The best family holiday destinations for a relaxing summer break and epic memories
The top spots (and deals) for a family getaway this summer
When I think of family holidays when I was younger, I remember feeling like those summers lasted forever. There were endless blue skies, new friends made at summer clubs and delicious food that tasted so different to home, from dinners served with frites and Orangina (in the little glass bottle) to hot churros by the beach, freshly cooked and sprinkled with sugar.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable family break this summer, we’ve picked out some of the best child-friendly holiday destinations to book in 2005, from the relaxed, boho vibes of the White Isle to the buzz and glamour of Nice in the south of France.
Plus, if you book your break with TUI, you can take advantage of some brilliant family offers and extras, including kids clubs, free child places and a 20kg luggage allowance as standard. You can also choose to dine alfresco, go off menu or even cook your own, while the grown-ups can enjoy swim up suites and private beaches. We’ve linked to the best summer deals and destinations below.
Book now for memories that will last a lifetime.
Larnaca, Cyrpus
Away from the party haven of Ayia Napa, the Larnaca region has a lot to offer families, including beautiful sandy beaches, a rich history and picturesque countryside for walks and hikes. History lovers will enjoy visiting the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque (shown here) and St. Lazarus Church, while nature fans should head to the Larnaca Salt Lake, a protected nature reserve that’s home to seasonal flocks of flamingos. In the evening, the local tavernas serve up delicious Cypriot meze.
✈️ Flight time: 5 hours
Where to stay: TUI BLUE Nausicaa Beach, Protaras – there's a sea-view pool for the adults and a shaded splash pool for little ones (with a rainbow slide), plus first-class kids’ clubs and evening entertainment. New for 2025 is a new calming sensory room for children, designed by the TUI childcare and neurodiversity team.
Ibiza
Thanks to its relaxed, boho vibes, the White Isle is fast becoming the wellness destination, so where better to head for a little R&R this summer? Talamanca, Es Caná, Cala Llonga and Portinatx attract families and allow you to avoid the party crowds. When it comes to keeping everyone entertained, a visit to Ibiza Town to wander round the cobbled lanes (we recommend walking to the top of the old town to enjoy the views over the city) and a day at Cala Tarida, one of the loveliest and most child-friendly beaches, will score you brownie points.
✈️ Flight time: 2 hours, 30 mins
Where to stay: TUI Blue Aura, Ibiza – you can expect the sheltered, sandy Port des Torrent beach nearby, lots of kid-friendly activities, a large pool, a pirate room (yes, really!) and a new sensory room for little ones that opens on 1 May, plus free access to the waterpark next door.
Bodrum, Turkey
One of the most glamorous beach destinations in the Mediterranean, this is also a fabulous place to explore with children. The Bodrum Peninsula has an array of beach towns and resorts, including Bodrum Town, with its imposing 15th-century castle, and the lively town of Gumbet, as well as the relaxed areas of Gumusluk, Torba an and Bitez. For days out, take your pick from family boat trips, visits to weekly markets (perfect for stocking up on Turkish delight) and snorkelling the warm waters around Rabbit Island. Travelling with toddlers? Karaincir Beach is the spot for calm, shallow water.
✈️ Flight time: 4 hours
Where to stay: Lujo Hotel Bodrum – from infinity pools to private beaches, grown-ups will be in their element here, while the kids will love the action-packed children’s club, which offers music sessions, art classes and science experiences. Can adults join?
Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico
If you fancy exploring further afield and are looking for a special trip to take with older children, the golden Yucatan Peninsula has so much to offer families. Cycle round the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá, one of the new Wonders of the World, swim in sunken cenotes in Cuzama, and visit Xcaret, one of the region’s best theme parks, where you can ride rapids and say hello to the giant birds in the aviary. Or simply relax on one of the beautiful beaches of Tulum. The cuisine is child-friendly too, with fresh tacos and sizzling fajitas on the menu.
✈️ Flight time: 10 hours
Where to stay: Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun – this hotel has its own waterpark, plus a kids’ splash park and a pair of lazy rivers. So, even if you decide to just spend the day around the pool, there will be plenty to keep everyone entertained. There’s also a food truck by the beach and an ice-cream parlour. You may never want to leave…
Nice, France
With a short flight time, temperate weather year-round and a bustling old town (shown) filled with busy restaurants serving everything from seafood to pizza and pasta, Nice is a lovely, laidback choice. You can wander around the busy markets, high-end shops and cobbled streets during the day, or take trips to nearby Monaco (for window shopping only) and Grasse, the world perfume capital. We also recommend taking the little train up to Castle Hill for breathtaking views over the entire city (and the glittering, azure Mediterranean Sea). Note, the beach is cobbled, but if you invest in some pairs of jelly shoes, this shouldn’t be an issue.
✈️ Flight time: 2 hours
Where to stay: Apollinaire, Nice – this is ideally located near the old town with its many restaurants and market stalls for browsing. There’s also an outdoor terrace for drinks and a wellness centre with a hammam, experience shower and rest area in case all the high-end window shopping gets too much…
Orlando, Florida
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime break, but one the kids (and you) won’t forget. The best age to take them to Disney World is probably between five and 10. Florida isn’t just about the Walt Disney World Resort though (there’s also Universal and Legoland, of course). Outside of theme parks, you’ll find endless white sand beaches, the beautiful Everglades national park and arguably the best brunch scene in the world. I still dream about the stacks of pancakes, fried toast with jelly (aka jam) and hash browns with everything.
✈️ Flight time: 9 hours, 30 mins
Where to stay: Universal Aventura Hotel – this sleek, modern hotel has a rooftop bar that offers panoramic views over the three Universal Orlando parks, and there’s a free shuttle bus to run you to all three. There’s also a bright, fresh food court and a kids pool (if you fancy a day off from the parks).
Puglia, Italy
Puglia in southern Italy is a lovely family-friendly destination with crystal clear waters, fairytale villages and crowd pleasing food. Spend your days strolling around the charming coastal town of Monopoli, discovering the stone houses of Alberobello village with their unique cone roofs, or soaking up the sun on the powder sands of Pescoluse Beach. If you’re keen to explore the best of the area, we recommend hiring a car to get around and travelling in early or late summer if you can as it gets very hot from June to August.
✈️ Flight time: 3 hours
Where to stay: Where to stay: Robinson Apulia – flanked by a sandy beach and a shady pine forest, this hotel really does have everything, including three kids pools, four restaurants, yoga sessions by the pool, a spa and lots of water sports on offer. Our pick? Stand-up paddle boarding – perfect for the whole family.
Alcudia, Mallorca
Alcudia, on Mallorca’s north-east coast combines the best of city and coastline, with the historic old town inland – think cobbled streets, pavement cafes and boutiques – and one of the longest beaches in Mallorca, with seven kilometres of sand to spread your towel on. As well as taking in all the culture and water sports, we suggest jumping on the bus to visit Parc Natural de S’Albufera, a nature reserve that spans lagoons, sand dunes and walking trails and is packed with local wildlife, including marsh frogs and the moustached warbler…
✈️ Flight time: 2 hours, 25 mins
Where to stay: TUI Suneo Lagomonte – with two pools (including one that sits inside a lagoon) and an outdoor stage that plays host to alfresco film nights, bingo and (occasional) karaoke, there’s plenty to entertain all ages at this sleek hotel in Port d’Alcudia on the northeast coast.
The Algarve, Portugal
The Algarve has long been one of the best-loved family holiday destinations in Europe and we can totally see the attraction. As Portugal's southernmost region, it boasts year-round warmth and sunshine, more than 200 kilometres of beautiful beaches, hotels and resorts to cover all preferences and budgets, and amazing golf and seafood to boot. It's nothing short of idyllic. For golden sands and the calmest seas, Carvoeiro is best, while Faro is a must-visit for a dose of history.
✈️ Flight time: 3 hours
Where to stay: Aparthotel Brisa Sol – perfectly situated between the old and areas of Albufeira, within walking distance of shops and restaurants, these apartments and studios come with kitchenettes and roomy balconies for more laidback mealtimes with little ones.
Kefalonia, Greece
This glorious Greek island is the largest of the Ionian archipelago and ideal for a family-friendly getaway. The setting for the 2001 film Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Kefalonia offers even more than Hollywood appeal. This is the place to enjoy a slow pace, whether you're soaking up the sun on the superb beaches of Myrtos or Skala, or joining the locals to gather in the main square of the capital Argostoli. If you're an active family, snorkelling, kayaking and hiking are some of the must-dos on Kefalonia.
✈️ Flight time: 3 hours, 30 mins
Where to stay: Hotel San Giorgio – this is a pastel-hued, family-run hotel built into a steep hill and surrounded by pine trees. There are two pools and a shuttle bus to the small fishing village of Skala where you’ll find a long sandy beach, as well as cafes and tavernas. For active families, there are some great hiking trails, too.
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