Brilliant Beaches, Amusement Parks and More: Discover Europe’s Top Family Vacations

Whether you’re wrangling a squad of little outdoor adventurers, wee ones filled with wonder for wildlife or kids craving culture (hey, it can happen!), these six spots make for some of Europe’s top family vacations.

As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.

Aveiro, Portugal

While Portugal has become the go-to European vacation destination in recent years, the small and picturesque town of Aveiro is still somewhat of an insider’s spot.

Nicknamed “Little Venice” for its canals lined with colorful houses, it is all about a laid-back experience and unhurried lifestyle. Tranquil gondola rides, whale spotting along the coast, and adventure playgrounds on the sandy beaches offer the best of all worlds for families traveling with children.

Coastal hiking paths and golf are helpful for staying active. And for those who do occasionally crave a bit of urban animation, trendy Porto and historic Coimbra are both less than an hour drive away.

Côte d’Azur, France

Nice, the vibrant capital of the French Riviera, is the ideal base camp from which to explore this glittering jewel of Mediterranean coastline with your little ones.

Lounging on the pebbly beach, skiing the foothills of the Alps, or canoeing the Gorges du Verdon, Europe’s answer to the Grand Canyon — this is the place to do it all.

From here, Monaco is a 30-minute car or train ride up the road. And for all of Monte Carlo’s glamour, nothing represents the principality’s history and seafaring spirit more than its Musée Océanographique. This is the perfect place to immerse your kids in a stunning underwater world of oversized reef tanks, shark-petting basins, sea turtle aquariums and life-size recreations of polar expeditions.

Portsmouth, UK

From sailing to surfing and fishing, Portsmouth, on the southern English coast, offers a family vacation to suit even the most active families.

Naval museums and recovered shipwrecks like the famous HMS Victory are major attractions in this bustling city steeped in maritime history. But there is plenty that lurks beneath: Specialized instructors initiate newcomers, even the youngest, to snorkeling and scuba diving, helping them discover the fascinating world of shipwreck diving.

Paphos, Cyprus

Said to be Aphrodite’s birthplace, Paphos is one of Europe’s most family-friendly destinations. While known for amazing beaches and a plethora of leisurely sports activities like horseback riding, history lurks around every corner.

The famous Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lets junior scientists play and dig among the well-preserved ruins of a Greco-Roman city dating back nearly 2,000 years. Maybe they will even discover a long-lost artifact.

Vienna, Austria

The Austrian capital has ranked among the world’s most livable cities for many consecutive years, winning major points for its family orientation.

As behooves the city associated with Empress Sisi, musicians and theater, a playful immersion into their universe is a must. At Sisi’s old home of Schönbrunn Palace, kids can dress up in period costumes and reenact the lives of their peers of yesteryear.

More interested in horses and horsemanship? Vienna’s Spanish Riding School features the fascinating ballet show of Lipizzan thoroughbreds and their riders.

For a change of pace after so much cultural history, the Giant Ferris Wheel in the world-famous Prater amusement park offers stunning views over the city by the Danube River. For those who enjoy a little more action, zip lining on Kahlenberg mountain, in the Vienna Woods Biosphere Park, is the ticket.

Hanover, Germany

Known as the gateway to major Northern German cities like Hamburg and Bremen, Hanover offers plenty of unique and unexpected treasures, especially for kids.

The famous Adventure Zoo recreates the species-appropriate habitats of exotic animals. Visitors can take a boat ride down the Zambezi to meet rhinos and hippos at their watering hole, say hello to polar bears in the Yukon Bay, or box with kangaroos in the Australian outback, all in one adventure-packed day.

Nearby Münchehagen is home to a real Jurassic Park. Germany’s largest outdoor dino park is built along a 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) circular trail populated by 230 life-size models. This is history wrapped in science tied with a bow of fun.