11 Best Beaches in Europe for Families – 2025 Guide

Possibly Sardinia’s most stunning beach, Porto Giunco is also a top pick for families. Located on the island’s southern coast, it’s a gorgeous 2-mile-long stretch of finest white sands with clear sea. The main draws for kids here are the shallow access to the water and plenty of space to play around. Also, it’s set just an hour’s drive away from the island’s capital Cagliari meaning you won’t have to go far from the city to enjoy Sardinia’s sands. Parking is 5 euros per day and you’ve got all the amenities like restrooms and showers. But the most impressive thing about Porto Giunco is what’s behind it. Notteri Pond is a habitat for pink flamingos and your kids will have a chance to see these gorgeous creatures in the natural area.

Head to Brač island to find one of the most stunning beaches in Croatia. The Golden Horn (or Zlatni Rat) is a long pebbly stretch that reaches into the transparent Adriatic waters. Apart from its cinematic beauty, the beach is also the ultimate family playground. Lifeguards ensure safety, the water access is easy and the floating Aquapark adds fun to the experience during summer. As with the majority of Croatian beaches, make sure to bring swimming shoes as Zlatni Rat has small pebbles. There’s also a bar for adults to relax while enjoying sea views. Pine tree forest flanks the beach giving families a shaded respite. A great thing about Zlatni Rat is that it’s a short walk away from Bol, a historic island town with many traditional restaurants and cozy coffee shops.

Tropea immediately takes your breath away. Set on Costa degli Dei in Italia’s southernmost Calabria region, this town is also a very family-friendly destination with some of the most gorgeous beaches in Europe. The main stretch is located right underneath the Old Town next to the mighty rocks. Caribbean-like sands and shallow waters make it a great choice for kids. Another longer sandy beach is located behind the Santa Maria dell’Isola sanctuary. It brings you the Sardinia-reminiscent experience in mainland Italy. Both are suitable for strollers. Tropea is a fantastic choice for exploration-loving families as the Old Town here is filled with sights and has many food options for every budget. A train station provides easy access from all the major Italian cities.

Costa del Sol is a fantastic place to go on a family holiday in Spain and Nerja is among the top destinations. Burriana Beach is where you go to have the best experience with kids. Children’s playgrounds keep younger ones busy, soft dark sands are nice on your feet and the lifeguards make sure everyone’s safe. Bars and restaurants surround the beach and Nerja city center is nearby. Also, it has a Blue Flag recognition so the waters are perfect for swimming. Be sure to rent a pedalo (a small paddle boat) which is a popular water activity here. Basing yourself in Nerja means that your family can try out other fantastic local beaches like the charming coved Carabeo, El Chorrillo and Calahonda which are minutes away from one another.

It’s safe to say that Mellieħa Bay is the best beach for families in Malta. That’s because this stretch on the island country’s northern coast offers perfect conditions for kids. As a protected bay, it has very shallow waters. Then, Mellieħa is a golden sands beach (Malta’s longest) with Blue Flag distinction, well-developed infrastructure and plenty of kiosks selling food and drinks. In other words, it’s an ideal choice for both kids and adults to have a relaxed time without hassle. Mellieħa Bay is also a great place to try snorkeling and explore Malta’s rich underwater world. Children will love seeing marine dwellers up close. Also, don’t miss the Popeye Village—a film set-turned-theme-park located minutes away from Mellieħa.

While Mykonos and Santorini are spectacular, the beaches there are not particularly kid-friendly. Of all the Cycladic islands, Naxos is where you find the best stretches for families. And you won’t have to look too hard as Agios Georgios Beach is right in the island’s capital. Soft golden sands, shallow entrance, gentle waves and proximity to the pretty whitewashed Naxos center make it a great choice if you’re with kids. Tranquil and laid-back, the beach represents that idyllic Greek family holiday many crave. For another sandy hit of the island, take a short ride to Agios Prokopios Beach. With Blue Flag recognition, miles of golden dunes and turquoise waters, it’s easily one of the finest beaches in Greece and another family-friendly destination.

Elafonissi Beach, GreeceGreece has many great beaches, but Elafonissi on Crete may be the most sensational one. The sands here are pink-colored giving it a fantasy-like appearance. Combined with the clear blue water and the abundant marine line, it’s an unforgettable natural spectacle that your kids will love. One of Elafonissi’s main advantages for families is how shallow it is. Swathes of sand create delightful sea pools where children can wade and snorkel. The beach is also huge so it never feels too crowded here. The typical family time at Elafonissi includes swimming, looking out for sea urchins, exploring small rocky coves and watching different types of fish in the transparent water.

Long, wide, sandy and fully family-friendly. An underrated gem of Costa Blanca, Villajoyosa is a fantastic choice for travelers with kids who want to stay in a town and take advantage of the Alboran Sea waters. Although located between party-heavy Benidorm and the coastal capital Alicante, Villajoyosa is surprisingly tranquil and relaxed. Flanked by the old colored houses of the former fishing village, the expansive golden sands of the local beach are perfect for children of all ages. There are wooden paths for strollers, several playgrounds, all the sanitary facilities and many xiringuitos (traditional beach bars). The parking is right next to the beach. Villajoyosa is also very well-connected to other Costa Blanca resorts by the TRAM Alicante train-tram system.

The best family beach in France isn’t on the mainland. Set south of the Gulf of Porto Vecchio on Corsica, Santa Giulia is taking this crown. Everything works perfectly for a family holiday here. The waters are of unreal blue color, the access is shallow and the beach is directly next to the resort area with many accommodation options and places to eat. If there’s something like Caribbean bliss in Europe, Santa Giulia Beach is the closest you get to it. Kids can build sand castles, explore the many rocky formations, snorkel, embark on a standup paddling adventure or try riding a jet ski under supervision. Also, there are several beach bars and seafood-serving restaurants with the best water views.

Kids of all ages will have a blast at Coral Bay. Located just north of Paphos, this beautiful stretch is the best family beach in Cyprus. All the necessary elements are present here: the golden sand is perfect for castle-building, the waves are never high and the entrance is flat and shallow. Also, you’ve got many resorts around that cater to families. In fact, you will have two amazing beaches at your service here, another one being Laourou a short walk away from Coral Bay. The semi-remoteness makes this area more laid-back than nearby Paphos or the resort town of Ayia Napa.

The Algarve coast in the South of Portugal is breathtaking. Portimão’s Praia da Rocha is how you experience it with kids. It’s an enormous stretch of the finest golden sands protected by cliffs and giant boulders. During the hot summer months, it becomes a big playground for kids perfect for playing in the sand, wading in tidal “lagoons” and exploring the rocks. The setting right under Portimão’s hotel zone means comfortable access to all the city life delights. Your family can take a boat trip to the magnificent Benagil Cave, have fun at Slide & Splash water park outside Portimão and watch seal and dolphin shows at Zoomarine Algarve. Praia da Rocha is a unique case when a resort city beach feels like a secret remote paradise. The sheer size also makes it easy to find a spot here even during the high season between June and August.