Under-6 free everywhere, under-18 free at state museums, and the family-friendly deals worth knowing.
Plan your Italy trip →Under 6: Free entry to virtually all museums, attractions, and transport in Italy.
Under 18 (EU citizens): Free entry to ALL state museums. Non-EU under-18: many state museums also offer free entry — always ask.
Under 12 on trains: Children under 4 travel free on trains (no seat). Children 4-11 travel free with the "Bimbi Gratis" offer when accompanied by a paying adult on Trenitalia (Frecce trains, certain fares). Italo has similar family offers.
Trenitalia Family Offer: With certain fares, children 4-14 travel free or at €5 flat. Check trenitalia.com family section when booking.
Accommodation: Many Italian hotels and B&Bs allow children under 6 (sometimes under 12) free in parents' room with existing bedding. Always ask. Airbnb apartments with extra rooms are often cheaper for families than 2 hotel rooms.
Restaurants: Most Italian restaurants don't have kids' menus — they just serve smaller portions of regular dishes at reduced prices. Ask "Fate un piatto per bambini?" (Do you make a kids' plate?). The half-portion of whatever primo is on the menu usually works perfectly.
Pompeii (older kids love the ruins), boat tours (Capri, Amalfi Coast), gelato tours (every city), Explora children's museum (Rome), Museo della Scienza (Milan), and basically any piazza with space to run around. Italian culture is family-oriented — children are welcomed everywhere, even nice restaurants.