There are just so many reasons to choose Italy for a family holiday that it is almost difficult to justify going anywhere else! Wherever you stay in Italy you will always be less than an hours drive from a warm sandy beach in summer or a ski slope in winter, restaurants with wonderful food where children are genuinely welcomed, a city which is world famous for its art and architecture and a landscape of grapevines, olive groves and walled Medieval towns. Add to the list that the sun generally shines, that Italy is the home of pasta, pizza and ice cream and that the Italians are probably the most child friendly people in Europe and you can see why we have so many fabulous holiday offers here. Want to be close to the towers of San Giminiano and the palaces of the Medici? Then what about a villa in Tuscany? Maybe you prefer an active holiday with some Alpine scenery, so check out our selection of Holiday Parks on Lake Garda. The favourite family holiday destination is on or near a sunny beach and for a beach holiday in mainland Italy or on one of its dazzling islands you have come to the right place! Whatever your preference Amalfi or Sicily, Sardinia or Tuscany, from five star luxury hotel to family holiday park you will find something to take your fancy in our exciting range of holiday offers. Check out our great selection of Child Friendly holidays in Italy below or read on for some tips on attractions and days out.
Top Tips for that extra special family holiday in Italy
- When eating out with the family, instead of a ristorante, look for a local trattoria, which will offer a less expensive range of home cooked regional dishes. Most places now have tourist menus, but do try to find one away from the normal tourist route where the locals eat. Pasta dishes are always good value but they can be on the generous side so ask for half portions (mezza porzione) for small children.
- For picnics or snacks, a popular option is to buy a fresh, hot rectangle of pizza, available everywhere to take away and called pizza a taglio. There is always a big choice on display so you can just point to the ones you want. Make sure you have plenty of paper tissues for you as well as the kids, as these pizzas can drip everywhere! Buying cold drinks can be expensive, especially if you sit down outside a cafe as they always charge more. The cheapest option for cold soft drinks and mineral water is to buy them in a shop or supermarket. Italian ice cream really is fabulous and ice cream shops are everywhere.
- Wherever you are In Italy you will be near some world famous churches, cathedrals, awesome ruins, art galleries or museums. Many of the more popular places like the Coliseum, The Uffizi Gallery in Florence, and Pompeii are now much more family friendly. However, many of the major tourist attractions have long queues and it is no fun shuffling along with the kids in the hot sun. Booking on line is easy, or check with your hotel or local tourist office to pre-book tickets. This means you can go straight to the front of any queue, making a significant dent in the children’s querulous quota.
- It is easy to forget, with so many wonders to see, that Italy also caters for the younger generation in the same way as we do. There are Aqua Parks, Activity Centres, Sports Centres and Nature Trails in every part of the country. Check with the local tourist centre to see what attractions are in the area. Children will really appreciate a day out in Gardaland if you are in the North, Pinocchio’s house if you are in the Centre or one of the many Aqua Parks in Sicily and Sardinia. Museo Explora in Rome is the first museum in Italy designed specifically for young children (pre-booking is essential)
- Try not to fit too much in, particularly on the cultural side with children. Yes they probably will appreciate Boticelli’s Venus, the Sistine Chapel or the Temples of Paestum but dont linger too long. There is just so much to see and do in Italy that you can only see a fraction of its wonders. Not to worry, you will just have to go back next year!
Family Days Out
One of the best family resorts Italy has to offer on the island of Sardinia. Top family facilities and a good choice of accommodationmore
A super all-inclusive family resort in Sicily, with a children's club, babysitting, and special Club Med baby packsmore
For an affordable family holiday to Italy check out our selection of over 50 holiday parks all across Italymore
Thomson offer a great range of family holidays to Italy. Look out for their Free Kids placesmore
