Getting away during the long summer holidays is one of the highlights of the year, but a family break only really works if there’s plenty to keep the kids entertained too — and maybe even a little down time for Mum and Dad.
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, good food the kids will actually eat, sun, a pool, plenty of activities — and maybe a treat or two for the grown-ups as well.
Here are some brilliant family resorts to check out around Europe.
#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 offering 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), with other 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 has accommodation designed with families in mind. Their dedicated kids’ entertainment area, Village Fantasia, is perfect for younger guests, with a play area, swimming pool, an Indian reservation-themed zone and a cowboy fort called “Fort Crock.”
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, and children can help collect them.
Le Dune Resort has 10 restaurants and a homemade ice cream shop, 6 swimming pools (two reserved for children), a “Duneland” castle for younger guests with creative workshops, a games area, a cinema, a soft play area, 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 like something a bit different for your family holiday, Efteling could be the perfect fit. Located around half an hour from Amsterdam, Efteling World of Wonders is a theme park with rides for older kids and the enchanting Fairytale Forest, where you can walk 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 and a small animal enclosure. It’s around 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 – nestled in the woods of Brabant, within walking distance of Efteling, with luxurious holiday houses spread across a large area of dunes and woodland.
#4. Daios Cove Resort, Crete
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Daios Cove Resort is a stunning 5-star resort in Greece, and the range of activities on offer for kids and parents makes it a real winner for a family holiday.
Babies and toddlers are cared for in the Crèche Club, staffed by qualified nursery professionals, while older kids can join the well-equipped Children’s Club, with friendly, multilingual staff running games and activities throughout the day.
Daios is genuinely 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
Getting ready to go? Before you head off, it’s worth having a good packing checklist to hand — it makes the job of getting the whole family ready so much easier. Take a look at our Ultimate Family Holiday Checklist for a handy head start.
#5. Pine Cliffs Resort, Portugal
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Portugal is a wonderful destination for a family holiday — a firm favourite with plenty of Irish and UK families year after year.
The Pine Cliffs Resort in the Algarve has picked up a string of accolades over the years for family-friendly travel, including recognition in Condé Nast Traveller’s ‘Gold List’ and the World Luxury Hotel Awards.
It’s easy to see why it’s such a popular family destination, with an array of watersports, the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy, a Junior Club for 8–13 year-olds, and the Porto Pirata Kid’s Club, complete with a lifelike pirate ship and a large children’s village for guests aged 6 months to 8 years.
The resort sits close to Falésia Beach, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal, accessed via a scenic walkway and panoramic lift 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 offers families 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 4 pools including an indoor pool, and sits right 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, and babysitting services are available if you need them. 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a European resort genuinely family-friendly?
Look out for family-specific pools, kids’ clubs with age-appropriate age groups, children’s menus and high chairs, babysitting services, and outdoor play areas. Resorts that separate family and adults-only spaces (like family pools versus adult pools) tend to work well for everyone.
Are these resorts suitable for babies and toddlers as well as older kids?
Several of the resorts above, including Daios Cove and Le Dune, have dedicated crèche or baby club facilities staffed by trained childcare professionals, as well as separate clubs for older children and teens. It’s always worth checking the minimum age for each club directly with the resort before you book.
Do family resorts like these offer childcare or kids’ clubs I can rely on?
Most large family resorts run supervised kids’ clubs with qualified staff, though exact hours, age groups and included activities vary by resort and by season. Always check the current details directly with the resort before travelling.
How far in advance should we book a family resort holiday like these?
Popular family resorts, especially over the summer school holidays, tend to book up early. If you have specific dates in mind, it’s worth checking availability and current rates directly with the resort or your travel provider as soon as you can.
More Family Travel Ideas
If this has you dreaming of your next trip, you might also like:
- 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
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