Summer is just around the corner, and although we’ve been blessed with some stunning weather in Manchester recently, you can’t always rely on the rainy city to keep up the holiday vibes. Getting away, whether close or far, tends to be on the cards at this time of year, and taking the whole family along is one of those small luxuries we can indulge in – and that’s where a good package holiday can come in handy.
Planning a family holiday often means striking the perfect balance: keeping children entertained, ensuring parents can unwind, and choosing a destination with reliable weather. Travel is more important than ever to families, with 68% of Brits planning to travel in 2026, and many agreeing that holidays are key for family bonding, according to TUI.
Finding child-friendly destinations can be a challenge for parents, but with this in mind, the latest study from TUI’s family friendly travel experts analysed over 150 European coastal destinations to uncover the most family-friendly holiday spots according to science. The study considers the number of theme parks, aquariums, ice cream shops, arcades, water parks, zoos, as well as weather conditions, to ultimately curate the top child-friendly destinations.
Lisbon is crowned Europe’s most child-friendly coastal city
Lisbon ranks first overall with a score of 9.16/10, standing out for its well-rounded offering across every category measured. The city combines 17 parks per 10 km² with 37 family-friendly hotels per 10 km², one of the highest hotel densities in the ranking.
Its entertainment score of 7.36/10 reflects a strong spread of attractions across the city, where children can explore the city’s oceanarium, enjoy riverside playgrounds or cool off with a sweet treat in the sunshine. With plenty of excursions available, families can easily mix relaxed beach days with boat trips, cultural tours or hands-on experiences, giving parents built-in flexibility throughout their stay.
Other top child-friendly destinations
Naples follows closely with a score of 9.12/10, offering warm summer temperatures of 25.2°C and 154 TUI Musement excursions and experiences to keep children entertained.
Porto places third in TUI’s child-friendly holiday guide, scoring 9.01/10, offering a strong balance between accessibility and entertainment, and Marmaris stands out for its hot summer climate, with average temperatures of 28.75°C, scoring 8.68/10 overall.
Top child-friendly holidays in Europe
- Lisbon, Portugal – 9.16
- Naples, Italy – 9.12
- Porto, Portugal – 9.01
- Catania, Italy – 8.99
- Barcelona, Spain – 8.92
- Rhodes, Greece – 8.90
- Paphos, Cyprus – 8.88
- Limassol, Cyprus – 8.77
- Side, Turkey – 8.73
- Marmaris, Turkey – 8.68