Luxury Family Holidays in Italy
Each region of Italy offers something unique and exciting for families. Now it’s time to find out where a Scott Dunn family holiday in Italy will take yours...
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A successful family holiday sometimes feels like the holy grail. With adults wanting a reviving escape, and children looking for their next adventure; trying to find balance seems impossible. But, when it comes to family holidays, Italy truly does have it all. Whether you’re soaking up the Mediterranean sunshine on the Amalfi Coast, exploring Tuscan hills or firing up young imaginations in historic cities, there’s something to keep every member of the family thoroughly entertained. And at Scott Dunn, we’ll customise any region of Italy to suit your interests and needs to ensure your ideal family getaway.
Is Italy a good place for a family holiday?
Absolutely! From fairytale Tuscan farmhouses to Sicily's palatial resorts, it’s easy to find family-friendly accommodation in Italy. Italian culture already famously loves children and many family hotels offer kids' clubs that reflect that passion with creative and engaging activities. The adults, meanwhile, can switch off thanks to the impeccable service and make memorable moments in spas and Michelin-star restaurants.
The diverse landscape also perfectly suits all families – from the adventurous to the laid-back – with a huge range of activities like cultural immersion, skiing, hiking and cycling. Rest assured that a luxury family holiday to Italy with Scott Dunn will cater to everyone's needs.
Things to Do on Holiday in Italy with Family
We know that it’s the one-of-a-kind experiences that make any adventure extra special. But in a country like Italy, there's so much on offer that it can be hard to know where to begin. Here’s the inside track on things to do on holiday in Italy with your family.
Experience the famous cuisine
It’s not a family holiday in Italy if you’re not gorging on the delicious pizza, pasta and gelato on offer. Roll up your sleeves and get stuck into a cooking class, like this Tuscan lesson at Borgo Santo Pietro or a gelato workshop in Florence. Naples is the home of pizza, so where better to learn how to create the tastiest slice? You can learn the art of pizza making with a professional pizzaiolo, who'll teach your family all the secrets to creating the perfect Margherita. It doesn’t get more authentic than this.
Try something new
Adventurous families should head straight to the Dolomites. Regardless of the time of year, there's plenty to do in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can head out for stunning hikes, go e-biking around Lake Garda, and try mountaineering in the summer or experience epic skiing in the winter.
Get lost in history and culture
Meanwhile, the way to bring Italy’s iconic history and culture to life for you and your children is through private tours and interactive experiences. Tales of the thrilling gladiator lessons in Rome will take you back to school, an out-of-hours tour of the Vatican will leave you all agog, and discovering ancient Rome with an archaeologist is just about the most interesting history lesson you could have.
The list of things to do on holiday in Italy with your family goes on – just ask our travel experts.
Luxury Beach Family Holidays in Italy
Italy’s seaside towns are some of the most stylish around. There are beachside lidos, cool gelato stalls, swathes of family-friendly beaches, hidden coves for the intrepid, and even a spot of aqua aerobics if you’re lucky. Like the rest of the country, the landscape along the coast changes vastly from region to region.
Few places can compare to the colourful towns and breathtaking terrace views along the Amalfi Coast. The area is the stuff of legend, captured by countless Hollywood films and loved by the rich and famous. If you're looking for family holidays in Italy with a beach, this area might be more suited to older children as reaching many of the spots requires clambering over rocks and down steep steps to get to pebble beaches. But once you're there, you’re rewarded with a refreshing plunge into the cool, clear waters.
Puglia’s sandy shores are better for a wider range of ages and the region is laid-back and effortlessly cool in comparison to Amalfi. You’ve got a bit of everything here, from the shady beach cafés serving simple lunches to family-friendly resorts with glossy beach clubs closed off from the crowds.
When it comes to family holidays in Italy with a beach, Sicily’s shores are a beautiful off-season option, with sunshine from May right through to October and temperatures that are warm enough for swimming. There’s a whole host of beaches to discover, from craggy rocks and pebble shores to sandy coves.
Best Places to Visit on a Luxury Family Holiday to Italy
The beaches are fabulous, but family holidays in Italy have so much more to offer. If you want to expose your children to cultural pursuits then cities are the perfect place, while the lakes and mountains will reconnect you with nature. Read on to discover the best places to go in Italy with families.
Italian Cities
Italy is an excellent destination for tweens and teens, particularly in its cities. All the art, history, and culture that they’ve been studying jump off the page into reality. Our expert guides lead tours of ancient Roman ruins and world-class museums to make the country’s past fascinating for older children. The food, the sights and the shopping are legendary too – teens won’t be able to resist the allure of experiencing it all.
In Rome, explore the wonder of the Vatican Museums after hours or capture their imagination by solving riddles around a Leonardo da Vinci treasure hunt. And after all that, you can refuel your hungry children at one of Rome’s many food markets with a private chef.
Don’t think Venice is only for adults, either. Children will love taking a gondola ride through the canals, learning how to blow glass on Murano, and sampling cicchetti on a tour around the city. And as for Florence, the whole family will fall in love with the romance and beauty of its architecture. The city centre is compact, which makes it easier to explore with kids in tow and it's a perfect starting point for a family holiday in Italy's famous Tuscany region.
Lake Garda
The picturesque landscape of Lake Garda is a captivating playground for the young and old(er). There is sailing on the calm waters, paddling on the shores, flat cycle paths to explore, and the idyllic lakefront towns such as Sirmione and Malcesine Harbour, with their castles and charming cobblestone streets. For older kids, a visit to Gardaland, Italy's largest amusement park, adds a thrilling dose of adrenaline to a family holiday in Italy. There's a certain kind of magic to Lake Garda. Perhaps it's something to do with being between the water and mountains or the romantic villages that circle it. Either way, it's a destination that'll leave all the family feeling relaxed.
South Tyrol
In the northernmost part of the country is a region that's worlds away from the bustling cities and cultural hotspots Italy is so often associated with. South Tyrol, bordering Austria, is an autonomous region of picture-book mountain peaks and towns steeped in Alpine traditions.
Whether you visit in summer or winter, you'll find an area that's deeply connected to nature. South Tyrol is one of the five Italian provinces the Dolomites wind their way through, giving the region some of the longest ski runs in Europe. In summer, the area is a magnet for hikers, climbers, swimmers, sailors and mountain bikers. For those looking for a less action-packed holiday, there are fabulous, forward-thinking spas, Michelin-star restaurants and meadows full of wildflowers – not to mention some of the best luxury family resorts in Italy.
Tuscany
Rolling ochre hills, stone farmhouses, olive groves and vineyards drenched in sunlight – Tuscany hardly needs introducing. Its enchanting landscape is iconic, and few can resist the charm of the region. Whether you're looking for total relaxation in an all-bells-and-whistles hotel with a kids' club, spa and Michelin-star food or a more adventurous stay exploring medieval towns and day-tripping to the coast, Tuscany has it all.
Fly into Siena for the postcard-perfect landscapes in the Val d’Orcia. The UNESCO World Heritage Site includes stunning hilltop towns such as Montepulciano and Pienza. Once there, join a cooking class, meet local artisans, and go on cycle rides with a delicious picnic in tow. Depending on the age of your children, you could also take advantage of your hotel’s kids’ club and head out on a private wine-tasting tour of Chianti.
Luxury Family Holiday Resorts in Italy
Now you've got an idea of the best things to do and the best places to visit, it’s time to explore our curated collection of the best family hotels in Italy.
Best For Younger Kids
Family holidays to Italy are a treasure trove for younger kids, with tons of resorts and experiences that cater to children under 12. These properties will welcome your tribe with customised activities, imaginative kids' clubs, pint-sized bathrobes, and special treats at turn-down. There's just as much for the youngest guests as there is for adults in these properties. So, while they get creative, make and taste gelato, visit new playgrounds, and are looked after by enthusiastic babysitters, you can wander around cities, lie by the pool, or have a meal for two without being disturbed.
Borgo Egnazia has been designed based on a traditional Apulian village and is set within 20 hectares along the Puglian coast of southern Italy. The biggest draw for families at the hotel is the fantastic custom-designed space for children. The Trullalleri club for kids from eight months to eight years is bright and airy and has been cleverly divided and designed for each age group. Every day there's a varied and interesting activity programme that makes the most of the facilities and activities available. The resort also features one of the largest and best play areas in Italy. The impressive adventure playground includes wobbly walkways, a spring bridge, slides, nets to climb and a fireman's pole. While your children are being thoroughly entertained, you can golf, visit the local fishing village of Savelletri, take a cooking class or relax in the spa.
The elegant, family-friendly Hotel Savoy is stylishly designed and provides the highest standards in cuisine and service. Your family’s every whim will be catered for here. The Savoy’s philosophy is that some of their most important guests are also the smallest. For the youngest members of the family, the ‘Families R Forte’ programme aims to pamper kids as much as their parents. From the Pinocchio-themed items presented to them upon arrival to dedicated kid-friendly guided tours and an arts and crafts workshop, children will never have a dull moment. The hotel also offers 24-hour babysitting, extra beds, interconnecting rooms, and all the bathrooms are set up with rubber ducks and kids’ bathroom products.
Best for Older kids
Whatever interests your teen, Italy’s cities can deliver. Spend time trawling Rome’s cobbled streets for vintage buys, seeing history come to life at the Colosseum, getting lost in Venice’s entrancing art, or soaking up the street scenes in Piazza San Marco. After a day to remember with your kids, head back to these glamorous hotels for a treat in the spa or a dip in the pool.
Ideally situated between the Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps, families will be charmed by Hotel de Russie’s location, pretty gardens and inimitable style. Your family will quickly learn why French poet Jean Cocteau described the hotel as “paradise on earth.” The Vatican City, with St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, is just a 10-minute walk away, while the Piazza Navona and Trevi Fountain are also within easy access. This is an excellent base for safely and easily experiencing Rome’s attractions. The hotel also has an extensive health club and spa with a hydropool, jacuzzi, sauna, Turkish steam bath, and beauty treatments, making it perfect for unwinding after a day spent on your feet exploring the city.
Situated within lush private gardens, the Belmond Hotel Cipriani provides a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of Venice. The city is just a few minutes away by complimentary shuttle, giving your family the best of both worlds and offering easy access to iconic sights such as Piazza San Marco, the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Sure to delight any teen is Cip’s Club, an Italian pizzeria that serves pizza from a wood-burning oven. After experiencing the sights of the city, spend some bonding time with your teens at the Olympic-sized swimming pool, the spa with incredible massages and manicures, or take a private cruise around the lagoon in the hotel’s boat: “Shirley”.
Multi-generational Families
For experienced travellers, there's nothing like seeing somewhere through the eyes of a child, especially in a destination like Italy. And while it’s magical to share an experience like Venice or Tuscany with a grandchild or parent, there may be a few different priorities between the generations. That's why we've selected properties that are crowd pleasers no matter what your age. Kids' clubs and swimming pools sit alongside fine dining and private butlers at these luxury Italian family holiday resorts and villas.
Staying at Castiglion del Bosco is a rare opportunity to enjoy Tuscany the way it's meant to be experienced: on a magnificent country estate nestled among rolling hills, sweeping vineyards and centuries-old farmhouses. You can relax outdoors by the heated stone infinity pool or enjoy one of the treatments offered at the beautiful CdB Spa. For those wishing to be more active, there's a state-of-the-art fitness centre, tennis courts, and the Tom Weiskopf-designed 18-hole private golf course. The estate features miles of picturesque hiking and biking trails (bikes are complimentary) that hug spectacular ridges and meander past streams, waterfalls and hidden historic sites. Handsome Maremma horses lead guests through a network of riding trails extending to the far-reaching corners of the property.
Active Families
No matter the season or the activity level of your family, adventures abound in Italy. For outdoorsy types, there's cycling in Puglia, climbing the notorious Mount Vesuvius volcano, and water sports off the coast of Sicily. And for the ultimate way to experience nature on holiday in Italy, families must head to the Dolomites. You can ski or snowboard in some of Europe's very best family-friendly winter resorts, while summer ushers in hiking, geocaching around Val Gardena, and a thrilling Adventure Park in Alta Badia with a tree-top rope course.
The Hotel Rosa Alpina is a beautiful family-run hotel in the quaint village of San Cassiano nestled in the Dolomites. This is the ideal place for a family ski adventure. The Rosa Alpina is conveniently located near the Dolomiti Superski, which consists of 760 miles of runs. Apart from downhill skiing, the area offers some of the most beautiful settings for those who enjoy cross-country skiing, excursions with mountain guides, snowshoeing, ice climbing or simply sledding. The hotel offers a specially dedicated family wellness area with a swimming pool, saunas and relaxation area. It’s the perfect place for your family to unwind after a hard day’s skiing, hiking or biking.
The Verdura Resort has a wonderful sense of space nestled within 230 hectares of gentle rolling Sicilian countryside with nearly 2km of private coastline. The facilities are exceptional and every family member will be well catered for. There are two 18-hole championship golf courses, six floodlit clay tennis courts, a full-size football pitch, an infinity pool and a fully equipped gym. Bicycles for adults (some have baby seats) and child bikes are available for guests to use all over the resort on a complimentary basis. The Water Sports Club offers everything from kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and snorkelling to the more adrenaline-fuelled activities of waterskiing and wakeboarding. Children of all ages are looked after and entertained in Verdura's dedicated children and teens club. Verdù the hedgehog host will look after them in a specialised space with a heated pool, TV room and activity zones designed to keep even the most active child busy.
Best for Relaxing
With glamorous stretches of coastline, world-class spas and endless rolling vineyards, Italy is the perfect place for your family to relax. With a glass of wine in hand, soak up the picturesque landscapes, dine on indulgent food and treat yourself to a leather handbag – you deserve it! Turn off your alarm and kiss meetings goodbye because you'll have a luxurious, peaceful break from the every day on your family holiday to Italy.
Nestled in the hills of Tuscany, as you drive up the cypress-lined lanes towards Castello di Casole looking out over vineyards, orchards of olive trees and rolling countryside dotted with stone farmhouses, you’ll truly feel in a world of your own. The hotel offers a combination of luxury and yet charmingly rustic comfort within the restored Castello and original buildings of the hamlet. Most suites have stunning views of the Tuscan countryside, and all have complete access to the estate’s services and amenities, including the Essere luxury spa, pools, fitness centre, and casual and fine dining options. Head out to the terrace at Ristorante Tosca for an al fresco meal overlooking dramatic vineyards and valleys. The estate’s expert sommelier advises on every course, making for memorable food and wine pairings. The dishes feature endless fresh bread, local produce from the hotel’s gardens, seasonal fresh game and seafood, and estate-grown extra virgin olive oil.
Lefay Resort is a beautiful and tranquil hideaway overlooking Lake Garda. With a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, this family-run resort offers spacious accommodation set in beautiful woods and olive groves. Wide spaces, natural fabrics, precious local materials including Italian marbles, and olive tree and Italian walnut woods are all combined with attention to detail and advanced technologies. This provides your family with the ultimate comfortable, rejuvenating and luxurious experience during your stay. As well as a comprehensive assortment of treatments to choose from, there are indoor and outdoor swimming pools, including an infinity pool overlooking the lake, five kinds of saunas, a large gym and fitness studio, and a range of classes including Pilates, yoga and tai chi.
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FAQs About Family Holidays to Italy
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Our luxury family holiday resorts and experiences in Italy can get booked up quickly, so we recommend starting the process well in advance – a few months or even a year before you travel. The school holidays tend to be our busiest periods, so get in touch with plenty of notice if that's when you're looking to go.
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Italy is well worth a visit in any season, but certain times may be more suitable for family holidays. For example, the temperatures can get extremely hot in summer, while the cities also tend to be at their busiest during this period. With that in mind, spring or autumn typically offer more comfortable conditions for both you and the little ones!
Read our guide on the best times to visit Italy.
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Yes, we have plenty of Italy tours that offer fun for all the family. You could take a trip to Venice and the Italian Lakes, trying your hand at mask making before sampling some of the country's diverse flavours during a private lakeside villa cooking experience at Lake Como.
And if you want to expand your family holiday beyond Italy, you can throw yourself into an active adventure that covers two weeks in the Dolomites and on Greece's Peloponnese peninsula.
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Your luxury family holiday to Italy should be a blissful, hassle-free experience. The planning is exciting but it can also prove stressful, so why not leave that part up to us? All you need to do is tell us what you'd like to see and where you'd like to go, and our travel experts can get to work organising the perfect itinerary.
We can help you plan city breaks, active adventures, family holidays in Italy with a beach, and more. Get in touch with our travel experts today.
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Inspiration for your family holiday to Italy
Check out our destination guides, features and accommodation recommendations ahead of your Italy holiday.