8 of the best luxury family holidays in Europe for October half term
Late-season sun, stylish suites and plenty to keep the kids busy - these are the European escapes worth booking now.
When the leaves start to turn at home but you’re not ready to say goodbye to sunshine, October half term is the perfect moment for an escape. Europe is brimming with luxury resorts and boutique boltholes that deliver on that elusive combination of child-friendly ease and grown-up indulgence. Here are eight of the best options to book now.
Vinte Quinta da Boavista, Portugal
For families who want something more personal than a big all-inclusive, Vinte Quinta da Boavista in Ponte de Lima is a boutique find in northern Portugal. Just over an hour from Porto, this restored farm estate has only six family bungalows, each designed with high-end finishes and plenty of space for little ones to feel at home. Days unfold gently here: children can play in the tree house, join supervised sessions in the playhouse or head to the sports ground for basketball and football, while parents recharge with yoga classes, a dip in the pool or a glass of vinho verde overlooking the vineyards. A daily sweet bar keeps children happy and babysitting is available if you’d like a quiet dinner.
From €260 (£220) per night for one adult and one child including breakfast.
Sherwood Exclusive Kemer, Turkey
On Turkey’s southern coast, Sherwood Exclusive Kemer is a five-star resort that balances serious style with family ease. The highlight for many families are the lagoon and swim-up rooms - perfect for dipping in and out of the pool between naps. For children, there’s a mini-waterpark, kids’ club and teen-friendly activities ranging from courts and watersports to console gaming. Parents can escape to the spa or take advantage of the all-inclusive dining, which has a strong reputation for quality and caters well to dietary needs. Framed by pine forests and turquoise water, it feels both luxurious and laid-back.
Seven nights all-inclusive for a family of four start from around £1,250.
Le Coucou, Méribel, France
Perched in the heart of the Three Valleys, Le Coucou brings Parisian chic to the Alps. Children are treated as VIPs from the moment they check in, with a dedicated Kid’s Club that doubles as a magical space for play and learning. Activities range from cooking and crafts to dance parties and movie nights, while during school holidays Piou Piou, the much-loved mascot of the French Ski School, presents medals at the weekly champions’ snack. Parents can look forward to refined dining, a pampering spa and ski-in/ski-out access to some of Europe’s best slopes.
Sani Resort, Halkidiki, Greece
If there’s one name that consistently tops lists of luxury family resorts, it’s Sani. Spread across a thousand acres of ecological reserve, this destination combines five distinct hotels with an extraordinary list of family-friendly activities. The Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre, Chelsea FC Football Academy, Bear Grylls Survival Academy and treetop adventure park mean children of all ages are never short of excitement. Teens get their own clubhouse at Ozone, complete with gaming, tournaments and movie nights, while parents can retreat to the spa, wine tastings or the buzzing marina. A new initiative for 2025 allows one teenager to stay for free - a thoughtful touch for families with older children.
Club Med La Palmyre Atlantique, France
Set within the pines of La Coubre forest and right on the edge of the Atlantic, Club Med La Palmyre Atlantique is a resort that invites families outdoors. Children can join the tennis school, try horse riding or cycle to nearby villages, while adults dip into sailing or golf before reuniting for sunset on the beach. With childcare, activities and food all bundled in, holidays here feel refreshingly simple and the backdrop - a blend of wild forest, rolling dunes and ocean views - makes this corner of France feel both adventurous and indulgent.
Martinhal Sagres, Algarve, Portugal
The Martinhal brand is synonymous with family luxury and the flagship in Sagres remains one of the most thoughtfully designed family resorts in Europe. Everything has been created with parents and children in mind, from the baby concierge service - providing essentials like sterilisers and baby baths - to freshly prepared purées in every restaurant. Children can join award-winning kids’ clubs from six months upwards, while older ones get stuck into surfing, biking or the Explorers Nature Club. Parents can head to the spa, enjoy sea-view dining or simply relax knowing every detail has been considered. The “Baby’s First Holiday” package is a standout, including crèche sessions, babysitting and even spa time for parents.
Packages start from £90 per adult per night based on a family of three.
Moar Gut Family Nature Resort, Austria
Not all half-term escapes need to be about beaches. In the Austrian Alps, Moar Gut is a pioneering family nature resort that offers as much adventure as relaxation. With just 46 suites, it feels intimate but packs in exceptional facilities: a 1,000m² children’s nature centre complete with trampolines, a creativity workshop, a theatre and Salzburg’s first baby spa. Daily childcare runs from 9am to 9pm, catering to babies as young as 30 days up to teens. Outside, families can meet animals on the organic farm, ride Icelandic horses or set off on hikes straight from the doorstep. It’s sustainable luxury with a wholesome twist - and one that leaves just as many memories for parents as children.
Rates from €600 (£515) per night including gourmet full board and childcare.
Club Med Magna Marbella, Spain
At the foot of the Sierra Blanca mountains, Club Med Magna Marbella feels like a sunny oasis, spread across 12 acres of terraced gardens. Families can spend days at the beach-club-inspired lagoon pool, try their first game of padel tennis or venture into nearby Marbella for a taste of Andalusian culture. There’s also an adults-only Zen Zone pool and juice bar for moments of calm while older children are happily occupied. As an all-inclusive, meals, drinks, activities and childcare are bundled in, making holidays stress-free from the moment you arrive.
