Our favorite places we’ve stayed in Italy with kids
After visiting Italy more times than we can count and even calling Tuscany home for a few months through world schooling with Boundless Life. We've realized that the places we remember most aren't always the famous landmarks. They're the places we stayed.
The hotels, apartments, and agriturismos in this guide are the ones we'd book again without hesitation. They made traveling with kids easier, gave us room to slow down, and created some of our favorite memories! Whether that meant afternoons by the pool, walking to get gelato every night, or waking up to incredible views of the Tuscan countryside.
In this guide, we're sharing every place we'd happily stay again and have recommended to our friends and family. Every recommendation is somewhere we've personally experienced as a family, and each one made our trip a little easier, a little slower, and a whole lot more memorable. Whether you're dreaming of Rome, Tuscany, Sorrento, Lake Como, or Sardinia, we hope this list helps you find a place your family will love just as much as ours did.
Every place in this guide is somewhere we've personally stayed as a family, and these are the things we look for before recommending it:
A great location. We love places where we can walk to restaurants, playgrounds, beaches, or major attractions instead of constantly getting in the car.
Room for everyone. Family rooms, apartments, or suites with extra space help everyone relax after a busy day of sightseeing.
Amenities that make family travel easier. Pools, kitchens, laundry facilities, breakfast, outdoor space, and kid-friendly activities can completely change your trip.
A memorable experience. Whether it's an Agriturismo where the kids can feed farm animals, a rooftop pool overlooking Florence, or a hotel just steps from Villa Borghese in Rome, we love places that become part of the vacation—not just somewhere to sleep.
Places we'd happily book again. Most importantly, every recommendation on this list is somewhere we'd return to ourselves and confidently recommend to our own friends and family.
We know every family travels differently, so we've included a mix of luxury hotels, apartment rentals, Agriturismos, beach resorts, and city hotels to fit different travel styles and budgets.
Northern Italy - Lake Como
Tremezzo Residence
This property has 11 units in one building. Each apartment has a kitchen and living room, own private terrace and outdoor eating area and was very budget friendly! They have a pool, spa, sauna, hot tub, spa and offer family style rooms. This place had a great location, was so lush and green, and had a little hidden path we could walk down and in 5 minutes be at the lake! From there, we could easily hop on the Ferry to Bellagio, Varenna, Mennagio, Como, etc. This part of Lake Como is so nice and quiet - perfect for families with kids!
Tuscany & Florence
Planning to visit Tuscany or Florence? Here are our guides to this region:
🖼️ Our Family friendly guide to Florence with kids
🫏 Why Agriturismo’s Are Perfect for Families to stay at in Italy
🏰 The Best Way to Spend the Full Day in San Gimignano with Kids (Tuscan Village)
Agriturismo Fattoria di Maiano
Just about 20 minutes outside of the city of Florence! A relaxed Tuscan farm stay that is ideal for families who want both the quiet countryside and easy access to the city attractions. This property is a working farm has a seasonal outdoor pool, spacious botanical gardens and safe green areas for free play. They have farm tours, olive groves & nature paths. As we walked the grounds we saw donkeys, chickens, peacocks, and ostriches.
They offer family-friendly activities like farm workshops, guided tours, animal experiences, nature walks, olive oil tastings, and even safari-style tours around the estate. The restaurant serves traditional Tuscan food, using the ingredients from the farm!
Located near Montepulciano, a medieval hilltop town in Tuscany, Italy. Surrounded by vineyards, about 1 hour 20 minutes from Florence. Large family apartments with kitchens, garden access, and plenty of space to relax together. Outdoor pool and big garden for safe kids’ play and swimming in the countryside. Quiet, peaceful Tuscan setting among fields and vineyards—great for families to get extra space and kids to run around. The hosts served fresh local breakfast and did small welcome touches like gifted us a bottle of wine! We even had a fridge stocked with some snacks and drinks which was such a great extra touch.
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Hotel central located but not in the extremely busy part of the city so it’s quieter. If you are set on actually staying in Florence when you visit, this is the hotel you want to stay at with kids! They have a rooftop pool that is suitable for kids and many room typed available for families. Up to 7 people.
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Rome
Planning a trip to Rome? Here are our guides this region:
⛲️ Rome with Kids: The Best 3-Day Itinerary for Families
🛡️ Best tour to do in Rome with kids- Gladiator School
🛺 The best way to see Rome with kids - A Golf Cart Tour
Rose Garden Palace Roma by OMNIA hotels
We love Rose Garden Palace for families visiting Rome because it gives you a peaceful, elegant place to recharge while still being close to all the major sights. The hotel is just a short walk from Villa Borghese park, so perfect for letting children run around, rent bikes and get a little break from the city or the sun. Also, we were only a short walk away from many major attractions like the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain are nearby without needing to take a bus or taxi. We like to be close enough to walk but not in the super busy spots so this location was PERECT!
The staff were very accommodating and friendly, they offered family-sized room options, the most amazing beautiful indoor pool and spa, & even with a sauna! We only spent a weekend here but the kids used the pool multiple times to cool down after walking around in the heat!
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We found this hotel through Hyatt. It was directly across from the Villa Borghese and only about a 15 minute walk to the Trevi Fountain! We loved that they included breakfast and it was a mix of some hot food (American too! Like eggs, bacon, etc. which is harder to find than we realized in Italy) and pastries and other cold items also. The rooms were a good size and had some better options for families. It’s common for some rooms only fit 2 people in a room in Europe. This hotel has multiple room types that were great options for families.
They also included everything in the mini fridge for free! It had some water, soft drinks, juice and even wine and beer. They also have a cute rooftop restaurant where we had dinner our first night (we arrived late) and the food and drinks were reasonably priced and the view was amazing as we got to watch the sunset from up there. We would absolutely stay here again!
We love staying at a Sofitel and we have been to multiple all over Europe! We got a good deal on the few nights we stayed here, but the prices do tend to fluctuate depending on busy season. It is not necessarily budget friendly, this one would be more of a splurge. This one specifically was so beautifully and in the best location! It was far enough away from the super busy foot traffic but close enough to walk to a lot of the attractions. These rooms were gorgeous and actually big for Europe. This hotel sells out fast so try to book as far in advance as possible. This hotel was also only about 5 minutes from the Villa Borghese park and 15 minutes to Trevi Fountain area. Breakfast can be included depending how you book. This Sofitel also had an amazing rooftop that you can have dinner or drinks on and that is where they have breakfast. It is also great views of the city! We highly recommend the Roma Sofitel but we love staying in them when traveling in Europe because it’s a trusted brand and we know what we are getting.
South Italy - Sorrento
Planning to visit Sorrento or the South of Italy? Here is our guide to this region:
🛶 Guide to Sorrento w/ kids
Hilton Sorrento Palace
This is one of the best hotels for families in Sorrento! After long days exploring the Amalfi Coast, our kids loved having a huge outdoor pool with a shallow area just for them (and the indoor pool is absolutely beautiful too!). It's close enough that we could easily walk about 10 minutes into the heart of Sorrento for dinner or gelato, but it still felt peaceful and relaxing when we came back. If you're traveling with little ones, they also offer family-friendly perks like connecting rooms, cribs, childcare, a kids' pool, and a seasonal kids' club. We think it's the perfect home base for day trips to Capri, Pompeii, and the rest of the Amalfi Coast. We have a FULL guide to Sorrento you can read here. Make it stand out
We loved the Grand Hotel President because it gives you the best of both worlds—you get the incredible views of the Bay of Naples while still being just a short shuttle ride from the heart of Sorrento. After a busy day exploring, our kids loved cooling off in the large pool while we soaked in the views. This hotel is like staying in more of an authentic Italian hotel. The staff were so friendly and we even got to know some of the workers who served us breakfast and dinner. We loved the vibe and smaller feel of this place. The rooms are spacious, the breakfast is excellent, and the peaceful setting made it feel like a true escape from the crowds. If you're looking for a family-friendly hotel that's comfortable, relaxing, and makes a great home base also. We'd absolutely recommend staying here.
Sardinia
Planning to visit Sardinia? Here are our guide to this region:
🏝️ How we spent a magical week in Sardinia - The most amazing Italian island
Hotel Cormoran
Located on directly on Campus Beach near the town of Villasimius. This resort has multiple pools, including one that is designed for younger kids only 1 foot deep with kid friendly fountains. Located right on a private beach with multiple restaurants on site, a kids club(offers babysitting at night for a fee) and nightly kid shows. Some of our food was included - small breakfast buffet and dinner (depends on your booking option). They had multiple different family style rooms and the most beautiful sunsets we have seen from the beach. The staff was also so incredible as we had a family emergency and needed to see a doctor and they had him come to the resort to help us. This is the most perfect place to stay with your family. Read our blog about visiting Sardinia.
FAQ about where to stay in Italy
Q: Where is the best place to stay in Italy with kids?
A: The best place depends on the type of trip you're planning. Rome is perfect for history and sightseeing, Tuscany offers beautiful countryside stays and agriturismos, Sorrento is an excellent base for exploring the Amalfi Coast and Capri, Lake Como is ideal for a relaxing lakeside getaway, and Sardinia is one of our favorite destinations for a beach vacation with kids.
Q: Are agriturismos a good option for families?
A: Absolutely! We wrote a whole post on Why Agriturismo’s Are Perfect for Families. Agriturismos are one of our favorite ways to experience Italy with kids. Many have pools, open space to explore, farm animals, apartment-style accommodations, and on-site restaurants serving fresh local food. They offer a slower pace that's perfect for families.
Q: Is it better to stay in a hotel or an apartment in Italy with kids?
A: It depends on your travel style and where you are in Italy. Hotels are convenient for shorter city stays, while apartments are often a better choice for longer trips because they provide extra space, kitchens, laundry facilities, and separate sleeping areas. We usually choose apartments whenever we're staying more than a few nights, if we can find them.
Q: How many nights should you stay in each destination?
A: We recommend spending at least 2-3 nights in most destinations so you have time to explore without constantly packing and moving. For places like Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast, 4-6 nights allows you to settle in and enjoy day trips at a more relaxed pace. Our recommendation would not to move every night but also don’t let that stop you from going! Pick 1-2 base and do day trips around you from there.
Q: Do family hotels in Italy have pools?
A: Many do, especially outside of major city centers. Pools are one of our favorite amenities because they give kids a chance to play and cool off after a day of sightseeing. They're especially common at agriturismos, resorts, and countryside hotels. But even if you staying in a city, you can find hotels with pools. We do tend to make this a priority when traveling with kids, especially younger kids!
Q: Is Italy easy to travel with young children?
A: Yes! Italy is one of our favorite countries for family travel. Italians are incredibly welcoming to children, the food is kid-friendly, and there are beautiful parks, beaches, piazzas, and family-friendly attractions throughout the country. Choosing accommodations in convenient locations makes the experience even easier.
Q: Should you rent a car in Italy with kids?
A: This is a question I get asked A LOT and it truly really depends on where you're visiting. We typically do not rent a car when staying in cities like Rome or Florence because they're very walkable and well connected by trains. However, we highly recommend renting a car if you're staying in Tuscany or exploring smaller towns and the countryside.
Q: What should families look for when booking accommodations in Italy?
A: We always recommend looking for accommodations with enough space for your family, a convenient location, family-friendly amenities like pools or kitchens, and easy access to the activities you plan to do. You can’t get everything you want from one hotel. So choose your top 2-3 non-negotiables, like location and room size, vs. budget and location.
Q: When is the best time to visit Italy with kids?
A: Our favorite times are late April through early June and September through early October. The weather is generally pleasant, attractions are less crowded than peak summer, and it's much more comfortable for sightseeing with children.
Q: What are your favorite places you've personally stayed in Italy with kids?
A: Some of our all-time favorites include agriturismos in Tuscany, family-friendly hotels in Rome, apartments in Florence, resorts in Sardinia, and hotels in Sorrento that make exploring the Amalfi Coast easy. Every place featured in this guide is somewhere we've personally stayed and would happily book again.
