:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/TAL-ascona-lead-image-EURFAMSMTWN0924-fd04931614d947b58d8c43ccddc81100.jpg?w=1500&resize=1500,1000&ssl=1)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/TAL-ascona-lead-image-EURFAMSMTWN0924-fd04931614d947b58d8c43ccddc81100.jpg)
Venturing abroad with children can feel daunting, between the gear, time changes, and transatlantic flights. My first trip to Europe with my girls, then 3 and 5, was, in fact, sobering: canceled planes, sleepless kids, jellyfish and bee stings, as well as a flat tire in a remote Mallorcan village. But the juice was worth the squeeze, and we’ve spent the past couple of summers scouring Europe for the best family destinations. For us, that means small towns with a good dose of culture, easy access to the outdoors, and plenty for kids and adults to do. From Mediterranean beaches to quaint villages in the Alps, here a few of our favorites.
Pals, Spain
alexsalcedo/Getty Images
With its proximity to beaches, mountains, and sophisticated cities, Pals, a charming medieval village about 90 minutes north of Barcelona, makes an ideal destination for families. Visitors can laze on its sandy beaches, a rarity on the rocky Costa Brava shoreline, or explore its secret coves, which is best done by Llaüt, a traditional fishing boat, or on foot along the Cami de Ronda, a gorgeous coastal trail. Discover the region’s vineyards and ancient hamlets aboard a small tourist train that leaves from Pals’ old quarter; visit a typical Catalan farm where kids can learn about old-school farming techniques; or pop into Girona, a lovely city filled with great restaurants, museums, and a beautiful, cafe-lined central square. That’s just the start. The region teems with festivals, markets, adventure parks, ruins, even workshops for families, so you’ll never get bored.
Where to Stay: Set in an exquisitely restored 18th-century farmhouse, Mas de Torrent is pure magic. The 39-room hotel features a pool, tennis courts, and activities the whole family will love — alfresco movies, stargazing, and more. Perfect for families, the two-bedroom Residence Suite is a stand-alone cottage with a kitchen, private pool, and spacious yard.
Val Gardena, Italy
Freeartist/Getty Images
While Italy is known for its hospitality, Val Gardena, a collection of villages in the Dolomites, rolls out the red carpet for families. In the summer, its Kids Active program takes children 6 to 12 climbing, mountain biking, and on visits to traditional farms, freeing up adults to tackle the Sellaronda, one of the most beautiful cycling routes in Europe. Together, families might enjoy a ropes course, a castle visit, or a delicious meal at a mountain rifugio — all set against peaks so stunning they’re a UNESCO World Heritage site. For a more curated itinerary, the guiding outfit Dolomite Mountains specializes in bespoke family trips, serving up the best of the region, no matter the season.
Where to Stay: Val Gardena Active partnered with a group of properties, from five-star hotels to cozy guesthouses, that offer reduced rates and amenities for families. Or, stay at the lovely Hotel Gardena Grödnerhof, which has a first-rate kids club, complete with a climbing wall and cinema. The property can also book a trusted sitter should you want to venture out and, say, sample acclaimed chef Norbert Niederkofler’s new, already Michelin-starred, restaurant Atelier Moessmer.
Ascona, Switzerland
Miguel Angel Soutullo Alvarez/Getty Images
Sitting on the shores of Lago Maggiore, a majestic lake ringed by mountains that straddles the border of Italy and Switzerland, Ascona serves up family fun in spades. A tourist train winds through the town’s colorful historic center and up its lakefront promenade, from which a 15-minute ferry ride whisks visitors to the Brissago Islands, where children can explore the beautiful botanical garden with a scavenger hunt. (My kids still talk about Harpy the witch, who, according to legend, inhabits the islands.) Back on the shores of Ascona, a Ferris wheel spins passengers high above the playground at Parco giochi Agli Angioli, and nearby, a series of beaches provide access to the lake’s crystal-clear waters and various water sports. A busy lineup of events cycles through town, and miles of hiking and biking trails crisscross the countryside, offering up plenty for the whole family to do.
Where to Stay: Five minutes by foot from town, the Hotel Eden Roc Ascona delivers a dreamy stay, complete with a top-notch wellness program, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and a complimentary kids club that takes children on local adventures.
Comporta, Portugal
Gabriel Mello/Getty Images
From surfing to sandcastles, it’s easy for families to have fun on the beach, and there are few better places than Comporta, a laid-back surf town about a 1.5 hours south of Lisbon. Gentle waves lap the shore at Carvalhal beach, where Surf in Comporta offers lessons for children and adults. (An excellent instructor had my 7-year-old daughter riding waves in an hour.) Nature abounds in this corner of the Alentejo and you’ll find storks, flamingos, and dolphins in the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve. For a taste of village life, spend a day in Melides. Linger in its charming town square, grab an ice cream at Anguilla Surf Cafe, and then head to Galé beach, a local favorite, where stunning rock formations give way to miles of white sand.
Where to Stay: Sometimes, a hotel makes a destination, and that’s the case at Quinta da Comporta. Set on an old rice mill overlooking miles of fields, the boho-chic, 65-room hotel serves up a fleet of bikes, daily family movies, and a glass-sided pool that will occupy kids for hours.
Chamonix, France
zukanowa13/Getty Images
Serving up world-class mountain sports, Chamonix should be on every adventurous family’s list. From off-piste skiing down the Vallée Blanche to an introduction to rock climbing, Smart Guides, a guiding outfit run by an American couple living in Cham, can dial in an unforgettable family adventure. However, no trip to this corner of the French Alps is complete without a jaw-dropping ride on the Aiguille du Midi cable car, which offers sweeping views and ferries passengers to the doorstep of Mont Blanc, the tallest mountain in Western Europe at 15,777 feet. But what makes Chamonix truly great for families is it’s a real town and there’s plenty to do off the mountain, too, from a bowling alley, ropes course and recreation center to an ice-skating rink, a movie theater, and an arcade. Plus, there’s good childcare, including Cham Kids, an all-day adventure camp run by the legendary Compagnie des Guides, the oldest guiding operation in the world.
Where to Stay: Reasonably priced and centrally located, Hôtel le Morgane offers clean, modern rooms, babysitting services, and a family teatime, as well as a children’s lounge during select holidays filled with games, books, and family-friendly movies.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/TAL-ascona-lead-image-EURFAMSMTWN0924-fd04931614d947b58d8c43ccddc81100.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1&description=I%E2%80%99m+a+Mom+of+2+%E2%80%94+and+These+Are+the+Best+Small+Towns+in+Europe+for+Families){kind=link}