Traveling to Italy With a Toddler

Top toddler-friendly activities

• Sightseeing: Visit and tour the main historical sites, but consider traveling at a different pace to accommodate your kids. I love using a private guide, rather than a group tour, since it allows flexibility to take breaks as needed. I also have recommendations for family-focused tours, where the tour guide specifically points out the sites that are most interesting to young kids.

• Beaches: When traveling in the warmer months, take advantage of Italy’s coast and enjoy the beach. You’ll be in good company with a lot of local Italian families also enjoying the sun and sand.

• Playgrounds: We frequently stumbled upon playgrounds, which were the perfect break in the midst of sightseeing.

• Children’s museums: Seek out children’s museums like the Explora Children’s Museum in Rome, or the Leonardo Interactive Museum in Florence.

• Family-friendly cooking class: Take a cooking class that is designed for families, so you can all learn how to make Italian cuisine like a pro.

• Local transportation: Use the local transportation to your advantage, and enjoy ferry rides, or unique funicular train rides. My son loved the funicular train in Capri, and the many ferry rides around the Amalfi Coast.

Italy traveler tips (toddler-focused)

• Strollers: The uneven terrain can be one of the most challenging parts to traveling to Italy with a toddler, since it’s not always conducive to using a stroller. Be prepared to carry your child when needed, and consider using a travel stroller with larger wheels to better tackle the cobblestone streets.

• Car seats: If visiting regions where you would rent a car, such as Tuscany, you can reserve a car seat so you don’t need to travel with one. Similarly, we can arrange for airport transfers to a city, where the car seat is included. If you do prefer to travel with your own car seat, however, be sure to bring one that aligns with international standards.

• Beaches: Some coastal regions are flatter and easier to navigate with a stroller. For example, the northern Italian Riviera is much flatter than the Amalfi Coast. However, if you do go to the Amalfi Coast, be sure to stay at a hotel that has an elevator to the beach, which makes it much easier to enjoy the beach with your kids. As your travel advisor, this is something I can help you navigate.

• Dining times: Be aware that dinner time is generally later than what we are used to in the United States. Some restaurants open early to accommodate tourists, but know that many restaurants will not be flexible with their timing (start seating at 7:30 pm), so you may have to adjust sleep schedules if you are set on dining at a particular restaurant.

• Rooms & cribs: Most hotels will provide cribs as a complimentary service, as long as the room is spacious enough to fit it. As your travel advisor, I’ll take care of that planning component and also advise on which hotels have large enough rooms to accommodate a crib.

Rome

• Brucio - Coppelle: Fantastic casual restaurant for Italian cuisine in a small square with great ambiance, just a few steps from the Pantheon. The outdoor setting was perfect for balancing any noise from kids, and the staff was very welcoming.

• Giolitti: My personal favorite spot for gelato in Rome—I’d travel across the world just to get dessert here, it’s that good. Let the kids indulge for a moment. It will be a highlight of the trip.

Florence & Tuscany

• La Giostra (Florence): Arguably the most popular restaurant in Florence, and for good reason. The food and fresh pasta is incredible, the ambiance is serene yet vibrant, and the staff was incredibly welcoming to my son.

• Locanda Demetra (Montalcino): This farm and cooking school is set on a garden with amazing views of Val d’Orcia. You can take a cooking class here, or simply enjoy a meal. The open yard was perfect for my son to run around in between courses, and there were several other families there enjoying the beautiful day.

• Panini Toscana (Florence): This local sandwich shop in Florence has fresh breads, cheeses, meats, and spreads so you can customize your sandwich. Perfect to easily grab lunch on-the-go and dine outdoors.

Amalfi Coast

• Pupetto Beach Club: Located beachfront in Positano, this is a casual beach alternative for a scenic lunch or to enjoy the day. It’s a great family-friendly environment.

• La Cantinaccia del Popolo: There is a line out the door here, for good reason. From amazing seafood to pasta, enjoy an incredible meal in this bustling restaurant. The bustling noise and casual setting is perfect for families.