Did you know Croatia boasts more than 2,000 kilometres of stunning coastline? Reason enough to put it high on the list for families who love the great outdoors. Then there are the atmospheric, medieval walled cities of Dubrovnik and Split and the turquoise, water-lapped islands of Hvar and Brač. This all adds to the irresistible allure of Croatia. Be inspired by our photos from Croatia.

The popularity of this Mediterranean country has soared in recent years, and it also combines well with Italy and Slovenia. Travel with us and you’ll sample the best Croatia has to offer, from whitewater rafting to cycling through olive groves and kayaking to discover hidden beaches.

Best for: Families with children aged 7+ (but works for all ages)
Best months: May to September
Travel style: Self-drive or island hopping

Boasting thousands of islands, amazing food, rich history, and dazzling turquoise Aegean and Ionian seas, it’s no wonder that Greece has been tempting families for relaxing holidays for many, many years. What’s not to love about this rightly popular holiday hotspot? Nope, we can’t think of anything either. And away from the tourist hotspots lies authentic and adventurous Greece, which many have yet to discover.

On Greece’s largest island, Crete, for example, you’ll find the best of Greece in a microcosm. If a blend of history and culture is your thing, then there is nowhere better than the Peloponnese Peninsula. Start in the capital, Athens, and then it’s a short hop to discover ancient ruins, less-crowded beaches and an abundance of natural beauty.

And if you can’t bear the thought of missing out on the islands altogether (we don’t blame you!), experience the perfect blend in our Athens & Cyclades Islands sample itinerary. Too much to digest? Do take a look at our Greece with Kids Top 10 feature at your leisure.

Best for: All ages, including multi-generational trips
Best months: April–October
Travel style: Island-hopping, single island base (Crete) or mainland self-drive

Located on the fringes of Eastern Europe, where East meets West, is the charming, atmospheric, and affordable country that is Georgia. Once a former Soviet outpost, today it has become something of a foodie (and wine) hotspot for the increasing number of tourists who flock here, especially with direct flights from the UK. Georgia also combines well with Armenia (its neighbour) for a multi-country combo family holiday.

Although you could easily spend days wandering around the charming capital of Tbilisi, with its cobblestone old town and architectural influences from Persia and Russia, what lies beyond is just as fascinating. Against a backdrop of the Caucasus Mountains and Black Sea beaches, there’s an array of adventurous activities particularly suited to older kids, from white-water rafting to mountain hiking, horse-riding, and ancient cave town exploration. Take a look at what you could be doing on our Georgia Highlights sample itinerary.

Best for: Families with teens, hikers and history buffs
Best months: May–September
Travel style: Cultural + mountain itinerary

It may be half the size of Wales, but Montenegro is a veritable giant when it comes to offering exciting family holiday adventures. Stunningly beautiful and hugely varied, Montenegro is a country of wild beauty, with rugged mountain scenery, glacial lakes, lush forests, and fast-flowing rivers. Perfect for hiking, zip-lining, cycling, kayaking and white-water rafting. If this appeals, check out our Montenegro with Kids Top 10 feature.

What’s perhaps less well known is that Montenegro also boasts a stunning turquoise Adriatic coastline, easily rivalling Croatia. Fabulous, Italian-influenced cuisine and affordable, welcoming accommodation are also a bonus! Montenegro’s diminutive size also makes it perfect for self-drive holidays – so when the inevitable “Are we there yet?” arises, you can confidently say, “Yes!”

A land of truly spectacular natural beauty, Norway and its fjords, mountains, islands and 100,000 kilometres of coastline, clings to the northern edge of Europe in dramatic fashion. No wonder Norway has become known as a natural playground for families who love the outdoors.

How your family experiences Norway, though, depends on what time of year you prefer to travel. In July and August, Norway’s long summer days lend themselves to white-water rafting, SUP-ing on mirror-like lakes, kayaking on fjords, hiking glaciers or staying in remote cabins. In winter, a different kind of magic descends with winter sports dialled up to the max. For the ultimate in Arctic adventure, head further north beyond Tromso and Spitsbergen, where polar bears, whales and walrus live amidst the stunning Svalbard glacial scenery, adding to the family adventure!

Portugal has reinvented itself in recent years. Once known for fly-and-flop beach breaks and golf holidays, it’s now a haven for adventurous families and food lovers. The atmospheric cities of Lisbon and Porto are ideal for exploring on foot, with plenty of culture, art, and incredible food. Beyond the ever-popular Algarve, the country’s 350 miles of Atlantic coastline promise world-class surf, coastal hikes, beach camps, and endless water adventures. Venture inland to discover Sintra’s fairy tale castles, Alentejo’s scenic cycling trails, and charming villages waiting to be explored. See our Portugal with Kids Top 10 for more adventures.

Further afield, even more exciting, unusual and adrenaline-fuelled adventure entices increasing numbers of family travellers to Portugal’s Atlantic outposts, namely the Azores (think volcanic island adventure, coasteering, caves and lagoons) and the ‘garden’ island of Madeira (think family adventure such as whale watching, hiking and cycling and the unique Monte Toboggan sledge!).

Given that Slovenia has such wildly diverse landscapes within its borders, from alpine and karst mountain scenery, river lowlands, and the Mediterranean coast, you’d think Slovenia would be far bigger than it is. It’s not. Although easy to self-drive from north to south in under a day, linger longer here, and you’ll be wowed (as these families were – read our customer reviews) by its welcoming people, delicious cuisine, dramatic scenery, and one of the most wallet-friendly places to visit in Europe.

Perhaps one of the most famous attractions outside of the capital, Ljubljana, is the iconic church on Lake Bled, which adventurous families can get up close to by stand-up paddleboard. Elsewhere, though, you could be cycling through the Radovna Valley, hiking the Vrsic Pass, white-water rafting the Soca River, exploring caves and gorges, or kicking back, enjoying glorious seafood in the pretty harbour town of Piran. Check out photos of our exciting Slovenia staff trip.

It may be one of the newest destinations we’ve added to our extended Europe portfolio, but this is a country that needs little introduction. Famous for its music scene (from Abba to Avicii), Scandi design (IKEA, Volvo) and its high standard of living, what makes Sweden such a fabulous destination for adventurous families is its natural landscapes. Abundant forests! Beautiful lakes! Majestic mountains! And, if you’re lucky, the ethereal natural light show that is the Aurora Borealis.

We have both a winter-based sample itinerary and a summer one. Go during the Christmas holidays or February half term and you’ll explore (from husky-sledding to snowmobiling) the Arctic wilderness that is Swedish Lapland. In the summer holidays, make the most of the long days of the Midnight sun, exploring Gothenburg & Coastal Sweden

If you’re a family for whom a successful holiday means lots of sun, sea and sand but with a more exotic twist than mainland Europe, Turkey is an absolute winner from Easter right through to October half term. Even better, it’s just over a four-hour flight from the UK, so it’s jet-lag free. Children of every age will love splashing, kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing or swimming in the warm waters of the aptly named Turquoise Coast, where character-filled harbour towns and historic Roman and Ottoman ruins only add to the appeal.

Explore Istanbul, for centuries the official city that bridged East and West, haggling in the bustling Grand Bazaar. And enjoy one of the best views in the country, taking a balloon ride over the limestone chimneys of Cappadocia! Although it is a huge country that can be navigated by internal flights, families with younger children in particular might want to focus on one area, which can be easily self-driven. See our sample Turkey itineraries and  Active Family Europe Holidays feature for more on Turkey.