Top 3 Italian Cities for Some Family Fun

*In collaboration with Emily Jones.

The common misconception is that Italy is just a romantic getaway. This is completely not the case. A trip to Italy is a wonderful idea for a family holiday. Italy has plenty of exciting and educational attractions for kids of all ages. Traveling to Italy as a family is a great way to experience the country’s rich culture, stunning landscapes, mouth-watering cuisine, and exciting activities.

Italian cities are jam-packed with a wide variety of attractions that are geared at providing a good time for people of all ages, such as beaches and boat cruises. When you visit this great country, you won’t know which cities to prioritise seeing, and the experience will make you want to come back for more. To assist you in having an easier time picking which cities to visit, here is a breakdown of three of the most entertaining and exciting cities to visit with your family and have a lot of fun.

1. MILAN

Milan is the best city in Italy to visit for families who want to see some of the country’s more contemporary attractions. This major metropolis is well recognised as Europe’s design and fashion epicenter. The city’s rich history and culture make it one of the most desirable vacation spots in all of Italy, particularly for families. Home to a world-famous shopping district, in Milan you can enjoy some shopping in the best fashion stores, boutiques and famous Milanese jewelry shops, such as Pisa Orologeria. Some other fun activities you can partake in are: going on a family outing at the Civic Aquarium, stopping by the Duomo, visiting the Natural History Museum, seeing what’s on display at the Civic Planetarium, enjoy a day at Leolandia, attending a match at the famous San Siro or getting some fresh air and letting the kids run wild at Indro Montanelli Public Gardens.

2. PISA

Although the leaning tower of Pisa is the city’s most recognisable landmark, there is much more to see and do in Pisa than the tower itself. Pisa is packed with things to do for visitors of all ages, including beautiful beaches, amusement parks, medieval cathedrals and squares, and more. You can’t leave the Learning Tower without exploring Piazza Dei Miracoli, the area around the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Pisa Cathedral, the Pisa Baptistry, and the Pisa Monumental Cemetery, all of which are equally impressive. An architectural wonder, the enclosed 22-acre park has ancient buildings, European art, and lots of open grassy spaces ideal for relaxing.

You can also spend some quality time as a family while in Pisa by checking out Mercato delle Vettovaglie and what it offers or the National Museum of the Royal Palace to give your little ones an early taste of the art world. Picnic with the kids at Piazza Dei Cavalieri, take a self-guided bike tour of Pisa or get away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre at the gorgeous beach of Bagni Vittorio Emanuele if you find yourselves with some extra time to spare.

3. VENICE

No such list could be complete without including Venice, the city of a thousand canals and a thousand dreams. As a city unlike any other, entirely encircled by sea on all sides, it offers a feeling of adventure perfect for family holidays. Looking for family-friendly things to do in Venice? Vaporetti (water buses) tours of the Grand Canal are a great way to become acquainted with the city before venturing off to see the likes of St. Mark’s Basilica (a vast cathedral covered in gold mosaics), the Doge’s Palace Prisons, the Glassblowers of Murano and enjoying a ride on a gondola. If you still have energy left over, you can also have a picnic at Giardini Pubblici, relax on the sands of Lido, visit Santa Maria Dei Miracoli, and end the day by indulging your taste buds with Gelato from Gelateria Nico or Cicchetti.

Have you ever been to any of these 3 cities, and if so, what was your experience like? This is only a small sample of the numerous family-friendly activities available in Italy’s cities. Outdoor adventures, cultural pursuits, and everything in between may all be found in this diverse nation. No matter your age, you’ll have a great time here.