Family Holidays to Sardinia

Sardinia's resorts welcome families with long beaches and fun attractions

In around the same time it’ll take to watch a film, you’ll have flown the family to Sardinia. Then your transfer will only take 20 minutes to Alghero’s resorts and 40 minutes to places like Budoni in the northeast, so there’s no fear of little ones getting fidgety.

Proximity isn’t the only reason for families to holiday in Alghero, as this ancient fortified city is at the centre of the Coral Riviera, boasting beautiful beaches. It’s also well set up with restaurants and a waterpark to please the kids. Budoni and its neighbour San Teodoro are picturesque towns with a smattering of glamour. As well as the possibility of sunbathing next to famous faces, you’ll also be able to see flamingos in the lagoon from the beach.

Best family friendly beaches

Just beyond Alghero’s harbour, Lido San Giovanni beach is a five-kilometre stretch that’s dotted with hotels, restaurants and watersports centres. Backed by pine trees, you’ll easily be able to find a shady spot to cool down. Or you might like to head to Spiaggia di Li Junchi beach in the quiet northern town of Badesi Mare, as it’s one of 28 beaches in Sardinia to fly the Blue Flag for quality in 2016-2017.

The kids will love the fact that the lagoons along the north-eastern coast are home to hundreds of pink flamingos. You’ll be able to see them as you’re playing or relaxing on Budoni’s Cala di Budoni Beach or San Teodoro’s La Cinta Beach. Both top spots for snorkelling, windsurfing and paddle boarding, Cala di Budoni’s white sands and turquoise water get it compared to the Caribbean, and La Cinta has equally clear water.

Best family activities in Sardinia

Your family can learn about the abundance of coral in the Alghero area at the Coral Museum, or to get out on the water, take a boat trip to Neptune’s Grotto caves with staggering underground lakes, stalactites and stalagmites. For classic holiday fun, there are four waterparks to choose from across the popular northern Sardinia coast, with the largest being AquaDream in north-eastern Costa Smeralda and Splash AquaPark in Alghero another watery winner.

To see Sardinia’s flamingos up close, you can take a boat trip across San Teodoro Lagoon or just wander around this protected area on foot. A 10-minute walk from the centre of San Teodoro, and you’ll reach Coclearia’s evening market selling handmade items like jewellery and other trinkets. You and the kids will love picking up presents and souvenirs from here after dinner.

Other popular holidays in Italy

Sardinia is just one of Italy’s regions primed for family holidays. For more ideas where to take your family, try Sicily, the Italian Lakes or the Neapolitan Riviera. But if you think Sardinia’s the place for you,read more in our Sardinia travel guide and take a look below at our recommendations for excellent family hotels.

Other popular family holidays

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Family Life Baia di Conte

This 4* hotel is located in a picturesque setting right next Porto Conte natural park and two marine protected areas. As well as a large main pool, there’s a double helping of kids’ pools and a private beach, plus baby and kids’ clubs and a soft play area. Sports tournaments are held regularly or you could just have a game on the football pitch or volleyball court. If that’s all too active, take a relaxing treatment or whirlpool over at the spa while the kids are busy. With plenty of space, family rooms sleep four and suites up to eight.

Family Life Janna e Sole

After a full refurb in May 2017, TUI Family Life Janna e Sole welcomes you to enjoy its brand new double and family rooms in its low-rise, Sardinian-style buildings. The three new pools cover one for activities, one that’s more quiet and one especially for kids. Likewise, there are plenty of places to eat, with everything from buffet to taverna-style meals, Mediterranean a la carte options and coffee shop treats. Close to a small sandy beach, with kids’ and baby clubs, the action-packed entertainment venue organises regular competition and activities, and the hotel has three bowling greens among its sports facilities.

Le Dune Resort and Spa

On the eight-kilometre-long, white-sand Spiaggia Li Junchi beach, Le Dune Resort is backed by juniper woods, perfect for strolls. Made up of five hotels – with six pools, six bars and nine restaurants between them – the range of family facilities is excellent and you can opt for a family suite. Dine on options including Indian, pizza or seafood and the kids even get a Peter Pan children’s restaurant area as well as their own mini-village and baby through to teen clubs. You can hop on a shuttle bus the two kilometres to Badesi or stay for the adults-only spa with Turkish bath.

Grande Baia Resort and Spa

Grande Baia Resort is set in 197 acres of parkland and 10 minutes’ walk to a secluded beach, plus there’s a shuttle bus to further nearby beaches and into San Teodoro. The huge grounds accommodate a big pool and spacious accommodation, including two-bed family rooms with walk-in, rainfall showers. The state-of-the-art spa has thalassotherapy pools and treatments aren’t just for grown-ups. The kids’ club organises pool games, drama, cookery and fun with nature, and there are activities for all ages including sports tournaments and dance sessions. Dine at the buffet or a la carte restaurants and then retire to either the pool bar or lounge bar with piano music.