A family-friendly guide to a weekend in Rome
Rome has a way of captivating you without even trying. It’s beautiful, it’s effortless, and has a way of pulling you in at every corner. And the best part? That feeling is contagious. This city has a way of winning everyone over, even the most discerning of children.
Quick tips before you go
Start early
Rome before 9am is a different city. The crowds are thin and the monuments feel like they belong to you. With kids especially, getting out early means you beat the heat and the queues.
Pre-book your tickets.
This is non-negotiable with a family. Long lines in the sun with restless children are no one’s idea of a cultural experience. Book the Colosseum, the Vatican Museums, and anywhere else on your list in advance. You’ll thank yourself later.
Take your time
Rome isn’t a checklist you want to speed through. Grab a gelato. Let your kids stop and stare at the fountain. Grab another gelato. The city rewards slowness.
Day 1: Ancient Rome and the heart of the city
Morning – Colosseum and Roman Forum
Start where the story of Rome begins. The Colosseum is genuinely awe-inspiring for all ages. The kids will recognise it straight from Gladiator, and honestly, so will dad. Suddenly everyone’s an expert on ancient Rome. Pair it with a walk through the Roman Forum, where the ruins of temples and triumphal arches tell the rest of the story. Keep it loose and let curiosity lead.
Lunch – near the Colosseum
The neighbourhood around the Colosseum has historically been a tourist trap, but look one or two streets back from the main drag and you’ll find trattorias where the locals actually eat. These spots give everyone a chance to decompress before the afternoon.
Afternoon – Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona
This trio sits close enough together to feel like one long, unhurried wander. The Trevi Fountain is a spectacle. Make sure you have a few coins in your pocket, plus an extra €2 per person to access the inner perimeter of the fountain. The kids will want to toss a coin in for good luck, and honestly, so will you. From there, the Pantheon is just a short walk. Its dome is one of the great architectural achievements of the ancient world, and it will make a great addition to your social media feed. End the afternoon at Piazza Navona, where gelato vendors, street artists, and Bernini’s fountains make for a perfect, crowd-pleasing finish.
Evening – Trastevere
Cross the river as the sun drops and the neighbourhood of Trastevere starts to glow. Its narrow, vine-draped streets are among the most beautiful in Rome, and the restaurant scene is excellent without being pretentious. This is a neighbourhood built for long dinners and slow walks home.
Day 2: Vatican wonders and parks
Morning – Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica
The Vatican Museums are enormous, but even a focused two-hour visit, ending in the Sistine Chapel, is transformative. Michelangelo’s ceiling is one of those things that photographs simply cannot prepare you for. St. Peter’s Basilica, just steps away, continues the scale. It is vast, golden, and awe-inspiring. Pre-booking is essential here. The queues, otherwise, are among the longest in Europe.
Lunch – Prati neighbourhood
Step out of the Vatican and into Prati, one of Rome’s most liveable and least-touristed neighbourhoods. Wide boulevards, incredible bakeries, and neighbourhood restaurants. This is where Romans come to eat when they want to escape the central tourist crowds.
Afternoon – Castel Sant’Angelo or Villa Borghese
These are two very different options depending on the energy levels of the group. Castel Sant’Angelo offers great views and dramatic history as a papal refuge and prison. Alternatively, Villa Borghese is Rome’s great park. It has open green spaces, playgrounds, rowboats on the lake, and the Borghese Gallery if the adults want one more cultural hit. On a warmer afternoon with kids, the park often wins.
Evening – Spanish Steps
End the trip the right way. The Spanish Steps at dusk, with the city spreading out below and the scent of espresso drifting up from the cafes along Via Condotti, is a Rome moment you will want to keep. Sit, watch, wander. It’s the perfect full stop to the weekend.
Where to stay
If you’re looking for a stay that keeps Rome effortlessly within reach, art’otel Rome Piazza Sallustio is the perfect base. The Spanish Steps are within walking distance, so day two ends just a short stroll from your room, while the city’s most iconic landmarks are easy to explore from here.
At the hotel’s restaurant, YEZI, sharing plates make dinner feel especially suited to families. Everyone gathers around the table, tastes a little of everything, and turns the meal into part of the experience. It’s relaxed, sociable and memorable, the kind of dinner that becomes one of the moments you talk about long after the trip.
