I needed our go to to the Everlasting Metropolis to be enjoyable for all, however I knew it was going to be a ‘totally different sort of enjoyable’ with our three yr outdated. Listed below are just a few phrases of warning when you’re planning on visiting Rome with a toddler anytime quickly.
I knew we’d be comfortable with the pasta, gelato and alternatives for operating round in museums and piazzas, however I used to be barely nervous about the remainder of it.
Would we be comfortable with a pram on the cobbled streets? Was the queue for the Vatican going to be ridiculous? Would he be okay out and about all day lengthy? How will a toddler deal with the Colosseum? Are there any toddler pleasant actions in Rome?
Seems I didn’t really want to fret about all of that however I did decide up just a few suggestions all through the expertise. And I do know that figuring out what not to do could make your journey way more pleasurable. Listed below are the highest errors to keep away from when visiting Rome with a bit one in tow – so you may concentrate on reminiscences not meltdowns.
1. Don’t go to Rome within the peak summer time months
Rome will get scorching, and really busy. Particularly in 2025 because it’s the Jubilee yr for the Pope. After visiting on a weekend in February, I’d strongly advise you to keep away from these summer time months when you can. The busyness simply makes it all of the extra annoying to get round with a pushchair. It additionally means longer queues at sights, and craziness on the eating places.
We loved sunshine and contemporary, crisp air on our February journey. We did handle to sit down exterior for some meals, however might’ve been a level or two hotter.
As you may see, we had been superb wandering round in jumpers.
2. Don’t take a crappy pushchair
I debated taking our pushchair in any respect as he’s superb strolling, but when the chair is there, he’s so much happier. I used to be SO glad I did take it ultimately, because it simply meant we knew precisely the place he was always and we walked far.
He’s a piece and it will’ve made the journey harder if we needed to carry him spherical all over the place.
Only a phrase of warning although, there are cobbled streets and tons of stairs at The Coloseum and The Vatican Metropolis so convey a child provider or rucksack when you can. Additionally, Rome Airport is a mission!
Convey a sturdy pushchair that’s straightforward to manoeuvre.
3. Don’t attempt to do an excessive amount of
Rome is full of must-see sights, however making an attempt to cram too many in in the future will result in an overtired and cranky toddler.
Plan for one or two important actions – I’m going to put up our itinerary subsequent week – and permit loads of downtime for snacks, naps, and playtime.
I’d undoubtedly suggest making a tough plan although, as you don’t wish to be turning up and becoming a member of lengthy queues. We purchased queue jumps for the Vatican, and for the Colosseum, though on that exact day we didn’t want them as there have been barely any queues very first thing within the morning.
Nonetheless price it for the peace of thoughts earlier than although.
Our 8am Vatican tickets had been truly a little bit of a mistake in hindsight. It meant we needed to get up tremendous early because of the time distinction and on the primary day, that wasn’t a good suggestion. It did imply we might return to the house in the course of the day for a relaxation although.
4. Don’t anticipate child’s menus
Eating places can do kiddy parts.
We didn’t discover any youngsters’s menus on our meals out, however you may ask for a half portion of the principle and be charged about 60-70%. Our son loves pasta and gnocchi so this was no drama.
I don’t keep in mind seeing any highchairs although, you may wish to convey a conveyable one. Reggie is completely completely satisfied in a chair so we had been superb.
We did convey snacks however Italy’s delicacies is ideal for toddlers, with breads, pizza, doughy delights and all of the fruit being excellent for a weekend.
We didn’t have any points consuming at round 6:30pm to 7. There have been loads of locations to select from open, though sure, typical eating time in Italy is later when you’re planning on fancier eating places than us.
5. Don’t ebook your lodging too far out
We booked an house just some minutes from the Vatican and the Castel Sant’Angelo, which turned out to be excellent.
I spent ages making an attempt to determine which might be finest for us, in our funds, and in a location we might afford. I’d examine Trastevere, however all over the place was twice the value. This suited us completely and meant we might return to sit back in the course of the day.
It was additionally not far away from an airport bus too, which we used for the way in which again and saved about €70.
6. Don’t skimp in your lodging
I knew I needed someplace with two rooms, within the centre, comfortable beds, and with breakfast included. After quite a lot of looking out and researching I booked the Cola Suites Flats.
We paid €408 / £336 for 3 nights right here.
It was excellent. I truly don’t have any complaints. The workers had been nice and replied rapidly, and it was not far away from some nice eating places too. It was walkable from the Trevi Fountain touristy space, and from the Vatican Metropolis.
Having the 2 rooms (a sofabed within the lounge, and a double mattress within the bed room) meant we had a ways and Reggie cherished having a large mattress to roll round on. The little kitchen was helpful, they usually purchased us a banquet day-after-day for breakfast.
It was nice!
7. Don’t depend on public transportation
This was truly my second time in Rome, and I keep in mind from earlier than that Rome’s buses and metro might be crowded and unreliable. Apparently they’re not buggy-friendly pleasant.
Public transport is beneficial for longer distances, however strolling is the easiest way to get round with a toddler.
We tried to make use of a bus, twice. And failed. We had been stood on the cease, the bus got here, nevertheless it didn’t cease both time, and nobody obtained off. We waited for the subsequent one, put our arm out. Similar factor.
We obtained an Uber as an alternative, which after all, was a lot simpler and never even that costly.
8. Don’t neglect to plan breaks
As I’ve mentioned, we went residence round noon on two days, simply to sit back for an hour or so.
Rome has unimaginable museums and you may undoubtedly keep out all day however we had been drained! All that sightseeing once we’re each simply used to sitting at residence all day working all day was so much.
Can’t consider I’m out of form travelling!
With solely three days within the metropolis we didn’t get to take a look at all the kid-friendly locations I had on my checklist however interactive experiences like Villa Borghese’s Bioparco (Rome’s zoo) and the Orange Backyard (Giardino degli Aranci) are apparently nice locations for them to run round.
Reggie simply cherished exploring the piazzas and fountains, and we did do a hop on hop off tour simply so we might all sit down. But it surely was fairly shoddy, and undoubtedly not price what we paid for it (€40) as we didn’t do the entire loop.
9. Don’t miss Explora, the child’s museum
We had a fantastic three hours at Explora although. I’m actually glad I included it on our Rome itinerary.
There are a great deal of totally different areas right here masking all types of aspects of human life and play. There are workshops happening all day, crafts, you are able to do a radio present, drive a prepare, store within the kiddie grocery store – and extra.
There’s additionally a (little) park exterior, and a restaurant and restaurant too. You’ll need to ebook onto particular occasions however I couldn’t work the web site so simply turned up and it was superb.
One other advantage of getting into February!
10. Don’t miss the raise at The Vatican
Reggie has a factor for lifts, however this raise was very particular. I gained’t destroy in, discover it and see what you assume!
11. Beware the primary Sunday of the month
Many museums are free on the primary Sunday of the month in Rome. An exquisite scheme, I agree. However, it did imply that the queues had been simply loopy. We’d sauntered alongside to the Fortress Sant’Angelo anticipating to pay our €9 and get in on our last morning, however no, there was an enormous winding queue. I estimated it to be round 3 hours lengthy.
Name me moneybags however I’d fairly have simply paid the cash.
We didn’t have that a lot time so we wandered alongside the Tiber River and crossed the bridges back and forth.
12. Don’t underestimate the ability of an Aperol Spritz break
Oh, could the pope bless Aperol Spritz breaks.
I had an exquisite hour whereas Ben went into the Pantheon and Reggie and I sat folks watching and consuming aperitivo crisps whereas I drank an Aperol Spritz. That’s the way in which to get pleasure from Rome!