Think USA. Think National Parks. Think Europe. Think Old Towns. Yes! This is what most of the travelers presume. However, Europe is so much more beyond its Old Towns, historic Squares, and charming cobbled streets. The USA might be famous for national park vacations among families but Europe is no less. The national parks in Europe have immense natural beauty and varied landscapes that offer amazing outdoor experiences for families.
Best National Parks in Europe for Families
Here’s a list of the best national parks in Europe handpicked by travel experts for outdoor and nature-loving families to experience the best of European national parks.
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
Editor’s Pick
A UNESCO World Heritage Site of Plitvice Lakes National Parks in Croatia with its super gorgeous waterfalls, glassy lakes, and lush landscape has to be one of the best places to visit in Croatia and of course, one of the most beautiful national parks in Europe. Families with kids would love the easy-to-walk wooden pathways and bridges and several (easy to moderate) hiking paths to choose from depending upon the age of kids. And, you just walk the path one-way and board a shuttle on your way back, so no fuss with young kids.
As you walk the natural wonder and admire its superabundant beauty, don’t miss stopping at the Veliki Slap (Big Waterfall), Great Cascades (Velike Kaskade), Gradinsko Lake, and the viewpoints near the shuttle stop at the entrance 1.
You can arrive at the park by bus, taxi, or a rental car. It takes about 2 hours from Zagreb and Zadar and 3 hours from Split. Plitvice is magical whatever the season or reason though I’d recommend visiting during spring or autumn owing to the lesser crowds and pleasant weather. Take a full-day tour to Plitvice Lakes from Split or opt for a guided tour of Plitvice Lakes from Zagreb.
The entrance ticket price depends on season and range from 60 Kuna to 250 Kuna per adult for a one-day ticket. It is advisable to buy the skip the line tickets for the guided tour.
We stayed at B&B Lady of the Lake and totally recommend it to the families visiting Plitvice.
Expert Tip: Get to the park as early as possible (as soon as it opens) to get the most out of your visit one of the best natural wonders in Europe.
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Krka National Park, Croatia
By Karen from Big Adventures for Little Feet
Krka National Park in the heart of Croatia is a fabulous family-friendly option to witness the crystal blue lakes that Croatia is famous for. With easy proximity to Split and Zadar, you can easily visit Krka on a day trip but our preferred option is to stay overnight in lovely Skradin which is also the entrance point for the main gate.
We stayed at the fabulous Apartments Dino Formenti and it was one of our favorite places to stay in Croatia. The owners were super friendly and the rooms for families were spacious, comfortable, and centrally located.
From Skradin you can purchase your tickets from the National Parks Office. The current ticket prices are 200 Kuna per adult and 120 Kuna per child to visit all of the sites in Krka during the peak summer season. To beat the crowd, book the skip-the-line tickets and enjoy the time experiencing the waterfalls. If you just want to visit the most popular section of Krka or during the off-peak seasons the prices are much cheaper. Children under seven are free of charge.
Access to the National Park from Skradin is via a scenic 30-minute boat ride which the kids loved. There are lots of other families so it is quite a fun and relaxing trip. Book the day trip from Split including the boat-ride.
The most popular hike or walk at Krka is a counter-clockwise circuit starting at the very impressively beautiful Skradinski Buk or main waterfall. The walk is flat and with kids and taking plenty of time for photos and enjoying the scenery will take approximately two hours to complete. For the kids, there are some ice cream shops and open spaces along the way to take a breather as well.
If traveling with infants you would be able to do this walk with a robust pram (buggy style) but there are a number of planked boardwalks which will be a little bumpy going.
Once you have wandered through all the scenic prettiness of Krka you can take the opportunity to cool off in the refreshing waters with a swim.
Overall, Krka is the perfect family-friendly outing and the kids will love exploring and sighting the different animals such as small lizards and interesting fish swimming in the gorgeous ponds.
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Durmitor National Park, Montenegro
By Alina from World of Lina
Far in the north and close to the Bosnian border, you can find Durmitor National Park in Montenegro. With its untouched nature and great hiking routes, it’s the perfect destination for every outdoor lover – no matter what age!
The best starting point for your family trip to Durmitor National Park is the lovely village Zabljak where you’ll find some great and kids-friendly accommodations such as the Family Farm Apartments Durmitor.
From there, plan a short visit to the nearby Black Lake. It’s a beautiful and tranquil place where you can rent a boat, go for a swim, or watch fishermen at work. To explore the rest of Durmitor National Park it’s recommended to rent a car to be more flexible. The park is quite big and there are loads to see.
When it comes to hiking, you can choose one of the many trails at different levels of difficulty. The easiest and most family-friendly hike is the Moor – Zminje Jezero Loop which takes around 1:45 hours.
Another lovely thing about the national park – and what kids will definitely like – is a large number of free-roaming animals. Flocks of sheep, shepherd dogs, cows, and goats are not a rare sight there.
For families looking for some more action, Tara Bridge is the place to go. The bridge spans above the grand Tara canyon – one of the deepest river canyons in Europe. Ziplining and rafting are just a few of the many activities offered there. They’re definitely not for the faint-hearted but guarantee an epic and fun adventure!
Triglav National Park, Slovenia
By Martina from PlacesofJuma
One of the most beautiful national parks in Europe can be found in Slovenia, the Triglav National Park. Especially families with children love this natural jewel, where you will find countless possibilities for excursions and activities. Starting with picturesque mountain lakes, spectacular waterfalls, breath-taking gorges, a picturesque mountain world up to the world-famous Soča valley, everything is represented here.
Fantastic hikes for every age group and lots of sports activities await you here, such as rafting, kayaking, skiing in winter, and swimming in the many lakes/rivers in summer.
You can experience all these highlights with your family in the Triglav National Park, the largest protected area, and only National Park in the country.
The entrance to this park is free of charge and open to everyone. As a real insider tip, it is recommended to take a few day tours through the Soča Valley in Slovenia. On this tour, you will discover the most beautiful highlights and sights of the national park and can do a lot of exciting things in nature.
It is best to visit the Triglav National Park in summer. During this time, you can expect top weather, and the cool rivers and mountain lakes invite you to jump into the cool water. The park is also worth seeing in autumn when the leaves change color and the landscape shows its most beautiful side.
The Triglav National Park is located in the west of Slovenia and can also be reached from Italy. However, the journey from abroad is mostly from Ljubljana, the capital of the country, where the international airport is also located. One can take a guided day trip from Ljubljana to the park.
As an accommodation tip, we recommend the 4-star Hotel Triglav, which enchants with its dreamlike ambiance and wonderful location on Lake Bled.
Una National Park, Bosnia
By Ellis from Backpack Adventures
Una national park in Bosnia is one of the newest, but largest national park in Bosnia. Few people know about it and therefore it still receives a small number of travelers, despite its stunning landscapes. The park was established to protect the pristine nature around the Una, Krka, and Unac rivers.
Una national park is therefore all about water. Its main attractions are its waterfalls and travertines as well as the Una river and its deep emerald green color. The park is also home to some ancient forts, castles, monasteries, and mosques.
This park is perfect for a family holiday. Even though it is in a remote corner of northwestern Bosnia it is easy to access from the city of Bihac with a good road that runs through the park and that brings you right to the most famous waterfalls like milancev buk and strbacki buk and old towns like Martin Brod and Kulen Vakuf.
There are plenty of places where children can play and they will love the ethno villages with playgrounds that lie around the park. It is also easy to find family-friendly accommodation and restaurants around Una National Park. You can choose to stay in Bihac with all its facilities or a more homestay option within the park. At last, it is also a budget-friendly destination.
To visit the waterfalls there is a small entrance fee of 2 Euros, but there is no entrance fee to the park itself. Una national park is best visited in spring and autumn when the temperatures are pleasant and the weather is at its best.
Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria
By Linda from Travel Tyrol
The Hohe Tauern National Park in Austria is the largest national park in the Alps and a great destination for families who love nature and outdoor adventures. The park’s 1,856 km² stretches over three Austrian provinces – Salzburgerland, Kärnten, and Tyrol.
Perhaps one of the best places for families to visit in the Hohe Tauern National Park is the Krimml Waterfalls. With a total drop of 308 m, they are the highest in Europe. Hiking all or part of the waterfall trail is a fun way to spend time in nature. There is also a water adventure park called the Krimml Worlds of Water where kids learn about water through playing.
Another highlight in the Hohe Tauern National Park is to drive the Großglockner High Alpine Road to the foot of the Großglockner, Austria’s highest mountain at 3,798 m. It’s only 48 km long and the kids can help to count the 36 hairpin bends to keep them entertained. Or you can visit one of four themed playparks along the route.
At the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe Visitor’s center at the end of the high alpine road, there are lots of opportunities to stretch your legs. From here, you won’t only see the Großglockner up close, but also the Pasterze glacier, the largest in the Eastern Alps.
There are even things to do with kids on rainy days. The National Park Worlds in Mittersill, near the Krimml Falls, lets you “hike” through the Hohe Tauern in just a few hours and under one roof.
The closest cities to the Hohe Tauern National Park are Innsbruck and Salzburg. Innsbruck is 97 km away from the waterfalls and Salzburg 156 km. The closest towns to stay are Krimml or Mittersill, while Zell am See is also an excellent location for families.
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Tatra National Park, Poland
By Sean From LivingOutLau
The Tatra Mountains, commonly referred to as just the Tatras, is a mountain range that forms the natural boundary between Poland and Slovakia. Because it lies in the territory of two countries, there are two national parks in the Tatras: Tatra National Park Poland and Tatra National Park Slovakia.
With less strenuous hikes, better accommodations, and easier accessibility, the Tatra National Park in Poland is a more family-friendly destination than the Slovakian counterpart. To reach the Tatras in Poland, visitors will need to get to Zakopane, a small ski resort town located in the southern boundary of Poland. Once you have arrived in Zakopane, you have many options for exploring the Tatras. Take a day tour of the Tatra Mountains and Zakopane from Krakow.
Hiking enthusiasts can decide to hike up to Rysy, the highest peak of the Tatras in Poland, or they can spend multiple days exploring the wilderness. However, since there is no accommodation inside the park, hikers will have to camp.
Consequently, the most popular means to visit the Tatra National Park is through day trips from Zakopane. One of the most popular day trips to Tatras is the Morskie Oko Lake. Translating to Eye of the Sea in English, Morskie Oko is the largest lake in the Tatra Mountains.
The lake is accessible by foot, and visitors can admire its beauty via a 2.5-hour hike on a gradual asphalt road. Don’t be intimidated by the duration of the hike, the terrain is easy and the stunning views at the end will make it worth it! There are also horse-drawn carriages that will transport passengers.
Summer is usually the best time to visit if you want a pleasant time. However, winter could also be fun because the Morski Oko Lake freezes, and visitors can ice skate on it!
Visitors can also enjoy winter sports in Zakopane during that season.
If you are staying in Zakopane (which you should), make sure you stay at Aries Hotel & SPA Zakopane. Their spa is the perfect way to soothe your aching limbs after a visit to the Tatras.
The Black Forest National Park, Germany
By Cate from My Germany Vacation
The Black Forest National Park (Nationalpark Schwarzwald) in southeastern Germany is the perfect place for a family adventure. Not only do you have the stunning outdoors to explore, but there are also numerous nearby cute towns and villages to visit.
The first and only national park in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, the Black Forest National Park was created in 2014. Since it’s located about an hour north of Freiburg (the A5 is the fastest route) and 1.5 hours south of Stuttgart (on the A81), the park makes an easy Freiburg or Stuttgart day trip. Currently, it’s easiest to explore the Black Forest by car.
The park offers dense forests, waterfalls to hike to, intriguing rock formations to investigate, viewpoints to enjoy, and cycling and hiking trails to explore. In the winter you can go to snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing. Fall is of course gorgeous with the changing leaves but the Black Forest is beautiful and fun to visit year-round.
The Black Forest National Park also offers three popular and unique “adventure trails” that range in difficulty and duration (30 minutes to 3 hours). Even better, each trail has a unique path layout and is dedicated to a specific forest-related topic!
Start your visit at the park center on the Ruhestein mountain pass to ask questions, learn about program offerings, and visit their permanent exhibition about the history, geology, and protected species of the Black Forest.
Do check the hours before you go, though, to make sure they’ll be open when you arrive. If you want to spend the night near the park, look in the village of Seebach, one of the other nearby villages, or the spa city of Baden-Baden.
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Eifel National Park, Germany
By Bhushavali from My Travelogue by Bhushavali
High Fens – Eifel National Park is located on the border of Germany & Belgium. With an area of almost 2500sqkm, it fills a very large area and has very many way-marked hiking & cycling routes. There are quite a few amazing natural beauty spots all over Eifel National Park.
There are several water bodies and like many European forests, a lot of beech plantations as well. Many of these water bodies were created by volcanic eruptions in the past. The South Eifel nature park is also the home to the largest number of wild orchids in the province of RLP. This region has some very interesting rugged rock formations.
One of the interesting ways to explore Eifel National Park is by cycling on the Vennbahn Fietsroute. This is a 125km long cycling route that starts in Germany, goes via Belgium to the Netherlands which was once the historic railway line of Venn.
The most unusual aspect here is the German enclaves in Belgium along the route. The best way to enjoy a family trip here is to stay in nearby cities/towns like Aachen, Eupen, Monschau, etc, and biking a portion of this route. It is very much possible to hire e-bikes with a child seat or cargo cycles for the ride!
One of the best hiking trails here is the Eifelsteig trail that’s 313 km long starting from Aachen to Trier. Though the trails are waymarked, there’s also an app to help plan. There are also guided walking tours where the forest ranger will help in identifying the flora & fauna of the region. The best thing is that it is totally free to enter this region!
Calanques National Park, France
By Nadine Maffre from Le Long Weekend
The Calanques National Park near Marseille in France was the first park in Europe to encompass land, sea, and urban areas. The park stretches right along the coast from Les Goudes (on the outskirts of Marseille) to Cassis and takes in some breathtaking scenery along the way.
It’s a fantastic place to go hiking with the family, as the trails are neither too long nor arduous, and it’s also accessible for those unable to walk long distances. One of the most popular hikes starts in the seaside town of Cassis and takes you past the “Calanques de Cassis” – three of the most impressive Calanques (natural rocky inlets) in the park.
The second Calanque houses a beautiful, family-friendly beach where you can stop for a swim and a picnic. But I’d recommend admiring the third Calanque, Calanque d’En Vau, from above, as the descent is steep and difficult with little ones in tow.
Continue inland to finish off the 3hr loop. Calanque de Sugiton is another family-friendly hike, and walking to Calanque de Marseilleveyre from Calanque de Callelongue (Marseille end) is an easy, mostly-level trail too. For those unable to walk too far, you can drive directly into the park in the off-season and enjoy the beach and landscape at Calanque de Sormiou. Or take an unforgettable cruise in Calanque park by the stunning landscapes of the park.
Other than parking, it’s free to enter and hike in the Calanques National Park. Stay in Cassis to enjoy the village feel and stunning swimming spots. The Best Western Plus Hôtel la Rade offers a fantastic location and large family rooms.
Expert Tip – if visiting in Summer, making a reservation at the restaurant is the only way you’re allowed to drive down to Calanque de Sormiou.
Pyrenees National Park, France
By Izzy of The Gap Decaders
The Pyrenees National Park spans the French departments of Hautes-Pyrénées and Pyrénées-Atlantiques. Covering over 45,700 hectares and climbing to the heights at 3,298m, the park is a playground for hikers, skiers, and outdoor activity lovers.
The area is ideal for families, once in the park you’re already at altitudes of over 1,000m making many hikes accessible with relatively small altitude gains. With crystal clear lakes, raging waterfalls, and alpine meadows, kids will love the opportunity to roam free amongst the spectacular scenery.
Head for the Pont d’Espagne and hike or take the cable car up to the stunning Lac de Gaube. Once there, traverse around the lake and practice some bouldering in the valley, under the imposing peak of Vignemale at 3298m. The Cirque de Gavarnie is one of the most visited places in the Pyrenees National Park, not surprising when you take in the sheer scale and beauty of this natural wonder.
Formed by glaciers millions of years ago, this bowl in the mountains is home to waterfalls, rushing glacial streams, and meadows carpeted with wildflowers.
Visit the Pyrenees National Park in late May or June, for waterfalls gushing with snowmelt and wildflowers to rival the Alps, or go in July and August for guaranteed good weather, excellent camping, and evening warmth.
The park and hikes are free to but you may have to pay for things like cable cars. Base yourself at the fantastic Camping d’Arrouach just outside Lourdes, a pilgrimage city worthy of a visit. The campsite offers pitches for tents and motorhomes, as well as mobile homes for those looking for self-catering accommodation.
Expert Tip – Make sure you have the right footwear! Although these hikes aren’t technically difficult, they can be hard underfoot, especially for children.
National Park de Hoge Veluwe, Netherlands
By Cosette from KarsTravels
De Hoge Veluwe National Park in Gelderland, The Netherlands is perfect for visiting as a family. The park has white bikes which are free to use for everybody visiting the park. There are 2 models, an adult version with a child seat and a kids’ bike. This makes it ideal to explore the beautiful nature of the park.
In the center of the park is a restaurant with a playground. There are 2 museums in the park, the Kröller-Müller with art and the Museonder, a nature museum.
Go on a wild safari to spot the Big 4: red deer, wild boar, mouflon, and deer. Special workshops and searches for kids are being organized. Besides biking, hiking is ideal to explore the park. There are numerous guided hikes to follow or just go exploring on your own.
De Hoge Veluwe is made up of forests (65%), heathland, drifting sand landscapes, marshes, and grass plains. Throughout the park are several monuments and artwork to be found. All this was founded by the couple Helene and Anton Kröller-Müller at the beginning of the 20th century.
There are 3 entrances to the park: Otterlo, Hoenderloo, and Schaarsbergen. The park can be reached by car or public transport.
The park is beautiful to visit all year long. If you come to see the heathland bloom’s beautiful purple color, August and September are the best months. If your goal is to hear and see the red deer in rut, September and October are the best months.
The entrance fee is €10.95 for 13 and up, and €5.50 for kids 6 till 12. Parking is €3.90. Bringing your car into the park will cost €7.75.
There’s a nature campground in the park near entrance Hoenderloo.
Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland, Netherlands
By Lisa of Flip Flop Globetrotters
Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland is located in the western part of The Netherlands, between Zandvoort and IJmuiden. It spans about 3.800 hectares and is one of twenty national parks in The Netherlands.
This rustic dune area on the North Sea coast is a green oasis only about 40 minutes away from Amsterdam Central Station. The unique flora and fauna make this a wonderful and interesting area for families to explore, with each season bringing something new.
Apart from the main entrance at the Koevlak, this National Park has 25 entrances. Admission to the park is free and some entrances offer free parking. Each area has something different to offer. There are a lot of walking and biking trails in the park, the shorter ones are perfect for families. Explore the luxurious country estates, the varied dune area with its forests and grasslands, and the North Sea coast. Take a half-day bike tour of the dunes from Amsterdam.
Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland is accessible from sunup to sundown. There’s no accommodation in the park itself. There are a number of towns nearby where you can stay. The nearest larger city is Haarlem, which also offers a lot of fun and free do with kids.
You can reach Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland by car, public transport, or bike. To reach the main Visitors Center (Zeeweg12, Overveen) from Amsterdam Central Station, take the train to Haarlem and then take bus 81 towards Zandvoort (bus stop ‘Kennemerduinen’).
Expert Tip – At the Koevlak entrance near the Visitors Center there’s a small natural playground. In the summer months, the water pump in the playground is good for hours of fun. The Visitors Center organizes various excursions and other events and offers several treasure hunts for kids. Next to the Visitors Center, there’s the Duincafé where you can get snacks and drinks. Further along the path, there’s a play forest and a dune lake called ’t Wed. Both ’t Wed and the Oosterplas are great places to go swimming in the summer.
Dolomites National Park, Italy
By Guilia and Darek of the Travelling Sunglasses
The Natural Park of the Ampezzo Dolomites is a gorgeous area of mountain ranges, valleys, rivers, and waterfalls located in the Italian Alps, in the North-East region of Veneto. It covers an area of 11,200 hectares north of Cortina d’Ampezzo. Plenty of beautiful mountain animals and plants can be observed in the park.
You can reach the town of Cortina d’Ampezzo by car from the South by highway from Venice, or from the North from Austria and Alto Adige region. Trains arrive at Venice, and afterward, buses reach Cortina. The closest airports are Venice, Venice Treviso, Bologna, and Milan.
Considering its location at approximately 1250 meters above sea level and higher, the best periods to visit and hike the Natural Park of the Ampezzo Dolomites are spring, summer, and autumn. There are many tours of the Dolomites to choose from depending upon the destination:
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Keep in mind that the crowded high season is mainly in July and August; in the peaceful low season, many hotels are closed. In Cortina, we recommend staying at Hotel Trieste, a family-run hotel recently renovated with local materials, which boasts traditional architecture and a welcoming atmosphere.
There is no entrance fee to the park and much to do! Before you visit, check with your Hotel reception and with the local information point about the conditions of the park and of the trails. Make sure you wear suitable clothing and shoes, and that you inform your hosts about your hiking destination.
An exciting hike for families is the hike to Fanes waterfalls. There are many trails, some easier and some harder. When hiking with very young children, enjoy the forest and go to the viewpoint “Belvedere” to admire the striking waterfall.
More experienced or older children can also hike down the via Ferrata under the waterfall and into the Fanes gorge (climbing gear is compulsory and can be rented in Cortina). The hike up the waterfall canyons is also very beautiful, but quite long. Read more about the Fanes waterfalls hike here.
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Asinara National Park, Italy
By Claudia Tavani from Strictly Sardinia
Off the north coast of Sardinia, Asinara National Park is one of the most beautiful ones in Italy and a fun place to visit for families traveling with children.
The entire island of Asinara, which measures 51.9 square km, was declared a National Park in 2002.
As Asinara was used as a prison colony and leper center in the 19th century and became the location of a maximum-security prison in the 20th century, nobody other than prisoners and guards has lived on the island for more than 150 years, and that in turns has contributed to the preservation of its beautiful environment.
Asinara is home to pristine beaches – some of them heavily protected as they are a place where turtles nest and latch. It also is a fantastic place to hike – there is a multitude of good trails of varying difficulty levels; as well as bike: only service vehicles can circulate, which means biking is pleasant – though keep in mind that the island is very hilly so electric bikes may be a good idea, especially in the hot summer months.
Asinara is famous for the presence of wild donkeys – many of them albino – as well as boars, foxes, and other wildlife. Beautiful in the summer, the landscape is breathtaking in the spring, when flowers are in bloom.
If you are a history geek you will love visiting the prisons scattered around the island, and especially the bunker below the Diramazione Centrale prison in Cala d’Oliva, where mafia boss Toto Riina was held.
Although Asinara can be visited on day trips, to make the most of all that it has to offer consider spending a
