A self-catered European holiday with a 20 month old... just ruled out a city break!

[DelfiB]

I would be so grateful for any recommendations on this. I was initially planning a city break and had decided on Lisbon, but reading about how hilly and stroller-unfriendly it is has put me off. I am trying to find that sweet spot between actually relaxing/at least nicer than being at home, and not just sitting on the same patch of sand every day for a week!

Can anyone recommend any villas or air bnbs in Europe for April/May that are...

• on or very near to a beach?
• in a town with some stuff going on/accessible things to see and do nearby, museums or walks or galleries or ruins, etc, that are toddler friendly?
• not horrifically expensive ?

I see a lot of recommendations for Eurocamps but honestly our toddler is too little to do any activities really except run around, splash about and go to playgrounds, so I feel like a pretty european town wins over a center parcs style set up.

I have only recently passed my driving test, so while a car isn't ruled out, I'm a bit anxious about driving abroad unless it will be very easy!

Last year we went to Lake Garda, which was perfect - a little self-catered apartment, near the lake, easy ferry rides to see things, pram walks along the lake, etc... but I want to be brave(ish) and try somewhere new.

Any towns/regions/accommodation recommendations? Thank you!

Can’t recommend any specific accommodation but I’d personally stick with your first instinct, Lisbon is hilly but has good public transport, everyone loves kids and it’s pretty much the last year you can get out in the evening with a reclining buggy to restaurants and bars, certainly by 3 it gets harder because they don’t want to settle and want to join in during the evening! I was based stateside at this age and it was so easy in cities when they were babies/toddlers, also you can just get a hotel room though we always ensure there’s a buffet. We stayed at Hotel AS which was on the bus and metro line, breakfast served in the rooftop lounge with excellent views

I was going to suggest Lake Garda to you as that was our first family holiday with a toddler - but I see you’ve already been! What about one of the Spanish cities like Malaga or Alicante? They are pretty flat in the centre and also have beach areas.

ETA they both also have a hill with a castle on but you would be able to access them without walking up.

I know you said no Eurocamp, but look at camping village Fabulous. It’s really close to Rome, so you can get your city/cultural fix, and there’s pools and play areas onsite for your little one. They have a pool which completely is shallow (mid shin height), so great for little ones.