Italy tours for families

Your questions about family trips to Italy, answered

Whether you’ve got young children, teenagers or grown-up kids, visiting Italy promises to be an incredible experience. But planning a family getaway takes a bit of thought, and we want to make that part as easy as the trip itself.

Here’s some peace of mind upfront: when you choose us, you can Book With Confidence, knowing your payments are protected. Curious about the details? You’ll find them in our booking terms and FAQs. You can also check out our Italy travel guide for more practical tips and local advice.

1. Is Italy a good destination for families?

Yes – one of the best in Europe. History is tactile here: you can stand inside a 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre, walk the streets of a city buried by a volcano, or meet a gondolier on a canal ride in Venice. And the food will almost always win everyone over.

Italy also has a natural variety that makes multi-generational travel easier. Cities for the history lovers, countryside for those who need space, and coastline or lakes for anyone who just wants to swim.

2. What age are these tours suited to?

Our Italy tours work well for families with children aged 12 and above. That said, younger children can travel Italy brilliantly – it just takes a little more flexibility in the day’s pace.

If you’re exploring with under-8s, get in touch before booking. We can help you find the right itinerary and let you know about any logistical things worth knowing, like accommodation room sizes and days when you might be in the car or on the train for longer.

3. When is the best time to visit Italy?

You can visit Italy with Nordic Visitor from April to October.

That said, April, May, September, and October are the sweet spots. The weather is warm and comfortable – typically 18–25°C (64–77°F) – and the major attractions feel noticeably less busy than in high summer.

July and August are peak season, with temperatures regularly hitting 30–35°C (86–95°F) in the cities. Many families travel in summer and love it, especially if the Amalfi Coast or Lake Como are on the itinerary. Just pack plenty of sunscreen and plan your sightseeing for early mornings.

Read our weather and climate guide and blog on the best time to visit Italy to learn more.

4. What’s included in these tours?

What’s included depends on the tour package you choose. But every self-drive Italy tour includes accommodation with daily breakfast, a quality rental car with GPS and unlimited mileage, CDW insurance, and a second driver at no extra cost. Meanwhile, train tours include pre-booked rail travel between cities instead of car rental.

On each tour, you’ll also get a personalised itinerary, hand-marked route map, and our Italy travel guide packed with insider insights. Plus, 24/7 access to our helpline throughout your trip.

Head to the “What’s included” tab of the tour you’re interested in for a full list of inclusions. You can also tailor your tour by adding optional excursions and extending your stay in stops along the route.

5. Can I customise the itinerary for my family?

Absolutely. Every route is a starting point. You can add extra nights in any city along the route to adjust the pace, and ask your travel expert about swapping out days that don’t suit your family. There’s also a wide range of optional activities for you to choose from.

While wine tasting at a Tuscan vineyard is obviously not right for young kids, there are plenty of family-friendly excursions to choose from. Think gondola rides in Venice and pizza-making in Rome.

Here are some ideas on how to make your trip your own:

• Add more time in Sorrento, so you have time for a day trip to the island of Capri
• Take a hands-on pasta-making class in Florence or a gelato-making class in Rome
• Go for a guided tour of the Colosseum so you don’t have to do all the explaining yourself
• Extend your stay near Lake Garda to give you time to visit Gardaland Resort

Just tell your consultant what matters most to your family, and they’ll help shape your trip.

6. Are these tours self-guided, or do we have a guide with us?

We usually recommend self-guided tours for families with infants or young kids, so you can go at your own pace and stay as flexible as possible. Our self-drive , or even train tours, work best in this case.

That means you can linger at Pompeii for as long as it takes for everyone to fully absorb what they’re looking at or spend an afternoon on the shores of Lake Garda. No group to keep up with.

That’s not to say that you can’t join a group tour with kids, but our small group trips often include activities like wine tastings, which aren’t suitable for children. That said, if you’re travelling with older teens or your grown-up children, group tour of Italy can work well.

However you decide to travel, your Rome-based expert will handle the planning and bookings – your accommodation, car, itinerary, route map, and insider recommendations are all prepared in advance. You’re free to focus on what matters – making memories with loved ones.

7. Do we need to pre-book tickets for major attractions?

Yes, for the popular sites – and especially with children in tow. The Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Uffizi Gallery, and the Accademia (where Michelangelo’s David lives) all benefit from advance booking to avoid long queues.

Your travel consultant will let you know which attractions need pre-booking and help you secure the right time slots. Or check out the extras on your tour for optional guided tours and pre-booked entry tickets.

8. How easy is driving in Italy?

Manageable, once you know what to expect. Italian roads are well-maintained, you drive on the right, and the routes between cities are largely straightforward. The country roads through Tuscany and Umbria – gently winding, lined with cypress trees – make for some of the most enjoyable driving in Europe.

The main things you should know: most Italian city centres have ZTLs (Zona Traffico Limitato) – limited traffic zones that restrict access. Your itinerary will let you know where these are, so you’re not caught off guard. Parking in cities requires a little planning, but we’ll make sure you know what to look for.

Our guide to driving in Italy covers toll roads, sat-nav tips, and everything else.

9. Can I arrange a children’s car seat and a baby cot?

Yes. Just let your travel consultant know when you book. We’ll arrange a car seat with your rental car for a small additional fee.

We can also request cots at your accommodation. Please note that family rooms and interconnecting rooms may not be available at every property. Your consultant will work with you to find the right solution for your family and make sure you know what to expect at each stop.

10. What should we pack for a trip to Italy?

To get you started, here’s a list of what to pack for Italy if you’re travelling from April to October:

• Comfortable walking shoes for navigating cobblestone streets and ruins
• Light, breathable clothing – and a warm layer for cool evenings
• Light scarves or shawls for churches (adults need to cover their shoulders and knees at most)
• Sunhats, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
• Swimwear for the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como or hotel pools
• A small backpack for day trips
• Reusable water bottle
• Camera

And, of course, any essentials you’ll need for your kids, depending on their age.

Our Italy packing guide has more advice on what to bring.

11. Is English widely spoken in Italy?

In popular places like Rome, Florence, Venice and the Amalfi Coast, yes – you can expect English at most hotels, restaurants and major attractions. The further off the beaten path you go, for example, in small towns and rural areas, it can be patchier.

The great thing about Italy is that locals really appreciate it when you give their language a go – even a little effort can open a lot of doors! Check out our Italy language guide for an idea of where to start. And an app like Google Translate is good to have on hand as a backup.