Getting away during the school holidays is a real treat — but the right resort makes all the difference. You want somewhere that keeps the kids entertained and happy, while still giving Mum and Dad a chance to relax.
From Croatia to Spain, here are 6 European holiday resorts that the kids will love.
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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, sunshine, a pool, activities to keep them busy, and maybe a treat or two for the grown-ups as well.
Here are some family resorts worth considering around Europe.
#1. Sun Gardens Dubrovnik, Croatia
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The Sun Gardens Dubrovnik is a genuinely child-friendly resort, with its own beach and lovely 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, clay tennis courts and a squash court, plus a shopping promenade. For the kids there’s a Sports Academy offering football, tennis, water polo and basketball for 7–15 year-olds, and a kids’ club run by childcare specialists with games and activities. Babysitting services are also available.
In summer, a hotel boat runs to Dubrovnik (around 30 minutes away), and there are trips to nearby islands if you fancy a change of scene from the resort.
#2. Delphina’s Le Dune Resort, Sardinia
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Delphina’s Le Dune Resort is built with families very much in mind. Its dedicated kids’ entertainment area is perfect for keeping younger guests busy, with a play area, swimming pool, and themed play zones for imaginative games.
There are clubs available for all ages, along with a dedicated restaurant for younger guests. A nice touch: some of the resort’s fresh produce is grown on site, and children can get involved in collecting eggs and vegetables from the resort’s own garden and aviary.
Le Dune Resort has multiple restaurants and an ice cream shop, several swimming pools (including ones reserved for children), a dedicated kids’ castle area with creative workshops, a cinema, a soft play area, and a nap room with cots for younger children. There’s also 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 like something a bit different for your family holiday, Efteling might be the perfect destination. Located around 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.
The Efteling resort offers a few different ways to stay:
- Holiday Village Loonsche Land — set in a nature area with a hotel and holiday houses, a restaurant, play equipment for children, and a small animal enclosure. It’s around a 20-minute walk to the park entrance.
- The Efteling Hotel — a short walk from the theme park, with themed suites for families and a dedicated children’s check-in desk. Stays include park access.
- Holiday Village Bosrijk — set within woodland close to Efteling, with spacious, atmospheric holiday houses across a large area of varied landscape.
#4. Daios Cove Resort, Crete
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Daios Cove Resort is a beautiful five-star resort in Crete with plenty of activities for kids and parents alike, making it a strong choice for a family holiday to Greece.
Babies and toddlers can be supervised in a dedicated crèche club, with older kids catered for at a well-equipped children’s club run by friendly, multilingual staff offering games and activities throughout the day.
Daios is well set 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 available.
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#5. Pine Cliffs Resort, Portugal
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Portugal is a great destination for a family holiday — our own family has visited twice and enjoyed both trips.
The Pine Cliffs Resort in the Algarve has a strong track record of family travel awards over the years, and it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular family destination, with an array of watersports, a tennis academy, a junior club for 8–13 year-olds, and a themed kids’ club and children’s village for younger guests from 6 months to 8 years.
The resort sits close to Falésia Beach, one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Portugal, reached via a scenic walkway and panoramic lift leading to a private area for resort guests.
#6. Playa Andaluza Beach Resort, Spain
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The Playa Andaluza Beach Resort in Estepona offers families a choice of spacious rooms with a kitchenette, or apartments with a full kitchen and living room, all with balconies.
This family-friendly resort has four pools, including an indoor option, and sits beside a sandy beach for 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 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, a Picasso museum, historic towns, shopping, dining, watersports and golf.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a family-friendly European resort?
Look for resorts with dedicated kids’ clubs for different age groups, a family-friendly pool (ideally separate from an adults-only pool), children’s menus, and babysitting services if you’d like some evenings to yourselves. A short walk or transfer to a beach or nearby town is a bonus.
Are kids’ clubs usually included in the price, or do they cost extra?
This varies by resort and by season, so it’s always worth checking directly with the resort or your tour operator before you book, rather than assuming it’s included.
Do these resorts suit babies and toddlers, not just older children?
Several of the resorts above, including Sun Gardens Dubrovnik, Le Dune Resort and Daios Cove, have crèche or baby club options for younger children, alongside separate clubs for older kids and teens.
Is it worth booking a family resort rather than a self-catering apartment?
It depends on what your family needs from a holiday. Resorts take the pressure off with organised activities and childcare options, which can mean more genuine downtime for parents — but a self-catering base can offer more flexibility and often works out more affordable.
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
Fancy more family holiday inspiration? Browse our travel section for more resort ideas, family-friendly destinations, and tips for making the most of your next getaway.
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