Beautiful European family in sunhats standing on mountain against a wavy sea

5 European holiday destinations perfect for families

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Something we love doing is exploring new places as a family. There’s something about turning up to a new city, ready to explore everything it has to offer. If you’re looking for some inspiration, you’ll find 5 great European holiday destinations for families in this post!

1. London, United Kingdom

I had to start with our very own capital city… London. Over the years, we have been so many times and it’s such a good family-friendly destination. Whether you’re going for a day trip, a summer holiday or for a weekend, there is so much for kids of all ages to do. 

Buckingham Palace

So many people want to see where the King lives, especially on their first trip to London. One of the great things about Buckingham Palace is that you can walk up to the gates to have a look if you don’t want to pay to see some of the inside. During the summer months, we have been able to go into Buckingham Palace’s gardens, and it’s a lovely way to spend some time in London if you can get tickets. 

Natural History Museum

For most children, the Natural History Museum is a great place to spend either half or a full day. This museum is free but you do need to book tickets online. 

Discover Covent Garden

This is one of my favourite areas on London as there’s so much going on. Take some time to look around the market, watch the street performers and have lunch at one of the many restaurants. Covent Garden is also nearly many of London’s theatres so it’s a good place to go before seeing a show. 

The Tower of London

If you’re looking for a full and educational day out in London then the Tower of London is a great place to visit as a family. This is one of those historical landmarks that you cannot miss and it’s great for history buffs. Be sure to visit the Crown Jewels in the morning as the queues can get quite long later in the day, especially during school holidays. 

Stroll around Kensington Gardens

Being in London doesn’t mean you can’t have some great outdoor adventures. Kensington Gardens is one of the best places to spend time in one of London’s green spaces. The gardens are free to visit and to walk around, but you’ll need to pay extra if you want to visit Kensington Palace. This is a great place to have a picnic or feed the ducks, so particularly nice for younger children. 

A view of the beautiful Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in London.

2. Brno, Czecha (Czech Republic)

Although lesser known than the Czech capital of Prague, Brno is a fantastic destination for families. Flights are fairly cheap and only takes a couple of hours, with short transfers to the city center. Brno is a small city but there’s loads to do for families. 

The Cabbage Market

The ‘Cabbage Market’ is a highlight, where you can sit by the gorgeous fountain, take in the views and sample some of the local produce. 

Explore the labyrinth under the market

If you’re travelling with older kids, they might be interested in a tour of the labyrinth underneath the Cabbage Market. You can find out about the history of the labyrinth, what it was once used for and why it stopped being used. 

Ossuary at the Church of St. James

Another great option for older kids is the Ossuary at the Church of St. James. Here, you’ll find the remains of over 50,000 people. There are three burial chambers to explore, with printed guides available from the ticket desk. 

Beat the Astronomical Clock

At 11am every day, you have the chance to beat the Astronomical Clock. A marble will be released however, there are 4 holes that it could come out of. People wait at the clock early to be able to try their luck at one of the holes. 

Discover Špilberk Castle

Špilberk Castle is a must if you’re in Brno. It’s a slight walk up a hill but it’s worth the effort. Even if you don’t want to go in the castle, you’ll get some amazing views of the city. 

Castle Spilberk Brno city slow moving clouds captured just from castle turn public light on going from blue hour to night time with colored sky and clouds.

3. Paris, France

Having been there ourselves recently, Paris is the perfect option for a short family break. You can travel either by flying or take the Eurostar, which is our preferred method of transport for Paris. Although Paris offers a really large range of activities for families, I’ve picked out a few of my favourites:

Visit Disneyland Paris 

While staying in the heart of the city is great, you could also opt for a day or two at Disneyland Paris. Stay on-site and make the most of magic hours, or save money by staying off-site. No matter where you stay, you’ll have a blast meeting Mickey Mouse, going on as many rides as possible and eating some delicious Mickey shaped snacks. 

The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower should be at the top of your list, especially if it’s your first time visiting this city. You can buy tickets online but plan in advance as tickets to the top can sell out quickly. 

Hot chocolate at Angelina Paris

This is a bit of an extravagance and something I really wanted to do on our trip. Angelina Paris is very popular and while you can’t book, you can queue up outside and wait for a table. The hot chocolate is an acquired taste for sure but the cakes and patisserie is worth visiting for. 

Discover some smaller museums

Paris is great for having a range of kid-friendly museums to choose from, some of them free or discounted for children. I particularly liked the Museum of Modern Art and the National Museum of the Modern Ages (Cluny Museum).

Happy family of three, mother, father and little toddler boy, having picnic in Paris near the Eiffel tower

4. Relax on one of the many Greek Islands

European cities might sound like they’re all quite tiring, but they don’t have to be. There are many Greek Islands to explore, each offering something different. 

Crete

If you’re looking for a bit of variety for your holiday then Crete could be the island for you. Along with sandy beaches, you’ll also find the Palace of Knossos, the port at Chania, as well as many restaurants to enjoy. Children will love visiting the CretAquarium and the Natural History Museum.

Corfu

For somewhere more suited to a family trip, try a holiday to Corfu. This is one of the best Greek Islands for the whole family where you’ll get a mix of exploring the great outdoors, eating ice cream and taking part in walking tours. You’ll also be able to have some down time on the beach, building sandcastles and dipping your toes in the sea. 

Palaiokastritsa village in Corfu

5. Enjoy an all-inclusive holiday on the Canary Islands

I personally love all-inclusive holidays, especially as a family. When you’re travelling as a family, sometimes you want to be able to lay back and know that everything is taken care of. The Canary Islands of Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote are some of the best family holiday destinations with something for everyone. 

Great weather

One of the best things about visiting the Canary Islands is that the weather is nice for most of the year. The temperatures are hotter in the summer but during spring and autumn, you can expect warm weather. This is a great way to introduce younger children to these kinds of holidays without it being too hot.

Make the most of kids clubs

Most all-inclusive resorts offer some kind of kids club during the high season, which is roughly May to August (check with individual hotels). This is a great way for children to make friends and have fun, but also for adults to have some relaxing time for themselves.

Try new foods

Sometimes, one of the tricky things with family travel is finding food that everyone likes. The great thing with an all-inclusive holiday is that there are so many different kinds of food on offer each day. Children will be able to try new things if they want to, or stick to what they know if they’re not feeling too adventurous. 

Take some day trips

All-inclusive resorts generally tend to offer day trips or excursions, especially if you have booked as a package holiday. This gives you easy access to some of the local sites, kid-friendly attractions and water parks, depending on your location. It’s always nice to know that transport to and from an attraction is generally included and you know exactly what you’re paying for. 

Teresitas Beach in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

Tips and things to remember

Hire a car!

No matter where you’re travelling to in Europe, getting a hire car can be a great idea. Some destinations might only need a day or so of exploring before you’re ready to move on to your next top. Auto Europe is a great place to look for your next rental car. You can compare offers from national and international suppliers, giving you the best options for your European family adventure.

Check the luggage allowance

Before committing to flights or package holidays, be sure to check the luggage allowances on flights. Cheap European holidays might mean airlines charge a lot for luggage, especially if you want to take 22kg cases with you. It’s also a good idea to check the size of your cases and bags, to ensure they fit as hand luggage for whichever airline you decide to fly with. 

Pack light where possible

If you’re looking to travel on a budget, one of the easiest ways to keep costs down is to travel light. Maybe you’re planning on a weekend away, or a few nights during the school holidays. If this is the case, you might be able to get away with only flying with hand luggage. If you can, you’ll open up so many possibilities for cheap flights to European destinations with airlines such as Wizz Air, Ryanair and Easy Jet.

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