Looking for things to do in Rome with teens? Enjoying some quality time in Rome with your teens can be a real pleasure. Italy’s capital city, Rome, is widely regarded as one of the world’s most remarkable cities, with a history spanning almost three millennia. Originally founded in 753 BC, Rome quickly grew to become the centre of the Roman Empire, controlling an area that spanned from Portugal in the West to the Persian Gulf in the East. This rich cultural history gives Rome an almost unparalleled appeal to tourists from around the globe, and the city’s hot climate makes it especially appealing in the summer months, with over 35 million people visiting the city in 2023 alone.
Rome is not just popular with solo travellers or couples either. Families flock to the city to experience its world-renowned cuisine, cultural history, and proximity to other Italian holiday destinations. Whilst Rome may be best known for its ancient ruins and art, there’s still a wide range of activities that can help keep teenage visitors entertained. So, here are 10 things to do in Rome when travelling with teenagers.
Visit the Colosseum
A trip to the Eternal City just wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Colosseum. And so it’s perhaps not a surprise that this is number 1 on our list of things to do in Rome with teens. Completed in AD 80, the elliptical amphitheatre is not just the largest of its kind still standing, but the largest amphitheatre ever constructed.
At its peak, the Colosseum had an estimated maximum capacity of over 80,000 – more than Arsenal’s Emirates stadium in London. Having been constructed for the sole purpose of entertaining the Romans, the Colosseum played host to gladiator battles, battle re-enactments, and even animal hunts. Whilst the amphitheatre stopped being used for entertainment in the early medieval era, it continued to serve an important purpose in Rome in the centuries that followed as a fortress, workshop and even a quarry. Today, the Colosseum has suffered significant structural damage due to earthquakes and thieves, yet still remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. It’s definitely a must-see for any visitor to the city, especially teenagers with a passion for history. Avoid the queues (teens hate queuing!) by booking a guided tour of the Colosseum. These can can offer unparalleled insight into the rich history of the area. No matter who you’re traveling with, a visit to the Colosseum when in Rome will never fail to disappoint.
Walk through the Trastevere
The Trastevere, one of the city’s more peaceful districts, lies away from the bustling main streets and tourist attractions. It is a funky, bohemian area famous for its quaint piazzas, historic churches and almost random assortment of niche shops. And all whist being a stone’s throw away from the main attractions of the city. If you’re travelling with older teenagers, they’ll love the freedom of walking through the narrow, cobbled streets, trying street food, and even grabbing a drink in the afternoon at one of the area’s many quaint cafĂ©s. Cars are banned from most of the streets in the area, making it an incredibly peaceful area to walk around. What’s more, its edgy vibe gives it a great nightlife with an excellent selection of local cuisine.
Historically, the area used to be home to working class fishermen and sailors, thanks to the district’s close proximity to the River Tiber that runs through Rome. The Trastevere has historically been one of Rome’s most diverse neighbourhoods and was once the Jewish centre of the city until they were forced to move into the Roman Ghetto across the other side of the river in the 16th century. More recently, the area has attracted celebrities (both Ennio Morricone and Sergio Leone both grew up in the district). In addition, the area’s inhabitants, known as Trasteverini, continue to boast a unique culinary culture not found anywhere else in the city. If you’re looking to spend a day away from the crowds and take some time to enjoy a different side to Rome, this is the perfect place to stroll around with teenagers. To get the most out of your time in the neighbourhood, opt for a guided tour of Travestere.
Take a tour of the catacombs
Dating back to the 2nd century AD, the Roman catacombs are one of the city’s more morbid attractions. There are over forty burial sites and the largest, San Callisto, is said to be the resting place of more than 500,000 Christians. The catacombs began to be used during Rome’s peak, when burials were forbidden within the city limits. Both Christians and Jews used the sites to bury their dead for over three hundred years, with the practice slowly being phased out in the 5th century.
Today, it is possible to visit some of the sites, and tours can once again be purchased on GetYourGuide or Viator. Book your tickets to the Roman catacombs in advance to avoid the queues. A trip into the Roman catacombs is sure to keep even your most distracted teenager entertained. Not only that. It can also be a good way to break up some of the more traditional sightseeing in Rome.
Climb St. Peter’s Basilica
Located in the Vatican City, St. Peter’s Basilica is the central building of the Roman Catholic Church. For many Christians across the globe, visiting the city and basilica is a pilgrimage they feel they must complete at some point in their lifetime. The Pope resides in the Vatican city and still gives mass on Sundays in the basilica’s main square. If you’re visiting Rome over the weekend, a morning trip to attend the Sunday mass is truly an incredible experience regardless of your religious views. If you have time, definitely pay a visit to the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo.
For those looking to work off the rich Italian food and wine, it costs just 8 Euros to climb to the very top of the Vatican. From experience however, we recommend paying an extra two Euros for the lift pass, which allows you to skip some of the steps. Trust us, the climb definitely is a proper workout! The effort to get to the top truly is worth it. However, as once you climb around the side of the central dome and up into the external cross section, the view is truly breath-taking. The basilica’s main square sits directly ahead of the viewing platform, and the whole of the Vatican city can be clearly seen, as well as much of Rome’s city centre. If you’re traveling with hyperactive kids, or adventurous teenagers, climbing this historic monument can be a good way to let off some steam. It may perhaps not seem an obvious idea to include on our list of things to do in Rome with teens, but we’ve tried and tested it with ours, and it got the thumbs up!
Go shopping on Via del Corso
No list of things to do in Rome with teens would be complete without mention of Rome’s shops. Via Del Corso is one of Italy’s most famous shopping streets. Rome’s reputation almost equals Milan when it comes to its famous fashion houses. Fendi, Valentino, and Bulgari were all founded in the city. Via del Corso itself is vibrant and bustling, stretching around 1.5km through central Rome, starting at the Piazza Venezia, and finishing at the stunning Piazza del Popolo. The street itself appeals to every budget. High-end designer clothing stores can be found nestled amongst more normal high-street fashion brands such as Zara, and H&M.
Even if you don’t have enough space in your suitcase for more clothes, a stroll down the street can be a great way to take in Rome’s bustling city centre, and there are plenty of bars and restaurants that litter the surrounding area. Given its proximity to the Colosseum and Roman Forum, we recommend visiting the two in one go – perhaps even making a slight detour to visit the Spanish steps if you have the time (and energy!).
Go rafting down the River Tiber
One of the more unique activities available to tourists, rafting down the Tiber can be a fun way to explore parts of the city from a new angle. And it’s certainly a must on our list of things to do in Rome with teens. There are a couple companies offering these tours, but we recommend this one on GetYourGuide. It provides all equipment, and takes you on both river rapids and the calmer sections of the river that flow under the historic Roman bridges.
Rafting, although it looks easy, can be rather strenuous in our experience, especially if conditions aren’t ideal so come prepared to burn some calories! This activity is perfect to get anyone’s blood pumping – especially any adrenaline-seeking teenagers. This tour can also be taken at night if you’re looking to burn some calories off after dinner or looking for something a little more intense and exciting. Just be prepared to get a little wet!
Take a tour around the city on electric scooters
If you’re over 14 years old, it’s very easy to rent e-scooters and e-bikes in the city centre of Rome. Companies such as Lime, Bird, and Tier all operate e-scooters and e-bikes all over the city, are readily available in and around Rome’s busy city centre. Try whizzing from location to location on a scooter and drop it off at a designated parking spot to explore historic sites closer. Given the size of the city, these scooters can be an easy and cost-effective way to get around and see all of the historic sites when working on a strict time schedule – all whilst enjoying a thrilling ride at speeds of up to 25kph. Get Your Guide offers this e-scooter rental that can booked for
With the peak summer crowds making walking from historic site to historic side somewhat challenging at times (not to mention rather sweaty in the 30-degree heat), flying through the city and enjoying the breeze is definitely appealing to us! Make sure you adhere to all traffic regulations and restrictions. And, take time to learn how to ride the scooters and bikes before pushing them to their top speeds. These scooters can be a great way to keep teenagers engaged when traveling to historical monuments and traditional tourist spots. They also allow parents to enjoy all that Rome has to offer without boring the kids!
Alternatively, for a slightly different tour and something which we just had to include in our list of top things to do in Rome with teens is this Vespa sidecar tour of Rome. Vespas are iconically Italian. Your teen is probably dying to enjoy a ride on one, but for those that aren’t old enough, this sidecar tour is the next best thing!
Take a food tour of Rome with teens
Whilst taking a tour around Rome’s historic buildings, art instillations, and museums is a great way to explore the city, we believe the best way to truly discover Rome is through its food. Some of Italy’s most famous dishes originate in the city. Cacio e Pepe, Carbonara, and Bruschetta all have their roots in Rome. In fact, bruschetta dates all the way back to ancient Rome, when peasants created the dish as a good way to use up their stale bread.
The best place to experience the largest variety of different foods in Rome is in the Trastevere. The rich and diverse cultural background of the area makes it the perfect place for a varied food tour of Rome. We recommend finding a guided Rome food tour on GetYourGuide that will let you see a different side of the area and allows you to avoid some of the more touristy locations. From our experience, these guided tours are the very best way to discover new foods and experience the very best examples of classic Roman dishes. Some Rome food tours, such as this one, even incorporate a pasta-making class. All these Rome food tours are on our list of the top things to do in Rome with teens. After all, they allow them to get properly hands on and learn a new skill.
Cycle the Appian way
The Appian way dates back over two millennia and was originally used to connect the city of Rome to the rest of its once vast empire. The road was created primarily for military uses. Troops used the road to move outside of greater Rome and to improve communication speeds. The path also played a vital role in the conquest of southern Italy in 312 BC. Today, the path is much more peaceful than in ancient Rome, as marching troops have been replaced with strolling tourists. The trail can be walked or cycled, with many rental companies offering guided tours with stops at catacombs, Roman ruins, and scenic viewpoints. You may prefer to opt for the self-guided option and make your own way down the Appian way for a more relaxed experience at your own pace .
We recommend visiting some of Rome’s famous food markets in the morning and buying some local produce to create a small picnic that you can enjoy in the sunshine whilst discovering the Appian way. This can be a great way to keep your restless teens occupied, and some tours even offer the ability to hire e-bikes instead of traditional mountain bikes, making the experience much less strenuous, and much more fun!
Enjoy a Gelato in the city centre
We really mean it when we say a trip to Italy wouldn’t be complete without a trip to a local gelateria. That’s why it’s our final recommendation on this list of things to do in Rome with teenagers. We suggest trying to avoid some of the tourist traps that can litter the city centre. Even the flowing chocolate wall of Venchi can’t rival a proper traditional gelato. One of Rome’s oldest is Fassi Gelateria. This has been serving the refreshing treat since 1880 and attracts both locals and tourists alike. If you’re looking for variety, however, we recommend Della Parma. With more than 150 flavours to choose from, it’s sure to satisfy even your pickiest teenagers. The unique benefit of this gelateria is its proximity to the Pantheon, which we’ve yet to mention in this list. We recommend strolling down from Della Parma to the Pantheon and admiring the architectural wonder whilst enjoying a refreshing gelato.
It’s clear to see that Rome really does have plenty to offer no matter who you’re traveling with. A weekend away in the city can be the perfect break from school exams, or a longer stay can really allow you to take in this breath-taking city to its fullest. We’ve only scratched the surface when it comes to the city of Rome, so take time to discover some of the lesser-known attractions, and truly allow yourself to become immersed in the incredible Italian culture. And do get in touch if you find other things to do in Rome with teens that we haven’t mentioned!