The best family holidays are the ones that create lasting memories, and everything falls perfectly into place.
A stress-free holiday where children are inspired by new surroundings and experiences, and you have the space to properly switch off and enjoy the experience just as much, knowing every detail has been carefully considered for you.
So, where should you go, and what should you do, when planning your next family escape? The answer depends on the sort of memories you want to make. Perhaps a luxurious retreat to sun-drenched shores with world-class kids’ clubs, or a more immersive journey tailored to shared experiences and discovery.
With that in mind, our travel experts have chosen the best short-haul and long-haul family holiday destinations for 2026, so you can find your dream family holiday this year.
The Best Short Haul Family Holidays in Europe
- Tenerife
- The Algarve, Portugal
- French Riviera
- Sardinia, Italy
- Cyprus
- Greece
The Best Long-Haul Family Holidays
- Canada
- Thailand
- Kenya
- St Lucia
- Mauritius
- The Maldives
- Barbados
- Antigua
- Orlando, Florida
If you're specifically travelling with very young children, discover our 9 Best Worldwide Holiday Destinations for Visiting with Babies and Toddlers.
Tenerife, Spain
Year-round warmth, soft-sand beaches and imposing volcanic mountains. It’s no wonder Tenerife is such a popular family holiday destination in Spain.
Since the island runs on the same time zone as the UK, there’s no disruption to your little ones’ sleeping patterns, meaning they’ll have all the more energy to enjoy the newly refurbished Ritz Kids Club at Ritz-Carlton, Abama on the sunny south of the island.
The resort truly excels with its engaging children’s activities, all based on the four pillars of Ritz Kids – culture, nature, exploration and responsibility. Little ones will love stargazing and cookery classes, as well as the brand-new Splash Park due to be ready by the middle of June 2026.
There’s also a great selection of family accommodation, including two-bedroom family rooms in the Citadel, interconnecting room options and even more space, benefits and experiences when you upgrade to stay in The Retreat.
So, whether it’s space for teenagers or somewhere to keep little ones close, you’ll find it on a family holiday to Tenerife.
The Algarve, Portugal
On the southernmost tip of Portugal, the Algarve is a sparkling jewel where the Atlantic flows into the Mediterranean. The region’s combination of historic Moorish architecture, sumptuous cuisine and 3,000 hours of sunshine per year ensures there’s something for every kind of luxury traveller.
Vila Vita Parc ticks every box here for what you’d want from a multi-generational stay, and with the majority of the 203 rooms, suites and apartments boasting private terraces and ocean views, there won’t be any tears over who gets the ‘best room’.
There are also six on-site villas if you’d prefer a more secluded escape with the family, and each has its own private pool to make a splash in.
Meanwhile, the 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, spa and plethora of kids’ activities mean it’ll be very hard to get bored, whatever your age.
The Algarve is especially good for those with newborns and toddlers. At the Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort, they really have thought of everything in their ‘Baby’s First Holiday’ package.
This includes:
- Nappies
- Baby wipes, talc and nappy cream
- A bottle warmer, steriliser and in-room changing mat
- One session in Raposinhos Crèche per day (3hr)
- Two hours’ childcare at Raposinhos Crèche per day
- One couple’s spa treatment (50min relaxing massage)
- One romantic three-course dinner for two (two hours of babysitting included)
What’s more, your child will receive a special gift and a ‘First Water Experience’. And with babysitting arrangements, you and your other half can enjoy a spa treatment for two and a romantic dinner, knowing the kids are in good hands. There's lots to keep toddlers and young children entertained too. They'll love the beach zipline, trampolines, pump track, table tennis, and even parent a child spa treatments.
"I've just returned home from a trip to Martinhal Sagres Beach Resort, and I was blown away with the family offering. There are 18 fairy doors dotted around the resort, and if your child can find them all they receive a free ice cream, there are toy boxes in your wardrobe if you child wants to bring toys from home, and on check in your child receives a Martinhal rucksack, a colouring book and a fox toy. It's a lovely touch as the resort is known for seeing foxes with it being in the National Park, so the fox is their cuddly mascot." - Alice, Product Manager
French Riviera, France
The French Riviera is iconic for its glamour, lively beach clubs and sun-soaked coastline, but it can also work brilliantly for families when you step slightly away from the obvious.
Terre Blanche, set in the hills of Provence just inland from the coast, offers something quite different. Instead of a traditional Riviera hotel, you’ve got space, nature and a sense of calm that immediately make travelling with children feel so much easier.
Its Kids’ Club is where it really stands out. Designed around “fun and meaningful” activities, it goes well beyond the usual set-up, and children can ignite their curiosities with endless activities that harness outdoor exploration and hands-on experiences, from cooking and crafts to circus skills, nature walks and even a gentle introduction to golf.
The ‘no-screen’ values of their ‘Kingdom of your Children’ programme are refreshingly simple and help to reconnect little ones with the natural world through play, with daily morning, afternoon and evening sessions.
Sardinia, Italy
Italy is one of our favourite family-friendly holiday destinations. With short flight times, gorgeous weather and plenty to keep children entertained, Sardinia could be the perfect place for your next family holiday.
The luxurious, award-winning Forte Village Hotel Il Castello is the place to stay here. Set on long stretches of powder-soft white sands, its 5-star bungalows have recently been fully refurbished along with the Executive Floor and the introduction of the new Suite Perla and a new lobby.
It’s a fantastic option if you’re travelling with children, with a Children’s Wonderland on-site and an Aquapark that will keep you all entertained for hours. Take some time out and enjoy the rooftop infinity pool whilst your little ones participate in the Chelsea FC football school or rowing academy.
There’s even a new Nature Park home to over 100 animals designed to inspire children, alongside a zipline experience that takes you soaring over the resort for a unique aerial view.
The list of activities at Forte Village is endless, and the kids even have their own restaurant (Mario’s). If you're looking for an action-packed holiday with your family, Sardinia should be firmly on your list.
Cyprus
There are so many reasons why Cyprus is a brilliant destination for a family holiday. It's less than five hours' flight away and is also brimming with rugged Mediterranean scenery, captivating history and culture. Plus, the country offers year-round warm weather and plentiful clean beaches.
For a day trip away from your resort, try Limassol's Municipal Park, which is great for family days out. Furthermore, exploring Paphos means getting stuck into a city so rich in culture, it's literally a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Parklane Resort near Limassol is perfectly suited as a family holiday destination with a range of family suites. Park Suites can accommodate even larger families with three bedrooms and a private pool. The 3,000-square-metre Park Kidz area has plenty of room for kids to run about.
Plus, the resort's football academy is perfect for families with budding Premier League stars. They can brush shoulders with football royalty (such as Rio Ferdinand or Dimitar Berbatov) and receive world-class coaching.
Greece
Greece is one of our favourite places for a family holiday in the sun. It’s got a little bit of everything: blue flag beaches that slope gently into the sea, an abundance of rich culture and history, sumptuous cuisine and seemingly never-ending blue skies and sunshine. What’s not to love?
There are so many outstanding family-friendly resorts here, with excellent options for small children and teenagers. If you’re travelling with little ones, they’ll have endless fun at Domes of Elounda in Crete with everything from cinema nights to bubble shows.
What sets them apart in the region is their focus on eco-consciousness and education with hands-on gardening and vegetable planting, recycling workshops and stargazing after hours. Plus, they’ll stay for free this summer season with their ‘Kids Stay Complimentary’ offer.
Off the resort, the local fishing village, Plaka, is close enough to stroll to with little ones and has some mouthwatering beachfront restaurants looking out over the Island of Spinalonga, which you can explore on a private boat trip.
In Corfu, Grecotel Corfu Imperial brings to life a world of excitement with an enhanced programme of activities for older children and teens. They’ll love catching their first fish on fishing excursions, helping protect the biodiversity of the Ionian Sea through the Adopt a Coral programme, and even enjoying specially designed parent-and-child spa experiences with you.
Kids under 12 stay for free in select room types, and they can also enjoy free dining at Grecoland and the main restaurant’s ‘Tasty Corner, both with dedicated children's menus.
There is also the nearby Costa Botanica Waterpark and Aqualand to explore, with thrilling waterslides and lazy river pools.
The Rockies, Canada
Canada is blessed with some of the most dramatic scenery in the world, and if your family’s idea of a dream holiday is one packed with exploration, action and adrenaline, a family adventure to Western Canada ticks every box.
Travelling from Calgary to Vancouver, you’ll experience the Rockies at their most impressive, with white-water rafting, horse riding through the Albertan wilderness and ziplining across vast valley canopies.
From gentler river floats in Jasper, where moose, elk and eagles are often spotted, to mountain biking in Sun Peaks and 4x4 Jeep safaris in Whistler, this is a journey built for families with a sense of adventure, particularly those with older children and teenagers.
Koh Samui, Thailand
With such warm hospitality, fragrant Thai curries and sun-kissed islands, Koh Samui’s island of smiles is one of the best places in the world you can take your family on holiday.
You really can forget all your worries at the door with Santiburi Samui, especially with such a comprehensive programme of activities for little ones.
If you’re escaping with younger children, they’ll love cooling off with homemade ice creams on the beachfront stand, and they’ll be kept busy with arts, crafts, games, movies and more at the Kids Club. Older kids have a fantastic range of sports activities to dive into on land and in the water, too, including Muay Thai camps, tennis, football, golf and paddleboarding.
For something extra special, you can even set out on guided family jungle treks to local waterfalls for splashes in fresh water, and we can arrange VIP Tours of Ang Thong Marine Park to snorkel its kaleidoscopic reefs and meet its mischievous monkeys.
Kenya
If your children are animal-lovers, then a luxury safari experience at Angama Mara will be something they’ll remember for life.
Spotting lions, giraffes, zebras, elephants, and more in the ever-captivating plains of the Maasai Mara is one of the most transformative experiences a family can share, and your little ones will feel like true safari explorers with spot-the-animal checklists, mini binoculars and colouring for the animals they encounter on their private game drive.
Taking large families is as easy as spotting the ample big game. Each camp has two sets of interconnecting Tented Suites, each accommodating two adults and up to four children.
When not on safari, there’s so much to explore at the camp. Daily walks with a warrior teach kids all about animal droppings; gardening workshops see them pick their own vegetables; baking classes teach local recipes; and beading studios teach them how to make their own Maasai Mara jewellery.
St Lucia
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, St Lucia is known as the Jewel of the Caribbean. With rainforest to explore, glistening seas to paddle and sandy beaches to build castles on, it’s an unspoilt paradise for children to make their playground.
One of the best beaches on the island is at Windjammer Landing, as the sand slopes gently into lapping waves in a sheltered and calm bay. The new Ocean Point Residences step right onto the beachfront with ground-floor residences boasting private pools for kiddies still learning to swim.
For self-catering options, the spacious villas are perfect for families wanting to cook for themselves, and you can even book a private chef so you don’t have to leave your villa if you’d like something extra special.
When you’d prefer to go out for a romantic dinner for two, certified nanny services are on hand to look after infants aged 0-3, or you can take them with you, as kids eat for free at seven different restaurants when adults choose all-inclusive – there’s plenty of choice for even the fussiest of eaters!
And then there’s the ever-helpful Windjammer App, which helps you keep up with the evolving restaurant menus and activities at Jacquot’s Kids Club.
Backdropped by uninterrupted views of the island’s iconic Pitons, you'll also find a range of fun activities to keep the little ones occupied at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort.
The Sugar Club runs treasure hunts, coconut bowling and archery for little ones (ages 4-12), whereas the Spice Club ups the ante for adventure for teens and tweens with kayaking, paddleboarding, and even sailing lessons.
And when your kids are tired out from a day of fun at the children’s village, you can leave them in the capable hands of the babysitting service while you enjoy a romantic dinner at the Great Room restaurant. Bliss!
For more inspiration, discover The Best Luxury Family Resorts in the Caribbean.
Mauritius
Marooned in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is a melting pot of culture and cuisine. This island may be small, but with the bustling capital of Port Louis alongside breathtaking mountain ranges and virgin forests, you won’t have any trouble finding family adventures to remember.
The powdery white sands, warm calm waters and superb kids’ clubs ensure Mauritius makes for the ultimate luxury family holiday destination. Surrounding coral reefs mean that the island is a great destination for watersports, diving and snorkelling.
Mauritians are renowned for their accommodating and welcoming manner. This is reflected in the many family-friendly touches provided at the island’s luxury resorts. The Constance Belle Mare Plage – situated on a two-mile-long beach to die for – provides children’s dressing gowns and strollers for the little ones, as well as plenty of fun at the Constance Kids' Club.
The Maldives
Secluded and spectacular, the 1,200 islands of the Maldives stretch out across the Indian Ocean in clusters of pure white sand.
This destination has earned a reputation for romance and honeymoons, but it also offers so much for family holidays. If your little ones are fascinated with nature, they’ll have shallow, fish-filled waters to paddle, dolphins to spot and coral reefs alive with colour just steps from the shore.
At Niyama, the enriching kids’ activities include sports coaching, snorkelling safaris and performances on the Children’s Club’s own amphitheatre stage!
Meanwhile, older teens or parents wanting a bit of ‘me time’ will love hanging out in the ultra-cool surroundings of CHILL island, home to the tranquil DRIFT Spa and sublime underwater bar, SUBSIX.
Barbados
Famous for cricket and its easy-going outlook on life, its name alone conjures up visions of unspoilt sands and sparkling azure waters. However, Barbados offers vibrant entertainment as well as luxury, making it an ideal destination for families.
The Crop Over Festival brings a carnival atmosphere to the streets for five weeks and it begins just in time for the summer holidays!
Entertainment and indulgence come on tap at Sandy Lane. Their Tree House Club will keep your 3-12-year-olds busy, while more discerning teenagers will be charmed by The Den, a social space offering pool tables, computers and a jukebox.
And for something a little more grown-up, try the Romanesque spa, or hit a round of golf on one of Sandy Lane’s three championship-style courses.
Antigua
On Antigua the trade winds blow a gentle breeze throughout the year, taking the edge off the almost constant sunshine - a real bonus when travelling with children. For adventurous families, taking the children on a rainforest tour is a must.
For a family holiday full of adventure, discover the best adventure holidays for families with teenagers.
The island may only be 108 square miles in size, but it's home to 365 beaches (one for every day of the year).
And as if 365 beaches weren’t already enough, you can stay at Jumby Bay Island, a car-free private island paradise. Younger guests will love the kids’ club, Hawksbill Turtle Programme, watersports, bikes and tennis clinics. Meanwhile, grownups can leave little ones under the safe care of a babysitter while they head to the resort’s recently refurbished Estate House for an evening of fine dining and cocktails.
A huge variety of accommodation sizes are available, from intimate one-bedroom suites to vast, spacious villas. Compared to the bustle of daily life this place will feel like a haven where your children can roam free, exploring the four and a half miles of pristine coastline on resort bicycles. Where better to teach them to ride a bike than on their family holiday in beautiful Antigua?
Carlisle Bay is another fantastic option for families, situated on the island’s best sheltered beach. Plus, kids stay and eat for free!
Orlando, USA
We couldn't finish this list without mentioning the king of family-fun holidays. Disney World, Florida, is such a fun holiday for families of all ages.
The Four Seasons Resort Orlando At Walt Disney World is set over 26 acres of land, meaning there's plenty of space to enjoy some quiet downtime after your long day in the parks. The hotel even has its own five-acre water park with splash zones, water slides and interactive fountains that will keep your family entertained for hours.
Save time by having Disney Character Breakfasts at the Ravello restaurant and watching the brilliant nightly fireworks from the hotel's rooftop bar. If that wasn't enough, The Four Seasons offers many other activities, including beach volleyball, climbing walls and a kids' club.
The hotel is located close to the main entrances of the Disney theme parks, and it's easy for you to reach them via the motor coaches and private luxury sedans that transfer to and from the theme parks.
After all that excitement, why not self-drive to the coast and relax on the beach at St Regis Longboat Key Resort with a Florida Theme Park and Beach twin-centre? The perfect way to rest your legs with a holiday to recover from your holiday!
Ready to Plan Your Family Holiday?
Once you’ve decided which family holiday destination is calling, our dedicated Travel Specialists are on hand to take care of every detail, ensuring a completely stress-free family holiday from start to finish.
From the green landscapes of Portugal to the coastlines of Italy and the sun-soaked shores of Greece, every luxury stay is carefully tailored to you and your family’s needs.
