Italian coast is a glorious destination and here are our favourites and bits and pieces over the years for the best beach holidays in Italy with kids or without. And in case you wonder – about half of our friends are Italian. And over the years, that translated in many travels to and around Italy, lots of joyous occasions we celebrated together and knowing well most of those gorgeous lands.
1. Cinque Terre – landscapes out of this world.
We stayed in Manarola in the lovely boutique hotel La Toretta. Life goes sweet and slow by these dramatic shores. Pause, breathe, observe : fishermen, cats, locals hanging freshly washed clothes to dry in the sun.
From Manarola we explored Romagiore by foot on Via dell’ Amore – name says it all. Cliffs, vineyards and sea – all magic.
2. Tremiti islands – idyllic archipelago in the Adriatic.
We sailed from Termoli for 3 days, indulging in crystal clear waters.
It’s been quite a memorable adventure, where our captain almost lost our boat in a stormy night and all boys had to chip in. The islands have volcanic origins, are tiny but lush and rich in history.
Luckily no kids involved, just lots of prossecco bottles during and after to heal the trauma !
3. Liguria – we love the convenience of short flight to Genova, the charming Santa Margherita de Liguria, the authentic and rustic Camogli, and the posh Portofino.
Liguria we have been with kids and without, both occasions stayed in Rapallo.
Without the kids we opted for the gorgeous hotel Bristol.
With a baby we found Airbnb flat with a large terrace more relaxing and convenient.
4. Amalfi. South of Naples has the most dramatic and stunning living on the edge scenery: terraced pastel-hued villages, steep hillsides, turquoise waters and luxuriant gardens.
Best beach holidays in Italy: La Sireneuse, Amalfi
We went with a 6 weeks old baby and stayed in the beautiful boutique hotel Villa Gianlica in Praiano. We spent a week exploring Positano, Amalfi, hidden walks and treks, rocks, sea, vineyards, lemon and olive trees orchards – bliss.
Also from Naples 2017 discovery has been 5. Procida. Much quieter and unspoilt than Costiera Amalfitana, Procida appeals to travellers looking for gems.
6. Ischia – another treasure in the Naples bay, we wrote about in here. Many reason to fall in love with this island, but the warm local hospitality at Ischia Dream Vision, Castello Aragonese and Negombo made it very very special and one of the best beach holidays in Italy with kids.
7. Sicily. We loved sailing with friends in crystal clear waters, explore steep cliffs, beaches, little bays and indulge in Sicilian regional food to die for.
Trapani is on the less known & touristy side. To us with local friends felt like paradise.
Trapani makes also a great pied a terre to explore Palermo and kilometres of Zingaro nature park, where wild nature meets the sea.
Best beach holidays in Italy: Sicily
We also loved our the roadtrip by Mount Etna, spending the night by this gorgeous active volcano, with Relais Monaci delle Terre Nere being the perfectly luxurious pied a terre; one special place suspended between moody overpowering nature and the sea, a beautiful reminder of the fragile equilibrium and beauty of this life. Visiting mount Etna does not get better than this!
8. Favignana – technically still Sicily but a ferry away and words apart from the busy pace of Trapani or Palermo. We raved extensively about it in here, it ranked very well in our best beach holidays in Italy with kids. We picked a boutique cave hotel – Cave Bianche with a beautiful simplicity and peacefulness in a gorgeous tufa quarry setting: stone, flowers, greenery and water.
Favignana best beaches: Calla Rossa
9. Puglia, for savvy travellers who’d like to escape the crowds of Amalfi or Tuscany for something a bit less frenetic and commercially polished. We loved Puglia with kids 2019 summer, read about adventures and the gems we discovered in here.
And in 2022 we have returned once again to Puglia for some more parties, gorgeous beach bars and restaurants, this time we stayed with Trulli Casalina: the villas, pool, fig trees in the garden and massages under the olive trees in the orchard pleased all parties; perfect pied a terre to explore Ostuni, Monopoli, Polignano Al Mare, Mattera and Alberobello. From secluded coves to stretches of golden sandy dunes to charming pebbles, best beach clubs in Puglia lie both Adriatic and Ionian side, diverse and endlessly alluring with crystal sea, casual nibbles and sophisticated dinners, vibrant aperitivos and long summer evenings. Check our favourites after weeks of long due diligence: laid back sandy spots, glamorous bars, restaurants and party places for all tastes in here.
Ciao belle spiagge and gorgeous Italian coast, ci rivedremo presto !