Which European Country Is Most (or Least) Family-Friendly? Five Writers Weigh In

Many different measures can be used to evaluate, weigh, and gauge our home continent; these include concrete figures such as Russia being its largest nation (which is clear) and Vatican City being the smallest. Monaco stands out for having the highest population density whereas Iceland has one of the lowest densities, provided you consider Greenland as part of Denmark. politically speaking, it is ).

However, some aspects are more challenging to measure precisely. For instance, which nation crafts the finest wines (relax, France; it’s merely a query)? Or, which boasts the most exceptional traditional cooking (once again, France, there’s no reason to get agitated — we’re all aware that "cuisine" comes from you, and although this might indeed showcase your undisputed talent for culinary arts, let’s maintain composure).

What about the least tangible concept—family-friendly atmosphere? Does Germany feel more at ease concerning this aspect compared to other places? die kinder ; is Italy the campione when it comes to belli bambini ; or has some other European country become the undisputed master of making small children suffer?

This, naturally, is an entirely subjective issue. That’s precisely why multiple authors have attempted to address it. In this case, five writers have undertaken the task. Telegraph Travel ’s frequent contributors share their views on which European nation is the most welcoming for families—while also pointing out regions where children, big and small, might not be as accepted...

Friendliest: Greece

Maybe it's the clarity of the skies, maybe it's the consistently azure summers seas - but I feel Never viewed Greece as a nation with anything but a sunny demeanor. Basking in the coziness of its climate, and content with its circumstances among the whispering olive groves.

If this seems somewhat trite, let me tell you that my overall view of the southeastern tip of Europe leans towards what follows. While I am aware that beyond the beaches and traditional Greek restaurants, Greece faces challenges and hardships, these somber times where smiles fade into scowls remain rare for me. Throughout approximately two dozen trips, Greece has consistently appeared unruffled by global adversities; it remains vibrant, welcoming, and genial—indeed, persistently warm-hearted.

I'm not certain whether it’s necessary to prepend "family" to "friendliest," as being open and fond of children is inherently part of the Greek character. This aspect makes Greece a consistent vacation spot for me ever since I had my child. There have been many instances of kindness, yet nothing compares to the time when we were dining at a quaint place in Parga located in northwest Epirus. The chef, also a mother, took some moments out of her day to stroll with our infant son around the dining area so that his weary parents could enjoy their meal somewhat undisturbed.

Least friendly: The UK

Maybe due to its grayer skies, this nation seems – at least from my perspective – not quite as welcoming for families. Theme parks here, packed with crowds, often come with interminable lines and a general surliness , at establishments where children seemingly shouldn’t even be noticed, much less make noise, Britain’s approach toward its youth frequently falls short compared to the warmth found along the Mediterranean coast. Maybe this difference stems from my living under these grayer skies most months instead of just during the sunny fortnight each July and/or August when many visit. Isn’t there an age-old saying about how familiarity breeds contempt?

Chris Leadbeater

Friendliest: Wales

I've taken my two kids to dine on conveyor-belt sushi in Japan, go boating to deserted islands near Mauritius, and ride camels in Morocco. If you ask them about their experiences, they would tell you all about these adventures. want to go through and the response is invariably the same: Wales .

You might find it hard to believe, and your kids could be pre-teens (one aged 10 and almost 13), yet they still act quite wild. Fortunately, Wales offers all sorts of adventures they would enjoy: navigating through muddy fields using maps, looking for newts, splashing around in streams wearing Wellington boots, and sleeping under tents accompanied only by nocturnal owl calls. Plus, for moms and dads, there’s an added perk—the exciting activities in Wales won’t break the bank.

Walking across the Welsh border via the shaky Biblins Rope Bridge over the River Wye doesn’t cost anything (except maybe for the marshmallow-studded hot cocoa at the cafe on the opposite bank). Strolling through Hay-on-Wye’s vintage bookstores won’t set you back either, with finds that can last a lifetime. Additionally, tumbling down hills into a streamlined depression teeming with breeding tadpoles makes for timeless amusement (for those who wish to partake, head towards the region surrounding Castrogi Brook in Llanvair Discoed close to Chepstow).

From visiting Tintern Abbey (where a guide took the children on an unscheduled exclusive tour and sparked their imagination with stories about secret carvings and spirits) to browsing at Llangollen’s Oggie Shop, where the staff demonstrated great patience as they chose pastries, the Welsh folks have consistently shown kindness to us. That's precisely why we plan to return this year.

Least friendly: Crete, Greece

It turned out that Crete’s wintertime sunshine could be deceptively cold. When we arrived at a hotel located east of Chania, it wasn’t much consolation that reaching the beach meant navigating through a congested area of semi-industrial land (as the island witnesses frequent additions of new hotels annually, idyllic and easily reachable spots may be scarce).

Rather than engaging in sandcastle construction, we chose to visit Chania’s Archaeological Museum. There, we discovered stunning Roman mosaics and an ancient Minoan sarcophagus—until suddenly, a security guard began yelling at some children who had approached the display cases too closely. To lift their spirits, we went to a nearby water park; although it worked initially, each descent through the wobbly slides towards shockingly cold and murky waters made us constantly nervous. Meanwhile, indifferent lifeguards seemed oblivious to the situation around them.

The family-oriented services on the island appeared lacking, yet we enjoyed an exceptional dinner at a tucked-away eatery nestled down a blossoming path in a close-by fishing hamlet. While meandering along the shoreline after our meal, we stumbled upon two deceased rodents lying on the sands. This sight was so repulsive that it failed to pique the interest of the neighborhood feral cat group—despite this, my child counted encountering these rats as one of his favorite moments from our vacation.

Amanda Hyde

Friendliest: Italy

It's not about the history. It's not about the art. It's not about the culture. (Are you met A child lately?) And it surely doesn't resemble the lengthy –“so boring!”– lines at every airport (and hotel registration counter, and vehicle rental place, and touristic site...).

Nope, sorry, Leonardo, it’s the food .

Pizza for every meal? Prego, signore! Is spaghetti bolognese the more refined option? Si, signora! Are all the vegetables presented battered and deep-fried together with pieces of fish? Fritto misto per tutti , buddy! Add some breadsticks and gelato And you have the imagination of a five-year-old when it comes to planning a family vacation.

Apart from that, you have the stunning beaches of somewhere like Sardinia, perfect for young children; bloody battles and gladiators-filled Rome for elementary school kids; Instagram-worthy landmarks such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa for teenagers hooked on their screens; and the entire artistic hubbub of places like the Uffizi Gallery and Accademia in Florence catering to aspiring college students or unexpectedly serious high schoolers.

Children of every age will enjoy this laid-back Dolce Vita lifestyle involving late-night dinners past bedtime. Actually, the sole issue is that they end up getting somewhat too Excited about everything. A few big glasses of Chianti for mom and dad along with a round of pizzas?

Least friendly: France

Parents: [cheerfully] "Come on, Charlie, give it a go with your French. The locals appreciate when you attempt to use some of their language, plus it'll be great practice for your GCSE exams."

Charlie: [hesitantly, blushing] "Hello. May I..."

French waiter: [dramatically sighs, rolls his eyes, adds €10 to the bill, and speaks over Charlie with impatient yet impeccable English] "The burger, yes?"

Seriously, France isn’t even adult -friendly, let alone child- friendly The French view their children with a dismissive lack of interest – and ours with hidden disdain because of their style blunders and unwillingness to consume escargot. Vacances elsewhere.

Ed Grenby

Friendliest: Austria

Great family vacations desire three elements: engaging activities, comforting cuisine, and a cultural atmosphere where children aren’t necessarily the main focus but are still very much welcomed. Austria excels in all these areas (although I would also commend its neighbors, Germany and Switzerland, for their noteworthy contributions).

During your stay, you'll enjoy skiing in the wintertime, hiking with a backpack during the summertime, swimming in clear lakes, or exploring Vienna. the globe's most livable metropolis .

When it comes to cuisine, my children, now teenagers, have no superior cakes compared to those found in Vienna. kaffehaus (don’t overlook, this is where it all began for the viennoiserie That the French have embraced as their own). Additionally, there’s the schnitzel and great wine for the parents – besides, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland are all much more accommodating to vegetarians compared to, for instance, France or frequently, even Britain.

Ultimately, Austria – along with Germany and Switzerland – is remarkably hospitable towards children. There are the Kinderhotels if you have toddlers or young kids, but also traditional operas presented using puppets , merely one of the numerous methods the city where Mozart was born ensures accessibility to classical music.

Least friendly: Spain

"She has quite an appetite for dinner at eight," crooned Ol' Blue Eyes. While this wasn't about the dietary routines of British kids, it easily could've been. Spaniards are well-known for their habitually tardy mealtimes; they start lunch as early as one o'clock and dine around eight, with both meals being prolonged affairs. For a child who doesn’t nap on cue, these schedules can be tricky. In contrast, although the French adhere rigidly to set meal hours at restaurants, those timings usually occur earlier, making things more convenient for young Brits.

Sara Sherwood

Friendliest: Turkey

I adore Kalkan in Turkey for its secure, welcoming, laid-back atmosphere. This charming seaside town lies close to Antalya and is about a two-hour journey from Dalaman Airport. The area boasts excellent rooftop eateries where one can savor delicious mezze dishes accompanied by the enchanting sound of the nightly call to prayer. Additionally, each visit, I make sure to purchase a solitary red rose from our favorite cheerful florist, whom we jokingly refer to as "the chicken family" due to an amusing incident when we all chose identical poultry kebabs upon meeting him years ago. He always seems delighted—or at least pretends—to welcome us back with warmth during our annual return.

During the day, it operates as a beach club where you can get a Turkish massage. Then, stroll through the winding hills of this quaint town and visit its trendy boutiques to pick up counterfeit soccer jerseys for your boy and imitation designer fragrances for your girl. Sip some mint tea and take the opportunity to speculate about why tourists are visiting – "snorkeling", "perfect smiles," and so forth.

In October, during half-term, we visit when the mercury hits around 25°C, and the nearby beaches like Patara (nestled amidst ancient Lycian sites) and Kaputas (reminiscent of every picturesque postcard with its pristine sands) remain blissfully uncrowded. A great excursion would be to Saklikent Gorge, just a short drive away; here you can raft through one of the planet’s most profound gorges. Post-adventure, unwind at a riverside eatery where meals are served under swaying hammocks. The food is delectably tempting—so much so that it triggered an old gallstone issue for me once, but I still indulged in dessert!

The children’s favorite activity is the excursion from Kas to the Greek island of Meis. They enjoy swimming at the stunning nearby Blue Cave before watching my wife—who has an intense fear of turtles—dash away from a waterside restaurant when Maximus the enormous sea turtle approaches seeking food.

Least friendly: Iceland

Iceland — as the name suggests — is chilly. We went there for New Year, and indeed, the glaciers were quite impressive. Game-of-Thrones The scenery beyond the wall is breathtaking, yet having a picnic with gloves meant for skiing near a waterfall along the Golden Circle when the children turn blue due to 100 mph winds and temperatures of -7°C isn’t really my idea of fun. Nope.

"Sneaker waves" unexpectedly take several lives annually along these dangerous shores. As for the Aurora Borealis, never witnessed them due to persistent cloud cover. The city of Reykjavík appears as an unattractive jumble of concrete structures, construction equipment, and corrugated metal roofs; moreover, a single serving of ordinary wine tends to cost more than a typical restaurant meal. It's great that most houses utilize geothermal energy for heating via hot springs, yet this leads to everything having an eggy odor. Notably absent from mention are the feral horses prone to assaulting vehicles unpredictably, not to forget how folks get exceedingly listless and erratic around New Year’s Eve because of insufficient daylight exposure, often resorting to launching fireworks into the street towards one another just to pass time.

Ben Hatch

Subscribe to the Front Page newsletter at no cost: Your key resource for today’s schedule from The Telegraph — delivered directly to your mailbox every single day of the week.