Europe is one of the easiest regions to visit with children: distances between destinations are short, trains and facilities are good, and visitors from the US and the UK can usually enter the Schengen area visa-free for up to 90 days. Check passport and entry-system rules for each child, sort out health cover, and if you can, avoid the height of summer in the south, which is very hot and very busy.
Where to go in Europe with children? This guide covers entry rules for US and UK citizens, the easiest European destinations for families, choosing by age, the best times to go and day-to-day organization.
The essentials
- Documents: each child needs their own valid passport; US and UK citizens can visit the Schengen area visa-free for up to 90 days (sources below).
- United Kingdom: outside the EU and Schengen, with its own entry rules; US citizens need a UK ETA, and each person needs one, including babies and children (GOV.UK).
- Health: UK travelers need a GHIC or EHIC for state healthcare in the EU, but it is not a substitute for travel insurance; US travelers should check that their insurance covers medical care and evacuation abroad.
- Best times: May-June and September for the Mediterranean; July-August for northern Europe.
- Train or car: often more comfortable than flying for short distances with young children.
Entry requirements for children in Europe
Rules depend on the child’s nationality and on the country you visit. Read the entry requirements page for each destination before you book. The figures below were read on 12 November 2026; they apply to the Schengen area, using Denmark’s pages as the reference text, and rules for individual countries can differ.
US citizens
According to the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov, Denmark page, last updated October 22, 2026), US citizens may enter a Schengen country for up to 90 days for tourism without a visa. The State Department recommends that the passport be valid for at least six months on entry, because it must be valid for at least three months after you leave the Schengen area. It also says you will need sufficient proof of funds and a return ticket. Apply this to every member of the family, children included, and check the country page of each destination.
UK citizens
According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, Denmark entry requirements, updated 11 August 2026), you can travel without a visa to the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period as a tourist. Your passport must have a date of issue less than 10 years before you arrive and an expiry date at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area. At the border you may need to show a return or onward ticket and prove that you have enough money for your stay. For a child’s passport, GOV.UK says a UK child passport is valid for 5 years; see our guide to family travel.
The EU Entry/Exit System (EES)
The UK FCDO says the EU’s Entry/Exit System is being implemented across the Schengen area: when you enter for a short stay you may need to register biometric details such as fingerprints and a photo, at no cost. Children aged 11 or younger will not have their fingerprints scanned but can be required to have their photo taken. The FCDO advises allowing extra time at the border and, if you fly out, extra time to reach your departure gate.
United Kingdom, Turkey, Albania
The United Kingdom belongs to neither the EU nor the Schengen area. The State Department says all US citizens traveling to the UK for tourism, family visits, business meetings, conferences or short-term study for 6 months or less must have an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before travel; GOV.UK says an ETA costs £20 and that each person traveling needs one, including babies and children (checked 12 November 2026). UK citizens do not need an ETA to enter the UK. For Turkey and Albania, read the current entry requirements on the UK FCDO or U.S. State Department country pages before booking.
Health: cover and insurance
For UK travelers, the UK FCDO says that to get medically necessary state healthcare in Spain you need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), and that it is not an alternative to travel insurance: it does not cover things like changes to travel bookings, medical repatriation or treatment ruled non-urgent (GOV.UK, Spain health, updated 12 August 2026). Each family member needs their own card; check the NHS website for how to apply for children. US travelers should check with their insurer what is covered abroad and consider travel insurance that includes medical evacuation. The CDC’s advice on traveling with children recommends seeing a health care professional or travel medicine specialist at least one month before you leave (CDC, page last reviewed August 16, 2022).
The easiest European destinations for families
| Destination | Who it suits | Best time |
|---|---|---|
| Spain (Barcelona) | Beaches, lively cities, late hours that suit families | April to June, September-October |
| Portugal | Algarve beaches, Lisbon, short distances | May-June, September-October |
| Italy (Rome) | Tangible history (Colosseum, Pompeii), beaches, lakes | April to June, September-October |
| Greece | Islands, calm sea, ferries | Mid-April to June, September |
| Croatia | Coves, islands, clear water | May-June, September |
| Malta | Small island, English spoken, short journeys | April to June, September-October |
| Canary Islands | Winter sun, beaches, volcanoes | All year |
| Madeira | Walks along the levadas, nature | April to September |
| Ireland, Scotland | Nature, castles, cool summers | Summer |
| Switzerland | Mountains, trains, lakes, easy hikes | Summer |
| Finland | Lapland in winter, lakes in summer | Depends on your plans |
Beaches and sea: the south
Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Croatia and Malta offer easy-to-reach beaches. With children, late spring and September are the best windows: the sea is already pleasant, the heat is bearable and there are fewer people. In July and August, plan the day around the nap and avoid sightseeing between noon and 4 pm.
Cities and culture: in small doses
Rome, Barcelona, Lisbon or Athens work well with children if you keep the program light: one big sight in the morning, a park or beach in the afternoon. Book timed-entry sites in advance to avoid queues, and look for family trails or booklets offered by museums.
Nature and cool air: the north and the mountains
In summer, Ireland, Scotland, Switzerland or Finland are more comfortable than the south for young children: moderate temperatures, long days, accessible hikes. Pack rain gear, as the weather changes quickly.
To choose by holiday dates, see where to go in April, in July, in August and in October.
Destination by destination: when to go as a family
Greece
Calm sea in many coves, ferries between the islands, ancient sites on a child’s scale. Best time: mid-April to June and September to mid-October; in July-August, choose a quieter island and plan around the hot hours. When to go to Greece.
Spain
Beaches on the Costa Brava and in Andalusia, parks, cities that come alive in the evening. April to June and September-October are the best months; the interior (Seville, Madrid) is very hot in summer. When to go to Spain.
Portugal
The Algarve has varied beaches, and Lisbon and Porto can be explored by tram. May-June and September-October are ideal; the Atlantic stays cool even in summer. When to go to Portugal.
Italy
Rome, Florence and Venice appeal to children when short visits alternate with breaks; the coast, Sardinia and the lakes suit calmer holidays. April to June and September-October are the best periods. When to go to Italy.
Croatia
Dalmatian coast, islands and nature parks. May-June and September avoid the summer crowds while offering a pleasant sea. When to go to Croatia.
Canary Islands
The most reliable European destination for swimming in winter. Possible all year; April to June and September to November offer the best balance. When to go to the Canary Islands.
Madeira
For walking families: levadas (paths along irrigation channels), gardens, natural pools. From April to September, there is very little rain in Funchal. When to go to Madeira.
Malta
A small archipelago where English is an official language, with short journeys. April to June and September-October are favorable. When to go to Malta.
Ireland and Scotland
Castles, cliffs, farms and wide-open spaces, with moderate temperatures in summer. Ireland is in good season from May to September, Scotland from April to September; always pack a rain jacket. When to go to Ireland, when to go to Scotland.
Switzerland
Scenic trains, lakes and easy hikes. June to September is the mountain walking season. When to go to Switzerland.
Finnish Lapland
For a snow holiday with children: husky sledding, snowmobiles, possible northern lights. December to March are the favorable months for snow; in midwinter days are very short and the cold intense, so prepare suitable clothing. When to go to Lapland.
| Month | Favorable European destinations for families |
|---|---|
| February | Canary Islands, Lapland |
| April | Spain, Portugal, Italy, Malta, Madeira, Greece (late April), Scotland |
| July-August | Ireland, Scotland, Switzerland, Madeira |
| October | Canary Islands, Greece and Malta, Portugal, Spain, Italy |
| December | Canary Islands, Lapland |
Day to day with children
- In southern Europe, meals are eaten late: plan a substantial snack.
- Many sites offer free or reduced admission for children: check the official site before you buy.
- Strollers cope badly with some cobbled historic centers; a baby carrier is often more practical.
- In Spain, the UK FCDO gives 112 as the emergency number; check the emergency numbers for each country on the FCDO or State Department pages.
Short break or long holiday?
For a long weekend or a week, choose a single city or island: Barcelona, Rome, Lisbon, Malta or a Greek island close to Athens. For two to three weeks in summer, a two- or three-stop itinerary works well, for example a city then a coast, favoring journeys of under four hours between stops. With young children, stay at least three or four nights in the same place.
Getting around Europe with children
- Train: practical for journeys of a few hours (Spain, Italy, Switzerland); children can move about and city centers are served directly.
- Car: useful for islands and the countryside. Reserve suitable child seats; safety rules vary by country. In Spain, the UK FCDO says children under 1.35 m must use an approved child seat on the back seat, and that car hire agencies can provide child seats if you ask when you reserve (GOV.UK, Spain, updated 12 August 2026). The CDC notes that a car seat from the US may not be approved in another country.
- Plane: check baggage allowance, strollers and rules for babies with the airline.
- Ferry: in Greece and Croatia, book crossings in summer and favor short ones.
Where to sleep
Apartments or family rooms with a kitchen make meals and naps easier. In cities, stay near a metro stop or park rather than on the outskirts; by the sea, a beach within walking distance avoids a daily drive. Check the real number of beds, whether a cot is available and pool safety. The UK FCDO also advises always supervising children and keeping small children within arm’s reach in and around swimming pools. Our guide to traveling with a baby covers documents, flights and health.
Budget: where to save
- Travel outside school-holiday periods when you can (children not yet in school).
- Cook some meals and picnic at lunch.
- Check child and family rates at museums and on transport, often reduced or free for the youngest.
- Pay in euros in the euro zone; elsewhere, our currency converter helps you compare.
Which destination by the children’s ages?
The right choice depends less on the country than on the pace it imposes. This table groups the destinations in this guide by children’s age.
| Age | What matters | Suitable destinations |
|---|---|---|
| Baby (0-2) | A short journey, little time difference, one base, mild climate | Spain, Portugal, Canary Islands outside peak summer |
| 3-6 years | Calm beach, short journeys, naps respected | Coves in Greece, Croatia, the Algarve, Malta |
| 7-12 years | Tangible sites, nature activities | Rome in small doses, Madeira (levadas), Switzerland, Ireland |
| Teenagers | Lively cities, sports, independence | Barcelona, Lisbon, Scotland, Lapland in winter |
A city break in Europe with children
- Limit yourself to two or three visits a day, broken up by parks or rests.
- Stay near public transport so you can get back easily at nap time.
- Prefer cities you can get around on foot or by tram: Lisbon, Porto, Barcelona, Rome (historic center).
- Book timed-entry sites in advance to avoid waiting with children.
Also read: family travel, choosing travel insurance, the pre-departure checklist and all our destinations in Europe.
Frequently asked questions
Which European country for a first trip with a baby?
A country with a short journey and a mild climate: Spain, Portugal or the Canary Islands outside peak summer. Stay in a single accommodation to limit changes.
Does my child need a passport for Europe?
Yes, a valid passport for each child, whether you travel from the US or the UK. US and UK citizens can visit the Schengen area visa-free for up to 90 days according to the State Department and the FCDO. Check the entry requirements of each country.
Do children need an ETA for the UK?
US citizens traveling to the UK need an ETA, and GOV.UK says each person needs one, including babies and children. UK citizens do not need one.
Is a GHIC valid for children?
Each family member needs their own card. The UK FCDO says a GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance.
What is the best time to travel in Europe with children?
May-June and September for the south; July-August for the north and the mountains, where the heat stays bearable.
Which European destination in winter with children?
The Canary Islands for sun and beach; Finnish Lapland for snow, from December to March, with clothing suited to extreme cold.
Where to go in Europe with children in summer?
To destinations with moderate temperatures: Ireland, Scotland, Switzerland or Madeira. In the south (Greece, Spain, Italy), plan days around the hot hours or prefer June and September.
Which European city to visit with children?
A compact city served by simple transport: Lisbon, Porto, Barcelona or Rome in small doses. Alternate short visits and parks.
Our sources
- U.S. Department of State, Denmark country information (travel.state.gov, last updated October 22, 2026) and United Kingdom (last updated August 11, 2025), read 12 November 2026
- UK FCDO, entry requirements for Denmark (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026) and foreign travel advice for Spain (updated 12 August 2026), read 12 November 2026
- GOV.UK, Get an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK, read 12 November 2026
- GOV.UK, Get a passport for your child, read 12 November 2026
- CDC Travelers’ Health, Traveling with Children (page last reviewed August 16, 2022)
- Our « when to go » pages by destination (see our methodology)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
