Best Activity Holidays in Europe
There are lots of exciting destinations for activity holidays in Europe, from coastal adventures and cultural experiences to adrenaline-filled escapes. Whether you’re planning an active family holiday in Europe, a weekend getaway, or a longer adventure, travelling by ferry makes it easy to reach your destination with your car, bike, or gear in tow.
Help - Pets
Access to Pet Lounge
Please use this drop down to select how many dogs you wish to have access to our Pet Lounge. Your passenger access can be selected on our add ons page later on.
Maximum 5 dogs per booking. We do not transport any UK banned breeds of dogs on our vessels.
Please note our Pet Lounge is for dogs only. All other pets must remain in your vehicle at all times during the 90 minute crossing.
Please do not add your guide dog here, this should be selected from the Special Assistance drop down menu below. For more information visit our Pet Page.
Help - Pets
Pet Staying in Car
Maximum 5 pets per booking. Please note: We do not transport any UK banned breeds of dogs on our vessels.
For our Dover to Calais route, pets must remain in the vehicle at all times during the 90 minute crossing.
Please do not add your guide dog here, this should be selected from the Special Assistance drop down menu below. For more information visit our Pet Page.
Help - Pets
Access to Pet Lounge
Please use this drop down to select how many dogs you wish to have access to our Pet Lounge. Your passenger access can be selected on our add ons page later on.
Maximum 5 dogs per booking. We do not transport any UK banned breeds of dogs on our vessels.
Please note our Pet Lounge is for dogs only. All other pets must remain in your vehicle at all times during the 90 minute crossing.
Please do not add your guide dog here, this should be selected from the Special Assistance drop down menu below. For more information visit our Pet Page.
Help - Pets
Pet Staying in Car
Maximum 5 pets per booking. Please note: We do not transport any UK banned breeds of dogs on our vessels.
For our Dover to Calais route, pets must remain in the vehicle at all times during the 90 minute crossing.
Please do not add your guide dog here, this should be selected from the Special Assistance drop down menu below. For more information visit our Pet Page.
Help - Pets
Small dog
Small Dog less than 20kg. For more information on travelling with your pet, visit our dedicated page here.Help - Pets
Large dog
Medium Dog 20kg to 35kg. For more information on travelling with your pet, visit our dedicated page here.Help - Pets
Extra large dog
Large Dog 36kg to 45kg. For more information on travelling with your pet, visit our dedicated page here.Help - Pets
Small Pet
Cat or Ferret. For more information on travelling with your pet, visit our dedicated page here.Help - Pets
Other pet
Please contact our friendly customer service team on +44 (0)1304 44 88 88 to ensure we can accommodate your pet.Help - Pets
Small dog
Small Dog less than 20kg. For more information on travelling with your pet, visit our dedicated page here.Help - Pets
Large dog
Medium Dog 20kg to 35kg. For more information on travelling with your pet, visit our dedicated page here.Help - Pets
Extra large dog
Large Dog 36kg to 45kg. For more information on travelling with your pet, visit our dedicated page here.Help - Pets
Small Pet
Cat or Ferret. For more information on travelling with your pet, visit our dedicated page here.Help - Pets
Other pet
Please contact our friendly customer service team on +44 (0)1304 44 88 88 to ensure we can accommodate your pet.Help - Pets
Pet Staying in Car
On our Cairnryan to Larne route pets are welcome and can travel free of charge at all times. Maximum 5 pets per booking. Please note, pets must remain in the vehicle at all times during the crossing. Commercial pet travel should be booked via our freight website, for more information and guidance on if your journey is commercial, please click here.Help - Pets
Pet Staying in Car
On our Cairnryan to Larne route pets are welcome and can travel free of charge at all times. Maximum 5 pets per booking. Please note, pets must remain in the vehicle at all times during the crossing. Commercial pet travel should be booked via our freight website, for more information and guidance on if your journey is commercial, please click here.Please note
More than 9 of you travelling?
Please contact our friendly customer service team on
Special assistance required
Please select one of the options from the drop down menu. If you are travelling on our Dover to Calais route as a foot passenger and have selected the need for special assistance, please ensure you inform us of your needs at least 48hrs in advance of travel. If you need to speak with our contact centre please call
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Vehicle size (Including roof luggage)
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Trailer/Caravan Size
Please contact our friendly customer service team on
Please select one of the options from the drop down menu. If you are travelling on our Dover to Calais route as a foot passenger and have selected the need for special assistance, please ensure you inform us of your needs at least 48hrs in advance of travel. If you need to speak with our contact centre please call
Please contact our friendly customer service team on
Please select one of the options from the drop down menu. If you are travelling on our Dover to Calais route as a foot passenger and have selected the need for special assistance, please ensure you inform us of your needs at least 48hrs in advance of travel. If you need to speak with our contact centre please call
Please contact our friendly customer service team on
Please use this drop down to select how many dogs you wish to have access to our Pet Lounge. Your passenger access can be selected on our add ons page later on.
Maximum 5 dogs per booking. We do not transport any UK banned breeds of dogs on our vessels.
Please note our Pet Lounge is for dogs only. All other pets must remain in your vehicle at all times during the 90 minute crossing.
Please do not add your guide dog here, this should be selected from the Special Assistance drop down menu below. For more information visit our Pet Page.
Maximum 5 pets per booking. Please note: We do not transport any UK banned breeds of dogs on our vessels.
For our Dover to Calais route, pets must remain in the vehicle at all times during the 90 minute crossing.
Please do not add your guide dog here, this should be selected from the Special Assistance drop down menu below. For more information visit our Pet Page.
Please use this drop down to select how many dogs you wish to have access to our Pet Lounge. Your passenger access can be selected on our add ons page later on.
Maximum 5 dogs per booking. We do not transport any UK banned breeds of dogs on our vessels.
Please note our Pet Lounge is for dogs only. All other pets must remain in your vehicle at all times during the 90 minute crossing.
Please do not add your guide dog here, this should be selected from the Special Assistance drop down menu below. For more information visit our Pet Page.
Maximum 5 pets per booking. Please note: We do not transport any UK banned breeds of dogs on our vessels.
For our Dover to Calais route, pets must remain in the vehicle at all times during the 90 minute crossing.
Please do not add your guide dog here, this should be selected from the Special Assistance drop down menu below. For more information visit our Pet Page.
Please select one of the options from the drop down menu. If you are travelling on our Dover to Calais route as a foot passenger and have selected the need for special assistance, please ensure you inform us of your needs at least 48hrs in advance of travel. If you need to speak with our contact centre please call
Different Activity Holidays in Europe
With lots of destinations for holiday activities in France, there is something for every type of traveler:
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Coastal Adventures: Kayak along Brittany’s coastline, surf on Normandy beaches, or take sailing trips along the Côte d’Azur.
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Cycling and Outdoor Tours: Explore the Loire Valley castles or Provence vineyards on two wheels.
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Culinary & Cultural Experiences: Join guided vineyard tours, participate in cooking classes, or explore local markets.
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Family-Friendly Options: Ideal for family-friendly holiday activities in France, featuring amusement parks and interactive museum visits.
Ferry tip: Our Dover to Calais ferry routes make it simple to bring your car, bikes, or equipment, ideal for active summer holidays in Europe, including water sports.
The Netherlands is famous for cycling and waterways, but there’s more to enjoy for an active European holiday:
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Water Adventures: Paddleboard or boat through canals in Amsterdam or Friesland.
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Cultural Exploration: Discover historic towns like Utrecht or Haarlem, enjoy Dutch chocolate and cheese tours, or visit museums.
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Family-Friendly Experiences: Parks, interactive exhibits, and boat trips make it perfect for active family holidays in Europe.
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Seasonal Highlights: Visit tulip fields in spring or enjoy Dutch festival weekends along the coast.
Ferry tip: Traveling by our Hull to Rotterdam ferry allows you to explore multiple regions with your own gear, making your Netherlands adventure flexible and convenient.
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Scotland is ideal for family activity holidays in Scotland or solo adventures, offering both outdoor thrills and cultural experiences:
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Highland Adventures: Kayak on Loch Ness, mountain bike in Cairngorms, or explore coastal cliffs.
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Island Hopping: Use ferries to reach the Hebrides, Orkney, or Shetlands for hiking, wildlife spotting, and unique experiences.
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Cultural Experiences: Whisky distillery tours, historic castles, and traditional music festivals.
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Ferry tip: Travelling by ferry to Scotland opens up islands and coastal areas that are otherwise harder to reach, perfect for the best activity holiday.
Northern Ireland offers a mix of adventure, culture, and family-friendly activities:
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Coastal Adventures: Surf or kayak at Portrush, hike the Giant’s Causeway, or explore scenic coastal trails.
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Cycling and Outdoor Experiences: Bike along the Causeway Coast and enjoy guided nature tours.
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Cultural Highlights: Discover Belfast’s history, attend local festivals, and visit castles.
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Family-Friendly Options: Amusement parks, wildlife centers, and interactive experiences make Northern Ireland an ideal destination for family activity holidays.
Ferry tip: our ferries to Northern Ireland make it easy to travel with cars, bikes, or equipment for active family holidays in Europe.
Winter in Europe offers a unique perspective on activity holidays, especially for travellers looking for a less crowded destination.
From the snow-dusted castles of Scotland to the coastal beauty of Northern Ireland, winter brings a quiet charm and the opportunity to enjoy family activity holidays in Europe in a more intimate setting.
In France, regions like Brittany and Normandy offer scenic kayaking and coastal exploration even in the cooler months, while Germany’s Rhine Valley and Belgian cities come alive with winter markets and festive events, providing a mix of culture and outdoor adventure.
Our ferries continue to operate reliably during winter, making it easy to bring your car or gear and plan active winter holidays in Europe without the hassle of airport travel.
Summer is the perfect time to fully embrace active summer holidays in Europe, with long days, warm weather, and a wealth of outdoor opportunities.
France’s southern coast offers sailing, paddleboarding, and beach-based adventures, while Belgium and the Netherlands invite exploration by bike along scenic routes and through charming towns.
Scotland and Northern Ireland come alive with festivals, music events, and outdoor activities, from sea kayaking to island-hopping adventures. Summer is also an ideal time for family activity holidays, as children can enjoy a wider range of experiences, from coastal excursions to interactive cultural events.
Ferries provide a seamless way to access multiple countries, allowing travelers to combine destinations and maximise their summer adventures, all while keeping luggage, bikes, or sports equipment close at hand.
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Choose Your Ferry Route: Select a ferry that matches your destination and accommodates bikes, surfboards, or other equipment.
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Book Early for Peak Events: Festivals, sporting events, and seasonal activities often drive demand.
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Pack Smart for Activities: Bring appropriate clothing, footwear, and gear for each type of adventure.
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Combine Destinations: Ferries make it easy to create multi-country itineraries—for example, France and Belgium or Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Use Local Guides and Experiences: Enhance your trip with tours, workshops, and cultural experiences.
Activity Holidays in Europe FAQs
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