Updated 2026
Traveling to Italy with a toddler can be an incredible experience — but only if you go into it with realistic expectations. How you prepare truly can shape the entire trip.
There will be moments that feel magical, like sharing gelato in a quiet piazza or watching your toddler chase pigeons across a sunny square.
And there will be moments that feel exhausting — navigating crowds, juggling naps, and realizing that the way you used to travel just doesn’t work anymore. Both can exist at the same time.
When we were first traveling through Italy with young kids, I learned quickly that family travel in Italy looks very different than an adult-only trip. But with the right mindset, flexibility, and a willingness to slow down, it can still be deeply rewarding.
Since that first trip, we’ve returned to Italy multiple times — first with a toddler, and later traveling Italy with a baby and toddler.
Each visit taught us something new about pacing, transportation, eating out, and choosing experiences that actually worked for our family. This post reflects what we learned across multiple Italian cities and stages, not just one experience.
If you’re considering visiting Italy as a young family and feeling unsure if it’s even worth the effort, these are the practical travel tips I wish I had known before we went.
Note: Some links may be affiliate links. That means I may make a commission if you use my links to purchase, at no extra added cost to you! I only recommend products that I personally love and believe in. Full disclaimer here.
Is Italy a Good Destination with a Toddler?
Italy can be a wonderful destination with a toddler — but it really depends on how you’re hoping to experience it.
If you’re envisioning long wine tastings, late-night dinners, cooking classes, packed museum days, or evenings at concerts or operas, traveling with a toddler may feel more frustrating than fun. Those experiences are much easier to enjoy on an adult-only trip.
But if you’re open to slowing down and reshaping the way you travel, Italy can be surprisingly rewarding with young children.
One of the first things we heard was that Italians love children — and in our experience, that really was true. Our toddler was greeted with smiles and patience almost everywhere we went.
Exploring Italian cities with small children shifted our perspective. We spent more time in parks and open plazas, lingered over simple meals, and noticed small details we might have rushed past before.
Italy with a toddler isn’t about checking off every main attraction. It’s about flexibility, adjusting expectations, and allowing the trip to unfold at a pace that works for your family.
How to get Around Italy with a Toddler
How you move around Italy can make or break the experience when exploring Italian cities with small children.
For us, simpler almost always worked better.
Train travel in Italy with Young Kids
Traveling between major cities by train felt like the best way to get around Italy with a toddler. We booked our tickets through Trenitalia, and the process was straightforward.
I would also use OMNIO to check different schedules and rates.
One of the biggest advantages was not needing to worry about car seats or bringing our own car seat.
Toddlers typically travel free when seated with a parent, and having space to stand up and move around made a big difference on travel days.
What worked especially well for us:
- No car seat logistics
- Easy access to bathrooms
- Dining cars on many routes
- More flexibility than planes or private cars
- The freedom to move around
Train stations in major cities were generally easy to navigate, especially when we packed light.
Flying within Italy
Flying can make sense for longer distances, but airport days felt more tiring than train travel for us — especially with jet lag.
For family travel in Italy, trains consistently felt calmer and more predictable.
Driving in Italy with Small Children
We chose not to drive. Since we didn’t travel with our own car seat, rental companies and private cars added stress we didn’t want.
While driving can be helpful in rural areas or smaller towns, public transportation worked far better for our young family.
Public Transportation in Cities
Buses and local public transportation were reliable, especially within city centers. If you’re bringing a stroller, expect to fold it often.
The takeaway: Trains paired with walking and public transportation made traveling through Italy with young kids feel manageable.
Stroller vs Baby Carrier in Italy (what worked best for us)
Before our trip, one of my biggest questions was whether Italy would be stroller-friendly.
The honest answer is yes and no.
While we saw families using strollers, crowded historic centers, cobblestone streets, stairs, and busy city centers made a big stroller feel cumbersome.
A baby carrier gave us easy access to places we would have otherwise skipped.
The Benefits of a Stroller
- On-the-go naps
- A place to stash bags
- Occasional use as a changing surface
If you bring one, lightweight strollers with sturdy wheels work best.
Why We Relied on a Baby Carrier
The baby carrier was our most-used piece of baby gear. It made navigating public transportation, narrow sidewalks, and long lines much easier.
For us, the baby carrier was a great option and often the best way to explore big cities without feeling overwhelmed.
These Osprey Carriers are our go-tos. Check out my Top Travel Gear for Toddlers
Where to Buy Necessities for Your Toddler
We traveled light and therefore purchased most of our toddler’s necessities as we needed them.
Every morning, I would go through the diaper bag to make sure we had all of the essentials packed for the day.
Supermarkets
Italian grocery stores are smaller, but we relied on them heavily for baby food, fresh fruit, yogurt, and simple snacks.
Eating Italian food late at night didn’t always work for our toddler, so having easy options on hand was essential.
Diapers– there were a couple of times we had trouble finding the right-sized diapers in the smaller stores.
Pharmacies
This was our ideal place to run in and grab some baby wipes. They always had them, and all we needed to do was ask. We didn’t have to go hunting around for them.
For any medications, you would also purchase them here; the supermarkets didn’t have any medications.
Clothing Stores
H&M and ZARA were popular clothing stores we saw in almost every city. But, of course, you can also stop at the souvenir shops and purchase some clothes there.
This was an easy option, and although it may be pricier, it was convenient.
Water Closets/ Toilets
We figured out early that many bathrooms needed to have changing tables.
Some helpful tips:
- Bring a small changing mat
- Use your stroller
- Although they can be challenging to find, many of the public restrooms require a payment of 1-2 euros.
- Be prepared to get creative. For example, we often would take our toddler to a more secluded area, like a park or a park bench.
We often purchased coffee, water, or snacks at a cafe to use their toilet. That was far more convenient than locating the public water closets.
Eating Out in Italy With a Toddler
Dining in Italy with small children requires a slight mindset shift.
Most restaurants don’t open for dinner until around 7:30 p.m., and Italians tend to eat later than many American families are used to.
We quickly realized that planning around naps and hunger was more important than sticking to traditional dinner times.
Restaurants in major cities near tourist areas sometimes opened earlier, but they were often more crowded and expensive.
High Chairs and Kids’ Meals
High chairs weren’t guaranteed, especially in smaller restaurants. Bringing a portable travel high chair made meals far less stressful for us.
Kids’ menus weren’t common either. But servers were usually happy to prepare a simple pasta dish upon request. Italian food — especially pasta, bread, and fresh fruit — ended up being surprisingly toddler-friendly.
Breakfast Was the Easiest Meal
Breakfast quickly became our favorite meal of the day.
Stopping at a bakery for pastries or simple snacks allowed us to eat early and avoid crowds. It was a good way to ease into the day before exploring.
Our Best Meals Weren’t Fancy
Some of our favorite meals happened at small cafés near parks or open plazas.
Sitting outside gave our toddler a little freedom to move, which made the experience more relaxed for everyone.
Family travel in Italy often meant choosing comfort over perfection — and that was a good thing.
What to Do in Italy With a Toddler
Traveling through Italy with young kids meant letting go of the idea that we would see everything.
We skipped wine tastings, long museum days, and some tours we might have prioritized on a pre-kids trip. And honestly? That shift made the experience better for all of us.
Italy with a toddler isn’t about maximizing sightseeing — it’s about choosing experiences that work with your child instead of against them.
Choose Experiences That Feel Like Rides
Some of our favorite activities doubled as transportation or movement.
Hop-on, hop-off buses were a great option in several cities. Some days we used them to get around; other days we stayed on just to enjoy the ride. Sitting on the top level felt like an attraction in itself.
Boat rides were another highlight. In Venice, taking the Vaporetto along the Grand Canal felt less like commuting and more like an experience. While gondolas are beautiful, public boat rides were often a more practical choice with young children.
Smaller city tours — like carriage rides or miniature “train” tours — were surprisingly enjoyable. They allowed us to see historic centers without exhausting little legs.
Parks, Plazas, and Open Space
If I’m being honest, this became our favorite part of family travel in Italy.
We made it a habit to find parks in nearly every city. Those quiet moments — letting our toddler run freely, reset, and just be a kid — made the busier parts of the trip manageable.
Not every city center felt toddler-friendly, especially during peak hours. But when we found open space or quieter plazas, it changed everything.
Keep Sightseeing Simple
Instead of trying to tackle every main attraction, we chose one or two highlights per day. That gave us plenty of time for snacks, rest, and flexibility.
Italy is full of beautiful places — but you don’t need to see them all at once. And don’t forget to include playgrounds into the itinerary.
- We LOVE food tours, and there was no shortage of them in Italy.
Gelato
What child doesn’t like ice cream or gelato? So we took a food tour in Milan and Verona. In which we learned a little bit about gelato.
Both guides provided us with this same information.
- Authentic gelato shouldn’t have bright colors. Likewise, true gelato shouldn’t have food coloring added.
- It shouldn’t be piled up high. Although it’s aesthetically more pleasing, the guides said it should typically be in more of a tin or covered.
- True gelato needs to be scooped, not with an ice cream scoop, but with a flatter spatula.
I recommend hunting down and trying a gelateria tucked away!
But if you’re looking for convenience, there are gelaterias everywhere! And your little one likely wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.
Best Time to Visit Italy with a Toddler
We traveled in the spring, and for our family, it felt ideal.
For families with small children, avoiding the summer months and summer heat — along with long lines at main attractions — can make a big difference.
Spring and early fall are often the best time for family travel in Italy, especially if you want more manageable crowds and comfortable weather.
Rainy days happened occasionally, but they were far easier to navigate than extreme heat.
Forget Something Big?
I did not utilize this service, but I looked into it before our trip. MammaMamma can rent out a wide variety of baby and kid necessities.
According to my research, it primarily ships to Northern Italy. This could be an option if you need to travel a bit lighter.
Related Post:
The Most Toddler-Friendly Cities in Italy (And What to Watch For)
During our two-week trip through Northern Italy — along with time in Rome — we found that most Italian cities can be manageable with a toddler. Some felt easier than others, but none felt completely off-limits.
What mattered most was knowing what to expect in each place and planning accordingly.
Venice
Venice was the city where we felt the most cautious.
The canals are beautiful, but with a toddler, they can also feel nerve-wracking. Boats didn’t always provide life jackets for young children, and the constant presence of water meant we stayed especially alert.
The many bridges made strollers difficult. While we saw some families using them, a baby carrier felt far more practical. There are only a few ramps, and lifting a stroller repeatedly gets tiring quickly.
That said, there were still plenty of open areas where our toddler could move around safely — especially outside peak tourist hours.
What to watch for:
- Bridges and stairs
- Water access everywhere
- Crowded walkways near the Grand Canal
Related Posts:
- 25 Top Things to Do in Venice, Italy
- The Best Activities for Visiting Venice with Kids
- The Ultimate One-Day Itinerary for Venice, Italy
Rome (Including Vatican City and the Colosseum)
Rome is incredible — and intense.
The main attractions, like the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Trevi Fountain, can have long lines and large crowds, especially during busy seasons.
We found that using a carrier instead of a stroller made navigating the city center much easier. Parks and quieter neighborhoods became essential breaks between sightseeing.
Vatican City was honestly the most overwhelming part of our trip. At one point, we nearly considered cutting the day short altogether. Breaking up that visit with downtime afterward made a big difference.
What to watch for:
- Long lines at major sites
- Crowds in historic centers
- Over-scheduling sightseeing days
Related Posts:
- How to Travel Rome with a Toddler and Have the Best Time!
- The Ultimate Family-Friendly 3-Day Itinerary for Rome
Genoa
Genoa felt like a breath of fresh air after some of the busier cities.
As a coastal city, it offered open space and easy access to the waterfront. The aquarium was very family-friendly, and walking along the ocean felt far less stressful than navigating dense city centers.
It didn’t feel as crowded as Rome or Florence, which made it a great place to slow down.
What to watch for:
- Some uneven streets in older areas
- Cruise ship arrival days
Related Posts:
Verona
Verona was one of the easiest cities for us with a toddler.
Many streets are pedestrian-only, and the large plaza near the arena gave our toddler plenty of space to move safely. It felt calmer than some of the larger cities.
That said, it still gets busy during peak travel times, especially in the central historic areas.
What to watch for:
- Midday crowds near the main square
- Limited shade during warmer months
Related Posts:
Milan
Milan surprised us.
While the Duomo area can be crowded, the city has beautiful parks that are ideal for young children. Outside of the main tourist areas, it felt more manageable than expected.
The main issue was navigating busy shopping districts in the center of the city during peak hours.
What to watch for:
- Crowds around the Duomo
- Busy shopping streets
Related Posts:
- Honest Tips for Traveling Milan with Kids
- The Perfect Two-Day Itinerary for Traveling Milan for First-Timers
Florence and Tuscany
Florence is beautiful, but even in April it felt busy in certain areas.
The historic center can be crowded, and sidewalks aren’t always wide. That said, there are pedestrian-friendly streets and charming plazas that made exploring enjoyable.
Tuscany offered a completely different pace. Smaller towns and open countryside made it feel calmer and more relaxed — especially for family travel.
What to watch for:
- Crowds near major attractions
- Limited space on narrow streets
- Booking day trips in advance
Related Posts:
- A Complete Guide for Traveling to Florence, Italy with Kids
- The Best Things to Do in Florence for First Timers
The Big Picture
Every city required a slightly different approach.
Big cities meant more crowds and stimulation, while smaller towns offered a slower rhythm. Neither is “better” — it simply depends on your travel style and expectations.
Traveling through Italy with young kids isn’t about avoiding certain places entirely. It’s about knowing where to build in extra patience, where to prioritize open space, and when to slow down.
Accommodations
Be sure to call ahead to make sure it is child-friendly. You will also need to let them know you have a little one.
We decided to stay in an Airbnb. Some even provided a crib.
Essential Items for Traveling Italy with Young Kids
If you want a full breakdown, you can find our complete travel packing list for kids here.
Our top essentials included:
- Osprey Baby carrier
- Lightweight stroller (optional)
- Portable travel high chair
- Minimal diaper bag
- Self-catering apartments or vacation homes
- A familiar sleep setup, when possible
Many of these apply whether you’re traveling with a toddler or a baby.
Italy with a toddler: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Italy safe with a toddler?
Yes. We felt safe throughout our family adventures, including on public transportation.
Do toddlers need train tickets?
Most travel free when seated with a parent, but check policies before booking.
Is Italy better with a stroller or baby carrier?
If you have to choose, a baby carrier offers more flexibility.
Is Italy doable with a baby?
Yes, though logistics look slightly different. Traveling with a baby often means prioritizing naps, easy access accommodations, and flexible sightseeing.
Is Italy overwhelming with young kids?
It can be, especially in big cities. Slowing down and building in downtime made the end of the trip feel far more peaceful than the beginning.
My Final Thoughts on Traveling Through Italy with Young Kids
Traveling through Italy with young kids isn’t always easy — but it can be incredibly meaningful.
There was a moment after an overwhelming day in Vatican City when we questioned whether this kind of travel was a good idea at all.
Once we slowed down, adjusted expectations, and gave ourselves permission to rest, everything shifted.
Family travel in Italy isn’t about doing everything. It’s about choosing what matters, allowing space for new things, and embracing the experience — even when it feels imperfect.
With patience, preparation, and flexibility, it can be a trip you look back on with gratitude.
Save this Pin for later!
Awesome insight into traveling to Italy & esp with kids! Great post!
Morgan, thank you so much for taking the time to read through my post!
Amazing article! I loved reading it. I haven’t visited Italy but would love to. Thanks for sharing this incredible post!
Valentina, thank you so much for your comment! Yes, I recommend you put it on your bucket list! It can be a trip of a lifetime.
You are brave to travel with a toddler! My daughter studied in Florence and we loved visiting her. I agree northern Italy is very child friendly!
Cynthia, it sounds like a wonderful experience for your daughter! Florence was beautiful, and I’m hoping to have a post about it soon. Haha, thank you! traveling with a toddler, is very challenging, but can absolutely be worth it!
Traveling with a toddler can be stressful. But its a great way to open their mind to different cultures and food. Thanks for sharing your tips on traveling with a young child.
Kevin, I agree! I remember how traveling grately impacted my world view when I was young. I am hoping it will do the same with my little guy!
My husband and I are debating an Italy trip this coming June (2025) with our daughter. She will be 16 months then. This is really a great resource for us! What was your itinerary breakdown? How many days did you stay in each city? I’m most stressed about traveling to so many different places. I honestly didn’t think it was possible with a little one!
Hi Amara! You should absolutely plan the trip! Just understand that it is hard but so worth it! And expectation management is key! This two-week trip in Italy was hands down our hardest, and yet when we look back on it, it has been our favorite! We spent about two nights in every city. We stayed three nights in Verona because we tied in my husband’s work trip. We also made a pit stop to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. We saw the tower and left. This itinerary is quite ambitious and extremely exhausting. And when traveling like this, you get a glimpse of the cities. For us, it was totally worth it. It is definitely possible, though! And you will make amazing memories! My biggest advice is always to prioritize your little ones and manage your expectations.
I am so happy you found my post helpful! Please let me know if you have any further questions! I hope you take the trip!!