We love a European family beach holiday. There’s nothing like that wonderful feeling of sun kissed skin, sandy toes, relaxing by the water with a cocktail or two, while the children are happily playing and exploring the beach.
But, with so many amazing destinations just a short flight from the UK; how do you choose? It can be tricky to find an area that offers a beautiful beach, quality affordable accommodation, walkable restaurants AND fun days out.
We spend hours and hours researching places before we decide on an area so I thought I’d put this blog together to save you time and tell you about 5 of our favourite destinations for a European family beach holiday.
These 5 destinations are all completely different from each other. In this blog, I give you a brief summary about each area, things to do, average costs (for a family of 4 on a 1 week summer holiday), and links in case you want to look at them in more detail.
1. Binibeca, Menorca:
For the ultimate relaxing and laid back beach holiday, Binibeca is the perfect combination of pool, beach and walkability. It is a lovely resort in Menorca full of beautiful white villas overlooking the sea. It has a pretty fishing village, which is an Instagrammer’s paradise, with a wonderful ambience in the evenings and a good choice of restaurants and bars. The coved beach is through a small wooded area, with soft sand, calm waters, a life guard, toilet facilities and a few snack and drink places just a short walk away.
Things to do:
A land train operates between Binibeca and other nearby places and takes you to another area called Punta Prima. Punta Prima has a lovely beach and a fantastic water park called Sur Splash.
Menorca is a small island and easy to drive. If you do rent a car, you can enjoy exploring all the other fantastic beaches, visit the zoo Lloc de Menorca and towns of Cuitadella and Mahon.
How to get there:
Flights are available from airports all over the UK with EasyJet, Jet2, TUI, Ryanair and BA. The flight time is around 2 hours to Mahon. Transfer from Mahon Airport to Binibeca is 20 minutes.
Average Costs (1 week, summer holidays):
Food: A meal out is around 12 – 30 Euros and most restaurants offer a children’s menu.
Beer: 3.50 – 4.50 Euros
Flight: £100 – £300 return.
Accommodation: £1500 – £3600 for a villa with private pool
2. Okrug Gornji, Croatia:
Croatia is known as the jewel of the Adriatic Sea. For a quiet and peaceful European family beach holiday but with the added bonus of ancient cities only a short bus ride away, Okrug Gornji is ideal. Situated on the beautiful island of Ciovo, surrounded by pebbled beaches and crystal clear, blue waters.
Okrug Gornji bay surrounds a stretch of beach that is great for swimming and snorkelling. There are a number of restaurants dotted around and a few small grocers and markets stalls selling food.
Things to do:
There is an inflatable aqua park in Okrug Gornji and it is only a short bus ride or water taxi from the nearby, lively, ancient, town of Trogir and city of Split, where you can explore the amazing historical sites or take a boat trip to other islands and the Blue Lagoon. Another must is to take a trip to Krka National Park to see the magnificent waterfalls.
How to get there:
Flights to Split are available from many airports around the UK with providers including: EasyJet, Jet2, TUI, Wizz Air and BA. Flight time is around 2 1/2 hours. The transfer from Split airport to Okrug Gornji is 35 minutes.
Average Costs (1 week, summer holidays):
Meal: 6.50 – 14 Euros
Beer: 2-6 Euros
Accommodation: £1100 for an apartment – £3500 for a private villa.
Flights: £200 – £400 return
3. Agios Gordios, Corfu:
Corfu is a stunning Greek island with mountains, greenery, gorgeous beaches and pretty villages. Enjoy the best of Greek hospitality in the beautiful hillside resort of Agios Gordios. It has a sandy beach with stunning scenery and is blessed with the most incredible sunsets. There are lots of fantastic restaurants and bars and everywhere is family friendly and welcoming.
Things to do:
You can watch the sunset, enjoy wonderful food and partake in Greek dancing at Romantic Palace Restaurant. Take the bus to the impressive water park Aqualand. Go on a boat trip to Paxos, Antipaxos and the Blue Caves.
How to get there:
Flights from all major UK airports with EasyJet, Ryanair, TUI, Jet2 and BA. Flight is around 3 hours. Transfer from Corfu Airport to Agios Gordios is 30 minutes.
Average Costs (1 week, summer holidays):
Meal: 12 – 25 Euros
Beer: 3- 4 Euros
Accommodation: £600 for an apartment – £3000 for 4* villa or hotel
Flight: £200 – £300 Return
4. Ksamil, Albania:
For the family who love amazing beaches and adventure! Warning! This destination is incredibly busy in the summer months so it is worth considering going in June or September.
Ksamil is known as being the Maldives of Europe because of its light sandy beaches and turquoise blue waters. Albania is very different from all the other destinations in this list because it is still developing its tourist industry but this does not mean it should be dismissed. Ksamil is in the area of Sarande and has much to offer with its natural beauty, historic sites and value for money.
Things to do:
Ksamil has many beaches to enjoy and you can easily island hop around its tiny islands by kayak. There are amazing places to take a day trip, like the Blue Eye natural water spring, ancient town of Gjirokaster, ruins in Butrint and boat trips to Kroreza beach.
My Sarande, Albania Holiday Guide
How to get there:
Fly to Corfu (see above) and then take one of the many ferries from Corfu Port to Saranda Port (35 mins). Transfer from Saranda Port to Ksamil is 30 minutes.
Average Costs (1 week, summer):
Meal 8-15 Euros
Beer: 2-3 Euros
Accommodation: £450 for an apartment – £1000 for 4*villa or hotel.
Flights: As above and then 45 Euros per person for the ferry
5. Playa Blanca, Lanzarote:
The resort of Playa Blanca has fabulous beaches but there is so much more to Lanzarote than sand and sun. It is an incredibly unique European family beach holiday destination, where you can see volcanoes, amazing landscapes and distinctive art and architecture. Playa Blanca is a vast and laid back resort with a marina, shopping centre, 3 beaches and plentiful restaurants and bars. One of my favourite beaches is Playa Dorado beach, which has water so clear that it looks like a swimming pool.
Things to do:
There is tons to do in Lanzarote and a great bus service to get you around the island. Visit Timanfaya National Park, Cesar Manrique’s architectural creations, water parks, theme parks, the yellow submarine and dolphin spotting cruises.
How to get there:
Flights are available across the UK with Ryanair, EasyJet, Jet2, TUI and BA. The flight takes around 4 hours. Transfer from Lanzarote airport to Playa Blanca is 30 minutes.
Average Costs:
Meal: 10-20 Euros
Beer: 2.50-3.75 Euros
Accommodation: £600 for an apartment – £2300 for a 5* hotel or 4* villa.
Flights: £200 – £300 return
Where will you go?
I hope this blog gives you some inspiration for your next European family beach holiday. Maybe you have already booked for summer 2025? We always book a year in advance so it might give you some ideas for 2026.
See my blog: My 10 step guide to DIY holidays to help you plan and save money by booking a DIY summer holiday.
Where are your favourite European family beach destinations? Please let me know in the comments – I’d love to hear about them.
Useful Links:
To search for accommodation: www.booking.com
Flight search: www.skyscanner.co.uk
Average costs of living: www.numbeo.com
Other Guides you might like:
Tips for a Happy Family Holiday
25 Ways to Save Money on Your Family Holiday
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