Planning a family holiday often means striking the perfect balance between pleasing the kids – and ensuring adults are content too.
You need to keep children entertained, make sure parents can unwind, and choose a destination with reliable weather.
But finding child-friendly destinations can be a challenge for parents, with 44 per cent relying on the same familiar locations each year due to a lack of inspiration or fear of it going wrong.
A study from TUI’s family-friendly travel experts analysed more than 150 European coastal destinations to uncover the most family-friendly holiday spots.
Looking at the number of theme parks, aquariums, ice cream shops, arcades, water parks, zoos, as well as weather conditions, the study highlights top child-friendly destinations.
Here’s a rundown of the top 10 best family-friendly holidays for 2026…
1. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon, Portugal, ranks as Europe’s most child-friendly coastal city 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.
It also offers average temperatures of 23°C, meaning the weather is pleasant without being stiflingly hot.
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.
Families can mix relaxed beach days with boat trips, cultural tours or hands-on experiences, giving parents flexibility throughout their stay.
2. Naples, Italy
Naples, Italy, follows closely with a score of 9.12/10.
Naples offers warm summer temperatures of 25.2°C, and 154 excursions and experiences on TUI Musement, the online tours and activities booking platform.
With six parks per 10 km², families can enjoy the seafront promenade, climb historic castles, hop on boat trips to nearby islands, or grab gelato between sightseeing stops.
Its entertainment score of 6.14 out of 10 reflects a variety of child-friendly attractions, from swimming pools to interactive landmarks. With both adventure and relaxation on offer, Naples is perfect for families seeking a mix of culture, play and sunshine.
3. Porto, Portugal
Porto in Portugal offers a high density of hotels and attractions within a compact coastal setting, ranking third.
Scoring 9.01/10, it offers a strong balance between accessibility and entertainment with more than 150 TUI Musement excursions and experiences available.
The city is home to 13 parks and 32 family-friendly hotels per 10 km², offering plenty of space and options close together.
Children can enjoy riverside walks, golden beaches and open green spaces, while parents can book excursions ranging from cultural tours to interactive family activities.
4. Catania, Italy
Catania, Italy ranks fourth with a score of 8.99/10, standing out for its average temperature of 26.73°C.
The city combines three parks per 10 km² with eight family-friendly hotels per 10 km², as well as an entertainment score of 5.64/10.
With 57 TUI Musement excursions available, there’s plenty for families to do in this Sicilian city.
5. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona, Spain, offers the highest number of TUI Musement excursions in the ranking (439) and one of the best combinations of city sightseeing and outdoor space for families – bringing it into fifth place.
Flights from the UK take just over two hours, while the airport train connects travellers to the city centre in roughly 25 minutes.
Once there, Barcelona’s high walkability score means many attractions are easy to reach without long journeys across the city.
Children can explore Gaudí’s colourful Park Güell, visit the famous Sagrada Família or spend time relaxing on Barceloneta Beach. The city’s plazas, parks and street performers also create a lively atmosphere that keeps younger travellers entertained.
6. Rhodes, Greece
Rhodes, Greece, records one of the warmest average summer temperatures in the top 10 (27.64°C) – and comes in sixth place.
With a score of 8.9/10, Rhodes also boasts 92 TUI Musement excursions and plenty of beautiful beaches to explore.
Tsambika Beach in particular is often cited as a great option for families, with one Tripadvisor review reading: ‘One of the best beaches on the island!’
Another says: ‘We’ve had a couple of lovely relaxed days at this beach and would highly recommend it. Great for families, friends and couples.’
7. Paphos, Cyprus
Paphos in Cyprus, offers a high density of hotels – as well as excellent weather.
Scoring 8.88/10, it offers 18.88 family-friendly hotels per 10 km², offering plenty of space and options if you’re looking to book a sunshine-filled break.
Indeed, earlier this year Paphos was voted one of the top 15 destinations for the ‘perfect breeze’, highlighting the pleasant Mediterranean conditions that could be perfect for a family holiday.
8. Limassol, Cyprus
Limassol, on the south coast of Cyprus, has become more popular in recent years – and joins the list in eighth place.
In the past, famous faces such as Catherine Zeta-Jones, Elton John and Rod Stewart have all stayed on the island.
But with a child-friendly entertainment score of 5.93/10 and average temperatures of 26.88°C, it’s easy to understand why it appeals to families too.
9. Side, Turkey
Number nine on the list of best family-friendly holidays for 2026 is Side in Turkey.
The resort town on Turkey’s southern Mediterranean coast gained an overall score of 8.73/10 in the ranking, with an impressive 33.75 family-friendly hotels per 10 km².
It’s often viewed as an excellent destination for a mix of relaxation – with its gorgeous beaches – and a taste of history, as it has a charming old town.
10. Marmaris, Turkey
Scoring 8.68/10, Marmaris stands out for its hot summer climate, with average temperatures of 28.75°C.
Rounding out the top 10, the spot also has a range of 41 TUI Musement excursions and experiences to keep families busy.
The town is packed with family-friendly accommodation, 94 hotels per 10 km², and offers four parks per 10 km² where children can play freely.
Families can mix lazy beach mornings with boat trips along the coast, water-based activities, or interactive excursions.
Ian Hill, who oversees TUI’s top family holiday focused hotel brands and concepts, says: ‘British families want holidays that are both fun and effortless. Sunshine matters, but convenience is just as important, from parks and attractions to restaurants and family-friendly accommodation.
‘A truly child-friendly destination offers variety, somewhere children can run around, discover something new and burn off energy, while parents still feel relaxed.
‘I always recommend checking how many attractions are within walking distance, as well as what organised experiences are available locally. Having that mix means you can adapt each day depending on energy levels and weather.
‘It’s also worth thinking about the pace of the destination. Coastal cities that are easy to navigate and have plenty of shaded areas, playgrounds and family restaurants can make a huge difference to the overall experience.
‘The best family holidays are the ones where everyone feels catered for, where children stay entertained and curious, and parents don’t feel like they’re constantly problem-solving.’