Affordable European vacations with kids

With so many different cultures in close proximity to each other, Europe has more than enough variety to keep children entertained on vacation. Travel between countries by car or train, or get really familiar with the locals and make yourself at home in one location.

Your vacation doesn’t have to be a splurge either – here are the best affordable destinations with kids in Europe.

Refreshingly inexpensive by European standards, Bulgaria offers a wide range of international accommodations and cuisines to cater to a diverse crowd, without being overrun as a tourist hotspot. Most visitors head to the Black Sea, a surprisingly unsalty body of water that enjoys consistent sunshine. The calm surf is also reassuringly safe for small children. In the center of Bulgaria’s coastline, Obzor is a small seaside town that’s particularly fun for kids, with fresh seafood, good beaches, and easy access to the countryside. The hotel Bisser Obzor has a garden with an outdoor pool and its own mini market, plus it’s only 300 feet from the town’s sandy beach.

Agroturismo Matxani Gran is an affordable and charming farm stay in rural Menorca. The sunny terrace is a prime location to have breakfast before heading to the swimming pool for the day. Explore the extensive grounds and you’ll meet the property’s flock of sheep and two donkeys. With home-cooked meals and the freedom to use the kitchen, bar, and barbecue yourself, it quickly feels like home – but just a bit more rustic and carefree.

Boasting the title of largest national park in England, the Lake District is a natural playground. Here you’ll find England’s tallest mountain, Scafell Pike, and Lake Windermere, the country’s most expansive body of water. Cross gentle streams over small arched bridges or hop over dry stone walls to find vantage points for taking in the romantic beauty of the region. If you want to feel at one with the wilderness, there’s also a network of inviting yet practical climbing huts throughout the area. Start your trip at Lake House in Ambleside, located on a hill overlooking Lake Windermere.

Not only is it one of the most affordable countries in Europe, Malta has a wealth of both sightseeing and beach options to enjoy. Having passed through the hands of the Rom,an Empire, North African Moors, and European crusaders—among others—this Mediterranean island still bears traces of its historic ruling powers. The architecture and language are reminiscent of the Middle East, while the landscape and climate are similar to neighboring Sicily. If you want to experience historic Valletta, stay at 10 Strait Street, a high-ceilinged apartment in an old stone building.

Brittany is known as one of the most naturally beautiful regions in France. Popular among campers, it's home to hundreds of wide, sandy beaches, with safe but consistently good surf. Further from the coast, you’ll find pristine fields, winding rivers, and medieval towns. Be sure to visit the cone-shaped island of Mont-Saint-Michel, an impressive fortified commune rising out of the sea and connected to the mainland by a tidal causeway. The vast abbey is the stuff of legends and often shrouded in mist. Check in to Camping du Quinquis, a family-friendly campsite with an outdoor swimming pool and playground, located just over a mile from the beach.