7-Day Family Friendly Itinerary in Italy

  • Day 1: Explore the Colosseum and the Roman Forum
    30 minutes (2.2 miles) from Vatican City

    The Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is an iconic symbol of Rome and ancient Italy. As a family, you can take a guided tour, and learn about its history and significance. After visiting the Colosseum, head towards the sprawling ruins of the Roman Forum and discover ancient landmarks and buildings such as the Temple of Julius Caesar and the Arch of Titus.

  • Day 2: Discover Vatican City and St. Peter's Basilica
    10 minutes (1.4 miles) from The Colosseum

    Vatican City, the smallest sovereign state in the world, is a must-visit for your family especially if you are interested in art and history. Inside the Vatican Museums, you can discover the Sistine Chapel, a masterpiece by Michelangelo, and other collections. Then, head towards St. Peter's Basilica, one of the world's largest churches, where you can see splendid masterpieces of art including Michelangelo's Pieta.

  • Day 3: Visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the city of Florence
    1 hour 30 minutes (53.4 miles) from Vatican City

    Start your day by driving to Pisa to see the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa that still stands after centuries of subsidence. Then head to Florence, the birthplace of Renaissance and the capital of Tuscany. In Florence, discover famous landmarks such as the Piazza del Duomo, Galleria dell'Accademia, and the Uffizi Gallery.

  • Day 4: Explore the canals and basilicas of Venice
    3 hours 20 minutes (162.5 miles) from Florence

    Take a day trip to the charming city of Venice, a city built on water. Explore the intricate canals and bridges, and visit landmarks such as St. Mark's Basilica, Grand Canal, and the Rialto Bridge. For an authentic experience, take a gondola ride through the narrow canals.

  • Day 5: Discover the ancient ruins of Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius
    3 hours 30 minutes (160.7 miles) from Venice

    Visit the ancient city of Pompeii that was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Discover the ruins, artifacts and frescoes. After that drive up to the Mount Vesuvius National Park, and hike to the edge of the crater for breathtaking views of the Bay of Naples.

  • Day 6: Take a break in the coast of Amalfi and Sorrento
    1 hour (31.9 miles) from Mount Vesuvius

    Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the cities and head towards the picturesque coast of Amalfi and Sorrento. You can visit the cliff-side villages and soak in the stunning views of the sea. Take a swim in the turquoise waters or relax on the beach. Don't miss out on having some local sea-food while enjoying the breathtaking sceneries.

  • Day 7: Departure day
    50 minutes (30.6 miles) from Sorrento

    It's time to pack your bags and head to one of the airports in Italy for your journey back home. We hope you had a great time exploring the country with your family.

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Colosseum (2-3 hours, €16)
  • Vatican City and St. Peter's Basilica (2-3 hours, free entry)
  • The Leaning Tower of Pisa (1-2 hours, €18)
  • Galleria dell'Accademia (1-2 hours, €16)
  • The Uffizi Gallery (2-3 hours, €20)
  • St. Mark's Basilica (1-2 hours, free entry)
  • Pompeii (2-3 hours, €20)
  • Mount Vesuvius (2-3 hours, €10)

Total Estimated Costs: €100 per person

Transportation

You can rent a car for a comfortable family trip. Public transport in Italy is efficient, but not child-friendly. We recommend booking a private shuttle from the airport, to avoid any hassle on your first day. Taking taxis is more convenient, but can be expensive. A round-trip of around 1100 miles, can cost around €300-€400.

Useful tips

If you have more time, consider visiting other Italian cities such as Milan or Naples. Make sure to book your tickets for attractions in advance to avoid long queues. Italy is famously known for its food; don't miss out on regional dishes like pizza, pasta, risotto, lasagne and gelato. Reduce one of the cities if you have less time, but make sure to cover at least three of them.

Airports

There are three major airports in Italy, the Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (FCO) in Rome, the Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) and Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE). The Leonardo da Vinci International Airport is the largest airport in Italy and is located around 18 miles southwest of Rome.

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