Italy is a country that has something for everyone, and that includes families with babies. With its beautiful landscapes, charming towns and villages, and rich history and culture, Italy is the perfect destination for the first trip with your baby. From the picturesque beaches of the Amalfi Coast to the stunning Dolomites, there are so many incredible places to explore.
My wife Emily and I were lucky enough to explore Italy for a month with our 4 month old baby! Locals in Italy LOVE babies and there are countless baby friendly cities and villages. Below are our top 8 places in Italy that are perfect for traveling with a baby.
8. ROME
No trip to Italy is complete without visiting ancient Rome. This beautiful city is known for its rich history and culture, and offers a wide variety of activities and sights to explore. Rome is also very stroller friendly and have baby changing stations in most museums. Below are a list of all the most baby friendly destinations we recommend visiting while you are in Rome.
- The Colosseum
- The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Trevi Fountain
- The Pantheon
- Spanish Steps
- Piazza Navona
- Vatican City
Many of the historical landmarks are in walking distance from one another. Rome Times Hotel is a perfect, centrally located hotel that is in walking distance to most attractions. When visiting The Colosseum and The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, I would recommend bringing a baby carrier as there are many stairs. Both locations have areas where you can park your strollers. There are also countless restaurants on every corner so you will not go hungry. Some of the best food in Italy is located in Rome!
7. VENICE
Venice, known for its nostalgic canals and gondolas, is a great destination for traveling with a baby. The city is easy to navigate on foot, making it perfect for strolling with a baby. There are many charming streets and squares to explore, such as the famous Piazza San Marco. Take a boat ride along the canals and see the city from a different perspective. The Rialto Bridge is also a must-see attraction, it offers a great view of the city from above.
If you search Venice on the internet, there are several mixed reviews, especially regarding it being baby friendly or not. From our experience, it was very baby friendly and the streets were easy to navigate. However, I recommend going to Venice in early spring or late autumn to avoid the crowds. Taking a gondola ride with our baby was one of our most favorite experiences.
For lodging, I recommend staying at the AC Hotel Venezia by Marriott. It is located just steps from the bus station and rental car companies. This makes for an easy arrival and exit from Venice.
6. SAN GIMIGNANO
San Gimignano is a charming hilltop town in Tuscany. The town is small, easy to navigate and offers a unique, historical experience. The streets are cobbled and hilly, but our little stroller did perfectly fine. The streets were surprisingly smooth for how old the village is. The town is filled with charming squares and restaurants where you can sit and relax with your little one and enjoy the delicious gelato. San Gimignano is perfect for a short day trip if you are staying in Tuscany.
5. Siena
Siena is a medieval town in Tuscany and was one of our favorite places to visit with our baby. Piazza del Campo, the town’s main square, is a must see attraction and a perfect location to sit and people watch. We loved Siena because no cars are allowed within the walls and the walking paths are very smooth. It was one of the more stroller friendly locations we visited.
Outside the walls of Siena, there are many wineries to visit. Siena is in the heart of Tuscany so visiting a winery is a must. For a true personalized and family friendly experience, I would suggest San Giorgio a Lapi Winery. The views were incredible and it was truly charming.
4. POSITANO
Positano is a charming coastal village on the Amalfi Coast and has some of the most stunning views in Italy. This was the least baby friendly location due to the big hills but is still well worth the visit. We were able to utilize the stroller the entire time. For accommodation, I recommend staying at the Hotel California Positano. They have some of the best views of Positano right from your room and an amazing breakfast.
Positano is one of the most touristy locations in Italy so visiting during the shoulder season would be ideal, especially with a baby. We arrived in late October and the weather was still warm but the crowds were small.
3. AMALFI
About 30 minutes south of Positano is the charming town of Amalfi. Amalfi is very stroller friendly and has a pleasant square surrounded by the famous Amalfi Cathedral and several restaurants and cafes. It is perfect for a day trip from Positano. Make sure you take the elevator to the Belvedere Cimitero Monumentale to see some of the most beautiful views of the Amalfi Coast.
2. DOLOMITES
In my opinion, nothing beats the mountain towns and villages in Northern Italy. The Dolomites were absolutely amazing and have some of the most dramatic views you will ever see. Traveling with a baby through the Dolomites is best when renting a car. Most of the towns are stroller friendly and have beautiful town squares to sit and relax.
I recommend staying near the popular ski town Selva val Gardena. We stayed at the Linder Cycling Hotel and it was our favorite hotel throughout our entire Italy trip. They have an amazing breakfast as well as luxury pool and spa.
Alpe di Siusi and the town of Ortisei are two places I would recommend visiting that are both breathtaking and easy to visit with a baby.
1. Lago di Garda (Lake Garda)
Lake Garda was our absolute favorite destination in all of Italy. It is the largest lake in Italy and is located at the base of the Dolomites. The towns surrounding the lake also offer a variety of stroller-friendly streets and squares, making it easy to navigate with a baby. Riva del Garda is the town on the north end of the lake and is where I would recommend staying. It has updated walking paths around the town and has picturesque views with the mountains behind the colorful buildings.
The town of Malcesine is also a must visit. This charming town sits right on the water and has a beautiful harbor surrounded by restaurants and cafes. Make sure to visit the Castle of Malcesine and make your way to the top for insanely breathtaking 360 degree views of Lake Garda.
Overall, I don’t think there could be a better country to visit with your baby than Italy. It is safe, has stunning views, the locals love babies, and has a rich culture for the parents to enjoy while the little one tags along. Below is a little highlight video from our trip for you to see first hand!