7 of the Best Italy Resorts for Kids
If you’ve ever traveled to Italy, you might have noticed how much Italians adore children. Restaurants here are famously kid-friendly, museums offer free activities for little ones, and people are generally accommodating and happy to go the extra mile to make sure youngsters are happy and having fun. Some of the best resorts for kids in Italy offer babysitting, activities for children of all ages, and other perks that you’ll have to keep reading to learn about.
To help you take out some of the guesswork when deciding where to stay with your family, these are my top seven picks for kid-friendly resorts in Italy.
1. Rocca Forte Hotels Verdura Resort, Sicily
You might not expect that a quaint seaside resort in Sicily would be a haven for kids, but Verdura goes the extra mile to make families feel welcome. Upon arrival, children are treated to their own newspapers, bathrobes, bedtime teddies, specialized hangers, laundry bags, and feedback cards. The resort’s Verduland has activities for every age group, from children’s cooking and painting classes to table tennis, pool, and video games at The Fort for teens.
At Verdura, there are three room options: family rooms, junior family suites, and family suites. Every room has baby cots and twin beds available upon request, and the latter have a kitchenette and private terrace. You can also request motion mobiles, night lamps, and play mats for your little ones.
The resort has 1.8km (more than one mile) of pristine beach, but if you prefer to splash around in fresh water, there’s an infinity pool too. Winding paths throughout are stroller-friendly and connect to green spaces where children can explore and play when they aren’t having a blast in the kiddie pools or on the playground.
2. Parco san Marco Beach Resort, Lake Lugano
Only 12 kilometers from Lake Como, Parco san Marco Beach Resort on Lake Laguno is a delightful place to enjoy the natural beauty of Northern Italy with your family, minus the crowds. The spacious apartments vary in size and capacity, most with a kitchenette and options for twin beds.
Based on recent reviews, the atmosphere here embraces and welcomes little ones just as much as their parents. The wellness center, indoor and outdoor pools, private beach, and restaurants all allow children, which is not always the case at other resorts with designated family areas. There are also three kids’ clubs, each with different age-appropriate activities: the Mini Club for ages 2-5, Club Bim Bam Bino for ages 6-12, and the Teen Space for ages 13 and older. There is also babysitting available upon request, in case you’d like a child-free evening or a wellness treatment at the spa.
3. Romazzino, a Belmond Hotel, Sardinia
The whitewashed archways and pops of colorful bougainvillea flowers give Hotel Romazzino a luxurious feel that the whole family can enjoy. The resort offers comfortable accommodations for groups of up to 10, from junior suites to the two-bedroom presidential suite and the villas.
This resort, situated on a white sandy beach, focuses on aquatic activities for all ages. Water-ski, jet-ski, windsurf, or take a dip in the ocean or hotel pool. For little ones, the fully supervised Toy Club has games, crafts, and water sports every day. When the sun goes down, they can also enjoy movie nights and puppet shows or a meal with a counselor to give their parents a chance to have a romantic dinner alone.
4. Hotel Bouganville at Forte Village Resort, Sardinia
Hotel Bouganville is one of eight hotels at the massive Forte Village Resort compound in Sardinia. Well-known as a haven for families, it has spacious deluxe bungalows, some of which have a private garden with children’s toys.
As it’s located in the heart of the resort, you’ll have easy access to pools and Mario’s Village, an area with nine playhouses, each with a specific theme: gas station, hairdresser, restaurant, supermarket, theatre, music house, news, and workshop. Barbie packages are also available, which include a pink-themed room, crafty fashion activities, and more.
It might start to sound like Forte Village Resort is entirely for children, but have no fear! There’s plenty to do for adults too. The world-class Acquaforte Thalasso & Spa is there to provide everything you need for a self-care day, and Ayurvedic park and yoga classes are available.
5. Borgo Egnazia, Puglia
If Barbie rooms and playhouses are not your vibe, Borgo Engazia in Puglia offers a world of imagination that is inspired by the Old World charm of its surroundings. The Trullalleri Kids’ Club leans on magic and whimsy, taking its name from the animated series Trulli Tales, which takes place in Alberobello and Valle d’Itria. Here children can join counselors on visits to Maria’s farm, where they can learn how to take care of the animals, or attend a cooking class, among other activities.
The fairytale-like atmosphere at Borgo Egnazia isn’t just for little ones, though — it’s for you too! The grounds resemble a small Puglian town, complete with a main square and replicas of vintage Italian architecture. You might even score a room with a balcony view of the town. Accommodations range from double rooms with pull-out couches to full two-bedroom apartments.
6. Castelfalfi, Tuscany
Tuscany is a longtime favorite for couples and families who want to recharge their batteries in one of Italy’s most beautiful regions. If that sounds like a dream come true, Castelfalfi’s Old World charm and modern luxury await you.
Castelfalfi is on a 2,700-acre estate, complete with a 27-hole golf course, multiple restaurants, a spa, and a pool. Parents have the option to hire a babysitter through the hotel if they’d like some alone time, but there’s plenty to do as a family here as well. The Kids’ Club hosts age-appropriate activities, like arts and crafts, cooking classes, games, and more. Plus, the Adventure Park has hanging bridges, tunnels, and miles of woodland trails to explore.
The largest hotel room here sleeps three, but there are villas that can sleep up to 16 if you’re traveling with a large group. Baby cots, allergen-free menus, high chairs, and the Little Concierge service are all perks that families will enjoy at Castelfalfi.
7. Castello di Casole, a Belmond Hotel, Tuscany
Is there anything more magical than staying in a castle? Kids who love all things whimsical will gasp when they see Castello di Casole among Tuscany’s rolling hills. This restored castle has pulled out all the stops to retain its fairytale-like charm, with dramatic, exposed-brick archways; large, lavish bathtubs; and beds fit for royalty. Though the ambiance feels sophisticated, the hotel welcomes children with open arms, providing activities like horseback riding, treasure hunts, pizza-making classes, a chocolate factory tour, an ice cream tour, and arts and crafts sessions.
The hotel’s heated pool, sun terrace, spa, and sauna ensure that grown-ups have a place to unwind too, and babysitting is available upon request if you don’t want to bring the youngsters along. There are also activities you can do as a family: hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, guided vineyard and tasting tours, bird-watching, and guided wildlife tours, which the hotel can arrange.
Castello di Casole has something for every family size, and the largest villa has three large bedrooms with king or queen beds. Cots, bottle sterilizers, bed guards, stair gates, and potties are available upon request as well.
So, did I save the best for last? Or are you more into the beachy vibes of Romazzino? Let us know which of these seven best Italian resorts for kids is your favorite!
