Family-friendly travel destinations in Europe for 2026

Why travel in Europe with children?

The continent of Europe is very child-friendly. It is practical in terms of accommodation, transport, healthcare, and diversity in landscape. With its many diverse cultures, you and your family can experience many different cultures and expose your children to diverse environments. With its close-knit borders, travelling in Europe also allows you to travel around easily if you choose to make several stops in different countries. It is a great place for roadtrips, or more generally, reaching different destinations in little time. 

With Europe’s rich cultural background and history, every country has its share of diverse attractions that you can visit as a family, suitable for all ages. 

If you experience a flight delay or cancellation within Europe, you may be entitled to compensation. Under the EU261 regulation, you may be entitled to up to 600€ compensation per passenger for unexpected flight disruptions. If this has happened to you, check out our claim calculator below to see if you are eligible for compensation!

What makes a destination family-friendly?

It is not always easy to find destinations that are family-friendly, especially if you are travelling with multiple children. Here are a few elements to consider when booking a family holiday:

• Transportation: If a destination is well connected by public transport, it will make travelling around and visiting attractions much easier.
• Accommodation: It is important to consider accommodation options when travelling with your family. Europe has many resorts and hotels that offer rooms for whole families, facilitating the booking and the organisation once there.
• Safety & Healthcare: Most European destinations tend to be relatively safe for families, ensuring an easy-going trip for you and your family. In case of any emergencies, the provided healthcare is also good and easy to access.
• Dining options: Many European destinations offer family dining options suitable for bigger groups that include children. This will make it easy for you and your family to enjoy a nice restaurant without worrying about being turned away for having children.

Top European destinations to visit with family

Here is a list of our Top 5 European destinations to visit for a family trip.

1. Rome, Italy

Italy’s capital is not only picturesque, filled with history, and has very good food, it is also very accommodating to families. 

Accommodation & Food

It has many family-friendly hotel accommodations, as well as many Airbnb apartments offering multiple rooms suitable for families. In terms of dining out, restaurants are very accommodating towards children (especially infants). They have many menu options that are suitable for younger (perhaps picky) children, and they often have high chairs available. They are also quite willing to put tables together or add chairs to tables when you are in need. 

Transportation

Rome is an incredibly walkable city. You can easily get around the city and see many of the famous attractions by walking there, enjoying the sights and the city. If your children start to get tired, there are many public transportation options, such as buses, trams or metros. To use Rome’s public transport system, you can easily hop on and off the various transports by tapping your credit or debit card at the gates. Children up to the age of 10 travel for free in all ATAC transportation (Rome’s transportation corporation), making it easy for you and your children to travel around. 

Long-term passes are also available, varying from half-days to week-long passes that can be used in an unlimited capacity during the period of purchase. 

Safety & Healthcare

Italy in general has a very developed healthcare system for those who are not residents. Many English-speaking health services are available, ensuring that in the case of emergencies, you will be able to easily gain access to healthcare. If there is indeed an emergency, you can call 118, which is the emergency services, or 112, which is the European-wide number for emergencies. This 112 number will then connect you to a local healthcare provider. Hospitals all have a “Pronto Soccorso” (Emergency Room) in case any member of your family needs it.

Recommendations for family visits

Some must-sees from Rome are naturally the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, or the Villa Borghese gardens that includes a zoo. These offer family tours, perfect for younger kids. The Interactive Gladiator School is also a great activity to do with children, bringing out their inner fighter. There are also many pizza and gelato-making activities that are offered throughout the city, which could be fun to do with your kids.

2. Lisbon, Portugal

If you fancy a bit of sea, sun, and fun, Lisbon may be the place for you and your family. 

Accommodation & Food

Many family-friendly hotels are available, most for reasonable prices. Lisbon offers these in many different neighbourhoods, depending on your preferences. You could be centrally located, or more on the outskirts, in quieter areas. Certain options include kids’ clubs, babysitting services, swimming pools, or big living areas for easy access to your children's bedrooms. Similarly to Rome, Airbnb also offers many family-friendly options, with big apartments in central locations. 

Many restaurants can also accommodate children, including high chairs, space for strollers, and traditional child-approved foods such as hamburgers or pasta.

Transportation

Just like Rome, Lisbon is a very walkable city. If you are planning to get your steps in, walking is a wonderful way to discover the city, However, we understand that with children (perhaps younger ones), walking the steep hills of Lisbon is not always an option. In this case, Lisbon has a wide network of public transportation, most famously the metro. The metro is the cheapest, fastest way to get around the city, with its 4 lines serving most areas. The bus is also a good option to get around the city without a car, and you get to experience the sights and sounds whilst doing so.

To use most public transport in Lisbon, you can use a Navegante transport card which is rechargeable, that you just tap when using transport. Children under 4 can travel for free on public transport, whereas children between the ages of 4 and 12 travel for roughly half-price. You can purchase children’s Navegante cards that they can tap as well. 

If you plan on using public transport a lot, the Lisboa card may also be a good alternative. You get free access to public transport, access to museums and attractions, and you can get discounts in certain restaurants. This reduces the hassle of having to recharge your Navegante cards occasionally, and you can hop on and off transport worry-free. There are 3 available Lisboa Card options: 24-hours, 48-hours, and 72-hours passes. 

Another hassle-free way to get around the city would be to use ride-share services such as Uber, Bolt, or taxis. These ensure that you get to your destination without having to battle crowds in public transport, and it may be an easier way to travel with children.

Safety & Healthcare

EU/UK citizens with international health insurance (EHIC/GHIC) have access to public healthcare facilities (hospitals or health centres) in Lisbon for emergency situations. These are usually affordable or free with the proper documentation. Usually, tourists will favour the private healthcare clinics for shorter waiting times and more English-speaking staff. 

For emergencies, just like the rest of Europe, dialling 112 will connect you to emergency services.

Recommendations for family visits

• Dolphin-watching tours: Our first recommendation is for nature-lovers. Endlessly exciting for both adults and children, watching these gorgeous animals out in the wild are a great way to keep your kids entertained.
• Amphibious sightseeing tour:  Staying in line with the theme of the sea, amphibious sightseeing tours are available. These entail driving around on land to visit some landmarks, but halfway through, your bus will become a boat on the river, making your tour an amphibious tour. This is sure to be an unforgettable experience for your children.
• Oceanarium: Again, in line with the ocean theme, Lisbon’s Oceanarium offers unparalleled views of creatures that dwell in the sea. This massive aquarium will be mesmerizing both for you and your children.
• LX Factory: Visiting areas like the LX Factory is also a great idea for your family, offering fun activities and great food. 

3. Paris, France

Although Paris is not always synonymous with “family-friendly”, it is surprisingly accommodating for families. Indeed, the numerous attractions that the city offers is an incredible experience for you and your children. 

Accommodation & Food

From the list we have compiled, Paris is probably the least accessible for families in terms of accommodation. Indeed, the city is relatively cramped, and finding accommodation for a family with children may prove to be difficult if you do not have a big budget. Most family-friendly hotels and Airbnbs host for up to 4 people. However, if you have a bigger family, certain hotels throughout the city do offer spaces for up to 7 or 8. These include the Hôtel Regina (sleeps up to 7), Hôtel Les Jardins du Luxembourg (sleeps up to 5), Hôtel Vernet (sleeps up to 8) or Pepper and Paper (sleeps up to 5 or 6). These tend to be relatively expensive, so please consider this if you are planning a family trip to Paris.

Many restaurants are very accommodating to children, ranging from casual restaurants (e.g., crêperies) to fancier brasseries that offer high chairs, big tables, and dedicated kids’ food items. We recommend arriving at restaurants close to their opening times to ensure you get a big enough table for your family. This will avoid the tetris moment of having to assemble different tables together in the event that there isn’t a big enough table for you. 

Transportation

The Parisian Metro is the most famous and effective way to get around the city. Although crowded in the mornings and evenings, throughout the day, the metro is a great way to get around the city. It may be more difficult with a stroller, as many of the stations only have stairs. But if you have children who do not rely on a stroller, it is a convenient mode of travel. Beware that during peak hours, it becomes more difficult as the metros get very crowded, and your children have a higher chance of getting lost, so please be careful!

Other ways to travel around Paris include the bus or taxis/car-ride services. All public transport can be used with a Pass Navigo, which can be purchased at any train station or metro station. You will then have to load on some rides, and tap the card each time you get onto transport services. The RATP (Paris transport service) also offers unlimited travel passes anywhere between 1-5 days, for more practical travelling. These passes are half-price for children between the ages of 5-9, and children under 5 travel for free.

Safety & Healthcare

You can access good healthcare in Paris if you or your family are sick, but it will rarely be free. Accessing the GP will usually cost you 30€, and accessing a specialist doctor can cost you upwards of 100€ which can then be reimbursed later if you have travel insurance. You can book appointments on Doctolib, an online scheduling tool for doctors, and you can set your language and medical needs preferences. You can call SOS Médecins if you need urgent non-emergency care, available 24/7. As with the rest of Europe, calling 112 will connect you with the European-wide emergency services, and calling the number 15 will connect you to the SAMU (French emergency medical services). 

Recommendations for family visits

Paris has an incredible museum scene, most accessible for free for under 18-year-olds. If you and your family enjoy cultural outings, there are many museums to choose from, most offering guided tours. 

• Louvre Museum: A Paris must-see located in the 1st arrondissement of Paris.
• Opéra Garnier: Another cultural must-see is the guided tour of the Opéra Garnier de Paris. The 1h30min visit will immerse you in the beauty of French 19th Century architecture. All tickets must be purchased online in advance.
• Bâteau-Mouche: Take a ride on the Seine using one of the Bâteaux-Mouches. These boat rides will give you unprecedented views of the Parisian monuments.
• Disneyland Paris: If you take your children on a 40 minute RER ride to a town called Marne-la-Vallée, your children can experience the magic of Disneyland Paris. This can be a fun experience for people of all ages, but it would be unforgettable for younger audiences.
• Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie: Perfect for the science-y people, you can find in the 19th arrondissement a great place for kids to discover cool science projects.
• Palais de la Découverte: Another science-themed outing which has many great exhibits. On Saturdays and Sundays, there are fun lectures on Chemistry, Physics, and Perfumery, catered to children.
• Paris History Museum: Also a great place to visit as a family, going through what Paris’ history looked like throughout the centuries. The museum even has a playground next door to let your children run around later if needed. 

4. Amsterdam, Netherlands

The capital of the Netherlands is iconic for so many reasons, some of them perhaps not family-friendly. However, Amsterdam is still an incredible place to visit with family. From museums to tulip fields, there are great things to discover with your loved ones.

Accommodation & Food

There are quite a few family-friendly hotels in Amsterdam, offering rooms where you can add extra cribs or beds (usually) for a fee, or request babysitting services if you and your partner want to go on a dinner date, or play areas or toys to borrow. Most of these hotels offer menu items in their restaurants catered to children as well. Although many child-friendly hotels are available, many of these are quite expensive, so be mindful of this when booking. A couple of fun hotels for you and your family include:

• The Amsterdam Farm Lodge: Located in Amsterdam Noord, you can rent apartments with 2 or 3 rooms and experience farm life, where chickens and pigs are happily roaming around.
• Pension Homeland: This is located right on the water, so it’s perfect for visiting during the summer. Family rooms are offered with private bathrooms and an à la carte kids-friendly menu.
• Motel One: This is a more budget-friendly family-friendly option. Cribs and beds for children up to 11 can be requested free of charge. There are multiple locations for this hotel chain, and both are located near fun activities that you can plan with your family!
• Van der Valk Hotel: This hotel offers family rooms for up to 5, with bunk beds available for children, and extra cribs if needed. The restaurant offers plenty of child-friendly options. There is also a spa and pool available, to relax or to splash around in. 

Most restaurants are happy to cater to children, most of them offering food items that are favoured by children. Most restaurants will also have high chairs available, or willingly put tables together if needed. You will also find that many restaurants open relatively early, so there is no worry about needing to wait around in the evening if you want to have an early dinner. 

Transportation

Amsterdam’s main transport system is biking. If you and your family are willing to brave the streets of Amsterdam by bike, you will find it a fantastic and efficient way to get around. Most hotels offer bike rental services. However, for younger children, make sure to see if you can rent a bakfiets (essentially a bike with a built-in cargo where your children can sit). If you do not feel up to biking, you can take metros, trams, buses, or trains to get around. Children aged 0-3 travel for free on all GVB transport (trams, metros, and most buses). Children aged 4-11 can get discounted day tickets (around 5€ per 24 hours). These tickets can be purchased at metro stations or train stations. Adults can either buy day tickets (9,50€), or tap on and off with their bankcards. 

Safety & Healthcare

Healthcare is easily accessible for tourists if needed. Most healthcare practitioners speak English, making it easier for tourists to communicate if needed. 

For non-life-threatening medical needs during the daytime, you should contact local GPs. There are services offering tourist healthcare, such as TouristDoc. They offer consultations in your hotel if needed. There is also a healthcare clinic called Amsterdam Tourist Doctor, located in the centre of the city, offering medical help to tourists. 

For out-of-hours medical needs (night-time), you can contact an out-of-hours GP (huisartsenpost). 

For more life-threatening medical emergencies, as with all European countries, calling 112 will connect you with the European emergency services. For hospital emergency visits, you can go to OLVG (there is one in East and West). 

Healthcare will rarely be free, but if you travel with insurance, you can often claim it back from your insurance later. 

Recommendations for family visits

There are many fun activities to do as a family in the Dutch capital, namely:

• NEMO Science Museum: Located near the central station, this museum explores all manners of science experiments and the scientific world in general, fun for children and adults alike. Children under 3 have free entry. If you do not fancy visiting the museum, you can visit their free rooftop and watch the city from up high.
• Artis Zoo: Amsterdam’s zoo is located in Amsterdam East, and offers children and adults a fun time with exotic animals. Recently, a baby elephant was born, so if you are planning an Amsterdam trip in the near future, make sure you visit!
• Canal Cruise: Amsterdam is arguably most famous for its canals criss-crossing the city. Canal boat cruises are available to discover the city from a new perspective, and it is a great activity to do as a family. Certain companies do themed cruises specifically catering to children, so make sure to check those out too.
• Jeugland, Flevopark: In Amsterdam’s Flevopark, families can build a playground themselves! This is a great activity to do together as a family. A hammer, nails and some planks will be provided to you to start your project. Hammers can only be given to children of 6 years and up. Also included in Flevopark are a petting zoo, some playgrounds, and slides to enjoy, if building is not your thing. This is also a great park to practice biking if you decide to rent some bikes but feel apprehensive about braving the streets.
• Rijksmuseum: Although famous for its priceless art, this museum has found a way to captivate the attention of young children too. Upon request, you and your family can team up and play a digital family game that asks you to solve some mysteries throughout the museum, using the art. If you solve all the questions, you are given a free gift at the giftshop. This is a great way to absorb some culture, as well as enjoy some fun teambuilding with your family.

5. Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland’s capital is a great place for a family vacation, blending indoor and outdoor activities naturally, engaging your children and keeping them entertained in the best ways. 

Accommodation & Food

There are many family-friendly hotels and rentals available in and around Reykjavik. Many hotels offer spacious rooms with multiple beds, suited to families of around 5. Some of these include:

• Reykjavik Residence Hotel: Offering studios or luxury suites with multiple beds, it can sleep up to 6 people, great for bigger families. Cots are available upon request for those travelling with younger children.
• The Sand Hotel: This hotel offers bedrooms and suites that sleep up to 4 (either a 1 King, 1 Queen bed; or a 1 King, 1 Sofa-bed option). All stays at this hotel include breakfast, which is important when you have children, for easy access to food in the mornings to get them energised.
• Tyr Apartments: These are apartments available for short rentals with 1 or 2 bedrooms, centrally located. The 1 bedroom  can sleep up to 4, and the 2 bedroom sleeps up to 6. Cots and cribs are available upon request. These apartments are fully furnished, and offer amenities such as a TV, a well-equipped kitchen, free Wifi and more.

Restaurants are often very family-friendly in Reykjavik. They often have child-approved menu items, as well as high chairs for babies. Restaurants will also be open until around 22:00, and open at around 17:30. However, be mindful that restaurants tend to be very expensive, and therefore it is often recommended to cook food yourself. This will be relatively easy if you book an apart-hotel, where kitchens are well equipped.

Transportation

Public transport in Reykjavik includes a well-developed bus system. However, most visitors tend to rent cars. Indeed, having your own car gives you the freedom to explore beyond Reykjavik, as the city itself is very walkable and does not require much transport. Furthermore, costs for transportation can add up quite quickly. But, if you prefer to rely on their bus system, you can pay for tickets either through your debit/credit card or a Reykjavik City Card. A single adult fare is 690 ISK (4.79€). Children under 11 can ride the buses for free, and children from ages 12-17 pay a discounted rate of 375 ISK (2.61€).

Safety & Health

Healthcare is easily accessible in Reykjavik as a tourist, although those without European insurance will most likely have to pay the full amount upfront. Local health centres (Heilsugæslustöð) provide non-emergency care during normal work hours (8:00-16:00). Outside of these hours, you can go to the after-hours health centre (Læknavaktin). If you need emergency assistance, call 112 and they will connect you with the European emergency services. You can also visit the local hospital for any emergency medical needs (Landspítali Fossvogi). 

Recommendations for family visits

Iceland as a whole has so much to offer in terms of activities and landscape, so it is always recommended to do a road trip around the island. But here are some Reykjavik-specific recommendations for a family trip:

• Whale watching: There is an entire ecosystem of animals to discover off the coast of Reykjavik. Going out to sea to watch whales is a great activity to do with your family, and will provide (hopefully) core memories for your children when they grow up. Most companies offer complimentary tours if no animals are spotted, so make sure to do this early in your trip so that in the case where you miss out, you have time to go again.
• The Lava Show: If you wish to see and feel what lava is like in a controlled environment, the Lava Show in Reykjavik provides this exact experience. You and your family can experience the sounds, sights, smell, and the heat of real flowing lava. You can even take home a piece of hardened lava at the exit!
• Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach: Kind of a geothermal community centre, there are steam rooms, pools, hot tubs, and a beach that you and your family can enjoy all together. This is similar to the Blue Lagoon, but less luxurious and more local.
• Eat!: Ice cream and hotdogs are two main staples in Iceland. Whether it’s winter or summer, locals enjoy these two foods all year round, and you and your family should partake in these traditions! Ice cream and hotdogs also tend to be a favourite amongst children, which is perfect too. 

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a fun family holiday in Europe, we recommend either Rome, Lisbon, Paris, Amsterdam, or Reykjavik. These cities with family-friendly amenities, restaurants, activities, and more are perfect for toddlers or infants to discover. We hope you were inspired by this list and decide to book a holiday in one of these destinations!

Flight delayed?

Have you ever taken a family holiday and had your flight delayed? You may be entitled to compensation. Indeed, under the EU261 regulation, unexpected flight disruptions can be eligible for up to 600€ compensation per passenger! That’s 600€ for you and each member of your family! Make sure to check out our claim calculator below to see if you are eligible for compensation!