Getting away for a break during the school holidays is a real treat, but picking the right base makes all the difference. You want somewhere with plenty to keep the kids entertained, and just enough space for Mum and Dad to get some downtime 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, sunshine, a good pool, activities to keep everyone busy, and maybe a treat or two for the grown-ups as well.
Here are six family resorts around Europe worth putting on your shortlist.
#1. Sun Gardens Dubrovnik, Croatia
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/sun-gardens-dubrovnik-1.jpg
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 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 games and activities. Babysitting services are also available.
In summer, a hotel boat runs to Dubrovnik (around 30 minutes away by boat), with other trips available to nearby islands and destinations if you fancy exploring beyond the resort.
#2. Delphina’s Le Dune Resort, Sardinia
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/le-dune-resort-sardinia.jpg
Delphina’s Le Dune Resort has plenty to offer, with accommodation designed for families. Its dedicated kids’ entertainment area, Village Fantasia, includes a play area, swimming pool, an Indian reservation, and “Fort Crock”, a cowboy fort.
There are clubs for all ages, plus the Peter Pan Restaurant for guests of the Baby and Mini Club. A nice touch: the vegetables and eggs served at the resort come directly from the onsite organic garden and aviary, often collected by the children themselves.
At Le Dune Resort you’ll find 10 restaurants, 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 bottle-feeding facilities. 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
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/efteling-loonscheland-hotel-6-persoons-slaapkamer-1.jpg
If you like something a bit different for your family holiday, Efteling World of Wonders could be the one. Located about half an hour from Amsterdam, Efteling 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 holiday houses, a restaurant, play equipment and a small animal enclosure. It’s roughly a 20-minute walk to the park entrance.
- The Efteling Hotel – less than five minutes’ 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. All stays include theme park access.
- Holiday Village Efteling Bosrijk – set in the woods of Brabant within walking distance of Efteling, spread across varied landscape with dunes and dense woodland, with luxurious holiday houses.
#4. Daios Cove Resort, Crete
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/daios-resort-in-crete.jpg
Not only is Daios Cove Resort breathtakingly beautiful, but this 5-star resort’s activities for kids and parents alike make it a strong choice for a family holiday to Greece.
Babies and toddlers are cared for in the Crèche Club, staffed by qualified nursery professionals working to recognised childcare standards. Older kids can head to the well-equipped Children’s Club, where friendly, multilingual staff run games and activities.
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.
You may also enjoy: Family Holiday to Greece at the Sani Resort Halkidiki
#5. Pine Cliffs Resort, Portugal
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/pine-cliffs-resort-algarve-1.jpg
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 picked up multiple family resort awards over the years and been featured in respected travel guides. It’s easy to see why: the resort offers an array of watersports, the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy, a Junior Club for 8–13 year-olds, and the Porto Pirata Kids’ Club with a lifelike pirate ship and a large children’s village for ages 6 months to 8 years.
The resort sits close to Falésia Beach, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal, reached via a scenic walkway and panoramic elevator leading to a private area for resort guests.
#6. Playa Andaluza Beach Resort, Spain
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Playa-Andaluza-Beach-Resort-pool.jpg
The Playa Andaluza Beach Resort in Estepona offers families comfortable accommodation, from spacious rooms with a kitchenette to apartments with a full kitchen and living room, all with balconies.
This family-friendly resort has 4 pools, including an indoor pool, and sits beside a sandy beach for when you fancy a change from the pool. There’s 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 some parent pampering while the kids are occupied, and babysitting services are available if needed. With restaurants, a bar and a shop onsite, 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, water sports and golf.
You may also enjoy: 10 More of the Best Family Resorts in Europe
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/6-European-Holiday-Resorts-That-the-Kids-Will-Love-–-Mykidstime.jpg
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a family-friendly European resort?
Look for a resort with dedicated kids’ clubs suited to your children’s ages, a family pool separate from an adults-only pool, child-friendly dining options, and some form of babysitting or supervised care if you want the odd evening to yourselves.
Are these resorts suitable for very young children as well as teens?
Most of the resorts featured here have age-banded clubs, from crèche and baby clubs through to junior and teen zones, so there’s usually something appropriate whatever age your kids are. It’s worth checking the age ranges for each club directly with the resort before booking.
Do I need to book kids’ clubs and activities in advance?
Policies vary by resort and by season, so it’s best to check directly with the resort when booking or shortly before you travel, especially during peak summer weeks when clubs can fill up.
Are these resorts good value for families?
Value depends on the season, room type and what’s included, so it’s worth comparing packages directly with each resort or a trusted travel agent before booking.
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
Packing for a family holiday always takes longer than you think. Browse our travel section for more family holiday ideas, packing tips and destination guides to help you plan your next trip.
Don’t Miss Our Weekly Ideas
Want more family holiday inspiration, activity ideas and days-out suggestions delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for the MyKidsTime newsletter for a weekly dose of ideas for the whole family.
