Rome is one of the world’s most iconic cities and it is full of endless attractions. You will have no problem
curating an exciting and balanced itinerary for your Rome family vacation!
The key to any family vacation is to ensure everyone has something they look forward to every day. Follow this guide for a perfect day in Rome when traveling with your family of young adults!
Where to Stay in Rome
When traveling with family, it is important to pick a place that is close to attractions, but not too touristy, and where you can get a local experience. Luckily for you, Rome is a very walkable city so bring your walking shoes!
Our top recommendation is to stay in the Trastevere neighborhood. The colorful, upbeat, and funky area is known for its trattorias, artisan shops, and great nightlife. When traveling with young adults as a family, there is something for everyone!
Example Itinerary of a Perfect Day in Rome
Breakfast
Start the day off at a local café and experience a typical Italian breakfast of a cappuccino e cornetto (croissant). If you are craving a yummy, more American-style breakfast, Mammo in Trastevere has it! Great breakfast bagels and sandwiches can be found here.
Sightseeing Idea #1 — Piazza Navona, The Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, & Spanish Steps
After fueling up for the day, you can hit these four sites in one swoop!
- Baroque-style Piazza Navona is one of the most popular squares in Rome. It features three beautiful fountains and is surrounded by restaurants and terraces to create a charming and lively atmosphere.
- After walking through the Piazza, head to the Pantheon where the entrance is free (but buy your tickets beforehand!).
- About an 8-minute walk from the Pantheon is the iconic Trevi Fountain. Don’t forget to throw in a coin over your left shoulder to wish for a return to Rome!
- Finally, finish at the Spanish Steps and explore the neighborhood which is full of upscale stores.
If this feels like too much, do not worry. Feel free to take out any of these stops and come back to them on another day!
Sightseeing Idea #2 — Colloseo & Musei Capitolini
An absolute must-see site is the Colosseum. In the center of the city of Rome, the Colosseum is the largest standing amphitheater in the world!
After spending some time at the Colosseum, you can visit the nearby Musei Capitolini, which contains ancient Roman statues, artifacts, Medieval and Renaissance art, along with much more.
Pro-tip: The Roma Family Pass will allow you to see all of the sites like the Colosseum, Forum, Circus Maximus, Musei Capitolini, and so much more at a discounted rate. The Roma Family Pass also is partnered with FreeNow, Italy’s main taxi service. This partnership provides Roma Family Pass holders discounted taxi rides to allow families to get from one place to the next seamlessly! To buy the Roma Pass click here.
Lunch in Prati
After lots of walking and sightseeing, it is most definitely time for a panini, a typical Italian lunch. We recommend Porcadella or Pagnottella Gourmet, both offering many paninis so you will find something for everyone to love.
Post-lunch
After lunch, if you are still up for it, walk around the Prati neighborhood to see all of the many stores it has to offer. You can also take a stroll over to the Vatican!
Aperitivo
Aperitivo (or aperitif) is a must for traveling with young adults, especially in the Trastevere neighborhood. The Italian tradition of aperitivo is a drink and light meal that takes place at the end of the workday and before dinner. Between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm is a blissful moment for chatting, relaxing, and enjoying the company of others. One of our favorite locations is Mimi e Coco (Trast). Have a spritz and little bites at an outdoor table while enjoying the ambiance of the neighborhood.
Dinner
Dinner in Rome typically occurs around 8:00 pm or later. Our recommendation for dinner is Da Enzo al 29. Da Enzo serves delicious, simple, and genuine typical Roman cuisine. While there may be a wait, it is well worth it.
By Maddie Williamson
