Roman holidays
Fall is officially here! And with it – new ideas for family trips. The Eternal City seems like a perfect destination for a city break in Europe. If you are planning to go to Rome for 2-3-4 days, you should pack your things and leave in the next few weeks. The weather is lovely, it is not as crowded as in the high summer season, and the city is just ideal for families with children. It’s impossible to be bored there 😊 Let’s have a walk around Rome together!
Roman treasure hunting
Rome allows your kids to play Pokemon Go in real life (with monuments instead of Pokemons 😁) you can discover the city together using a map with photos of famous places on it. Once you find one, you can tick it off your list, admire it for a moment, take a family photo together, and move on to your next hidden Roman gem. In fact, you can adapt this idea to any place in the world, but Rome is so packed with spectacular monuments that it is just perfect for this little game. It’s lots of fun for the whole family!
The Eternal City
If this is your first time in Rome, there are a few must-see attractions, especially the big trio:
Colosseum – an amphitheater that bore witness to the lively yet brutal history of the city,
Forum Romanum – the oldest, spectacular forum with ruins of several important ancient government buildings,
Palatine Hill – a hill where imperial palaces were erected.
Other highly recommended monuments include the Pantheon, i.e. a round temple with impressive interiors; The Trevi Fountain, which is another must-see attraction: stunning, totally worth the hype, and a lot larger than it seems in photographs 😉 High season crowds can be discouraging, but in fall and winter there are far fewer tourists there. North-east of the Palatine Hill and Forum Romanum there is another of the seven hills of Rome, the Capitoline Hill, and not far from there – the Theater of Marcellus. The Baths of Caracalla are definitely worth a visit – they are the best preserved Roman baths. Domus Aurea is another fascinating spot on the map of Rome. The famous Trajan’s Market is just a 15-minute (well, 30 if you’re with kids 😉) away; beautifully illuminated (also at night!), it is believed to be the oldest ancient shopping mall
Roman climate - forums and gardens
What I absolutely love about Rome is the city’s forums and gardens ❤️ Starting from the Venetian square with the spectacular Altare della Patria nearby, to the lively Piazza Navona and Campo de Fiori, to Piazza Barberini, to the famous Piazza del Popolo. Piazza di Spagna will dazzle you with its famous Spanish stairs – a tourist attraction in itself, especially for the youngest tourists 😉 All these places showcase the beautiful ancient Roman architecture, allowing you to sit back, relax, have a snack or coffee, or to simply change a nappy in civilized conditions.
I always appreciate green urban areas, so I highly recommend a family walk in Roman gardens. Giardino degli Aranci, a small park with luscious orange trees and a terrace overlooking the city, is another staple for visitors. Borghese Gardens are a lot larger – they are in fact a big park with a villa that has the same name, monuments, and lovely alleys surrounding a romantic pond.
Trastevere and the Janiculan Hill
After two days of admiring the flagship attractions of Rome you should make time for a truly magic place: Trastevere! This old, historical part of Rome, located on the right, western bank of the Tiber, takes visitors to a completely different world. Despite its increasing popularity with tourists over the past few years, it has not lost its typical, Roman character. Guests can stroll down narrow, endless alleys where colorful, blooming flowers cover somewhat scruffy facades. You can actually experience the spirit of old Rome here and have a glimpse at how Romans live their everyday lives. Additionally, cozy cafés and small local restaurants located at shaded piazzas are obscenely tempting!
The Janiculan Hill, towering over Trastevere, is a great spot for admiring Rome’s panorama. On our way back we can cross the river taking Ponte Sant'Angelo, situated next to a church under the same name. The history of this bridge is turbulent and marked by tragedy – in the 15th century the balustrades collapsed under a crowd of pilgrims on their way to Vatican, leading to many of them drowning.
Vatican
Speaking of Vatican, it’s definitely worth a visit; the city-state attracts visitors from all around the world, regardless of their religion. The world’s smallest country is in fact one, big museum, with such historical landmarks as Saint Peter’s Square with its Basilica and the stunning Sistine Chapel. The Vatican Museums, whose beautiful architecture and interiors are a work of art in themselves, house the richest collection of art from all around the world – it’s a must-see, not only for art lovers. Vatican is overcrowded most of the time, so you should consider factors such as the season of the year, day of the week, and time of the day when planning your visit. The good news is that now is the best time to go there!
Accommodation and food
Some practical tips – I highly recommend accommodation in the historical center or near it, e.g. here. It’s possible to find a nice place for a reasonable price, and it’s worth it due to making the logistics easy (also easy on little legs!). When it comes to food, Rome is a gourmet’s paradise ❤️ Both the city and the whole Latium region have their specialties. I wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant, which specializes in truffle dishes and serves excellent house wines…😋👩🍳. In Trastevere this café is an excellent idea, offering a wide selection of delightful starters, with friendly staff and a beautiful location overlooking the characteristic local architecture.
Rome is a unique, beautiful, atmospheric city which has plenty to offer both to adults and children. Soaking its historical atmosphere, strolling down its charming alleys with plenty of places to sit down and relax, enjoying amazing food and coffee – it’s a fool-proof recipe for a wonderful city break, a great idea for an escape from dull fall or winter days.