How to visit Rome with and without kids from must-see tourist attractions to cheap pizzerias
THE ruins of the Italian capital can be brought to life for kids studying the Romans at school or make for a brilliant adults-only city break.
Here’s how to tackle Rome with – or without – children in tow.
WITH KIDS
WHERE TO STAY
Near Termini Station for public transport, but only a 25-minute stroll from the Colosseum, the 3H Hotel Caracciolo is simple but solid.
More importantly, it has affordable and family-friendly quad rooms with art all over the walls from just £104 a night.
For more, see hotelcaracciolo.com.
WHERE TO EAT
The little ones will probably be more than happy alternating between places selling pizza by the slice (from around €5) and gelato shops.
There are hundreds of both, so this is perfectly feasible.
But for something a little different, Canova Tadolini near the Spanish Steps is a former sculptor’s workshop-turned-little restaurant.
The menu has classic Italian dishes, but the weird wow factor, in the form of sculptures piled high around the tables, makes it memorable.
See canovatadolini.com.
MUST-SEES
Of the ancient sites, the Colosseum is the one kids are most likely to be captured by.
The sheer scale of the 2,000-year-old stadium is enough, but they will love hearing tales of gladiators fighting lions that emerge through trapdoors in the arena floor.
See colosseo.it.
Other ruins worth looking at include the Largo di Torre Argentina.
Here, well-looked-after cats prowl around the spot where Julius Caesar was assassinated.
WHERE TO SHOP
Rome is overflowing with leather goods shops, and this is a chance for the youngsters to pick out a bag or purse they can treasure.
It is easy enough to pluck something colourful for under €20, a perfect souvenir for kids who want to feel a bit grown up.
There are scores of suitable shops across Rome, but a cluster on Via Francesco Crispi.
AFTER DARK
Many of Rome’s tourist attractions stay open fairly late, so you can see some of them in the evening.
One option that will have the kids wowed is the Church of Sant Ignazio di Loyola.
Here, there’s an optical illusion effect to the ceiling paintings which makes the roof look much higher than it really is.
Most impressive of all is the fake dome, created by artist Andrea Pozzo using the sort of forced perspective the children may be learning about in school.
WITHOUT KIDS
WHERE TO STAY
The 4H Hotel Genio has the classic look of a private palace and, while it could do with a makeover in some areas, it hits the perfect balance of price and location.
A few steps from Piazza Navona in the historic centre, the Genio is within walking distance of most key attractions, and includes a free breakfast on the rooftop.
Doubles cost from £95 per night.
WHERE TO EAT
There are very touristy restaurants near the Colosseum, but Iari The Vino is an exception, hidden down a small side street.
There’s plenty of outdoor seating surrounded by plants, and the spaghetti carbonara with freshly-made egg pasta is deliciously rich-tasting.
MUST-SEES
Rome is packed with extraordinary sights, with the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums high on any tick list.
But the Roman Guy offers tours to two weird but highly memorable spots.
First up is the Capuchin Crypts, where chapels have been decorated with thousands of human bones.
Then comes the Catacomb of San Callisto, an incredible underground maze where half a million people, including 16 popes, were buried.
Tours cost from £12pp upwards, see the romanguy.com.
WHERE TO SHOP
The Monti area between Termini Station and the historic centre is quietly charming, covered in climbing plants and dotted with independent shops.
Try Sottobosco on Via Baccina for colourful jewellery and bags, then Elena Kihlman on Via Urbana for quirky teacups, gorgeous cushion covers and sassy jackets.
AFTER DARK
The Trastevere neighbourhood on the west bank of the River Tiber is the buzziest area for bar-hopping, with plenty of good restaurants to enjoy between drinks.
This is also an excellent neighbourhood for testing out Italy’s underrated craft beer scene.
Classic pub Ma Che Siete Venuti A Fa is a longstanding local favourite, with a lengthy list of tap beers to work your way through.
See football-pub.com.
GO: ROME
GETTING THERE: Jet2 flies from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stansted, among other UK airports, to Rome from £112 return.
See jet2.com.
MORE INFORMATION: See turismoroma.it.