Looking to spend the summer relaxing on the beach, but bring your kids along too? Avoid over-crowded, tourist-filled beach destinations and opt for these perfect beaches where you can relax, stress-free, and the whole family can enjoy the sun! The perfect destinations from small children to adults of any age, these best family beaches will make your summer holiday one to remember! With Renfe-SNCF in Cooperation’s new high-speed trains from Spain to France, you can visit any of these beaches with none of the travelling stress! Sit back, relax, and enjoy the family fun!
Marseille
Panoramic view of Notre Dame beach
With its charming old port, the close proximity of beaches, and delightful Mediterranean weather, spending the day at the beach in Marseille is an easy choice!
At the Plage de la Pointe Rouge, this soft, sandy beach is perfect for children and families. The ocean shelves the sand gently, making shallow and warm waters, perfect for young children and beginning swimmers. Showers and lifeguards are provided during the summer, as well as paddle boat rentals to relax out on the water! Visit the Plage des Catalans for clear blue waters and volleyball courts and play a game with the whole family!
Be sure to see these 10 places you can’t miss in Marseille!
Narbonne
Family in Narbonne Beach - © Narbonne tourisme
Known for its absolutely stunning sunsets, the pinks and oranges reflecting off the water in the beaches in Narbonne, France are caused by the wind and sun concentration the salt solutions.
Visit the parc naturel regional de la Narbonnaise to see 800 square kilometers of islands, lagoons, and vineyards, in addition to 50 kilometers of beautiful, sandy beaches. Explore the scenic nature with a guided bike tour, where children and families can receive discounts. The wind is a bit breezier, making it perfect for windsurfing for older children and adults, but the beautiful views and pleasant temperatures will make a perfect day at the beach for anyone!
Visit Narbonne, France’s secret Riviera!
Tarragona
Tarragona coast and Roman amphitheatre
With 15 kilometers of crystalline waters and sandy coastline, Tarragona is one of Spain’s best cities for visiting the beach! Renowned for its golden, sandy coast, the region is aptly named “Costa Daurada,” or Golden Coast, in Catalan.
The sand is smooth, soft, and won’t stick to you- perfect for little kids playing on the beach! Swimming in the water is perfect from June to September, thanks to the mild climate. The coves and beaches of Tarragona and its Costa Daurada slope gradually, and are long, so wading and shallow swimming is not risky at all. You can stroll the beaches or lay out in the sun nearly all year long- be sure to check out Tamarit Beach where over 80 different species of birds have been spotted! Some of the Golden Coast’s highlights include the cove of Platja dels Capellans or the more sprawling Cala Fonda.
See what else to do while in Tarragona!
Costa Brava
Santa Cristina beach, Costa Brava
Stretching for more than 60 kilometers along the coast between Spain and France, this paradise of beaches begins just one hour north of Barcelona. There are beautiful beaches for everyone- visit Aigua Blava Beach, for a perfectly calm, tranquil, somewhat secluded beach where the waters are clear and clean, and the sand golden. Or visit a similarly small beach, Llafranc, which is located away from tourists but close to restaurants and cocktail bars, an easy escape for a family! For the more adventurous families, or perhaps those with older kids, there is Illa Roja Beach, with coarse sand and somewhat rocky surroundings located in a beautiful cove, which is accessible via a walkway that connects the beach of Sa Riera with Rincon de Pals Beach. Continue your journey along the Mediterranean Coast while vising Costa Brava!
