Ready to take a break from monument hopping and experience Rome like a local? Join a food tour in Testaccio for a day your family will never forget.

You probably already have plans to visit the Colosseum or Vatican Museums with your family. But for a whole new way to see—and taste—the city, we suggest taking a food tour in Rome for kids. Every member of your family will love exploring Testaccio, a neighborhood known for its delicious and traditional Roman food.

We’re willing to bet that your whole family will fall in love with Rome on our Testaccio Neighborhood Food & Market Tour. Here’s why:

Experience history firsthand

Testaccio has over 2,000 years of ancient Roman history woven throughout its monuments, streets and traditional cuisine. It’s a place where the past comes to life, and we touch on the historic components of Roman food throughout the tour. Kids will get to hear about the famous “hill of pots,” full of ancient Roman pottery, in addition to the family businesses that have been passed down from one generation to the next.

Explore an open-air market

Mercato Testaccio is one of the best markets in Rome, with 100 stalls serving fresh, traditional Roman food and ingredients. You’ll get to see an amazing selection of pizza straight out of the oven, and chat with a couple who’s had their meat and cheese stall for over 40 years. Kids will love exploring the market, from the seasonal produce decorating its stalls to the pieces of an ancient Roman wall visible in its center!

Plenty of kid-approved bites

Who doesn’t want to have dessert for breakfast and try the tastiest pizza in Rome? On this tour we sample everything from breakfast pastries, cured meats and cheeses to gourmet pizza, pasta and gelato. There’s something on the menu for everyone—including the little ones—and we can make substitutions for most allergies and intolerances.

Not too much walking

While the tour is three and a half hours long, there’s a good mix of standing, walking and sitting. We make sure there’s lots of room to move around, and never stay in one place for too long. We also keep younger guests entertained throughout the experience with storytelling, activity sheets and, of course, lots of delicious food.

Note: The total walking distance is approximately 2 kilometers (1.3 miles).

Meet friendly locals

Italians love children! The neighborhood locals won’t hesitate to say “ciao” or slip them an extra piece of cheese or scoop of gelato. Your kids will learn about Italy straight from the experts, and hear from people whose families have lived in the area for generations. A food tour in Rome is the best way to bring local culture to life, helping kids understand Roman people and their cuisine firsthand.

Interactive and engaging information

Our Testaccio food and market tour isn’t purely a history tour or tasting experience, but a mix of both. This means there’s plenty of information to keep our younger guests entertained. At each of the tour’s seven stops, we talk about how pizza is made, which pastries Romans eat in the morning and how the area’s history influenced its food and culture.

Gelato!

Need we say more? All of our tours end with gelato—and for good reason! The gelateria we visit on our Testaccio tour is run by an 84-year-old expert who makes some of the best gelato in Rome. Choose a classic like rich chocolate or nocciola, or live life on the wild side with a combination of Kinder chocolate and avocado. Either way, your perfect flavor is waiting.

Kid-friendly insider tips

Along with a list of some of our favorite restaurants in Rome, your guide will send you off with recommendations for kid-friendly activities in the area. For example, why not visit the ancient pyramid or local cat sanctuary? Testaccio has tons of hidden gems to explore, and we’ll set you up to keep adventuring post-tour.

Ready to dive into Testaccio, one bite at a time? Join our family-friendly Testaccio Neighborhood Food & Market Tour. Looking for more kid-friendly activites in Rome? Don’t miss our Rome Pasta-Making Class or Rome Pasta-Making Class which are perfect activites that parents and kids can do together.