Sicily has to be one of the most family-friendly destinations. Italians tend to welcome children with open arms and will not hesitate to accommodate your needs at restaurants with high chairs and children's menus. You'll also see many other families out for the evening stroll or passeggiata and children falling asleep in buggies late into the evening. 

The Pelagie Islands, the most southern islands in Italy, are reached from Sicily. For those looking to go the extra mile, they have a lot to offer families with kids; there is plenty to see and do. Lampedusa is the largest of the three Pelagic Islands (the others are Linosa and Lampione), and it lies about 200km south of Sicily. Technically closer to Tunisia than Italy Lampedusa has made headlines in recent years as Italy's main port of entry for refugees from Africa and the Middle East, with tens of thousands of migrants arriving mostly from Libya and Tunisia. Despite this uncomfortable political reality, the island is surrounded by stunning aquamarine waters and a marine reserve protects the island's southern shores. The permanent population stands at around 6300 and this more than trebles in the summertime. In winter transport connections are cut back and almost every hotel and restaurant shuts down.

The island's main tourist attraction is its beaches, mainly along the 11km stretch on the south coast. Spiaggia dei Conigli or Rabbit Beach is the most famous beach at Isola dei Conigli; a dreamy secluded bay lapped by shallow, turquoise waters. Lampedusa is the most accessible Pelagie Island for family tourism, which is why the island is far busier than its little sister. Firstly, because the island is small, so the transfer from the port or airport is super fast. The beaches are all sandy and with a sloping seabed. Secondly, you can choose between wild or exceptionally equipped beaches, and they are all easily accessible with a very short walk after you've parked up. Having a car on holiday with children though is priceless, so we recommend you hire one. Probably the most educational and fun thing to do with children on the island is to visit the turtle sanctuary. It opens its doors each day from 1700-1900 to talk to groups about their project. Everything is for free; all only they ask is for a small donation. In terms of beaches, try Cala Croce. Its one of the most beautiful and easily reached by car, you can park on the road and from there go down a few steps to the white sand beach! There are also two reasonably priced restaurants on this beach for lunch. 

Linosa is smaller than Lampedusa and even further from most people's urban life. If you are travelling with kids here, then you should be aware of some practical concerns. Firstly, there are less than 30 streetlamps on the island and when the sun goes down, the isolation encompasses the island. Also, internet connections and access to ATM are limited. Finally, there is a different perception of time here, life runs at a different pace. For example, sometimes the sea conditions will not allow boats to leave and you could potentially be stuck on the island for an extra couple of days, local people are used to this way of life but as tourists, you have to adapt to this. So when booking, be aware of these things and factor it into your plans. If this hasn't put you off, then Linosa can be an extraordinary place to visit with children, as you immerse them in nature and sealife. There are loggerhead turtles, which you can maybe catch a glimpse of at night, emerging from their eggs into the sand and making their maiden voyage into the sea. There are also beautiful scents of flowers and wild herbs all over the island. If your children are interested in space, then this island is a celestial paradise. 

Ferries to the Pelagie Islands 

On the NetFerry booking site, you'll find many ferries to Lampedusa and Linosa from Porto Lemperdocle on mainland Sicily. Check out our website for the latest deals, timetables and information on ports and ferry operators. 

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