Lake Cuomo or Cinque Terra with 6 kids aged 2 - 12

My wife and I have stayed several days at both places, but not with kids. Both will be quite crowded in June, especially the Cinque Terre. My choice would be the Lake COMO area. Kids would enjoy boat rides and other lake activities with much more space to avoid crowds. Plenty of lakefront dining and hiking, although the youngest may prefer a simple playground. We took train from Milan to Varenna where we stayed for 4 nights and took day trips to other places on Lake Como on the extensive ferry system. A beautiful and friendly area.

Lodging could be in short supply in both places , as folks tend to book 8-9 months out. Perhaps research which area has available places to sleep in your budget range. I prefer Lake Como, for the reasons explained above. Have a great trip!

We stayed in Bellano on Lake Como in 2021 in August with 7 people. It was a last minute reservation as covid free flights had begun and the place I had planned on in 2020 in Menaggio was booked. It is a little less convenient because not on the main ferry route but there is a train to Varenna which we used as well. It is a nice location because it is flat and there is a playground. It also is a real town with three grocery stores (and a hospital, although did not need). My young adult children loved the beach there.

I chose Lake Como over Cinque Terre so I haven't been to the latter. But was very happy with our choice. I think there is more space in Lake Como and some of the gardens are huge and good to wander, which kids would enjoy. There is hiking too, although we didn't do too much because it turned out to be record breaking temperatures. The ferries are fun for all ages and are the best way to get around. There are beaches too but all are pebbly so need water shoes.

Lake Como is easy to get to from Milan while Cinque Terre is further.

Where are you flying to? Neither place is exactly near an airport. If you fly to Milan Malpensa, then Lake Maggiore is near (Lake Como is farther, and Cinque Terre much farther), but if your flight happens to go to Rome, then you are very far from either place.

If you ask the same question to an Italian kid, s/he would almost certainly say to go to a seaside location (Cinque Terre in this case), but maybe your kids aren’t as addicted to the sea as Italian kids are. All lake and seaside locations will be fairly busy at the end of June, in terms of availability of accommodations. Cinque Terre gets particularly crowded because of the popularity it has gained in the past few decades, with the cruise ship industry. If you have difficulty finding accommodations in Cinque Terre (I recommend Monterosso since it is larger and is the only town with a beach), try Levanto or Bonassola (I like both but especially Bonassola) just minutes away by frequent trains. Both have larger beaches than Monterosso.

We are flying into Milan. The tentative itinerary is either Lake Como or Cinque Terre for 3 days, 1 day in Florence or somewhere else, and then a week in Umbria with day trips to Siena, etc. Flying out of Rome.

When researching it is important to spell the place names correctly. It is Lake Como, Cinque Terre and Siena.

I hope you have a wonderful time.

ted

welcome

I think for kids Lake Maggiore is better than Lake Como (that's Como, Cuomo is a politician). Lots to do and run around after a very short boat ride from either Baveno or Stresa to the beautiful Borromean Islands.

We've taken our kids to Italy when they spanned 4-16 and are planning another trip. I would lean towards Lake Como as well probably, but that is comparing to staying IN the Cinque Terre itself.

I wouldn't hesitate at all to take my kids to the area of the Cinque Terre. I'd stay close by so we can explore, but outside of it so we can leave the crowds if it's too much. My wife and I loved Buonassola, Levanto, Framura ... and the old train tunnels (now walking/biking paths) between them. And there is plenty to explore in those quieter cities as well, besides the advantage of cheaper lodging and smaller crowds. The train ride to the five villages themselves is a quick one, making it easy to visit when the sun is high or after day trippers have largely left for the day.

hey hey ted.powers
offering another option for your families with enjoyment for kids and parents. since you're flying into milan, look at lake garda.
nice place to get over jet lag, train transportation hub at pescheira del garda (2+ hours travel time from airport), stay a few days to relax with water activities for all. some are cabins, some are moblie homes on the lake with resort amenities, kitchenettes/washer dryers (pack light bring swim suits), views, boat rides up & down the lake, little villages to roam around the lake, some have linens/towels some charge, read the fine print, ground floor entrances, many vineyards, different restaurants, small shops/grocery store. look for two units that is near each other for the family to enjoy.
we stayed in bardolino several years ago for their annual wine festival, it was fabulous. would go again and spend more time there. gorgeous views of lake and mountains, many germans/austrians is what we ran into.
garda di vino agricamping
belvedere village
camping le palme
campeggio del garda
happy camp mobile home in butterfly camping village
agricamping zanina 9
italyweloveyou.com/peschiera del garda
garda and legoland water parks (gardaland.it change to english)
canevaworld.it and movieland park
now that i've thrown a wrench at you & the gang, you'll be researching and consulting with the other family. wanted you to see there are things to see and do for all family members, especially kids. don't want to bore them with museums/churches. also take them on a gelato crawl and see what their favorite flavor is. have fun enjoy this great adventure.
aloha