Rome is a magical place for any traveller, but if you have tots or older children, a little forward planning can avoid tears and tempers.

When to go

Rome is hot and crowded in the summer months, but can still be warm at autumn half-term. Easter is busy because of the religious holiday, but out-of-season is cooler and cheaper – and the weather can still be pleasant.

Accommodation

Rome is built on seven hills and even walking up the Via Vittorio Veneto without a pushchair can be a challenge. To avoid fraught trips back to the hotel or expensive taxi fares, make sure the hotel you choose is on the flat – there are plenty of hotels and guest houses which are easily accessible round the Vatican and on the other side of the river around the Via del Corso, where the main town centre and tourist sites are.

Walking