6 best family holiday destinations

Looking to go on holiday as a family and want to try somewhere new? If you’re not sure which destination to choose, you’ve come to the right place.

Our travel experts here at Away Holidays have put together a list of the six best family holiday destinations. Read on to find out more, including details of family-friendly activities and fun activities for all ages in each holiday hotspot.

Where is the best place for a family holiday?

Every family is unique, so your idea of the dream getaway might be different to other people’s. But the best family holidays do tend to have a few things in common. Namely, great weather with plenty of sunshine and a choice of activities to keep everyone happy.

It’s also important to have safe accommodation where children can run free, along with family-friendly facilities like kids clubs and creches so that you have some support while you’re away. After all, it’s your holiday too.

You might also want to think about things like travel and transfer times, especially if you have little ones who might get restless during the journey.

Now, let’s dive straight into some of the best family holiday destinations.

Orlando

Known as the theme park capital of the world, it’s easy to see why Orlando, Florida is top of our list of family-friendly holidays destinations. Famous as the home of the Walt Disney World Resort, it’s one enormous adventure playground. Here you’ll find attractions such as Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Magic Kingdom Park and Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, among countless others.

There’s also the Universal Islands of Adventure Theme Park, SeaWorld and many more. Whatever your children’s ages and whatever your family is into, there really is something for everyone. 

Orlando also has plenty to offer outside of its many theme parks. It’s known for its beautiful sunny weather, stunning beaches and excellent golf courses. You can even visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Leu Gardens and tranquil Lake Eola Park – if you have time, that is!

What’s more, Orlando and its many resorts are all set up for families. So you can expect top-notch family and child-friendly facilities wherever you go.

Book a trip to Orlando and you’ll also earn yourself serious parent points. Just imagine your kids’ faces when you tell them where you’re all going on holiday – it’s worth having a camera on hand to capture their reaction.

Mauritius

When you start researching the best family holiday destinations, Mauritius might not spring to mind right away. But while it’s known for being a top spot for romantic honeymoons, this gorgeous Indian Ocean island is also fantastic for family breaks. For starters, it enjoys year-round sunshine, making it ideal if you’re trying to fit in a holiday around school timetables and work schedules.

Where destinations like Orlando are all about man-made attractions, Mauritius is an adventure playground thanks to its natural splendour. It has miles of perfect beaches, offering opportunities for snorkelling, scuba diving, whale watching and of course, sandcastle making. There’s also the chance to explore, marvelling at the Black River Gorges National Park or the breathtaking Chamarel Waterfall.

Your kids will love the chance to see some of the island’s native wildlife too. You can take a segway safari, go camel riding, see sharks at the Mauritius Aquarium and spend happy days at the Casela World of Adventures seeing zebra, giraffe and rhino up close.

There are plenty of child-friendly resorts, hotels, restaurants and attractions in Mauritius, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Dubai

The sparkling city of Dubai in the UAE is another often-overlooked family holiday destination. It’s known for its luxury holidays and high-end hotels, but there’s another side to this fascinating city.

Dubai is simply bursting with attractions, from the Wild Wadi Waterpark and Aquaventure Waterpark to LEGOLAND Dubai. It has two brilliant aquariums, lots of beautiful beaches and even opportunities to go sand boarding and camel trekking on a desert safari.

Many hotels in Dubai are geared towards families, some even offering all-inclusive dining to make your stay easy and stress-free.

Maldives

The Maldives is perfect for honeymoons and romantic holidays, but it’s fast becoming a popular family holiday destination – so get in there quick, before everyone else discovers it.

What the Maldives offers is pure relaxation in glorious surroundings. It’s ideal for beach fun in the sun with little ones, while older children and adults can try out the many water activities available on the islands. This includes sailing, snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking and more in the crystal-clear waters. You can also daytrip to other islands, and visit the capital city of Malé for shopping and sightseeing.

Many hotels in the Maldives are all-inclusive too, so that’s mealtimes, drinks and snacks sorted.

Thailand

If you’re looking for an unforgettable family holiday on a budget, Thailand could be the destination for you.

It offers stunning beaches, wildlife spotting opportunities and lots of fun attractions. This includes the Vana Nava Water Jungle in Hua Hin, Football Golf on Koh Samui and the stunning Khao Sok National Park.

Even transport is fun – your kids will love hopping on a tuk-tuk, travelling on the Skytrain in Bangkok and boat tripping along the Chao Phraya River.

The cost of living in Thailand tends to be much cheaper than the UK, so you could get a fabulous family holiday without spending too much. As an added bonus, Thai culture is very family-orientated, which means that there are lots of family-friendly hotels and children are welcome almost everywhere. 

Antigua

Dreaming of a Caribbean getaway? Antigua could be the perfect choice for you and your family. This idyllic island offers lots of opportunities for fun and adventure, including watersports, beach activities, jungle hikes (for all ages) and interesting towns. Make sure to visit the colourful capital of St John’s, where the kids will love the Fort James seafront fort.

There are plenty of family hotels in Antigua, including those offering all-inclusive packages and child-friendly facilities.

Get in touch with our friendly team here at Away Holidays if you need help planning and booking the perfect family holiday this year.