Best Beaches for Families: Italy
A Mediterranean beach holiday is what so many families have been dreaming of over the past year and a half! After a chilly and drizzly spring here in the Mediterranean, we are finally getting our first taste of summer as temperatures start to climb and the sun is shining. This means that it is finally beach season! There are so many incredible beaches in the Mediterranean. It’s impossible to pick a favorite, or the best one. This month, we will share with you some of our favorite beaches in each of the countries we visit.
Traveling as a family can present its own share of challenges. When you work with a company like Bella Vita, you are working with a local travel expert. The places we send our clients and the guides we use we know personally, and these are places we have visited ourselves after meticulous research. The best beaches that we have chosen for families have another special test – here at Bella Vita, we travel with our families as well. Some of us have children that are adults now, some of us still have little ones in diapers, so these beaches are places that we know from personal experience that your family will love!
This week, some of our favorite family beaches here in our home country of Italy. This was a difficult choice! Italy has so many spectacular options that the list was narrowed down from over thirty. Here are some of our special spots for families:
Atrani Beach, Campania
The Amalfi coast can be a challenging destination for clients with children due to all the stairs in these near vertical villages. With expert help, done right it doesn’t have to be! Atrani is our top choice of a family spot amongst all of the beaches in the area. The beach is sandy and has a break wall which means the sea is usually mirror-calm. There are also options for renting sun beds and beach umbrellas since the beach gets sun exposure from dawn to dusk. Best of all? It’s an easy walk from town and there is also parking for cars. For lunch, a short walk into Atrani to get you off the beach for a few hours is a great idea for those with little ones!
Bella Vita Travels home beaches, Liguria
Bella Vita calls some beautiful places in Liguria home – Levanto, Lerici and Monterosso al Mare. Liguria is known for the sea, rightly so, being a region on the riviera. Lerici is a great spot for families, long sandy beaches and great beach clubs. Levanto has one great, long beach that is a fun spot for budding surfers. There is also a fun bike path that families can take to hop to other nearby towns like Framura and Bonassola. Monterosso al Mare, the biggest of the Cinque Terre, is also a great choice. The only one of these world famous villages with a proper beach, there is also a small playground by the sea. There are also plenty of options for beach bars that serve food. Bella Vita can also recommend some amazing family friendly restaurants on the sea!
La Pelosa, Sardinia
With its shallow waters and white sands, La Pelosa is one of the best beaches in Europe. A treat for kids and family alike, this beach in one of the Mediterranean’s most breathtaking islands, is straight from a postcard. The scenery is gorgeous, but kids will love the shallow, clean sea. Not far from the town of Stintino, there are plenty of options for cute restaurants and places to hide out for a long lunch to get out of the sun.
Pescoluse, Puglia
This golden, sandy stretch of beach is a favorite of ours in Puglia, a region famous for its beaches. The shallow water slopes down to deep gently. This makes it a great choice for kids of all ages! There are also a multitude of places to get a sun bed or umbrella, fully serviced with hot showers and restrooms. A few stretches of the beach are free to access as well, if you prefer to bring your own umbrella. Called, the “maldives” of the region, you’ll see why when you experience this gorgeous water. It’s a great stop for families looking to explore some of the gorgeous beaches in the Lecce area!
Scilla, Calabria
In one of Italy’s least touristy regions, Calabria, you’ll find some amazing beaches. Scilla is a great village to visit. Located on the Costa Viola, Scilla also has a small, charming fishing village of Chianalea which is gorgeous spot to wander through. The marina grande beach is a long stretch of sandy beach in what is called one of the most beautiful in Calabria. Older kids and adults will love the mythological setting – this is where the hero in Homer’s Odyssey battled the sea monster Scylla.
San Vito Lo Capo, Sicily
This great town is a stop that is perfect for families. The long, sandy beach is fully equipped with sun beds and plentiful umbrellas. The nearby town also has a great selection of restaurants (try the local specialty, couscous!). Accommodation along the beachfront is plentiful, and there are also many different excursions for families by boat. Bigger kids will love taking a try at snorkeling in the beautiful sea off the coast of one of Italy’s most fascinating islands.
Your perfect summer beach
These wonderful beaches are the perfect spot for your next family holiday. Please contact us to learn more. There are so many options to add on to an Italian vacation, and we are happy and eager to help make your travel dreams come true.
