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We cherished visiting Rome with our two teenage daughters. We have been excited to go to The Eternal City for a lot of causes, however we weren’t anticipating our teenage women to find it irresistible as a lot as they did. The purpose for this? There are tons of issues to do in Rome for youngsters.
Our teenagers adore Rome as a result of it has this unmatched, vibrant vitality and a great deal of iconic landmarks to get their “I was in Rome” photographs. Places just like the Colosseum and the Pantheon captivated their younger and curious minds and bought them impressed and curious about artwork and structure.
They cherished the bustling streets and energetic piazzas, to not point out the delectable Italian delicacies from mouthwatering pizza to creamy gelato, which made even the fussiest of eaters in our household happy.
If you’re unsure what to do in Rome with teenagers, then listed here are a number of the high points of interest that our youngsters get pleasure from in Rome!
Things To Do In Rome with Teenagers
Wander Around Trastevere
Rome could be a little bit of an awesome metropolis at occasions. It’s busy, it’s loud, it’s bustling, and when strolling from attraction to attraction, you end up cursing to your self for the third time as a scooter pulls out in entrance of you from nowhere.
This is why we cherished the Trastevere neighborhood a lot because it’s a far cry from this scene in Rome.
It’s quiet, it’s fashionable, and it’s modern. It’s full of a great deal of hip cafes, bars, and boutique outlets. It nonetheless has the long-lasting Roman structure and cobbled streets that Rome is known for however with out the honking and chaos.
This district is named the previous working-class neighborhood. People are drawn to the slender alleyways, avenue artwork murals, and bohemian ambiance.
Trastevere gave our teenagers a real perception into trendy Italian tradition. You can see how Italians go about their every day lives and really feel the beat of town as you meander by way of a labyrinth of alleys and quiet streets.
Because it’s positioned within the south of town, throughout the river from the Colosseum, you get to keep away from a number of the hustle and bustle however nonetheless be near the motion, so we all the time suggest that you just keep on this neighborhood when visiting town.
It’s additionally value noting that it is a energetic district at evening with backpackers heading to bars, however this didn’t trouble us or our teenage women as we picked a quiet place to remain down a aspect avenue.
Trastevere was additionally the place our favourite restaurant in Rome was – Mama Eats. 100% gluten free, scrumptious and inexpensive, and by no means too busy. They additionally do non-gluten free variations of all their meals for those who request it! Their tiramisu was unbelievable!
You can learn our information to the Trastevere neighborhood with extra strategies on what to do.
Go On A Roman Street Food Tour
One of the issues our youngsters cherished probably the most on our go to to Rome was a strolling avenue meals tour. Not solely did we get to strive a number of the greatest Italian delicacies (past pizza) however we additionally discovered loads in regards to the historical past of Rome and the Italian lifestyle.
The Roman Street Food Tour takes you to a number of spots within the metropolis the place you’ll be able to pattern a number of the most interesting cuisines past the pastas and gelatos. You can strive handmade, recent suppli, Porchetteria La Rinascita, and graffe! I guess you hadn’t heard of these dishes earlier than?
It’s not solely an effective way to expertise new meals, however a enjoyable option to see the websites of Rome that you could be simply wander by way of, similar to Piazza Navona and Campo de’ Fiori – which with out a gelato in hand, wouldn’t be probably the most thrilling place in Rome for a young person.
I really like the piazzas as a result of they’re all the time a enjoyable place to be with loads happening. They are surrounded by spectacular buildings and monuments, there’s often some type of avenue performer someplace, pigeons flocking round choosing up scraps off the ground, and folks sipping espressos within the cafes.
However, we discovered our teenagers didn’t admire sitting and simply absorbing the ambiance as a lot because the adults would, so we wouldn’t exit of the best way to go to the piazzas in any other case.
Do A Guided Tour of The Vatican
Our teenagers love nation counting, so after I instructed them they might go to the smallest nation on Earth, they have been so excited! Yes, The Vatican can also be the middle for Christianity, dwelling of the Catholic church, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, however who cares when you’ll be able to tick one other bucket checklist merchandise off the checklist?
The Vatican might solely be 0.44 sq. kilometers, however there’s loads to see and do right here, so we do suggest you propose a full day to spend right here.
Our largest tip is to be sure you e-book a tour of The Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel as early as you’ll be able to. After about 9.00 am, the queues for The Vatican Museum go for miles (actually) and you may be ready in line for as much as 3 hours to purchase a ticket.
Also, The Vatican Museum is HUGE. The museum has 70,000 displays in an area of 42,000 sq. meters – it’s simply not attainable to see all of it.
On a guided tour, you’ll be able to then be proven highlights of the Catholic Church’s assortment and see all the most effective bits.
After visiting The Vatican Museum and The Sistine Chapel, you should definitely go to St. Peter’s Basilica. If you e-book the guided tour, you’ll be able to be taught extra in regards to the fresco work and the primary Pope of Christianity, St Peter, who can also be buried within the church.
You can be taught extra about the best way to go to The Vatican in our full information right here.
Visit The Colosseum, The Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill
Of course, no journey to Rome can be full with out visiting The Colosseum and The Roman Forum, that are probably the most iconic and vital historical ruins in Rome.
The Colosseum is among the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World and the legendary amphitheater that after hosted gladiator battles and different spectacles in historical occasions.
It was in-built 72 AD and will as soon as home as much as 80,000 spectators. Next to it’s The Roman Forum, which was the traditional market and the guts of political, non secular, and business life in historical Rome.
The ruins date again to the top of the seventh century BC. Some of the ruins have been as soon as a number of the vital websites in Roman historical past, together with the Temple of Saturn, the Arch of Septimius Severus, the Temple of Vesta, the Curia Julia (Senate House), and the Rostra – the place political speeches have been delivered.
Walking by way of these historical ruins is the easiest way to be taught in regards to the historical lifetime of Rome and picture the grandeur of the Roman Empire.
These are two different landmarks which are greatest seen on a guided tour as a result of in any other case, you’ll do not know what you’re taking a look at! There’s a severe lack of signage and with out listening to in regards to the historical past, it may be an underwhelming expertise to go to.
The guides not solely clarify the inception, historical past, and design of those two monuments but in addition inform tales in regards to the foundations of Rome and what life would have been like throughout historical occasions. It actually helps to think about what life in Ancient Rome would have been like.
Rest in Villa Borghese Gardens
If you’re uninterested in strolling round Rome or want someplace to retreat to for a picnic, then our favourite free factor to do in Rome with youngsters is to meander across the Villa Borghese gardens.
The Villa Borghese is a landscaped backyard and the third-largest within the metropolis, the place you’ll discover the Rome Zoo, Pincio’s Water Clock, and Silvano Toti Globe Theatre.
It’s the right place to relaxation and calm down beneath a shaded tree, watch the joggers and rollerbladers skate by, and revel in some much-needed household time.
If you need to, you too can hire rollerblades and bikes from the principle gates, which is a well-liked option to discover the gardens.
You may go to the Borghese Gallery contained in the Villa Borghese to see world-renowned items of artwork by Renaissance painters similar to Raphael, Titian, and Caravaggio.
Go Shopping (Or Window Shopping) on Via del Corso
Rome is among the high cities in Europe for high-end vogue, and the procuring choices listed here are limitless. Of course, everyone knows that the Italian metropolis of Milan is the style capital of the world, nevertheless it’s not simply Milan that is aware of vogue in Italy.
Fashion manufacturers similar to Fendi, Prada, Gucci, Valentino, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, and Giorgio Armani have all hailed from Italy. What higher place to buy vogue, than the nation that birthed a number of the biggest designers in our historical past?
While we are able to’t all afford designer items, you’ll be happy to comprehend it’s not simply designer garments that you could store for in Rome.
The metropolis has all the time had a historical past of workmanship and artistry, notably with leather-based items, and is well-known for producing some high-quality and luxurious items.
You can discover boutique shops promoting handmade objects and artisan items, in addition to thrift shops promoting second-hand, high-quality vogue.
Some different fashionable objects to look out for are artisanal ceramics and artwork prints, that are generally present in shops in Rome.
Snap Photos of The Spanish Steps
I’ll be trustworthy, my teenage women weren’t into visiting The Spanish Steps an excessive amount of, so we didn’t spend a number of time right here. However, it’s some of the iconic landmarks in Rome so you’ll be able to’t go to town with out visiting the long-lasting steps for a “I Was Here” photograph.
The Spanish Steps are attractive and intricately designed however don’t take too lengthy to see. They have been constructed within the 18th century and are identified to be a preferred gathering place, for locals and vacationers alike, and it’s a enjoyable place to sit down and watch individuals watching.
At the underside of the steps is the Piazza di Spagna, which is surrounded by designer vogue shops and luxurious eating places, and on the high of the steps is the Trinità dei Monti church, which was constructed within the sixteenth century.
I’d say it could be a pleasant place to sit down and eat a gelato, however sadly, you can’t eat on the steps and there’s a safety guard who likes to shout and forcibly implement this rule, as we had witnessed occur to different vacationers visiting the steps.
When we visited, they have been organising for the premiere occasion for Mission Impossible that night, which meant we couldn’t do a lot there. Perhaps another excuse my women weren’t that curious about it.
Throw A Coin In The Trevi Fountain
Can you get any extra iconic than throwing a coin within the Trevi Fountain? It is probably THE most unmissable factor it’s a must to do in Rome.
It’s mentioned that for those who throw a coin within the fountain, you’ll return to Rome – to not deliver you good luck as many could have you imagine.
Simply stand along with your again to the fountain, and throw a coin over your left shoulder along with your proper hand.
The fountain is all the time full of individuals, so you have to to attend your flip to discover a spot for a photograph. You also needs to notice that the fountain is drained for cleansing each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8.00 am-9.00 am, so attempt to keep away from these occasions.
We didn’t know this and arrived simply as cleansing was ending, so we didn’t miss out on throwing the coin in. A bonus is that crowds will likely be fewer throughout these cleansing occasions.
Do you assume they’ll ever ban throwing cash on this iconic fountain? It’s mentioned that vacationers throw in one million euro into the fountain every year, so I extremely doubt it!
Marvel at The Pantheon
The Pantheon is one other marvel of engineering by the Romans and simply makes you assume, “Gosh, how did they know to do that?”
The former Pagan temple turned Catholic church is most well-known for the domed ceiling, which has a round opening within the middle, known as ‘The Oculus’, ‘The Eye of the Pantheon’ or ‘Eye of God’. It was initially used as the one mild supply within the constructing, however what makes it particular is that the ground beneath it was constructed on a slant, resulting in 22 hidden holes, the place rainwater can drain.
Pretty cool engineering trick from 125 AD, don’t you assume?
It’s additionally a wonderful constructing and is dwelling to the resting place of Rome’s biggest artists and royals, similar to King Vittorio Emanuele II, King Umberto 1, and his spouse Queen Margherita of Savoy, and the long-lasting Renaissance artist, Raphael.
It’s not a giant attraction, however we suggest getting the audio information to offer you a short historical past of the constructing.
Visit A Museum
Rome has so many museums to go to, and they’re a number of the greatest on the earth. The one you go to ought to largely rely in your pursuits and what your loved ones is on the lookout for, however our favourite museums in Rome are:
Galleria Borghese
The Galleria Borghese contained in the Villa Borghese is an artwork museum that incorporates works belonging to Cardinal Scipione Borghese, a outstanding artwork collector and patron of the humanities.
The gallery incorporates a powerful assortment of sculptures, work, and antiquities, in addition to being inside a superbly designed Seventeenth-century constructing.
One of the important thing points of interest within the museum is the gorgeous sculpture of “Apollo and Daphne” by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. This masterpiece captures the dramatic second of Daphne’s transformation right into a laurel tree as she tries to flee from the pursuing Apollo.
Another spotlight is the portray “Sacred and Profane Love” by Titian, which depicts two ladies, one wearing wealthy, luxurious materials representing sacred love, and the opposite in easy, earthly apparel symbolizing profane love.
It’s additionally dwelling to Caravaggio’s well-known portray “David with the Head of Goliath,” which portrays the biblical scene of David holding the severed head of the defeated Goliath.
If your youngsters are curious about artwork or have been studying about these iconic work in class, then it is a museum so as to add to the itinerary.
The Capitoline Museums
The Capitoline Museums are a sequence of three buildings that flank Piazza del Campidoglio, which hint again to 1471 when Pope Sixtus IV donated a set of historical bronzes to the individuals of Rome.
One of the standout points of interest throughout the museum is the long-lasting bronze sculpture of “The Capitoline Wolf.” This historical masterpiece mentioned so far again to the fifth century BC however not confirmed, depicts the she-wolf suckling the legendary twins Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome.
The Capitoline Museums provide a mix of artwork and historical past and can be an awesome choice for youngsters curious about historical past in addition to artwork.
National Roman Museum
The National Roman Museum is a superb “all-round” historical past museum and takes you thru a number of historic buildings, together with the Baths of Diocletian, Palazzo Altemps, Crypta Balbi, and the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme.
The museum’s assortment incorporates artifacts that specific the grandeur of historical Rome, that includes sculptures, mosaics, and art work that inform tales of the every day life, artwork, and tradition of the Roman Empire.
The Palazzo Massimo alle Terme specifically homes a powerful assortment of Roman frescoes, together with the well-known “Garden Fresco” from the Villa of Livia frescoes.
If you solely have time for one museum, this could be our best choice.
National Gallery of Modern Art
The National Gallery of Modern Art shouldn’t be solely an awesome place to see Italian artwork from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, nevertheless it’s additionally positioned inside the gorgeous neoclassical Palazzo delle Belle Arti, which is a murals in itself!
One of probably the most well-known items within the museum is ‘Un’onda di luce’ by Giacomo Balla, also referred to as Wave of Light, which is a futuristic portray from 1909 that depicts the results of sunshine reflecting on the water, which was avant-garde for its time.
The National Gallery of Modern Art is a superb museum to be taught in regards to the evolution of Italian artwork and witness a number of the most lovely structure within the metropolis.
Galleria Doria Pamphilj
The Galleria Doria Pamphilj is housed within the opulent Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, a Seventeenth-century palace that has been meticulously preserved to showcase its grandeur.
The museum has a powerful assortment of Baroque masterpieces, together with the famend “Velazquez Portrait of Pope Innocent X,” by Diego Velázquez and the hanging “Rest on the Flight into Egypt” by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio.
The Galleria Doria Pamphilj is the place to go to see Baroque artwork, which can or might not enchantment to your teenagers. You determine!
Take A Cooking Class
We didn’t have a lot time in Rome, so we weren’t in a position to do a cooking class, however my teenagers mentioned they might have loved this if we had time.
In a cooking class, you’ll be able to be taught to make your individual pasta from scratch, earlier than turning it into fettuccine and ravioli, adopted by studying to bake the basic Italian dessert dish, tiramisu.
A cooking class is an effective way to get to know the tradition of a metropolis, in addition to deliver dwelling a novel memento.
We find it irresistible after we can present academic and enjoyable experiences for our youngsters, particularly as they love cooking and baking.
Take A Golf Cart Tour of Rome
There are some ways to get round Rome – on foot, by open-top bus, and even by Vesper, however our youngsters have been actually excited to discover Rome by Golf Cart!
A golf cart is an effective way to discover the streets of Rome in a snug and lined car.
As you get pushed across the metropolis, a information will clarify to you the historical past of the monuments, palaces, basilicas, and piazzas, with all their fountains and statues, so you’ll be able to really get a way of the historical past of Rome.
Sadly, we have been too late to e-book this and it was all bought out on our journey (one other good purpose to e-book prematurely!), however we’ve earmarked it for our subsequent journey – we did throw a coin within the Trevi Fountain, so it’s gonna occur. Click right here for charges and availability for a golf cart tour with LivTours.
Explore The Rome Catacombs
The catacombs are one other attraction we missed as a consequence of time constraints, however our youngsters mentioned how a lot they might have preferred to see them.
The Rome Catacombs are positioned simply outdoors town middle and date again to the third Century AD. They have been used because the burial place for half one million Christians and Jews, in addition to 16 Popes.
You can solely go to the catacombs with a information so it’s vital to e-book prematurely. The information will present you across the historical burial websites and clarify burial rituals and traditions.
There is multiple catacomb in Rome however the largest and most vital is the Catacombs of Saint Callixtus. Join a guided tour of that right here.
Tips for Visiting Rome With Teens
Below are some important issues to know earlier than you go to Rome with youngsters:
- Talk to your teenagers about what they’d love to do. Get your teenagers concerned within the strategy planning stage of the journey. Speak to them about what they could love to do or see. They might have discovered about one thing in class, similar to Pompeii, and need to go to it.
- Make positive to go to points of interest early within the morning to beat the crowds and get some superior photographs. This is particularly vital for The Colosseum and The Vatican, that are full of individuals by 10.00 am.
- Book points of interest prematurely. Try to e-book as a lot as you’ll be able to prematurely to keep away from disappointment. Rome is probably the most visited metropolis in Europe and it’s fairly probably for tickets to be bought out on the day for key points of interest, so a bit of pre-planning can go a good distance.
- Keep an eye fixed in your belongings. We didn’t have any issues with this as a result of we have been conscious of the potential risks, however there are pickpockets in Rome, particularly round vacationer points of interest. Don’t go away your belongings unattended and control your cameras. Make positive your teenagers control their valuables too, particularly their telephones!
- Plan the place you’re going to eat earlier than you set out. I might say the largest drawback with touring with teenagers is discovering a spot to eat that everybody is proud of. Save your self time and drama by planning the place you’re going to eat. This would even be an vital tip for those who have been to go to Rome with youngsters.
- Eat off the principle piazzas. While as regards to meals, you could find cheaper costs in eating places for those who don’t eat on the piazzas and go down the backstreets.
- Walk in all places. Rome could be very walkable, so put in your greatest strolling footwear and stroll as a lot as you’ll be able to.
- Be conscious of scooters and bikes. This is a well-liked mode of transport to get round Rome and scooter drivers are identified to whizz round vehicles and even go on sidewalks generally, so make certain to be vigilant of them when strolling round and crossing roads.
Where to remain in Rome with teenagers?
One of the commonest questions, we’re requested is the place to remain in Rome with teenagers? We’ve not stayed in all places, however we cherished our spacious residence in Trastevere.
Staying on this enjoyable neighborhood gave us extra of an area really feel, it was in strolling distance to in all places, and we have been surrounded by superb eating places and cafes at a extra inexpensive value than the middle of Rome.
And when the women have been exhausted and simply needed to put on their beds chatting with their associates again dwelling, Craig and I felt comfy to depart them within the residence, and stroll across the nook for an aperol spritz, reside music within the sq., and gluten free tiramisu at Mama Eats!
See charges and availability for our Trastevere residence right here.