Watersports at De Eemhof Center Parcs Europe; ideal for a short break.

Watersports at De Eemhof Center Parcs Europe; ideal for a short break.

Short Breaks for Families in Europe

From fun-filled campsites and holiday villages with activities galore to cosy cottages nestled deep in the countryside, Europe is a popular destination for a family short break or weekend away for many good reasons, the chief one being that it’s quick, easy and relatively inexpensive to reach.

There’s also an incredible choice of short-break destinations and accommodation in Europe, whether it be seaside hotels, working farms or glamping sites, individual gîtes or boutique cottage complexes, holiday parks, theme-park breaks or fascinating cities packed with culture to soak up.

We’ve gathered our favourite short breaks in Europe with kids. Browse our listings, or check out our regular special offers or exclusive discounts with our favourite Europe short-break specialist partners:
• cottages.com: family-friendly properties in France and Italy; best discounts for our newsletter subscribers (sign up at the bottom of this page).
• Pierre & Vacances: self-catering apartments.
• Center Parcs Europe: popular holiday villages with lots of activities.
• Canvas: long-established campsite and holiday park operator.
• PGL Family Adventures: all-inclusive activity holidays, some in France.
• Disneyland Paris: theme-park breaks near the French capital.

Enquiries

Let us tailor-make the perfect holiday for you.

Call us on 020 3633 0653

Explore the World with Take the Family

Short break places to stay in Europe

See all and use our filters to find the best holiday match for your family. More >

Self-catering

Hotel

Editor's favourite

Kids club

Budget

Pigs at the organic La Ferme de La Moricière.

La Ferme de la Moricière

Normandy

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The farm and tents are set upon a hillside in Normandy, with amazing views and paths leading to the beach, where you can walk to the famous Mont St Michel in low tide.

Boscolo New York Palace, Budapest

Boscolo New York Palace

Budapest

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Luxury central hotel ideal for families in Budapest, with a cafe voted the 'best in the world!'

One of the many family-friendly cottages in Brittany.

Cottages in Brittany

Brittany

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A huge choice of cottages with sea views, rural setting or both, in the popular family holiday destination.

Horses at The Dunloe.

The Dunloe

County Kerry

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A five-star hotel with kids' clubs, free kids' activities, spacious family rooms and movie nights.

Holiday home Vestri Pétursey, at the foot of Pétursey Mountain.

Vestri Pétursey

Iceland

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A simple cabin at the foot of the mountains in southern Iceland, comes complete with essentials for a self-catering holiday in a spectacular location.

Pool time for the kids at Rome Cavalieri.

Rome Cavalieri

Rome

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A luxurious 5-star family-friendly hotel in Italy's capital city with spa for parents and pizza making and gladiator lessons for kids.

Offer of the week

Plan a midweek break at Legoland® Windsor Resort and receive a free room upgrade worth £60 when you book through Take the Family.

AVENTURA at Center Parcs Hochsauerland; Europe's longest playground.

Center Parcs Hochsauerland

North Rhine-Westphalia

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In a mountainous area of western Germany, with skiing nearby in winter and cycle routes in the summer. Plus a fun water park for the kids.

Front view of Disney’s Sequoia Lodge®.

Disney’s Sequoia Lodge®

Marne-la-Vallée

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A popular mountain-themed option beside Lake Disney, with castle views from some rooms.

Avenue Hotel, Copenhagen

Avenue Hotel

Denmark

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A little out of the main centre of Copenhagen but still within walking distance is the family-friendly but sophisticated Avenue Hotel.

Family room with a city view at Hilton Reykjavik Nordica.

Hilton Reykjavik Nordica

Iceland

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Located just a little outside of Reykjavik city centre, providing comfortable rooms from where to base your Iceland family holiday.

One of many family-friendly cottage in Dordogne and Lot.

Cottages in Dordogne and Lot

Dordogne

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A fabulous choice of cottages, many of them baby- and toddler-friendly, in a classic family holiday destination.

Games room at the Jam Hotel.

Jam Hotel

Brussels

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A fun, family-friendly hotel with a rooftop relaxing pool, games room and funky accommodation ideal for families of up to six.

Restaurant and pool with a view at Hotel Villa Belvedere.

Hotel Villa Belvedere

Sicily

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Full of classic charm and character to help you unwind and relax on your family holiday in Sicily.

Aerial view of Center Parcs Hauts Bruyeres, Loire Valley

Center Parcs Hauts Bruyeres

Centre

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Surrounded by the famous Loire chateaux and a vast forest is the family friendly holiday park.

Disney's Hotel Cheyenne®

Disney's Hotel Cheyenne®

Marne-la-Vallée

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Wild West themed hotel to get you into the Disney spirit; just a 20-minute walk from the main park entrance.

Kids playing in the gardens at Hotel de Russie.

Hotel de Russie

Rome

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The hotel is modern and stylish, the staff are friendly and attentive, and above all the location is spot on, in the heart of Rome.

Georg Otts Spa Hotel

Georg Otts Spa Hotel

Estonia

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Family-friendly spa hotel in western Estonia with so much on offer to keep the kids busy and Mum and Dad relaxed.

One of many family-friendly cottages in Normandy.

Cottages in Normandy

Normandy

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A wide selection of family-friendly cottages in the countryside or by the coast.

Reception and cafe at Hotel Cumulus Koskikatu, Finland.

Hotel Cumulus Koskikatu

Finland

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Modern hotel in the heart of the city, offering a luxury buffet breakfast for all guests and arrange bike hire to explore the city.

Glamping on the farm; Duca di Castelmonte.

Duca di Castelmonte

Sicily

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A traditional farmhouse offering family holiday apartments and luxury canvas tents, located on a Sicilian farm where you can dine on locally produced foods and learn to cook.