Taking the kids on a whirlwind, action packed vacation to Italy: is it a good idea? It’s time to find out! After all, it’s a big country with plenty of cities and towns to explore – that sounds like a lot of fun for all ages!
However, if you’re coming from as far as the USA, it’s going to cost a pretty penny to reach this particular European tourist paradise. It’s only natural that you’d want to know ahead of time if it’ll be worth it to bring the kids along, or if it’ll only be a lot of trouble for barely any enjoyment at all.
That’s why we’ve put this list together. Italy is an amazing vacation spot, no matter where you go. But if you want to plan an amazing family trip, where should you head specifically? Here’s a little list of some of the best places in Italy to explore with the kids.
Rome
The capital of the country itself, Rome is one of the best places in all of Italy to take the kids. It’s one of the most famous cities in the world, period, but it’s also a lot of fun no matter what age you are. If you’re alive right now, you’ve heard of Rome, and you’re going to love being there!
The streets can be a bit hard for young children, and if you’ve got a pram, but otherwise it’s a lovely choice. After all, Rome is pretty famous for the food that’s on offer; get the kids some authentic Italian pizza with all the toppings and have a fun afternoon sitting outdoors in the blazing sun. Just make sure you pack plenty of sunscreen! When you’re finished with lunch, you can stroll around the shops and pick up some tasty gelato to dig into.
Florence
Florence is set in the beautiful Tuscan countryside, so going just outside of the city promises you green fields and rolling hills. This is great for taking the kids through, as it provides plenty of outdoor recreational time away from the busy city. You can pack a picnic in the hotel in the morning and even spend the whole day out there if you’d like!
Florence is also good for artistic and creative kids; if your pint sized human loves sketching or painting or using their crayons, there’s quite a few art galleries to check out. The most famous of these is the Uffizi. If you’d like to check it out, be sure to get there early to beat the crowds, otherwise you’ll be in the queue for what feels like years!
Venice
If you’ve got older kids (mainly above toddler age), Venice is a good place to try for a vacation. It’s an old and interesting city, and it’s very walkable, so you won’t have any teenagers complaining about their legs and feet being tired!
It’s a good destination for active kids, as you can ride gondolas through the canals all over the city, but you can also take classes to try and pilot a gondola yourself. There are also a couple of beach resorts nearby that you should check out; spending a few days at the beach and on the coast is always a fun vacation activity.
Milan
Milan is a gorgeous city, and if you’re bringing the kids along, you’re going to have a great time together! If you’re not visiting the city alone, you can stop off at a luggage storage Milan center near a train station, then spend a good day exploring the place and everything it has to offer.
Milan has plenty of museums and historic buildings, most of which are free to enter. You can enrich your children’s lives through visiting these, and then when you’re done there’s plenty of free space (even in the middle of the downtown areas!) to run around and waste a bit of energy. When you’re all tired out, you can stop for lunch in one of the various cafes lining the high streets, which the kids will definitely love!
Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast might not instantly strike you as a good place for families with young kids, but it might be one of the most family friendly destinations on the whole list. The coast itself is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and the kids are going to be wonderstruck, no matter how old they are. As an adult, you also may find the scenery a little overwhelming!
In the meantime however, you can explore any of the various little towns along the coast, picking up local food and gossip as you go. If your child loves making new friends just as much as you do, they’re going to find Amalfi a great place to be.
Catania
Catania is a southern Italy option, and just like the Amalfi Coast, it’s good for those families who love being near the water and everything that involves. From spending time at the beach to trying your hand at sailing to going on boat tours of coastal cliffs and caves, there’s a lot for kids to marvel at.
Catania is also a pretty affordable place out of all the others on this list, so any pocket money you’ve handed your children is going to go far. If they want to take home as many souvenirs as possible, try out a few of the local gift shops. You’ll also come across a pretty imposing landscape in terms of old houses and castles, so if your kid is a history lover or enjoys their fairy tales, they’re going to love spending time here.
Italy is a great place for families to go on vacation! You can head to a number of different places throughout the country and find a lot of variety in the activities you can try out. Some will be a bit pricey, but most are low cost and even free to try out. So feel free to plan such a vacation!
