Of course, it’s no surprise that we love our family holidays. They are a time when we come together on an adventure, something to talk about for years to come. We have had travels in far flung destinations from deserts to beaches. And we’ve enjoyed UK breaks from the islands to the cities. We have also loved our US road trips and our European breaks. This is our round up of best family holiday destinations – 25 trips for every budget. Hopefully something for everyone, and a list we’re updating as we go. We don’t think you can start too early for a family holiday, and we also don’t think there has to be a time to stop. As our children are getting older our trips are just getting bolder and more adventurous (we’ve just returned from a three-week family holiday to China, travelling all around the country by train). So buckle up and read through our tried and tested family holiday breaks that you will all love.
👩💻 About the author – Nichola is a family travel expert and has written for The Guardian, The Telegraph, Lonely Planet Magazine and Wanderlust, amongst many others. She’s spent over a decade travelling the world with her children, finding the best places for you to explore too.
*AD / This post contains affiliate links & as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also have been compensated in this post either financially or with products / stays. To read more see our Disclosure Policy.
Table of Contents
1. Indonesia – full of adventure and one of the best family holiday destinations
We absolutely loved our family holiday to Indonesia and it is currently in the number one spot for me of our top family holidays. It had a little bit of everything. We travelled through Java by train, ending up at the beaches of Bali for some really relaxing time. We loved the food, the prices (yes it’s expensive to fly there – we cut this cost by flying to Singapore and then getting a cheap Asian airline on to Jakarta – but once you’re there the prices are so reasonable), and the friendliness of everyone we met. There were cultural sites to explore (like the amazing Borobudur Buddhist remains set high up in the hills), colourful villages, interesting train rides (like the Jakarta to Yogyakarta train) and lots of interesting towns to explore. If you’re looking for a first adventurous holiday with kids I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it (keep reading for that option, coming in at number five), but it’s the one trip we all keep talking about.
2. Oman – a great family travel destination
For the longest time I’ve called Oman my favourite country and it’s still definitely up there. It’s only just been pipped at the post by Indonesia. Our family road trip through Oman was absolutely wonderful. We stayed the night in a desert camp with Bedouin nomads, saw endangered turtles being born on the beach, explored the souks, saw dolphins playing at sea and stayed in the most amazing hotels (like the Al-Bustan Palace in Muscat). The coffee and dates flowed, the people were so friendly and the trip felt really easy but full of adventure. We would love to go back and explore some more.
3. Cornwall, UK – perfect family beach time
We really love exploring the UK with kids and our favourite beaches are in Cornwall. There’s something about the beautifully salty air here that makes us all relax. There are some fantastic family hotels in Cornwall (my number one is the Headland Hotel) but also plenty for every budget, including some amazing campsites right on. the beach. There are also so many fun activities (see our 50 best things to do in Cornwall with kids). We have been to the county in every season (and I actually love it in winter most). It’s just one of those places that is good for the soul. If you’re looking for great family holiday destinations, it’s one of the best.
4. Florida and Georgia
There’s no doubt that kids love Florida. In fact, we all do. It’s an amazing state and it’s full of fun from Universal to the rocket launches at Cape Canaveral. One of our favourite trips is combining Florida with a neighbouring state, such as Georgia. Our road trip through Florida and Georgia was absolutely brilliant. We did all the fun of the parks of Orlando and then headed north. We explored some of Georgia’s islands, St Simons and Jekyll and called in to picturesque Savannah. We snaked back down to Amelia Island in Florida. It was a really wonderful combination of experiences and one we all loved.
5. Thailand – Best family holiday destinations
For families looking for that first slightly more adventurous family holiday destination, I always recommend Thailand. We love it there and it’s ideal for the slightly-out-of-the-comfort-zone trip. Our family holiday to Thailand was amazing. We combined the buzz of Bangkok with some island beach time. We also absolutely loved getting out to the north and exploring the temples of Chiang Mai. Thailand gives you that feeling of exploration but it’s easy to eat the food (including all the delicious street food) and to get around. There are enough tourists here so it doesn’t feel completely remote but definitely feels like an adventure. It’s perfect with kids of any age.
6. A family holiday to northern France
It’s easy to overlook how good a relatively inexpensive holiday to northern France holiday can be. With really good ferries from the UK to France you can be over there in no time. And there are some beautiful beaches (we loved Berck and Hardelot) and some fantastic things to do in Calais and the surrounding areas. The region has some really good budget hotels for families and there are also some brilliant family campsites in France to help keep costs down. We always love going over to pick up some treats in the supermarkets there – from delicious pastries to mustard, cheeses and chocolate.
7. A family cruise – one of the best family holidays
I know cruises aren”t for everyone, and I was definitely a sceptic at the start. But our cruising with kids holidays have really been amazing. They’re a chance to explore multiple destinations in one trip. Little tastes of countries and cities that you might want to go back to explore. We have always found the food on board to be of high standard and it’s perfect for picky eaters. We’ve been lucky enough to try out a range of cruises and love P&O for their more sedate cruises and Royal Caribbean for their sense of fun. We loved our first ever cruise around Italy and Croatia and a cruise around the Canary Islands. You can also pick up some amazing deals, especially last minute, that can make it a great price for an all inclusive holiday with kids.
8. Jersey – island life that’s like going back in time
Jersey is a fantastic destination for a family holiday. It feels like a world away but is really easy to fly to, or to take the Channel Island ferry. There are so many wonderful things to do in Jersey with kids, from exploring historic castles to enjoying the amazing beaches. We have stayed in the luxury Atlantic Hotel, and also been glamping on Jersey which was so much fun. It’s one of those places that always makes you feel good. Jersey contains all the elements of a simple, lovely family holiday destination.
9. Lapland – a magical family holiday destination we love
We are huge fans of Lapland with kids. It’s one of those places that feels utterly magical. We have had some fantastic trips there from an organised Santa break through to a budget DIY trip to Lapland. One. of our favourite trips was travelling from Helsinki to Rovaniemi in Lapland on the Santa Express overnight train. You can also take a skiing trip to Lapland and combine that with some of the Father Christmas activities going on there. Lapland really is unlike anywhere else and we love it there.
10. India with kids – a fantastic family holiday
India with kids is not for the faint-hearted. We absolutely loved our family holiday to India, it was filled with so much adventure and colour and new experiences. We caught trains all over the country, finding amazing things to do in Goa and exploring the fantastic cities of Rajasthan and the wonderful historic site of Hampi. Overnight trains, former palaces and heritage hotels all formed part of our trip. It was a real explosion of the senses. It was definitely the hardest trip we have done. We were fairly cautious around the food, didn’t find many cafes to just take a break in and there were parts that felt like hard work. However, the overall experience was absolutely worth it and it’s a holiday we keep talking about. So I would absolutely recommend India with kids if you’re looking for a really adventurous trip with so many rewards.
11. Shetland – the northernmost point of the UK
For somewhere in the UK that feels like really getting away from it, a family trip to Shetland is perfect. Sitting at the northernmost tip it once belonged to Norway and there’s still a Norwegian lilt to the locals’ accents here. There’s much to explore from ancient towers to deserted beaches and from the beautiful Shetland ponies to whale spotting off the coast. Shetland with kids feels like a proper Famous Five style adventure. With interesting places to stay and so many places to get unplugged and enjoy the great outdoors, Shetland works for children of all ages.
12. Aruba – Caribbean adventures await
A trip to Aruba with kids brings the beautiful Caribbean but at a reasonable price. We absolutely loved exploring this island which has the most amazing white sand beaches and water that feels the temperature of a bath. There’s an interesting national park in the middle of the island which you can have a park ranger take you on a tour of. The accommodation on the island ranges from luxury to budget, including some great self catering options like Palms Escape which we stayed in and loved. The great thing about Aruba is that the destination really is the holiday, so it’s easy to keep costs down once you’re there. You can read all about our summer family holiday to Aruba here.
13. Beitostolen, Norway for fun in the snow
Over the years we’ve really grown to love our family skiing trips with kids. It’s a great time to get out together and be active in a beautiful setting. For us, it all started in Beitostolen, Norway. Learning to ski in Scandinavia is my number one recommendation for families starting out. There’s something about the gentle Scandi way that is encouraging and so positive. Our first family ski trip to Beitostolen really gave us the ski bug and we’ve since skiied every year (largely in Scandinavia). Our list of the best family ski resorts in Europe is one of our top posts and it’s easy to organise these trips yourself to keep costs down. See our guide for last minute ski holidays and how to bag a deal here. Ultimately Beitostolen represents all that is wonderful about skiing in this region – a small resort, family friendly, gentle, positive and uplifting. We love it there.
14. Isle of Wight, UK – one of the best family holiday destinations
The Isle of Wight is perfect for simple family holidays that just give you that feel-good factor. Getting the ferry across from the mainland becomes part of the fun . There are so many great things to do on the Isle of Wight for kids, from fossil hunting on the beaches with an expert to exploring castle ruins. Follow our itinerary for a week on the Isle of Wight for a fantastic time on this lovely UK island.
15. Malaysia – easy Asia at its best
I know there’s a fair bit of Asia on my list of best family holiday destinations, but it’s for a reason. I really think Asia is brilliant for family trips. The food is easy and tasty, the people so welcoming, for the most part it feels safe and easy to navigate and there’s so much to see and do. Malaysia is a fantastc plae for a trip with kids. From Buddhas and Orangutans, to interactive street art and breath-taking beaches. Our family holiday to Malaysia was filled with so many wonderful elements, it’s a great choice for all ages.
16. Puglia Italy – a fantastic family holiday destination
We adore Italy and have enjoyed family holidays in lots of its regions. Our oldest son’s first holiday was to Tuscany at age five months and we’ve been travelling to Italy with kids ever since. There’s something about our winter holiday to Puglia though, that really sticks in my memory. It’s a beautiful destination that’s less explored than many other parts of Italy. The beaches are a little wild and the olive groves wonderful. There are some fantastic places to stay in this region with kids (we love the masserias, little communities you can stay in). There are lots of fun things to do in Puglia with kids, from visiting UNESCO World Heritage sites like Alberobello to tasting some of the delicious regional food here. It’s one of our favourite areas of Italy.
17. Southern USA road trip
One of our most recent holidays was a family southern USA road trip. What a fantastic adventure this was, from visiting Graceland to the beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama and from the swamps outside of New Orleans to all the music filled activities of Nashville. It was a jam packed itinerary but one that we all loved. We drove the route ourselves and there were so many places to stop off along the way. It was a great road trip and perfect for a family destination, particularly one with teenagers.
18. Iceland – another great family holiday destination
There are some destinations that work for all ages and Iceland is one of those. We first visited Iceland when our youngest was ten months old and it was perfect for a family holiday. We loved the accessible city of Reykjavic and enjoying all the thermal baths and pools. We headed out into the countryside where we stayed in the sweetest log cabin. And we rode the Icelandic horses that are famous here. Iceland is filled with beautiful, dramatic landscapes, it’s best visited in late spring through to early autumn as the winters can be harsh. There’s so much to see and do here for all ages.
19. Ljubljana – a city break perfect for families
We love to get off the beaten track wherever possible. Slovenia is a country we really enjoy and it feels a little less travelled than some of its European counterparts. we have enjoyed a family ski trip to Kranjska Gora (which included a visit to Ljubljana) and we also included in a road trip we took from Venice through Slovenia and into Croatia. Ljubljana is a city that just feels perfect for a family. trip. It is much cheaper than its neighbours and there are some great places to stay. There are also lots of fun things to do in Ljubljana with kids.
20. Morocco – a great family holiday destination
I was talking to a friend recently about what a great holiday destination Morocco is. She reminded me that it can be a bit overwhelming for some children. And this is definitely true. We found it quite a sensory overload initially, with all the street sellers, snake charmers and magicians crowding the square in Marrakech. However, if you can give Morocco time it has a real beauty about it. It’s also a great off-season destination as it’s often still warm in those extra months of travel. We loved our family holiday to Morocco, which included taking the Marrakech to Tangier overnight train and exploring some of the lovely towns of this beautiful country.
21. Bath, England – a great destination for a UK city break
We couldn’t leave off our home town of Bath in England, which really is a wonderful destination for a family trip. There are some great things to do in Bath with kids, from taking boat trips down the canal to seeing the fantastic Roman Baths the city is named after. There are plenty of amazing things to do in Bath in the rain, so don’t let any potentially bad weather stop you. With some fantastic Bath restaurants kids will love (including the historic Sally Lunn’s bun), it’s a destination all the family will enjoy.
22. Antalya, Turkey – perfect for family adventures
We adore our trips to Turkey and there are some fantastic destinations in Turkey with kids. We have taken an amazing all inclusive holiday to Turkey and also organised our own trips there. What I love is that it can be as adventurous as you like. There are so many things to do in Antalya with kids, from exploring Roman sites to trying all the local delicious food.. It’s perfect for a family trip.
23. The Netherlands – a wonderful family holiday destination
The Netherlands with kids has been some of our loveliest trips. We had an amazing summer family holiday to the Netherlands which really sticks in my mind as being one of those almost perfect trips. The children learnt to ride bikes in the Netherlands (there’s no better place with miles of cycle tracks everywhere), we explored the history in Amsterdam and stayed in some stunning hotels and family lodges. With pancakes galore and such a wonderful simplicity to everything we did, it’s a fantastic family holiday destination.
24. Budapest – a fantastic city break with kids of all ages
We recently took a family city break to Budapest and fell in love with the city. It works in every season but we had a wonderful Budapest winter trip with kids – soaking in the thermal waters of Szechenyi, having some amazing meals and walking everywhere. There are so many things to do in Budapest with kids, the hardest part will be working how to fit it all in.
25. Cook Islands – the one that started it all
I can’t resist suggesting the Cook Islands with kids as my final top family holiday destination. It’s the first family holiday we took that really felt like an adventure. Yes, it’s a very long way to go, but when we embarked on it, with our nearly two year old, it changed the way we saw family travel forever. With a feeling of being shipwrecked – in the best possible way – it’s idyllic in every sense. If you get the opportunity, or want to plan an incredible adventure, I couldn’t recommend the Cook Islands more highly.
We hope this has helped inspire some of your own adventures. Do get in touch with any additional questions or comments. And be sure to follow along on Instagram where we post in real time all our latest travels.
