7 of Europe's most extraordinary treehouse escapes for families

Reconnect with nature in these stunning treehouses across Europe, ideal for a family adventure in the woods.

When was the last time you climbed a rickety ladder to find tranquility among the treetops?

If it’s been years, now might be the perfect opportunity to gather the kids and plan a treehouse retreat. Escaping to a hidden hideaway among the branches is a cherished childhood experience and a desire that never fades. It provides a break from the everyday hustle and a chance to connect with nature, blurring the lines between wilderness and ourselves.

If you’re inspired to elevate your stay for a night or two, here’s our selection of Europe’s most breathtaking treehouse accommodations, ranging from a woodland spaceship to a sky-high castle.

Experience ultimate treehouse creativity at Treehotel in Harads, Sweden

Perfect for igniting creativity

If you venture into the woods today, prepare for a delightful surprise. Nestled in the heart of Swedish Lappland, just 45 minutes from the Arctic Circle and an hour's drive from Luleå airport, lies the Treehotel. This collection of eight whimsically themed treehouses includes the bird box-covered Biosphere, a giant bird's nest, a mirrored cube that harmoniously blends into the pine forest, and perhaps the most breathtaking of all, the UFO.

Like a scene straight out of E.T., an electric ladder gracefully descends from a hatch, inviting you into the spaceship. Inside, you’ll find cozy beds adorned with starry fabrics, a tiny bathroom featuring an eco-friendly toilet, and a compact dining area. Wires connected to nearby trees suspend this sci-fi haven mid-air, allowing you to be gently rocked to sleep by the breeze.

Nearby activities include visiting Sámi herders, year-round fishing in the Lule River, dog sledding, witnessing the northern lights, or simply unwinding in the onsite sauna, which also hangs from the trees. Adventurous, imaginative, and slightly whimsical, a stay at the Treehotel creates lifelong memories. The UFO at Treehotel accommodates five guests, with rates starting from 5500SEK per night, including a buffet breakfast.

Drift off to sleep at the Living-Room Treehouse Experience in Wales.

Ideal for rewilding

Staying at the Living-Room Treehouse Experience is like stepping into a fairy tale, located at the base of Snowdonia in Wales, surrounded by enchanting ancient woodlands and majestic mountains. Climb the spiral staircase, traverse the swaying rope bridge, and you’ll discover your exquisitely crafted treetop retreat. Perched 12 meters (40 feet) above the ground, these cabins gently sway with the wind, adding a touch of thrill to your stay. The interior features a rustic Scandinavian design, complete with a wood-burning stove, cozy Welsh blankets, and portholes that frame stunning views of the landscape. The great outdoors sets the stage for numerous adventures reminiscent of Swallows and Amazons, with babbling brooks for splashing, moss-covered forests for exploring, and a wooden platform perfect for stargazing as night falls. The six treehouses operate off-grid, illuminated by candles and twinkling fairy lights for enchanting evenings. Living-Room Treehouse Experience cabins accommodate families of up to five (two adults and three children) for £439 over two nights (or three nights if arriving on a Sunday). Couples can enjoy a two-night stay for £399.

Enjoy a stylish getaway at Løvtag Treetop Hotel in North Jutland, Denmark.

Perfect for design enthusiasts

These three chic cabins in North Jutland, Denmark—with three more set to debut in summer 2024—demonstrate that tree house getaways can offer both style and comfort, designed by the trendy architect Sigurd Larsen in a Nordic minimalist aesthetic.

Inside, you’ll discover floor-to-ceiling windows for sweeping woodland views, a mini-kitchen, heating, electricity, and an en suite bathroom. While the hygge decor is delightful, the star of the show is the majestic tree that grows right through the center of the cabin, extending up through the ceiling where you can enjoy it while sipping coffee on the roof terrace.

The surrounding North Jutland region offers a wealth of outdoor activities, from trout fishing in Mariager Fjord to hiking scenic trails and wandering the local village’s charming cobbled streets with their uniquely crooked houses. However, the best way to enjoy Løvtag might just be to relax, watch the sunlight filter through the leaves, and fully embrace nature as a family—just as co-owner Nanna Balsby puts it, “nothing happens here, so everything can happen.” Løvtag Treetop Hotel is a 45-minute drive from Aalborg airport. Each cabin accommodates four guests, with rates starting at 1950kr per night for two people, plus a 350kr charge for each additional guest. A breakfast made from locally sourced ingredients is included.

Experience off-grid living at TreeTop Fiddan in Vest-Agder, Norway

Ideal for adventurers

Venture into the backwoods of Southern Norway in Vest-Agder and discover not just one, but two spectacular tree house accommodations.

The Wilderness Tower is a four-story lookout that offers stunning views of its own private lake. This spacious tree house can comfortably host a family of six and features a woodwork studio for crafting timber souvenirs. Meanwhile, the Cliff Cabin, perched on a cliff, accommodates up to eight guests and boasts sweeping vistas of the ancient pine forest.

These off-grid cabins focus on reconnecting with nature, where you can spend your days fishing for dinner from a charming little rowboat, foraging for berries, or visiting the owner’s organic farm. Make sure to wake up early and quietly step onto the deck to catch a glimpse of moose and deer grazing at dawn.

Both TreeTop Fiddan cabins are located an hour's drive from Kristiansand airport, with rates starting at 2950kr per night, plus extra fees for hot tub access and cleaning.

Experience life near the animals at Mill Farm, Wiltshire, England

Ideal for an immersive farm experience

This idyllic rural retreat seamlessly combines a tree house getaway with the charm of farm life. Nestled on the grounds of an active working farm, this upscale tree house features a four-poster bed, a rainfall shower, and access to an outdoor hot tub. Step outside to find rolling fields dotted with sheep and a lively stream inhabited by a family of ducks. The 150-acre farm is organic, ensuring a pure environment free from harmful chemicals.

Life on the farm unfolds at a relaxed pace, beginning with morning egg collection from the chicken coop. Families can engage with the animals through activities like mucking out stalls and grooming. Be sure to bring wellies, as visiting the cowshed can get quite muddy!

For an additional fee, you can enjoy archery lessons, clay pigeon shooting, and donkey rides for children under ten, as well as strolls with alpacas through the countryside. Just a short drive away lies Avebury Stone Circle, a more laid-back alternative to Stonehenge where you can wander among the ancient monuments.

The Mill Farm tree house accommodates six guests and starts at £1700 for a two-night stay.

Experience luxury in the heart of nature at Oakey Koakey Treehouse, East Sussex, England

Perfect for country comforts

Nestled in the trees and only an hour's drive from London, this sky-high retreat feels worlds away from the city's hustle and bustle. Surrounded by a private woodland teeming with deer, badgers, and the sounds of birds, the Oakey Koakey Treehouse invites you to unplug and reconnect with nature.

Inside, you'll discover all the comforts of a contemporary apartment, including underfloor heating, electricity, and a well-equipped bathroom and kitchen. The children's forest-themed bedroom is a favorite, with a tree trunk ladder leading up to cozy bunk beds. For outdoor dining, there's a BBQ and a fire pit, perfect for evenings spent toasting marshmallows beneath a starlit sky.

Enjoy a countryside stroll to Ticehurst village for a traditional pub lunch, pausing at the quirky phone box library for some vacation reading. Don't miss nearby Bewl Water Reservoir, featuring a floating inflatable obstacle course for thrill-seekers aged 8 and up, family pedal boats, and wild swimming sessions for the adventurous.

The Oakey Koakey Treehouse accommodates a family of four, starting at £187 per night.

Experience a night in replica castles at Châteaux dans les Arbres, Dordogne, France

Ideal for history enthusiasts

Want to make history come alive for your kids? A stay at the Castles in the Trees in the Dordogne offers the perfect opportunity, allowing guests to sleep in wooden replicas of the nearby medieval castles.

The treehouses can accommodate two, four, or six guests, with the larger option featuring a fully equipped kitchen and a separate cabin bedroom—perfect for teens seeking a bit more privacy. The site includes all the amenities you would expect from a French holiday park, including an outdoor pool, playground, restaurant, and free bikes for exploring the rich history of the area.

Biron Castle is a particularly beautiful sight, just a short drive away, while the Vézère Valley offers a full day of exploration with its archaeological museums, caves, and UNESCO World Heritage sites, or you can learn about stalactites and stalagmites at the Proumeyssac Caves.

Châteaux dans les Arbres is located a 30-minute drive from Bergerac airport and about two hours from the larger Bordeaux airport. Rates for the treehouses start at €245 per night for two guests, with an additional fee for extra occupants.