Summer 2023 planner: Europe's best shallow-water beaches for little kids

The best beaches for families with little kids have fine sand, calm water and a shallow slope, so toddlers can splash safely while parents relax. Our top picks for summer 2023 are Lignano Sabbiadoro and Rimini in Italy, Playa de Muro and the Costa Daurada in Spain, La Baule in France, Lopar on the Croatian island of Rab, Elafonissi in Crete and the lagoon beaches of the Algarve. Here is how to choose, get there and pack.

Why now: summer holiday planning

Mid-June is the last good moment to book a summer beach holiday at a fair price, especially for July and August. Family rooms and apartments near the beach go first. If your children are not at school yet, late June or early September is even better: warm water, fewer people and lower prices.

Shallow beaches are also busiest in high season, because every family is looking for the same thing. Booking early gives you more choice of where to stay.

Top 8 best beaches for families in Europe

Italy's Adriatic coast and Spain's Mediterranean bays have the most shallow, sandy beaches, while Croatia, Greece and Portugal each have a few gems. All of these places are known for gentle slopes into the sea.

Price level for a family day at the beach (sunbeds, umbrella, snacks): budget = under about €30, mid-range = about €30–60, premium = over €60. Approximate, prices change.

See family trips to the seaside on the Kid.ooo map

Italy

Lignano Sabbiadoro on the northern Adriatic has a long, golden beach with very gradual water and many beach clubs with play areas. Rimini and the whole Riviera Romagnola are classics for Italian families: kilometres of fine sand, lifeguards and organised beach clubs with playgrounds, umbrellas and showers.

Croatia and Greece

Most Croatian beaches are pebbly, but Lopar on the island of Rab is famous for its sandy Paradise Beach, where children can walk far out into knee-deep water. In Crete, Elafonissi has a shallow turquoise lagoon and pinkish sand. It is a protected area with little shade, so arrive early and bring an umbrella.

Spain and France

Playa de Muro in the bay of Alcúdia in Mallorca is long, white and very shallow. On the mainland, the Costa Daurada around La Pineda, Salou and Cambrils has wide sandy beaches and flat promenades for prams. In France, La Baule has one of the longest beaches in Europe in a sheltered bay, with traditional kids' beach clubs.

Portugal

In the eastern Algarve, the barrier islands of the Ria Formosa near Tavira have long sandy beaches, and the lagoon side is calm and shallow. The Atlantic is cooler than the Mediterranean, which some kids love and others do not.

Getting there with kids: car, train and stops

For Italy, France and Croatia, driving is often easiest with small children; for the islands and Portugal, flying makes more sense. Lignano and Rimini are within a day's drive of much of Central Europe, with motorway rest stops every few kilometres.

• By car: start early in the morning, stop every two hours and avoid Saturdays in July and August, when traffic peaks.
• By train: Rimini has a main-line station a short walk from the beach, so a car-free holiday is possible.
• By plane: book seats together and bring snacks, a tablet and a small change of clothes in your hand luggage.
• Ferries: for Rab and other islands, book your ferry in high season and arrive early.

Where to stay: family-friendly stays

Choose an apartment or hotel within a short walk of the beach, so you can go back for a nap in the hottest hours. Family hotels in Italy and Spain often have a pool, kids' club and early dinner for children. Apartments with a kitchen are cheaper for longer stays and make breakfast and snacks easy.

Ask about cots, high chairs and a fridge. A balcony with shade is a big plus for evening relaxation once the kids are asleep.

Where to eat with kids

Beach towns in southern Europe are used to children, and simple dishes like pasta, pizza, grilled fish and rice are on almost every menu. Many Italian beach clubs have their own restaurant, so you do not need to leave the beach for lunch.

Remember that dinner starts late in Spain and Italy, so a good snack in the afternoon helps. Kid-friendly restaurants near the beach are on the Kid.ooo map. For tips on calm meals out with children, see our guide to kid-friendly food traditions.

Rainy-day plan B

Summer storms are short, but an aquarium or a playground nearby can save the afternoon. On the Riviera Romagnola, the Acquario di Cattolica is one of the biggest aquariums on the Adriatic. In Mallorca, the Palma Aquarium is a good indoor choice. For outdoor play once the rain stops, our list of Europe's most spectacular playgrounds includes Gulliver Park in Valencia.

Packing checklist

Protect children from the sun first; everything else you can buy on the spot.

• High-factor sun cream and after-sun
• UV swimsuits, sun hats and sunglasses
• Water shoes for hot sand and stony patches
• Swim nappies for babies and toddlers
• Beach tent or umbrella for shade
• Buckets, spades and a small inflatable ring or armbands
• Refillable water bottles and snacks

For travel ideas with older kids and teens, take a look at @wyld_family_travel on Instagram.

Save your beach holiday places in Kid.ooo

Kid.ooo is a free kid-friendly places map where parents share beaches, playgrounds and cafés across Europe. Use it as your family travel app for Europe: save the beach, a playground for the evening and a family-friendly restaurant before you leave.

Plan your beach holiday on the Kid.ooo map

Missing a place you loved? Add it to Kid.ooo and help the next family looking for a shallow beach.