Top 5 Family Friendly Coastlines we’ve discovered across Europe!
With over 35+ European Countries now visited in the past 24 months…. we’re starting to get a feel for which countries really welcome family travel, and perhaps those that are seeking other audiences…. With summer fast approaching, we hope this might appeal to families considering last minutes dashes for some summer sun and family fun!
Ille de Re, nr La Rochelle in Western France
Chock full of idyllic harbour side eateries, white ‘crushed sea shell’ cycle paths and glorious sand dune filled beaches…. what more could a family want… Freedom to explore without concern for your children’s safety on the 100 km of cycle paths that criss cross this small flat island close to La Rochelle… Bustling French markets on every day of the week for your children to explore and learn some basic french phrases…. Beaches that vary across the island allowing you to pick your perfect combination of sand or shingle, sand dunes or activity centres that allow basic sailing lessons to be taken… Superb places to campor hotels that allow family sized ‘mezzanine’ accommodation to house a larger family…
Lifeinourvan top tip
Opt for the lesser known places as a base (such as La Flotte) and get on your bikes to sights such as the magnificent lighthouse or marvel at the bridge whilst lazing on a sand dune underneath
Dubrovnik, Dalmatian Coastline, Croatia
As the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ it boasts a richness of history that could keep a family entertained for hours (and parents for possibly weeks)… all easily accessible via good tourist information or perhaps by taking a guided tour of the city walls…. As befits a city that has often been fought over, it’s local population are a loyal bunch…. great to chat to and hugely friendly too… You’d struggle to ever achieve ‘boredom status’ here with the old city worth a full day alone, there are self guided tours to nearby islands by boat or kayak, mini submarines to check out whats is under the water…. the full Game of Thrones experience and great new ventures like the Dubrovnik Escape Room…Although the old city may be more expensive, visitors from the UK will notice their money goes a whole lot further here… so you ought to be able to see just about everything on offer for the price of a bog standard French Riviera holiday…
Lifeinourvan top tip
Opt for accommodation outside the walls of the old city, beside the harbour… its cheaper and the local transport system is fantastic… try to see the city from as many angles as possible (above, on the water, on the walls and from inside…) It is simply stunning from every angle you choose!
Nerja, the jewel of the Costa Tropical, Spain
Spain has hundreds of stunning beacheswith San Sebastian catching our eyes to the north and Cabo de Gata to the south…. but the area that really stole our hearts was Andalucia…. probably the most vibrantly alive area we have visited in over 8 months… we simply fell in love with the Pueblos Blancos, Seville, Grenada and the vertiginous Ronda. But the undeveloped ‘Costa Tropical’ coastline that includes Nerja is perhaps the best of them all… for a family wanting to enjoy quiet beaches, crystal clear water for snorkelling and the occasional place to visit (such as Nerja caves)… it really is the perfect ‘off the beaten track’ location… Our girls are already asking when we can return as they loved Andalucia and its hustle and bustle…. but most of all because the Spanish really do love families!!! and we felt so welcomed almost everywhere we went here… a special place!
Lifeinourvan top tip
For those with motorhomes or wishing to camp…. book early if you can as there is limited accommodation. For those seeking hotels, you’ll find plenty… bring your swimwear and snorkels… you’ll never want to leave this coastline’s wonderful beaches! But if you do, consider visiting Cordoba (2hrs away), you’ll love it! or even Gibraltar!
North Norfolk – where the sun always shines
North Norfolk has a climate that rivals most of the south of Europe… or at least that’s our experience… Having lived in East Anglia for 10yrs we regularly visited for the day… but with more time to now explore we’ve also discovered the stunning estate at Sandringham, the child friendly seaside town of ‘Wells next the Sea‘ and the wonderful norfolk villages like Burnham Market… but as ever the real jewel in the crown is the amazing coastline around Holkham… a true paradise for beachlovers who love to find their own spot way from the crowds… sand dune jumping, dog walking, body boarding are all possible… but so is taking the time to walk the coastline and it’s wonderful nature reserves… it really has matched anything across Europe and is easily accessed for those staying in the UK this summer
Lifeinourvan top tip
Holkham gets very busy during the summer… so get there very early!!! Great parking for your motorhome or car right next to the beach! Just bring your suncream… as it really does get ‘sizzlingly hot’. So if you’re looking to cool down, you can always try the amazing woodland Holkham Adventure playground or even visit Burham Market for an ice cream
If you’re interested in finding more, then why not try:-
- Pembrokeshire’s Coastline, Wales – click here for full article
- Algarve Coastline, Portugal – click here for full article
- Argyll Coastline, Scotland – click here for full article
- Charente-Maritime Coastline, France – click here for full article
- Korcula Island, Croatia – click here for full article
- Sicily’s Syracuse, Italy – click here for full article
- Leucate Coastline, France – click here for full article
- Krk Island, Croatia – click here for full article
- Brittany Coastline, France – click here for full article
Slovenian Riviera – Piran so much to explore
Slovenia is another of those places we’d never have thought of visiting until we got our Adria motorhome…. it really is one of those special countries that has everything within 90mins…. stay in Lake Bled and grab a chance of white water rafting… or see the natural wonders of the Postojna Caves or Predjama Castle… or even visit the capital Llujblana… but within 90mins you could be experiencing the wonderfully Slovenian Riviera at Piran.. Italian in it’s architecture, but Slovenian in attitude… this place bustles with people being active! So if you want action, outdoor adventures… then Slovenia is well worth a look!
Lifeinourvan top tip
Base yourself near the marina in Piran and try out the bike ride around the peninsula… but spare some time to go north through the Soca Valley to Lake Bled or to Ljubljana (via Predjama Castle and Postojna Caves
If you’re looking for more, why not try one of these:-
- Brittany Coastline, France – click here
- Pembrokeshire Coastline, Wales – click here
- Syracuse, Sicily – click here
- Charente-Maritime Coastline, France – click here
- Argyll Coastline, Scotland – click here
- Algarve Coastline, Portugal – click here
- Northumberland Coastline, England – click here
- Korcula Island, Croatia – click here
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