Top 7 Best European Adventures for Families with Little Ones
Going for a vacation with little kids in tow might not seem appealing for some parents. But being able to experience and share the wonders of the world makes it well worth it. If you are thinking of taking your little ones for a much-needed break, consider going to Europe. It is vast and beautiful, home to stunning destinations that are very friendly to families.
Family Holidays in Europe
From majestic parks to fantastic museums and refreshingly affordable food, these are the top European countries that are very welcoming to families with little kids.
- Italy
With its stunning Mediterranean coastline and incredible ancient ruins, not to mention the gelatos and pizzas, there are so many reasons why Italy is a favourite destination for families with kids. But since Italy is vast, you may need to choose only a few places to visit, depending on how much time you have.
Florence and Rome are two of the most popular cities in Italy for families. In Florence, you can admire the incredible art installations at Uffizi Museum, climb the famous Duomo to admire the amazing city views or attend a pizza and gelato making class. And, If you prefer to explore Rome, you should take the little ones to the Colosseum and walk along the famous Spanish Steps. Go on a rickshaw tour all over the city and make a stop at the Vatican and Sistine Chapel. No matter how old your kids are, Italy offers plenty of fun activities waiting for you to do.
- Switzerland
Whether you’re heading to the Swiss Alps for skiing and hiking adventures or exploring vibrant cities and incredible museums, Switzerland can be a magical destination for family holidays, especially if your little kids love the great outdoors. Here’s a perfect 4-Day Vacation in Switzerland which is great for kids!
Start your adventure at the Swiss capital of Bern. Here, take the kids on a wonderful ride at the Gurten Funicular for 360 views of the city and the Alps. In summer, take the kids to play at the Gurten playground, conquer the mountain’s scenic hiking trails, or go camping at the best campsites in the area. Enjoy fun winter activities at the ski resort of Interlaken set between the stunning lakes of Thun and Brienz. Alternatively, visit the Valais region, home to family-friendly ski resorts of Saas-Fee and Zermatt. This is also where you’ll find Matterhorn, Switzerland’s most iconic landmark. This gorgeous craggy peak has excellent child-friendly amenities, including snowboarding facilities.
Explore Zurich, the largest city of Switzerland, if you don’t want to travel too far from the big cities then there are also quality camping options in Zurich. You can take your little kids to Zurich Zoo, where they can have a close encounter with ponies, pigs, and pygmy goats. Or better yet, explore the city’s best museums, including the Zurich Toy Museum and Aathal Dinosaur Museum.
- Ireland
Ireland offers stunning scenery, rich history, a laid-back atmosphere, and friendly locals who are very welcoming to families with kids. Massively rural and diverse in its landscape, the Emerald Isle looks like it’s straight out of a postcard, with captivating lakes, adrenaline-inducing cliffs, rolling countryside, and several miles of sandy beaches.
Dublin is a great base for your family holiday to Ireland. Home to enchanting castles, including the infamous Malahide Castle, it’s the perfect destination for families who love history. The Newbridge House and Farm are also worth checking out, with its incubators filled with fluffy chicks, offering fun activities like animal feeding and a state-of-the-art playground.
If your little ones have plenty of energy to burn, take them to Sugarloaf Mountain in Wicklow. It’s pretty walkable with kids, plus there’s an adventure park at Cara Lara and scenic walks at Glendalough. Discover the southeast as well. Enjoy a trip to Dunbrody Famine Ship in Wexford and the Nore View Fold and Heritage Museum in Kilkenny. You might also want to make a stop at the Cashel Folk Village, which features a reconstruction of various traditional thatched villages. Check out our favourite places to visit with kids on the west coast of Ireland.
- Iceland
Iceland is, no doubt, one of the world’s most stunning places that even the most cynical kids will be enchanted and intrigued. Boasting dramatic landscapes of glaciers, forests, volatile geysers, lava formations, and waterfalls, Iceland is a vast natural playground and an ideal destination for families with curious kids.
To ensure that you’ll see everything that Iceland has to offer, hire an SUV perfect for Iceland, to take the family to all the interesting places in the country. Begin your journey in Reykjavik, the country’s capital city and home to the Saga Museum, where you can trace Iceland’s Viking history. Conquer the Golden Circle Circuit, which includes the Gullfoss waterfall, the geysers and Thingvellir National Park set around Iceland’s largest lake.
Top Places to Visit in Europe with kids
After a day spent exploring Iceland’s natural attractions, take your little ones for a dip in a geothermal pool. You will find numerous hot tubs and pools around Reykjavik. Head to the Laugardalslaug thermal baths and pools in the Laugardalur Valley. It’s the largest outdoor swimming pool with an 86m waterslide, steam baths, mud baths, and massage facilities.
- Spain
Spain is a classic family holiday destination, yet, it’s a country that you never get tired of visiting over and over again. With endless stretches of sandy beach, countless rocky coves, and fantastic seaside resorts, it’s not surprising why Spain attracts millions of visitors per year, and most of these are families with little kids.
Spain offers tons of things to do for families. Explore Andalucia in the south, a beautiful region home to the beautiful cities of Granada, Cordoba, and Seville. Travel southeast to the province of Alicante, where you’ll find Costa Blanca, a popular destination for families, thanks to its soft sands and warm seas. Discover the charming city of Valencia in Spain’s eastern province and have a taste of authentic paella. But the biggest draw here, especially for families with kids, is the City of Arts and Sciences. It’s a stunning building complex designed by Santiago Calatrava and is home to a performing arts centre, opera house, science museum, planetarium, and a cinema.
Take time to visit the north-eastern region of Catalonia, especially the bustling city of Barcelona. It’s an ideal destination for kids who appreciate arts and architecture, as it’s home to the grandiose Sagrada Familia and several modernist landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudi. Barcelona is full of great playgrounds for kids – find our favourite playgrounds for kids in Barcelona here.
6. Croatia
If you’re looking for stunning scenery but also a family friendly location – Croatia is a perfect choice. From stunning waterfalls to epic blue waters to underground caves – Croatia is a beautiful country that kids will love to explore. Croatia is a great place to try out more adventurous things for kids such as snorkelling, sailing and watersports but also you can introduce them to history through visiting the Roman amphitheatres. Croatia’s beaches aren’t sandy but they are beautiful with crystal clear water. Croatia has some stunning waterparks too. Istralandia is a water park is located in Novigrad in Istria and has slides to entertain kids of all ages. There is a wave pool, a 27m monster slide, a variety of slides for kids young and old and pools of all shapes and sizes! You could also try a Croatia Cruise. On board,there is a wave pool, a 27m monster slide, a variety of slides for kids young and old and pools of all shapes and sizes!
And if you want to explore this incredible country in style, you can do so on an extraordinary Croatia cruise. Taking you to some of the most popular destinations throughout the country, from Split to Dubrovnik, you’ll get a taste of the culture and can discover the picturesque scenery whilst enjoying all of the incredible amenities onboard!
7. Slovenia
Slovenia is a family friendly getaway that’s a perfect destination for a relaxed time away. Slovenia has stunning lakes to swim in, waterfalls and national parks that make a fantastic day out. Slovenia is a green paradise for hikers in the Summer and a winter ski resort to rival the Alps. The best thing about Slovenia is the stunning lakes you can swim in and the relaxed feel to the country. Try visiting one of the many caves to understand why Slovenia feels like the land of fairy tales. Venture into the world of dragons, knights and mysteries, and discover the history behind the stunning cave underworld at Postojna Cave Park. Take a unique train and enjoy a cave adventure. Uncover the secrets of the knight Erazem of Predjama – his ghost still lives in Predjama Castle. Plus Ljubljana is one of the most chilled out capital cities there is! Stroll along the river, taste the fabulous ice cream and Pizza (it’s just good as Italy’s) and enjoy wandering the pedestrianised city, families will love the traffic free time to explore!
Have you tried any of these fun family destinations for kids? Where’s your favourite place to holiday with kids?
