The best beach holidays in Italy for families

When it comes to family beach holidays, Italy ticks all the boxes. Think long sandy beaches, warm shallow waters and picturesque coastal towns, with gelaterias and trattorias just steps from the shore.

From the lively parasol-lined beaches of Veneto in the north to the charming town-backed bays of Puglia in the south and the Caribbean-like shores of Sardinia, there’s an Italian beach destination to suit every kind of family.

To help you plan your next getaway, we’ve rounded up some of the best beach holiday destinations in Italy for families.

Sardinia

A blog post about the best Italian beach holidays for families wouldn't be complete without Sardinia. Home to some of Europe's most spectacular beaches, the island is renowned for its powder-soft sands and crystal-clear waters that make it especially popular with families.

Given Sardinia's size, most visitors choose to stay in either the north or the south of the island. In general, the north is more developed and lively, while the south offers a quieter, more laid-back atmosphere.

In the north, beaches such as La Pelosa, La Cinta and Cala Brandinchi are favourites with families thanks to their calm turquoise waters, perfect for paddling and swimming. La Cinta stands out for its sheer size, with a vast stretch of sand that provides plenty of space for sandcastle building and family games. Meanwhile, Rena Bianca, a Blue Flag beach just a short stroll from the town of Santa Teresa Gallura, combines soft sands with a lively atmosphere and plenty of amenities nearby.

In the south, Villasimius is one of Sardinia's top family beach destinations, offering a combination of beautiful beaches and family-friendly resorts. Spiaggia di Simius is a popular choice thanks to its shallow waters and convenient location close to shops, cafés and hotels, as is nearby Porto Giunco with its long stretch of white sand and shallow waters. What makes Porto Giunco extra special, is that just behind the beach there’s a lagoon where you can see flamingos too. Along the coast, Costa Rei is a favourite amongst families thanks to its laid-back atmosphere and endless stretch of sand that offers plenty of space for little ones to run wild.

Tip: One of the advantages of staying in northern Sardinia is its proximity to Corsica. Regular ferries connect the two islands, making it easy to combine an Italian beach holiday with a visit to some of France's most beautiful coastal landscapes too!

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Sicily

Sicily also makes an excellent choice for a family beach holiday in Italy. Italy’s largest island blends history, culture and beauty, offering something for every age group. Across the island, you’ll find numerous sandy beaches, often backed by picturesque towns where you can tuck into a hearty Italian lunch between swim stops.

On Sicily's north-western coast, San Vito Lo Capo, is one of the most family-friendly beaches on the island. With the softest sands and shallow, crystal-clear water, it's ideal for younger children. Even better, it's convenient too, with easy access from the cities of Trapani and Palermo. Once you're there, the town’s many gelaterias, restaurants and shops, are also just a short stroll from the sand.

If convenience is important to you, Mondello Beach is also a great choice. Located just a short drive from Palermo, it means you can easily combine a beach day with sightseeing in the city and also avoid a long journey to the beach that can sometimes make family holidays more stressful. Just bear in mind that it can become extremely busy during the peak summer months.

Further easy, Cefalu is popular with families thanks to its beach-meets-town vibe which is great if you’re looking for more than just a swim and sunbathe type holiday – spend the morning wandering its charming cobbled streets and before heading to the golden sands for an afternoon of fun.

Sicily's southern coast is also home to several family-friendly beaches. Fontane Bianche is known for its calm waters that offer safe swimming conditions for children, as is the Blue and Green-Flag beach of Marina di Ragusa with its clean golden sands and shallow waters. Both offer plenty of amenities, including cafés, watersports and entertainment, making them ideal for a family day out.

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Puglia

Back on the mainland, Puglia is a popular choice for families looking for beautiful beaches and an authentic Italian atmosphere. The coastline is made up of long sandy stretches with warm, shallow waters, making it especially great for little ones who can splash around safely by the shore. 

Another reason why Puglia is a great option for a family holiday is that it’s often more affordable than other Italian destinations like the Amalfi Coast or Sardinia. Many beaches in Puglia also often benefit from easy access to nearby towns, giving families easy access to a wide range of facilities without having to venture too far.

Pescoluse, in southern Puglia, is especially popular with families thanks to its shallow waters and soft white sands. Porto Cesareo is another excellent choice, combining a vibrant seaside town with a stunning sandy beach. You can relax in one of the lidos with sunbeds and umbrellas before strolling to the town for a gelato.

Another of Puglia's best family beaches is Torre dell'Orso, a sheltered bay framed by limestone cliffs and pine forests with calm, clear waters ideal for younger children. It's convenient too, with trattorias and shops just a short walk from the sand.

Veneto

The Veneto region may not be the first place that springs to mind when thinking of Italian beach holidays. However, it actually boasts a beautiful coastline, with lively sandy beaches and plenty of amenities. Even better, thanks to the beaches’ close proximity to cities such as Venice and Verona, you can combine time by the sea with sightseeing for the ideal mix of relaxation and culture.

Lido di Jesolo is probably the most family-friendly of the lot. Situated around 30 miles northeast of Venice, it offers 15km of soft golden sand and calm, shallow waters. Colourful sunbeds and umbrellas dot the shoreline whilst shops, cafes and restaurants line the bustling promenade behind. Another reason why Lido di Jesolo makes a great beach destination for families is its close proximity to a number of attractions, including the Caribe Bay water park, one of Italy’s best water parks, New Jesolandia, an amusement park with children’s rides, and Tropicarium Park, an aquarium and zoo – plenty to keep the whole family entertained!

Along with Lido di Jesolo, Bibione is one of Veneto’s best beaches for families, having been awarded both Blue Flag and Green Flag status. It’s located around 55 miles northeast of Venice and is known for its vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere. The beach itself is beautiful, with an 8km stretch of soft sand and shallow waters.

There are plenty of facilities along the shoreline too, including sunbed rentals, toilets and showers. Just a short walk away, you’ll find hotels, restaurants, shops and cafés, as well as playgrounds and funfairs, making Bibione an ideal choice for a family beach escape.

Emilia-Romagna

Last but not least, Emilia-Romagna is a top choice for a family beach holiday in Italy. Its coastline is made up of wide sandy beaches and calm, shallow seas, ideal for splashing and paddling, making it especially well suited to families with young children. Resorts dot the coastline, offering family-friendly hotels, play areas, shops, cafes and restaurants. Holidays in Emilia-Romagna are less about dramatic jaw-dropping scenery and more about fun in the sun.

Popular family beaches in the area include Cesenatico, a beautiful sandy beach with a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere where you can enjoy a traditional Italian seaside holiday. Away from the beach, the centre of the town is equally appealing, with a historic canal designed by Leonardo da Vinci. 

Meanwhile, Rimini is the place to be for families looking for a lively atmosphere with endless entertainment for children. As if the 15km wide stretch of sand wasn’t enough to keep the kids entertained, there are also play areas, amusement parks and water sports. And thanks to the abundance of sun loungers that line the shore, you can sit back and relax whilst they splash around.

Cervia is also a great family-friendly option, especially for those into nature. Its Blue and Green Flag-certified beach is ideal for children, with shallow waters, play areas and umbrellas for shade. You’ll also find facilities like changing cabins and showers. Beyond the beach, there’s even more family-friendly fun to be had to, from cycling through pine forests to sailing across salt pans and visiting the theme parks nearby.

My personal recommendation

San Vito Lo Capo was one of my favourite beach destinations in Italy. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the soft white sands and warm shallow waters make it easy to spend all day by the sea. It can get very hot here in summer, so make sure you rent a sun lounger and umbrella for a bit of shade - take a stroll along the beach to find the best price, as they often vary from one lido to another. Or, you can save a bit of money by heading to the public section at the southern end of the beach, near Macari.

At night, make sure you have a wander down Via Savoia, eat in one of the local trattorias on the side streets (couscous is a must here!), and after dinner, sample the local 'caldo freddo' from one of the many gelaterias.

If you have the time, then also try and visit Favignana. You can get a ferry here from nearby Trapani. Once you've arrived, rent a bike and cycle round the island, stopping at hidden turquoise coves - it's the best way to explore!

With its sun-soaked sands, calm waters and relaxing atmosphere, Italy was made for family beach breaks. For more travel inspiration, head to our blog or check out our Instagram.