• Italy has been crowned Europe’s most family-friendly destination, outshining popular spots like Spain and France.

• Travel experts scored Europe’s top destinations on a range of family-friendly criteria.

• Italy achieved an impressive score of 9 out of 10 on the family-friendly index.

Italy has been named Europe’s top family-friendly destination, making it the go-to spot for families seeking their next getaway. With an impressive score of 9 out of 10, the country has beaten other well-loved spots such as Spain and France.

The research, by Go.Compare, evaluated Europe’s most popular travel destinations based on several family-friendly factors. It looked at the number of hotels catering to families, the reliability of the countries’ airports, and the availability of family-friendly attractions. It also took into consideration the increase in cost for flights and accommodations during peak travel seasons, like school holidays.

A “Family Score” was then created to rank the destinations based on these factors, out of 10. The top three family-friendly destinations and their scores are:

1. Italy: 9/10

2. France: 8.5/10

3. Spain: 6.8/10

Italy’s victory might be unexpected for many, especially since Spain is often considered the favourite among Brits. Its status as the most visited country has remained unchanged for over five years, drawing in nearly 18 million visits in 2023 alone – 21% of the total visits abroad last year. So, it comes as a surprise that Spain isn’t the most suitable for families.

Italy stands out with over 40,000 family-friendly hotels and more than 16,000 attractions designed for family fun. And while Spain offers just over 31,000 hotels and 8,000 attractions, it falls short in some other key areas.

For one, only 73% of flights are on time, compared to 79% for italy and 81% for France. More importantly, Spain sees a hefty 22% average price increase during school holidays, whereas Italy’s prices only bump up by 2%.[4]

Rhys Jones, travel expert at Go.Compare, said: “There are plenty of things to consider when planning a family trip. Italy’s combination of generous family-friendly accommodations, plentiful attractions, reliable airports, and minimal price increases during peak seasons make it the ultimate destination for family holidays. So, for those planning their next family trip, Italy might need to be at the top of the list.

“While our Family Score covers important factors for choosing the right destination, there are other considerations to keep in mind. Making sure you have access to convenient transport methods and dining options that cater to the whole family are small details that can make or break your holiday.

“But, even with careful planning, unforeseen circumstances can arise. That’s why travel insurance should be on the checklist. Comprehensive policies can protect you against medical expenses, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and emergency assistance if needed.”

More information on the growing trend of solo travel can be found on Go.Compare’s website.