Planning a family holiday can be exciting and challenging, especially when balancing the needs of kids of different ages. Here are our favorite nice family holiday destinations around the world, broken down by different times of the year.
For families on a budget, here are the best budget-friendly practices:
- Book flights and accommodations in advance to secure the best deals,
- Travel during off-peak seasons to avoid high prices and crowds,
- Look for family-friendly accommodations that offer complimentary breakfast and activities
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Family Beach Vacations
Spain:
- Costa Brava: Beautiful beaches, family resorts, and coastal activities. Stay at the Hotel Mediterraneo Park in Roses, which offers family rooms and various amenities.
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Costa Brava. Photo by Michael Cadieux on Unsplash
- Mallorca: Stunning beaches, water parks, and family-friendly resorts. Consider staying at the Iberostar Albufera Park, which offers family rooms and direct beach access.
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Catedral de Santa María de Palma de Mallorca. Photo by Tom Podmore on Unsplash
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Greece:
- Mykonos: Family-friendly beaches, water activities, and cultural sites. Stay at the Mykonos Princess Hotel, which offers family rooms and great views.
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Mykonos, Greece. Photo by Despina Galani on Unsplash
- Naxos: Known for its beautiful beaches and relaxed atmosphere. Consider staying at the Naxos Resort Beach Hotel, which offers family rooms and easy beach access.
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Naxos. Photo by David Kaloczi on Unsplash
Portugal:
- Madeira: Beautiful beaches, botanical gardens, and outdoor activities. Stay at the Porto Mare Hotel in Funchal, which offers family rooms and lush gardens.
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Madeira. Photo by Jan Tokarczyk on Unsplash
- Algarve: Stunning beaches and water sports. Consider staying at the Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort, which offers family rooms and direct beach access.
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Algarve. Photo by Shrey Kanabar on Unsplash
Croatia:
- Dubrovnik: Beautiful beaches, historic sites, and family-friendly activities. Stay at the Valamar Club Dubrovnik, which offers family rooms and various amenities.
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Dubrovnik. Photo by László Tóth on Unsplash
- Hvar: Known for its beautiful beaches and relaxed atmosphere. Consider staying at the Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort, which offers family rooms and beach access.
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Hvar. Photo by Aleksandra Krasinska on Unsplash
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Canada:
- Tofino, British Columbia: This city has scenic beaches, tide pools, and family-friendly accommodations. The Long Beach Lodge Resort offers family rooms and beach access.
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Tofino. BC. Photo by Sebastian Huxley on Unsplash
- Prince Edward Island: Warm waters, sandy beaches, and family activities. Consider staying at the Kindred Spirits Inn and Cottages, which offers family-friendly accommodations.
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Prince Edward Island. Photo by Carl Campbell on Unsplash
USA:
- Maui, Hawaii: Gorgeous beaches, snorkeling, and family-friendly resorts. Stay at the Aston Kaanapali Shores, which offers family rooms and beachfront access.
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Maui, Hawaii. Photo by Kenneth Oh on Unsplash
- Outer Banks, North Carolina: Beautiful beaches, water sports, and family-friendly vacation rentals. Consider staying at the Sanderling Resort in Duck, which offers family rooms and various amenities.
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Outer Banks, North Carolina, USA. Photo by Jason Pischke on Unsplash
Mexico:
- Cancun: Gorgeous beaches, water parks, and family-friendly activities. Stay at the Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun All-Inclusive, which offers family rooms and various amenities.
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Cancun. Photo by David Vives on Unsplash
- Playa del Carmen: Stunning beaches, Xcaret Park, and family-friendly activities. Consider staying at the Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda, which offers family rooms and direct beach access.
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Playa del Carmen. Photo by Rajiv Perera on Unsplash
Indonesia:
- Bali: Beautiful beaches, cultural sites, and family-friendly activities like the Bali Safari and Marine Park. Stay at the Bali Dynasty Resort, which offers family rooms and various amenities.
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Bali. Photo by Aron Visuals on Unsplash
- Lombok: Pristine beaches, outdoor activities, and family-friendly attractions. Consider staying at the Katamaran Hotel & Resort, which offers family rooms and direct beach access.
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Lombok. Photo by Tandya Rachmat on Unsplash
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Summer Family Holidays
Italy:
- Tuscany: Beautiful countryside, historic towns, and family-friendly activities. Stay at the Castello di Casole, A Belmond Hotel, which offers family rooms and various amenities.
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Tuscany. Photo by Greta Farnedi on Unsplash
- Lake Garda: Stunning lake views, water sports, and family attractions like Gardaland. Consider staying at the Aqualux Hotel Spa & Suite Bardolino, which offers family rooms and easy access to the lake.
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Lake Garda. Photo by Charleen Vesin on Unsplash
France:
- Provence: Beautiful landscapes, historic towns, and family activities. Stay at the Le Mas de Gordes, which offers family rooms and a picturesque location.
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Provence. Photo by Thomas Despeyroux on Unsplash
- Brittany: Beautiful beaches, coastal activities, and historic sites. Consider staying at the Castel Beau Site in Perros-Guirec, which offers family rooms and beach access.
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Brittany. Photo by Pedro Lastra on Unsplash
Spain:
- Canary Islands: Great weather, beautiful beaches, and family-friendly activities. Stay at the H10 Suites Lanzarote Gardens in Costa Teguise, which offers family rooms and various amenities.
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Tenerife. Photo by Maria Bobrova on Unsplash
- Seville: Rich in culture, beautiful architecture, and family-friendly attractions. Consider staying at the Hotel Alfonso XIII, which offers family rooms and a central location.
Greece:
- Santorini: Stunning views, family-friendly beaches, and cultural sites. Stay at the Astra Suites in Imerovigli, which offers family rooms and breathtaking views.
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Santorini. Photo by Tânia Mousinho on Unsplash
- Peloponnese: Beautiful beaches, historic sites, and outdoor activities. Consider staying at the Grecotel Olympia Oasis & Aqua Park in Kyllini, which offers family rooms and various amenities.
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Peloponnese. Photo by Despina Galani on Unsplash
Canada:
- Banff National Park: Stunning scenery, hiking, wildlife, and family-friendly activities. Stay at the Banff Rocky Mountain Resort, which offers family suites and easy access to outdoor activities.
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Banff. Photo by Ampersand Studios on Unsplash
- Vancouver: Parks, beaches, and family attractions like the Vancouver Aquarium. Consider staying at the Residence Inn by Marriott Vancouver Downtown, which offers family suites and a central location.
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Vancouver. Photo by Marco Tjokro on Unsplash
USA:
- Yellowstone National Park: Geysers, wildlife, and family-friendly lodges. Stay at the Canyon Lodge and Cabins, which offers family-friendly accommodations within the park.
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Yellowstone. Photo by Judi Smith on Unsplash
- Washington D.C.: Museums, historical sites, and family-friendly activities. Consider staying at the Residence Inn by Marriott Washington, DC/Capitol, which offers family suites and a convenient location.
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Washington, D.C. Photo by Vlad Gorshkov on Unsplash
New Zealand:
- Queenstown: Stunning scenery, outdoor activities, and family-friendly attractions like the Skyline Gondola. Stay at the Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, which offers family rooms and lake views.
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Queenstown, New Zealand. Photo by Samuel Ferrara on Unsplash
- Auckland: Beautiful parks, beaches, and family-friendly activities. Consider staying at the Cordis, Auckland, by Langham Hospitality Group, which offers family rooms and a central location.
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Auckland. Photo by Dan Freeman on Unsplash
Singapore:
- Explore Sentosa Island, visit the Singapore Zoo, and enjoy family-friendly activities at Universal Studios Singapore. Stay at the Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa, which offers family rooms and beach access.
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Singapore. Photo by Coleen Rivas on Unsplash
United Arab Emirates:
- Dubai: Visit the Dubai Mall, explore the desert, and enjoy family-friendly attractions like Legoland Dubai. Stay at the Atlantis, The Palm, which offers family rooms and various amenities.
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Dubai. Photo by Christoph Schulz on Unsplash
- Abu Dhabi: Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, explore Yas Island, and enjoy family-friendly activities at Ferrari World. Consider staying at the Yas Island Rotana, which offers family rooms and easy access to attractions.
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Abu Dabi. Photo by Daniel Olah on Unsplash
Christmas Trips for Families
Spain:
- Barcelona: Enjoy Christmas markets, festive lights, and family-friendly activities like ice skating and visiting the Tibidabo Amusement Park. Rest easy at the H10 Madison, renowned for its comfortable family rooms and unbeatable location.
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Barcelona. Photo by Theodor Vasile on Unsplash
- Madrid: Experience the Three Kings Parade, Christmas lights, and visit Retiro Park. Consider staying at Hotel Regina, which offers family rooms and a central location.
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Madrid. Photo by Nikolay Dimitrov on Unsplash
Greece:
- Athens: Explore historic sites with fewer crowds, visit the Christmas Factory, and immerse in festive events at Syntagma Square. An excellent option for accommodation is the Athens Utopia Ermou, which is family-friendly and centrally located.
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Athens. Photo by Andrea Leopardi on Unsplash
- Thessaloniki is known for its Christmas village and beautiful holiday decorations. Stay at the Blue Bottle Boutique Hotel, which offers family rooms and a central location.
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Thessaloniki. Photo by Roman Vasilovski on Unsplash
Germany:
- Berlin: Enjoy Christmas markets, festive lights, and family activities like visiting the Berlin Zoo and the Christmas Garden. Stay at the Radisson Blu Hotel, which offers family rooms and a central location.
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Berlin. Photo by Tanja Cotoaga on Unsplash
- Munich: Experience the famous Christmas markets, ice skating, and the Deutsches Museum. Consider staying at the Hotel Metropol by Maier Privathotels, which is family-friendly and close to attractions.
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Munich. Photo by Daria Kraplak on Unsplash
Austria:
- Vienna: Explore the Christmas markets, Schönbrunn Palace, and Prater amusement park. Stay at the Hotel Kaiserhof Wien, which offers family rooms and a great location.
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Vienna. Photo by Alisa Anton on Unsplash
- Salzburg: Known for its beautiful Christmas markets, the Hohensalzburg Fortress, and family-friendly activities. Consider staying at the Hotel & Villa Auersperg, which is family-friendly and centrally located.
Canada:
- Québec City: The city turns into a winter wonderland with its German Christmas Market and snow activities like sledding and ice skating. Stay at the Hotel du Vieux-Québec, which offers family-friendly amenities.
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Québec City. Photo by Frede Langlois on Unsplash
- Banff: Enjoy a snowy Christmas with skiing, hot springs, and beautiful holiday lights. Consider staying at the Banff Rocky Mountain Resort, which offers family suites and easy access to outdoor activities.
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Banff Lake Louise. Photo by Sanne Knoops on Unsplash
USA:
- New York City is famous for the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, ice skating, and holiday markets. The Pod Hotels offer affordable, family-friendly accommodation options.
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New York. Photo by aiden patrissi on Unsplash
- Orlando, Florida: Visit Disney World and enjoy their spectacular holiday events and decorations. Stay at the Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites - Waterpark, which is perfect for families.
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Orlando. Photo by Jocelyn Hsu on Unsplash
Japan:
- Tokyo: Enjoy Christmas illuminations, visit Tokyo Disneyland, and explore the Odaiba area. Stay at the Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, which offers family rooms and easy access to attractions.
- Kyoto: Experience beautiful winter scenery, visit temples, and enjoy family-friendly activities at the Kyoto Railway Museum. Consider staying at the RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto, which is family-friendly and centrally located.
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Kyoto. Photo by Óscar Gutiérrez on Unsplash
Australia:
- Sydney: Enjoy Christmas on the beach, visit Taronga Zoo, and explore Darling Harbour. Stay at the Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour, which offers family rooms and great views.
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Sydney. Photo by Benjamin Sow on Unsplash
- Melbourne: Experience Christmas lights, visit the Melbourne Zoo, and enjoy family-friendly activities at Luna Park. Consider staying at the Pegasus Apart'Hotel, which is family-friendly and centrally located.
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Melbourne. Photo by Hendo Wang on Unsplash
Best Spring Break Destinations for Families on a Budget
Spain:
- Valencia: Enjoy beaches, the City of Arts and Sciences, and Bioparc. Stay at the Hotel Malcom and Barret, which offers family rooms and a convenient location.
- Costa del Sol: Beautiful beaches, water parks, and reasonably priced accommodations. Stay at the Sunset Beach Club in Benalmádena, which offers family apartments and various activities.
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Costa del Sol. Photo by Luke Seretis on Unsplash
Greece:
- Crete offers excellent value with its beaches, ancient ruins, and family-friendly activities. Stay at the Galaxy Hotel Iraklio in Heraklion, which provides family rooms and a convenient location.
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Crete. Photo by Egor Myznik on Unsplash
- Rhodes: Historic sites, beautiful beaches, and family-friendly options. Consider staying at the Lindos Princess Beach Hotel, which offers family rooms and a variety of activities.
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Rhodes. Photo by Dimitris Kiriakakis on Unsplash
Portugal:
- Lisbon: Enjoy the city's parks, Oceanarium, and tram rides. Stay at the Lisbon Marriott Hotel, which offers family rooms and a convenient location.
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Lisbon. Photo by Julian Dik on Unsplash
- Algarve: Beautiful beaches, water parks, and family-friendly activities. Consider staying at the Alfagar Alto da Colina in Albufeira, which offers family apartments and various amenities.
Italy:
- Rome: Explore historic sites, parks, and kid-friendly attractions like the Explora Children's Museum. Stay at the Hotel Nazionale, which offers family rooms and a central location.
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Rome. Photo by Spencer Davis on Unsplash
- Sicily: Beautiful beaches, ancient ruins, and cultural sites. Consider staying at the Hotel Villa Diodoro in Taormina, which offers family rooms and stunning views.
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Sicily. Photo by Alec Favale on Unsplash
Canada:
- Prince Edward Island: Charming and budget-friendly with its beaches, parks, and Anne of Green Gables attractions. Stay at the Great George Hotel, which offers family-friendly accommodations.
- Ottawa: Budget-friendly museums, parks, and family activities like the Canadian Museum of Nature. Consider staying at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Ottawa Downtown, which offers family suites and a convenient location.
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Ottawa. Photo by Benoit Debaix on Unsplash
USA:
- San Diego, California: Beaches, the San Diego Zoo, and family-friendly attractions at reasonable prices. Stay at the Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa, which offers family rooms and easy access to attractions.
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San Diego, California. Photo by Derek Story on Unsplash
- Smoky Mountains, Tennessee: Enjoy affordable outdoor activities, beautiful scenery, and family-friendly cabins. Consider staying at the Park Vista - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Gatlinburg, which offers family rooms and great views.
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Smoky Mountains, Tennessee. Photo by James Morden on Unsplash
These destinations offer various options that should fit well within the family budget and meet the needs of all family members, providing memorable experiences for everyone. Happy travels!