Europe is one of the most accessible places to travel from North America. With a rich history and multiple cultures and nations to immerse yourself in, you’ll find plenty to keep you and the family busy on the continent.
Sometimes, traveling with a family is stressful. Places need to be easily accessible with accommodation options to suit larger families. We get it, and we’re here to make your travel choices easier.
With that in mind, here are our picks for the best family holiday destinations in Europe:
- London, United Kingdom
- Paris, France
- Northern Lakes, Italy
- Andorra
- Dalmatian Coast, Croatia
London, UK
When we think of London, the London Eye, Big Ben, the Queen’s guards and the city skyline along the Thames River all come to mind. Traveling to London with your family can be all of this and more.
The list of things to do is endless: the British Museum, Tower of London, Buckingham Palance, and a free Science Museum for kids. Children can get creative with their inner mummy at the British Museum’s Egyptian exhibition or pretend to be a Tyrannosaurus Rex in the Natural History Museum.
Always wanted to be a witch or a wizard? There are Harry Potter Walking tours, platform nine and three-quarters at Kings Cross and St Pancreas, and the studio where the franchise was filmed—just a 40-minute Shuttle Bus from the city and a great family day out.
London is a big city, but the underground and an Oyster card makes traversing it easy. It’s tap on and off and most stations have lifts if you’re traveling with a toddler and a stroller. If there aren’t any lifts at your station, a local will probably step in to help get the stroller up the steps.
Paris France
Fancy experiencing the world’s most romantic city with your most loved group of people? Paris could be your next travel destination.
Paris provides a pace as slow or fast as you need with plenty of culture, history, and adventure. You’ll learn a bunch about Parisian and European art at The Louvre, Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris, Montmarte, and Arc de Triomphe. If you’d like to know more about the important people of the ages, a guided tour will provide you with detailed real-life events from history.
The late dinner may take some adjusting to but it is worth the wait! The cuisine in Paris is unforgettable. Just imagine the renowned cheese, wine, and bread as you take in the cityscape. And if you’re adventurous, frogs legs or escargot (snails).
If you’re on a budget, baguettes, excellent cold cuts, and cheese aplenty are just as delicious from the market. Why not enjoy a picnic near the base of the Eiffel Tower or along the famous Champs-Élysées.
If this doesn’t excite the kids enough, Euro Disney is a short 40 minutes by train away. It’s the only Disneyland in the world where you can enjoy an alcoholic beverage with your meal. Santé! (Cheers)
Northern Lakes, Italy
Ready to experience charming waterfront villages tucked away in the dramatic Dolomites alps? The northern lakes are among the most beautiful places in Italy attracting celebrity guests (including George Clooney) who enjoy their holiday getaways in luxurious mansions.
The lakes don’t have to be expensive if you’re on a budget. There are budget or luxury accommodations to suit your preference. There are many lakes to visit, but the most popular are Como, Garda, and Maggiore. You can enjoy the lake by the shore or on a boat tour.
There’s always more to see because the lakes are enormous, Lake Garda is 32 miles long! When you’re not enjoying the water, the kids will enjoy the world-famous gelato, pizza, and pasta.
The adults can enjoy a wine region famous for its Lombardian prosecco. This region is best to venture by car or train, and it gives you the opportunity to take in the quaint countryside of Northern Italy.
Andorra
Andorra is among the smallest countries in the world at just 293 square miles. Nestled amongst the Pyrenees on the Spanish and French borders lies this tax-free haven. Although its main tourist season is during winter for snow sports, it’s summer season is packed with some serious adventure too.
In winter, you can expect a wonderland of snow bustling with skiers and snowboarders. The Grandvalira ski area has over 130 miles worth of runs making it one of the largest ski areas in the Pyrenees. For those families who haven’t yet seen snow, there are plenty of options to learn how to ski on beginner slopes.
In summer, there are mountain activities such as biking and hiking. Not a fan of the outdoors? Andorra is a tax-free nation which means duty-free shopping. A popular shopping destination, Andorra has all the luxury and mid-range brands at tax-free prices.
Both the language and cuisine are Catalan which is typical of the north-eastern Spanish region. The kids will love the Catalan Canneloni. The area is well-connected with an international airport attracting both budget and major European airlines.
Dalmatian Coast Croatia
Fancy yourself sailing along the Adriatic sea while the kids dive into sparkling blue waters? The Dalmatian Coast is a 3,600 mile stretch along the shoreline from Split to Dubrovnik. It has historic towns, islands, caves, beaches and limestone cliffs to explore and delight in.
The main towns are Split, Hvar, Korčula, and Dubrovnik. The easiest places to start your travels are in Split or Dubrovnik, which are well connected with major European airlines. Split is the larger population-wise between the two, but Dubrovnik is the typical tourist hop-spot.
The best way to travel and adventure between different destinations is by sea. It’s a reasonable price to hire a yacht and a skipper for a few days and explore the Adriatic Sea first-hand. If you’re on a budget, it’s effortless to travel by boat in a group.
There are tours to see the blue cave from Split or experience the taste of Dalmatia with food and wine at Stari Grad on Hvar island. In Korčula you’ll find dense rainforests and quaint towns. There is something for everyone on the long sunny Dalmatian Coast with endless itinerary options for you and your family.
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