Teen walking on wall near Colosseum in Rome with text overlay: Rome with Kids

Go Beyond Rome With Kids.

Raise your hand if you want to do Italy! Are you drooling over the multitude of gelato flavors, marble sculptures, and all things Roman? Then grab your passport! We’re headed for some must-see Rome with kids sites. Get ready for a tour of Rome beyond the typical tourist sites of the big city.

Carpe Diem!

Have you always wanted to go to Rome, Italy, but just haven’t gotten there yet? Carpe Diem, my friend! Seize the day! I remember the excitement of my first trip to Rome almost 20 years ago. I was so excited to see the Colosseum, eat gelato at Piazza Navona, and get a neckache looking at the ceilings of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.

So much has changed in those 20 years. Now all you need is a good offline map, and google translate. You can even take a VR (virtual reality) tour or see Rome on a Segway!

Recently, I decided to head back to Italy to gather a few items so you can wanderlust, plan and get ready to learn on location! Grab your passport! Let’s go see Rome with kids!

Of course, you’ll want to spend a day in Rome seeing all the fantastic sights like the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and don’t forget gelato at Piazza Navonna. It can get petty hectic and touristy in Rome with kids, so I thought I’d show you some great places to visit just beyond Rome that are perfect places for families.

Image of Grottaferratta Monastery with text overlay: Italy Must See Rome - Grottaferratta at www.captivatingcompass.com

Visit a Byzantine Monastery

Grottaferrata -The grotto is named for its iron gate and Saint Nilo. This grotto and the working monastery is a treasure trove of Greek and Latin manuscripts. Check out the public library, the chapel and ask if you may visit the monastery’s private library (special tours, only).

image of Lago Abano, Italy with text overlay saying Must See Rome, Lago Albano, Italy

Swim in a Volcanic Crater

Castel Gandolfo & Lago Albano – The hilltown of Castel Gandolfo overlooks Lago Albano and is home to the Pope’s summer palace. The Palace has recently been opened to the public. It’s a lovely little town, so grab everything you need to enjoy the day. Lago Albano is pristine and rather crater like (formed by 2 volcanic pools). This lake is the perfect place to relax after the chaos of Rome or a hectic arrival to Italy. Relax, unwind and enjoy the breeze.

Image of kids eating gelato in Sorrento gelateriawith text overlay Sorrento with Kids

Learn on Location

Viterbo – Don’t miss this vibrant Tuscia (the region between Tuscany and Rome) town, which is easily reached by train and is super kid friendly. It boasts:

The Palazzo dei Papi, which hosted The First Conclave in the 13th century.
Two works of art attributed to some pretty famous of Italian artists.
An Etruscan Museum with gorgeous Etruscan artifacts reclaimed from nearby archaeological digs.
Thermal Baths – There are several near Viterbo, so find the perfect one for your family.
Festival of Santa Rosa – the patron saint of Viterbo.

image of person holding black hat while looking up at the Colosseum in Rome, Italy

Learn on Location

It’s always fun to learn a little (or a lot) about where you’re going on a family travel adventure. Whether you are getting ready to head to Rome or you are staying put for a while and bingeing on virtual tours of Italy, studying ancient Rome will prepare your family to get the most out of your Roman Holiday.

Choose a few ideas from each category in this post and implement them throughout your family adventure in Italy. You’ll find ideas for:

Know Before You Go – Resources to help you learn about ancient Rome.
Learn On Location – Fun activities, attractions, and resource ideas to help you learn on location (even if you aren’t actually in Rome!)
Reflect & Rember – Ideas to help you throw a party and share your memories.

Go Beyond Rome with Kids

Often it’s the crowds that will steer families with younger kids, and even teens, away from big cities. Most cities do their best to make their museums and attractions as family friendly as possible. But sometimes, you just need the pace and vibe of a smaller city or town.

These amazing adventures are waiting just for you near Rome with kids and teens in tow. Italy without the chaos can be found in small cities like Viterbo, Grottaferrtta and Castel Gandolfo.

Keep reading, I’m pretty sure you’ll agree that going beyond Rome with kids needs to be on your itinerary!