From boat trips on Lake Garda to zip-wiring in Wales, readers share their favourite family-friendly breaks in Europe. Lake Garda gave one family one of the most memorable and unexpected holidays yet. They hired a car and headed from Milan to Unesco-listed Peschiera del Garda, staying in a family-focused Airbnb apartment. A gentle 15-minute walk to lakeside restaurants and gelaterias, it was the perfect base for exploring the town. Highlights included Gelateria la Romana, a boat trip to Sirmione, and the cable car up Monte Baldo for views of paragliders.
The Åland Islands, between Sweden and Finland, are an unsung and surprisingly sunny gem. One family stayed with a baby and toddler in a simple cabin with private beach, boat, sauna and barbecue. The capital Mariehamn is easy to explore with kids, and while there are few attractions, the focus is on nature and Scandi simplicity. Cabins and ferries can be booked at visitaland.com.
Another reader took eight people from four generations in a campervan from Portsmouth to Saint-Malo, heading to Bénodet in Brittany. The weather was warmer than Cornwall but not as hot as the Med. At Port de Plaisance campsite, they found water slides, natural swimming pools, sports, and nightly karaoke. The sandy beaches have lifeguards, making them great for all ages.
Es Grau in Menorca offers a simple, local routine. One family spent their time kayaking, sea swimming, and playing soccer on the municipal pitch, barely using their hired car. Sailing in Salcombe, Devon, provided children with skills that laid foundations for a lifetime; they graduated to RYA instructor level and became Atlantic sailors.
Bluestone national park resort in Pembrokeshire is a firm favourite. One family booked four bedrooms for four nights for £540 in May. The resort offers a pool, zip lines, guided ebiking, forest walks, and soft play areas. Golf buggies whizzed them between lodge and activities. The Netherlands also offers family-friendly credentials, with Madurodam miniature park, the railway museum in Utrecht, and Linnaeushof playground near Haarlem.
