A new study by villa holiday specialists CV Villas placed Faro third and Lagos fourth in its ranking of Europe's most "temper-free" destinations for families travelling with children, suggesting that the region offers the right balance of climate, accessibility and child-friendly amenities to help make holidays run more smoothly.

While Hvar and Korčula in Croatia claimed the top two spots, Portugal secured two places in the top four, reinforcing the Algarve's reputation as a favourite destination for families.

The research was developed in partnership with children's psychotherapist and emotional wellbeing author Becky Goddard-Hill, who identified several factors that can influence children's mood while travelling. These include tourist density, flight duration, daytime and nighttime temperatures, humidity levels and how easy it is for children to find familiar food.

Researchers then analysed almost 100 popular European destinations, giving each a "Temper-Free Score" out of 100. Faro received a score of 82.7, while Lagos followed closely with 81.2.

According to Becky Goddard-Hill, holidays should be an opportunity for families to relax and reconnect, but choosing the right destination can make a significant difference.

"When planning a holiday, it's important to put children's needs at the centre of the decision," she said. "When the basics are right, families are much more likely to enjoy a calmer and happier break together."

The study comes as many parents admit that travelling with children can be challenging. According to the research, 61% of parents find family holidays difficult at times, while more than a quarter say managing unpredictable behaviour is one of the biggest challenges.

CV Villas based its ranking on five weighted criteria: tourist density, travel time and time zone differences, nighttime humidity, day and nighttime temperatures, and the availability of child-friendly dining options. Temperature and humidity data reflected average conditions during July and August, while flight information was based on direct routes from London Heathrow.

Europe's top 10 temper-free family destinations

  1. Hvar, Croatia
  2. Korčula, Croatia
  3. Faro, Portugal
  4. Lagos, Portugal
  5. Split, Croatia
  6. Dubrovnik, Croatia
  7. Perugia, Italy
  8. Siena, Italy
  9. Skiathos, Greece
  10. Málaga, Spain

For more information about the study and family holiday destinations, visit https://www.cvvillas.com/destinations/greece/.