Our top 5 villas in Sicily: An accommodation guide for a beach-front family holiday

Vibrant Sicily is a richly historical island with something for everyone, from those with an interest in exquisite regional Italian food and romantic Baroque architecture to those who harbour a passion for creativity and the arts.

The diversity of Sicily’s landscapes and extraordinary natural beauty also offers something for a variety of travellers. From the dramatic volcanic peak of the world-famous Mount Etna to the black lava stones of Catania, visitors can explore the island’s mountains, sample the ripe produce of its agricultural regions and relax on its splendid beaches.

Sicily is a particular haven for beach lovers, home to secluded sandy coves and dramatic sweeping coastlines, as well as buzzing city beaches suffused with local colour. The variety and warmth of Sicily combined with its wealth of beaches makes this Italian island particularly perfect for family escapes. To help you and your loved ones experience the joys of the Silcilian coast for yourselves, we’ve hand-picked a selection of our favourite beach-front luxury Sicily villas.

Seeking even more family holiday inspiration? Discover magical villas across the Mediterranean ideal for large family holidays.

Sicily family holidays: Our favourite child-friendly beach-front villas

Sea-front swimming pools, garden gate beach access, daily maid service, al fresco living… these enchanting Sicilian beach-front villas have everything you need for a truly relaxing family holiday with kids.

1. Crossing The Rock

This elegant villa is set right on the seafront on the east coast of Sicily, a short drive from Catania in the peaceful fishing village of Santa Maria la Scala. The small town is home to bustling fresh fish restaurants, a pretty harbour and a sprinkling of bars and shops, making our villa Crossing The Rock the perfect place to enjoy a slice of Italian life by the ocean.

With easy access to Santa Maria la Scala’s bathing platforms, guests can enjoy lazy beach days or admire the sea views from the villa’s gorgeous pool. Adventurous families will particularly love this villa, as it is the ideal base for a trip to nearby Etna, the cable car to the mountain being located just an hour’s drive away.

Once within the breathtaking Parco dell’Etna, the enormous national park that allows access to the mountain, there are a host of other ways to explore the landscape from horseback tours and donkey treks to mountain biking. We can even arrange a 4x4 adventure through the challenging terrain or recommend helicopter trips above the active volcano.

Top pick from our Local Concierges: For those with exceptionally adventurous little monkeys, we recommend taking the whole family to nearby Monti Rossi Adventure Park to spend the day swinging through the trees.

After an exciting day out, Crossing The Rock will welcome you back to its beach-front serenity. With five bedrooms, the villa accommodates 10 guests. Daily prepared breakfasts are available upon request, as is an in-villa cook. Entirely fitted out with multimedia devices including a Sonos sound system, the villa is perfect for keeping your youngsters entertained. The property even includes a children’s play area.

2. Casa dei Gabbiani

The golden sands of southern Sicily’s breach-taking beaches can be glimpsed through the garden gate of our lovely villa Casa dei Gabbiani. Ideal for long days of seaside play, this beach-front villa is the perfect spot for small families looking to relax, boasting a large sea-view outdoor pool, a heated indoor pool, al fresco areas, a fire pit and a barbeque. Indulgent services are on hand for parents in need of pampering while their kids play - simply ask us about in-villa massage and beautician appointments, and we would be happy to arrange a bespoke service for you.

The beaches on Sicily’s southern coast are said to be the most beautiful on the island. After exploring the spiagge on Casa dei Gabbiani’s doorstep, guests can easily visit more of the local coastline. Some of the best beaches for families in southern Sicily are within easy reach of the villa and include:

• Marina di Modica

• Sampieri

• Portopalo di Capo Passero

• The beaches at the Vendicari Nature Reserve

The stunning Baroque towns of the Noto Valley make a fascinating day trip north from Casa dei Gabbiani. Children will particularly enjoy sampling the locally crafted chocolate of Modica and exploring via the sweet little tourist trains that wind through this picturesque region.

3. Ai Faraglioni

A family holiday in this remarkable 10-person villa on Sicily’s striking northwestern coast is certain to be an unforgettable experience. Located between the Golfo di Castellammare and the Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve, Ai Faraglioni is a 45-minute drive from the splendid city of Palermo. The bustle of the city, however, is a world away from Ai Faraglioni, which sits on the same rocks that comprise some of Sicily’s most scenic coastal stretches. From the gates of the villa, guests will find themselves on the warm stones of the seafront, staring out over the transparent waters of the Mediterranean.

Aside from the beach and Ai Faraglioni’s magical infinity pool, young visitors will enjoy the area’s traditional puppet theatres (there are five in Palermo alone), Palermo’s spooky Capuchin Catacombs, the dinosaurs lurking at nearby Carini’s Bioparco di Sicilia and the beautiful Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve, just five minutes’ drive from the villa.

The villa itself includes plenty of fun for younger guests, with a full range of multimedia technology and easy sea access. It also boasts just as many luxuries for adults, including a steam room and hot tub. A cook, maid service and many other relaxing extras are available, allowing you the rest and respite you deserve on a family holiday. Contact our team and we would be happy to help you arrange your perfect stay.

4. Baia dei Turchi

This Think Exquisite villa’s seven bedrooms sleep up to 13 guests, offering luxurious accommodation for the entire family. Located 30 minutes’ north of the beautiful city of Syracuse on Sicily’s east coast, Baia dei Turchi’s verdant grounds and sparkling infinity pool appear to stretch out into the Mediterranean Sea. A pebble beach lies a two-minute walk from the villa, perfect for active youngsters who will also love the villa’s table tennis table. Adults and teenagers, on the other hand, will enjoy the gym, sauna, steam room and hot tub. Additional services, from cookery classes to massages, can easily be arranged by our team of experts.

If you’re interested in some ideas for adventures a little further afield, we recommend:

• The incredible Mount Etna, which lies just one hour away by car and features endless opportunities for exploration on horseback, donkey, mountain bike or 4x4 (take a peek at our recommendations in the sections above for more information).

• The stones of the dramatic Latomia dei Cappuccini in Syracuse, which are particularly brilliant for exploring.

• The Archimedes and Leonardo Museum in Syracuse, which is full of inspiring inventions and activities. There’s even a dedicated section for younger children.

• Taking in some Ancient Greek theatre in Syracuse. Some plays are performed in the amphitheatre at the staggering Archaeological Park of Syracuse, which is not to be missed in its own right.

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5. Isola Blu

Just a 15-minute drive to Syracuse, Isola Blu sleeps six guests and offers stunning views across the sea to the ancient Sicilian city and the looming Mount Etna.

With a panoramic outlook from its enviable location right on the coast, the grounds of Isola Blu seem to lead out into the sea itself. The spectacular view from the villa’s huge swimming pool is truly unforgettable, and the little ones will enjoy spending hours splashing around in it. For a swim in even wider waters, the beaches of Punta Carrozza and Spiaggia del Minareto are just a five-minute walk away. A range of local restaurants are no more than 20 minutes away on foot, with even more incredible Sicilian cuisine, culture and children’s activities to be found a short drive away in the heart of Syracuse.

Curate your Sicilian coastal escape

We would be delighted to help you create your perfect beach-front family holiday in Sicily, incorporating everything from easy access to beautiful beaches and unforgettable adventures on Mount Etna to special in-villa treats, like Italian cookery lessons for the little ones. Share Sicily’s magical coastline and rich culture with the whole family and instill a love for travel in your children that will last a lifetime. Our team of experts will take care of all the little details, making your family holiday truly effortless - after all, parents deserve to be looked after every now and then as well.

Please contact our team for more details on how we can help you plan your next family-friendly holiday to Sicily.