if you are determined to do a bike tour in Rome we suggest joining an electric bike tour of the Via Appia (Appian Way). This beautiful area just outside Rome is home to ancient ruins, catacombs and a stunning national park >> Click here for tour info and prices .

TIP: We recommend booking tours through the Get Your Guide online portal >> Click here for a full review of Get Your Guide plus tips on how to use it to find the best tours in Rome.

Food tours and cooking classes are our favorite way to get to know a city. And after all, after all that culture and exploring you are bound to be hungry! In Rome, we’ve had a blast exploring the neighborhoods of Trastevere, around the Campo de’ Fiori market and Testaccio on wonderful food tours led by Withlocals and Eating Europe .

We once even took our kids and it was such a fun family activity. You can click here to read more about our foodie adventures in Rome. Avoid the tourist traps and discover the food culture with these delicious experiences and food tours of Rome. Just remember to wear your stretchiest pants!

• 10 Tastes Rome food and wine tour – eat your way around the Eternal City with this essential tasting tour of Rome. Over 4 hours you’ll taste the iconic dishes of the city and try amazing local wines >> Click for tour details
• Rome street food tour – after three hours of tasting and sipping the best bites and drops in the city you’ll know your S uppli from your truffle tartine. This tour stops at 5 traditional eateries >> Click for tour information and prices
• Rome pasta making course – knowing how to make pasta is probably the best souvenir you can bring home from your Rome vacation. Enjoy a glass of prosecco and some snacks as you learn the fine art of pasta making. Then enjoy your creation. Delicious! >> Click for pasta making course details

READ: Our round up of the best food tours in Rome .

Have you seen Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck? A vintage classic, it’s one of my favorite movies. Set in Rome in the 1950s, it features the stars taking in the sights on the back of a Vespa scooter.  It’s ridiculously romantic and cool and guess what? You can ride a Vespa 125cc around Rome too!

This Vespa tour of Rome takes in all the major sights. If you are not so sure about weaving in and out of Roman traffic (it can be a bit scary it’s true!), how about joining a convoy of Fiat 500s on a tour of the city? Having done a similar tour in a classic Citroen in Paris , we would love to do this one day too!

Rome is so beautiful after dark. The city’s impressive monuments are lit up and people enjoy street performances and an evening stroll. It’s an experience not to be missed. If you are not keen to wander on your own then why not join a night tour of Rome . Stroll from the Spanish Steps to Piazza Navona with stops along the way at the Trevi fountain which, as you can see, looks incredible at night.

For people who like to be a little spooked (I do not!) you can join an after-hours tour of the catacombs and Capuchin monk bone crypt. An unforgettable experience, that you can only have in Rome, is a tour and opera concert at the magnificent Throne Hall of the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj. Held on Tuesdays, the concert features arias from Italian greats Puccini and Verdi.

We took the kids on our last visit to Rome and had a brilliant time. This was mostly due to some excellent family tours we did of the Colosseum  and hidden Rome . If you haven’t tried taking your kids on a tour while on vacation, I highly recommend that you do. Not only did the kids have a lot of fun but we learnt a lot too. Plus, family tour guides usually know where the best gelato shops are! Unfortunately, some of the tours we went on are no longer available so here are some alternatives.

Rome Family Tours

• Withlocals family tours in Rome – Kids go free on Withlocals family tours and what’s even better is that they are specifically designed for kids including stops for gelato and running around. Whether you children are inspired by gladiators or pizza you’ll find an activity you can all enjoy >> Click here to browse the tours
• Colosseum family tour for kids – if there is one place in Rome that can capture the imagination of the youngest of visitors it is the Colosseum. This tour includes treasure hunts and other interactive activities, plus 3D reconstructions of the buildings to bring them back to life >> Click here for details
• Vatican for kids – We would never attempt the Vatican Museums with kids without a guide. This highly-rated family tour of the Vatican will take your tribe through the galleries with ease. The guides are used to working with children of all ages to keep them entertained so you can relax and enjoy the experience too! >> Click for tour information
• Family sunset tour – learn about the history of Rome with a side of pizza and gelato! I can’t think of a better way to capture your children’s imaginations, can you? You will see the major sights of Rome’s historic center and have lots of fun along the way >> Click for tour information and prices
• Gladiator school ! – get dressed up and learn the skills of a gladiator in ancient Rome. This 2 hour lesson combines history, sports and lots of fun. It is suitable for kids aged 6 and over >> Click for more information

Rome has plenty to keep you occupied but if you are using the city as a base to see more of Italy, then here are our favorite guided day trips from Rome.

Pompeii is high on many visitors lists of places to visit in Italy and it’s actually not too difficult to do on a day trip from Rome. The fascinating ancient city was destroyed by Mount Vesuvius and preserved for centuries by lava and ash. You could spend days wandering along the cobbled streets of the city in awe of the way people lived almost 2000 years ago. There is an amphitheater, villas and official buildings as well as a vineyard where ancient vines are being rejuvenated. Many of the tour companies combine a visit to Pompeii with a stop in Sorrento, Naples or the Amalfi Coast. So while it is a long day out of Rome you certainly get a taste of the south. Our top recommended tours of Pompeii from Rome are:

• Pompeii and Amalfi Coast – visit Pompeii with an expert archaeologist followed by lunch in stunning Positano
• Pompeii and Sorrento   – archaeologist-led tour of Pompeii with lunch in Sorrento by the sea

READ: Our full round up of Pompeii trips from Rome plus DIY options .

Tivoli – Roman ruins and Renaissance gardens

With the exception of Villa Borghese, there are few parks and gardens in Rome. A day trip to Tivoli will have you out in the sunshine enjoying the ruins of Emperor Hadrian’s villa – one of the biggest and most luxurious in Ancient Rome. Explore the many baths and fountains of this former palace once considered a more important site than Rome itself.

At Tivoli you also visit Villa D’Este , a Renaissance masterpiece with ornamental fountains and magnificent gardens >> Click for more info and tickets .

Day trip to Tuscany

Don’t have time to stay in Tuscany? You can soak up some of the most beautiful Tuscan scenes and enjoy la dolce vita in the stunning Val D’Orcia on Take Walks Tuscany day trip from Rome . Visiting stunning hill towns, fortresses and vineyards, this tour stops for lunch at a winery near Montalcino so you can sample the local wines. You’ll also spend time in picturesque Pienza , one of the most beautiful towns in Italy before heading back to Rome >> Click here for view tour details .

Wine tasting tour in Frascati

When in Rome, you must drink wine right? This wine tour takes you to the Frascati countryside near Rome where you learn about the centuries-old tradition of wine making. Gaze over the 200 acres of vines and learn the secrets of traditional wine-making. After your tour explore the beautiful vineyard and of course, taste some wine! A farmhouse lunch is included in this half-day tour >> Click for more info .

Umbrian hill towns tour – Assisi and Orvieto

While we love Rome and Italy’s other big cities, the hill towns will make you fall in love with Italy . Visit Assisi and Orvieto on a day tour from Rome and you pass through rolling hills and olive groves before reaching these picture-perfect medieval towns. Explore the beautiful basilicas and enjoy incredible views as well as trying the local produce – olive oil, cheese and wine. This is Italy at its most charming in my opinion >> Click for more info .

How we chose the best tours in Rome

We recommend specific tours we have done or those that have been tested by people we trust. Several tour operators stand out for their well-designed tours and excellent customer service. We have no hesitation recommending:

• With Locals – creative and great value private tours (often the same price as small group tours). You can choose from set itineraries or customize your own tour. All guides are licensed and are available in many cities across Italy. We love their 10 tastes food tour where you try Roman food and have a little culture and history lesson along the way
• Liv Tours – family-run Italian company offering true small group tours of 6 people or less. You can choose from classic Vatican and Colosseum tours however they also have a popular golf cart tour plus our favorite Vespa tour of Rome’s highlights. 

If you’re managing a tighter budget, all of the larger group tours we recommend are available to book on GetYourGuide or Viator [see our full review of GetYourGuide here ].

Tour price guide for Rome and the Vatican 

• €30 per person for a basic audioguide tour
• €40 – €50 per person for a large group tour and
• €70+ per person for a small group tour
• €90+ per hour for an experienced private guide

Note – assumes entrance tickets included in tour price and varies according to length of tour and sites visited

We adore Rome and truly value the tours we have taken for teaching us about its incredible history and culture. Having visited as students many years ago, our experiences since have been all the richer for hearing the stories and background of the city from our Rome tour guides.

For more information on visiting Rome, take a look at our 5 day itinerary for the Eternal City . This itinerary covers all the major highlights and some special hidden gems. If you are planning a bigger trip to Italy, check out our guide to organizing your travels. It includes everything you need to know about travel in Italy – from flights and trains to hotels and culture >> Click here for guide .

Planning a trip to Italy? Join our free Italy Travel Planning Facebook group and read our detailed guide for tips, information and advice for planning your travel to Italy.

Disclaimer –  Untold Morsels assists our readers with carefully chosen product and services recommendations that help make travel easier and more fun. If you click through and make a purchase on many of these items we may earn a commission. All opinions are our own – please read our  disclosure  page for more information.

The creator, writer and photographer behind Untold Morsels , Katy has been travelling and tasting the world since she was a teenager.

Now the proud mum of twins, she hopes they grow up to share her passions of great food, wine and travel. Favourite destination: Italy

The Best Tours in Rome

SD › Rome › Best Tours Updated: October 26, 2023 By Santorini Dave

• Best Hotels in Rome
• Best Family Hotels in Rome
• Best Neighborhoods in Rome
• Rome Hotel Map
• Food Tour: Historic Centre • Taste of Testaccio
• Walking Tour: Rome in a Day
• Best Family Tour: Ancient Rome for Kids • Gladiator School
• Free Tour: Rome’s Ultimate Free Walking Tour
• History Tour: Roma Antica with Skip-the-Line Tickets • Catacombs & Underground Rome
• Bike Tour: Fat Tire • Appian Way E-bike
• Vespa Tour: Countryside • Street Art
• Vatican Tour: Pristine Sistine Early Entrance with Breakfast
• Cooking Class: Farmers Market Shopping & Five Course Meal • Pizza & Pasta on the Appian Way
• Day Trip: Pompeii & Amalfi Coast • Tuscany Vineyards & Wine Tasting
• Night Tour: Trastevere Sunset Food Tour • Colosseum Night Walking Tour

1. Rome in a Day

• Duration: 7.5 hours
• Fantastic way to get your bearings, learn about Rome, and visit the most popular sights. Highly recommended for travelers short on time, or at the beginning of a longer stay.
• Meeting Point: Oppio Caffè, directly north of the Colosseum.
• Tour Highlights: Roman Forum, Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica.
• Included: Private, air-conditioned transport between stops, skip-the-line tickets to Colosseum, Vatican Museums, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
• Not Included: Tickets to the Dome in St. Peter’s.
• Food included? No. There is a one-hour break for lunch, and your tour guide will recommend local restaurants, but the cost of food is not included.
• Good for kids? It’s a long day and even with the provided transportation it’s a lot of walking, so probably best for older kids.
• Tour Operator: Walks Tours

2. Pristine Sistine Early Entrance Tour with Breakfast

• Duration: 4 hours
• See the Sistine Chapel before it opens to the general public, then enjoy a breakfast buffet in the Vatican’s Pinecone Courtyard and an expert-guided tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica.
• Meeting Point: The Green Bar (called l’Ottagono) in Piazza del Risorgimento.
• Tour Highlights: Breakfast on a terrace inside the Vatican Museums (for 2021 tours), Works by Michelangelo (including the Sistine Chapel before the crowds, and his Pietá ), rooms painted by Raphael.
• Included: Early entry to the Vatican, skip-the-line access into the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica, buffet breakfast.
• Food included? Yes, a buffet breakfast in the Vatican’s Pinecone Courtyard is included.
• Good for kids? Yes.
• Alternative booking through Get Your Guide

3. Ancient Rome for Kids

• Duration: 2.5 hours
• History comes alive for kids as they explore the Colosseum and Roman Forum with hands-on, interactive activities in this private tour. Great for Adults, too.
• Tour Highlights: Colosseum, Roman Forum.
• Included: Expert scholar guide, specially trained to teach children; skip-the-line tickets to the Colosseum.
• Food included? No.
• Good for kids? The best.
• Tour Operator: Context Travel

4. Trastevere Sunset Food Tour

• Visit four locally loved venues for over 20 delicious tastings in Rome’s picturesque Trastevere district at sunset.
• Meeting Point: Piazza Trilussa 46 (outside the venue Trapizzino)
• Tour Highlights: 30 year aged balsamic vinegar, truffles, fine cheeses and artisanal hams, D.O.C.G wine, incredible pizza, homemade pasta, authentic gelato.
• Included: All food and wine, friendly local guide.
• Food included? Yes, so much food.
• Good for kids? Yes
• Tour Operator: The Roman Food Tour

5. Fat Tire Rome Bike Tour

• Duration: 3 hours
• Super fun way to orient yourself to the city, learn some history, and explore the Historic City Center.
• Meeting Point: Via dei Delfini 35/36, near Piazza Venezia.
• Tour Highlights: Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Imperial Forum, Colosseum, Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus, Theatre of Marcellus, Roman Ghetto, Campo de Fiore, Piazza Navona
• Included: Fun and knowledgeable guide, bike and helmet (helmet provided but not required).
• Good for kids? Yes, for kids that are comfortable riding a bike. 20″ and 24″ bikes are available for children, but must be booked in advance. No tricycles, tandems, or training wheels are available.
• Tour Operator: Fat Tire Tours

6. Gladiator School

• Duration: 2 hours
• Why stop at just learning about history? This cool experience also lets you don a tunic and fight like a warrior of Ancient Rome. Great for kids and adults alike.
• Meeting Point: Gruppo Storico Romano, Via Appia Antica
• Tour Highlights: Introduction to Roman history, 2 hours of Roman gladiator lessons in historical costumes and weaponry, Gladiator School of Rome Museum.
• Included: Museum admission fee, training with individual wooden sword, Roman citizenship’s certificate, rental of the “Roman military tunic” that the customer will wear during the class, free drink.
• Food included? No. A free drink is included.
• Good for kids? Totally.
• Tour Operator: Gruppo Storico Romano

7. Farmers’ Market Shopping & Four-Course Meal

• Duration: 4 to 5 hours
• Shop for fresh produce at Campo de Fiore with a trained chef, then prepare and enjoy a seasonal four-course lunch inside an airy 17th-century palazzo. An excellent class for those looking for more than just pizza-making.
• Meeting Point: Campo de Fiore
• Tour Highlights: Guided farmers’ market visit, cooking class, four-course meal.
• Included: Farmers’ market shopping, hands-on cooking class, English-speaking chef, prosecco and snacks reception, all ingredients and equipment, homemade meal with wine and soft drinks, recipes emailed as PDF.
• Food included? Yes, lots.
• Tour Operator: InRome Cooking Classes

8. Countryside Vespa Tour

• Duration: 5.5 hours, including transport
• Get out of town and experience the Ancient Roman roads and striking Renaissance villas of Castelli Romani astride a Vespa scooter.
• Meeting Point: Hotel pick-up is offered, or guests can take the train and meet the group at Castel Gandolfo.
• Tour Highlights: Villages of Frascati and Castel Gandolfo (home to the Papal summer residence), guided visit at a beautiful Byzantine abbey, authentic Roman countryside lunch.
• Included: Hotel pick-up, Vespa scooter and helmet, guided abbey and village tours, countryside lunch.
• Not included: Transport back to central Rome from Frascati.
• Food included? Yes. An authentic countryside lunch of ‘porchetta’ seasoned pork, locally baked bread, and regional cheeses and red wine is provided.
• Good for kids? No.
• Tour Operator: Scooteroma Tours

9. Rome Historic Centre Food Tour

• Duration: 3 to 3.5 hours
• Sample pizzas, homemade pastas and Supplí (risotto balls), fine cheeses and wines, and artisanal gelato amid the monuments, markets, and restaurants in the heart of Rome.
• Meeting Point: Piazza Navona
• Tour Highlights: Historic café visit for espresso or cappuccino; authentic pizza and supplí, gourmet shop for tastings of artisanal cured meats, cheeses, and wine; authentic Sicilian cannoli, regional pasta in a beloved local restaurant, handmade gelato.
• Included: All food and drinks, knowledgeable guide. Upgraded drinks packages are available.
• Food included? So much food.
• Good for kids? Definitely.
• Tour Operator: Secret Food Tours

10. Roma Antica with Skip-the-Line Tickets

• In-depth guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill led by a PhD or MA-level archaeologist or classical historian guide.
• Tour Highlights: Palatine Hill & Museum, Via Sacra and Forum Square, Colosseum.
• Included: Knowledgeable academic guide, skip-the-line tickets
• Food included? No
• Good for kids? Yes for older kids, but kids under 12 would do better with this company’s Ancient Rome for Kids tour.

11. Pizza & Pasta on the Appian Way

• Duration: 4.5 hours
• Learn the secrets to making incredible pizza and homemade pasta from a true licensed master in a beautiful countryside setting. Great for families.
• Meeting Point: Laurentina metro station (the last stop on line B).
• Tour Highlights: Excellent instruction by charismatic master chefs, charming setting.
• Included: Pasta and pizza-making cooking class; homemade wine, limoncello, and tiramisù; bottled water; transfer from the metro station to the cooking school.
• Food included? Yes, plenty.
• Good for kids? Nope, great for kids.
• Tour Operator: Once in Rome Authentic Experiences

12. Street Art Vespa Tour

• Duration: 3 hours (a private 4-hour option is also available)
• Hop on and be inspired by Instagram-worthy street art in the off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods of Ostiense, Quadraro Vecchio, and Pigneto.
• Meeting Point: This tour offers hotel pick-up.
• Tour Highlights: Vibrant murals, fun scooter ride!
• Included: Vespa scooter and helmet, knowledgeable guide, coffee or gelato.
• Food included? There is one stop for coffee or gelato.

13. Pompeii and Amalfi Coast Day Trip

• Duration: 13 Hours
• Experience an archaeologist-guided tour of Pompeii, then a scenic drive along the Amalfi Coast to beautiful Positano, where you’re free to eat, shop, swim, and explore.
• Meeting Point: Piazzale Flaminio
• Tour Highlights: Guided tour of the death-casts, shops, temples, private houses, and public baths of Pompeii (and a brothel, if age-appropriate), scenic panoramic drive, free time in a charming Italian beach town.
• Included: Private round-trip transportation by air-conditioned minibus, skip-the-line Pompeii tickets and guided tour.
• Food included? No. Your guide will recommend lunch spots, but the cost is extra.
• In low season (November – March) most businesses in Positano close; during this time, the tour visits Amalfi or Sorrento instead.

14. Ancient Appian Way E-bike Tour

• A fun and easy way to explore Rome’s ancient main road and experience the countryside’s monuments, aqueducts, and ruins.
• Meeting Point: Starbike Roma Offices, just east of the Colosseum.
• Tour Highlights: Porta San Sebastiano, Parco della Caffarella, Ninfeo di Egeria, Parco degli Acquedotti, Villa dei Quintili, Mausoleo di Cecilia Metella, Circo di Massenzio, Catacombs of San Callisto, Terme di Caracalla.
• Included: High-quality electric-assisted mountain bike and helmet, child bike seats by request, mobile phone and object holder, friendly and knowledgeable guide.
• Good for kids? Yes. Child bike seats, children’s bikes, and tag-along bikes can be reserved in advance.
• Tour Operator: Starbike Roma

15. Tuscany Vineyards & Wine Tasting

• Guided tour of Montepulciano and Pienza, with a three-course vineyard lunch and wine pairing.
• Meeting Point: Piazza del Popolo
• Tour Highlights: Guided Montepulciano tour, Renaissance Church of St. Biagio, Vineyard lunch, free time in the medieval Tuscan town of Pienza.
• Included: Private round-trip air-conditioned transportation; Guided Montepulciano tour, 3-course gourmet lunch and wine tasting, Visit to St. Biagio Church and hill town of Pienza.
• Food included? Yes, lunch.
• Tour Operator: City Wonders

16. Taste of Testaccio

• Eat your way through Rome’s original foodie neighborhood, exploring the local markets and learning about the area’s history and culture along the way.
• Meeting Point: Piazza Testaccio
• Tour Highlights: Family-owned Italian bakery; cured meat, cheese, and wine tasting; bruschetta and buffalo mozzarella at Testaccio Market; 3 classic Roman pastas at a beloved neighborhood restaurant, and the best gelato in Testaccio.
• Included: All food and drinks.
• Good for kids? Yes, very. Children are booked at a reduced fare.
• Tour Operator: Eating Europe

17. Colosseum Night Walking Tour

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• A fun way to see the sights at night (when they’re cooler and less crowded), and learn some spine-tingling tales of Rome’s past that you won’t read in history books.
• Meeting Point: Piazza Venezia
• Tour Highlights: Palazzo Venezia, Capitoline Hill, Romulus and Remus, Fori Imperiali, Monti, Palace of Pope Borgia, Colosseum.
• Included: Expert story-teller guide.
• Good for kids? For older kids, yes. Some younger kids might like it too, if they can handle some dark material; it’s more grisly than it is scary.
• Tour Operator: More of Rome

18. Catacombs & Underground Rome

• Duration:2.5 hours
• Go underground on this guided tour to two amazing archeological sites: the Basilica of San Clemente and the Catacombs of Santa Domitilla.
• Meeting Point: San Clemente
• Tour Highlights: Subterranean artistic masterpieces from the 2nd century to the 15th century AD, mysterious ancient Christian burial crypt.
• Included: Expert guide, private taxi service between sites, private taxi service back to central Rome at the end of the tour.
• Good for kids? For older kids, maybe. The surroundings and subject matter may be too scary for smaller kids.
• Tour Operator: Livitaly Tours

19. Rome’s Ultimate Free Walking Tour

• Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours
• Twice-daily tip-based walking tour that’s a fun introduction to Roman history, local sightseeing, and the city’s best restaurants and nightlife.
• Meeting Point: Underneath the Porta Flaminia at Piazza del Popolo.
• Tour Highlights: Piazza del Popolo, Mausoleum of Augustus, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Ponte Sant’Angelo, Castel Sant’Angelo, intro to the Vatican and view of St. Peter’s Square.
• Included: Friendly, fun, and knowledgeable guide with a background in history or architecture.
• Small groups of 4 to 15 guests.
• Tour Operator: Rome’s Ultimate
• Where to Stay in Rome
• Best Hotels in Rome for Families

About Santorini Dave

What are the Best Rome Tours for Kids Worth Booking?

Posted on Last updated: April 7, 2024

Home » Destinations » Europe » Italy » What are the Best Rome Tours for Kids Worth Booking?

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Planning a trip to Rome with kids and looking for family-friendly tours? Keep scrolling to check out the coolest Rome tours for kids that we’ve done and loved!

This list of kid-friendly rome tours for families was written by family travel expert marcie cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, i may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog..

My family LOVES to take tours when we travel. It’s great to get whizzed around famous attractions with an expert who can help us avoid long lines while answering a million questions from my kids.

Sometimes it’s hard for us to find the “cool” tours that are actually worth booking. So, I came up with a list of tours that we have personally done (plus a few that our friends have recommended).

Keep scrolling to find out which Rome tours for kids you should consider adding to your Rome itinerary!

Don’t have time to read a bunch of Rome blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting Rome with kids.

Popular Rome Tours/Activities

• Golf Cart Tour (this is a great way to sightsee without having to walk everywhere)
• Skip-The-Line Colosseum for Families Tour (definitely the way to go)
• Rome Gladiator School (seriously, the best Rome activity for my kids)
• Family Vatican Highlight Scavenger Hunt (great way to keep kids engaged)
• Rome Tour for Kids with Gelato & Pizza (tasty tour for families)
• Flytographer photo shoot (they are easy to book and really affordable)

Kid-Friendly Rome Hotels

• Parlamento Boutique Hotel (easy walk to the Trevi Fountain and has free WiFi and A/C)
• Il Campo Marzio (easy walk to Trevi Fountain and Pantheon and has free WiFi and A/C)
• Charme Spagna Boutique Hotel (they have a family suite and have free WiFi and A/C)
• Hotel Scalinata di Spagna (offers free breakfast, A/C, and WiFi)
• Hotel Manfredi Suite in Rome (great location with lots of family rooms, free WiFi and A/C)

14 Amazing Rome Tours for Kids Worth Booking

Our family has been to Rome with kids twice and we’ve done a lot of cool stuff.

Golf Cart Tour of Rome

Rome is a massive city and one of the best ways to visit Rome with kids is with a golf cart tour . You’ll zip around town seeing ancient ruins, Palatine Hill, and top Rome attractions.

Kids love doing these because they don’t have to walk. This is especially great during the summer as Rome is HOT.

We did this when my oldest was a toddler and I was kicking myself that we didn’t book it again now that our kids are older.

You’ll have a Rome tour guide who will explain what you’re seeing. I recommend this private family tour so you’ll have more flexibility on what you see/do. Plus, it comes with gelato! Check the latest rates and availability .

Rome’s Gladiator School

My kids thought that this activity was the highlight of our last trip to Rome! Basically, you spend two hours learning how to be a Roman gladiator at the Rome Gladiator School .

It’s organized by Gruppo Storico Romano, a group that does Ancient Roman reenactments. They are really knowledgeable about what life was like for Roman soldiers and gladiators. Read my full review .

You’ll start off in their gladiator museum, then do some serious gladiator training, and then end with a huge battle in their small arena. It’s a blast for kids and adults! Check the latest rates and availability .

Family Friendly Rome City Private Tour

Sometimes it’s hard to do walking tours with kids because they move so quickly and younger kids can’t always keep up.

That’s why we are big fans of doing a private family tour when we visit cities like Rome.

Private tours allow us more flexibility to go at a comfortable pace and spend more time at attractions we’re interested in (and less time at ones that don’t hold our kids’ interests). Check the latest rates and availability .

Private Family Treasure Hunt in the Vatican Museum

If you’re on the fence about exploring the Vatican Museums with kids, I highly recommend booking this family-friendly Vatican tour for kids .

We did one on our last trip to Rome and I was amazed at how engaged all the kids were when they learned about Michelangelo and then saw the Sistine Chapel. And they were in awe of St. Peter’s Basilica.

This Vatican tour also includes a scavenger hunt and games that will keep kids entertained during this excursion. Check the latest rates and availability .

Book a Family Photo Shoot

Whenever we travel, we almost always book a family photo shoot with Flytographer. They are super easy, affordable, AND guarantee that I’ll be in some photos. You can get $25 off if you book through this link or use the code HAWAIITRAVEL.

Kid-Friendly Colosseum and Roman Forum Tour

When it comes to fun and educational tours of Rome, it doesn’t get much better than a Colosseum tour !

We did one on our last trip and the kids learned SO much about Ancient Rome and the impressive Roman Empire.

This is a great tour of the Colosseum for kids because it includes skip-the-line tickets for both the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Plus, there are games and lots of visuals to keep kids engaged.

Since this is a small group tour, your kids will probably get to hang out with other kids which might be their favorite part! Check the latest rate and availability .

Percy Jackson-Themed Tour of the Capitoline Museums

If you have any Percy Jackson fans (or kids who are mesmerized by Roman gods and mythology) this is the tour for you !

You’ll explore the Capitoline Museums with a master storyteller who will regale you with the coolest stories from Roman and Greek mythology.

This Percy Jackson tour is just 2 hours long, making it perfect for kids of all ages and attention spans. Check the latest rates and availability .

Pizza Making Class for Families

Everyone associates Italy with pizza, so why not learn how to make it?

This is a kid-friendly cooking class where families will learn how to make pizza from scratch using fresh Italian ingredients. And you’ll do it in an authentic pizzeria that has a stone oven.

Kids will love rolling out the dough and parents will enjoy the complimentary wine and limoncello! Check the latest rates and availability .

Illuminated Rome Tour for Kids with Gelato & Pizza

If you’re visiting Rome in the summer, you might want to consider this nighttime walking tour of Rome . You’ll beat some of the daytime crowds but you’ll also escape the unbearable summer heat!

Kids will enjoy treasure hunts, quizzes, photo contests, pizza, gelato, and other cool activities that will keep them engaged so that parents can also enjoy this sightseeing tour .

This tour includes Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Venezia, and many other amazing places in Rome. Check the latest rates and availability .

Get Our FREE Rome Travel Planner

Private caracalla baths & circus maximus tour for kids.

If your kids are really interested in Ancient Roman history and culture, they might want to check out this private tour of the Circus Maximus and Caracalla Baths .

It’s a 2-hour private tour filled with games, reconstructions, and lots of interesting and curious facts about these Roman ruins.

It’s also a great way for kids to learn about construction. You’ll hear about ancient building techniques like how mosaics were made and how they constructed the heating systems, pools and aqueducts. Check the latest rates and availability .

Private Leonardo da Vinci Exhibition Guided Tour

Every major Italian city has a da Vinci museum and Rome is no exception.

Head to the Palazzo della Cancelleria for a private guided tour of its amazing Leonardo da Vinci exhibition . It features some of his unique inventions in the fields of science, aviation, and the military.

It’s helpful to explore with a tour guide so they can answer your kids’ questions (they will have a million, trust me) and explain a bit more about his life and work. Check the latest rates and availability .

Rome to Pompeii and Amalfi Coast Private Tour for Kids and Families

If you’re looking to do a day trip from Rome with kids, this is a cool tour that will take you to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast .

A fully-equipped minibus will pick you up straight from your hotel so you don’t have to deal with trains or buses.

Your guide will take you to see the highlights of Pompeii, a kid-friendly lunch, and then an afternoon in the cute town of Positano.

With tons of games and kid-friendly activities, this is the easiest way for families to do a day trip. Check the latest rates and availability .

Rome to Tivoli Day Trip for Kids & Families

The hillside town of Tivoli is located just north of Rome. It’s renowned for the Roman ruins of Hadrian’s Villa and the grand Italianate gardens of Villa d’Este.

This private tour will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Villa Adriana where your family will learn all about ancient Roman history.

Then you’ll head to Villa d’Este (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to play games, explore the gorgeous gardens, and learn about Italian artists. Check the latest rates and availability .

Welcome To Rome: Immersive Journey Through Rome’s History

If your kids are really interested in learning more about Ancient Rome, this is a really cool multimedia presentation that shows the glory days of the Eternal City.

It’s an immersive experience where they project videos on walls and the ceiling so you feel like you’re actually in Ancient Rome.

The show is also continuous, so you can show up anytime to do it. We love experiences that offer flexibility with kids! Check the latest rates and availability .

Circus Maximus Virtual Reality Game

Another virtual experience in Rome is this Circus Maximus virtual reality game .

It’s open to kids of all ages and you’ll all be outfitted with VR headsets to do this immersive experience. It starts with a virtual walk around Ancient Rome and ends with a chariot race! Check the latest rates and availability .

Family Tours in Rome Italy FAQs

Is rome a good place to take kids.

Yes, Rome is a great city to explore with kids. The city is rich in history and culture, and many of its sites are not only educational but also fascinating for children.

Rome offers numerous family-friendly attractions like the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and the Trevi Fountain. Also, Italian culture is very family-oriented, making it a welcoming place for families with children.

How long do you need in Rome with kids?

I suggest visiting Rome with kids for at least 3 to 4 days. This allows enough time to explore key attractions such as the Colosseum, the Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel, and other historic sites at a leisurely pace.

You could also include some downtime for your kids to play in one of Rome’s beautiful parks or enjoy a gelato.

Is it worth doing guided tours in Rome?

Absolutely, guided tours can be very valuable, especially in a city with as much history as Rome. They can provide greater insights into the city’s history and culture than you might get exploring on your own.

For families, specifically, guided tours designed for children can make history more accessible and engaging for younger minds.

Also, guided tours can help in navigating the city and managing logistics, making the trip less stressful for parents.

What are some top family-friendly attractions in Rome, Italy?

Rome offers several attractions suitable for families, including the Colosseum , the Roman Forum , and the Pantheon . The Explora Children’s Museum , Bioparco di Roma (the city’s zoo), and Villa Borghese park also provide kid-friendly fun.

Are there specific family tours available in Rome?

Yes, there are numerous tour companies that offer family-specific tours in Rome. These tours often include interactive and engaging activities tailored to kids and are led by guides trained to work with children.

What age group are the family tours in Rome suitable for?

Most family tours in Rome are designed for kids aged 6 and up. However, some tours cater to younger children, and many companies can customize tours based on the ages and interests of your kids.

How long do family tours in Rome typically last?

The duration of family tours can vary widely based on the specific tour and the company, but they typically last between 2-4 hours. Full-day tours are also available.

Can we take a stroller on the family tours in Rome?

This largely depends on the specific tour. While Rome’s streets can be cobblestoned and challenging for strollers, many tour operators accommodate families with young children. It’s always best to ask in advance.

Are family tours in Rome conducted in English?

Yes, most tour companies in Rome offer tours in English. Some companies also offer tours in other languages, so it’s worth asking if you have a different preference.

Kid-Friendly Rome Tours Wrap Up

A small-group or private family tour of the Eternal City, featuring the Vatican Museums and the Colosseum, is an enriching experience.

These tours cater to kids and families, making Rome’s historical treasures accessible and exciting.

Whether unveiling the splendors of ancient Rome on a Colosseum tour or navigating the Vatican’s vast art collections, these tours for families create lasting memories, turning your Rome visit into a fascinating adventure that captivates kids and parents alike.

Looking for more Rome family activities? Check out my tips for visiting Italy with kids , 3-day Rome itinerary for families , top Rome travel tips , things to do in Rome with kids , how to become a gladiator for a day , is it worth visiting the Vatican with kids , where to stay in Rome with kids , how to book a Rome family photo shoot , how to spend 10 days in Italy with kids , Europe travel tips , how to plan a trip to Italy , Rome to Pisa Day Tour: Travel Tips & Itinerary  , and best day trips from Rome !

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19 best rome tours of 2024: food, the vatican & more.

These top-rated Rome tours are led by experts who bring the city's history to life.

The Best Rome Tours

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Considered one of the world's best places to visit , Rome offers countless things to do and an endless selection of delicious cuisine. But given the overwhelming crowds and restricted access to ancient sites, it can be difficult to fully enjoy all that Italy's capital has to offer on your own. That's where a guided tour can help.

Based on recent traveler reviews and expert opinion, we've selected the best tours in Rome. Whether you're gliding past the Colosseum on a Segway or savoring Italian wine in the countryside, you'll benefit from fun and informative guides leading the way.

Fat Tire Tours Rome – Rome Day Segway Tour

Price: From 73 euros (around $79) Duration: 3 hours

Hop on a Segway to see the Eternal City's many sights. After receiving your helmet and tuning in to a quick training session, you'll receive a headset to follow the lively commentary from the experienced Fat Tire Tours guide. Along the three-hour ride, you'll glide past sights like Trajan's Forum, Capitoline Hill and more. Plus, you'll don a virtual reality headset during your stop outside the Colosseum that reconstructs the famous arena's past grandeur. Travelers appreciate that Segways make getting around and seeing Rome's sights easier and more fun, especially for families with older teens. Reviewers also appreciate the engaging local guides.

Tours run daily at 9:30 a.m. Participants must be at least 16 years old and weigh between 100 and 260 pounds. Pregnant women are not permitted on this tour. The company also leads a night tour, which visits the city's illuminated monuments after sundown, among other outings.

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LivItaly Tours – Colosseum Underground Tour with Arena, Palatine Hill & Roman Forum

Price: Adults from 159 euros (around $173); kids from 144 euros (around $156) Duration: 3 hours

Enjoy swift entry to the Colosseum underground and see the arena floor, Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum on this small-group tour. LivItaly leads up to six travelers to the restricted lower level of the Colosseum, where dungeons once confined gladiators and their opponents. In three hours, learn about ancient Rome's social order on Palatine Hill and everyday life at the forum. Travelers, especially those with children, agree that having a passionate guide with a deep knowledge of Roman history enriched the experience. Reviewers also appreciate the small size of the tour group.

Tours depart daily at multiple times beginning at 12:15 p.m. Book the company's 90-minute Express Colosseum Underground & Arena Tour if you're short on time.

The Best Rome Colosseum Tours

Laura Itzkowitz April 17, 2024

TopBike Rental and Tours – Ancient Appian Way, Catacombs and Aqueducts Park

Price: From 65 euros (about $71) to 89 euros (about $97) Duration: 4 or 6 hours

Travelers have been using the Ancient Appian Way for 2,300 years and you'll traverse it with a friendly, knowledgeable local on this electric bike excursion. Along the ride, you'll pass archeological sites, Christian catacombs and picturesque Roman aqueducts framing the unspoiled countryside. The tour covers roughly 17 miles, 60% of which requires off-road cycling, so TopBike recommends this tour for intermediate riders. Some tourgoers say you might not even break a sweat though, thanks to the ease of the electric bikes.

Tourgoers can opt for the Short Tour (four hours) or the Plus Tour (six hours), the latter of which follows the same path as the shorter excursion and also includes a guided tour of the Catacombs of St. Callixtus (or Saint Sebastian) and a stop at the Baths of Caracalla. Exact tour departure times vary by season, but you can expect to start around 9 a.m. TopBike also leads cycling tours within the city center.

Gourmetaly – Campo de' Fiori, Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere Rome Food Tour

Price: Adults from 93 euros (around $101); kids from 65 euros (around $71) Duration: 3.5 hours

Tantalize your taste buds on this Rome food tour, which covers three distinct neighborhoods known for their cuisine. As your local guide leads you through the Jewish ghetto, Campo de' Fiori and Trastevere, you'll stop by top-rated food markets, grocery stores, coffee shops, gelaterias and restaurants. Among the food samples included in the tour are fried artichokes, pizza, mozzarella, fresh pasta and gelato. Tours are capped at 12 participants. Reviewers call this a delightful experience thanks to the informative guides who offer an interesting lesson on Roman history, food and culture. They also recommend taking this tour on your first day in Rome to make the most of the guides' recommendations.

Tours are offered several times each day in the morning and afternoon. Note that the afternoon tour does not visit the Campo de' Fiori market (a highlight for many recent tourgoers). In addition to food tours, Gourmetaly also hosts cooking classes.

Eyes of Rome – Colosseum and Roman Forum Tour

Price: Adults from 453 euros (around $491); kids from 35 euros (around $38) Duration: 3 hours

With your private guide leading the way, you'll visit the Colosseum, explore the ancient city along paths that served the Roman Senate and learn the legends of the House of the Vestal Virgins. Tourgoers value the attentive guides who share history and lore in an entertaining way. They also say the tour is well-paced.

Tickets cover pick up at centrally located hotels and skip-the-line admission. Note that prices can vary significantly depending on the number of people in your party. A couple can expect to pay roughly $500 for tickets. Eyes of Rome also conducts private walking tours of the Vatican.

Private Tours of Rome – Vatican & Sistine Chapel Private Tour

Price: From $364 Duration: 3 hours

One of the best tours of the Vatican , this intimate excursion includes skip-the-line access to the complex and a guide who shares the Vatican Museums' top attractions in just three hours. See the artistic highlights in the   Gallery of Ancient Roman Sculptures, the Gallery of Tapestries and famous Raphael paintings. You'll then experience Michelangelo's masterpieces in the Sistine Chapel. Your guide will ensure you see the Pietà   in St. Peter's Basilica, the Apostolic Palace and the famous balcony where the pope delivers his blessings. Travelers praise the excellent guides who tailor the tour to groups' interests and keep children engaged.

Tours operate Monday through Saturday in the morning and afternoon. Ticket prices vary depending on your itinerary and group size. The company suggests you book at least one month in advance to ensure a specialist authorized by the Vatican is available. Private Tours of Rome also offers tours of the Colosseum and the Borghese Gallery, among others.

Courtesy of Roman Food Tours

The Roman Food Tour – Prati By Sunset

Price: Adults from 99 euro (about $107); kids from 90 euros (about $98) Duration: 4 hours

Devoted foodies skip lunch for the more than 20 food and wine pairings on this four-hour evening tour of some of Rome's top eateries. Throughout the tour, you'll feast on gourmet delights, such as homemade pasta, pizza, fresh cheeses and gelato. More importantly, you'll learn tips to enhance your knowledge and pleasure in Italian cuisine. Travelers praise the expertise of the fun guides who explain each dish's origin and quality with gusto.

Tours, which are offered daily multiple times starting at 3:30 p.m. The Roman Food Tour also offers day tours and cooking classes.

Rex-Tours – Rome City Segway Tour

Price: From 79 euros (about $86) Duration: 3 hours

Roll in comfort past many of ancient Rome's major sights on this three-hour Segway tour. Rex-Tours' expert guides lead up to eight travelers for an effortless overview of must-see landmarks, such as Capitoline Hill and the Colosseum. Reviewers applaud the knowledgeable guides who offer a wealth of information without overwhelming travelers. What's more, guides provide restaurant recommendations and tips for making the most of your visit to Rome, according to tourgoers.

The Rome City Segway Tour departs twice daily at 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Travelers also recommend enjoying the company's evening Segway tour if you're visiting during the summer and need a break from the peak daytime heat.

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Eating Europe – Twilight Trastevere Rome Food Tour

Price: Adults from 114 euros (about $123); kids from 81 euros (about $88) Duration: 4 hours

Travelers suggest you skip lunch before this evening walking tour of Trastevere, so that you can savor the street food and sweet treats served at each stop. As you meander through the neighborhood (often compared to New York City's Greenwich Village), you'll enjoy mouthwatering bites of everything from classic supplì , or fried risotto balls stuffed with mozzarella, to porchetta, homemade pasta and gelato. Foodie guides share each chef's story and culinary traditions, along with tips on how to find and make the best Roman cuisine on your own. Reviewers praise the guides for their insider knowledge and gush about the quality of the food and wine featured on the tour.

Tours run daily at multiple times and there is a maximum of 12 people per tour. Eating Europe also operates a tour that explores Testaccio, considered Rome's "original foodie neighborhood."

Rolling Rome – Rome Squares & Fountains Golf Cart Tour

Price: From 100 euros (about $108) Duration: 3 hours

Avoid Rome's congested traffic and keep the family entertained on this three-hour, private golf cart tour of the city. Whizz past major sights in the historical center and piazzas Venezia, Navona and del Popolo, plus the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and more. Since the tour is customizable, you can also ask the guide to take you to lesser-known spots in the city – a highlight for reviewers. Along with the knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides, reviewers appreciate the golf cart's ability to avoid traffic using Rome's narrow back lanes.

Tours, which can accommodate up to seven participants, depart daily at 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. One week's advance reservation is recommended. Rolling Rome also offers daylong golf cart tours, as well as a variety of Segway and electric bike tours.

Food Tours of Rome – Jewish Ghetto and Campo de' Fiori by Night Food Tour

Price: Adults from 89 euros (about $96); kids from 75 euros (about $81) Duration: 4 hours

Combine sightseeing with snacking and drinking on this evening tour of the Jewish ghetto and the Campo Marzio area. Fun, knowledgeable guides make seven stops for food and wine between explaining major historic attractions like Piazza Navona and Campo de' Fiori. Stop in delis, family-run shops and restaurants to sample gourmet cheeses and hams, pasta, espresso, and gelato. First-time visitors especially appreciate this informative introduction to the city and the family-run vendors featured on the tour.

Tours depart nightly at 6 p.m. Food Tours of Rome can accommodate some special diets with advance notice. The company also offers a dessert and sightseeing tour of Rome, among various other options.

What A Life Tours – Skip-the-line Vatican Small Group Tour

Price: Adults from $87; kids from $82 Duration: 3 hours

Travelers say this tour is worthwhile thanks to the personable guides, who bring the history of the Vatican Museums to life. Reviewers also appreciate that groups are capped at 12 participants, which they say creates an intimate experience that fosters engagement between guides and tourgoers. You'll start the three-hour tour with skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums to admire highlights like the Gallery of Maps and the Pinecone Courtyard. Then, you'll head to the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica to marvel at Michelangelo’s Pietà. Along the way, your guide will share commentary that you'll be able to hear via an audio headset.

Tours generally operate Monday through Saturday at 10 a.m.; tours depart at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday. In addition to its variety of Vatican tours, the company also offers tours of the Colosseum and daylong tours of Rome.

Rome's Ultimate Free Walking Tour

Price: Free Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours

According to reviewers, this free walking tour is a great way to start your visit in Rome. During the nearly three-hour stroll, you'll visit several photo-worthy piazzas, the Pantheon, Ponte Sant'Angelo and Castel Sant'Angelo, among other sights. Guides, who have backgrounds in subjects like history and architecture, earn praise from reviewers for their entertaining storytelling and thoughtful restaurant and activity recommendations.

Tours, which are limited to 15 participants, operate twice daily at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. In total, you'll walk less than 2 miles. According to the company, the tour is suitable for travel strollers and wheelchairs. Though the tour is free, it's recommended that you reserve your spot in advance via the company's website (guides do not wait at the departure point unless reservations are booked). At the end of the tour, you can tip your guide based on your experience.

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Courtesy of Secret Food Tours Rome

Secret Food Tours – Rome Food Tour

Price: Adults from 79 euros (about $86); kids from 69 euros (about $75) Duration: 3 to 3.5 hours

Dine your way through the historical center of Rome, visiting cafes, markets and shops for a total of up to seven stops. During the tour, you'll walk through neighborhoods like the Campo de' Fiori and the Jewish quarter with an enthusiastic guide who ties together history and insights about traditional dishes. The focus is on Italian-style dining: savoring the perfect cappuccino, sampling fresh pizzas and homemade pastas, pairing wines with a variety of cheeses, gelato and more. Travelers praise the guides' knowledge of Roman cuisine and the amount and quality of the food.

Tours depart daily at 11 and 11:30 a.m. An additional 5 p.m. tour may be available depending on the day. Private tours are also an option.

The Roman Guy – Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel

Price: Adults from $119; kids from $56 Duration: 3 hours

Hoping to see the Vatican sans enormous crowds? This three-hour tour from The Roman Guy convenes at 7:45 a.m., allowing you to enter the Vatican Museums an hour before they open to the general public. First, relish the tranquil Sistine Chapel, which welcomes upward of 25,000 visitors daily during the summer. Afterward, follow your guide to museum highlights, including Raphael's paintings, the Borgia Apartments and the Gallery of the Maps. Travelers rave about the knowledgeable guides and say the opportunity to see the Sistine Chapel without the crowds is worth the tour price (though reviewers warn that you will still encounter quite a few other tour groups enjoying early access to the site).

Tours are available Monday through Saturday. Groups are capped at 14 people. If you're short on time, consider The Roman Guy's abridged Vatican Highlights tour, which last 2.5 hours.

City Wonders – Tuscan Countryside Day Trip from Rome with 3-Course Lunch & Wine Tasting

Price: Adults from $112; kids from $102 Duration: 12 hours

If you want to visit Tuscany while in Rome, but don't want to drive the approximately 175-mile journey yourself, consider this 12-hour excursion from City Wonders. You'll depart from Rome at 7:30 a.m. via an air-conditioned coach bus to see famous hilltop towns, such as Montepulciano and Pienza. You'll also visit the Renaissance church of St. Biagio before enjoying a three-course lunch and wine pairing in the famed Montalcino. Travelers say guides are informative and thoughtful, giving tourists ample time to explore the towns and take pictures. All agree that leaving the driving to a professional made the trip worthwhile.

Tours are offered daily. City Wonders also offers a variety of tours in Rome, including tours of the Colosseum, the Vatican and the Borghese Gallery.

Through Eternity Tours – Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum & Sistine Chapel: Essential Experience

Price: From 1,345 euros (about $1,458) Duration: 6 hours

Conquer Rome in six hours with Through Eternity Tours. With your skip-the-line tickets , you'll visit the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. Professional, engaging guides – all fluent English speakers – allow you to set the pace, absorbing as much history and archeology as you want at each stop. Travelers say you'll see much more on this half-day tour than you would if you were to visit each site on your own, as guides point out unexpected gems along the way.

Rates can vary considerably depending on the number in your party, and the company offers discounts for students and children. Bring stamina, a water bottle and wear comfortable walking shoes . When you're ready for more, try one of Through Eternity's other tours, such as its evening tour of Rome's piazzas and fountains.

Walks of Italy – Gladiator's Gate: Special Access Colosseum Tour with Arena Floor

Price: Adults from $105; kids from $99 Duration: 3 hours

On this three-hour tour, you'll enter the Colosseum through the "Gladiator's Gate" – the entrance that was once used exclusively for gladiators 2,000 years ago. Once inside, you'll enjoy 360-degree views of the Colosseum on the reconstructed arena floor as your guide shares the gory history of this famous landmark . Then, you'll bypass the lines to tour the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. Highlights include the cremation point of Julius Caesar, senate buildings and the Temple of the Vestal Virgins. Guides win kudos from travelers for their ability to discuss dense history topics in an engaging manner. Reviewers say the tour flies by thanks to the guides' entertaining storytelling. They also appreciate the skip-the-line access to these must-see sights.

Tours, which are capped at 25 participants, are offered three times daily at 9:15 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Rates may vary based on the time of year, and they include all entrance tickets and the use of audio headsets during the tour. Walks of Italy also hosts cooking classes in Rome and organizes day trips to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast.

Maya Tours – Skip-the-Line Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Group Tour

Price: Adults from 45 euros (about $49); kids from 35 euros (about $38) Duration: 2 hours

If you're interested in visiting the Vatican Museums, but don't want to devote more than a couple hours of your Rome vacation to the experience, consider this kid-friendly tour. In addition to skip-the-line access, your guide will show you the must-see artworks, several courtyards and galleries, and the Sistine Chapel. Reviewers praise guides for their interesting and informed commentary (which tourgoers can hear via audio headsets). Parents are particularly impressed with guides' ability to engage children.

Tours are offered Monday through Saturday multiple times in the morning and afternoon. Maya Tours also operates longer, semiprivate tours of the Vatican.

You may also be interested in:

• The Best Hotels in Rome
• The Best Places to Visit in Italy
• The Best Italy Tours + Small-Group Trips
• The Best International Travel Insurance

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Rome Tours With Kids

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Rome Tours With Kids - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Rome and Italy tours for kids and families

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Ciao! My name is Maria, I am an Archaeologist, an official tour guide and a very active 3 years old doughter mom! Rome is a huge and overwhelming city with so many things to see. My goal is to make your vacation in Rome memorable with lots of great moments! I tailor my tours according to your family needs, engaging both parents and children with stories, multimedia tools, fun games and activities. My motto is “each child has his own way to develop and learn, once you find the code you are on an amazing journey”.

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WE KNOW IT TAKES TIME TO FIND TOURS WHICH ENGAGE BOTH YOU AND YOUR KIDS IN A FUN AND INTERESTING WAY. ROME4KIDS’ TOURS MAKES IT EASY – TO GIVE EVERYONE A BREAK! Rome, as with any European city, can be extremely overwhelming especially when you’re travelling with the kids! A holiday should be a holiday for all the family, not just the little ones! So, what’s the solution? Rome for Kids tours! Rome is one of the most fascinating cities in the world – so to visit Rome through the eyes of a local guide who loves and is passionate about the city is really the only way to do it!We take over… so mom and dad can simply relax, and enjoy the ride. We work hard to provide fun and interactive private Family Tours. Our ultimate aim is to instil kids of all ages with a passion for culture which will stay with them forever. Our licensed guides are passionate about providing fun activities for the whole family. During your Rome Family Vacation, you’ll be shocked at the incredible amount that you and your kids have learnt in such a short space of time! We like to interact…. not simply teach or lecture, so we try to tailor our tours to your individual needs and make your stay entertaining for kids and adults alike! In Rome you can literally feel the history – but only a local guide can make what seems to many kids like a bunch of old stones leap to life. Even Goethe had trouble!Goethe: “Tell me you stones, O speak you towering palaces! Streets say a word! Spirit of this place, are you dumb? All things are alive in your sacred walls Eternal Rome, it’s only for me all is still.”Rome 4 Kids tours will make Rome an exciting, visceral experience for everyone, especially the little ones!

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How to Plan the Perfect Family Trip to Rome

Any list of the most visited cities in the world always includes Rome. There's no question why. Full of temples, churches and architectural marvels, Rome is a journey through time. With a history spanning 28 centuries, Rome is one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in Europe, with its entire city center listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. But Rome is also a family-friendly destination today, with plenty of hotels ready to roll out the red carpet to those with points, cash, or a mix of both.

Get ready to hit the cobblestone streets, enjoy gelato to your heart's content and see the marvelous reminders of Rome's days of glory. Here's our guide to everything you need to know to plan your family trip to the Eternal City.

How to Get to Rome

Most flights to Rome arrive at Rome–Fiumicino International Airport (FCO), the eighth-busiest in Europe and the main hub for Alitalia.

Ciampino (CIA) is Rome's second airport, serving mostly inter-European flights and carriers such as Ryanair .

Alitalia offers a number of direct flights to Rome, plus connections via Milan, from several cities in North America. It's a SkyTeam member, so you can earn and spend Delta SkyMiles on its flights. If you are a member of its MilleMiglia mileage program, you can transfer Amex Membership Rewards and Capital One points to your MilleMiglia account.

American Airlines offers nonstop flights to Rome from Charlotte, Chicago O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, New York-JFK and Philadelphia. Put your AAdvantage miles to work and try to find a MileSAAver off-peak economy award for 22,500 AA miles or 57,500 in business one-way (in theory, at least, as business-class saver awards are extremely hard to find at the moment).

United also flies nonstop to Rome from Newark and Washington Dulles. If you're a member of MileagePlus , search for a saver award, which starts at 30,000 MileagePlus miles in economy or 60,000 in business each direction (at least until dynamic pricing kicks in beginning in November 2019).

Norwegian will also fly you nonstop to FCO from Oakland, Los Angeles and Newark.

Related: The Best Way to Get to Italy With Points and Miles

Getting Your Family to the City Center from Fiumicino Airport

Rome's Fiumicino Airport is about 15 miles from the city center. The best, least expensive way for a family to reach the city center is often the Leonardo Express airport train, which runs every 30 minutes between the airport and Termini Station , Rome's downtown train hub. The first train leaves the airport at 6:38am, and the last of the day at 11:38pm. Tickets cost 14 euros per person each way. You can book your tickets in advance at leonardo-express.com .

Related: Best Credit Cards for Travel Expenses

Sometimes, however, it's easier to just hop in a taxi or order an Uber, especially after a long flight with kids in tow. With a fixed taxi rate of 48 euros (about $60) from FCO to the city center, it might also cost about the same as the train, if not less, if you're traveling with two or more kids.

If you have access to Wi-Fi or international data, check the current traffic situation before opting for a taxi or Uber. While the price can be similar to the train, traffic can be a bear. Remember, tipping your driver isn't customary in Rome.

Family-Friendly Neighborhoods

Rome's downtown is fairly small and easily walkable. Some streets are closed to car traffic, and most are cobblestoned.

The Tiber River divides downtown Rome in two, with Vatican City and the Trastevere (literally "Across the Tiber") neighborhood to the west and the neighborhoods to the east, commonly known as Centro Storico or "historical center," home to many major sights including Piazza Navona, the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps and the Fontana di Trevi.

To the east of the Tiber, Campo Marzio is a great, central neighborhood for a home base, as it has the highest concentration of historic sites as well as countless restaurants and cafes. To the west, Trastevere is another family-friendly neighborhood, with its winding, walkable streets and charming boutiques, cafes, bakeries and ice cream shops. Families who want to focus on visits to the Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Basilica will probably want to stay near the Vatican (which is technically its own country, the State of Vatican City.)

Bear in the mind that Rome's historic center tends to be busy and congested into the wee hours of the night, so if you're looking for a more restful, resort-style visit to Rome, stay in a hotel outside of the city center.

Getting Around Rome With Kids

The best way to explore Rome is on foot. If you're traveling with a baby in a stroller , make sure it's equipped with all-terrain wheels, as the cobblestone streets can be rough to navigate. Or just use a baby carrier, if your child is young enough to be worn. Also, make sure everyone in the family is wearing sturdy, comfortable shoes, as you'll inevitably find yourselves walking to most of the major sites.

Public transportation is more of a challenge: Metro stations are limited, but can be a quick way to get from Point A to B. City buses tend to be overcrowded, and you should watch out for pickpockets on them.

Uber is a solid option for travelers who don't speak any Italian (though do learn a few phrases if you can -- here's how). At the higher levels of car service, such as Uber Black, most drivers speak fluent English, which can be helpful when you're feeling overwhelmed. Uber and taxis are also an option for traveling to sights outside of the city center, such as Appia Antica and the catacombs.

Most of the major tourist attractions within Rome aren't terribly far from each other, with shops and restaurants in between. Walking can be a good way to experience the various neighborhoods, with the train or an Uber a good way to get you quickly to a starting point or to rest weary legs at the end of a long day of walking.

How to Avoid Long Lines in Rome

Some of the most popular attractions in Rome, such as the Colosseum and the Vatican, have some of the longest waits. For the most part, waiting in line in Rome means standing outdoors. Don't let your trip be ruined by a long line in the hot Roman sun.

There are a number of ways to avoid the lines, depending on what else is on your list:

Go Old School: Roaming around the front of the Colosseum and Vatican, you'll find folks offering guided tours. At the Colosseum, these can be especially helpful in that those tours are generally allowed to cut the line waiting for tickets, though you'll still need to clear security. These tours can cut a serious amount of time off your wait, but your experience will vary greatly depending on the quality of the tour.

Book Ahead of Time: The Colosseum sells tickets that you can purchase ahead of time to guarantee yourself access. Note that these tickets still require you to book a time slot, as the Colosseum has a restricted daily capacity. The Vatican has a similar advance ticketing option . Searching for Colosseum or Vatican tours online will turn up numerous options.

Buy a Combination Pass: Like many cities, Rome has a variety of combination passes for the various tourist attractions, including other popular options like the Forum, Senate and Palatine Hill. The OMNIA Pass is one that fellow TPG ers have positive experiences with. In some cases, such as the Colosseum, you're still required to book a time slot ahead of time, but after purchasing your pass.

Consider a VIP Tour: VIP Tours are pricier dedicated options that can help cut the lines once you get past the first set of lines. For example, St. Peter's Basilica has private tours available once you pass through the metal detectors. Some of those tours can cut the sometimes lengthy lines to visit the rooftop of St. Peter's Basilica. They're not cheap, but you'll get a guide who speaks your language and will educate you and answer questions while you avoid the long line for the elevators. To find these tours, when you pass through the metal detectors in St. Peter's Square, head toward the restrooms near the base of the steps of the Cathedral.

Finding Good Food in Rome

The easiest way to have a bad meal in Rome is to eat close to a tourist attraction, especially on a main thoroughfare. In fact, that's one of the top mistakes tourists make in Rome , so avoid that pitfall. Now, the food probably won't be horrible, but the Italian food you find near the Vatican is more likely to evoke thoughts of your Olive Garden back home than the best Italy has to offer.

Force yourself to get off the beaten path. Ask your hotel concierge where they eat when they go out, not where they send hotel guests. The more forward a restaurant is with pulling you in, the less likely it is to be a truly memorable meal. If there's a large menu board outside and a "host" cajoling you to join, you'd be well-served to consider another stop.

Venturing off the beaten path can also be rewarding in Rome. For example, Piazza Navona was made popular by the book (and movie) "Angels & Demons." Instead of lingering there with all the other Tom Hanks fans, try wandering a little to the southwest, down the tiny Piazza Pasquino square, which will lead you to a restaurant called Cul de Sac. Hiding in that corner for roughly 40 years, they specialize in cheese, meat and wine, with dozens of varieties of each.

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Best Points Hotels in Rome for Families

There are a variety of points hotels that can work for families, but remember this is a European city where hotel occupancy rules are tough on families. Many hotel rooms simply won't work for families of four. Below is sampling of our favorites, but you'll want to also look specifically for points hotels in Rome for families of four.

Rome Marriott Grand Hotel Flora

Marriott Bonvoy members can book a Double Double Family Room for four with two king beds, starting at 50,000 points plus 174 euros per night. Located on Via Veneto, the boulevard made famous in the '50s as a hangout for the stars and their pursuing paparazzi, this hotel offers rooms that are larger and more comfortable than standard European hotel rooms. The best feature of this hotel is by far its central location: It's just few minutes' walk from Villa Borghese gardens, Spanish Steps and the main shopping streets.

Comfort Hotel Bolivar

Near the Colosseum, the Comfort Hotel Bolivar is a charming boutique hotel housed in a picturesque palazzo. It's a more budget-friendly hotel for families, with award rates starting at 10,000 points for a room for four in low season and 20,000 points per night for high season (May to September). You can transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to Choice at a 1:1 ratio if you need to increase your account balance.

The hotel is smaller, but there are triple and quadruple rooms available. Another key feature: It's on a quieter street, so you can plan on uninterrupted sleep despite being in the heart of the city.

Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria Resort

Rome Cavalieri , a Waldorf Astoria Resort, is outside the city center, so you need to take advantage of the free shuttle bus (departs every hour from 8:30am to 12:30pm and 3:30pm to 8:30pm) to reach the most iconic sights. This splurge of a hotel, however, trades a city-center location for a relaxing, resort-like setting: It's on a 15-acre park on a hilltop in the Monte Mario neighborhood and boasts incredible views of Vatican City.

It's also the only hotel in Rome with a kids club . Family rooms at the Rome Cavalieri consist of two adjoining rooms for a total of 538 square feet, and all essentials for children are available upon request, including child-size bathrobes, small hangers, kettles, cribs, night lights, high chairs, strollers, baby wipes and diapers.

Points required vary per room type and season, but it costs between 65,000 and 80,000 Hilton Honors points per night. The catch is that standard rooms are only rated for three people. Check out our favorite Hilton credit cards for families so you can ramp up your Hilton Honors points balance.

Rent an Apartment With Airbnb or Rental in Rome

If you're traveling with kids and would like a larger space but don't have points available, consider renting an apartment with Airbnb or Rental in Rome . Both companies offer apartments that often cost less than a hotel. In addition to having more space to stretch your legs, you'll also have access to a kitchen, where you can save money and time by prepping a quick breakfast, sandwiches or snacks before you hit the streets.

Related: Tips for Choosing the Right Airbnb for Your Family

Best Time of Year to Visit Rome

Late spring and early fall are the best seasons for traveling in Italy with kids, as that's when you can count on milder temperatures and smaller crowds. However, the week before and after Easter can be busy, especially in and around the Vatican. The tourist season kicks into high gear in mid-June. Throughout the summer, every inch of the city seems to be crawling with visitors.

August is arguably the worst month to visit Rome. Not only do temperatures peak — the average high temperature in August in Rome is 86 degrees Fahrenheit — but many Italians take off the entire month, so some restaurants and shops are simply closed. Additionally, Aug. 15 is a public holiday known as Ferragosto when literally everyone is off.

The best month to visit Rome is October, when the crowds diminish and the weather is usually sunny and warm. Romans love this month, too, which they call " ottobrata romana ," Roman October, and you'll find many locals taking advantage of the wonderful weather with afternoon picnics and evening strolls.

Related: Here are the Best Times to Visit Italy

Bottom Line

Rome is absolutely worth a visit, but you need to be strategic. Remember to make online ticket purchases in advance when you can (or contact your hotel concierge), pack for the heat in the summer, get up early to beat the crowds and be prepared to eat your weight in gelato.

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Best of Rome Family Trip in a Week | 7-Day Itinerary

Take this luxury Rome family trip with your loved ones and have the bonding experience of a lifetime. This private tour of Rome has been designed by our family travel experts to include cultural highlights and immersive activities that appeal to all ages. It includes iconic, only-in-Italy experiences such as touring the highlights of the Eternal City and the Vatican City , and even cooking pizza and gelato with an Italian master chef. One day, take a private excursion to Southern Italy for a tour of the ruins of Pompeii and the spectacular Amalfi Coast all while staying at one of Rome top hotels. The itinerary can be fully customized according to each family member's interests and to include additional destinations throughout Italy.

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Welcome to the Eternal City of Rome

The Rome Family trip starts with a private arrival transfer to hotel for 6 nights. The rest of the day is free to settle into your hotel located right in the heart of the city and just steps from the major landmarks.

Rome private golf cart tour

The tour of Rome by golf cart is the best way to get around the Eternal City without walking; making it the perfect choice anyone who wishes to see Rome’s top sights & unique hidden gems in a short amount of time. Your friendly driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you through the most beautiful sites and alleys of the historical center including the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain and more while comfortably seated in a quiet and eco-friendly golf cart. The tour is absolutely flexible: you can stop at each site and take your time or just drive by while taking pictures.

Rome private Borghese Gallery tour & pizza and gelato making class

Located in the 17th century private residence of Cardinal Borghese the Gallery is one of the most spellbinding art museums in the world. During your visit, you'll see all of the rooms and even have time to delve into the stories behind the artworks. Following the private guided tour, an Italian celebrity chef awaits you in his professional kitchen. The talented chef will follow you step-by-step and teach you the art of Italian pizza and gelato making from scratch. When everything is ready, you will enjoy tasting the magic of your very own pizza and gelato creations.

Private excursion to Pompeii & Positano

Today discover the ruins of Pompeii with a friendly and knowledgeable guide, enjoy a scenic Amalfi Coast drive and wander the streets of Positano on this fun packed private day trip from Rome.

Ancient Rome private tour

In the company of an art historian, classicist, or archaeologist experience firsthand the key places that played a role in the city’s rich history. Enter the Colosseum and learn about its exciting history and the entertainments that went on within its walls. Walk amongst the monumental ruins of the Roman Forum the heart of Roman daily life littered with temples.Finally explore the rich and eclectic art collections of the Capitoline Museums the oldest public museums in the world.

Vatican City private tour

In the company of an art historian, learn the stories behind the artistic masterpieces that grace the Vatican galleries and the characters that inspired them. Our specially-designed itinerary picks and chooses the very best of the 9 miles of art and antiquities to make sure you are engaged and entertained throughout, while not missing any of the gems and, of course, the Sistine Chapel and the Basilica, the largest example of Christianity.

Goodbye Roma

Today it is time to say "arrivederci" to beautiful Rome—until you return again! Our driver will whisk you to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay in Italy.

Itinerary Highlights

• Discover the highlights of Rome on a private golf cart tour
• Delve into baroque art at the Borghese Gallery
• Recreate pizza and gelato on a private cooking class
• Absorb the history of Pompeii and the beauty of the Amalfi Coast during a private excursion
• Explore Rome’s ancient past with a private tour of the Colosseum
• Enjoy a private tour of the Vatican City
• Unwind as we manage all of the details so you can fully experience your Rome family trip

Private Trip Pricing & Availability

• Prices start from €6650,00 per person, based on double occupancy in 4-star hotels and for travel in low season (excluding flights).
• The final price of your trip will vary on the itinerary itself, along with factors such as your hotel choices, your travel dates and the number of travelers in your party.
• This Rome Family Trip departs daily on a private basis. With no fixed dates or set schedules, you can travel whenever you want and customize the itinerary to your interests.

What Is Included

• Customized travel planning for your style
• Luxury family-friendly accommodation throughout
• Privately guided family tours
• Private transfers
• Full support from your travel advisor
• Our help with restaurant recommendations and reservations

What Is Not Included

• International or domestic airfare
• Travel insurance
• Local city tax for overnight stays
• Meals & beverages not mentioned in itinerary
• Tips & gratuities (optional)
• Personal expenses
• Anything not expressly mentioned as included

Accommodation Options

When it comes to accommodations, there is no one size fits all. For your bespoke trip, you can choose your hotel from our handpicked selection below or we’ll make personalized suggestions based on your preferences.

Vetted options for family-friendly hotels in Rome

4-star Hotel Martis Palace | Family rooms | Set within walking distance of most of Rome's main sights 5-star Rocco Forte Hotel De La Ville | Luxurious rooms | A 2-min walk from the Spanish Steps

Booking Procedure

• Start Filling out Our Quick Trip Inquiry Form After submitting the trip request we match you with one of our local specialists who will assist you with travel consultation.
• Work out the Trip Plan Together Do you like this Best of Rome Family Trip but prefer to customize it? As always, the sample itinerary can be tweaked and personalized. Your dedicated travel specialist will put together a tailor-made trip based on your input and our first-hand experiences and knowledge.
• Book Your Trip Once you’re 100% happy with the custom travel plan, you can book your trip via our secure payment system. For information on payments, we’ve included answers to the most frequently asked questions —with shortcuts to direct you to the right place.

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Best Tours In Rome For Families | Rome With Kids

Best Tours in Rome for Families – When traveling to Rome with kids, there are a few things you should keep in mind. The city is full of historical landmarks, beautiful churches and squares, and delicious food. But it can also be quite crowded and noisy. That’s why it’s a good idea to take some time out from the hustle and bustle of the city and explore some of the best tours Rome has to offer for families. Here are our top picks!

Check Out The Best Tours in Rome for Families

The colosseum tour for families.

The Colosseum Tour is a must for kids and adults alike. It’s one of the most iconic buildings in Rome, and it’s been standing here for thousands of years. This tour starts with a visit to the Roman Forum where you’ll learn more about ancient Rome along with your guide. In addition, you’ll also get to see the Arch of Constantine and the Temple of Venus.

The most exciting part is, of course, visiting the Colosseum itself. If you’re brave enough, your guide will let you see if you can handle the sword they use to reenact a gladiator fight! You’ll also walk through some tunnels that were used by actual gladiators and lions!

This tour can get a little long, so if you’re traveling with kids, it’s good to bring some snacks along. As far as souvenirs go, this one is perfect for your kids because they’ll love bringing home a miniature sword from the reenactment at the Colosseum!

Vatican Museum Tour for families

The Vatican Museum Tour with children is a unique experience for any family visiting the Eternal City. It’s one of those must-do experiences you’ll never forget. The tour includes visits to St. Peter’s Basilica and Sistine Chapel, both of which are full of beautiful works by Michelangelo. This tour, you can skip the lines so you’ll still get to see all of the most important works in one day.

If your family is interested in art and Catholic history, then this Vatican Museum Tour is perfect for you. In addition to visiting the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica where many other famous works of art are on display, you can also visit the Museums and walk through the Vatican Gardens.

Another highlight besides seeing the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica is seeing Michelangelo’s famous work: The Pieta. This statue depicts Mary cradling Jesus’ body after his crucifixion, and it was sculpted by him when he was only 23 years old.

Espresso and Gelato Tour of Rome for Families

On this tour, your kids will learn about the origins of Italian gelato, and why it’s different from American ice cream. While tasting 5 flavors in 5 different shops throughout Rome, your kids will love the company of this entertaining guide who will make them laugh while teaching them about culture and history!

This tour does not visit any museums or churches since they are usually crowded with school groups. Instead, you’ll get to taste some of the most famous gelato in Rome and try different flavors along with their history. After this tour, your kids will be able to make a great Gelato vs Ice cream comparison and definitely want to eat more gelato when they get home!

If your family loves art and architecture then no further research is needed to book a tour of the Colosseum, Palatine Hill and Roman Forum. You’ll visit three sites full of history and works by famous painters and architects. Along with visiting the main landmarks in Rome, you’ll also get to see hidden passageways that were used during gladiator times!

Tapsy Classic Rome tour for Family

This tour is absolutely ideal for any family that loves history, art, and architecture! It visits some of the most beautiful churches in Rome so you’ll get to see stunning works from the likes of Bernini and Caravaggio.

In addition, you’ll also get to see several fountains including one by Gian Lorenzo Bernini called Fontana del Tritone, which is inside of the Barberini Palace. As if that wasn’t enough, you’ll also get to see Trajan’s Column and Market where you can buy anything from religious items to souvenirs!

It starts at St Peter’s Basilica where your guide will tell you about this incredible piece of architecture before visiting the Sistine Chapel. After that, you’ll get to see the spectacular fountains of Bernini and Caravaggio before visiting some of Rome’s most beautiful churches. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities for shopping!

The Best Way to See Rome With Kids

Finally, there’s a way to see all of the most important places in Rome from the comfort of one bus. It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling with kids or not because this Rome tour for families is a great deal! Your ticket includes unlimited rides on public transport in Rome and entrance fees to many museums around town.

There’s no better way to spend time with your kids than seeing Rome from an open top bus! So, what are you waiting for? Book this Rome family tour now and take the whole family to Italy!

These are just a few of the many tours available for families traveling to Rome. Whether you’re looking for Vatican Tours, Colosseum Tours, or something else entirely, there’s a tour that will bring your family to all of the best attractions in this amazing city without driving you crazy with crowds or having to drive yourself around.

Rome is a city that has captured the hearts and minds of people for centuries. From ancient ruins to modern attractions, there’s something here for everyone who visits! Whether you are traveling solo or with your family, we have compiled our list of best tours in Rome for families so that you can get the most out of your time spent exploring this monumental city.

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The Best Colosseum Tours For Families Coming To Rome

If you are looking for the best Colosseum tours for families planning on visiting Rome, Italy then you should check out these recommendations while you plan.

Crowds All Day

When you are visiting Rome, Italy for the first time with your family, you probably have visiting the Colosseum on your short list of things to do, and you should. There are, however, a few things that you will want to consider when planning your tour, and these recommendations are here to help.

Tips For Families Visiting The Colosseum

There are a few things you will need to remember when you are visiting the Colosseum in Rome and it is even more important if you have a large family because the costs are multiplied. For example:

Plan Ahead – Tickets for the Colosseum go fast, so be sure to order them online once you know your travel schedule. I have a guide for Buying Tickets For The Colosseum , Palatine Hill And Roman Forum that I think will help.

Don’t Underestimate The Summer Heat – This goes for the entire family because touring outdoors in the summer heat can be difficult, so be sure to bring water, a hat and wear loose clothing.

Bring Identification For The Entire Family – Rome has now been putting the visitor’s names on the tickets to cut down on the abuses of the past, but you will need to bring your passports when you try to enter.

Is The Colosseum Child Friendly?

The child friendliness of the Colosseum depends on the age of your child. For example, if your child is in a stroller, it is possible, but much more difficult to navigate around the Colosseum. There are elevators, but you could get separated from your group and even though it is an oval, you might lose your group, which would be problematic.

If your child is out of a stroller and can climb stairs, then you shouldn’t have any problems staying with your group and enjoying the tours. The only obstacle I found was when we toured the upper levels of the Colosseum, because the stairs are quite high. There aren’t a lot of them, but they are a bit of a workout.

Underground Tours

Is It Better To Do A Guided Tour Of The Colosseum?

The most important part of a great tour is a knowledgeable tour guide. The best guides can make history come alive and make the seemingly uninteresting relevant to today. The Colosseum is an archeological site in the center of one of the most important cities on Earth over the last 2,000 years. Surely there is something you can learn from a guide.

From my experiences (I’ve paid for four different tours over the years) paying for a tour guide is definitely worth it. You can do a self-guided tour, but I have enjoyed the knowledgeable tour guides every time. This isn’t a place to save money.

How Long Is A Guided Tour Of The Colosseum?

You should expect that a tour, like the Colosseum Night Tour, will last around an hour to an hour and a half just to tour the Colosseum. If you plan on taking a lot of pictures, then your experiences may differ. If you have a bundled ticket that includes tours of the Roman Forum and Palatine, then you will be there for at least 4 to 5 hours, but you will want to add a little more time for food and water between the individual sites.

How To Get Free Tickets For Kids To The Colosseum?

Entry to the Colosseum is free for visitors who are younger than eighteen years of age. Visitors who are under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Children under the age of 18 will be allowed to enter together with paying adults on the same date and at the same time indicated on the ticket and they will be able to collect their free ticket after passing the security checks, directly at the ticket office inside the Colosseum.

Our Informative Tour Guide

Your other option is to take advantage of the free entry available to everyone on the first Sunday of every month, but as you might imagine, it is quite popular on those days, and entry might be difficult to get.

Can You Do The Colosseum Without A Tour Guide?

You can get a basic ticket for €16 that only allows you access to the Colosseum. I do recommend, however, that you consider a guided tour, either from the Colosseum staff or from one of the many great tour companies that I’ve linked to here. There are times to save money, but I don’t believe this is one of them. I’ve taken four different tours over the years and I enjoyed each and every one, and I learned something new every time.

What Is The Best Colosseum Tour To Take With Your Family?

As I’ve mentioned above, I would not recommend doing a self-guided tour, so one of the options you have are the tours run by the Colosseum staff, like these:

Colosseum, Roman Forum And Palatine – Full Experience

Forum Pass Super Additional Fee For “Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine-24h Ticket” Holders

The Night Tour ( Luna Sul Colosseo )

Night Might Not Be Best For Children

If you want to look at an external tour group that you can be confident with, I would recommend checking out Viator’s website and consider these:

Skip the Line : Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Tour

Expert Guided Tour of Colosseum Underground, Arena and Forum

Colosseum VIP Access with Arena and Ancient Rome Tour

Colosseum with Arena Access and Ancient Rome Tour

More Information About Colosseum Tours, History And Visiting Rome

If you enjoyed this article about taking a tour of the  best Colosseum tours for families , or at least found it useful, here are some other posts that you should check out before you finish you vacation planning for your visit to Rome, Italy:

• The  Colosseum At Night  Tour Is A Worthwhile Experience.
• 12 Amazing  Secrets Of The Colosseum  In Rome.
• The  Ancient Roman Colosseum  Is Definitely Worth Visiting.
• FAQ About  Buying Tickets For The C o losseum , Palatine Hill And Roman Forum.
• Nero’s Golden Palace  Was Not Loved.
• The  Forum of Augustus  – History, Tours and Tickets.
• Beautiful Places In Rome, Italy  That Shouldn’t Be Missed.
• Colle Oppio Park  Is Great For Budget Family Travel in Rome.
• Is The Roma Pass Worth It ? This Guide Will Help You Decide.
• The Palatine Hill In Rome  – This Is Your Guide.

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