Best italian seaside near city with teens

[Radyward]

Hi there
Last year we went to Dubrovnik and stayed along the coast then for a few days. My teens loved it esp my DD who loved the mix of beach and city. So for 2025 we are thinking venice / Italian city and then beach ⛱️ any suggestions of hotels / towns near Venice? I ruled out Bibione as its a bit far to get to from Venice ( 100 kms)
Then I'm flipping to Palermo / naples but we are definate on Italy .
Thank you

I'm not really keen on Italian beaches as the ones I have been on tended to be crammed with sun loungers and often they cost to get on, they're not all massively relaxing (loud dance music etc.), however you do have a couple of sort of curveball options i think.

1. Sardinia. Not mainland of course but some of the best beaches on earth quite frankly! Some very close to beautiful historical towns and cities.
2. Garda/Como. Lakes of course but they still have beautiful beaches. Sirmione a highlight for me in Garda and the whole area being the highlight of Como! This option is also closer to Venice which is of course your preferred city spot!

Hope this helps

Cefalu in Sicily mixes old town with sandy beach and is on my list. We also loved Taormina and Ortigia. Agree with PP that italian beaches are not always the best and can be expensive if you want a sunbed. Sardinian beaches are gorgeous though - Capriccioli is my favourite. Ischia is also lovely - small towns, castle and plenty of free beaches - really easy to get around. We stayed in the Ischia Blu apartments last year which were amazing - but they seem to have become hugely expensive for 2025. We also stayed in Monopoli in Puglia which has loads going on and there is a bus to the bigger beaches in the summer months. There are a couple of smaller ones within walking distance.

I love Naples then you are on the analog coast

Italy isn't very big so you can travel around pretty waitlist and cheaply.

Trains are good and cheap (but lack luggage storage which is super annoying and have many steps as they are double deckers so you either go up 7 or down 7 step) but all fun!

AMALFI

Venice is hotter than Hades in the summer. Caorle is a pretty little old town but the beaches aren't great in that area. I'd go to Sicily or Sardinia if I was you.

Lots of beaches on the Cavallino peninsula which is right next to Venice. You can stay there and do an easy day trip to Venice through the ferry from Punta Sabionni.
The beaches are lovely but yes it'll be hot in the summer.

Marina Di Venezia is a huge campsite/lodge resort. Kids love it.

Another vote for Cefalu

What time of year are you thinking? We got back from Cefalù on Saturday and it was one of the best holidays we had - swimming in beautiful beaches that weren’t crowded every day, walks, and great food. It was around 24 Celsius and sun every day, which is our ideal temperature! I don’t think I’d be able to hack it in the summer though

The only place i know close to Venice is Lido de Jeselo. I haven’t been but researched it quite a while back. It’s only about an hour away from Venice.

As some others have said, I would consider the lakes rather than beach, especially if in summer as it will be slightly cooler. You could do Milan and then Lake Como or Verona/Venice then Garda. Another option could be Venice and then taking the ferry over to the Croatia Istrian coast? Naples and then either Capri or Ischia is another option. Or Siciliy as already suggested.

Another vote for Cefalu, not sure if I'd want to spend a while week there though. Naples and Palermo have "city" beaches that aren't to my taste personally.

Try San Vito di lo capo and surrounding areas, amazing.