Theme Parks in Italy to Take Your Family Holiday up a Notch

Enjoyed your fill of art and architecture on your Italian holiday? Looking for something a little more… exhilarating? Italy might have been the heart of the ancient Empire, but it hasn’t refrained from racing into modernity – and these theme parks in Italy are proof of that!

If the kids are museum-ed out on your family holiday in Italy, or the Trevi Fountain didn’t scratch that itch to throw your hands in the air like you just don’t care, take your family on a day out to one of our favourite theme parks in Italy, with their highlights detailed below to help you make the right decision for your family, fast.

Whether you’re looking for theme parks in Rome to round out the first or final days of your trip or seeking an excuse to cool off from the Mediterranean heat at one of the most beloved water parks in Italy, this list compiles some of the best days out for every member of your group on your family holiday in Italy.

Whilst COVID-19 has had significant impacts on Italian tourism, it is still more than possible to visit the country and enjoy its abundant offerings without risking your health. Many theme parks and amusement parks in Italy are still open, but are enforcing strict health and hygiene measures to keep guests safe. Be sure to check out their websites before you visit to ensure you understand their entry requirements, which might include mandatory mask-wearing or pre-booking of limited tickets. Worried about booking in advance in case you need to cancel the day before? Don’t be! When you book with Tiqets, you can cancel your tickets and get a refund up to 24 hours before your trip.

Have fun and stay safe!

Cinecittà World: the most unmissable theme park in Rome

Boasting over 40 attractions across 30 hectares, Cinecittà World is the first amusement park in Italy to combine the magic of the movies with the boundless enjoyment of theme parks, making it the perfect day trip from Rome on your family holiday in Italy.

Rolling out a number of new attractions at the start of 2020 (how’s that for timing?) Cinecittà World promises a day out where anything is possible. The park is divided across 7 mini-worlds: Aqua World, Rome, Spaceland, Adventureland, Kingdom of Ice, Far West, and of course, the eponymous Cinecittà World. Despite the variety and number of attractions, it’s more than possible to visit them all in one day.

There’s no doubt you’ll find it hard to decide which rides and attractions to go on first – let this list be your guide, whether you’re young, old, or old-but-young-at-heart.

Don’t miss these top 6 picks at Cinecittà World.

1. Volarium

Based in Adventureland, Volarium is the flying cinema experience you never knew you desperately needed to try. Awarded the Best Italian Attraction at the Parksmania Awards, the theme park sector’s equivalent of the Oscars, Volarium takes you on an interactive cinematic adventure. Lifting you as far as 10 metres off the ground as you are transported into the film itself, the story of Volarium is as gripping as the ride’s mechanics themselves. Explore and interact with the works of Leonardo Da Vinci and experience firsthand what life was like in Florence during his lifetime.

2. Assassin’s Creed

For the gamers who want to explore a version of Italy they’re perhaps more familiar with, slap on a pair of VR goggles and step into an interactive version of Assassin’s Creed. Armed with a bow and arrow, you – and only you – have the power to take down the Templars.

3. Aktium

If you’d rather cool off from the relentless summer heat, Aktium is the park’s star water attraction. Centred around the famous battle of Aktium, this water-based ride will take you through the great battle with rollercoaster descents as fast as 70 kilometres an hour.

4. Kingdom of Ice

If that hasn’t cooled you down enough, a perfect snow day awaits your little ones at the Kingdom of Ice. Here, they can learn to ice skate, slide down snowy descents on the Blunder, and battle other children in the snowball fight to end all snowball fights.

5. Nightmare at the In-Cubo

Horror-film buffs simply can’t miss the In-Cubo interactive cinema, which offers a 6D cinema experience like no other: Nightmare. Nightmare promises to shake even the most steadfast of guests to their very core as the scariest film monsters in cinematic history materialise on the screen. Thankfully, your doom is not guaranteed – guests are provided a laser gun to fight their way through. Whether you survive… well, that’s a different story.

6. Long Live Italy

And no matter who you are, there’s one vital experience you have to check out to better understand the history of Italy and its rich cinematic offerings. There is no cardinal sin in Cinecittà World quite like missing the park’s main show, Long Live Italy, which screens every day at 6pm.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, Cinecittà World has instituted a number of social protection measures, including caps to admission to ensure social distancing. Grab your flexible ticket to skip the line from Tiqets.

Caribe Bay: A tropical paradise with sky-high slides  

When you think of Venice, you’re likely picturing canal-lined streets, gondolas and Venetian Gothic architecture. A simple hour’s drive north of the city, however, will take you to the seaside town of Jesolo – home to one of the best theme parks in Italy, Caribe Bay. 

Although it might be deemed more water park than theme park, Caribe Bay is an award-winning attraction with 80,000 square meters of pure excitement. Expect to indulge in live entertainment, rides, sports, and plenty of opportunity to kick back and relax. 

Whether you’re an adrenaline seeker, adventurer or scoping out more child-friendly things to do during your family holiday in Italy, Caribe Bay has it all. 
Here are the five best things to do at Caribe:

1. Jungle Jump: for the adrenaline junky

Ever dreamed of flying? Well, now you can come close to the real thing by taking a ride on Jungle Jump at Caribe Bay. Throw yourself down a thundering waterfall and end up being catapulted high into the sky. Just don’t forget to show off some of your best acrobat moves before plunging deep into the water! 

2. Barracudas: for the adventurer 

Grab a float, climb the stairs right to the top of the 2, 17-meter-high slides, lie on your front, and GO! For those unafraid of heights and who love to chase the next adventure, this is a thrilling challenge for you. Feeling competitive? Get a friend to race on the slide next to you and see who makes it to the bottom first! 

3. Shark Bay: for the one looking to relax

Let all your stress melt away and transport yourself to the Mexican coast as Shark Bay is identically twinned with the stunning Playa Sisal. Lined with swaying palm trees, king-size loungers, crystal-clear water, white sand, and a beach bar within reaching distance, if you’re an avid relaxer, or not, you may not move from here all day! 

4. Boopi River: for the little ones 

The best theme parks in Italy have plenty of things for little ones too. Boopi River is a fun and adventure-packed river ride full of twists and turns through the leafy Caribe Bary forest. Kids and accompanying adults can hop onto a two-person float, hang on and enjoy the ride, one twist at a time.

5. Live shows: for everyone!

Every day is a party at Caribe Bay as they host a revolving cast of international artists and live shows. From pirates armed with swords and parrots, to skilled dancers and even breathtaking acrobatics. Take a break during your day at one of the best amusement parks in Italy to feast your eyes on incredible talent within Caribe Bay’s live shows! 

If you’re already having a family holiday in Italy this summer, why not add on a fun-fuelled visit to Caribe Bay? You can get special deals for multiple attractions below or you can snap-up tickets for the park directly here.

A world-class day out at one of the best theme parks in Italy: Gardaland Park

If you only visit one amusement park in Italy during your trip, make it Gardaland Park in Castelnuovo del Garda. One of Europe’s largest and most beloved theme parks, Gardaland offers three categories of amusements for guests to choose their own adventure: Fantasy, for the little ones; Adventure, for the whole family; and Adrenaline, for the thrill-seekers and people with iron stomachs.

1. Adrenaline-surging rides at Gardaland Park

With 32 rides across these three categories, the big draw for Gardaland is its rollercoasters. Will you outpace a Jurassic predator on the Raptor or take a twisting and turning supersonic hurtle through the sky on the Blue Tornado? Will you explore the Arctic on the family-friendly Mammut or take a trek to the heights of Magic Mountain? With six rollercoasters to choose from, Gardaland offers something for everyone.

2. Fantasy attractions for your family

Smaller children can meet their favourite characters at Peppa Pig Land and Kung Fu Panda Academy, or take a magical pirate adventure on the Baby Corsaro. Drop them off at the Prezzamolo Magic Village playground for a front-row seat at the Small Human Social Club, or take them on a train ride through Gardaland Park on the Transgardaland Express.

3. Adventures for all ages

For those eager to enjoy a hybrid of theme parks and water parks in Italy, Gardaland Park has you covered. Float through the Jungle Rapids on a rubber dinghy or take a deep-sea dive to find Atlantis on the Fuga de Atlantide. Battle the gushing Colorado Rapids in a log-boat or enjoy the great big blue from a safe distance with a trip to Gardaland Sea Life Aquarium, where you can explore 13 themed areas offering an up-close insight to 5,000 animals from 100 different species.

Round out your trip to Gardaland Park by seeing one of the many live shows. Ignite the animal lover within you at the 44 Gatti Cat Rock show (guaranteed to be more child-friendly than the 2019 cinematic release of Cats!) or enjoy a spectacular fountain-and-light show AquaFantasia. The more musical amongst us simply can’t miss Que Viva Mexico, a toe-tapping, singing and dancing extravaganza.

To protect its patrons in light of current events, Gardaland is enforcing restricted access to enable social distancing (with advance booking essential). This works out better for guests in many ways, since queues for the rides and snacks will be substantially shorter!

Splash under the sun at this theme park in Italy: AcquaPark Odissea 2000

Perched on the Ionian coast of Calabria is one of the most popular water parks in Italy: AcquaPark Odissea 2000. Don’t let the mouthful of a name deter you – there’s nothing complicated about the guaranteed excellent day out awaiting you at AcquaPark Odissea 2000. With 20 rides, slides, pools and other attractions, AcquaPark Odissea 2000 is a great way to spend a summer afternoon for family and friends of all ages.

1. Gettin’ giddy with it

For the adrenaline addicts, there’s no shortage of ways to get your kicks. Feel the floor drop out from under your feet on the Skyron Rocket or tumble through the dark depths of the enclosed slide, the Black Polyfemo. Scream with excitement on a rubber dinghy down the Titano Roller, which has no top just to instil the idea in you that you might just shoot off the edge (don’t worry – you won’t!). Slide face-first down the eight-lane Chimera toboggan ride or plunge from the dizzying heights of the Big Olimpo, and extinguish the last of your equilibrium with a corkscrew trip down the Omero Jump.

2. Float on, my friend

For those who prefer more leisurely vacation from their vacation, slide on down the family-friendly Pentacolour slide before enjoying a lazy tube ride along the Argo River, or bob in the waves at the 1350 square-metre Athena Gioc’Onda wave pool.

3. Keeping the kids entertained

There is an array of rainbow delights to keep children entertained for hours. Splash and slide on the back of a sea monster playground at the Polidoro and race your siblings down the two-lane Castello de Hermes slide. But the star attraction is the Isola de Galatea, a vibrant and enormous water playground with 10 walkways, 153 jets of water, 5 water slides, swings, tunnels and bridges. Best of all, there are snake-themed waterslides for children to ride down on miniature toboggans. Can you picture anything more adorable?

Because safety is the secret sauce to the fun of AcquaPark Odissea 2000, their website details their 7 rules so guests can make the most of their summer without compromising their health. Chief amongst these rules is to book admission in advance, use a mask and other necessary safety items, and observe safety measures within the park, so make sure to check them out before you visit.

Make unforgettable memories on your family holiday in Italy at Rainbow Magicland

If you’re eager to experience all the best theme parks in Rome, Rainbow Magicland can’t be missed. With 38 attractions and shows, Rainbow Magicland is the largest theme park in Rome and one of the most popular amusement parks in Italy.

1. Slip into an alternate reality

Live out your pirate fantasies and battle sea monsters on Battleship (but be warned: your chances of getting splashed in the conflict are high) or take a multi-sensory journey to discover the secrets of the titans on Huntik 5D, where you’ll be armed with 3D glasses and a laser gun to guide you on your adventure.

2. The best rollercoasters in the kingdom

For an indoor rollercoaster ride that will make it hard to remember which way is up, don’t miss the Cagliosotro. For a sprawling outdoor rollercoaster with dizzying speed, Shock is considered one of the most gripping g-force rides in Europe – capable of launching you from zero to one hundred kilometres in just two seconds.

3. Keep your cool… if you can

Only the most fearless guests – or the ones who enjoy the feeling of absolute terror – are encouraged to take a trip to the zombie-infested Haunted Hotel. Dodge the possessed guests as you try to escape from this zombie-infested labyrinth.

4. Hundreds of years in the past and a million miles away

The Medieval land inside the park is the place to go to watch knights duke it out in tournaments and jousts. Make sure to schedule your day around the screenings at the Planetarium, where the endless wonder of the cosmos awaits under the largest dome of its kind in all of Europe.

Good times, all year long

Whilst summertime is peak for all amusement parks in Italy, Rainbow Magicland is a great place to go all the way through to Halloween, when the park takes on a spooky, seasonal vibe.

Just a 20-minute ride from Termini Station in neighbouring Valmotone, Rainbow Magicland is an easy trip to make. Because there are a number of shopping outlets, stores and services both within and just outside of the park, there’s no better way to spend a day on your family holiday in Italy.

Beat the summer heat at the only water park in Rome: Hydromania

If the beach is just too far and the kids still need to let off some steam, Hydromania is the water park for you.

As the only water park in Rome, Hydromania is the perfect way to decompress from what will undoubtedly be some intense sightseeing around the city. A sea of lounge beds on a palm-tree-laden beach awaits the weariest of travellers, happily counterbalanced by every aquatic ride imaginable for those with energy to burn (or would that be ‘drown’?).

Enjoy a live DJ and an unforgettable pool party at the wave pool, or tumble down the six-lane toboggan slide. Swirl around a spinning bowl on a rubber dinghy as high as 15 metres or ride with a friend down the 152-metre-long Black Hole.

Drop the children at the Children’s Lagoon, where you can supervise their rides on Mini Toboga and Mini Kamikaze from the relative serenity of the parents’ whirlpool.

Be sure to look at the Hydromania Covid-19 guidelines on the official website. At the time of writing, minors will only be admitted with an anti-contagion declaration signed by their parent or guardian. Make sure you have prepared any necessary forms in advance for an easy entrance to a spectacular day.

One of the most famous theme parks in Italy: Movieland – The Hollywood Park

Right next door to Gardaland Park, Movieland Park combines the glitz and glamour of the cinema with the excitement for which the theme parks in Italy are renowned. Not only is Movieland reminiscent of other famous Hollywood-style theme parks around the world, those in the know will tell you that the queues at Movieland Park are shorter than most other theme parks in Italy, making it the ideal destination for those who want to spend a little more time amidst the action and a little less time in antici…pation.

Be the star of your own action movie by jumping behind the wheel to journey through dinosaur-laden Pangea, the first-ever attraction in the world where you are the driver. Or if dinosaurs aren’t your thing, submerge into the submarine simulator of U-571.

For the stunt people amongst us, Movieland abounds with high-intensity rides to get your heart racing. Be sure not to miss the Diabolik Invertigo – Italy’s only rollercoaster that travels both forwards, backwards and in some dizzying loops – or the Hollywood Action Tower, which boasts a plummeting 50-metre free-fall.

For those who prefer thrills and chills of a more spooky variety, Movieland Park has options for all ages: for a child-friendly ghost train, Fantasmik is an excellent option and for adults, The Horror House promises 600 seconds of fear. Rumour has it that only 40% of guests are able to complete The Horror House in full. Will you be one of them?

To step into the magic of the screen itself, the 3D-animated simulator Bandido: The Magic Ride will whisk you to the Wild West on an adventure with an unlucky sheriff and his trusty steed. For a theatrical thrill, don’t miss the live shows to see jaw-dropping stunts, gripping mysteries and snappy dialogue that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Movieland – The Hollywood Park is a proudly disability-friendly theme park, and accessible rides are clearly signposted both at the park and on the website.

To enable operation all summer long, Movieland Park is offering limited admission. Book your date on their website.

Be a part of ancient history at Roma World

Live like the Romans, eat like the Romans, and be a gladiator for a day at Roma World, the newest theme park in Italy. This immersive historical theme park in Rome is what Westworld would have been minus the blood and guts, but plus a historically-accurate Roman Empire theme. But never fear – if the spectacle and battles of Ancient Rome are part of what makes this period interesting to you, you won’t be missing out.

Stay for the day or overnight in a historically-accurate Ancient Roman village, where you’ll bring a new level to the moniker: “When in Rome…” as you encounter falconers, archers and watch epic gladiator battles (not to the death, thankfully).

Taste traditional Roman food emblematic of the period (and some more modern dishes that have prevailed) before learning how to wield a sword and ride a noble steed. You can even climb on the original chariots from Oscar-winning movie Ben-Hur.

There are plenty of specific events for children, all focused on nature and healthiness. Kids will be invited to partake in outdoor games and sports such as archery. A visit to the educational farm gives children an opportunity to build a bond with all of Old Macdonald’s old guard, as well as some adorable new additions (ever heard of dwarf cows? No? Well then, we’ve got a precious treat for you!).

Roma World hosts a wide variety of events that make it worth coming back to over and over again. Be whisked back 2,000 years to the first ever Roman pizza competition at Back to the Origins or be dazzled by the Italian Fireworks Championship.

As part of the Cinecittà World amusement park family, Roma World is a guaranteed rising star of things to do in Rome. Grab your ticket to Roma World from Tiqets today.

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Refreshed, not stressed, and wondering: “What’s next”? Here are some more things to do with kids in Italy.