10 best things to do in Italy with kids
See Ancient Roman Ruins
There are so many Ancient Roman ruins to explore throughout Italy. The Colosseum and the Roman Forum are two of the most popular that you can find in Rome. Another very popular Ancient Roman ruin you can visit is the city of Pompeii. The entire city was destroyed when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in AD 79. But the ash covering the city ended up preserving the ruins. Today, you can wander through the Roman streets, villas, bathhouses, and markets
Visit Rome
There is so much to see and do in Rome. One of the top places to visit is the Colosseum. You can imagine the gladiators battling mighty beasts in this amazing stadium. You can also visit the tiny independent country tucked into the center of Rome – Vatican City. This is the smallest country in the world and is the home of the Roman Catholic Church, and contains many amazing sights including St. Peter’s Basilica, museums, and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling. When in Rome, toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain and visit the Pantheon.
Take a canal boat ride in Venice
There are no streets in Venice, only canals. If you take a bus in Venice, it will be a water bus! The main canal in Venice is called the Grande Canal, and it is shaped like the letter S. You can take a boat tour, water bus, or a kayak tour on the city’s waterways.
See Subterranean Naples
Naples is a very fun city to visit, and a great place to eat pizza! But there is also a whole other world underneath the city streets. There are secret passageways, shrines, and ancient ruins in subterranean Naples. Since the end of World War II, over 700 cavities have been discovered. Some of these are ancient Greek grottoes and others are Christian burial chambers. There are many more underground areas that have yet to be discovered!
Visit Sardinia
Sardinia is so unique because it has so many different types of landscapes. There are sandy beaches, forests, large granite peaks, vineyards, and charming villages. There are also tons of archaeological sites from when the first settlers came to the island. There is a lot of fun adventure to be had in Sardinia! You can go horse back riding, play at some of the best beaches in Italy, go rock climbing, or explore caves. There is also a network of trails that take you through mountains, gorges, forests, and waterfalls. As you explore, try to spot the albino donkeys!
See the Leaning Tower of Pisa
The leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most famous sights in Italy. You have probably seen pictures if it a thousand times, but it is still amazing to see it in real life. And fun to take pictures with! The tower was first constructed in 1173 and was already starting to lean when the workers constructed the third story! Architects attempted to fix the leaning as they built it, but the extra weight just made it worse. The leaning got so bad that people worried it would topple over. But don’t worry! The tower has since been firmly anchored to the earth. In Pisa, you can also visit the wonderful Natural History Museum.
Hike around Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre is in the Italian Riviera and is made up of five colorful medieval fishing villages that perch along the coast. There are trails that all connect the villages. This area is where the Alps and the Apennines mountain ranges hit the sea. So there will be lots of walking up and down hills here!
See a saint’s festival/feast
Rome is a Catholic country that believes in and celebrates lots of saints. Every month is filled with different saint’s days that are celebrated throughout the county. The biggest celebrations usually happen in big cities like Rome and Venice. But even the tiniest villages have an especially honored saint that is celebrated with a feast or festival. One famous festival is the carnival in Venice. Millions of people come together every February to celebrate while wearing masks and costumes. In Turin, they celebrate the feast of San Giovanni Battista with a two-day holiday where a bull statute is burned in a giant bonfire!
Go for a stroll
Taking an evening stroll is an important part of Italian life. This stroll is known as the passeggiata. Every evening between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm people get together with their neighbors and friends to talk and gossip while they walk down the street. The summer months are a very popular time to stroll. In Reggio Calabria, many people crowd onto a seaside road to chat while looking at the beautiful views of Sicily and the smoldering Mr. Etna. If you find yourself in Italy in the evening, join in! And it is perfectly okay to grab a gelato while you do!
See a football match
Calcio (aka football or soccer) is king in Italy. It is the sport that most Italians follow and play. And they care about it a lot! Football was first brought to Italy by the British in the late 1800s and it quickly became a favorite in the county. The national team is called the Azzurri (the blues). Going to see a football match is an amazing experience. Tickets go on sale 10 to 14 days before the game and you can buy them online, in club shops, or at the stadium. During the football season, stadiums are always packed throughout the country. The best cities to see games are Turin, Milan, and Rome.