I want to talk about a type of accommodation that I think a lot of North American families haven’t even heard of.
They’re called Eurocamps, and they are AMAZING for traveling with kids.
Eurocamps (sometimes called holiday parcs) are all over Europe. They’re big, family-focused properties that can be near beaches, cities, forests, lakes, or even theme parks. If you’ve ever been to an all-inclusive resort in Mexico, they’re similar in terms of the outdoor activities available… but the setup is completely different.
You’re not staying in a hotel.
You’re staying in either a safari-style tent or a mobile home. And the kids can walk or bike straight from your door to the pool, playground, or ice cream stand in minutes.
Where are Eurocamps located?
There are over 400 Eurocamp and holiday parcs across Europe. You’ll find them in:
France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Portugal, Switzerland, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, and more.
They’re often located:
- Near beaches
- Close to popular cities
- In forests and countryside areas
- Beside lakes
- Even near theme parks
Which makes them really easy to add into a European itinerary without going out of your way.
You can use them as a base for exploring an area, or as a break in the middle of a busy sightseeing trip like we did. During our 3 week holiday in Italy, we took a break from the go-go-go of sightseeing and stayed at Hu Parc Albatros Village for 3 nights. The kids were with their cousins and they LOVED it. There’s something about a resort where the kids have a little more autonomy, they can go get their own drinks, walk or bike over to their cousins mobile home, head to the pool on their own, they just love and as parents we get a little break!
What’s actually at a Eurocamp?
Most Eurocamps have:
- Multiple pools (often with waterparks and toddler areas)
- Playgrounds and sports courts
- Bike rentals
- Mini golf, archery, zip-lining, or water sports
- Kids clubs and teen activities
- Nightly entertainment like shows, dancing, or family quizzes
- A grocery store on site
- Restaurants and snack bars
- Gelato stands (very important)
They are incredibly kid-friendly without feeling chaotic. Many parcs are car-free inside, have security gates, and are designed so kids can move around independently.
It’s one of the only places on a European trip where parents actually get a bit of a break.
What makes Eurocamps so great for family travel
If you’re traveling with extended family like we were, you can each have your own mobile home and still be right beside each other. The kids can bike back and forth between homes, meet friends, grab snacks, and head to the pool without you needing to escort them everywhere.
There are different levels of accommodation depending on your budget. We chose a classic mobile home, which was very basic but totally fine because we weren’t hanging out inside. It slept all five of us comfortably. My sister-in-law chose a more upgraded one, and both worked great.
Most parcs have a surprisingly large grocery store on site. I was honestly shocked at how much we could get there. We bought all our snacks, food, and drinks just a few minutes walk from our little camp house. There were also restaurants if we didn’t feel like cooking.
Our parc had six pools, water slides, a toddler pool, an arcade, playgrounds, horseback riding, bike rentals, a gift shop, a gelateria, and even a teen disco.
Our experience in Italy
During our three-week trip to Italy, we stayed at Hu Parc Albatros Village for three nights as a break from sightseeing. We came from Florence, taking the train to Pisa first for a pit stop to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa of course and then continued our train journey straight to San Vincenzo where we grabbed a taxi to the Parc.
We always book our trains in Italy through Omio – click HERE and use my referral link to get $17 off your train, bus or ferry ride.
The kids were with their cousins and they LOVED it.
They swam all day. Went down the water slides over and over. Biked around the parc. Got themselves gelato. Walked back and forth between our mobile homes.
And for once, the adults got to relax on the loungers.
We also walked to the beach from the parc and rented bikes to ride down the coast into the nearby town of San Vincenzo. So it still felt like we were experiencing Italy, not hiding inside a resort.
The cost (this is the best part)
We paid $216 CAD per night for our family of five.
For everything included, the value is incredible.
Why this works so well in a European trip
Eurocamps are perfect as a pause during a busy trip.
You sightsee, move cities, walk a ton… and then you drop into a Eurocamp for 2–4 nights and let kids be kids and parents be humans again.
You don’t need to do anything. The fun is already there.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eurocamps
Is a Eurocamp like camping?
Not at all. You’re not pitching a tent or sleeping on the ground. You’re staying in a fully set up mobile home or safari-style tent with real beds, a kitchen, bathroom, electricity, and often a patio. It feels much closer to a small cottage than camping.
Is it safe for kids to walk around on their own?
Yes. Most parcs are designed to be very family friendly. Many are car-free inside, have security gates, and are built so kids can safely walk or bike between the pool, playground, and your accommodation. This is one of the reasons kids love it so much and parents get to relax.
Do you need a car?
Sometimes, but not always. Many Eurocamps are close to towns, beaches, or public transit. Some people choose them specifically because they don’t want to drive. It depends on the location you choose.
Is it noisy or like a party resort?
No. These are designed for families. There is entertainment at night, but it’s things like shows, dancing, and quizzes for kids. There are quiet hours and the overall vibe is very relaxed and family oriented.
What ages is this best for?
Honestly, almost all ages. Little kids love the pools and playgrounds. Older kids and teens love the independence and activities. It’s one of the few places where kids from different ages are equally happy.
Do they have groceries and restaurants on site?
Yes. Most parcs have a surprisingly large grocery store and at least a few restaurant options. You can cook when you want to save money and eat out when you don’t feel like it.
How long should you stay at a Eurocamp with kids?
We found 2–4 nights to be perfect as a break during a sightseeing-heavy trip. Some families stay a full week and use it as their base.
Is this affordable compared to hotels?
Very. Especially for families of four or five. You get space, activities, and amenities for far less than the cost of multiple hotel rooms.
If you are headed to Europe this summer (if you can make it in May or June the prices are even better) – please do yourself a favour and look into staying at a Eurocamp with kids, even for just a portion of your trip – your kids will LOVE it! Below I’ll link which camp we stayed at and a few others that look amazing!
The Eurocamp we stayed at in Italy – Hu Parc Albatros Village
Some other amazing parcs in Italy:
Some amazing parcs in France:
Atlantic Club Montalivet Village
Some amazing parcs in Croatia:
Some amazing parcs in Spain:
If you’re planning your own Eurocamp with kids adventure, here are more posts to help you make it happen:
exploring:
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