Best family holiday destinations

Majorca, Florida and Mexico are all top picks for family holidays, but there are plenty of other destinations to go for, too. We’ve rounded up a list of the best places to go where you’ll find activities for all ages, plus soft sand and shallow, paddle-friendly waters.

When it comes to where to stay, the family-friendly options in our TUI BLUE collection score top marks. Just look out for the Family Fun highlight when you’re shortlisting your hotels. They take our trademark family-friendly facilities and ramp them up with first-class kids’ clubs, bigger activity rosters and exciting evening shows. There are dedicated sports and activity entertainers on hand to keep everyone busy with fun and games, and restaurants that cater to every taste bud, too. Plus, the top-quality evening entertainment includes shows for tots, kids, teens and adults. 

Once you've had a read, take a look at our best family holiday deals.

This Balearic Island has been a hit with holidaymakers for over 50 years. It ticks off everything you’d want from a family holiday, with short flights and transfers, great family hotels and amazing beaches. You can take your pick from quiet, laidback resorts like Cala Bona, or Alcudia, which has one of Majorca’s longest beaches and a historical town nearby. Or, make a beeline for lively Palma Nova, which lines up a trio of beaches, a tropical-themed minigolf course, and the Aqualand waterpark.
 
The TUI BLUE Grupotel Mallorca Mar, in Cala Bona, flaunts a seafront setting and is only a five-minute drive from Cala Millor, where you’ll find a huge activity park home to trampolines, animal-themed boats and bouncy castles. Back at base, there are kids’ clubs, a bumper activity programme and cooking classes. Over in Sa Coma, the TUI BLUE Sensatori Biomar keeps the whole family happy – little ones can head off to make new pals in the TUI KIDS’ CLUB, while adults can take a time out in the BLUE Spa – it’s fitted with an indoor pool, a Turkish bath and a sun deck.

Check out our family holidays in Majorca.

Bulgaria is famous for its party scene, but it gets top marks for family holidays, too. Budget-friendly Sunny Beach is the most popular pick for families, with spotless Blue Flag beaches, a lively promenade, and plenty of watersports on offer. If you fancy exploring beyond Sunny Beach, it’s easy to take day trips to the UNESCO-listed Nessebar, where you can wander around temples, chunky fortress walls, and an Ottoman-style Medieval basilica.

The TUI BLUE Nevis hotel in Sunny Beach features a kids’ splash zone, a beachfront location and big family-sized suites for up to six people. In the evening, you can look forward to family activities like quizzes and West End-style shows.

Ready to book? Take a look at our family holidays in Bulgaria.

The Costas have been a top pick for family getaways for decades, and Costa Dorada is one of the best spots to take your clan to. It boasts kid-friendly hotels, huge stretches of white sand, and plenty of activities for all ages. If you fancy planning some daytrips, Barcelona is just under two hours away, and you can reach the Caribe Aquatic Park and the PortAventura World theme park, home to Europe’s tallest rollercoaster, in just over 30 minutes by car.

The Golden Avenida Family Suites is right in the centre of Salou, putting you within easy reach of all the attractions, plus it’s a 10-minute stroll from Llevant Beach. The suites here are smart, modern and spacious, and there’s a huge pool, too. Or, if you want to be right in the heart of the action, pick the Hotel H10 Salou Princess as your base, which is close to both the beach and PortAventura.

Find out more about our family holidays in Spain.

Cyprus combines big beach resorts and waterparks with Ancient Greek ports and traditional harbour towns, so you can get the best of both worlds here. When it comes to where to stay, the Larnaca region is a family favourite. It's all thanks to its sandy beaches, waterparks and traditional restaurants. Or, you can stay in Paphos to experience traditional Cyprus, with temples, colourful mosaics and a Neolithic history to learn about.

In Nissi Beach, the TUI BLUE Atlantica Aeneas Resort boasts six outdoor swimming pools, and is only a two-minute walk from a sandy beach. You’ve also got the TUI BLUE Nausicaa Beach in Protaras, where little ones can learn how to swim with professionally run swimming lessons, and try out new tastes in the Healthy Eating Challenge.

Inspired? View all our family holidays in Cyprus.

Treat the whole clan to a holiday to Mexico’s Caribbean Coast, and combine a tropical climate with white-sand beaches and activities they’ll be talking about the second they go back to school. It’s easy to switch between beachside relaxing and exciting days out to adventure parks, jungle trails and Mayan ruins here. There’s Xel Ha, which is a natural aquarium and waterpark set among Mexico’s jungle, where there are zip-lines, cenote pools and lazy rivers to keep you busy. And, then there are the Mayan ruins – the famous Chichen Itza, and Coba, on the Yucatán Peninsula, which has a pyramid you can climb up. 

The lion’s share of hotels in Riviera Maya are pulled up next to a white-sand beach, and include great kids' clubs and activities, plus restaurants to suit the fussiest of eaters. The Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun is a firm favourite thanks to its huge waterpark, beachfront location and choice of bars and restaurants. 

Tempted? Browse our family holidays in Mexico.

Lapland's a winner for families during the winter. Rather than hanging around the UK hoping for a white Christmas, why not fly to Lapland where snow is far more likely to fall? Little ones can see Santa, get involved with activities run by the elves, and even hop on a sleigh pulled by a reindeer. There’s plenty for grown-ups to enjoy, too. Skiing, snowmobiling, and hiking are all on the cards, plus in some places – like Saariselka – you might be able to spot the Northern Lights. If you'd rather a taste of city life in Lapland, Rovaniemi has got you covered thanks to plenty of shops and restaurants, as well as a lively nightlife scene. 

The Snow Elf Hotel & Apartments in Yllas features an indoor pool, and little ones’ favourite Captain T regularly comes to visit. Meanwhile, over at the Winter Wonderland Hotel and Log Cabins you can take off on snowmobile safaris from right outside your front door.

Find out more about our family holidays in Lapland.

A bumper list of UNESCO sites and a string of sandy beaches make Italy a top pick for a close-to-home family holiday. The best bit? Whichever part of the boot you choose – Sicily, Puglia or Campania – you’ll find top-notch food, too. Fussy kids can tuck into iconic Italian classics like lasagne, spaghetti bolognese and pizza, while adults can try freshly made clam risotto or stuffed arancini – tiny balls of deep-fried risotto.

In Calabria, family-friendly resorts go hand-in-hand with a sun-kissed coastline. At the southern tip is Pizzo, a quaint seaside town. Here you’ll find TUI MAGIC LIFE Calabria – an All Inclusive club sitting pretty between one of Calabria’s best stretches of sand and hills blanketed by pine trees. Adults can unwind in the spa, while the little ones will love the five swimming pools, splash park and action-packed sports programme. Or, go for the Janna e Sole in Budoni on the Italian island of Sardinia. Here, you can look forward to a triple helping of pools, as well as a handy shuttle that’s ready to whisk you to a nearby beach.

Get to know about our family holidays in Italy.

Ready to get your family holiday booked?

Browse our family holiday deals for more inspiration.

Check out everything families will love about TUI BLUE, or read about the best toddler-friendly destinations, and find out how to have a cheap family holiday.

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Author: Karl Taylor

Last updated: 09.01.2025