Getting away during the school summer holidays is one of the year’s real pleasures — but the trip works best when you pick somewhere with plenty to keep the kids busy while giving Mum and Dad a bit of proper down time too.
From Croatia to Spain, here are 6 European holiday resorts that the kids will love.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 10 of the Best Family Resorts in Europe
European Holiday Resorts That Are Family Friendly
When you’re planning a family holiday, you want somewhere that ticks all the boxes: family-friendly accommodation, food the kids will actually eat, sun, pool, activities for the children — and maybe a few treats for the parents too.
Here are some brilliant family resorts around Europe worth considering for your next trip.
#1. Sun Gardens Dubrovnik, Croatia
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The Sun Gardens Dubrovnik is a very child-friendly resort, with a beach and gorgeous views over the Elaphiti islands, not far from Dubrovnik itself. It offers both self-catering options and hotel rooms with a balcony or terrace.
Facilities include three outdoor pools (two for families, one adults-only), a Sports Centre with gym, three clay tennis courts and a squash court, and a shopping promenade. For children there’s a Sports Academy with football, tennis, water polo and basketball for 7–15 year-olds, plus a kids’ club with games and activities. Babysitting services are also available.
In summer, a hotel boat runs to Dubrovnik (around 30 minutes away), with other trips to nearby islands and destinations on offer if you fancy exploring beyond the resort.
#2. Delphina’s Le Dune Resort, Sardinia
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Delphina’s Le Dune Resort has plenty to offer, with accommodation designed for families with children. Its dedicated kids’ entertainment area, Village Fantasia, is perfect for entertaining young guests, complete with a play area, swimming pool, and a “Fort Crock” cowboy-themed fort.
With clubs available for all ages, there’s also a dedicated restaurant for younger guests attending the Baby and Mini Club. Some of the vegetables and eggs served come directly from the resort’s own organic garden and aviary, collected by the children themselves.
At Le Dune you’ll find multiple restaurants and a homemade ice cream shop, several swimming pools (with some reserved for children), a castle area for the youngest guests with creative workshops, games, cinema and a nap room with cots and bottle-feeding facilities, plus a wide range of free sports and activities including five-a-side football, tennis, basketball and archery.
#3. Efteling World of Wonders, The Netherlands
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If you’re after something a little different for your family holiday, Efteling could be the perfect destination. Located about half an hour from Amsterdam, Efteling World of Wonders is a theme park with rides ranging from rollercoasters for older kids to the enchanted Fairytale Forest, where you can wander among giants and trolls.
Efteling Theme Park Resort offers a few different accommodation options:
- Holiday Village Efteling Loonsche Land – set in the heart of the ‘Loonsche Land’ nature area, with a hotel and cosy holiday houses, a restaurant for breakfast and dinner, play equipment for children, and a small animal enclosure. It’s about a 20-minute walk to the theme park entrance.
- The Efteling Hotel – less than a 5-minute walk from the theme park, with themed suites such as The Sleeping Beauty Suite or The Flying Dutchman Suite. Kids even get their own check-in desk. Stays include theme park access.
- Holiday Village Efteling Bosrijk – set in the woods of Brabant within walking distance of Efteling, this spacious holiday village spans varied landscape from dunes to dense woodland, with luxurious, atmospheric houses to stay in.
#4. Daios Cove Resort, Crete
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Not only is Daios Cove Resort breathtakingly beautiful, this 5-star resort’s activities for kids and parents alike make it a strong choice for a family holiday in Greece.
Babies and toddlers can be looked after in a supervised crèche club with qualified nursery staff, while older children can join a well-equipped children’s club, with friendly, multilingual staff on hand for games and activities.
Daios is genuinely geared up for families, with a child-friendly beach, pool games, an outdoor playground, children’s menus and high chairs at restaurants, toys for indoor and outdoor play, and babysitting services.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: Family Holiday to Greece at the Sani Resort Halkidiki
#5. Pine Cliffs Resort, Portugal
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Portugal is a great destination for a family holiday — many families return again and again.
Pine Cliffs Resort in the Algarve has picked up several awards over the years for being one of Europe’s leading family resorts, and it’s easy to see why: an array of watersports, a tennis academy, a junior club for 8 to 13 year-olds, and a pirate-ship-themed kids’ village for children aged 6 months to 8 years.
The resort is close to Falésia Beach, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal. You can reach it via a scenic walkway and panoramic elevator leading down to a private area reserved for resort guests.
#6. Playa Andaluza Beach Resort, Spain
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The Playa Andaluza Beach Resort in Estepona has plenty to offer families, with a choice of spacious rooms with a kitchenette or apartments with a living room and full kitchen, all with balconies.
The family-friendly resort has several pools, including an indoor pool, and sits beside a sandy beach for when you fancy a change from the pool. There’s plenty for kids to do, with a kids’ club, play area, sports courts, a teen zone with table tennis, pool and air hockey, and daily activities.
There’s also a spa for a bit of parent pampering while the kids are occupied, plus babysitting services if you need them. With restaurants, a bar and a shop on site, you might be tempted to stay put — but there’s plenty nearby too, including Roman ruins, the Alcazaba, the Picasso Museum, historic towns, shopping, dining, watersports and golf.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 10 More of the Best Family Resorts in Europe
Choosing the Right Resort for Your Family
Every family has different priorities on holiday. Some want a kids’ club that gives the grown-ups a proper break; others are after a resort with easy beach access and gentle pools for younger children. Before booking, it’s worth checking:
- What age ranges the kids’ club or crèche caters for.
- Whether babysitting needs to be booked in advance.
- What’s included in the room rate versus what’s an extra cost.
- How far the resort is from the airport, and what transfer options exist.
A little research before you go makes it much easier to relax once you’re there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a family-friendly resort?
Look for a resort with a genuine kids’ club (not just a token play area), family pools separate from adult-only areas, children’s menus, and babysitting services if you want the occasional evening to yourselves.
Are these resorts suitable for babies and toddlers?
Several of the resorts above have crèche facilities or baby clubs for very young children, but age ranges and availability vary by resort and season, so it’s worth checking directly with the resort before you book.
Do family resorts in Europe get busy in peak summer?
Yes — school-holiday season is peak time for family resorts across Europe, so book accommodation and any activities or clubs as early as you can if you’re travelling in July or August.
Is it worth paying more for an all-inclusive family resort?
It depends on your family. All-inclusive can take the stress out of budgeting for meals and drinks, but it’s worth comparing against a self-catering or half-board option if you’d rather cook some meals yourselves or eat out locally.
Related Articles
- 10 of the Best Family Resorts in Europe
- 10 More of the Best Family Resorts in Europe
- Family Holiday to Greece at the Sani Resort Halkidiki
Before You Go
Planning a family trip takes a bit of legwork, but it’s worth it for a holiday everyone enjoys. Save this list of resorts for when you’re ready to book, and keep browsing MyKidsTime for more family travel ideas.
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