The Best Family Holiday Summer Destinations in Europe

Whatever your family enjoys doing on a summer holiday you can find it in Europe. With 44 countries to choose from, you have your pick of epic mountains, beaches, oceans, lakes, theme parks, restaurants, museums and more.

The hardest part is choosing where to go. So, we are helping you out and giving you our favourite European destinations to help you relax, bond and enjoy your time together, so you just focus on creating everlasting memories.

Top Summer Holiday in Europe Destinations for Families

1. Reykjavik, Iceland

For the family that loves natural wonders and doesn’t want to stay in one place, then we suggest a week in Iceland. Starting in Reykjavik, you can tour the island easily, either by car or as part of a tour group. Iceland highlights include:

Geothermal Parks
Volcanoes
Glaciers
Caves
The famous Northern Lights

2. Rhodes, Greece

For the perfect family bonding holiday, visit the Greek island of Rhodes for a sailing adventure on the Aegean Sea. The crystal waters and natural beauty are simply breathtaking.

The excitement begins when you board and continues as the fresh sea air passes through your hair. The exhilaration never truly ends as you recount your sailing stories of finding hidden bays at home decades later.

Boat the Globe has a fantastic itinerary for exploring the 150 km of coastline, as well as details on renting a yacht.

RentaBoat and BorrowaBoat are also good for sourcing aquatic transport.

3. Morzine, The French Alps

Does your family love to cycle? Kids as young as 5 can have an absolute blast biking through the French Alps. In summer, ski resorts because adrenaline-fuelled bike tracks.

Alpine Elements organises biking holidays for the whole family in Morzine. Their hotels and chalets include “inhouse Kids Clubs (4-17yrs) and evening entertainments“.

In addition to biking, you can enjoy:

Whitewater rafting
Paddleboard
Hiking

4. Palma, Mallorca

Combine beach days and day trips for a great family summer holiday in Palma, Mallorca. Playa de Palma is 5km long, so you won’t have a problem finding a spot close to the warm Mediterranean Sea. Mix up your relaxing days with day trips to:

Palma Aquarium
Aqualand Waterpark
Caves of Drach
Palma Cathedral

5. Sagres, Portugal

Master the waves together in Portugal and visit between April and November.

Family Surf Co has 6 surfing hotels, ranging from luxury to chic to casual. Our top pick is 4-star Memmo Baleeira because it offers many water activities, including diving, windsurfing, yoga and dolphin watching boat trips.

Its surfing school is operated by the Freeride Surf School, and all equipment is included in classes.

We also love this hotel because it is located near a lighthouse, once thought to be the edge of the world and a 15th-century fortress built to scare off pirates. Cool!

Wherever you choose to stay, make sure the equipment is included, the hotel is either located close to the ocean or consists of a free bus transfer, and the surf school has the correct safety certification to teach.

7. Disneyland Paris, France

If you or your children are Disney obsessed, plan a summer break to Disneyland Paris and discover the magic first-hand. It’s a short trip from the city of Paris and super easy to reach via taxi, bus and train.

In 2022, Disneyland Paris will be celebrating its 30^th Anniversary!

The theme park is made up of 2 parks – Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. Each is full of rides, shows and attractions, plus Disney themed restaurants. Non-stop Disney 24/7.

To enjoy the whole experience at a reasonable pace, with some expected queuing, plan at least 3 days here.

Disneyland Paris has 6 official Disney hotels, but there are many more non-Disney ones on the outskirts, which provide scheduled bus transfers for free to and from the park.

8. Antalya, Turkey

Turkey is a super child-friendly country and has hundreds of resorts throughout the country, many offering direct access to beaches and golf courses.

For a wonderful summer holiday, visit Antalya and stay at the Limak Lara Family Resort, one of our absolute favourite destinations. The city has a rich history, golden beaches, a famous waterfall and spectacular mountains nearby.

The whole family will enjoy exploring the Old Town’s cobbled streets, eating sugary Turkish treats and admiring the unique Ottoman and Roman buildings. Everyone will be amazed by the 40-metre cliff where the gushing Lower Duden Waterfall connects land and ocean.

The kids will love stepping back in time at the antique theatre Termessos and meeting ancient gods at the Antalya City Museum.

For more information about Antalya, read some of our other posts:

9. London, England

For a bustling city holiday for the family, head to London, England.

You will never run out of things to do in London. It is jam-packed with activities like the Natural History Museum and Science Museum. Plus, it has Buckingham Palace, where your children can imagine being a prince/princess and the Tower of London, a knight or prisoner if they so wish.

Madam Tussauds Wax Museum and London Zoo are also popular attractions for children. Don’t forget a stop at Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studios for HP fans; it’s a little out of the city, but London transport is very easy to use and affordable.

The final unmissable activity in London is a show at the West End. Wicked and The Lion King are fantastic!

Where ever you visit for your next family summer holiday, we hope you make plenty of memories and stories to share!

Also, planning a winter holiday? Check out our post ‘Turkey for a Winter Holiday’!