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Rome with kids

Rome with kids is split into two walks of about 2.5 to 3 km. Day 1 starts at a playground in Villa Borghese and goes past the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon to Piazza Navona. Day 2 starts at a playground in the Villa Celimontana park and passes the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine, Piazza del Campidoglio, the Vittoriano and Trajan's Column. Each walk has one playground, at its start, and both stay outdoors on one side of the Tiber.

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Rome
Photo: Diliff · CC BY 3.0

Day 1: Villa Borghese to Piazza Navona

  • 4Sights
  • 1Kid stops
  • about 3 kmDistance
  • 1.5 hoursWith play time

This walk of about 2.9 km starts at a playground in Villa Borghese, beside the Casina di Raffaello, and ends at Piazza Navona. In between it passes the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. It stays outdoors and on one side of the Tiber, so there is no river to cross.

The playground is mapped for children aged 0 to 5, so it suits younger ones best. The first leg to the Spanish Steps is the longest, about 750 m in a straight line; the sights after it are about 300 to 600 m apart. There is no other playground on the way, so give the children their play time at the start.

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  1. Playground by the Casina di Raffaello Playground

    A playground in Villa Borghese beside the Casina di Raffaello, mapped for children aged 0 to 5.

    On the map

  2. Spanish Steps

    Spanish Steps

    The long staircase climbing to the twin-towered church.

    Photo: Arnaud 25 · CC BY-SA 3.0

  3. Trevi Fountain

    Trevi Fountain

    The fountain's central figure and rushing water.

    Photo: NikonZ7II · CC BY-SA 4.0

  4. Pantheon

    Pantheon

    The columned porch and the dome behind it.

    Photo: NikonZ7II · CC BY-SA 4.0

  5. Piazza Navona

    Piazza Navona

    The oval square with its three fountains.

    Photo: NikonZ7II · CC BY-SA 4.0

Tips for parents

  • The playground beside the Casina di Raffaello is mapped for children aged 0 to 5. One guide describes the playground next to the Casina di Raffaello as having wooden structures such as little huts and vehicles.
  • One guide calls the terrace on the Pincio very famous and names the Pincio water clock as the most famous water clock in Rome.
  • One guide calls the Trevi Fountain a very short but iconic stop and suggests going early to avoid the crowd.
  • Paid public toilets are mapped about 106 m from the Spanish Steps and about 40 m from Piazza Navona.

Public toilets

Day 2: The Colosseum to Trajan's Column

  • 5Sights
  • 1Kid stops
  • about 2.5 kmDistance
  • 1.5 hoursWith play time

This walk of about 2.4 km starts at a playground inside the Villa Celimontana park on the Celio hill and then passes five of Rome's best-known sights: the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine, Piazza del Campidoglio, the Vittoriano and Trajan's Column. It stays outdoors and on one side of the Tiber, so there is no river to cross.

The kid stop comes first, about 600 m from the Colosseum, so children can play before the sights begin. After that the landmarks follow one another with only one longer leg, about 750 m between the Arch of Constantine and Piazza del Campidoglio. The Vittoriano and Trajan's Column are the last two stops, each about 160 m from the one before. There is no other playground near this route, so use the one at the start.

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  1. Parco giochi Celio Playground

    A playground inside the Villa Celimontana park, mapped as open to the public.

    On the map

  2. Colosseum

    Colosseum

    The curved outer wall from the piazza in front.

    Photo: FeaturedPics · CC BY-SA 4.0

  3. Arch of Constantine

    Arch of Constantine

    The triumphal arch between the Colosseum and the Forum.

    Photo: NikonZ7II (Paris Orlando) · CC BY-SA 4.0

  4. Piazza del Campidoglio

    Piazza del Campidoglio

    Michelangelo's square at the top of the ramp.

    Photo: Kameister · CC BY-SA 4.0

  5. Vittoriano (Altare della Patria)

    Vittoriano (Altare della Patria)

    The white marble monument from Piazza Venezia.

    Photo: Max_Ryazanov · CC BY-SA 3.0

  6. Trajan's Column

    Trajan's Column

    The carved spiral column among the forum ruins.

    Photo: Livioandronico2013 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Tips for parents

  • The playground is mapped inside the Villa Celimontana park, and Rome's tourist board describes Villa Celimontana, a few steps from the Colosseum, as child-friendly.
  • One guide says there are free viewpoints along Via dei Fori Imperiali.
  • One guide describes Parco del Colle Oppio, the hill just in front of the Colosseum, as having a small kiosk for coffee and snacks.
  • Free public toilets are mapped about 105 m from Piazza del Campidoglio and about 156 m from the Arch of Constantine.

Public toilets

  • About 110 m from Piazza del Campidoglio · On the map
  • About 160 m from Arch of Constantine · On the map
  • About 50 m from Vittoriano (Altare della Patria) · On the map

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Questions

How long is the family walk in Rome?

There is one walk a day: Day 1: Villa Borghese to Piazza Navona, about 3 km; Day 2: The Colosseum to Trajan's Column, about 2.5 km.

Are there public toilets on the way?

Yes. 5 public toilets are mapped within a few minutes of the walk; this page lists where they are.

Is the walk free?

Yes. The route, the map and the playgrounds on this page are free. Some sights charge for going inside; the walk passes them outdoors.

Sources

The tips were checked on 16 October 2026 against these pages, and the playgrounds and toilets against OpenStreetMap.