This article was originally published in the Detour in January 2024

Hey Rob! Sounds like you’ve got plenty of gelato-tasting sessions lined up for your holiday :-)

Considering it’s not your first time in Rome, here are a couple of places I believe you and your grandchildren can all enjoy.

Villa Borghese

Villa Borghese is not only one of the largest parks in Rome, it’s also one of my favourite places in the city! Besides the many activities for kids, you’ll also find the Borghese gallery and Villa Medici within the park (art-loving grandparents, listen up!)

The park is immense, and the best way to get around is by biking. At the entrance of the park, you can rent any type of bike, or even a golf cart if you don’t feel like peddling around.

The roads are mostly paved and fully free of car traffic, making it easy and safe to explore the gardens entirely on two wheels.

Inside the park you’ll find the zoo, a puppet theatre, the world's smallest cinema, boat rentals around the lake, and a couple of merry-go-rounds.

Top Tip: Stop by a salumeria to get some handmade panini before you enter the park—the kids will love taking a break from the bike and having a picnic next to the lake!

The Botanical Garden and Butterfly Eden

The Botanical Garden of Rome, one of Italy's largest, is located in Villa Corsini, near the Trastevere neighbourhood. Within it, you’ll find Butterfly Eden, a magical greenhouse that recreates a tropical environment where colourful butterflies of all shapes and sizes flutter around right before your eyes.

Biologists and entomologists are on hand to explain the butterflies' life cycle, but I’d suggest planning your visit for a weekend to coincide with the kids’ labs.

Cinecittà & Cinepiscina

Cinecittà, the epicentre of Italian cinema, has opened an amusement park — Cinecittà World!

The park has everything from water rides (pretty great for a roasting Roman summer day), to rollercoasters and giant swings, ideal for children of all ages. Plus, you can take a dip in Italy’s first cinepiscina (cinema pool)!

The park is a little outside the city, but a shuttle service runs every day to/from Roma Termini, the train station right in the heart of the city.

Side note: When you’re out and about in Rome, make sure to stop at Città del Sole, a historic toy shop chain renowned in Italy for its high-quality wooden toys. I can still remember the exact smell (and excitement!) when I used to enter the shop as a kid!

I hope this gives you a few fun ideas for your trip. Have a great time, and don’t forget to send us a postcard :-)