15 best family holiday destinations 2024


by Emily Gilbert |
Updated on

Whether you're looking to go a little closer to home this year or are keen to jump on a flight to somewhere sunny, you need to book the best family holiday destination.

Selecting where you go on holiday isn't always easy, especially when you need to think about what travel essentials you will need for your baby. You’ll also need to find a place that is family-friendly, not too hot or cold for your little one and has everything you might need for a comfortable stay.

Whenever you may be planning to travel again we've rounded up the best family holiday destinations that are suitable for a family getaway.

1. Mallorca

©José Miguel Hernández / Getty

With a flight time of just over two hours from the UK, this sunny island in the Balearics is ideal for families with small babies. The short flight means there is less time for your little one to become restless and it will be less tiring on the family.

2. Portugal

©Marco Bottigelli / Getty

Favoured by families with small children, Portugal is a great holiday destination for those with a baby in tow. Also a couple of hours away from the UK by flight, it’s a short-haul destination that offers a wide variety of accommodation to suit a young family’s needs.

3. Tenerife

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If you’re willing to brave a slightly longer flight with your tiny tot, the Canary Island of Tenerife is around four and a half hours away by plane; which is still relatively short-haul and certainly manageable with a baby.

4. Cornwall

©Ben Pipe Photography / Getty

If you're looking for blue seas with the home comfort, then Cornwall might be the perfect place for you. It does come at the cost of good old British weather, but it's certainly a beautiful place to go. You can even take the dog, as a lot of hotels and places are dog friendly.

5. The Caribbean

©Onne van der Wal / Getty

With so many places to visit in the Caribbean, there's so much to do as a family. You can either book a cruise or a flight and enjoy some time on the beautiful beaches of white sand and warm sea.

6. Cyprus

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With an array of water parks dotted around the island, Cyprus is a good location for relaxing on the golden beaches, as well as enjoying some action in the parks! There's lots of ancient architecture to explore too. With a flight time of roughly four and a half hours, it's slightly longer than some locations, but definitely do-able with a baby or small child!

7. Paris

©Francesco Riccardo Iacomino / Getty

With pram-friendly streets, immersive museums and even the added bonus of there being a Disney theme park nearby, Paris is a great city break for families. There's plenty of green space too for enjoying some quiet from the busy locations.

8. Anglesey

©Photos by R A Kearton / Getty

Located in North Wales, Anglesey is an enchanting destination for a family holiday. You can stay in places such as Benllech, which is known for its clear waters and stretch of sand. Again, another great location that doesn't involve flying and you can take your dog with you too.

9. Disney, Florida

©Walt Disney / TUI

While the flight to Florida is longer than flights to Europe, a trip to the Walt Disney World Resort is a dream holiday for most and definitely a once in a lifetime trip to make hundreds of family memories. With plenty to see and do, you can enjoy the beautiful beaches, the Disney resort and so much more.

10. Krakow, Poland

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While there is so much history to explore in Krakow, there are also lots of family friendly activities to do too. From exploring the Senses or the Illusions Museum, there's also the beautiful Wawel Castle to look around, and the dragons caves.

11. PortAventura

©TUI

With so much to do for the whole family, PortAventura is a giant theme park with water slides, toddler splash parks and even rides. It's in Costa Dorada in Spain, and is home to two gorgeous beaches so you can enjoy the water park and a relaxing beach trip too.

12. Lapland

©Roberto Moiola / Sysaworld / Getty

If you have a young child (or children), then snowy Lapland will be a Christmas experience that they won't forget. With a flight time of three and a half hours from London, Lapland is known as the home of Santa. With cosy cabins, reindeers to meet and even a chance to meet Santa himself, it's a magical experience for the whole family.

13. Bulgaria

©Alexandra Marin / Getty

With swimming friendly waters, sunshine is pretty much guaranteed in the summer months. At roughly three hours for the flight, Bulgaria is known for its affordability, making it great if you're looking for gorgeous beaches and sun without it costing a fortune.

14. Croatia

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Croatia coastline is peppered with beautiful coastal walks, secluded beach coves and lovely villages with amazing architecture. If you fancy a day a way from the beach too, there's plenty of fascinating cities for you to explore.

15. Italy

©Getty

From Venice to Roma, and even the Italian coast, what better place to enjoy a family holiday than with this picturesque city? It's a family friendly place, with incredible food and cities to explore. The great thing about traveling to Italy too is it only takes around a two hours flight to get there.

What do I need to consider when choosing the best family holiday abroad?

Go all-inclusive: Consider paying that little bit extra for the comforts of an all-inclusive board. Having food and drink on tap can be very handy when you have your little one with you.

The six hour rule: Limit your destination choice to within a six hour flight window from the UK. This can help especially when thinking about the first trip away with your baby or toddler.

Weather check: Look at the average forecasts for your chosen destination at the time of year you will be travelling. Try to pick a place where the temperate isn’t going to be sky-high, as keeping your baby cool and protected from harmful rays can be more difficult. Around the mid-20s is a manageable heat with a small baby.

Consider sun protection: If you're going somewhere hot pick the best high SPF cream and loose-fitting clothes that cover well. Don't forget that even if you're travelling to a colder destination spot, planning a skiing trip for example, SPF face cream is still needed.

A journalist since 2015, Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby and has written for the website and previously the magazine for seven years. Emily writes about everything from the top baby products to pregnancy, fertility and maternal mental health. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases in the parenting industry.

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