Explora – Il Museo dei Bambini di Roma
Interactive museum for children aged 0 to 11, with more than 2,000 m² of displays on science, the environment and art, in the centre of Rome.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Explora is Rome's children's museum, founded in 2001 on the initiative of the social cooperative Museo dei Bambini, and is regarded as the first private, non-profit Italian museum dedicated to the youngest. It is designed for children from 0 to 11 years and is inspired by the model of international children's museums, where one learns by touching, experimenting and playing.
The museum occupies the former Atac tram depot in Via Flaminia, in the Borghetto Flaminio, between Piazza del Popolo and Villa Borghese. The buildings, constructed between 1870 and 1920, have been recovered since 1998 and transformed into an exhibition space, preserving the memory of the industrial façade. The heart of the complex is the pavilion with a cast-iron structure and a Polonceau truss, completed by a building with ticket office, bookshop, bar and restaurant, and by a green area with free access and an inclusive playground.
The visit is not guided: the children freely choose where to play and how long to stay, among permanent displays on science, technology, the environment, society and art, such as Lunar Lab, A bocca aperta and H2Ooh!. The museum also offers activities for schools, birthday parties and seasonal events.
Highlights
- More than 2,000 m² of interactive displays
- Lunar Lab, devoted to space missions to the Moon
- H2Ooh!, a large water tank for experimenting with water
- Green area with an inclusive playground, free of charge
- 19th-century cast-iron pavilion of the former tram depot
Permanent exhibitions
- Lunar Lab – Science and technology display devoted to space missions to the Moon.
- A bocca aperta – Route to discover the smile, the body and good oral hygiene habits.
- H2Ooh! – Large tank for experimenting with water and discovering science through play.
- Founded
- 2001
- Operated by
- Museo dei Bambini S.C.S. (Cooperativa sociale)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 151,758
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €12 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €12free up to age 0 · Children aged 12 to 36 months: €8. Children up to 12 months: free admission. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for minors (0–18 years) with an adult companion and for adults with a disability of more than 74%; the request must be sent by 18:00 the day before. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €10 per personMinimum 15 entries, from age 3. |
| Thursdays (adults and children) | €8Excluding public-holiday Thursdays, school visits and birthday parties. |
| Second session on the same day | €10 |
| Reduced session (entry one hour after the start of the session) | €10 |
| Birthday party – Party package | €14 |
| Birthday party – Superparty package | €16 |
Free admission: Free admission on special days announced by the museum (for example International Day of Education and European Researchers' Night).
Tickets can be bought online and give direct access to the museum; buying online is strongly recommended to avoid sell-outs. Adults are admitted only if accompanied by at least one child, and vice versa. The Carta Amici subscription is available.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Available: maps in AAC (augmented and alternative communication), panels and guides in Braille, introductory videos in LIS, tactile sensory games, sensory bags and relaxed sessions. Technical sheets on physical and sensory accessibility are published on the website. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 1.75 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 0 |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
- Playground / play area
- Kids’ birthday parties
A museum designed for children from 0 to 11, with symbols beside the displays indicating the recommended age group. Birthday parties, workshops for schools, the “Missione Explora” game map and a green area with an inclusive playground.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Flaminio
Metro line A, Flaminio stop; trams 2 and 19; buses 61, 160, 490, 495, 628, 89, 926, C3, 120F, 120 and 150; Rome–Viterbo railway, terminus Piazzale Flaminio.
By car
Paid parking
Car park reserved for visitors at Via Flaminia 86 (access from Via D. A. Azuni or from Via Flaminia), while spaces last: €2 for the first three hours with a validated museum ticket, then €4 per hour.
The museum is a few steps from Piazza del Popolo.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
Bar and restaurant in the entrance building, bookshop and shop; drinking water fountain in the museum.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
The museum offers spaces for events (page “Organizza il tuo evento”).
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | no |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | no |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The visit is not guided: the children freely choose their activities. Once the children leave the pavilion during a session, it is not possible to re-enter. Groups and visitors with disabilities must contact the ticket office in advance. |
