10 Little-Known Reasons To Visit Italy With Kids

ITALYTRAVELGUIDE
Written By Jocelyn Lee

Ten insider reasons to choose Italy as your next vacation destination.

A mom and her kids walking in Bologna

Having embarked on two unforgettable journeys to the land of spaghetti, I can assure you that a family visit to Italy is an absolute must for your bucket list.

Italy is so much more than just pizza, spaghetti, and espresso. It offers a way of life that is refreshingly unique, especially when exploring it with children by your side.

With each visit, I found myself falling in love with the Italian way of doing things. From their vibrant and passionate demeanor to their animated conversations and unwavering love for "the beautiful game" of soccer, Italians have a way of capturing your heart.

Crafting an Italy family itinerary is a breeze, as the country effortlessly combines two of life's greatest joys: food and family. What better reason to pack your bags and embark on a remarkable journey than the promise of indulging in delectable cuisine while creating cherished memories with your loved ones?

 
 

Check out these Italy guides perfect for families.

Is Italy a good place to take kids?

Why visit Italy with kids you ask?

Italy holds family values in high regard, and this sentiment is palpable in the everyday interactions you'll encounter throughout the country.

It's in the warm smiles, friendly nods, and even the lighthearted shoulder shrugs from elderly individuals when your toddler throws a tantrum in a bustling portico.

These small gestures contribute to an enhanced family vacation experience in Italy, where the sense of respect and appreciation for families is deeply ingrained.

 

10 good reasons to visit Italy for your next family trip

 

WANT FAMILY FOOD AND TRAVEL IDEAS?

10 Ways To Enjoy Food When You Travel With Kids

01 | ITALIANS ARE LOUD AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY

A mom with baby in Bologna at a restaurant

  • Italians are family-friendly and loud!

  • Don't fret over your toddler's noise level, as Italians embrace their own enthusiasm and exuberance.

  • From talking with their hands to having a passionate argument in the street, families will love how open and casual everything feels in Italy.

 

02 | ITALIANS LOVE CHILDREN

Grandparents in Bologna with their granddaughter

  • There is this unspoken shared value towards the sweat and tears that goes into raising kids when you are in Italy.

  • Children are admired in Italy in a way that’s unlike other places.

  • Folks on the street acknowledge little kids and restaurants open their doors to families.

  • More than once, elderly folks in Bologna stopped to say hello to our baby while we strolled through the streets.

 

03 | THE PASTA AND KID-FRIENDLY FOOD

  • While soccer has become the primary religion in Italy, pasta is the heart of the country.

  • Every place makes similar pasta dishes slightly different in Italy.

  • A spaghetti carbonara will vary from place to place, depending on whose cooking in the kitchen or who won the game that day.

  • Pasta is also a highly accessible food, making it super convenient for traveling families that want to eat family-style.

 

04 | PIAZZAS, FOUNTAINS AND RIPOSO (NAP TIME)

A baby napping in a stroller in the streets of Bologna Italy

With the number of piazzas and fountains in the country, Italy offers places for families to roam and leisure. Imagine sitting in a piazza with a drink in one hand while you watch your children play.

  • Between 1:30 - 4 pm, businesses and stores generally shut down. Folks go home, eat, and spend time with their family.

 

05 | COFFEE, CROISSANTS AND FRESH JUICE FOR BREAKFAST

A family on travel to Italy at a cafe

You’ll often hear Americans complain that Italians don’t eat breakfast.

  • While it is uncommon to find things like eggs and oatmeal on a breakfast menu in Italy, you can find gourmet coffee and croissants. Or a cookie...

  • Even better, kids love those Italian biscuits and fresh juice.

  • Sometimes trying new things together and changing the routine is the best part of family travel.

 

06 | SOCCER IN ITALY

A man at the soccer stadium in Milan Italy

Do you have soccer fans in your family? Are there some little ones, or big ones too, that want an Italian jersey?

  • The culture for and around soccer in Italy runs deeper than football in the south weeks before the Superbowl. I am not kidding.

  • Every Italian city carries a unique sense of pride for its soccer team.

  • You witness this through the chanting, colorful scarves, and friendly (ok, not so friendly all the time) competition between cities. It’s an energy that moves through the air all the time.

  • As an outsider looking in, what seems like fierce competition, is unity.

A group of people coming together toward a common goal (no pun intended). It’s refreshing to feel this sense of unity and to share this experience with your kids.

If you travel in the spring or summer, it’s the perfect time to catch a match.

 

07 | TRAINS MAKE DAY TRIPS IN ITALY EASY

A mother sleeping on a train ride in first class traveling to Milan

Train rides in Italy and Europe are an experience of their own.

  • Take a ride from Milan to Bologna without the stress. Or, even take a day trip to Venice before it sinks.

  • A family can move from point A to B and enjoy sightseeing, a bite to eat, or even a nap.

  • Buy first-class tickets and enjoy added space, comfortable chairs, and meal service provided with drinks make all the difference.

By the time you arrive at your destination, everyone will feel recharged.

 

08 | FOODIE EXPERIENCES, MARKETS AND TOURS

Italy is hands down the vacation place for foodies.

  • You will find food markets in every city where you can admire and taste fresh produce, meat, and cheese. I could spend hours taking pictures of fruit stands.

  • Additionally, families can enjoy things like a pasta-making class or customized food tour depending on where you visit in Italy.

 

09 | STATUES AND ART

Reason to visit Italy for the Trevi Fountain in Rome

One of the things Italy is famous for that kids will love are all the art, culture, and interesting architecture. By simply taking a stroll around places like Rome, Florence, Bologna, or Milan, kids will be exposed to the history and ornate architectural details.

  • Toddlers will find stimulation from the sheer number of statues in every city.

  • On top of that, Italy hosts some of the best museums for science, art, history, and hands-on things.

 

10 | ITALY’S BEAUTIFUL PARKS AND GARDENS

  • Finally, my favorite, aside from eating, Italy is home to dozens of beautiful parks and gardens. What better way to spend a family-friendly Italy vacation than by immersing yourselves in curated parks and gardens?

  • Visiting parks and gardens in Italy generally does not cost anything either.

  • Families can enjoy one less thing to pay for and travel to Italy to see a bit of history through gardens and parks.

A statue in Villa Borghese Rome - reason to visit Italy with kids
 
 

Are you visiting Italy for the first time with kids?

Not only is Italy one of the top places for families to visit, but it’s also tasty and filled with things to do and see with kids. From eating the best pasta in the world to seeing where civilization started in Rome, it’s worth a trip. At least once...

 
 

More Italy Food & Travel Ideas

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Jocelyn Lee

Jocelyn Lee is full-time parenting a tween and toddler, dabbling in Duolingo, and preaching a clutter-free life despite any dismay from said, family members. You can follow her on Instagram.

https://apoppyplace.com
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