As a family, it can be difficult to decide which European country you want to visit first! You want to minimize the stress, you need it to work within your budget, and — above all – you want ensure that your kids will have fun and want to go back. While every country will bring something special to your family vacation, some are more family-friendly than others. These are our top European Destinations for Family Travel:
Best For All Ages:
Italy
Italy has an extremely child-friendly culture, making it a great place to take your toddlers and young kids. They’ll be welcome in restaurants and cafes. There’s plenty of room for them to run and explore in piazzas, parks, beaches, and castles. And the food will delight even the pickiest eater. Tweens and teens will enjoy Italy’s iconic sites, stunning beaches, great shopping, and incredible museums. The older kids will be able to appreciate Italian culture and beautiful art as they adventure throughout the country.
[Photo Credit: R via Shared Adventures – read about their family vacation in Italy here!]
UK & Ireland
Both these countries are great for families of all ages. The tweens and teens will recognize lots of places that feature in media, films, and TV. They’ll love the shopping and sites from Castles to Great Halls. All ages will delight in high tea and the younger kids will have plenty of wild nature to run around in. Being English-speaking countries, these are also great starting points if you haven’t traveled much as a family before.
Greece
Like Italy, Greek culture is very child-friendly. You don’t have to worry about the noise your littlest ones are making, as they are welcome in all aspects of life. The cuisine varies from simple meats and veggies for toddlers and young kids, to new and exciting flavors for the more adventurous. Older kids will be fascinated by Athens and the ancient Greek ruins, as they see their history lessons come to life. And everyone will be in awe at the beauty of the islands.
[Photo Credit: Saara Sanamo via Unsplash]
Best for Toddlers
Malta
Life in Malta is slower and you can travel at a more comfortable pace with your toddler. This small island nation packs a punch but not so much that you feel you need to rush around and see it all. There are stunning beaches, cute little towns and interesting architectural sites. This is a great place to have a relaxing family vacation.
Portugal
Known for its welcoming locals and positive attitudes around kids, your toddler will be more than welcome in all the hotels and restaurants. The flight from the US is relatively short and the weather is usually sunny.
[Photo Credit: Vita Marija Murenaite via Unsplash]
Spain
With an extremely child-friendly culture, your toddler will be welcome everywhere. There will be children playing around the terraces at restaurants and the locals won’t mind one bit. There are lots of child-friendly places to visit, and adults can enjoy the activities with their kids. The beaches are stunning and the pace of life is easy.
Best for Young Kids
Prague
One of Europe’s most picturesque cities, Prague offers stunning architecture, rich history and a less expensive family adventure. It’s a great choice for young kids because of the huge variety of activities. From interesting museums to nature walks, cool bridges and lots of family-friendly parks. Prague is a perfect city stay for young families as it gives you a classic European city vibe but it is more tranquil and less crowded than other better-known cities.
Norway
Perfect for young kids who love the outdoors. It’s one of the safest countries in the world and has superb air quality. There are world-class playgrounds, open-air museums, and lots of beautiful nature to enjoy. Young kids love taking cable cars up the mountains and enjoying easy hikes through incredible landscapes.
[Photo Credit: Juliane Lieberman via Unsplash]
Copenhagen
With beautiful views, canals, and colorful houses, Copenhagen will delight your little ones. There are lots of green spaces to enjoy in the summer. And plenty of kid-friendly attractions, including the famous Tivoli Gardens. There are great bike tours and long daylight hours perfect for young kids.
Best for Tweens & Teens
Germany
Super family-friendly, tweens and teens will enjoy the fun and charm of Germany. There are fabulous museums and impressive cathedrals. You’ll find stunning Castles and sprawling gardens. Older kids will be able to enjoy the museums, architecture, and history of the country. And transportation from place to place within the country is easy on their train system.
France
Home to some of the most famous museums, arts, and landmarks, tweens and teens will really be able to appreciate France. They’ll enjoy the food and be able to absorb and understand seeing such a different culture. There’s plenty to do, interesting tours, and amazing foodie experiences. And if they can learn and use a few words of French, the locals will be appreciative!
[Photo Credit: Sabrina via Shared Adventures – read about their mother-daughter trip to London and Paris here!]
Iceland
Best for teens and tweens who love the great outdoors. All the amazing natural beauty and outdoor activities are best suited for older kids who can understand the power of Mother Nature. Older kids can enjoy the more demanding activities like ice caves, glacier hiking, and whale spotting. Plus they’ll be able to relax in the lagoons and thermal baths.
Are you and your family ready to embark on an incredible European Adventure? Let us know – we’ll take care of all the details!
