Accessible Travel: Best Places to Travel with Parents

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“Are we there yet?”, I ask my parents for what seems like the hundredth time. Gazing aimlessly through the car window at the mundane, grey motorway and uniform trees whizzing past us on either side, I kick myself for reading Sugar magazine cover-to-cover so early on in our journey. I reach for the tin of boiled sweets yet again, resisting sipping any more water for fear I might wet myself before we reach the next services stop.

When I was a kid, travelling with my parents – especially by car – seemed like a bore. Nowadays, however, I’d do anything for the opportunity to travel with my parents again. One of the main obstacles preventing me from being able to do so is my lack of knowledge about accessible travel destinations and the best places to visit with parents. There’s so much to consider, from checking the stairlifts cost is reasonable, to making arrangements with your chosen airline and ensuring any destinations and attractions you want to visit are wheelchair-accessible.

With this in mind, I asked some of my fellow travel bloggers for some inspiration on the best accessible travel destinations. I’m already nagging my parents to come on a trip with me – here’s hoping these recommendations will be just as beneficial for you!

8 top accessible travel destinations

1) Amsterdam, Netherlands

“When it comes to accessible travel, The Netherlands is one of the best places to travel with parents or grandparents, as it’s quite flat!

“Although many older people often worry about visiting European cities due to the cobblestones, most of Amsterdam’s streets have sidewalks, making it easy (although sometimes a little cramped) to explore the city on foot. You’ll also find many forms of public transport here (especially trams), which make it easy to get across Amsterdam’s small historic centre without much effort.

“Although not all of Amsterdam’s museums are 100% accessible to disabled people due to the stairs within old buildings, Amsterdam’s famous art museums, including the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, have elevators and plenty of places to sit down to take a rest.  I’ve travelled with my parents and my parents-in-law within Amsterdam and the easy availability of cute brown cafes, where you can always step in for a fresh mint tea, make it easy and relaxing to take a rest no matter where you are!”

— Karen, Local Holland

2) Athens, Greece

“One of the best places to travel with parents and grandparents is the magnificent and historic city of Athens, Greece.  There is so much to do in Athens that every traveller will be satisfied in the Greek capital city. 

“One thing that visitors of all ages will appreciate about Athens is that the city is fairly easy to manouevre, regardless of your mobility.  If you plan on visiting the Acropolis, there’s a lift that will take you right from the bottom to the top (just check to ensure it’s functional!)  This will enable you to visit one of the world’s most important sites with ease and little issue.  The city also has ubiquitous taxi opportunities, a metro system, and other ways to get around without too many obstacles.” [You could also rent your own car from a hire company like Rentagile from as little as 3.5 euros per day or 30-40 euros for an entire week!

“Besides accessible travel, another plus about visiting Athens with travellers of all ages is that you can reach a number of Greek islands easily from the city.  If you head down to Piraeus port, you can hop on a ferry to some of the stunning Saronic Islands such as Hydra, Aegina, and Spetses.  The ferries accommodate all passengers regardless of mobility.  In Spetses, Hydra, and Aegina, it’s easy to move around and enjoy the sun, water, and delicious seafood.

“The slower pace of life on the Greek islands offers such a wonderful contrast to the crazy life of Athens.  I highly recommend adding a day (or overnight) trip to a Greek island to your Athens itinerary.  I really believe that Athens, Greece is an ideal place for people to visit with their parents and grandparents.”

— Meg, Megan Starr

3) Tbilisi, Georgia

“It might not seem like the most obvious choice but Tbilisi, Georgia is one of the best places to travel with parents. The city is so picturesque, it looks like a scene from a fairy tale. This is indeed where the East meets West and the beautiful architecture is the best proof of this crossroad.

“There are a few viewpoints from which you can admire the city, and many of them are easily accessible by cable car or funicular. If you feel like going to the old-style spa, you can visit the sulphur baths for a reasonably priced treatment.

“Don’t forget about the food! Georgian food is among the most delicious you will every taste. The capital of Georgia offers excellent value for money when it comes to eating out, so if you feel like splurging on your parents while you’re away, travel to Tbilisi! My mum loved it there! 

— Kamila, My Wanderlust

Read more about weekend breaks in Europe.

4) Seville, Spain

“Seville, Spain one of the best places to travel with parents or grandparents, particularly as it’s so great for accessible travel. I travelled to Seville with my mother recently and despite having quite different interests, we were able to find so much to enjoy together in the jewel of Andalucia in southern Spain. Seville is a relatively small city and it’s almost entirely flat, making walking easy. Much of the centre of Seville is made up of very narrow streets with minimal traffic, and there are many parks and pathways along the river.

“My mother and I particularly enjoyed al fresco dinners in the Triana neighbourhood and finding just a few of the many convents in Seville where cloistered nuns sell sweets through a turnstyle!

“Don’t miss out on an evening of flamenco dancing – my Mum and I still reminisce about this amazing experience almost every week! Seville can be quite hot in the summer, so for travelling with parents and grandparents, I recommend travelling in the spring or autumn instead of the summer months.”

— Cate, Sacred Wanderings

5) Oman, Middle East

“The Middle East may not be the first place that comes to mind as one of the best places to travel with parents or grandparents.  However, times are changing; our parents and grandparents aren’t as old as they once were and they want to see the world, following in the footsteps of David Attenborough.

“Oman is the perfect Middle Eastern destination, largely undiscovered with vast natural beauty. We lived there for six years and for much of this time, my mother was with us. We had a great time exploring mountains, castles and wadis [valleys, ravines or channels] together.

“Oman is the perfect sunshine destination from which to escape murky European winters. Average winter temperatures are around 20 – 25 degrees (70 – 80 F).  Omanis find this cold, but for Europeans, it’s perfect.

“Don’t expect towns in Oman to be wheelchair accessible. Much of Oman’s townscape isn’t even accessible for pedestrians! There’s a simple reason for this – for six months of the year, no-one goes outside anyway; it’s just too hot! The culture here is for everyone to travel by car. Most destinations – including large shopping malls – are wheelchair-accessible once you reach them by car.

“Oman boasts a number of wonderful attractions, including has the Royal Opera House, the Grand Mosque and the new National Museum. For accessible luxury, you can visit any of the 5-star hotels in Muscat to enjoy the fine cuisine, swimming pools and excellent service.  

“For more able-bodied elderly individuals, every destination is easy to explore provided you drive there.  Even Jebel Shams – the highest point in Oman at 3,009m – is flat on top, with unique views down into its gaping chasm. Don’t miss out on the beaches, not to mention the opportunity to see turtles in Oman!”

— Ania, The Travelling Twins

6) Ile de Ré, France

“The Ile de Ré is a small island that lies off the coast of western France, just west of La Rochelle. It is easily accessible via a road bridge.

“At just 30km long and 5.5km wide, it’s not a large island but it is truly special. The island is dotted with pretty, whitewashed villages and winding lanes that lead to pretty harbours and steepled churches. During summer, the centre of many of the town/village centres are closed to cars, which ensures they are very safe to walk around.

“Ile de Ré is great for accessible travel because the island is flat, which makes exploring easy. It’s criss-crossed by a network of pancake-flat footpaths and cycling paths. For the less active, you can drive between villages, wander around the quiet town centres, admiring boutique shops and local markets before finding a local restaurant for lunch.

“If you love accessible, pretty villages, superb restaurants and fresh seafood, Ile de Ré is one of the best places to travel with parents.”

— Clare, Epic Road Rides

Before you go anywhere with Mum and Dad, make sure you read this guide to travelling with your parents!

7) Riga, Latvia

“Riga is the capital of Latvia, located at the mouth of the River Daugava and set on the coast of the Baltic Sea. Riga’s beautiful and relatively small Old Town is pedestrian-only and makes for some great accessible travel opportunities.

“The Old Town is filled with beautiful Medieval architecture, with Art Nouveau additions. It’s not far from many cute cafes and restaurants where you can rest, and sample some local cuisine and beverages. There are also plenty of museums to visit in the Old Town, as well as an operahouse with affordable tickets to ballet and opera shows. Check in advance to find out whether there are any performances running while you’re there.

“Just 40km away from Riga lies the beach town Jūrmala, famous for its long, stretching beach, narrow streets and wooden houses, but most of all, for its spas and wellness centres.

“I visited Riga last summer with my Mum and we had a great time. The proximity of the attractions (mostly centred in the Old Town), the calm vibe and the interesting history of the city made for the perfect mother-daughter trip.”

— Julie, Why Not Ju

8) South Devon, UK

“South Devon is an excellent destination for accessible travel and it has to be one of the best places to visit with parents. Whether you prefer to soak up the sun on the beach or explore the local history and culture at a museum, there’s plenty here to keep you busy.

“Torquay and Paignton are very popular seaside destinations with everything within walking distance and if you want to go further afield, just hop on a steam train to Dartmouth and sail back by boat so you can take in the breathtaking views.

“If you really want to spoil your parents during your visit, treat them to a spot of cheese and wine tasting at Sharpham Vineyard on the banks of the River Dart, near Totnes, easily accessible by car (although deciding who’ll be the designated driver could be more of a challenge!)”

— Mel and Marcus, Fly Drive Explore

What are your favourite destinations for accessible travel, or your top places to travel with parents? Share your thoughts with fellow readers below.

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