Ogliastra with kids: beaches and activities for families

Ogliastra is a place where children genuinely thrive. It's not the usual coast of beach clubs packed one against the next: here there are beaches with shallow, clear water, caves to explore, trains from another era and farm stays where you can touch the animals with your own hands. I live here and I often help the families I host discover this land: in this guide I'll tell you which beaches and activities work best with young children, and which small precautions make all the difference.

One advantage for those staying with us: Villa Pelau has a fenced garden, and for a parent that means being able to lower your guard for a moment while the kids play safely — a luxury you really feel on holiday.

Family beaches: shallow water and sand

With children the rule is one: shallow water, sand and easy access. The three I recommend most often are these.

Cea and Orrì are by far the most practical: fine sand, a seabed that slopes gently for metres and metres, facilities nearby. They're perfect for anyone with small children who wants a day without worries.

Su Sirboni is a marvel, and the water here is shallow too. But a word of warning: the access requires a short walk (about five minutes each way), which in the hot hours with very young children — or those who can't yet walk well — can become demanding. If your children can handle the stroll, it's absolutely worth it; otherwise, better Cea or Orrì. You'll find all the details in the guide to Ogliastra's beaches.

Kid-friendly activities, beyond the beach

The beauty of Ogliastra is that the fun doesn't end on the sand.

For older children there are easy hikes: short, scenic trails that become a little adventure without tiring them out too much (some ideas in the trekking guide). And for young future climbers, Ogliastra is a natural gym: there are simple climbing routes, safe and ideal for starting out — I cover them in the climbing guide.

The Su Marmuri Cave at Ulassai is one of the experiences children remember most: the path inside is easy, so even the youngest handle it well. The only effort is the access stairway, and you should factor in the interior temperature (around 11°C, even in high summer): bring a sweatshirt. Opening times, prices and tips in the Su Marmuri guide.

Then there's the Green Train, a vintage tourist train that crosses landscapes you'd never see from the road: for children it's pure magic. It departs from Arbatax, runs seasonally, and tickets on the Ogliastra stretch cost around 12 euros for adults and 6 for under-16s (always check the current calendar and schedules before setting off).

Finally, the farm stays: here it's not a show — children get hands-on contact with the animals and understand where what they eat comes from. It's the activity I recommend when it's too hot outside for the beach.

My practical tips, as a host and a parent

The point I insist on most is the sun. In Ogliastra, on the beach, it's very strong: in the hot months there's a risk of overexposing children. The solution is simple — go to the beach early morning or late afternoon, and always a hat, a t-shirt and high-factor cream. Devote the central hours to shade, a farm stay or the cave.

On when to come: every season welcomes families well, but if you can choose, June and September are ideal — warm sea, fewer crowds, more manageable temperatures. You'll find the month-by-month detail in the guide on when to visit Ogliastra.

And if you're staying with us, remember that the villa's fenced garden is the perfect place to let the children run off steam at the end of the day, together with the jacuzzi, in complete safety, while the grown-ups can watch over them as they rest.