7 Hidden Gems in Italy Beyond Rome and Venice: Our Family Travel Story

If you’ve already done Rome’s Colosseum and floated down Venice’s canals, you might be wondering where to go next—especially if you’re planning family travel in Italy and want something slower, more authentic, and kinder to little legs. This is the story of our two-week loop through seven hidden gems in Italy—a first-person account of traveling with my husband and our two kids, ages seven and four. From a quiet alpine lake to a pastel island off Naples, we stitched together places that felt personal, unhurried, and wonderfully kid-friendly. Along the way we learned the art of traveling light(-ish), the joy of a long Italian lunch, and why packing a tiny bubble wand can save the day.

How We Planned Our Family Trip to Italy (and Why We Skipped the Big Cities)

We love the energy of Italy’s blockbuster cities, but this trip was about space—space to wander, to nap, to play, to splash. For Italy with kids, smaller towns offer easier parking, calmer streets, and piazzas that double as playgrounds.

Choosing Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations

I started with a paper map and a highlighter, circling places friends had loved and cross-checking them with kid-friendly draws: safe swimming, car-free historic centers, easy day hikes, hands-on food. We landed on this route:

1. Lake Orta (Orta San Giulio), Piedmont
2. Camogli, Liguria
3. Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna
4. Spello, Umbria
5. Ascoli Piceno, Le Marche
6. Vieste, Gargano Peninsula, Puglia
7. Procida, Campania

It formed a relaxed arc from the north down the Adriatic, across to the south, and up through the Bay of Naples.

Timing, Budget, and Pacing

We went in late May/early June—warm enough for beaches, cool enough for walking, and before peak crowds. We booked apartments or family rooms, aiming for kitchens and washing machines. Our rough daily budget (family of four): €180–€250 for lodging (varied by region), €60–€80 for food if we self-catered breakfast and one lunch, more when dining out, and small extras for gelato, entrance fees, and boats. We built in daylight rest: an early activity, a slow lunch, a nap or pool break, then an evening stroll.

Packing for Italy With Kids

We brought a compact stroller for our youngest, packing cubes labeled by day, a foldable booster for car rides, and a canvas bag just for “wait time entertainment”: magnetic tiles, mini sketchbooks, and a bubble wand. For family travel Italy, that bubble wand earned VIP status.

Getting Around

We rented a small car at Milan Airport and returned it in Naples, keeping notes on ZTL (limited traffic zones) and using public parking lots. In Procida we went car-free.

Stop 1 — Lake Orta & Orta San Giulio: A Fairy-Tale Beginning

There are famous Italian lakes—and then there’s Lake Orta, a quieter, pocket-sized cousin of Como and Maggiore. We arrived late afternoon, the lake like a sheet of glass, the island of San Giulio hovering in the middle like a secret.

Where We Stayed

A family-run albergo on the hill with a small garden was perfect for the kids to run off energy. Our room had a balcony facing the water. Breakfasts were a spread of warm brioche, peaches, and local honey.

What We Did (Kid Edition)

• Boat to Isola San Giulio: Ten minutes from the main piazza, and the kids pretended we were sailing to a dragon’s lair. On the island, a circular lane wraps around the monastery; it’s flat, stroller-friendly, and peppered with mosaics and little plaques about “the way of silence,” which even our seven-year-old found intriguing.
• Duck Patrol: The lakeside promenade turned into an evening mission to spot “our” family of ducks. There was a tiny playground near the pier, and the kids made friends without sharing a single language.
• Gelato & Golden Hour: We learned the flavor “nocciola” (hazelnut) is an instant peace treaty after a long day.

What We Ate

Lake fish risotto at a trattoria tucked behind the church; the waiter brought crayons and a paper placemat and taught our eldest to draw a fish in five squiggles. We took picnic lunches—bread, cheese, cherry tomatoes—down to the water.

Family Tips

• Park in the upper town and walk down; little legs manage better going downhill first.
• Bring a light sweater even in summer; lake breezes get cool at dusk.
• Consider Lake Orta as a gentle start or finish to your loop—it sets a slower rhythm.

Stop 2 — Camogli, Liguria: A Pocket-Sized Riviera Without the Crowds

We could have chosen glitzy Portofino or busy Cinque Terre, but Camogli charmed us with old fishermen’s houses painted like storybooks and a pebbly beach perfect for sand-free parents.

Highlights With Kids

• Beach Mornings: The slope is gentle, and there are lidos with umbrellas if you prefer shade. Our four-year-old loved collecting smooth “jelly bean stones.”
• Boat to San Fruttuoso: The ride itself is a thrill past cliffs and secret coves. While older kids might hike in, we chose the ferry both ways and shared focaccia on the pebbles in front of the 10th-century abbey.
• Pesto Lesson: In a tiny cooking class, we pounded basil, pine nuts, and cheese in a mortar. The kids declared pesto “green magic.” We bought a jar to stir into pasta on nights we ate in.

Where We Stayed

A simple apartment up three flights of stairs (Liguria is vertical!) with sea views. At bedtime we stood on the balcony counting bobbing boat lights.

A Real-Life Parenting Moment

We had our trip’s first meltdown right before dinner—cumulative saltwater, late naps, and too many choices. We reset by eating takeaway focaccia di Recco on the beach with bare feet. Sometimes the “special restaurant” is a blanket and a view.

Stop 3 — Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna: Glittering Mosaics & Flat Bike Paths

On paper, Ravenna is about world-class mosaics. With kids, it’s also about flatness—a city you can crisscross on bikes with child seats.

What Stood Out

• Mosaics as Treasure Hunts: We turned each basilica into a game: “Find the sheep,” “Count the ships,” “Spot the gold stars.” Our seven-year-old kept a tally; our youngest liked the echo in the baptistery.
• Biking to the Pine Forest: A shaded path leads toward the seaside pinewoods (Pineta di Classe). We stopped at a café for piadina stuffed with squacquerone cheese and arugula—simple and perfect.
• Evening Squares: Ravenna’s centro is compact. After dinner, kids did laps around the fountain while we shared an espresso under strings of lights.

Where We Stayed

A small B&B run by a former art teacher. At breakfast she set out mandarins and stickers shaped like stars “to match the ceilings.” Our kids felt seen.

Family Tips

• Buy a combined ticket for the main mosaic sites to skip re-queuing.
• Museums open late morning; use early hours for parks or bike rides.
• Ravenna is a great anchor in any family travel Italy itinerary because it balances culture with kid energy.

Stop 4 — Spello, Umbria: Flower-Lined Lanes & Slow Evenings

We drove into Spello as the sun turned its stone houses pink. Flower boxes tumbled geraniums and basil from every window. Spello is small—walkable in an hour—but lingering is the point.

Days That Blur (in the Best Way)

• Morning Wanders: We followed our noses—down a narrow lane toward a bakery, left at the scent of coffee. A man waved us into his courtyard to see his lemon tree. The kids learned “ciao” and “grazie” earns smiles and extra cherries.
• Agriturismo Afternoons: We stayed just outside town on a little agriturismo with a pool, goats, and three cats who submitted to endless petting. The farmer let the kids collect eggs and clip basil.
• Hands-On Cooking: We joined a family class and cooked strangozzi (a hand-cut pasta) with tomatoes we’d picked. Our four-year-old was in charge of sprinkling salt “like snow.”

Food Notes

Porchetta sandwiches from a truck in the square; warm torta al testo flatbread with prosciutto; and a gelateria that added whipped cream “for free, because you smiled.” Umbria does simple food with heart, and it’s easy to find kid-friendly plates.

Family Tips

• Spello is hilly; bring a compact stroller with good wheels.
• Plan one “no-car day” to fully exhale.
• Don’t rush meals. Long lunches are where kids recover and parents reconnect.

Stop 5 — Ascoli Piceno, Le Marche: Marble Squares and Stuffed Olives

Ascoli Piceno surprised us. Its main square, Piazza del Popolo, is paved with creamy travertine so smooth it shines. Cafés wrap around like a hug.

The Highlights

• Caffè Meletti: We sat under pink awnings sipping lemonade and, for the grown-ups, a tiny glass of anisette. The kids drew the square and counted pigeons. Time slowed.
• Olive All’Ascolana: These stuffed, breaded olives are a local specialty and—warning—highly addictive. Our eldest declared them “olive doughnuts.”
• River Walk: We followed the Tronto River, making paper boats from a receipt (best spontaneous toy), and ended at a small playground shaded by trees.

Where We Stayed

A family apartment near Porta Romana with a washing machine—cue the hallelujah chorus mid-trip. We aired swimsuits on the balcony and watched evening passeggiata below.

Family Tips

• Ascoli is an excellent base for day trips into the Sibillini Mountains if you like easy alpine walks.
• Order a mixed platter at lunch—kids can try bites without committing to a full dish.
• For crowd-free evenings, go early; locals dine late.

Stop 6 — Vieste & the Gargano: White Cliffs, Sea Caves, and Pine Scented Breezes

Puglia’s Gargano peninsula is a white limestone thumb jutting into the Adriatic. Vieste has two beaches that cup the old town like open palms, with a tall white monolith, Pizzomunno, standing guard.

Sea Days Done Right

• Boat Tour to the Grotte: Our captain threaded us in and out of sea caves flickering with blue light. He told legends about Pizzomunno and mermaids; the kids sat spellbound and salty.
• Umbra Forest Picnic: A short drive inland, the Foresta Umbra is a hush of beech trees, perfect for a shaded picnic and a break from sunscreen.
• Evening Gelato Crawl: Vieste’s old town stairs wind up to views that make grown-ups whisper “wow.” We tried pistachio gelato from one shop and lemon sorbet (local citrus!) from another, then declared a family tie.

Where We Stayed

A family bungalow at a camping village on the beach. We had our own little porch and a kitchenette, which made breakfasts easy and laundry doable.

A Small Challenge (and a Win)

On day one, a light medusa (jellyfish) brushed our seven-year-old. Tears and drama ensued. The lifeguard calmly rinsed with seawater and recommended a cool compress. We retreated to the umbrella with a card game and, an hour later, were back in the shallows. Lesson: expect the unexpected; build in buffer time so small hiccups don’t derail the day.

Family Tips

• Bring water shoes for pebbly sections and sea-cave stops.
• Book the morning boat tour—the water is calmer, and naps happen naturally afterward.
• Pre-order sandwiches from the bar for a no-fuss beach lunch.

Stop 7 — Procida, Campania: Pastel Island Magic

Tiny Procida sits a short ferry ride from Naples and feels like stepping into a watercolor. It’s less curated than its famous neighbor Ischia, more lived-in than Capri, and wildly photogenic.

Car-Free, Stress-Free

We left the car in Naples and boarded the ferry with day packs. On Procida, buses are frequent but we preferred walking. Our B&B had a terrace that looked over Marina Corricella, a tumble of pinks, yellows, blues. Fishing boats puttered below like toys.

Our Favorite Day

• Morning at Chiaiolella Beach: Clear shallows, volcanic sand, and a beach club that treated our kids like family. We built a “perfect volcano,” complete with a moat.
• Pasta alle Vongole Lunch: At a trattoria tucked into Corricella’s curve, we twirled spaghetti with clams while the kids ate fried anchovies with their fingers. The owner brought sliced peaches “per i bambini.”
• Terra Murata at Sunset: We climbed to the island’s highest point. Bells rang, laundry fluttered, and the whole harbor turned molten gold.

A Sweet Goodbye

On our last night, the B&B host gave us a small jar of lemon marmalade, “so you remember Procida at breakfast.” We do.

Practical Itinerary: Two Weeks Through Seven Hidden Gems in Italy

Day 1–2: Lake Orta (2 nights)
Arrive Milan → drive to Orta San Giulio. Boat to the island, lakeside promenades, easy first days.

Day 3–4: Camogli (2 nights)
Drive to Liguria. Beach time, pesto class, boat to San Fruttuoso.

Day 5–6: Ravenna (2 nights)
Drive east. Mosaics, bikes, piadina, pine forest picnic.

Day 7–8: Spello (2 nights)
Agriturismo stay, pool downtime, countryside cooking class.

Day 9–10: Ascoli Piceno (2 nights)
Piazza life, olive all’ascolana, river walk, optional Sibillini day trip.

Day 11–12: Vieste, Gargano (2 nights)
Sea-cave boat tour, beach days, Umbra Forest.

Day 13–14: Procida (2 nights)
Return car in Naples (or park it), ferry to Procida. Car-free end to the trip; fly out of Naples.

Why this pacing works for family travel in Italy:
Distances are reasonable, there’s a rhythm of culture-beach-culture, and each stop offers playground-equivalents (piazzas, promenades, shallow beaches).

What We Learned About Italy With Kids

Logistics That Made Life Easier

• Apartments and Agriturismi: Kitchens for pasta nights, space for toys, washing machines mid-trip.
• Early Activities, Long Lunches, Quiet Afternoons: Italy rewards slow travel; kids reward routine.
• Offline Maps & ZTL Awareness: Save your route and look for clearly marked parking lots just outside historic centers.
• The “Wait Bag”: Small toys, a tiny book light, snacks—perfect for lines, ferries, and restaurant waits.

Food Strategies (a.k.a. How to Avoid Hangry Crises)

• Order one antipasto misto for the table so kids can explore new flavors without pressure.
• Keep a banana or crackers in your daypack—shops close midday in smaller towns.
• Say yes to gelato as a cultural experience and a morale booster.

Budget Snapshot

Our daily average (family of four) hovered around €250–€320 inclusive of lodging, food, and activities, with Procida slightly higher and Ravenna/Spello slightly lower. Free joys—sunsets, squares, churches—kept costs balanced.

Safety & Comfort

Italy felt welcoming everywhere. Locals offered help with strollers and smiled at our attempts at Italian. Public fountains for refills, clean beach showers, and well-marked trails made family travel Italy pleasantly low-stress.

Family-Friendly Highlights (By Destination)

Lake Orta

• Must-do: Boat to Isola San Giulio, sunset promenade.
• Eat: Lake fish risotto, hazelnut gelato.
• Tip: Layers for cool evenings.

Camogli

• Must-do: Beach morning + boat to San Fruttuoso.
• Eat: Focaccia di Recco, fresh pesto.
• Tip: If kids are tired, picnic dinners beat sit-down restaurants.

Ravenna

• Must-do: Mosaic treasure hunts, family bike ride.
• Eat: Piadina lunches.
• Tip: Time indoor sites for midday heat.

Spello

• Must-do: Slow morning wanders, agriturismo pool, pasta class.
• Eat: Porchetta panini, torta al testo.
• Tip: A no-car day resets everyone.

Ascoli Piceno

• Must-do: Piazza del Popolo at golden hour.
• Eat: Olive all’ascolana, anisette for adults.
• Tip: Watch the passeggiata—it’s a cultural masterclass.

Vieste (Gargano)

• Must-do: Sea-cave boat tour, Umbra Forest.
• Eat: Lemon sorbet, orecchiette with tomato and ricotta forte.
• Tip: Water shoes and morning departures.

Procida

• Must-do: Corricella harbor at sunset, Chiaiolella beach.
• Eat: Pasta alle vongole, fried anchovies.
• Tip: Go car-free; embrace the island rhythm.

Reflections: Why These Truly Are Hidden Gems in Italy

What makes a place a hidden gem isn’t just a lack of crowds; it’s the freedom to let your day be shaped by curiosity instead of checklists. In Orta, we learned to sit with the lake. In Camogli, we traded museum tickets for pebbles and pesto. In Ravenna, we discovered art kids can love when it turns into a game. Spello taught us that the best itinerary sometimes is “let’s see where the flowers lead.” Ascoli gave us a square that felt like a living room. Vieste gave us sea caves and bravery after a jellyfish sting. Procida let us end without a car, moving on island time.

Traveling Italy with kids doesn’t mean shrinking your ambitions; it means reframing them. Choose places where the journey between sights is the sight—boat rides, piazzas, beach walks, bike paths. Give yourselves permission to nap, to linger over lunch, to say yes to another gelato because the sunset is that good.

Final Thoughts: Plan Less, Feel More

If you’re searching for hidden gems in Italy for your next adventure, consider weaving together a route like ours—north to south, lake to sea, mosaics to islands. Keep your days simple: one anchor activity, one meal worth remembering, one wide-open hour with nothing planned. The kids will remember feeding ducks at dusk and counting gold stars in a church ceiling. You’ll remember conversations that weren’t rushed and the feeling of walking home through a town that felt—for a moment—like yours.

Family travel Italy rewards the curious and the unhurried. Start with a map, a highlighter, and a promise to say yes to small detours. The big memories live there.