Italy for me From Italy with love
Where to go in Italy for a beach holiday with a child? Let’s agree right away that the goal of your trip is beach relaxation, not cultural excursions. We won’t be dragging kids on tours of Rome and other popular cities; instead, we’ll focus on enjoying the sun and improving health.
Here are the criteria that my team at ITALY FOR ME used to select the best spots for a family vacation with kids:
- A clean beach with easy water access. For instance, not all of Italy’s most beautiful beaches are suitable for family holidays.
- Good infrastructure—restaurants, bars.
- Positive personal experiences, as well as feedback from our friends and clients.
So, here are some verified options for a perfect family vacation by the sea in Italy. Choose your favorite:
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Montesilvano
My friends and I have stayed near Montesilvano (Montesilvano) several times while traveling around the Abruzzo region. For a family holiday with kids, this is one of the best places in Italy.
Check out this video to see how fun it is on the beach.
On the beaches, animators often perform, and there are also slides for children.
The distance between umbrellas and sunbeds is quite comfortable, and there are special paths leading to the sea so you don’t burn your feet on the sand.
Where to stay: Montesilvano offers many accommodation options along the coastline for all tastes and budgets. Choose something close to the sea using a special filter.
I personally liked the Hotel Sole, a 3-star hotel with family rooms. The hotel has its pool and parking for guests. The reviews are fantastic!
You can also consider staying in the nearby town of Silvi.
How to get there: Montesilvano is conveniently accessible from Bari or Rimini via Pescara, which has a train station.
Nettuno
Dozens of our friends have vacationed with their children in Nettuno (Nettuno), and all were delighted. A huge advantage of this area is its easy access from Rome.
How to get there: Nettuno is very convenient and inexpensive to reach, as there is a direct regional train from Rome every hour. The journey takes 1 hour and 11 minutes, and a ticket costs €3.60.
Where to stay: Nettuno is a small town, but naturally, the closer to the sea, the more comfortable it is. Here’s a filter to exclude hotels with poor reviews. I recommend checking out the 4-star Astura Palace Hotel.
For a larger group, consider Casa Jenny apartments, with three bedrooms, 120 square meters, accommodating up to 12 people—perfect for several families. The cost is only €200 per night.
For a smaller family, the two-bedroom Little Medieval House Nettuno is ideal.
For independent, experienced travelers, I recommend checking out nearby Sperlonga.
Pizzo Calabro
Pizzo (Pizzo Calabro) is where my friend and colleague Elena, who grew up in Italy, spent every summer of her childhood. This resort remains more popular among Italians than tourists, whom you’ll hardly encounter here. The sea is incredibly clean, one of the best in Italy. It’s an excellent spot for a family vacation with kids.
Where to stay: Choose accommodation close to the seafront and the train station, so you don’t have to lug suitcases around. Check out our hotel tips for Pizzo.
I recommend looking into Casa&Mare apartments, which can accommodate a family of up to five people. The view from the window, location, friendly hosts, and excellent reviews make it a top choice.
Also, check out the Residence Pietre Bianche (White Stones) apartment hotel with its own pool. It’s 300 meters from the sandy beach, where guests are provided with a free umbrella and two sunbeds. A great restaurant is nearby, making it a perfect option for a family of 3-4 people.
How to get there: The town has a train station, and the trip from Rome takes 4 to 6 hours, costing between €50 and €70. First, take a high-speed Trenitalia train to Lamezia Terme, then switch to a regional Tropea Line train, which will get you to Pizzo in 20 minutes.
You can save money by choosing a longer journey, but I recommend booking tickets months in advance when prices are lower.
Children aged 4 to 12 receive a 50% discount. The trip from Naples takes about an hour less.
I also recommend checking out the best hotels in Tropea.