The best family friendly Airbnbs in Europe

Looking for a private swimming pool or that all important separate sleeping space, without draining your savings? Want the freedom to cook what you want, when you want? How about access to a washing machine for those inevitable mucky clothes? For the ultimate purse-and-parent-pleasing pads, continue reading our pick of the best family friendly Airbnbs in Europe

A bite sized guide to: The best family friendly Airbnbs in Europe

Best Balearic bolthole – Cala S’Almunia, Mallorca

Best budget boutique – Elea Suites and Residences, Crete

Best for serene solitude – Le Moulbot, Portugal

Best for baby’s first holiday – The Cove, Greece

Best for stylish city living – Townhouse in Porto, Portugal

Best for extended families – Villa Le Cerase, Puglia

Best for a hidden hideaway – Es Bellveret, Mallorca

Best for location, location, location – Maison Marguerite, France

Best for dreamy design – Casa Pineta, Italy

Best secret seaside spot – New Obra Apartment, Cadaques

Best affordable alternative – Ounas River Apartment, Rovaniemi

Cala S’Alumnia, Mallorca

A beacon for beach-loving families, this fabulous finca is enviably situated in easy reach of Mallorca’s dreamiest sandy stretches. Insta iconic Cala Llombards is a mere 5 minute drive away, with multiple beach-blessed Mondrago National Park and spacious Es Trenc also close by. Glorious seascapes isn’t the only benefit of staying here. Traditional towns Santanyi and Ses Salines are a hop, skip and jump away – spoiling visitors with charming streets, locally-loved restaurants and sensory stimulating markets

Back at your base, travelling with extended family is made easy thanks to the finca set up here. One honey-hued building houses a large annex, complete with separate bathroom, whilst in the main house you’ll find two further bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, large living room (with TV), master and children’s bedroom. Going above and beyond the usual family fare, alongside cots & highchairs you’ll find a potty, spare swim nappies, children’s crockery and even a seriously decked out toy shed! The serene swimming pool is nothing short of magical – plus it’s home to the ever elusive toddler friendly steps!

From: £135 p/night

Elea Suites and Residences, Crete

Calling all families who like to get under the skin of countries they visit, Elea Suites and Residences is the boutique bolthole for you. More than just a fly & flop hotel, the family hosts encourage guests to explore, experience and enjoy the best of Crete. The authentic antithesis to some of the island’s larger resorts, a stay here is proudly rooted in traditionalism and heritage. Expect a famous Greek warm welcome; superlative service; and airy interiors showcasing modern minimalism – think brushed concrete walls, black raffia lamps and design conscious cane furniture. Whilst sightseeing is definitely recommended, the hotel’s slow living ethos can also be enjoyed around the stunning central pool. For those travelling with just one tiny traveller, the Superior Suite with Balcony is beautifully spacious with a light, bright and airy bedroom, separate living space with a sofa bed, kitchenette and large private balcony with a pool view. Larger families will want to bed down in either the Deluxe Suite or Villa

Live like a local and uncover hidden gems you’d never find in the guidebooks, with plenty of recommendations from the owners. Less than a 5 minute wander away, Gouves promenade is a relaxed seafront stretch promising family fun – expect quiet beaches, a children’s playground with bouncy castles and inflatable slides, chilled beach bars and sea view tavernas (check out Island Restaurant for dinner with unbeatable views and a secure outdoor play area)

From: £71 p/night

Le Moulbot, Portugal

There’s a reason Portugal is one of our favourite destinations for family holidays – it really does tick all of the boxes; easy flight; beautiful beaches and fabulous food. If parent pleasing to you means privacy, space and holidaying with no one’s children other than your own, we’ve got the Portuguese pad for you. Moulbot, is a gorgeous house in the hills in the heart of the ‘authentic’ Algarve, a mere 45 minute drive from Faro airport. Inside the white-washed walls you’ll find two ‘bedrooms’; a master upstairs with an eclectic wraparound mural and a sofa bed in the downstairs sitting room. Keep the living room to yourself as an after hours adult space and make use of the separate study as a makeshift nursery. The infinity pool is the star of the show, with breathtaking views and surround-sound scenery (although the only noise you’ll hear is the trees swaying in the wind or the music you choose to play). There’s a large shallow section of the pool which is ideal for tiny toes to splash around in

If you can drag yourself away from your personal paradise, the charming town of Tavira is only 15 minutes away, as are some of the region’s most beautiful beaches. Fabrica is a stunning stretch of sand on the Ria Formosa – a coastal lagoon natural park of sandbanks and sea. Whilst Fabrica is more of a BYOBG (bring your own beach gear) vibe, nearby Barril has all the amenities a family could need whilst remaining one of the quietest beaches on the southern Algarve coast. Parking is easy. There’s a handful of beachfront cafes, a playground and super clean toilets complete with baby change. What more could you ask for?

From: £100 p/night

The Cove, Greece

Repeat after us, the smaller the babe the easier it is to travel. Make the most of your sprog being small, sleepy and super portable and hot foot it over to The Cove before they’re old enough to start asking ‘are we there yet?’ With lunar-like landscapes, some of Greece’s beach beaches and a penchant for laidback living, Milos should be at the top of every family’s Mediterranean bucket list. Accessible via a direct flight from Athens or three hour catamaran ride (cruising next to the endless Azure waters more than justifies the slightly longer scenic route), mighty Milos is well worth the journey. Once a former fisherman’s boat storehouse, this beautifully renovated 2 bed beachfront bolthole has style in spades. Cobalt blue framed windows play homage to the sparkling seas outside, with easy, breezy interiors helping guests relax and unwind. Parents need not worry about extensive packing lists, as a cot, highchair, changing table and games are all provided

Adults and babies alike will be lulled soundly to sleep by the lullaby of lapping waves outside. When you wake up, there’s crystal clear waters begging to be swam in, postcard perfect pictures waiting to be taken and traditional tavernas calling out to be tasted. Foodies will want to head to O! Hamous! the hugely popular farm-to-table family run taverna 

From: £172 p/night

Townhouse in Porto, Portugal

We openly admit we’re drunk in love with Porto. Thanks a little to the signature drink and a lot to the heady mix of culture and cuisine – not to mention the super low costs! For a budget (but seriously boutique) central city stay, head to this heritage home. Hosts have lovingly restored a historic Arts Quarter townhouse into a 3 bed, 3 bath, seriously spacious space. Rooms are palatial (putting most hotels to shame) and sympathetically decorated with mid century trimmings and traditional touches

A true gastronomic playground, eating your way around Portugal’s second biggest city is a delicious delight for all the senses. Charming cobblestoned streets are perfumed by the sweet smell of freshly baked Pastel de Natas. Potterheads can get their magical fix at Livraria Lello Library, whose ornate bookcases and winding staircases acted as Hogwarts inspiration. It would be a major loss to visit Porto and not indulge in a little port tasting. Taylor’s is a great option for families. The tour’s are self guided and there’s ample room for little legs to roam, plus the outdoor tasting area is home to beautiful resident peacocks  

Check our our parent pleasing mini guide to Porto 

From: £193 p/night

Villa Le Cerase, Puglia

Hassle free family holidays don’t always need to rely on Kids Clubs, especially not when hands on help comes in the form of grandparents (/ built in babysitters). Deep in the peaceful countryside of Salve lies Villa Le Cerase, a cluster of 3 sympathetically converted trulli surrounding a serene private pool, ideal for extended families, or friends, (it sleeps 7 in total). Inside the main house you’ll find a fully equipped kitchen, double bedroom, bathrooms and living room – which can be used to house the provided cot. A further two double bedrooms and bathrooms are located in the other annexes. Parents themselves, the owners go above and beyond with tiny touches – children’s bike seats, paddling pool, arm bands and toys are all provided. The bathroom setups are shower only, but a baby bath and mini towel are thoughtfully provided 

There’s a large supermarket, stocked with fresh fruit, veg and Puglian pasta, a handy 5 minute drive away. The local town of Salve is 5 minutes in the other direction (where Pizzeria Salentina dishes up authentic Italian pizzas not to be missed). The natural swimming spot at Marina Serra is the stuff insta dreams are made of, and the perfect morning accompaniment to an afternoon in Tricase. It would be criminal to visit the south of Puglia and not eat at Taverna del Porto – for seafood lovers a meal here is a pilgrimage in its own right. There’s a little playground out front and a castle-backed beach a few minutes away. We’d also highly recommend lunch at Lo Scalo, a teeny tiny beach club with a mighty menu, served with a side of stunning seafront views. Looking for a culture fix? The baroque town of Lecce is an easy hour’s drive from Salve. The historic centre is small enough to be done between morning and afternoon naps

From: £222 p/night

Es Bellveret, Mallorca

Love Island aside, there’s a reason families hold Mallorca high in their hearts. Far away from the maddening crowds Es Bellveret offers a slice of personal paradise, where your only neighbours are the surrounding nature and occasional birds. Inside this 2 bed, 2 bath finca, wooden beams and white washed walls are complemented with raffia fixtures and light linens. Outside the honeyed exterior lies a stunning saltwater infinity pool. Packing is a breeze, with black out blinds, cot, highchair, baby bath and safety gates all provided.Sometimes the most effective weapon in your parental arsenal for a little downtime is a spot of screentime. Prime and Netflix are both available on the HDTV, if needed

An authentic rural Mallorca is on your doorstep. Offering an alternative to the country’s busiest beaches, secluded sandy spots are within easy reach. Sant Llorenç, a 16th century village, serves up impressive architecture, serene squares, baroque churches and plenty of traditional, locally loved restaurants. Relatively untouched by tourism, nearby Arta is a picturesque mountain-tucked town. Visit on Tuesdays for the weekly market, famous for its local pottery and basket weaving 

From: £235 p/night

Maison Marguerite, France

With a dreamy location slap bang in the middle of the French countryside, yet close to lots of cute villages, BIG BOXES are also ticked for convenience at this 4 bed highly coveted cottage. Nestled in the Hauts-de-France region, it’s an easy, peasy 4 and a half hour drive from south east England. Inside you’ll find plenty of room for 10 with super stylish interiors, whilst outside, the glittering pool overlooks rolling hills with roaming horses in the fields. There’s a trampoline and table tennis to keep tiny travellers entertained, plus tree climbing, kayaking trips, archery and more nearby  

From: £270 p/night

Casa Pineta, Italy

It can be hard to find beachfront holiday homes (hotels normally dominate sandy scenes), which makes this Italian abode all the more special. Steps from the shores of Elba Islands Marina di Campo, surrounded by an umbrella of pinewood trees, stands Casa Pineta, a 4 bedroom aesthetically pleasing abode of design aficionado’s dreams. The photoshoot worthy interiors aren’t just for adults, children are treated to books, toys, cars and trains in a stylish space allocated just for them. The modern kitchen, blessed with juicy orange tiles and wooden panelling, comes equipped with a food processor making whipping up food for weaning babies super easy. The large enclosed garden is ideal for children to run around, allowing adults to relax on the outdoor sofas and sun beds or whip up a feast in the gorgeous al fresco kitchen 

Elba may not be the most well known beach break destination, but as the third largest Italian island (after Sicily and Sardinia), it’s one we highly recommend. From beautiful beaches to bouncy castles, there’s plenty to do right on your doorstep. Whether you’re searching for tiny coves, sugar white shores or striking black pebbles, there’s a postcard perfect stretch of sand for you. Don’t miss Parcogiochi Arcobaleno, a wonderland for little legs with trampolines and electric cars for kids to ride 

From: £360 p/night

New Obra Apartment, Cadaques

Locally loved, but tourist light, Cadaqués is considered by many Spaniards to be the prettiest town in Catalonia – and for good reason. A charming seaside spot, blessed with secret coves, pebbled beaches, bustling restaurants and artisanal boutiques. On the subject of art – Dalí and Picasso count themselves as former residents, and visits to their homes are sensory stimulation for adults and offspring alike. During the summer, there’s a limit on the number of cars allowed to enter the town, meaning the lucky few have the jewels of this hidden gem largely to themselves. Ease-seeking families should make a beeline for the Obra apartment. This modern 2-bed base is home to a well equipped kitchen, cot, highchair and bath. Plus, the location is a short (2 minute) stroll to supermarkets, shops and sands

From: £73 p/night

Ounas River Apartment, Rovaniemi

Dreamt of witnessing the Northern lights? Kids sure to swoon over seeing Santa? There’s no denying Lapland is a serious bucket list trip contender, but is it possible to experience the memory-making magic without remortgaging your house to do so? In a word – yes! Swerve the eye-wateringly expensive organised trips and opt for a little DIY instead. This family friendly apartment in Rovaniemi starts from as little as £91 p/night – and that’s for 4 guests! Smug, spend-savvy guests can expect one double bedroom and a living room complete with sofa bed. Going beyond the standard cot and highchair, tiny travellers are also treated to toys, games and books, plus children’s cutlery. Location, location, location is the name of the game here, with iconic Santa Claus Village a short ten minute car ride away. Don’t have your own wheels? No worries! The town centre can be reached on foot in ten minutes, where regular buses depart for the home of Father Christmas

From: £91 p/night