Creating an itinerary for a European family vacation that balances adventure, culture and relaxation can be a challenge. At Backroads, we have active travel family vacations that combine all three for families, whether your family includes kids, teens or young adults, so your next family trip can be a hit with everyone.
From the Adriatic to the Atlantic, from the high Alps to Iceland, these getaways have it all. You’ll have great food, take your kids to UNESCO World Heritage Sites and historic European cities, hike to waterfalls, ride bikes or ferries. If you want to do it all, here are some of the best itineraries we recommend for your next family holiday in Europe!
Coastal Portugal & Spain to Santiago de Compostela
A Taste of Camino de Santiago Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Start: Porto, Portugal End: Santiago, Spain
Walking and biking from coastal Portugal to Santiago de Compostela in Spain is a standout trip, offering the right mix of exploration, adventure and cultural immersion. Here’s why this itinerary makes for an unforgettable family experience:
Adventure: Kayak along Portugal’s Minho River
Culture: Learn about the iconic route, the Camino de Santiago, which pilgrims have walked for centuries, and end at its historic cathedral
Relaxation: Taste regional farm-to-table dishes, like pulpo a la gallega; journey by private boat to Cíes Island Nature Reserve and relax on its white-sand beaches
What Families Are Saying
“It started with easy booking experience, exceptional knowledgeable leaders, delicious lunches in fields and manors along the routes, well-chosen accommodations to welcome the tired body and soul, and app to preview each day’s journey, elegant final dinner surrounded with piano music. There isn’t a better way to experience the Camino in comfort and style.”
—Karen, July 2024
Swiss Alps Chalets, Charm & Chocolate
Switzerland Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Start: Kandersteg End: Interlaken
Cheese, chalets and chocolate—what could be more kid-friendly? Switzerland is spectacular in all senses of the word. Whether you’re hiking through alpine meadows (look out for dairy cows enjoying a snack!) or biking past Swiss farms and villages, you’ll experience a new level of spectacularness on our family multi-adventure trip.
Adventure: Ride an alpine coaster and try out a trotti bike; kayak Lake Brienz
Culture: Bike through archetypal Swiss villages lined with wooden chalets; enjoy Swiss treats like hot chocolate, fondue and raclette
Relaxation: Refresh with a post-hike plunge in an alpine lake; window-shop or drop in at a cafe in glitzy Grindelwald
What Families Are Saying
“We just finished our family trip to Switzerland with Backroads and had a fantastic time; can’t wait to plan our next one. Everything from the travel planning, accommodations, food, activities and guides was first class! The guides made the trip so fun for my eight-year-old daughter, she loved the whole experience!”
— Heather, June 2024
The Awe-Inspiring Land of Fire & Ice
Iceland's Glaciers & Coast Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Start/End: Reykjavík
This tour has everything—from hiking the rim of a volcanic crater to zip-lining to rafting to a wildlife cruise. This family-friendly multi-adventure tour in the Land of Fire and Ice is sure to leave you amazed. On this trip you’ll find:
Adventure: Ride in an Icelandic Super Jeep; raft the glacial Hvitá River; explore an iceberg-filled lagoon on a zodiac boat; see Iceland’s iconic waterfalls
Culture: Visit a seabird sanctuary and learn about the country’s traditions of egg collecting while you look for puffins and Icelandic horses
Relaxation: Make a spa appointment or try classic Icelandic cuisine at one of our peaceful hotels
What Families Are Saying
“Best trip I’ve ever been on…Backroads had daily options for level of motivation from leisurely to challenging. All the other families on the trip were great as well, it was a pleasure getting to know them and sharing these experiences with them…the only downside was it was only six days long, I would have gladly done another week.”
—Nick, July 2024
Island-Hopping in the Adriatic from Split to Dubrovnik
Croatia Family Multi-Adventure Tour
Start: Split End: Dubrovnik
If crystal clear waters, historic towns and island-hopping on the Adriatic sounds enticing, then your whole family will love our Croatia Family Multi-Adventure Tour. Discover Dubrovnik and see for yourself why so much of Game of Thrones was filmed there. Here’s what you can expect on this tour:
Adventure: Kayak crystal clear waters along beautiful coastal inlets; hike through heath, woodlands and a dramatic slot canyon
Culture: See Roman Emperor Diocletian’s palace; check out Venetian Renaissance architecture in Hvar Town
Relaxation: Bike past olive groves and centuries-old vineyards; boat to Korčula Island and take a dip in the Adriatic; savor Croatian cuisine in a peaceful village
What Families Are Saying
“Croatia is stunningly beautiful! The Backroads trip leaders were phenomenal. My family loved the biking, hiking and kayaking. Our hotels were lovely, and the meals were delicious. A fantastic trip all around.”
—Isabelle, August 2024
This is just a sample of some of our best family-friendly itineraries in Europe. Of course, we also offer exceptional family trips to France or Italy, but there are many more—from the Netherlands to the Greek Islands, Ireland to Prague, adventure, culture and relaxation have all been built into our European vacation itineraries. Browse all of them today to see which family-friendly European vacation tour is right for you!
