Costa Smeralda beaches with kids: the 10 best for families

Not all Costa Smeralda beaches are kid-friendly. Some have deep water, difficult access, distant parking or no natural shade. Others, instead, are perfect for families with young children: shallow water for tens of metres, fine sand without rocks, flat parking, essential services (toilets, showers, kiosks). This is Francesco and Salvatore Milo's selection, based on feedback from family clients who hire cars for Costa Smeralda each year. They are sorted by recommended age: from those most suitable for newborns to those most suitable for teenagers.

"Family-friendly" selection criteria

A kid-friendly beach should have:

• Shallow water for at least 20-30 metres from shore (for newborns and kids 0-5)
• Fine sand, no pebbles or sharp rocks
• Parking reachable on foot in 5-10 min max, no steep stretches
• Beach club option with umbrella rental (essential for shade with family)
• Toilets and showers nearby (at least chemical)
• Low or no waves (no exposure to strong mistral)

The 10 best family beaches in Costa Smeralda area

1. La Cinta — San Teodoro (top pick newborns)

5 km of finest white sand, shallow water for 30+ metres, view of Tavolara island. The family beach par excellence in north-east Sardinia. Paid parking (€8-12/day) but very close. Beach clubs Il Pirata, La Stella, Sa Linnamosa with full service (loungers, umbrellas, snack bar, toilets, hot showers, play area). Distance from Olbia: 30 minutes. More info on San Teodoro.

2. Cala Brandinchi — San Teodoro ("Sardinia's Bahamas")

Nicknamed "Sardinia's Bahamas" for the turquoise water and white sand. Shallow water for 50 metres, perfect for kids 1-6 wanting to walk in water. In high season requires mandatory booking (regional system, max 1,450 people/day). Paid parking.

3. Lu Impostu — San Teodoro

Adjacent to Cala Brandinchi, same water and sand quality but wider — easier to find space. Booking also recommended in high season. Transparent water, very gradual seabed, good natural juniper shade behind. Family score 10/10.

4. Capriccioli — Costa Smeralda (better for kids 3+)

Two twin coves (East and West) separated by promontory. The water drops slightly more rapidly than at La Cinta, so recommended from age 3 up. White sand, side rocks for snorkelling with mask for older kids. Paid parking (~€15/day). Beach clubs, bar, toilets.

5. Pittulongu — Olbia (very close)

10 minutes from Olbia centre, perfect if you stay near airport/port and want a quick swim with small children. Light sand, shallow water for 15-20 metres, view of Tavolara. Free street parking. Lido Jenny and other family beach clubs. Tip: ideal as "convenient beach" on arrival or departure day, when time is limited.

6. Romazzino — Costa Smeralda (exclusive but family-friendly)

Beach in front of the famous Hotel Romazzino. Whitest sand, transparent water, shallow seabed for first 15 metres. Expensive parking (€10-15/day) and often full by 10:00. Beach club with premium service. Suitable for families wanting luxury + kids mix.

7. Liscia Ruja — Costa Smeralda (the widest)

The longest beach in Costa Smeralda (1 km). Three different beach clubs (Long Beach, Phi Beach, Liscia Ruja Beach). Huge space = always room, even in August. Light sand, shallow water for 15-20 metres. Toilets, showers, snack bar. Suitable for families with multiple kids of different ages because there's space for everything.

8. Spiaggia Bianca — Golfo Aranci

Near Olbia, 30 min by car. White sand, transparent water, gently sloping seabed. Paid parking. Less crowded than Costa Smeralda, perfect if seeking tranquillity with kids. Bar and beach club.

9. Cala Sabina — Golfo Aranci

Small white-sand cove reachable in a few minutes on foot from Cala Sabina railway station (summer tourist train). Incredibly transparent water, shallow seabed for 20 metres. No beach clubs — bring everything (water, sandwiches, umbrella). For adventure-loving families wanting to avoid crowds.

10. Bados — Olbia (closest to centre)

15 min from Olbia centre, white sand, shallow water, perfect for families staying in town. Various beach clubs, restaurants, parking. Olbia city score: 8/10 for families with small kids who don't want to travel too much.

Beaches to AVOID with small children

For honesty: these beaches are spectacular but NOT suitable for kids under 6:

• Spiaggia del Principe: beautiful but access via 200-metre steep trail from dirt-road parking. Difficult with strollers or small kids
• Cala di Volpe (beach): rocks more than sand, deep water immediately
• Cala del Faro: sharp rocks on seabed
• Capo Coda Cavallo / Cala Suaraccia: long dirt-road access only, inconvenient parking for families
• Beaches exposed to North-East during mistral: high waves, not recommended. Always check daily weather

What to bring for the day at the beach with kids

1. Umbrella (even if planning beach club, umbrellas sell out in high season)
2. Plenty of water — kiosks sell water at €3-5/litre
3. Water-resistant sunscreen, factor 50+
4. Wet hat for kids (cooling)
5. Rubber shoes (cove with sharp rocks even where you don't expect)
6. Wet wipes for cleaning sandy hands
7. Protein snacks / fruit
8. Dry change for the car ride back

Recommended vehicle for families

For families touring Costa Smeralda with small children, the most suitable vehicles in our fleet are:

• Jeep Avenger — compact SUV with DCT automatic, raised driving position (better visibility with kids), 380 L boot for strollers, umbrellas and beach bags. Capable of dirt roads to most hidden beaches. Rate: €60-110/day
• Mercedes A-Class 180d — diesel premium compact, motorway comfort for long trips to La Cinta or Cala Brandinchi, sound insulation (kids sleep better in the car). 7G-DCT automatic. Rate: €90-160/day
• Fiat Panda Hybrid — the cheapest (€40-70/day), perfect if travelling with ONE child and minimal luggage. Manual, agile in narrow centres

Child seats

KS Rent Sardinia provides child seats on request with a small daily supplement. Three categories available:

• Infant seat (0-12 months, max 13 kg)
• Child seat (9 months - 4 years, 9-18 kg)
• Booster (4-12 years, 15-36 kg)

Specify number, type and age/weight of children when booking. We can also provide specific accessories (rear sunshade, baby rear-view mirror) on request.

Summary

Costa Smeralda offers extraordinary family beaches, but the right choice depends on the children's age: for newborns and kids 0-3 go to La Cinta, Cala Brandinchi, Lu Impostu (San Teodoro). For kids 4-8 add Capriccioli, Romazzino, Liscia Ruja. For teens 9+ all of Costa Smeralda is accessible with some care. For organised delivery to your hotel/villa with child seats already fitted, contact Francesco and Salvatore Milo via WhatsApp +39 344 6107071.

If you need to plan an entire week, also read our 7-day Costa Smeralda itinerary and the top 7 beaches of north-east Sardinia.