Perfect 10 Days in Italy: Itinerary for Families

Italy is one of my favorite places to visit in Europe and this 10 days in Italy itinerary is perfect for those traveling with kids in tow. It includes all of the iconic, big cities that first-time visitors need to visit plus day trip options with enough time in each destination so you can soak it all in.

You will be able to explore the Colosseum in Rome, sail along the canals of Venice, see the rolling Tuscan Hills, discover the historic sites on the Amalfi Coast, and so much more.

This guide requires train travel as it is 100% the best way to get around Italy as a family. You will be surprised at how modern, affordable, and efficient the high-speed trains are! So, let’s dig into this classic Italy itinerary, perfect for families booking their first trip to Italy seeking the best experience possible.

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10-Day Itinerary in Italy for Families

Day 1: Arrive in Rome

Rome is a great place to start your 10-day trip to Italy with kids. With two international airports (Ciampino and Fiumicino), it’s one of the easiest Italian cities to reach.

Plus, it’s home to most of the iconic Italian landmarks that your kids will already know about. Visiting there first will help them get excited so spend the first two nights of your 10-day Italy itinerary there.

Book a private transfer from the airport through a service or your hotel in advance. This will give you peace of mind that your car or van has room for your whole family and luggage and you will know the cost upfront. Believe me, you will be jet lagged and in no mood to negotiate buses and trains or start haggling with taxi drivers!

If you’re arriving in the late afternoon, you may not have much time on your first day. However, you can still walk around the historic center to get a feel for the city if you have an hour or so.

Stick to piazzas, fountains, and temples which are easy to visit. Tired kids can usually be tempted by gelato; keep this in mind throughout your trip.

First-Day Things To Do in Rome With Kids

• Spanish Steps in Piazza di Spagna – These Rococo-style steps were built in 1725 and grew in notoriety because writers and artists used to live in this neighborhood and featured the stunning staircase in their work. It’s a bustling piazza and a great place to begin your 10-day trip to Italy.
• Throw a Coin in the Trevi Fountain – Wander eight minutes south and you’ll arrive in another iconic piazza with a world-famous fountain. Salvi’s Baroque fountain depicts Oceanus, the Roman God of water. There’s a legend that will compel you all to throw in at least one coin. It’s a promise that you will return to Rome one day!
• Giolitti Gelato – Time for a gelato break! Walk another eight minutes west and indulge in your first authentic Italian gelato at Giolitti.
• Pantheon – This 2nd-century rounded temple-turned-church holds the tombs of Renaissance artist Raphael and King Vittorio Emanuele II. The dome has a huge hole in the center so worshippers could see the sun and it looks so cool to see the rainfall. It’s the only time you will wish for bad weather in Italy.
• Piazza Navona – Only a hop, skip, and jump west is Piazza Navona, one of Rome’s main squares. Check out the beautiful Bernini fountains like the Fiumi Fountain.
• Dinner at Mastrociccia – Dine on pizza or pasta at this casual family-friendly restaurant with favorite local dishes.
• La Gelateria Frigidarium – If you can’t eat two gelatos in one day in Rome, when can you? This traditional gelateria is just a one-minute walk down the street from Mastrociccia.
• Castel Sant’Angelo & River Tiber – If it’s getting dark, walk to Castel Sant’Angelo. The 2nd-century fortress might be closed in the evenings but you can see the river and beautiful bridges.

Day 2: Full Day Exploring Rome

There’s little time to lose on the second day of your trip to Italy! Wake up early so you have enough time to explore Vatican City and the top historic sites of Ancient Rome.

I will repeat something throughout this guide but it bears repeating: book skip-the-line tickets and guided tours. If this is your first visit to Italy, you might not realize just how long the lines can form at some of these famous landmarks and the crowds inside. We’re talking hours and hours in peak season!

For the effort of planning and paying a little bit more, there are many returns on investment. You can skip lines, squeeze more fun things into your Italy itineraries, choose an entertaining family-friendly guided tour, avoid hours of research and overwhelm by using a knowledgeable local guide, and know roughly how much time you need for every activity.

Don’t worry, there are lots of recommendations for tours throughout this guide!

Second-Day Activities in Rome for Families

• Private Golf Cart Tour of Rome – When visiting Rome with kids, we recommend making the most of the city with this private excursion through LivTours. If you want to see the highlights of Rome and hidden gems, but don’t want to spend hours walking, this is the tour for you! Your guide will drive you through the city and share about Rome history’s while you relax in the comfort of a golf cart. We promise this tour is essential for families short on time.
• Kid-Friendly Tour of the Colosseum – This two-and-a-half-hour private tour with a kid-friendly guide is such a worthwhile investment. You will play fun games and learn tons about Ancient Rome, its amphitheaters, and this incredible Wonder of the World! It includes a visit to the Roman Forum next door.
• Roman Forum on Palatine Hill – If you book the tour, the Roman Forum is included. If you don’t have time to visit the Forum, Capitoline Hill has the best views over the Roman ruins.
• Lunch at Mizio’s Street Food – Indulge in huge Italian deli sandwiches at Mizio’s Street Food which is super close to the Colosseum.
• Old Bridge Gelateria – Take the metro to Vatican City and enjoy a post-lunch treat famous for its fresh fruit gelato flavors.
• Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Tour – Book this two-and-a-half-hour kid-friendly tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica with skip-the-line access.
• St. Peter’s Basilica – If you don’t book the tour, you can visit the most important Catholic church in the world for free. It’s better to go later in the day to avoid lines. Dress appropriately!
• Nighttime Vespa Tour – If you are visiting Rome with teens, they will absolutely love driving through the city on a vintage Vespa.

Day 3: Train to Sorrento

Wave arrivederci to the Eternal City and get ready to embark on your first experience of train travel in Italy. If you are traveling from city to city (which you are), traveling by high-speed trains is the best way to get around the country. They’re cheap, easy to navigate, comfortable, and usually reliable.

Book your intercity train tickets in advance (we recommend Omio), especially if you’re traveling with a large family. Once all seats are sold out on a train, they don’t accept additional passengers.

It’s well worth downloading the Omio app for your vacation to keep track of your Trenitalia tickets. You can use it to buy and store your train tickets, receive updates about your journey, and use the train carriage blueprints to find toilets and luggage storage.

Next stop: Sorrento on the picturesque Amalfi Coast in Southern Italy! Train journeys from Rome Termini to Sorrento take around two hours and 30 minutes, so set off after breakfast to arrive by lunch.

The Amalfi Coast is known for its small villages with pastel-colored houses, lemon trees, luxury hotels and resorts, and beautiful sandy beaches. It’s just 30 miles long but there’s lots to do for kids in the area so book two nights in Sorrento.

Things To Do in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast With Kids

• Lunch at Twins Gourmet Sandwich Shop – This deli makes incredibly soft, stuffed focaccia sandwiches and takeaway salads that are easy to get on the go.
• Gelato at Raki – Follow lunch with a trip to this homemade gelateria with an ever-changing menu of delicious seasonal flavors.
• Villa Pollio Felice in Sorrento – The ruins of a Roman villa are perched on this beautiful cliff with a secluded, natural swimming hole popular with families.
• Cathedral of Saints Philip and James in Sorrento – Churches are the perfect places to escape the sun! Sorrento Cathedral is a lavish Baroque Roman church so it’s worth visiting.
• Bastion of Parsano City Walls in Sorrento – See what remains of Sorrento’s medieval city walls and walk along them when they’re open during peak season.
• Kayak Tour from Marina del Cantone – Explore some of the best places on the Amalfi Coast from the water on this super fun kayaking tour.

Want to squeeze in a trip to the Isle of Capri while you’re on the Amalfi Coast? This half-day trip to Capri small group tour is a great option. It starts at 3:00 PM so you have plenty of time to drop your luggage off at your hotel first. It includes a swim stop and potentially a visit to the Blue Grotto.

Day 4: Day Trip to Pompeii

Use Sorrento as a home base and take a fascinating and educational day trip to Pompeii. In 79 CE, Mount Vesuvius volcano erupted and covered the town of Pompeii in lava and ash. The town lay tragically preserved until excavations began in 1748.

Today, Pompeii is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s one of the best places to see Ancient Roman ruins like baths, amphitheaters, villas, and more.

Public transportation options from Sorrento to Pompeii are bus or train. The train is easily the faster, most comfortable choice as it only takes around 30 minutes. Because you’d be taking a regional, local train and not an intercity train, there’s no need to book tickets in advance. Head to the train station with enough time to book return tickets for the whole family.

You could also opt for an organized day trip and book a family tour of Pompeii after making your way there by train.

Here are some sites you should visit while in Pompeii:

• Roman Amphitheater
• Baths at Pompeii
• House of Sallust 
• House of the Tragic Poet
• House of Vetti
• Garden of the Fugitives
• The Forum
• Villa of the Mysteries

Pompeii is the right place to visit with older, active kids too. If they’re less interested in visiting the UNESCO site, book a guided hike up Mount Vesuvius. 

Day 5: Train to Venice

Leave Sorrento bright and early so you can have as much time as possible to explore Venice! This beautiful city is known for its canals, bridges, cobblestone alleyways, galleries, and striking architecture. While Venice might seem like a good place to visit as a couple, it’s absolutely worth visiting with kids too. 

Just be sure to keep an extra close eye on little ones near water! At least there are no cars in Venice.

You will need to book on one of the direct trains from Sorrento to Venice’s main train station, Venice Santa Lucia. Don’t book tickets to Venice Mestre as this station is on the mainland! Trains from Sorrento to Venice usually take over five hours as you’ll be traveling from Southern to Northern Italy, so book early morning tickets.

Spend two nights in Venice to ensure you see the highlights and have the best experience possible.

First-Day Things To Do in Venice With Kids

• Lunch at Birreria Forst – Everyone will be craving a satisfying lunch after such a long train ride! Grab a couple of huge sandwiches from this small bar in this historic center.
• Chase the Pigeons in St. Mark’s Square – Venice’s main square is the heart of the city, and it’s always full of pigeons because people feed them! Your kids will love chasing them, attempting to feed/attract them, or running away from them. Either way, it’s a quintessential Venetian experience!
• St. Mark’s Basilica – Unlike other major churches in Italy, you can book basic skip-the-line tickets with an audio guide at St. Mark’s Basilica for around €10. It’s worth it as there’s currently a €3 entrance fee anyway! Visiting the city’s domed basilica with its opulent golden mosaics is a must.
• Climb St. Mark’s Campanile – Just outside of the basilica is the tallest tower in Venice measuring 323 ft/98.6 m. Tickets sell out, so book in advance for unrivaled views over the lagoon. Don’t worry, there’s an elevator!
• The Doge’s Palace – Once the residence of the Republic of Venice’s leader, this Gothic-style palace has dungeons, armor, and stately rooms you can explore. Book the Secret Itineraries Tour well in advance because this super popular tour will take you around parts of the building not usually open to the public.
• Take a Gondola Ride – When in Venice, you have to take a gondola ride along the Grand Canal! Rides cost around €80 during the day and €100 after hours, but you and your kids will love it.

Day 6: Full Day Exploring Venice

Venice isn’t a large city so it’s easy to get around with a mix of walking and waterbus. But there’s a lot to see so don’t sleep in! You will want to be up and out before the cruise ships dock and the passengers flood the city around 10:00 AM every day.

Book fun classes that the whole family will enjoy. If you have younger kids, follow fun tours and burn off energy in parks. If you have older kids, they might enjoy cultural attractions like the Peggy Guggenheim Collection or Accademia Gallery.

Second-Day Activities in Venice for Families

• Venice Scavenger Hunt – Wander along the canals and through the narrow alleys in a way that will be fun for your kids. Follow a Scavenger Hunt to find as many Lions of St. Mark, the symbol of the Venetian Republic, as you can. Once you start counting, you will realize they’re everywhere!
• Rialto Bridge and Market – Venice’s famous 16th-century stone footbridge, this is the perfect photo op for family photos.
• Venetian Mask-Making Class – Mask-making in Venice has been a tradition for centuries. You and your kids can learn all about history and art and make a mask to take home.
• Lunch at Dal Moro or Acqua e Mais – Grab a cone of freshly-made pasta or seafood if your kids are more adventurous eaters for lunch.
• Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class – You cannot visit Italy without taking at least one cooking class. This family-friendly activity will teach the whole family how to make pasta from scratch and you get to eat your creations afterward.
• Watch Sunset from San Giorgio Maggiore – Take a waterbus over to San Giorgio Maggiore Island and watch the sunset over the Venetian Lagoon.
• Vivaldi Four Seasons Concert – If you are traveling with older kids, take them to this unforgettable classical music concert at a Vivaldi church.

If you don’t want to book classes or your kids are too old for scavenger hunts, there are some easy day trip options.

Famous for glassmaking, Murano is another island in the Venetian lagoon and it only takes 20 minutes to reach via waterbus.

Burano is further off the beaten path and takes around 45 minutes by waterbus. The colorful houses and fewer crowds on both islands will win you over instantly.

Day 7: Train to Florence

Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance and a must-visit on a 10-day trip to Italy with kids! You might think a city full of museums and Renaissance art isn’t a great spot to visit with family but you’d be so wrong! It’s well set up for tourists with plenty of child-friendly eateries and fun attractions like carousels.

Like Rome, you must book tickets with a time slot at most attractions ahead of your visit, especially with kids. It’s not uncommon for people to wait two hours in line for the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s David. We recommend springing for a private tour over standing around in the midday heat!

Book your train from Venice to Florence Santa Maria Novella train station in advance. Direct trains take around two and a half to three hours. The best time to depart is just after breakfast so you can arrive in Florence for lunch. Book two nights in Florence.

First-Day Things To Do in Florence With Kids

• Lunch at Mercato Centrale – Florence’s historic food market has a food hall on the top floor where you can order from different stalls but still eat together as a family on a communal table. Win-win!
• Family Bike Tour – Get acquainted with Florence by joining a bike tour if you have older kids. Florence is pretty flat (except if you go up to Piazzale Michelangelo!) so it’ll be a fun family activity.
• Eat at Vivoli Gelateria – Dating back to 1929, Vivoli is Florence’s longest-running gelateria! It’s also delicious, so grab a cone to replenish your energy after the bike ride.
• Florence Duomo Skip-the-Line Tour – Visiting Florence’s landmark 15th-century Renaissance Cathedral is free, but that can mean waiting in long lines. If you want, you can book a 90-minute skip-the-line tour and learn more about one of the largest churches in the world too.
• Piazza della Repubblica Carousel – This historic city center carousel has been a favorite among locals and tourists alike since it opened in 1871! Your littlest (and your biggest) kids will love it.
• Palazzo Vecchio Bell Tower – Tickets must be booked in advance, but the Arnolfo Tower is the tallest in the city and offers the best views! Be warned, you will have to climb 233 steps to the top.
• Piazza della Signoria – Palazzo Vecchio is on Piazza della Signoria, Florence’s main square. Check out the replica of Michelangelo’s David and other incredible sculptures (watch out for pickpockets).

Day 8: Full Day Exploring Florence

Everything is a short walk away in Florence so you don’t have to bother with taxis and public transportation. If your kids complain about the walking, you’re never too far from a gelateria to perk them up! 

Start your day early so you’re not rushing around. Don’t feel bad about skipping some of the artworks and spending less time than you think you should in some of the galleries. You don’t want to push your kids’ attention span and some of these museums are so big it would be impossible to see everything in one trip! 

Second-Day Activities in Florence for Families

• Accademia Gallery – If you book a ticket for any attraction, make it this one. Seeing Michelangeo’s David in all its glory first thing in the morning is the best way to start your day.
• Leonardo da Vinci Interactive Museum – Known for his inventions, as well as his artwork, the Leonardo da Vinci Museum, has replicas of his creations that your kids can try.
• Lunch at All’Antico Vinaio – Refuel at this popular sandwich shop in Florence’s historic center. One focaccia sandwich is so big it could probably feed two!
• Uffizi Gallery – Don’t visit the famous 16th-century gallery without booking this private family tour. Your kids will be so much more engaged and you get priority entrance.
• Ponte Vecchio – Walk south of the gallery to the River Arno and cross the medieval Ponte Vecchio, the most famous bridge in the city. There are lots of souvenir and jewelry shops along the bridge which makes it so unique.
• Boboli Gardens – You can opt for a combined 15th-century Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens ticket, but you will probably have museum fatigue. Just enjoy a stroll around these ornate formal gardens where there usually is not a long wait for tickets.
• Eat at Gustapizza – Just around the corner from Pitti Palace is a casual family-friendly pizzeria. Lines can be long but it moves fast.

If you have younger kids who will get bored of museums, skip one and book a family gelato-making class! Florence is the alleged birthplace of gelato, after all, so there’s nowhere better in Italy to sample this treat. 

Day trips from florence

If this is your second time visiting Florence, you’ve probably visited all the best places in the city and might want to venture out into the Tuscan countryside among the cypress trees and olive groves.

Hop on a regional train and visit small towns and cities like Pisa, Siena, or Lucca. While there are a lot of small group day tours to places like San Gimignano and Chianti, most of them include visits to vineyards and wineries which aren’t exactly kid-friendly!

Day 9: Train to Rome

Arriving in Rome the day before your return flight is a good idea for two reasons. First, it will minimize the risk of missing your flight home due to train strikes (common in Italy). Second, it gives you a much-needed extra day to return to your favorite things in Rome (i.e. revisit your top gelaterias), check off activities you missed out on, or squeeze in some cool, alternative activities.

It only takes about 90 minutes to travel by train from Florence to Rome. Although there will be many services to choose from, it’s still a good idea to book these tickets in advance to ensure you’re seated together.

Depending on the age of your kids, you might enjoy a pizza or pasta cooking class so you can attempt to create some of your new favorite dishes at home. Check out these experiences to fill your extra time in Rome! 

Alternative Activities in Rome for Families

• Rome Catacombs – Rome has over 60 Catacombs dating back to the Ancient Romans. Five are still open with Saint Callixtus and Saint Domitilla being the best to visit. They’re all a little out of the historic center so you’ll need to take a bus or book a guided tour like this Secrets Below Rome tour. These are dark burial chambers so they may not be suitable for your younger kids.
• Gladiator School – Younger kids with plenty of energy will absolutely love this two-hour Gladiator School experience! They will get costumes, learn cool fight moves, and learn what being a Roman Gladiator is all about.
• Pizza and Tiramisu Cooking Class – Not managed to fit in a cooking class during your 10-day trip to Italy?! This is your last chance! This small-group workshop shows you how to make handmade pizza and tiramisu from scratch and they welcome adults and kids
• Twilight Trastevere Food Tour – Your last night in Italy is also your last chance to eat all the good food you can! Opt for a tour guide to show you all of the best spots in Rome’s coolest neighborhood across the river. Secret Food Tours also offers a private tour if you need to tailor the tour for kids with allergies or spend less time learning about local wine and spirits.

Day 10: Explore Rome and Head Home

Spend the last day of your 10-day trip to Italy with kids in a beautiful park with panoramic views of Rome: Villa Borghese.

Villa Borghese is the third-largest park in Rome’s historic city center (measuring 80 acres) and will be the cherry on top of your vacation. If you have little kids, you can visit the Bioparco di Roma Zoo. Or, if you have older kids, you can book tickets for the Borghese Gallery and Museum.

The whole family will love the 18th-century Tempio di Esculapio located on a beautiful lake surrounded by trees. There is a boat rental right on the waterfront so you can hire paddleboats.

Because Villa Borghese is on a hill, there are some steep climbs but you’re rewarded with beautiful views. Head to Passeggiata del Pincio where you can look over Piazza del Popolo and beyond. The perfect place to end an incredible trip!

Follow this Guide for a 10-Day Trip to Italy With Kids

Many 10-day itinerary ideas for Italy rush around too fast and don’t leave you much time to see the highlights of each city or region. This itinerary for a 10-day trip to Italy is ideal for families as you’re not repacking every morning or driving a tiny rental car down Italy’s infamous narrow streets.

There are many suggestions for different activities, attractions, day trips, and guided tours in each destination. You can choose the best things to do for the ages and interests of your kids so that the whole family has a great time and a fantastico Italian vacation that you’ll never forget!