“Best” is slippery, so this slideshow uses a clear yardstick. UNICEF Innocenti Report Card 19, published in May 2025, ranks 43 OECD and EU countries on six indicators spanning mental well-being, physical health, and skills. The top seven overall in that league table are the backbone of this list. If you want to see exactly what’s being measured, the full UNICEF Report Card 19 lays out the indicators and the overall league table.
Rankings still miss context that families feel in real life, like housing pressure in specific neighborhoods or how easy a weekday feels with a stroller. Use these destinations as a shortlist, then sanity-check with school calendars, transit maps, and the pace of local routines. A great family trip often comes down to small wins: predictable transport, safe play spaces, and meals that do not require strategy.
1. Netherlands
Image credit: Shutterstock.
In UNICEF’s league table, the Netherlands places 1st overall for child well-being across the six indicators used in the report. That top spot fits a country where everyday systems tend to run smoothly, which matters when you are juggling naps, snacks, and schedules. Compact cities help, because getting from a museum to a park rarely turns into a cross-town expedition, and trains make multi-stop days easier once you get the hang of them (the national rail network is easy to preview on NS).
For travel days, think beyond central Amsterdam, and you get a calmer version of the same strengths. The Hague offers beach time plus kid-friendly museums (it’s easy to browse family-friendly ideas via The Hague’s visitor site), while smaller cities let you keep routines simple without feeling like you’re “missing” the Netherlands. Choose accommodations near a tram stop or a safe cycling route, then let short hops replace long commutes. Rain is a frequent cameo, so pack layers and keep plans flexible.
2. Denmark
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Denmark comes in 2nd overall in the same UNICEF ranking, sitting in the top tier across the three big dimensions the report tracks. Families often notice how much friction gets removed by clear rules and well-designed public spaces. Even simple errands feel less like a puzzle when signage is consistent and queues behave, and the country’s travel planning ecosystem is straightforward to scan on VisitDenmark.
Copenhagen is the obvious base, yet smaller cities can be even easier with children because distances shrink and crowds thin. Harbor walks, playground stops, and short ferry rides can fill a day without exhausting anyone, and it helps that Copenhagen publishes plenty of practical visitor info through Visit Copenhagen. Expect earlier restaurant hours than in Southern Europe, so plan dinners with that rhythm in mind. A stroller-friendly route matters, and waterfront paths usually deliver.
3. France
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
France places 3rd overall in UNICEF’s child well-being league table, putting it among the strongest performers in this high-income comparison set. The report blends well-being with health and learning markers, which helps explain why France stays near the top. For traveling families, that translates into plenty of public culture and lots of “normal life” infrastructure outside tourist zones, plus a deep bench of family-friendly trip ideas in France.fr.
Paris works best when the plan is simple: one major sight, one long park break, one good bakery stop, then call it a win (it’s surprisingly helpful to pre-pick parks and gardens on Paris Info so you always have a “reset” stop). Lyon is a strong alternative for food, riverside walking, and less intense crowds. In summer, heat and long lines can wear kids down fast, so early starts and timed-entry tickets help. A neighborhood market visit often beats another monument.
4. Portugal
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Portugal takes 4th overall in the UNICEF table, which surprises people who assume only Nordic countries dominate these lists. Mild weather and outdoor living can make routines feel easier for families, especially when beach time doubles as playtime. Hills exist, though, and they are not subtle, so route planning matters if you are pushing wheels—and it helps to browse neighborhoods and day-trip logistics through official visitor hubs like Visit Portugal.
Lisbon rewards short bursts: ride a funicular, wander a viewpoint, then take a long break in a shady square (the city’s main visitor site, Visit Lisboa, is handy for quick checks on transport and family-friendly sights. Porto delivers river scenery and a compact center, while the Algarve makes sand-first planning easy with family-friendly beach towns. Consider shoulder season for calmer streets and better sleep, since peak summer can get busy. A light jacket is handy even near the coast.
5. Ireland
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Ireland places 5th overall in UNICEF’s league table and stands out on skills, where it ranks 1st on that dimension. That kind of performance often goes hand in hand with strong community routines, from libraries to sports clubs, the places families lean on once the novelty of a trip wears off. Weather shifts quickly, so flexibility becomes part of the culture, and it’s easy to map out low-stress family bases with Ireland.com.
Dublin can be a fun starting point, yet the best family moments often happen on the coast or in smaller towns. Galway and the west coast deliver dramatic scenery with a friendly pace, while short road trips open up beaches, castles, and easy walks. Pack waterproof layers and treat rain as background noise rather than a trip-ender. Indoor options like aquariums and science centers are great morale insurance.
6. Switzerland
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Switzerland lands 6th overall in UNICEF’s child well-being ranking, which fits a country known for order, safety, and easy access to the outdoors. For families, the big draw is how quickly you can pivot from a city day to lakes and mountains. Movement tends to be predictable, which reduces stress when you are traveling with children, and Switzerland’s national tourism hub makes it easy to build “city + nature” days without overplanning (MySwitzerland).
Zurich pairs lakefront downtime with museums that work well in short visits. Lucerne is a classic base for mountain excursions that feel like a storybook, and Bern’s old town is compact enough for slow wandering. Budget carefully, because prices can bite, yet many of the best experiences are simple: scenic trains, shoreline walks, and picnic lunches. If you’re moving around a lot, it’s worth comparing pass options.
7. Spain
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Spain rounds out the top seven, placing 7th overall in UNICEF’s league table. Family travel here often works because outdoor public life is built into the day, with plazas, promenades, and late-afternoon strolls that keep everyone moving. Crowding pressure concentrates in specific hotspots, so location choices matter more than the country label—and it helps to browse regional options (and kid-friendly itineraries) through Spain’s official tourism site.
Valencia is a strong pick for families thanks to beaches plus the City of Arts and Sciences (it’s easy to preview what’s inside on the official complex site), while San Sebastián offers a walkable center and seaside calm. Barcelona has huge appeal, yet it rewards planning around quieter neighborhoods and off-peak times. Meal schedules can run later than some visitors expect, so adjust nap routines rather than fighting the clock. A simple rule helps: build each day around one anchor activity, then let the rest be parks and snacks.
Read More