If you’re dreaming of a proper family holiday in Italy with beach time, the best beach towns in Italy for families make a trip away with the kids surprisingly easy.
Most are set up for long lunches, slow evenings on the passeggiata and whole days under a rented umbrella, as long as you pick somewhere with shallow water and a walkable centre.
8 best beach towns in Italy for families
Sestri Levante
On the Ligurian coast, Sestri Levante is far easier with children than the cliff-hugging villages of Cinque Terre. The town sits between two bays: Baia del Silenzio, which is small and sheltered, and Baia delle Favole, which has a longer sandy stretch better suited to spreading out for the day.
The centre is flat and manageable with a buggy, and there’s a train station with direct links to Genoa and Pisa. For families wanting Riviera scenery without constant staircases, this is one of the most practical Italian seaside towns.
Forte dei Marmi
Forte dei Marmi represents the classic Tuscan beach holiday, boasting one of the top Italian beaches for families. The beaches are wide and sandy, lined with well-run stabilimenti where you rent an umbrella and loungers for the season or week. Facilities usually include showers, changing cabins and a restaurant.
It’s more expensive than many beach cities in Italy, particularly in July and August, but the infrastructure is excellent. Pisa International Airport is about 40 minutes away, and the flat terrain makes cycling with older children straightforward.
Sperlonga
Roughly halfway between Rome and Naples, Sperlonga pairs a whitewashed old town with a broad sandy beach. It works well if you want a few days in Rome followed by proper Italy beach time.
The sea is typically calm in summer, and both free beach areas and lidos are available. Trains run to nearby Fondi-Sperlonga station, with a short taxi ride into town.
Castiglione della Pescaia
Further south in Tuscany, Castiglione della Pescaia balances a medieval hilltop old town with a long sandy beach below. The water here shelves gently, and parts of the coastline hold Blue Flag status for cleanliness.
Accommodation ranges from campsites and family resorts to apartments in town. For a traditional family holiday in Italy beach setting, without the price tag of Forte dei Marmi, this is a strong contender.
Tropea
A top destination in southern Italy, Tropea sits dramatically above the Tyrrhenian Sea in Calabria, with a sandy beach below the cliffs. The water is remarkably clear, and in good weather it’s possible to see as far as the Aeolian Islands.
Access to the beach involves steps in places, so it’s simpler with older children than toddlers. Accommodation prices are generally more reasonable than in some of Italy’s top beaches further north, which makes it appealing for longer stays.
Monopoli
On the Adriatic coast of Puglia, Monopoli mixes a lively old port with small sandy coves tucked along the shoreline. Some beaches are compact, so arriving early in high season helps.
Compared to many northern Italian coastal towns, prices for food and accommodation are often lower. The historic centre is easy to explore on foot, and you’re within driving distance of Alberobello’s trulli houses and the whitewashed streets of Ostuni.
San Vito Lo Capo
San Vito Lo Capo, on Sicily’s north-west coast, has one of the longest sandy bays on the island. The water is shallow and bright turquoise, and the beach is backed by Monte Monaco, giving it a dramatic backdrop.
In September, the town hosts the Cous Cous Fest, reflecting the area’s North African influences. A car is useful for exploring the nearby Riserva dello Zingaro, a protected coastal park with walking trails and small coves.
Alghero (Maria Pia Beach)
In north-west Sardinia, Maria Pia Beach near Alghero has fine sand and shallow water backed by dunes and pine trees. It’s one of the more child-friendly stretches on the island.
Alghero’s old town reflects its Catalan history, which you’ll notice in local dishes and even some street names. Flights into Alghero Airport make access straightforward, though island travel can raise overall costs compared to mainland Italy beaches.
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