TUI’s 2026 ultimate child-friendly holiday guide: Europe’s top kid-approved destinations for the whole family to enjoy this summer

March 31, 2026

TUI UK&I

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 2026.1

More than four-fifths (86%) of parents agree that holidays are key for family bonding, but finding child-friendly destinations can be a challenge for parents, with 44% relying on the same familiar locations each year due to a lack of inspiration or fear of it going wrong.

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.

Key findings:

Lisbon, Portugal, ranks as Europe’s most child-friendly coastal city (9.16/10), offering 211 TUI Musement experiences and 37 family-friendly hotels per 10km².
Naples, Italy, follows closely (9.12/10), combining great weather conditions with 154 bookable excursions.
Porto, Portugal, offers a high density of hotels and attractions within a compact coastal setting.
Rhodes, Greece, records one of the warmest average summer temperatures in the top 10 (27.64°C).
Barcelona, Spain, offers the highest number of TUI Musement excursions in the ranking (439).
TUI’s Holiday Villages manager, Natalie Johnson, gives her best tips for finding a child-friendly holiday.

The top locations for a child-friendly holiday

TUI’s ‘Entertainment Score’ looks at a wide range of activities in the area that are ideal for kids - including arcades, aquariums, ice cream parlours, swimming pools, theme parks, water parks and zoos - per 10 km².

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 211 TUI Musement 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.

Naples ranks second with perfect summer weather

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.

With 6 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.

Porto ranks third with an abundance of family-friendly hotels

Porto places third in TUI’s child-friendly holiday guide, scoring 9.01/10, offering a strong balance between accessibility and entertainment with over 150 TUI excursions and experiences.

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.

Marmaris completes the top ten list with the hottest weather

Scoring 8.68/10, Marmaris stands out for its hot summer climate, with average temperatures of 28.75°C, and a range of 41 TUI excursions and experiences to keep families busy.

The town is packed with family-friendly accommodation, 94 hotels per 10 km², and offers 4 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.

Overseeing TUI's top family holiday focused hotel brands and concepts, Ian Hill 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.”

About TUI UK&I

TUI is one of the world's leading tourism and leisure groups, delivering trusted holiday experiences to millions of customers every year through the UK's favourite holiday brands including TUI UK& Ireland, First Choice, Marella Cruises, and Crystal Ski Holidays.

Backed by a team of over 11,000 professionals and a network of 330 retail stores and independent travel agent partners, customers benefit from expert advice throughout their holiday experience. TUI Airways, part of TUI Airline, operates to over 75 destinations in 31 countries including Turkey, Greece, Cape Verde and Egypt with 70 aircraft from 23 UK and Ireland airports. We partner with over 45 leading airlines giving customers unmatched flexibility to find their perfect holiday whether it be Warsaw, New York or the Maldives. Our award-winning service is recognised by Good Housekeeping and trusted by customers with a 4.5 star Trustpilot rating. We were also awarded Best Travel Company for Accessible Holidays 2025 by Good Housekeeping.

Part of the Markets + Airlines business division within TUI Group, TUI UK & Ireland operates a comprehensive portfolio including TUI River Cruises, TUI Cities, TUI Lakes & Mountains, TUI Tours, and premium accommodation brands TUI Blue, Holiday Villages, and Magic Life.

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March 31, 2026