Getting away for a break during the school summer holidays is a real pleasure, but you want to make sure the place you pick has plenty of options for keeping the kids entertained while giving Mum and Dad some much-needed down time.
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 to stay somewhere that ticks all the boxes: family-friendly accommodation, good food the kids will actually eat, sun, a pool, activities to keep everyone busy, and maybe a treat or two for Mum and Dad as well.
Here are six family resorts around Europe worth checking out.
#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 a gym, three clay tennis courts and a squash court, and a shopping promenade. For the kids there’s a Sports Academy with football, tennis, water polo and basketball for 7–15 year-olds, plus a Marco Polo kids’ club with activities and games. Babysitting services are also available.
In summer, a hotel boat runs to Dubrovnik (around 30 minutes away by boat), with other trips to nearby islands and destinations if you fancy venturing 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 built for keeping young guests happy, with a play area, swimming pool, Indian reservation and “Fort Crock”, a cowboy fort.
There are clubs available for all ages, plus the Peter Pan Restaurant for guests of the Baby and Mini Club. Vegetables and eggs are collected directly from the resort’s own organic garden and aviary by the children themselves.
Le Dune Resort has 10 restaurants and a homemade ice cream shop, 6 swimming pools (two reserved for children), the “Duneland” castle for younger guests with creative workshops, a games area, cinema, soft play area, dining area and a nap room with cots and a bottle-feeding preparation area, 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 might be the perfect fit. Located just 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 walk among giants and trolls.
Efteling Theme Park Resort offers several accommodation options:
- Holiday Village Efteling Loonsche Land – set in the heart of the nature area “Loonsche Land”, with a hotel and cosy holiday houses. There’s a restaurant for breakfast and dinner, play equipment for children and a small animal pen. From reception, 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 20 enchanting theme suites such as The Sleeping Beauty Suite or The Flying Dutchman Suite. Kids get to check in at their own special reception desk, and all stays include theme park access.
- Holiday Village Efteling Bosrijk – set in the woods of Brabant, within walking distance of Efteling, this spacious holiday village covers around 16 hectares of varied landscape, with luxurious and 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 range of activities for kids and parents makes it a real winner for a family holiday to Greece.
Babies and toddlers are looked after in the Crèche Club by qualified nursery staff, while older kids can check in at the well-equipped Children’s Club, where friendly, multilingual staff run games and activities.
Daios is geared up for families, with a child-friendly beach, pool games, an outdoor playground, children’s menus and high chairs at all restaurants, toys for indoor and outdoor play, and babysitting services.
You may also enjoy: Family Holiday to Greece at the Sani Resort Halkidiki
Planning your trip? Grab our Ultimate Family Holiday Checklist, designed by parents to make getting ready for your next family holiday that bit easier.
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#5. Pine Cliffs Resort, Portugal
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Portugal is a great destination for a family holiday — our family has visited twice and enjoyed both trips.
The Pine Cliffs Resort in the Algarve has picked up multiple industry awards over the years, including recognition in Condé Nast Traveller’s “Gold List” and the World Luxury Hotel Awards.
It’s easy to see why it’s a leading family destination, with an array of watersports, the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy, a Junior Club for 8 to 13 year-olds, and the Porto Pirata Kids’ Club with its lifelike pirate ship and children’s village for ages 6 months to 8 years.
The resort is close to Falésia Beach, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal, accessed via a scenic walkway and panoramic elevator leading 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 4 pools, including an indoor pool, and sits beside a sandy beach if you fancy a change from the pool. There’s plenty for kids, with a kids’ club, play area, sports courts, a teen zone with table tennis, pool and air hockey, and daily activities.
There’s a spa for a little parent pampering while the kids are occupied, and babysitting services are available if needed. 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What should we look for in a family-friendly European resort?
Look for resorts with dedicated kids’ clubs for different age groups, child-friendly pools, family accommodation options (like connecting rooms or apartments with kitchenettes), and babysitting services so parents can get some time to themselves too.
Are these resorts suitable for babies and toddlers?
Several of the resorts featured, including Daios Cove and Le Dune Resort, offer dedicated crèche or baby club facilities with qualified staff. Always check directly with the resort about age ranges and availability before booking.
Do these resorts work well for mixed-age families?
Yes — most of the resorts featured have separate clubs or zones for different age groups, from babies right up to teenagers, so everyone in the family should find something to enjoy.
Is self-catering an option at these resorts?
Some resorts, such as Sun Gardens Dubrovnik and Playa Andaluza, offer self-catering rooms or apartments alongside standard hotel rooms, which can suit families who prefer more flexibility with meals.
Related Articles
- 10 of the Best Family Resorts in Europe
- Family Holiday to Greece at the Sani Resort Halkidiki
- 10 More of the Best Family Resorts in Europe
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