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Best beach with a baby?

We're bringing our 10 month old daughter to Italy in early May. We're planning to visit Venice and Rome, but would like to see one more area. I think a slightly slower-paced more relaxed coastal town would be nice for her. I'm considering Portofino, Cinque Terre and Sorrento/Positano. Portofino and Cinque Terre seem easier to get to (especially with a baby!) but the Amalfi Coast is so pretty that I hate to miss it. Any suggestions?!

Posted by
2047 posts

All of those areas are beautiful, but don’t really have great beaches. Babies are loved in Italy, so I’m sure wherever you go she will be warmly welcomed.

Posted by
869 posts

I have not been to Portofino but the three other suggestions will be difficult with a young child and a stroller. In all of them access to the beach involves steep climbs down cobblestone streets, not fun with a stroller and armfuls of baby gear and hardly relaxing, especially climbing bac up! The only true beach in the CT is at Monterosso. However, you might look at Levanto which is a larger town just north of the CT, it has a sandy beach. Sorrento requires either a long walk or a bus to the waterfront or a ride in an elevator. Very narrow beaches with wooden broad walks projecting into the sea, creating swimming areas. Positano has a nice beach but long climb down a steep pedestrian street.

When in Venice you could visit the beach at the Lido. Or look at places like Rimini on the Adriatic coast and Viareggio in Tuscany; both are larger resort towns but have easier beach access

Posted by
336 posts

I can't speak about traveling with a baby. But I can tell you about 3 beaches we found last September. We spent 3 nights in Vernazza. The waves were big, breaking over the Vernazza breakwater. We heard that Levanto is a good surfing beach so we went up there (we are from New Jersey and love watching the surfers). It was loaded with surfers! Very cool to see in Italy. The beach was nice with plenty of amenities. Next day we decided to go further up the coast to Moneglia. Small town with a breakwater which made swimming easy and safe. Then we took the train back 1 town to Bonasolla. We had lunch and a beer at a little beach front bar, then walked back to Levanto through the pedestrian tunnels. We had a nice time at all 3 beaches. I wouldn't call any of them resorts, just small beach towns. Nice for a day, but we wanted to move along and see more of Italy....

Posted by
15043 posts

You have 5000 miles of coastline to choose from. The issue is how far you want to deviate from your itinerary. None of the places you mentioned are anywhere easy to reach from Rome or Venice.
Portofino has no beach. There is one in Paraggi nearby.
The Amalfi Coast is mostly cliffs. On the Cinque Terre the only decent beach is in Monterosso.
Of course there are beaches near Venice in Lido of Venice and also Lido di Jesolo.
Near Rome, there is Lido di Ostia, Fregene, and Santa Marinella, which is near the station.
You are also going in early May, which may or may not be beach weather.

Posted by
2047 posts

Venice Lido island does have a real sandy beach. I was there 45 years ago, so not sure if it’s very nice now.

Posted by
1540 posts

There is a nice sandy beach just north of Cinque Terre - Levanto.

We stayed there on an RS tour- most of the other beaches had small rocks rather than sand. Hopefully some others on this site will have recommendations for a beach for you.

Posted by
2119 posts

Senigallia is a lovely coastal town on the Adriatic, about a 2 hour train ride from Venice, that I think would be perfect for you & your baby. It has miles of sandy beach and the water is just ankle deep several feet out, and continues getting deeper very slowly, so it’s very safe. No big waves. Some hotels along the beach have enclosed playground areas for children. Lots of restaurants along the beach. The town itself is charming. Highly recommended.