Umbria with children
Are you planning to travel to Umbria with your children or are the grandchildren coming along too? Then you’ve come to the right place!
Umbria, with its medieval charm, breathes history and adventure. Each village also has cozy squares with delicious gelateria-s and playgrounds where the little ones can have fun.
Do you want to explore the region in addition to relaxing by the pool at your villa? We have listed our favorite excursions for small and big children.
Our top tips for unforgettable day trips with children in Umbria:
Admire the spectacular Cascata delle Marmore waterfalls.
Take a boat trip to one of the islands on Lake Trasimeno.
Get your adrenaline pumping with family rafting in Scheggino.
Conquer the Tibetan suspension bridge in Sellano, an exciting adventure.
Discover all the tips below and get inspired!
Tibetan Suspension Bridge
Looking for an adventurous outing? Then you must visit Sellano. In 2024, the Ponte Tibetano, a Tibetan suspension bridge, opened, connecting Sellano, one of the Borghi più Belli d’Italia, with Montesanto. This is not for small children or people who have fear of heights. Read more on our blog.
Rafting
One can participate in an afternoon of rafting in the Val di Nera and close to the Marmore waterfalls.
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
https://www.raftingmarmore.com/
Booking is necessary, and the opening times and costs are available online. 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 easy rafting at Pangea.
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. Contact details:
mobile +393492253081
email veronica@altraumbria.it.
www.centrodiequitazionemarana.it
Città della Domenica
A zoo on a few km 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 but children until about 10 years old will surely enjoy themselves. Outside next to the parking is a house with reptiles.
www.cittadelladomenica.it
Grotta di Monte Cucco
Many people know the famous caves of Frasassi in the Marche. These are impressive caves that many tourists visit during their holiday in Marche or Umbria. Not many people know that Umbria also has some beautiful caves, the caves of Monte Cucco. Mind you have to be fit to visit these caves.
Check out the blog for more information.
This is not for small children or elderly people. In that case, we recommend the caves of Frasassi.
Marmore waterfalls
This is a spectacular man-made waterfalls, that can be closed and opened! Therefore, do check the opening times because a visit is only interesting when the falls have water in them. The construction was made by the Romans, making it even more impressive. A drop of 165 meters is divided into three waterfalls. One can walk along the falls down a safe trail. Info, pictures, opening times and costs can be found on the website: Marmore Waterfalls.
Read our blog posts about the history of the Marmore Waterfalls and about a day trip to the waterfall.
Perugia, San Sisto - wakeboard
Not far from the academic hospital in Perugia, in San Sisto, an urban 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
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 archaeological 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. Read our blog about Carsulae for more information.
Orvieto Underground
In Orvieto, you can visit the city under the ground. There are more than 400 caves and part of these can be visited. Make sure to book a guided tour when you go to Orvieto.
Read more on our blog.
Lake Trasimeno - visit the two islands
You can take a boat to the two islands from the various shore towns. The Isola Maggiore is the only island that still today has inhabitants. 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).
Acqua Parc Tavernelle and Flex Beach
Do your children like big slides and chilling in a swimming pool? There are two waterparks in Umbria, that may be worth a vit. These are not very big, but the children surely will pas a lovely day. There are several big glides and several pools. There is a pizzeria and bar plus large lawn where you can sunbath.
One park is in Tavernelle, a small village along the road between Perugia and Città della Pieve, just south of the Lake Trasimeno. The website Piscine Tavernelle has some pictures and further information about costs and opening hours.
The other park is in Foligno in Via delle Industrie. On the website of Flex Beach you will find more pictures and information.
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.
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.