Piazza San Marco, Venice
The 10 best places to visit in Italy for families have an extraordinary blend of ancient history, lively culture, and child-friendly adventures that create unforgettable memories for every generation.
Whether exploring medieval castles that spark young imaginations or discovering underground cities preserved by volcanic ash, Italy transforms family travel into an educational adventure. The warmth of Italian hospitality ensures you and your loved ones feel welcomed everywhere. From gladiator training in Rome's ancient amphitheaters to gelato-making classes in Florence's Renaissance-era streets, the country offers immersive experiences that allow children to become active participants in Italy's rich history.
Our destination specialists design every journey with care, insight, and personal attention. As you consider a visit to Italy with those closest to you, use the following information as a guide before connecting with our travel experts to help you plan your trip.
Rome, Italy
Rome transforms every family member into an explorer, where ancient ruins become playgrounds for imagination and legendary stories come alive through interactive experiences. This eternal city offers the perfect blend of education and entertainment, where your children can walk in the footsteps of gladiators while you marvel at architectural masterpieces that have inspired humanity for millennia. The city's layers of history create natural scavenger hunts, while modern amenities ensure comfort as you navigate cobblestone streets and ancient monuments.
Living History AdventuresRome's family appeal was forged through hundreds of years of civilization, creating the world's greatest outdoor classroom, where every monument tells stories that will capture young minds.
Experience Rome's sensory richness, where ancient stones tell stories while the aroma of fresh pizza and gelato creates irresistible family moments.
Discover Rome's most family-friendly experiences through activities designed to engage your children while satisfying your curiosity about one of humanity's greatest civilizations.
Recommended length of stay: 3-4 days
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy
Florence will enchant your family with Renaissance splendor made accessible. Your children will discover artistic treasures while you witness humanity's greatest cultural flowering. This compact city offers the perfect scale for family exploration, where every palazzo and piazza tells stories of creativity, innovation, and beauty that shaped the modern world. The city's walkable center transforms sightseeing into adventure, while hands-on workshops ensure art appreciation becomes active participation rather than passive observation.
Renaissance Family LegacyFlorence's appeal stems from its role as humanity's artistic laboratory, where the Medici family's patronage created a city designed to inspire wonder in visitors of all ages.
Immerse your family in Florence's artistic atmosphere, where every sense engages with Renaissance beauty and contemporary family-friendly innovations.
Experience Florence's most engaging family activities through programs designed to make Renaissance culture accessible and exciting for all ages.
Recommended length of stay: 3-4 days
The Grand Canal in Venice, Italy
In fairy-tale Venice, your children will experience a city that rises from water while you marvel at architectural achievements that defy natural laws. This unique destination offers adventure at every turn, from gondola rides through secret canals to treasure hunts across ancient bridges, creating shared discoveries. The city's compact scale and pedestrian-only policy make exploration safe and engaging for children, while its preserved medieval character sparks imagination about knights, merchants, and maritime adventures.
Maritime Magic Through the AgesVenice's family appeal was created through centuries of maritime power and cultural sophistication that transformed a lagoon settlement into Europe's most enchanting city for children and adults.
Surrender to Venice's otherworldly beauty, where every bridge and canal creates new discoveries for families seeking adventure in the world's most unique city.
Discover Venice's most family-friendly experiences through activities that transform sightseeing into adventure while respecting the city's fragile beauty.
Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days
Castello Maniace in Siracusa, Sicily
Syracuse has an extraordinary concentration of ancient wonders. Discover Greek theaters and Roman ruins while you witness the birthplace of Western mathematics and science. This historic city offers perfect accessibility for family exploration, with flat streets connecting archaeological parks to Baroque squares containing gelato shops and puppet theaters. The city's position on Sicily's eastern coast provides stunning sea views and swimming opportunities that balance cultural discovery with beach relaxation.
Ancient Foundations for Modern FamiliesSyracuse's family appeal was established over 2,700 years ago, when Greek colonists created one of the ancient world's most powerful and cultured cities, leaving monuments that continue to inspire young minds.
Experience Syracuse's layered beauty, where ancient stones meet sparkling seas, while traditional markets and modern family amenities create the perfect vacation balance.
Discover Syracuse's most engaging family experiences through activities that make ancient history accessible, while providing modern comforts and entertainment.
Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days
Monterosso in the Cinque Terre, Italy
Cinque Terre dishes up spectacular natural beauty and a car-free environment, where five ancient villages perched on dramatic cliffs offer the perfect combination of outdoor adventure and cultural discovery. This UNESCO World Heritage coastline provides endless opportunities for family exploration, from scenic train journeys connecting colorful towns to hiking trails that reveal breathtaking Mediterranean vistas. The region's isolation preserved traditional ways of life, while its compact scale makes it perfectly manageable for families with young adventurers.
Coastal Heritage Preserved for FamiliesCinque Terre's appeal stems from centuries of isolation that preserved medieval charm and created communities where traditional life continues at a pace perfect for family exploration.
Immerse yourself in Cinque Terre's sensory beauty, where every village offers different perspectives on the timeless relationship between land and sea.
Experience Cinque Terre's most family-friendly adventures through village-by-village exploration that reveals each community's unique personality and natural setting.
Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days
Sirmione Castle on Lake Garda, Italy
Italy's largest lake creates endless opportunities for relaxation and adventure. This stunning alpine lake offers something for every family member, from medieval castles that spark young imaginations to crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and water sports. Lake Garda’s position between mountains and plains creates diverse landscapes and microclimates that support everything from olive groves to snow-capped peaks, while charming lakeside towns provide family-friendly restaurants, gelato shops, and pedestrian-friendly promenades.
Alpine Lake Heritage for All AgesLake Garda's family appeal was shaped by its strategic position connecting alpine and Mediterranean cultures, creating a destination where Roman ruins, medieval castles, and modern attractions coexist harmoniously.
Experience Lake Garda's diverse beauty, where crystal-clear alpine waters meet Mediterranean vegetation and family-friendly towns provide perfect bases for exploration.
Discover Lake Garda's most family-friendly experiences through activities that combine natural beauty, historical exploration, and modern entertainment options.
Recommended length of stay: 3-4 days
Ruins of Pompeii in Naples, Italy
Naples offers families an authentic Italian experience where vibrant street life, incredible cuisine, and proximity to legendary archaeological sites create unforgettable adventures. This dynamic city serves as the perfect base for exploring some of the world's most famous ancient ruins, while its historic center provides endless discoveries through narrow streets filled with artisan workshops, traditional pizzerias, and family-run gelato shops. The city's exuberant energy and genuine warmth toward children make it an ideal destination if you are seeking authentic cultural immersion.
Ancient Wonders and Modern Family LifeNaples' appeal to families was built through its role as southern Italy's cultural capital, where Greek foundations, Roman grandeur, and modern traditions create a living museum of Mediterranean civilization.
Experience Naples' sensory intensity, where ancient history meets vibrant modern life, while the aroma of authentic pizza and espresso creates an irresistible urban adventure.
Discover Naples' most engaging family experiences through activities that combine ancient wonders with authentic local culture and modern family amenities.
Recommended length of stay: 3-4 days
Matera, Italy
Matera will capture your imagination with its extraordinary cave dwellings and unique landscape. You and your children can explore homes carved from living rock as you witness one of the world's most unusual urban environments. This UNESCO World Heritage city offers an unforgettable journey through time, from prehistoric settlements to medieval churches carved into cliffsides, creating an adventure that feels like stepping into another world. The city's dramatic setting above the Gravina ravine provides spectacular views and hiking opportunities that combine natural beauty with archaeological discovery.
Cave Civilization Preserved for DiscoveryMatera's appeal stems from its unique history as one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited settlements, where cave houses tell stories of human adaptation and creativity spanning thousands of years.
Experience Matera's otherworldly beauty, where ancient cave dwellings create natural playgrounds, while spectacular ravine views and underground churches provide endless exploration opportunities.
Discover Matera's most family-friendly experiences through activities that make cave civilization accessible, while providing modern comforts and educational opportunities.
Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days
Bergamo, Italy
Bergamo’s perfectly preserved medieval upper city showcases ancient walls and towers to create a fairy-tale setting that brings children's dreams of knights and castles to life. This charming city offers the perfect scale for family exploration, with pedestrian-friendly streets connecting panoramic viewpoints to traditional gelato shops and family restaurants. The dramatic contrast between the historic Città Alta and modern lower city provides diverse experiences, while the surrounding alpine foothills offer easy hiking and outdoor adventures.
Medieval Heritage Brought to LifeBergamo has a strategic position and rich history, where Venetian rule and medieval traditions created a perfectly preserved city that children can explore like a living museum.
Experience Bergamo's enchanting atmosphere, where medieval streets and panoramic terraces create perfect settings for family adventures, while traditional shops and restaurants provide authentic Italian experiences.
Discover Bergamo's most family-friendly experiences through activities that combine medieval history with outdoor adventures and authentic local culture.
Recommended length of stay: 2-3 days
Castello Sforzesco in Milan, Italy
Milan surprises families with its perfect blend of historical grandeur and modern innovation, where ancient Roman foundations support Renaissance castles and contemporary attractions that engage children, while satisfying adult cultural interests. This dynamic metropolis offers world-class museums, impressive architecture, and family-friendly activities that make it much more than a fashion capital. The city's efficient public transportation, abundant parks, and welcoming attitude toward children ensure comfortable exploration, while its compact historic center makes major attractions easily accessible on foot.
Imperial Legacy Meets Modern Family LifeMilan's appeal was built through its evolution from Roman military outpost to Renaissance powerhouse, creating a city where imperial history combines with innovative attractions designed for contemporary visitors.
Experience Milan's sophisticated energy, where Gothic cathedrals and Renaissance castles provide cultural discovery, while modern attractions and excellent restaurants create perfect family vacation balance.
Discover Milan's most engaging family experiences through activities that combine historical exploration with modern attractions and authentic local culture.
Recommended length of stay: 3-4 days
Pianza village in Tuscany, Italy
Italy inspires families with its extraordinary combination of ancient wonders, artistic treasures, and natural beauty, creating educational adventures for your children while providing you with cultural enrichmen. From gladiator schools in Rome to medieval castles in Bergamo, cooking classes in Florence to cave explorations in Matera, every destination offers immersive experiences as the warmth of Italian hospitality ensures you feel welcomed everywhere.
For more information and inspiring to inspire your family getaway to Italy, see our Italy travel guide or Italy tours and vacations. Then, connect with our travel specialists and they will customize an itinerary just for you and your loved ones.
Trips curated by the world’s top destination experts
Concierge-level service leading up to and during your trip
Unique, exclusive experiences and insider access