Beach vacations are the most relaxed for most families, as they offer the greatest prospect of parental relaxation. But where do you want to go? On which beach can small, and very small children splash around in peace and quiet? And where are there sports and entertainment for older children? Here is a small selection - ten great family beaches across Europe.
Balos Beach in Crete, Greece
The bay of Baálos on Crete's Greek island has crystal clear water, almost white sand, and a fantastic panorama. Although you have to go from the parking lot via a stone staircase to the lagoon, there is perhaps the most beautiful beach in the Mediterranean waiting for you when you get down. In addition to the actual beach, there is also a kind of natural paddling pool, a lukewarm, not even a knee-deep lagoon, in which even small children can swim without any problems.
Port d'Alcúdia in Mallorca, Spain
Probably the most family-friendly and together with Playa de Muro also the longest beach in Mallorca is located in the bay of Alcúdia. Especially at the northern end near the city of Alcúdia, families with children will find everything they could wish for: Here the beach is wide and fine sand, the entrance to the sea is very shallow, and the little ones can go to the children's playground or go banana boating, or the bigger ones are in good hands.
Albena Beach, Bulgaria
In the north of Varna, against the backdrop of striking white hotel pyramids, you will find a beach that is predestined for a family vacation. Seven kilometers long, many hotels and loads of restaurants, cafes, and shops. In particular, children are in very good hands here: gently sloping banks, children's playgrounds, pony rides, go-kart track - pretty much perfect for a relaxing and varied holiday.
Playa de las Teresitas on Tenerife, Spain
It is located in the very north of Tenerife. It is mainly visited by the residents of the nearby island capital Santa Cruz: Playa de Las Teresitas in San Andrés is set against the beautiful backdrop of the Anaga Mountains, has yellow Sahara sand, very good infrastructure, and a wall of boulders in the water. These breakwaters make the beach perfect for families as the currents of the Atlantic stay out. Everything you need for a relaxing day at the beach is available - toilets, changing rooms, a café, and snacks.
Praia do Martinhal in the Algarve, Portugal
Time seems to have stopped here: Stand-up paddlers enjoy the peace and quiet on the sea, the elderly read a book in a lounge chair, and families with children build large castles in the sand. More than a child's laugh and the sound of the waves cannot be heard. Since the access to the water is very shallow, parents don't have to worry about their youngest children.
Binz on Ruegen, Germany
With almost 2,000 hours of sunshine a year, the island of Rügen is one of the front runners in fair weather statistics. Here in Binz, the fashionable seaside resort with its elegant white villas, the sand is particularly fine, the shore area is extremely flat, and the range of leisure activities is extraordinarily large. There are regular beach games in summer, trampolines have been set up, and the children's and youth leisure center opens its doors.
Lido di Jesolo, Italy
Not only the golden yellow, 15 km long sandy beach is a paradise for families. The spectacular amusement parks also attract thousands of holidaymakers to the resort every summer, which is only a few minutes' drive from Venice. In Aqualandia, the number one water park in Italy, you can test the world's highest slide and marvel at exciting underwater worlds in the Sea Life Aquarium.
Vela Plaza in Baska on Krk, Croatia
This mostly gently sloping beach consists mostly of finely polished pebbles. There are numerous young and old activities, ranging from pedal boat rentals to bouncy castles, banana boating, and water slides to jet skiing and parasailing. There are also tennis and soccer fields, a children's playground and a beach volleyball field, not to mention the jetty that juts out into the sea for sunbathing.
Tsambika on Rhodes, Greece
This fine sandy beach is ideal for families: clear water, a flat jetty, and the best sand castle building conditions on the east coast make it the first beach holiday destination on Rhodes. It is quite crowded in summer, but there is still a free spot somewhere along the elongated bay. Loungers and umbrellas are available for a fee, a few tavernas and water sports for young and old complete the family-friendly offer.
