Getting away for a break during the long school summer holidays is a real pleasure, but you want to make sure the place you pick has plenty of options for entertaining the kids as well as 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 for all ages, and maybe a treat or two for Mum and Dad.
Here are some family resorts around Europe worth checking out.
#1. Sun Gardens Dubrovnik, Croatia
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The Sun Gardens Dubrovnik is a genuinely 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 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), and there are other trips to nearby islands and destinations 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 is perfect for keeping younger guests happy, complete with a play area, swimming pool and themed play zones.
With clubs available for all age groups, plus a dedicated restaurant for younger guests, there’s a lot on offer here. A nice touch: some of the vegetables and eggs served come directly from the resort’s own organic garden and aviary, often collected by the children themselves.
At Le Dune Resort you’ll find multiple restaurants and a homemade ice cream shop, several swimming pools (including ones reserved for children), a dedicated kids’ area with creative workshops, a games area, cinema, soft play and a nap room with cots, 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 always look for something a bit different for your family holiday, Efteling might be the perfect destination. 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 little ones can wander between giants and trolls.
Efteling Theme Park Resort offers a few different accommodation options:
- Holiday Village Efteling Loonsche Land – set in the heart of the nature area “Loonsche Land,” with a hotel and cosy holiday houses, a restaurant for breakfast and dinner, play equipment for children, and a small animal pen. It’s around a 20-minute walk from the theme park entrance.
- The Efteling Hotel – just a few minutes’ walk from the theme park, with themed suites such as The Sleeping Beauty Suite or The Flying Dutchman Suite. Kids even get to check in at their own special reception desk. Stays include access to the theme park.
- Holiday Village Efteling Bosrijk – set in the woods of Brabant, within walking distance of Efteling, this spacious holiday village covers a varied landscape of dunes and 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, but this resort’s range of activities for kids and parents alike make it a strong choice for a family holiday to Greece.
Babies and toddlers can be looked after in a supervised crèche club, while older kids can check in for fun at a well-equipped children’s club, where friendly, multilingual staff keep them entertained with games and activities.
Daios is set up with families in mind, 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
Don’t miss our Ultimate Family Holiday Checklist, designed by parents to make getting ready for your next family trip that little bit easier.
#5. Pine Cliffs Resort, Portugal
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Portugal is a great destination for a family holiday – my own family has visited more than once and enjoyed it every time.
The Pine Cliffs Resort in the Algarve has picked up a number of accolades over the years, including recognition as one of Europe’s top family resorts and mentions 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 its array of watersports, a tennis academy, a junior club for 8 to 13 year-olds and a pirate-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 reach it 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.
This family-friendly resort has several pools, including an indoor option, and sits beside a sandy beach for when you fancy a change from the pool. There’s plenty for kids to enjoy, 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, 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 I look for in a family-friendly European resort?
Look for resorts with a genuine kids’ club (not just a play area), age-appropriate activities, family pools separate from adults-only ones, children’s menus, and babysitting services if you want the occasional evening out with your partner.
Are these resorts suitable for very young children?
Several of the resorts above, including Le Dune Resort and Daios Cove, offer crèche or baby club facilities for children as young as a few months old. Always check current age ranges and staff-to-child ratios directly with the resort before booking.
Do these resorts work for a mix of younger and older kids?
Yes — most of the resorts featured split their kids’ clubs into age bands, so toddlers, younger children and teens each have activities suited to them, which is ideal if you’re travelling with a spread of ages.
Is it worth booking a resort with a theme park attached, like Efteling?
If your kids love rides and storytelling as much as sun and pool time, a resort like Efteling can be a great option, since it combines theme park access with family accommodation on site.
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
Not ready to book just yet? Save this article and come back to it when you’re comparing options, or browse our other family travel ideas for more inspiration on where to go next.
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