Italy rewards families with a mix of epic history, easy kid-pleasing food, and coastline made for summer days. In a single week you can trace emperors’ footsteps at the Colosseum, stand under Michelangelo’s ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, then ferry-hop to beaches framed by lemon groves on the Amalfi Coast.

Ancient Rome anchors the first half of this itinerary: guided tours save time (and attention spans) while bringing the stories to life. After three days of pizza al taglio, piazzas, and gelato, you’ll head south by high-speed train and ferry to Amalfi for warm-water swims, a gentle-but-spectacular hike, and a half-day boat ride.

Practical notes: Churches enforce modest dress (shoulders/knees covered). Summer is hot—carry water, sunscreen, and hats; book timed entries for the Vatican and Colosseum. Trains and ferries are family-friendly; strollers work in Rome’s center but bring a carrier for Amalfi stairs and trails.

Rome

Rome is a living museum that kids can touch—stone seats in the Colosseum, cobbles in the Forum, water splashing from Bernini fountains. It’s also comfort-food central: pizza by the slice, suppli (fried rice balls), and gelato on repeat between big-ticket sights.

• Top sights with kids: Colosseum and Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain (coin toss!), Pantheon, Castel Sant’Angelo, Piazza Navona’s street artists, and Villa Borghese’s parks and pedal carts.
• Insider tip: Book guided tours that skip lines and keep stories vivid—gladiators, emperors, and Michelangelo never fail.

Where to stay (mid-range friendly): In Trastevere, Hotel Santa Maria (courtyard rooms great for families). Near Termini/Republica, Hotel Mascagni balances value and comfort. For budget travelers, The Beehive offers well-run hostel/private rooms.

Browse more stays: VRBO Rome | Hotels.com Rome

Getting there: Compare flights to Rome (FCO/CIA) on Omio (flights in Europe). Within Italy, use Omio (trains) for high-speed services that are stroller-friendly.

Day 1: Arrival, Centro Storico stroll, Trevi by twilight

Afternoon: Land in Rome and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle loop: Piazza Navona (street artists), the Pantheon (small entry fee; spectacular oculus), and an espresso for adults at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè while kids sample maritozzi (cream buns) nearby.

Evening: Toss a coin at the Trevi Fountain and climb the Spanish Steps at golden hour. Dinner at Pizzeria da Baffetto (classic Roman thin-crust) or Enoteca Corsi (simple pastas; friendly staff). Gelato at Gelateria del Teatro—try pistachio or seasonal fruit.

Day 2: Gladiators and emperors—Colosseum, Forum, Palatine

Morning: Join a skip-the-line tour so your family spends time exploring, not queuing:

Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Guided Tour

Stories of gladiators and emperors bring the ruins to life; guides tailor details to kids’ ages.

Afternoon: Picnic in Parco del Colle Oppio playground or ride a pedal cart in Villa Borghese. Coffee for adults at Caffè Doria; kids get granita di caffè con panna (without the espresso for little ones).

Evening: Explore Monti’s boutiques. Dinner at Trattoria Da Valentino (carbonara, amatriciana) or Pizzeria Alle Carrette (great for families). Gelato at Fatamorgana Monti—creative, allergen-aware flavors.

Day 3: Vatican highlights and Trastevere tastes

Morning: Book a guided visit for context and smoother logistics:

Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour

Marvel at the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel; guides point out kid-friendly details (look for Michelangelo’s self-portrait).

Afternoon: Walk the bridge to Castel Sant’Angelo for views and a medieval feel. Snack stop: Pizzarium Bonci (pizza al taglio with endless topping combos).

Evening: Taste Rome like locals on an award-winning stroll:

Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe

This family-friendly evening includes Roman street food, suppli, and gelato—dinner is covered.

Optional add-on (great with kids, low walking): Rome by Golf Cart Private Tour: Beyond the Landmarks

Amalfi Coast (base: Amalfi or Praiano)

Welcome to cliffside villages, citrus perfumes, and mellow beaches perfect for kids. Amalfi town is an easy, central base with a broad main beach; nearby Praiano is quieter with excellent bus connections for the Path of the Gods hike. Ferries make village-hopping fun and scenic.

• Best family beaches: Amalfi’s Marina Grande (wide, serviced), Fornillo in Positano (calmer than Spiaggia Grande), Atrani (a tiny village with a sheltered cove).
• Can’t-miss with kids: Half-day boat ride, Amalfi’s paper museum (hands-on), lemon granita from a street kiosk, and the cliff-top gardens of Ravello.

Where to stay (mid-range picks): On the coast, Hotel Margherita (Praiano) has a rooftop pool and sea-view family rooms; in Amalfi town, consider Hotel Amalfi or sea-facing Hotel Marina Riviera. Budget-friendly on the coast: Hotel La Pergola. For Positano splurges, Hotel Poseidon.

Browse more stays: VRBO Amalfi | Hotels.com Amalfi

Getting there from Rome (morning transfer): Take a high-speed train Rome Termini → Salerno (about 2h; ~€25–45) via Omio (trains), then a ferry Salerno → Amalfi (35–50 min; ~€10–16) via Omio (ferries). Families love the scenic boat arrival.

Day 4: Rome → Amalfi Coast, first swim and lemon-scented evening

Morning: Depart Rome on an early Frecciarossa to Salerno (reserve seats). From the Salerno waterfront, board the ferry to Amalfi—keep cameras ready for dramatic cliffs and pastel villages.

Afternoon: Check in and hit Marina Grande beach for a relaxed first swim. Rent sunbeds/umbrella for comfort; bring water shoes for pebbles.

Evening: Stroll Amalfi’s cathedral steps at dusk. Dinner at Pizzeria Donna Stella (garden setting under lemon trees) or Trattoria Da Maria (hearty, affordable plates). Dessert at Pasticceria Andrea Pansa—sfogliatella or delizia al limone.

Day 5: Family hike—Path of the Gods → Positano + beach time

Morning: Bus from Amalfi to Bomerano (Agerola). Walk the Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) to Nocelle: 6.5 km, mostly flat-to-gentle downhill, 2–3 hours with many photo stops. Pack water and snacks; there’s shade but also exposed stretches.

Afternoon: From Nocelle, take the bus down to Positano and unwind at Fornillo Beach (calmer and slightly cheaper sunbeds than Spiaggia Grande). Lunch beachside—grilled fish or gnocchi alla Sorrentina.

Evening: Explore Positano lanes. Dinner at Da Vincenzo (book ahead) or Casa e Bottega (fresh, veggie-forward plates). Ferry back to Amalfi (about 20–25 min; check last sailing on Omio (ferries)).

Day 6: Boat day or village-hopping—your choice

Morning: Rent a small boat (no license needed for 40HP) for 3–4 hours and cruise to hidden coves—Santa Croce and Duoglio offer clear water and rock pools kids love. Expect ~€120–200 + fuel; life jackets provided.

Afternoon: Moor for lunch at a beach club (spaghetti alle vongole and lemon sorbet). If you prefer land, ferry-hop to Minori for pastries at Sal De Riso, then walk (or short bus) to Atrani’s gentle beach.

Evening: Golden-hour visit to Ravello (bus from Amalfi) for Villa Rufolo’s gardens and sweeping sea views. Dinner back in Amalfi at L’Abside (seafood) or in Praiano at Kasai (panoramas; kid-friendly staff).

Day 7: Amalfi paper, last dip, and departure

Morning: Visit the Museo della Carta (paper museum) for a hands-on look at medieval papermaking—kids can try stamping sheets. Coffee and cornetti in Piazza Duomo.

Afternoon: Final swim and lunch—try cuoppo (paper cones of fried seafood) to-go. Depart to your next stop or airport: Amalfi → Salerno by ferry (35–50 min), then Salerno → Rome (about 2h) or Salerno → Naples (40–60 min) on Omio (trains). For flights within Europe, check Omio (flights).

Rome food and coffee quick list (save for later)

• Breakfast/coffee: Roscioli Caffè (pastries), Panella (historic bakery), Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè.
• Lunch: Mercato Testaccio (family-friendly stalls), Pizzarium Bonci (slices), Forno Campo de’ Fiori (takeaway pizza bianca).
• Dinner: Da Enzo al 29 (Trastevere classic), Pizzeria Ai Marmi (bustling, fun), Tonnarello (huge portions; go early).
• Gelato: Gelateria del Teatro; Otaleg (try seasonal fruit flavors).

Amalfi Coast bites the whole family will love

• Amalfi: Pizzeria Donna Stella; Taverna Buonvicino (quiet courtyard).
• Minori: Sal De Riso (dessert temple—don’t miss lemon delizia).
• Positano: Da Vincenzo; Collina Bakery (breakfast/quick bites); beach clubs on Fornillo for easy lunches.
• Praiano: Kasai (sunset views; kid-friendly mains and pastas).

Getting around summary and costs: Rome metro/buses are affordable; consider day passes. High-speed trains Rome ↔ Salerno average 2 hours (~€25–45 per adult) via Omio. Ferries along the Amalfi Coast run frequently in season (April–Oct) and are stroller-friendly; check routes/prices on Omio (ferries). For multi-city airfare to/from Rome or Naples, compare on Omio (flights).

Why this itinerary works for families and budgets (~50/100): Three tour-driven Rome days frontload your “musts” with skip-the-line access and engaging guides, then four slower coastal days keep costs predictable (beach + ferries + picnics). Mix sit-down trattorias with markets and bakery lunches to stay on budget without skimping on flavor.

In one week you’ll trace 2,000 years of history, eat extraordinarily well, and make sun-drenched memories on the Tyrrhenian Sea. Keep this guide handy—you’ve got transport links, kid-tested restaurants, and day-by-day plans all in one place.