Moving to Italy with family in tow is one of those ideas that sounds like a daydream, but it’s a more grounded and rewarding choice than you might imagine. Beyond the visions of la dolce vita, Italy offers a lifestyle that is genuinely family-centric. Children are welcomed everywhere, community ties run deep, and life often revolves around good food and time spent together outdoors.
The country has so much variety, from vibrant cities with excellent international schools to coastal towns and countryside villages where kids have room to roam. This mix of a high quality of life, a safe environment, and strong educational options makes the Bel Paese more than just a holiday spot. Finding the best places to live in Italy for families is simply about matching your crew’s pace and priorities to the right location—whether that’s a city rich in culture or a quiet town with a close-knit community vibe.
Is Italy a good place to raise kids?
It’s more than just the sunshine and good food; the country is geared towards a family-centric way of life.
Family-focused culture.
Children are at the heart of Italian life and are genuinely welcomed everywhere, from the local trattoria to the village piazza. There’s a natural sense of community that is incredibly supportive for parents.
An unbeatable quality of life
This isn’t just about the beautiful scenery, but the slower pace that encourages you to savour time together. Life here is often lived outdoors, with a focus on good food and strong community ties.
Strong schooling options
Italy has a solid public school system, and major cities offer a brilliant range of private and international schools. This gives expat families plenty of choice when it comes to education.
Reliable public healthcare
The national health service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) provides excellent care for children, covering everything from routine check-ups and vaccinations to specialist services.
Safe environment
On the whole, Italy is a very safe country, especially in smaller towns and family neighbourhoods. It offers real peace of mind when you’re raising children.
Cultural exposure
Kids grow up surrounded by thousands of years of history, art, and tradition without it ever feeling like a lesson. From local family-friendly festivals to ancient ruins, it’s a living classroom.
Active, outdoor lifestyle
With its mild climate and stunning landscapes, family life naturally spills outdoors. Expect weekends filled with hiking in the mountains or swimming at Italy's many kid-friendly beaches.
Where is the best place to raise a family in Italy?
Picking the perfect base for your family in Italy is a personal thing, as what works for one household might not for another. The best cities for families in Italy each offer a different pace of life—some are packed with history and have brilliant international schools, while others give you beaches and a more laid-back community feel.
On the other hand, you may be an outdoorsy family looking for the best places to live in rural Italy. Choosing between the north and the south of Italy to live with the family is another decision that is hard to make. It all comes down to your budget, your interests, and the kind of Italian life you’re picturing.
Milan
If you’re after a lively and dynamic expat experience, then living in Milan could be for you and your family. While Rome is Italy's political capital, Milan is regarded as the financial and industrial powerhouse of the country, making Italy’s most cosmopolitan city a great place to look for a job.
Milan has a variety of international schools offering education in different languages, which can be beneficial for expat families. Additionally, there are many public and private schools providing quality education in Italian.
Milan is often described as one of the best places to live in Italy. Although living in the centre of Milan is infamously expensive, moving to the outskirts of the city could be an option.
Bolzano
Tucked away in a valley at the foot of the Dolomites, Bolzano offers a unique slice of Italian life with a distinct Tyrolean character. It’s one of the few places in the country where both Italian and German are spoken day-to-day, creating a brilliant cultural experience for the whole family.
Bolzano consistently ranks as one of Italy’s safest cities, and the lifestyle is very much geared towards the outdoors. The local economy is also remarkably strong, with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, offering stability for working parents.
There’s a growing community of expats, so you won’t feel isolated. While it isn't the cheapest spot in Italy, property is still much more affordable than in a major hub like Milan.
Trento
For families who love the mountains, living in Trento is a standout choice. This city offers a fantastic quality of life, mixing a safe, green environment with the backdrop of the Alps. It’s the sort of place where children grow up with nature on their doorstep, and the city itself is packed with parks, playgrounds, and family-focused events throughout the year.
What’s great about Trento is that it feels manageable and welcoming, yet it’s a major hub for education and business in Northern Italy. This means you get the benefits of a strong local economy and plenty of job opportunities without the chaos of a huge metropolis.
The lifestyle here is active and outdoorsy. A real bonus for local families is the discount they receive at nearby ski resorts, making it easy to get the kids on the slopes all winter. It’s this blend of high living standards, a safe community, and endless opportunities for family adventures that makes Trento one of the best cities for families in Italy.
Bologna
Bologna is a fantastic all-rounder for families, offering a lively city buzz without feeling overwhelming. It’s famously walkable and incredibly safe, with miles of covered porticoes that are perfect for strolling with a pushchair. The city is known affectionately as La Grassa (the fat one) for its incredible food, and life here has a warm, welcoming rhythm.
With the oldest university in the Western world, Bologna takes education seriously, and you’ll find a great range of schools, from excellent public ones to well-regarded private and international options. Getting around is straightforward thanks to great transport links, and while it’s a major city, living costs are often more manageable than in Milan or Rome.
Palermo
For a taste of island life, the vibrant capital of Sicily is an incredible choice for families seeking a true southern Italian experience. Palermo has an energy all of its own—bustling, a little chaotic, but full of warmth, thanks to its long, hot summers and year-round mild climate.
Families are at the heart of the community here. The atmosphere is welcoming, with strong family values and friendly locals who adore children. As the main cultural and economic hub of Sicily, Palermo draws in people from all over, creating opportunities for those looking to settle. It offers a proper Mediterranean lifestyle, where you’re surrounded by spectacular architecture and a rich culinary heritage.
One thing to bear in mind is that English isn't widely spoken among locals. For families keen on full immersion and ready to embrace learning Italian, this makes Palermo a perfect spot to dive headfirst into the culture.
Safest places to live in Italy
Major hubs like Milan, Rome, and Florence often rank lower for safety due to issues common in large cities, whereas many other areas in Italy stand out for their security and family-friendly atmosphere.
Cities in the north and centre of the country consistently score high for their low crime rates and excellent quality of life. Places like Trento, Bolzano, and Udine are often celebrated for being peaceful, well-organised, and surrounded by beautiful nature. Of course, even within the safest regions, it's always wise to research specific neighbourhoods before making a final decision on where to settle.
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