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.
Taking a food tour or cooking class in Rome offers a fantastic alternative to traditional sightseeing, allowing your family to immerse yourselves in the city’s culture through its delicious cuisine and engaging activities. Moving beyond just monuments, these experiences provide a balanced way for families to connect with Rome’s history, enjoy authentic food, and participate in fun, hands-on activities
One popular option for families is the Testaccio Neighborhood Food & Market Tour. This tour takes place in Testaccio, a neighborhood renowned for its traditional Roman food and rich history. It is designed to be a memorable day out for the entire family. We’re willing to bet that your whole family will fall in love with this food tour in Rome for kids.
Experience history firsthand
The Testaccio neighborhood is steeped in over 2,000 years of ancient Roman history, visible in its streets and cuisine. The tour touches on the historic elements of Roman food, including stories about the “hill of pots,” made of ancient Roman pottery. You’ll also learn about multi-generational family businesses that are central to the neighborhood’s food scene. Exploring the history and cuisine of a non-touristy Roman neighborhood is a key part of the experience.
Explore an open-air market
Exploring Mercato Testaccio is a highlight. Kids can see an amazing selection of pizza fresh from the oven, browse seasonal produce displays, and even see pieces of an ancient Roman wall located in the center of the market. Chatting with friendly vendors, some of whom have been there over 40 years, adds a personal touch to the cultural experience. The market is described as being full of life and color, offering lessons in Roman culture.
Plenty of kid-approved food
Kids will love sampling a wide variety of delicious Roman foods, including breakfast pastries, cured meats, cheeses, gourmet pizza, pasta, and of course, gelato. There are 14 food tastings across 8 family-run establishments, providing enough food for breakfast and lunch. The tour begins with a typical Italian breakfast that includes a special Roman delicacy. There’s truly something on the menu for everyone, including the little ones.
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
The tour is a mix of history and tasting. Guides keep younger guests entertained with storytelling and activity sheets. At each stop, they share fascinating information, like how pizza is made, what Romans eat for breakfast, and how the area’s history influenced its food, making the information interactive and engaging
The Grand Finale: 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.
Take your market knowledge into a hands on Cooking Class with kids
For families who want to get even more involved, Rome’s cooking classes are fantastic hands-on activities that parents and kids can do together. These classes are designed to be fun, interactive, and highly memorable. Don’t miss our Rome Pasta-Making Class, where kids will love getting their hands doughy! Participants make two types of fresh pasta—fettuccine and ravioli—entirely from scratch alongside local Roman chefs. Plus kids will love the live demonstration on traditional italian gelato making! Who doesn’t love fresh gelato, especially after seeing how it’s made?
Feeling more like Pizza?
Join the Rome Pizza-Making Class, where kids get to be pizza chefs! They learn how to make authentic pizza dough from a local chef, then stretch, top, and bake their own pizza to perfection. and the best part? Your family can end the night with a warm Nutella pizza for dessert!
Food Tours in Rome FAQ
What kind of food will kids actually enjoy on the Testaccio Food Tour?
The tour features 14 “kid-approved bites” across 8 family-run spots. This includes a typical Italian breakfast pastry, cured meats, cheeses, gourmet pizza, pasta, and gelato. It’s enough food for breakfast and lunch, with something for everyone, including the little ones.
Is the amount of walking on the Testaccio Food Tour manageable for children?
Yes, the tour has a manageable pace. It’s 3.5 hours long but includes a good mix of standing, walking, and sitting, ensuring they never stay in one place for too long. The total walking distance is approximately 2 kilometers (1.3 miles).
Do kids get to participate hands-on in the Rome cooking classes?
Absolutely! Both classes are very hands-on. In the Make Pasta class, kids make two types of fresh pasta entirely from scratch with chefs. In the Pizza-Making class, they learn to make authentic dough, then stretch, top, and bake their own pizza.
Is gelato included in these experiences?
Yes, gelato is a highlight! The Testaccio Food Tour ends with gelato, visiting a gelateria run by an expert. The Make Pasta class includes a live gelato demonstration and tasting. The Pizza-Making class ends with a warm Nutella pizza dessert instead of gelato.
How do the guides keep younger guests entertained on the tours?
Guides keep kids engaged using storytelling and activity sheets. They share interesting facts about food and history in an interactive way. Plus, Italians love children, and local vendors often greet them warmly, sometimes offering an extra treat.
Update notice: April 25, 2025
Ready to dive into Testaccio, one bite at a time? Join our family-friendly Testaccio Neighborhood Food & Market Tour. Can’t wait to see you there!
