4 days in Rome Itinerary: Guide for exploring Rome with kids

Rome was the last destination of our fabulous two-week trip to Italy family vacation. Sort of a cherry on a yum cake! Italian cities are amongst my favorite – the art, architecture, history are spell-binding and the good food makes it even more worthwhile. We were traveling with our (then) 4-year-old daughter and scoured the internet for things to do in Rome with kids. Thankfully, my daughter enjoyed many of the open ruin sites in Rome that were part of our Rome 4-day itinerary.

We had an easy itinerary for the 4 days we spent in Rome and made sure we had enough time for wandering around aimlessly, indulging in scoops of gelatos, good food, and wine. We explored Rome after following Venice itinerary and then spending a few blissful days at the Amalfi coast. Dive into the Roman past with my 4-day Rome itinerary to this awe-inspiring city!

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When to visit Rome

The best time to visit Rome is during spring (mid March to May) and fall (September – October). This combines pleasant weather minus the peak summer crowds. Spring truly starts in Rome in April and despite some rain showers, this is one of the months when Rome fills with blossoming plants. So consider Rome if you are visiting Europe in April.

Do note that in 2025, Rome will be particularly busy due to the Vatican Jubilee, attracting a large number of pilgrims. Due to the Jubilee and high demand, booking early is recommended. We visited Rome in early June when the weather was not too hot.

Rome Itinerary for 4 days for a first-time visit

Day 1 of the Rome Itinerary

Colosseum

Considered one of the Wonders of the world, the Roman Colosseum is an impressive monument.

This is one ancient site that would not leave you underwhelmed: 50,000 seat arena, 80 entrance arches, something that can rival even the most modern stadiums.

Once you step inside, you can opt for an audio tour or read the information boards that explain the history of the monument quite comprehensively. There are many murals, stone/marble and other objects displayed inside the Colosseum.

When you walk up the first floor, you can see the huge tiered seating inside. Try imagining the gladiators fighting off the wild animals or each other with the huge crowds cheering them on! This is a must-do attraction for anyone visiting Rome, so be prepared for the crowds.

It is best to go as early as possible in the morning or quite late in the evening just before closing time. My daughter loved our time here so I would recommend this as one of the things to do in Rome with kids.

Rome has some of the most famous landmarks in Italy. We decided to visit the other 2 attractions the next day and spent some time meandering around Campo de Fiori on our way back to the apartment.

Tickets & Booking Information

We had booked our tickets online (visit coopculture.it) for the main part of the Colosseum. This ticket covers the trio – Colosseum, Forum and the Palatine Hill – and allows entry over 2 consecutive days. In 2025, due to larger crowds, it is best to book online tickets ahead for popular attractions such as the Colosseum. You could also opt for a guided tour with access to areas in the Colosseum not open to the public in general.

In hindsight, I think it is better to take a guided tour, both for additional information and accessibility to areas like the underground area and Level 3 of the Colosseum (this is not included in the entry ticket we had booked).

Check out these different tour options to the Colosseum:

Day 2 of the Rome 4-day itinerary

Capitoline Museums

We decided to start the day by walking up to one of the most popular museums in Rome – the Capitoline Museums. Dating from 1471, the Capitoline Museums are the world’s oldest public museums. There were more people outside on Capitoline Hill than inside the museums. The Capitoline Hill has nice views of the Forum on the backside.

We spent about an hour looking at the vast collection of classical sculptures and paintings, though it demands much more time. It was difficult to engage our daughter in any of the artifacts here, in stark contrast to the Colosseum.

The iconic exhibit of this museum is the Lupa Capitolina (Capitoline Wolf), a sculpture of Romulus and Remus under a She-wolf.

This represents the most famous amongst Rome’s many legends: the story of Romulus and Remus who were raised by a she-wolf, who discovered them near the Palatino. Years later, the twins decided to found a city on the site where they had originally been saved.

For opening hours and ticket prices, visit the official website.

Roman Forum

Many tourists just check the Colosseum off their list and not venture into the Roman Forum or the Palatine Hill. This is quite a shame. The 3 sights are next to each other and your Colosseum ticket covers all 3. When it comes to iconic landmarks, Rome is the winner in the Rome vs. Florence debate.

It does become a long day if you cover it in one day. And yet, I would urge you not to miss either the Forum or the Palatine Hill when you visit the Colosseum or plan it for the next day like we did. Definitely recommended as one of the things to do in Rome with kids. Do make sure you are carrying adequate water and a cap to shield from the strong sun in summer months.

Unlike the Colosseum, this site is not well signposted so you may consider taking a guide along with you. If you haven’t done an advance booking for a guided tour, you can easily find a guide outside the Forum. We entered here from a small entrance in front of the Colosseum, near the Arco di Tito.

This massive ancient ruin takes some imagination to conjure what it once was – a huge impressive meeting place with temples, bustling markets, the most important meeting place in ancient Rome.

Palatine Hill

If you are visiting the Palatine Hill towards the end of a long day like we did, you may be quite overwhelmed with all the history. But the Palatino or Palatine Hill does offer impressive views of both the Colosseum at one end and the Forum on the other.

According to the many myths and legends surrounding Rome, it was here that the city was founded in 753 BC. There are many excavation sights to be visited spread over a large area.

Outside the Colosseum and Forum area, you will find many local painters selling watercolour paintings of Italian monuments. Buy a watercolour painting instead of a postcard, they make for good souvenirs from Italy.

Day 3: An easy day wandering around the neighborhood

After 2 long days spent exploring the open ruins and the Capitoline museum, we decided to take it easy. We started the morning on a leisurely note ordering coffee in Italy in a bar, which itself is an art!

We spent the day mostly wandering around the streets and taking in the city life in nearby areas. Our apartment was within walking distance of the Pantheon and the Piazza Navona and that’s where we started.

Pantheon

Once a temple and now a church, the Pantheon is a popular site. Do look up at the impressive centerpiece with a circular opening in the middle where sunlight streams in and makes the interior magical. There is always an evening buzz in the square right outside the Pantheon.

It is best to book a skip-the-line ticket to this popular spot. Here are some tour options:

Piazza Navona

This is a magnificent square decorated by a massive fountain built by Benini. There are many restaurants and cafes on one side of this piazza and you can spend an easy hour taking in all the street artists and hawkers in this square. Kids love such piazzas which give them ample space to wander around and our daughter was no different! So, I would put this on a Rome itinerary for families.

Trevi Fountain

This is a well-photographed site of baroque style. It was in scaffolding when we visited, part of an expensive restoration by Fendi. The tradition is to toss a coin into the water, thus ensuring that you’ll return to Rome – on average about €3000 is thrown in every day.

This famous fountain is absolutely crammed with people during the day. If you want this instagrammable spot in Rome all to yourself, the the trick is to get here at sunrise.

Spanish Steps

After a leisurely lunch, we walked towards the Spanish Steps. It is really nice to go here in the evening though the steps do get quite crowded. Perch yourself at a height to take in marvelous views of the city.

If you have time on your 3rd day, you can add Villa Borghese Gardens to your Rome itinerary. These wonderful gardens can be found near the Spanish Steps, and they offer an ideal spot to relax and get some respite from the hot sun. The gardens are filled with flowers and plants, and the Galleria Borghese is home to historic artwork by famous painters such as Caravaggio.

Day 4 of the itinerary for Rome with kids

The Vatican Museum and the art collection therein is everything that it promises to be. One of the greatest collections in this tiny self-administered city-state was our agenda for the last full day in Rome. This is one of the reasons why Rome is favoured over Athens for a first visit, the sheer variety of historical monuments, art and architecture.

Everyone and I do mean everyone, who comes to Rome visits the Vatican, so don’t expect to be standing alone in silence when you look up at the marvel painted by Michelangelo at the Sistine Chapel. You do need to figure how best to visit the Vatican City. But even with the crowds swirling around you, the bold colors and the creativity will speak to you. 

You do get awestruck at the first few sculptures and then you start taking it in your stride. Everyone was a stellar artist in those times, it seems!! One impressive part of the Museum is the Gallery of the Maps. It was fun to see the outlines and the markings of different nations/empires from earlier times. But the crowds will ensure you can’t stop at any point for too long and have to keep moving.

After the Museum and Sistine Chapel, we went to St. Peter’s Basilica – one of the largest churches ever built depicting the Italian Renaissance in all its glory. The splendour and beauty of St Peter’s Basilica will leave you speechless. When deciding on what to wear in Italy, make sure you pack modest attire that covers your knees and shoulders for the Vatican visit.

Traveling with our 4-year old daughter, it wasn’t possible for us to climb the 551 steps to the top of the Basilica’s dome. But I am sure the 360-degree views of Vatican City from there must be stunning.

Its lavish interior contains many spectacular works of art, including three of Italy’s most celebrated masterpieces: Michelangelo’s Pietà, his soaring dome, and Bernini’s 29m-high baldachin over the papal altar.

We exited the basilica and came to St. Peter’s Square which despite the umpteen photos seen is impressive in real. I took my daughter to the small souvenir shop in this piazza and bought her a couple of excellent books on Rome and the Vatican.

Tickets & Tour Options

We had made an online booking for our admission tickets to the Vatican. The online reservation allows you to skip the line of the entrance to the Museum. There are a variety of guided tours on offer:

Travel Tips to Rome

1. Plan your itinerary: Do understand that you can’t do everything in Rome in one trip. There are so many museums, churches and other sites to see. You can’t see the Colosseum and Vatican in one day. So prioritise what you want to see and do in Rome.
2. Getting around in Rome: The public transport system in Rome is varied and cheap. You can take the metro but it doesn’t go everywhere. There are metro stops near the city’s top attractions. The bus network is extensive. Rome also has 6 tram lines but they don’t reach the city centre, so less useful for tourists. 
   Taxis in Rome can be expensive and prone to cheating tourists, so be careful. Uber operates in Rome, though it’s limited compared to taxis. You can download and use the taxi app FreeNow.
3. Plan your visits to attractions: Note museum timings and closure days for all museums, churches and other attractions. For popular sites in Rome, it is best to book skip the line tickets or guided tours for accessibility and additional information.
4. Watch your belongings everywhere: You do need to be careful about your belongings especially in public places and on trains, buses in Rome.
5. Food and drinks: You must try the local cuisine while in Rome. There are so many Italian food dishes that come from this city. Be it the Roman style artichoke, or a classic carbonara, the city is a gourmet delight! Rome offers some great options for best local Italian food. Order the house wine, there is no need to buy expensive wine bottles in restaurants. Coffee and gelato are a must-try. Do remember to make restaurant reservations for dinner at popular spots. 
6. Dress modestly at churches: Do remember to be in modest attire while visiting churches in Rome and Vatican City. Ladies, don’t show any cleavage. And shoulders and knees need to be covered for both men and women.
7. Wear comfortable shoes to walk everywhere. You will do a lot of walking around the sites in Rome, so comfort comes first. 
8. Some cash is needed for street food, taxis, tour guides etc. Bear in mind the increased pickpocketing risk for tourists in Rome. In general, you can use your credit or debit cards everywhere in the city.
9. Fill your reusable bottle at the water fountains. There is no need to buy bottled plastic water bottles in Rome.

Where to stay in Rome

We had booked an apartment via Airbnb for our stay in Rome. It gave us more space as a family while being in a central location, within walking distance of many attractions. Centro Storico is the heart of Rome, offering easy access to iconic sights like the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and the Trevi Fountain.

Piazza Navona/Pantheon area also is very central, with lots of restaurants and a lively atmosphere, making it a popular choice for tourists. For a slightly different experience, you can consider Monti. This vibrant neighbourhood offers a mix of history and trendy shops, Monti is a good choice for those who want to be close to the Colosseum. Trastevere is a great place to experience local culture. It is known for its charming, narrow cobblestone streets, lively atmosphere, and delicious trattorias.

If you prefer a hotel, it is nice to stay in Centro Storico, especially for a first-time visit. Check our hotel options in Rome.

Summary: Rome 4 day Itinerary

Our 4 days in Rome went past in a whiz! But Rome is not just about architectural marvels and fine museums. If you have an extra day in Rome, spend it walking through some of the neighbourhoods – like the Jewish Ghetto or the Trastevere. Trastevere is an excellent place to stay for dinner, visit a traditional trattoria like Osteria da Zi Umberto or Tonnarello. The neighbourhood comes alive in the evenings with a lively atmosphere.

We did all our sightseeing at a leisurely pace and made time for going to gelaterias, just soaking in the atmosphere around the main piazzas and eating to our heart’s content! What I would have liked to do is a food tour in this inspiring city. The regional variations in Italian food are vast and taking a culinary tour in Italy would be fabulous. We have enjoyed food tours in other places, and an Italian gastronomic journey sounds great. But that’s for another trip!

Planning a trip to Italy? Here are some more guides to help you plan your trip –

Italy Itinerary: The classic two-week Italy Itinerary

Italian cities: One day in Florence, 2 days in Venice, Visit the Vatican City, Rome vs. Florence

Italian regions: Amalfi coast itinerary for 4 days, Lake Towns in Northern Italy, Lake Como in 3 days, Cinque Terre, Best places to stay in Tuscany

Souvenirs: Good Souvenirs from Italy

Packing List: Complete packing guide for Italy

Food in Italy: 21 of the Best Local & Traditional Italian Food you must try

[This post was originally published in 2018, and last updated in April 2025.]

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