The ten best beaches in Calabria for a vacation with children

From the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Ionian Sea, the beaches of Calabria are beautiful and kid-friendly.
If you prefer rockier shores, blue sea and stunning views, then you will love the Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria, if, on the other hand, you prefer to relax on a sandy beach with the sea gently sloping choose the Ionian coast of Calabria.

Be aware, however, that the sea of Calabria has been excelled several times with Green Flags, awarded by Italian pediatricians to the most child-friendly beaches. The criteria used to award Green Flags are cleanliness of the sea, shallow water, sand, lifeguard services, children's playground, and a beach with useful services for families.

Here you will find a list of hotels, resorts and residences in Calabria for children.

The beaches of Calabria on the Tyrrhenian Sea

Starting from the north, on the border with Basilicata, we immediately meet, on the Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria, Praia a Mare.

The beach of Praia a Mare

Praia a Mare is a beach in Calabria for children, awarded the Green Flag and the Blue Flag.
A very wide beach of sand and pebbles, blue sea, crystal clear water and gently sloping bottom, if you love big beaches, Praia a Mare will not disappoint.
Don't miss theIsland of Dino easily reached by boat, but also by swimming,the sea caves, the Fortino, the Fiuzzi Tower and the Castle of Rocca di Praia.
South of Praia a Mare as far as san Nicola Arcella and Scalea is a succession of breathtaking beaches, small beaches, and coves. In short, if you are an active family, you can change beaches every day and fall in love with the sea!
In addition, Praia is a bustling town on the Riviera dei Cedri, which is why it is a vacation destination of many families who choose it for its excellent family-friendly services, natural beauty, and family-friendly beaches.

(en)Photo by dagovinc from Pixabay (/en) san Nicola Arcella south of Praia a Mare

Cirella di Diamante with children

About 20 kilometers south of Scalea, also on the Riviera dei Cedri is Cirella di Diamante.
Cirella di Diamante has a beautiful beach overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea that is suitable for children, and there is the option of being pampered in a bathing establishment or choosing Cirella's free beaches.
The sea at Cirella has The sloping seabed and allows for swimming. For explorers both young and old, it can be fun to bring a mask and snorkel to discover the seabed.
Suggestive islet Cirella where there is a lookout tower, it is possible to reach it by boat thanks to a service that is offered by fishermen. The village on the mainland, on the other hand, is interesting because it dates from medieval times.

Cirella di Diamante - Beach in Calabria

The white beaches of Nicotera

The white beaches of Nicotera, beautiful views and Green Flag status make the resort very family-friendly.
Nicotera is located on the Coast of the Gods, on the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the province of Vibo Valenza.
The beaches of fine white sand are wide, the sea is transparent. Suggestive is the "affacciu" from where the view widens even towards the Stromboli and the Aeolian Islands.
Nicotera is a tourist resort: there are numerous villages, hotels and even equipped beaches that allow you to spend your days at the beach, but without giving up all the comforts.

Not far from Nicotera is Capo Vaticano, the transparent water and breathtaking views make it one of the most enchanting places in Calabria.
To get there with kids there are boat tours from Tropea, perfect for a day trip.
Here is a tour a boat with a transparent bottom, free for children under 5 years old

The beach of Nicotera

The beaches of Calabria on the Ionian Sea

Calabria's beaches on the Ionian Sea are long, white and often uncrowded beaches.
We continue along the Ionian coast from south to north on our journey in search of the TOP beaches of Calabria,

The white beaches of Bovalino

Continuing our itinerary to discover the beaches for children in Calabria we go to Bovalino, in the province of Reggio Calabria: here the beaches are white and the sea blue.
Compared to other places in Calabria, Bovalino's beaches are uncrowded, even in very high season.
There is no shortage of bathing establishments, but most of the beaches are free, so they are suitable for those who want easier vacations.
Bovalino is a small, historically interesting perched town.
Behind it is the Aspromonte National Park all to be discovered.

Roccella Jonica with children

Roccella Jonica with children offers several possibilities for a beach vacation, with its white beaches dotted with lidos, or free. Seabed that slopes quickly, but still interesting even for younger children who can play on the shoreline, while older children can learn about the seabed as little explorers.
The town is charming and rich in history, suitable for strolling. It is worth visiting the castle situated on a rocky promontory overlooking the whole town.
Numerous interesting events for the whole family are held there during the good season. Beautiful a stroll along the promenade and the many the locals.

Roccella Ionica in Calabria

Santa Caterina dello Ionio for children

Another location in Calabria for children is Santa Caterina dello Ionio.The Santa Caterina beach is beautiful and sandy with pebbles near the sea, which slopes down immediately. The area is quite breezy, an aspect that allows you to stay on the beach longer without suffering from heat, but beware of currents in the water.
Santa Caterina beach has the Green Flag: the certification that Italian pediatricians give to the best beaches for families
The seaside village is lightly trafficked and equipped with all services, as are the beaches where there are alternating establishments and free portions (for the most part). In the upper village there are many places of historical interest, and there is no shortage of interesting events, particularly in the summertime. Fishermen are happy to sell their fresh catch directly, and there are many genuine products, suitable for the whole family.

Santa Catarina on the Ionian

Simeri Crichi: beaches for children

Simeri Crichi is a child-friendly resort in Calabria is located on the Ionian Coast of Calabria just 10 km north of Catanzaro Lido and 45 km from Lamezia Terme International Airport. Simeri Chirchi has beautiful sandy beaches and a crystal clear blue sea.

Capo Rizzuto Island: Beautiful sea and Green Flag

Isola di Capo Rizzuto, child-friendly sea: also listed among the Green Flag beaches, child-friendly, the seabed is not shallow (as in most of the Ionian coast) but the water is wonderful and the fine sandy beaches are fantastic for children's play and parents' relaxation!
Isola di Capo Rizzuto is also a marine protected area, so equip yourself with a mask and snorkel, and don't miss an excursion in the transparent-bottom boats to admire the seabed, aquarium and excursions (to name a few) all family-friendly.
Another prime attraction is la Castella, an ancient Aragonese fortress that stands right on the sea.
Isola di Capo Rizzuto is a stone's throw from Crotone, where you can take nice walks along the waterfront and appreciate the stores.

Isola di Capo Rizzuto

Torre Melissa: child-friendly beaches

Child-friendly beaches in Calabria include Torre Melissa.
Sand, fairly light-colored beach and, in this case, slowly sloping down to the sea. Clean, crystal-clear water. Torre Melissa is the coastal hamlet of Melissa village perched in the hills. There are numerous facilities that can meet the diverse needs of families on vacation. Suggestive is the Aragonese tower from which there is a view that embraces a beautiful stretch of the Ionian coast. Inland, it is worth a visit to the Castle of Santa Severina whose construction dates back to the 11th century, very well maintained.

Melissa Tower on the Ionian Sea in Calabria

Myrtle Crosia for children

Also Mirto Crosia is a beach suitable for children and family vacations in Calabria. Clear sand alternating for short stretches with pebbles and rocks. The seabed is beautiful with posidonia meadows, while on the dunes the licorice plant grows wild. This beach has also been chosen and awarded the Green Flag recognition by Italian pediatricians.