Are you going on holiday to Umbria with children? Below we have gathered some ideas for activities with children in Umbria in central Italy.
Apart from the few ideas below, you can also take children to the many small medieval towns in Umbria and walk around. Usually one can see these towns within about an hour and eat an ice cream somewhere on the piazza. Umbria has had its glory days between the 13th and 15th century. Much of this is still recognisable in the many towns and villages where you can feel the medieval atmosphere.
Rafting
In the Val di Nera and close to the Marmore waterfalls, one can participate in an afternoon of rafting.
Rafting at the Marmore waterfalls: Centro Canoa e Rafting "Le Marmore"; Via Carlo Neri - 05037 - Papigno (Terni); tel +39330753420 or +39337729154; e-mail: info@raftingmarmore.com. Website: Rafting Marmore. Booking is necessary and online you will also find the opening times and costs. Obviously, you should also visit the Marmore waterfalls!
When with small children this is a good option: the Pangea outdoor centre in Scheggino. Read our blog post about our day of soft rafting at Pangea.
Marmore waterfalls
Spectacular man made waterfalls, that can be closed and opened (therefore, do check the opening times because a visit is especially interesting when the falls have water in them). Made by the Romans, making it even more impressive. A drop of 165 meters divided in three waterfalls. One can walk along the falls down a safe trail. Info, pictures and opening times and costs can be found on the website: Marmore Waterfalls (also in english).
Read our blog post about the Marmore Waterfalls and the newest post about the waterfall.
Horse riding tour or acrobatics on horse back
Close to Perugia (Colle Umberto) a very animal friendly horse riding school provides wonderful tours through the hills.
Want to try something completely different, then take a course of acrobatics on horse back. This really improves your riding skills and is absolutely fun to do (and watch). See some pictures on our Umbria blog. The owner of this wonderful place is Veronica with mobile +393492253081 and email veronica@altraumbria.it. Website: http://www.centrodiequitazionemarana.it/
Città della Domenica
A zoo on a few kms from Perugia, exit at Ferro di Cavallo, of 40 hectares with all kinds of animals one can see (not in cages). Check out their website for entry times and more information. This park is somewhat outdated by cildren until about 8 years old will surely enjoy themselves. Outside next to the parking is a house with reptiles.
Acqua Parc Tavernelle
Don't expect a large water Park, but for Umbria this swimming pool has a lot to offer kids. There are several big glides and several pools. There is a pizzeria and bar plus large lawn where you can sunbath. The website Piscine Tavernelle has some pictures and further information about costs and opening hours. The pool is in Tavernelle, a small village along the road between Perugia and Città della Pieve, just south of the Lake Trasimeno.
Activo Park
This is a park that calls itself the biggest outdoor adventure park in Europe. It is in Scheggino (very close to Spoleto) and has a long list of attractions. Cross bow shooting, mountain bike rides (also only downhill), nordic Walking, climbing (there is a big climbing wall), skating. You can see the park from a real safari car and they have many more itineraries, walking high in the trees. Website: Activo Park.
Nahar Adventure Park
Situated in the Terni area, close to the Marmore falls, this park offers all kinds of outdoor activities, like a climbing wall, tree houses, walks on hanging bridges and more. They have itineraries for most age groups. This is the website.
Foresta fossile
Fosil forest with impressive stone remains of what once were trees. Unique palentological site.
Website: Foresta Fossile
Carsulae - remains of a Roman settlement in Umbria
It is called an Archeological Park. Carsulae is close to San Gemini in the province of Terni. Beautiful area to start with, but this archeological site is very interesting also for children. Some very old arches are still standing, one can see old roman roads, cisterns, a temple and a lot more. Website: Carsulae
Lake Trasimeno - visit the two islands
From the various shore towns, you can take a boat to the two islands. The isola maggiore is the easiest, it has a few bars and restaurants and one can walk around the island within one hour. Very nice for children, including a boat ride. Boats can be taken from Tuoro, Passignano and Castiglione del Lago. The isola Polvese is a natural park one can visit. The boat leaves from San Feliciano. Boat times (servizi di navigazione).
Oasi La Valle
Oasi La Valle is a nature reserve and a birdwatching centre. Read more about it in our blog. From mid June to mid September one can participate in a guided tour each Thursday and Saturday morning from 10.30 to 12. There will be a presentation of the lake and the oasis, birdwatching with binoculars (1 for every 2 participants) guided by ornithologists, visit to the waterlily pound and one can witness birds getting a ring. The guided tour costs euro 5 per participant, euro 3 for children between 7 and 14 and younger children can enter for free. The tours are in Italian and in English. Reservation is not necessary, but participants need to be present 10 minutes before the start of the tour.
Perugia, San Sisto - wakeboard
Not far from the academic hospital in Perugia, in San Sisto, a Wakeboard Park has been created. This is a fun activity for children that are a little bit older, though they also offer Baby Wake for children from 8 years onwards. Make sure to call one day in advance if you do not want to wait too long.
Read our blog post for more information about Wakeboard in Umbria
Grotte di Frasassi and dinosaur park (Marche)
Not to miss ... these caves are truly impressive, open to the public and easy to reach from Umbria. You can visit them accompanied by professional guides, along an easy tourist route that lasts about 75 minutes. For more information (also on how to dress, as the caves are not warm!) and a virtual tour you can visit the website: Grotte di Frasassi.
In the same area, 9 km from the caves, you can enjoy the dinosaur park, called 'le pietre del drago'. The dinosaur park is 13 hectare, there is a museum, a pic-nic area and a bar / restaurant. Website: Le Pietre del Drago.
Bomarzo (Lazio)
Just over the border of Lazio you can visit the Bomarzo park of monsters. This is lovely for children with a bit of imagination. It is a very large garden with weird statues to say the least. Open every day from 8 am to sunset. More info can be found on the website: Parco dei Mostri.
The dying town Civita di Bagnoregio (Lazio)
Also very interesting both for young and old not far from the Bomarzo park is the 'Città che Muore' (the dying city). Erosion is slowly taking over. You can still visit the little town by crossing a bridge on foot. Do visit this if you are in the area! More details on the Umbria blog.
Karting near Trevi
One of our guests suggested the karting track near Trevi. His children had a great time here. Have a look at the website of the Pista Arcobaleno near Trevi.
Child-friendly holiday rentals in Umbria
Below you will find some holiday rentals that families with children like to stay at. Some of these have a fenced pool or even a paddle pool and others have some games in the garden. Ask us if you have any specific requests or need more information.