Sailing to France or Spain with the family this year? Whether you’re stopping off for a day or two, or just waiting around for your ferry on the way home, there’s a lot more to do near the ports than most families realise.
Here’s a snapshot of the top 10 fun things to do with kids at ferry destinations in France and Spain, covering the areas around Cherbourg, St Malo, Caen, Le Havre, Roscoff, Santander and Bilbao. Brittany Ferries run daytime and overnight crossings to all of these ports from Portsmouth, Plymouth and Poole, so many families pass through these towns on the way to (or from) somewhere else, without ever quite knowing what’s on their doorstep.
Let’s start in Normandy and head south.
Jump to a destination:
- #1 Caen – Festyland and D-Day history
- #2 Cherbourg – Europe’s deepest aquarium and Titanic history
- #3 Scenic Normandy
- #4 St Malo – The Pirate City
- #5 Roscoff – Onions, churches and exotic plants
- #6 Puy du Fou – An award-winning amusement park
- #7 Angers – Plant life, a chateau and a giant tapestry
- #8 Biarritz and Hossegor – Surf, chocolate and mountains
- #9 Bilbao – Culture and the gateway to the Basque hills
- #10 Santander – Ancient history and family fun
#1. Festyland and D-Day history in Caen
As well as being steeped in D-Day history, with museums, memorials, gun batteries and bunkers nearby, this Normandy port is surrounded by chateaux and gardens (which should keep Mum and Dad happy).
For the kids, the nearby historically-themed amusement park, Festyland, has a rollercoaster, waterslides, bumper boats and a medieval castle, and teaches children about 1066, William the Conqueror and the Belle Époque era along the way. During the summer there are live performances featuring knights, pirates, Vikings and dinosaurs.
#2. Europe’s deepest aquarium and Titanic history in Cherbourg
La Cité de la Mer has 17 aquariums, including one of the deepest in Europe, and the largest submarine open to the public in the world.
The Titanic called at Cherbourg before its final voyage in 1912, and there’s a fascinating exhibition here called “Titanic, a Return to Cherbourg”, with interactive displays and recreations of life onboard.
#3. Scenic Normandy
Just outside Cherbourg, the wild and remote Cap de la Hague (a cape at the tip of the Cotentin Peninsula) is a fantastic spot for walking, cycling and seafood dinners, and it’s only a few hours by ferry from the south of England, so there’s no need to go anywhere near an airport.
North of Le Havre lies Normandy’s most scenic spot, the farming town of Étretat, whose dramatic coastline famously inspired 19th century Impressionist painters.
For more inspiration, see our guide to Top 10 Fun Things to do with Kids in Normandy.
#4. St Malo – The Pirate City
With its ancient walled town of Intra-Muros, cobbled streets, sandy beaches and friendly seafood restaurants, St Malo is one of the most dramatic of all the French ports.
The Gothic and Romanesque Cathédrale de St Malo dominates the skyline, and the port has a colourful maritime history as a pirate haven during the 17th and 18th centuries.
For more ideas, check out Top 10 Family Attractions in Brittany.
#5. Roscoff – Onions, churches and exotic plants
Next time you pass through Roscoff, take time to visit the 16th century gothic church of Notre Dame de Croatz Batz, with its twin bell tower, or take a short boat trip to the tiny island of Ile de Batz, known for its beaches and gardens.
Back in Roscoff, the Jardin Exotique is home to thousands of exotic plant species from the southern hemisphere, spread across winding paths in a large garden site. Roscoff is also known for its Onion Johnnies museum, telling the story of the traders who once sold onions door-to-door in England by bicycle.
#6. Puy du Fou – An award-winning amusement park
Deep in the lush countryside of the Western Loire region – covered in chateaux, stunning beaches, historic towns and underground caves – lies Puy du Fou.
This historical theme park in the Vendée region is one of France’s most visited, second only to Disneyland Paris, and was named the world’s best amusement park in a public vote back in 2012.
For more great ideas, see Top 10 Family Attractions in Western Loire.
#7. Angers – Plant life, a chateau and a giant tapestry
Less than 60 miles north-east of Puy du Fou is a very different kind of park. Terra Botanica, the first of its kind in Europe, is an educational “plant life” theme park set across extensive gardens, with aquatic areas, glasshouses and more than 40 attractions.
Nearby, in this city of art and history, the impressive 17-towered Château d’Angers dates back to the 9th century and houses the Apocalypse Tapestry, one of the biggest tapestries in the world.
Head further south and you’ll reach La Rochelle and its Vieux Port, one of the most photographed harbours on France’s Atlantic coast, guarded by medieval twin towers.
You may also enjoy The Best 10 Family Camping Spots in Europe and Camping in France.
#8. Biarritz and Hossegor – Surf, chocolate and mountains
If you take a crossing from the UK to Bilbao, two of France’s jewels are less than 100 miles up the coast.
In Biarritz, the cove of Port Vieux is a safe, sheltered beach, and the Grande Plage has children’s clubs nearby. There’s also a Chocolate Museum, the caves at Sare, and a little train that climbs the Rhune, a mountain in the Basque Country.
In Hossegor, if the sun is too hot or the surf too big along the miles of beaches, head inland for a bike ride or walk through the Landes forest.
Recommended reading: 5 Reasons to Visit Biarritz.
#9. Bilbao – Culture and the gateway to the Basque hills
The medieval streets of Bilbao lead to a raft of museums, including the famous Guggenheim, which runs children’s workshops and dedicated events for teenagers.
The city is also a gateway to the Basque hills, with Pamplona along the motorway and San Sebastian to the east, known for its outstanding gastronomy and spectacular bay.
#10. Santander – Ancient history and family fun
Santander is a city on the sea, overlooked by mountains, with sandy beaches, gardens, a cathedral and an old town to explore.
Cantabria’s beaches and the seaside village of Santillana del Mar have plenty of family appeal. You can see prehistoric wall paintings at the Altamira caves, and further south at Burgos lies the Museum of Human Evolution, near the archaeological site of Atapuerca, where fossils dating back nearly a million years have been found.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ports does this route cover?
This roundup covers stops close to the French ports of Cherbourg, St Malo, Caen, Le Havre and Roscoff, and the Spanish ports of Santander and Bilbao — all served by ferry crossings from the UK.
Do you need a car to enjoy these stops?
Most of these destinations are much easier to explore with a car, since many of the best family attractions (like Festyland, Puy du Fou and Terra Botanica) sit outside the port towns themselves. A few, like St Malo, Roscoff and Bilbao, have plenty to enjoy on foot near the port.
Which stops suit younger children, and which suit teens?
Younger children tend to love the theme parks (Festyland, Puy du Fou) and aquariums (La Cité de la Mer), while teens may enjoy the Guggenheim’s dedicated events, the surf beaches around Biarritz and Hossegor, and the history at Cherbourg’s Titanic exhibition.
Is it worth stopping if we’re just passing through?
Yes — many of these attractions sit close enough to the ports that even a short stopover, or a wait for a ferry, can be turned into a worthwhile family outing rather than time spent hanging around.
Related Reads
If this has you planning further afield, you might also enjoy:
- Top 10 Fun Things to do with Kids in Normandy
- Top 10 Family Attractions in Brittany
- Top 10 Family Attractions in Western Loire
- The Best 10 Family Camping Spots in Europe
- Camping in France
- 5 Reasons to Visit Biarritz
Save These Ideas for Later
Ferry crossings can mean a lot of waiting around at both ends — so it’s worth bookmarking this list before you travel. Save it to your phone or share it with the rest of the family so everyone can vote on their favourite stop.
Have you visited any of the destinations above? Let us know your favourite family activity in the comments below.
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