Rome is a city brimming with culture, architecture, fine food and over 3,000 years of history. Regardless of whether you’re travelling with friends, family or your partner, it’s a popular tourist hotspot for all so why not discover the spirit of this vibrant city today?
Tips for visiting Rome with the kids
Depending on what time of year you’ve decided to visit the city, there are a number of factors to take into consideration when visiting Rome with little ones. If you find yourself here in the height of summer then do as the Romans do and encourage each and every family member to take a nap indoors during the hottest part of the day and use the cool evenings to your advantage.
From exploring Rome’s famed fountains and piazzas to dining in the many traditional restaurants, the streets are often brimming with families of young children up until 11pm.
Rome on a budget
A holiday in Rome doesn’t mean breaking the bank. As well as the many ticketed events and attractions, there are also a number of complementary sights and sounds to take in too. The eternal city is home to a variety of music venues, markets, museums and cinemas – all of which can be enjoyed for free. Another way to save a little whilst holidaying in Rome is to consider booking a self-catering apartment as opposed to a hotel.
Visit a street market
Whilst in the city, there are a number of recommended attractions, one of which includes bagging a bargain at Rome’s Via Sannio street market. Despite Italy’s stylish facade, it’s still possible to purchase an entire outfit for just 25 Euros here!
The Vatican
Of course, one of Rome’s most visited attractions is the Vatican, especially now that that the new Pope has been elected. If you’re only planning on visiting the Vatican’s incredible artwork then a tour isn’t strictly necessary. The tours are more suited to those who are interested in learning more about the establishment’s history. Book a tour in advance, and you can benefit from advantages such as skip the line tickets, tours for a specific time and more. Search online and see what you can find. Look here for an idea of the sorts of Vatican tour options that are available
The highlights of the Vatican include the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica.
Other must-see attractions
Depending on how long you have in this fascinating city, there are a number of other must-see attractions in Rome. One of the major highlights quite simply involves walking the streets and exploring the many winding lanes at your own pace. This is the best way to stumble upon one of the area’s more authentic restaurants.
The food is, of course, another major attraction with pizzas, pastas, a variety of speciality coffees and various gelato flavours all readily available. Whilst walking around the city, you’ll also come across a range of quaint antique stores and designer clothing boutiques, as well as innumerable astounding churches which lie in the alleyways of the great Baroque bulge.
If you can, rise early enough to see one of the city’s vibrant food markets in action and experience the real thrill of Italy.
Rome photos: Moyan Brenn.
