What are the best holidays for kids in Europe?

What to consider when choosing a resort for a family?

Getting the destination right is only part of the equation. The resort, the hotel, the flight times, the transfers — each one shapes the kind of holiday your family actually has. Here's what to keep in mind.

Packing

Travelling with kids means travelling with more. Think about the practicalities of your destination when you pack: sun cream, after-sun, a first aid kit, and any medications your child takes regularly. A small bag of snacks and entertainment for the flight will save you on the journey.

Check your baggage allowance before you travel, as Topflight packages include a generous baggage allowance as standard, so you won't need to squeeze everything into a carry-on.

Flights

Flight time is one of the most important factors for families with young children. Long-haul travel with toddlers is a challenge most parents would rather avoid, and the best family destinations in Europe are all within two to three hours of Dublin.

Direct flights make the biggest difference, with no connections, no dragging bags through a second airport, and a quicker journey from gate to resort. All Topflight family holiday packages include direct return flights from Dublin, with flying times chosen to cause as little disruption to family routines as possible.

Transfers

Once you land, the last thing you want is a long, confusing journey to your hotel. Topflight packages include return direct transfers straight to your chosen accommodation, so there's no navigating local transport or hunting for taxis with tired children.

For families who prefer extra privacy and flexibility, a private transfer upgrade is available for a small additional charge.

Hotel Rooms

Room size matters more than most families realise until they're sharing a standard double with two kids and a travel cot. When booking, look for resorts that offer family rooms, interconnecting rooms, or self-catering apartments, all of which give everyone a bit more space to breathe.

Topflight hand-picks every property and room type in its programme, with each one reviewed and approved before it's offered to customers. Families can book with confidence knowing the accommodation meets a consistent, vetted standard.

Amenities

A pool is usually non-negotiable for families with younger children, but it's worth thinking beyond that. Waterslides, kids' clubs, playgrounds, and on-site entertainment can make a significant difference to how much everyone enjoys their stay, particularly during the slower parts of the day.

Many of the resorts in Topflight's family collection have been chosen specifically because they offer a strong range of on-site facilities suited to children of different ages.

Activities

The best family resorts give kids enough to do without parents having to organise every moment themselves. Think about the age range of your children when choosing a destination. A five-year-old and a fourteen-year-old have very different ideas of a good holiday, and the destinations that work best for mixed-age families are the ones that cater credibly to both.

Italy's Lake Garda, for example, has calm beaches ideal for toddlers alongside watersports, theme parks, and hiking trails that hold real appeal for older kids and teens.

Food & Drink

Food can make or break a family holiday. Children can be particular about what they eat, so it's worth checking that your resort or destination offers real variety. Italian cuisine is famously popular with kids, with pizza, pasta, and gelato covering most preferences, and the majority of resorts in Topflight's Italian programme have on-site dining with menus suited to all ages. Austria is equally strong on hearty, approachable food that children tend to enjoy.

Having Fun

A great family holiday comes down to one thing: did everyone have a good time? The best destinations strike a balance between structured activities and free time, between beaches and culture, and between things that excite the kids and things that give parents a real chance to switch off.

The destinations and resorts in this article have been selected with exactly that balance in mind.

What are the best kid-friendly family destinations in Europe?

Europe has many destinations that work well for families, but a handful consistently deliver the full package. Reliable weather, safe environments, child-friendly infrastructure, and enough variety to keep everyone busy. Here are the top picks for Irish families.

Italy

Italy is one of the most family-friendly countries in Europe, and the food is only part of the reason. The country has a warmly welcoming culture around children, and most hotels, restaurants, and public spaces are well set up for families travelling with young kids.

For Irish families, the northern Italian regions are the sweet spot. Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake, sits at the foot of the Dolomites and offers a remarkable mix of scenery, activities, and resort-style accommodation. The lake's southern shores have calm, shallow waters and excellent beach facilities that suit younger children particularly well. Further north, the lake takes on a more dramatic character, with mountain backdrops, watersports, and hiking trails that appeal to older children and teenagers.

The surrounding area puts families within easy reach of Gardaland, Italy's most visited theme park, as well as Caneva Aquapark and the thermal pools of Parco Termale del Garda. Day trips to Verona, Sirmione, and Peschiera del Garda add a cultural dimension without requiring much effort.

The Venetian Riviera, and Lido di Jesolo in particular, is another strong choice for families. A long, sandy beach stretches for kilometres, the resort is well designed for family stays, and Venice is accessible for a day trip when the children are in the mood for something different. For more detail on planning a family holiday to Lake Garda, including where to stay, what to do, and the best towns to visit, Topflight has a dedicated guide worth reading.

Austria

Austria is a destination that many Irish families overlook in favour of the Mediterranean, and it's worth reconsidering. The Austrian Tyrol is spectacular in summer, with green valleys, clean mountain air, crystal-clear rivers, and a pace of life that feels restorative rather than relentless.

It's a destination that suits families with children aged eight and upwards particularly well. Older kids have the energy to get the most from hiking, cycling, and the outdoor adventure activities that Austria does better than almost anywhere else in Europe. The scenery alone is worth the trip, and the quality of family-focused hotels in the region is consistently high.

St. Johann in Tirol is one of the most appealing Austrian summer resorts for families. Set in the Kitzbühel Alps, it's a charming, walkable town with excellent access to outdoor activities, a relaxed atmosphere, and a strong local hospitality tradition.

Our recommended European kids' holidays

Topflight has been trusted by Irish families for over 50 years. The company is 100% Irish-owned and operated, with offices on Jervis Street in Dublin, and its family holiday programme reflects more than five decades of understanding what Irish families actually need from a trip abroad.

Every resort in the collection below has been hand-picked and approved to meet the Topflight standard, and a 95% customer satisfaction rate backs that up.

Our child-friendly holidays in Italy

Topflight's Italian family holiday programme is centred on Lake Garda and the Venetian Riviera, with a range of accommodation styles to suit different family sizes, budgets, and preferences.

Bella Italia in Peschiera del Garda is the flagship family resort in the Topflight programme. Set right on the southern shore of Lake Garda, it's perfectly positioned for families who want easy access to Gardaland and all the attractions the lake has to offer. Topflight offers several accommodation options within the Bella Italia complex, from hotel rooms and self-contained apartments to bungalows and Happy Camp mobile homes, meaning families can choose the style that suits them best. Pools, waterslides, kids' entertainment, and sports activities are all on site, and the resort works well for children from toddler age right through to teenagers.

Gasparina Village in Castelnuovo del Garda is a strong choice for families who prefer a village-style resort with a more relaxed pace. Also close to Gardaland, it offers a good mix of on-site facilities and easy access to the wider lake area. Nearby, Belvedere Village provides a similar setting with family-friendly facilities and the same convenient location close to the lake's main attractions.

Sisan Family Resort in Bardolino is a thoughtfully designed property that gives families plenty of space and flexibility. Private patios, well-equipped kitchens, on-site pools, waterslides, and restaurants make it a comfortable base, and Bardolino itself is well worth exploring for its weekly market, beaches, and local restaurants.

Garda Village in Sirmione puts families in one of the most beautiful settings on the entire lake. Sirmione's medieval castle, thermal waters, and archaeological ruins make it a fascinating place to be based, and the resort is well suited to family stays throughout the summer.

For families who prefer self-catering flexibility alongside resort amenities, Poiano Apartments in Garda Town provide a solid base. Garda Town's promenade, beaches, and café culture make for easy, enjoyable days out without having to go far. Camping Cisano & San Vito in Bardolino is another option worth considering for families who enjoy a more outdoor holiday experience, with the full range of Lake Garda activities close by.

Ambassador Suite Apartments in Riva del Garda work particularly well for active families. Riva is one of the most spectacular towns on the lake, with a mountain backdrop, excellent watersports, and cycling trails nearby. The apartments offer plenty of space, with hotel facilities available to all guests.

Hotel Majestic Palace in Malcesine is a standout option for families who want hotel comfort paired with an exceptional range of on-site facilities. The hotel has four swimming pools, a tennis court, mini golf, a playground, and volleyball courts, making it one of the most activity-rich properties in the programme. Malcesine itself is one of the most scenic towns on Lake Garda, and the Monte Baldo cable car offers one of the most memorable experiences on the lake for older children and adults alike.

On the Venetian Riviera, Hotel Miami in Lido di Jesolo is Topflight's recommended property for families seeking a classic beach holiday. Lido di Jesolo's long sandy beach is one of the finest in northern Italy, the resort is well set up for families, and Venice makes for an easy and unforgettable day trip.

Our child-friendly holidays in Austria

For families ready to try a different kind of European holiday, Topflight's Austrian summer programme delivers a distinctive experience that stands well apart from a typical sun-and-beach trip.

Sporthotel Austria in St. Johann in Tirol is Topflight's recommended family property in Austria. It's a hotel that consistently delivers on comfort, quality, and the warm hospitality that makes guests feel at home from the moment they arrive. St. Johann in Tirol is one of the most accessible and family-friendly resorts in the Tyrolean Alps, with hiking and cycling trails, open-air swimming, and a relaxed town centre that both children and parents enjoy at their own pace.

As Topflight's own team puts it, Austria is a destination that really comes into its own for families with children aged around eight and older. The outdoor activities, from hiking and cycling to river swimming and alpine adventure experiences, reward children who have the energy and enthusiasm to get stuck in, and these tend to be the holidays that families talk about long after they've come home.