Hi Fodorites, I'm in the very early stages of planning a trip to Sicily in September 2026. Our plan is to rent a villa that would accommodate our 3 generations (6 adults and 4 children aged 6 and under) for a week on or within walking distance to the beach. With small children we'd like easy access to a shallow sandy beach avoiding areas with many steps or steep paths. The possibilities seem endless-east or west coast? A nearby town large enough to have a supermarket, restaurants, etc. would be ideal. We plan to rent cars. At the moment, I'm unsure which airport we'd fly into. We're coming from Canada and I'm assuming we'd connect through Rome or Naples. I believe there is a ferry from Naples so that could be an option as well.
In addition, if anyone can suggest vacation rental agencies that they would recommend that would be great. So far I've looked at vrbo and Sicily Villas for Rent - DiCasaInSicilia Exclusive Collection.
Thanks so much!

There is also a train from Rome or Naples which uses the last train on a ferry connection in the world.

Do you want sand, pebbles or rocks?

Our preference would be a sandy and shallow beach.

Mondello is a good place to look or San Vito Lo Capo

Thanks! I'll have a look at those.

Hii there! Is it your first time in Italy in general? I find it super cute as an idea to go all together and I agree with the choice of destination in any case, south Italy in the beginnings of autumn is absolutely magnificent! I have never booked for that many people so unfortunately I cannot help you with the accommodation. When we went with my sister and her toddler, we stayed at the east coast and the beaches where nice (Marina di Ragusa, in Giardini Naxos many nice beaches as well), I think you will not have an issue finding nice and kids friendly beaches overall. And yes as for the boats, there are from Naples and also for the children and the elderly you can check at FerryHopper if you can get any discounts! But I was wondering, if you want to stay somewhere walking distance from the beach and where there are super markets, restaurants etc nearby, are you sure about the car rental? Although it definitely is much more convenient and highly advisable for Sicily to go around with a car, are you planning on visiting other places or mostly stay in one place?

Thanks so much for your reply. We have all been to Italy a few times (other than the toddlers) but this will be our first time in Sicily. Ideally, I'm looking for something either on the beach or within walking distance and was trying to narrow down locations for my search. It would be great if there were restaurants and a supermarket close by. I understand your question about car rental. We've rented cars in Italy in the past and while we don't plan to do a lot of sightseeing there may be places nearby we'd like to visit if we'd like a break from the pool and beach. We plan to spend a week together and then everyone will go off on their own for another week or so.

I’d recommend that you also post this question on TripAdvisor’s Sicily Forum. The Destination expert, Vagabonda, knows the island like the back of her hand.

Great idea bonvoyage! Will do.

San Vito Lo Capo, as already suggested.
Cefalù also has sandy beaches with various lido's (where you can rent sunbeds and umbrella's) and it's a lively historical city with many restaurants and a supermercato. Can be quite busy in season.
Neighbouring Lascari Marina is less touristy and quieter but the sea is usually rougher than in Cafalù.

Check Castellamare del Golfo, Marina di Noto, San Lorenzo, Pacchino....
If you like some surf, you may check the whole South coast

Mondello is the often crowded city beach of Palermo.

From Rome, you can fly to all 4 airports: Palermo, Catania, Trapani, Comiso. PMO and CTA are connected with many other European cities.
A overnight ferry ride from Naples, Civitavecchia, Livorno or Genoa to Palermo is nice, but more expensive (cabins, food) and more time consuming than a flight

The beach at Marina di Ragusa has a gradual slope into shallow sea. The beach is sandy and there are few foreign tourists (that we noticed). We stayed there last year and liked it.
You need to walk far into water deep enough to swim.

Thanks everyone! I'll check these out. With toddlers we're definitely looking for shallow sandy beaches.