Skip to main content

Affordable European holidays with kids


3 min read
24 June 2021
Type of traveller
Family holidays
Beaches
Lakes
Sports & adventure
Active trips
Outdoor & nature
Sustainable trips

With so many different cultures in close proximity to each other, Europe has more than enough variety to keep children entertained on holiday. Flit between countries by car or train, or get really familiar with the locals and make yourself at home in one location.

And your holiday doesn’t have to be a splurge either; here are the best affordable destinations with kids in Europe.

Beach holidays in Bulgaria

Consistent sunshine and gentle surf on the Black Sea shore

Refreshingly inexpensive by European standards, Bulgaria offers a range of international accommodations and cuisines to cater for a diverse crowd, without being overrun as a tourist hotspot. Most visitors head to the Black Sea, a surprisingly unsalty body of water that enjoys consistent sunshine. The very calm tide or surf is also reassuringly safe for small children. Found right in the centre of Bulgaria’s coastline, Obzor is a small seaside town that is particularly fun for kids, with fresh seafood, good beaches and easy access to the countryside. The hotel Bisser Obzor has a garden with outdoor pool and its own mini market, plus it’s just 100 metres from the town’s sandy beach.

Farm holidays in Menorca

Stay on a farm with a pool in rural Menorca

Agroturismo Matxani Gran is an affordable and charming farm accommodation in rural Menorca. The sun-drenched terrace is a prime location to eat breakfast before heading to the swimming pool for the day. Explore the extensive grounds and you’ll meet the property’s flock of sheep and two donkeys. With home-cooked meals and freedom to use the kitchen, bar and barbecue yourself, it quickly feels like home – but probably a bit more rustic and carefree.

Walking holidays in the Lake District

The Lake District is a veritable natural playground

Boasting the title of the largest national park in England, the Lake District is a veritable natural playground. Here you’ll find England’s tallest mountain, Scafell Pike, and Lake Windermere, the country’s most expansive body of water. Cross gentle streams over small, arched bridges or hop over stiles between dry stone walls to find vantage points from which to take in the romantic beauty of the region. If you want to feel at one with the wilderness, there’s also a network of inviting yet practical climbing huts throughout the area. Start your trip at Lake House in Ambleside, located on a hill overlooking Lake Windermere.

Self-catered apartment holidays in Malta

Have an exotic and affordable European holiday in Malta

Not only is it one of the most affordable countries in Europe, Malta has a wealth of both sightseeing and beachy options to while away the time. Having passed through the hands of the Roman Empire, North African Moors and European crusaders – among others – this Mediterranean island still bears witness to its historic ruling powers. The architecture and language are reminiscent of the Middle East, while the landscape and climate are similar to neighbouring Sicily. If you want to experience historic Valletta, stay at 10 Strait Street, a high-ceilinged apartment in an old stone building.

Camping holidays in Brittany

Brittany has natural beauty and good campsites galore

Brittany is renowned as one of the most naturally beautiful regions in France. Popular among campers, it's home to hundreds of broad, sandy beaches, with safe but consistently good surf. Further from the coast, you’ll find pastoral fields, winding rivers and medieval towns. Be sure to visit the cone-shaped island of Mont-Saint-Michel – an impressive fortified commune rising out of the sea and connected to the mainland by a tidal causeway. The vast abbey is the stuff of legends and often shrouded in mist. Check into Camping du Quinquis, a child-friendly campsite with an outdoor swimming pool and a children's playground, located just two kilometres from the beach.