Family holidays are always special – you get to spend quality time together (a rarity if you have teens!) and make unforgettable memories of all your adventures together. If you’ve not booked your next family trip or 2024 villa holiday, have a read of our guide below of our best holiday destinations for families, and start planning your once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Best for: Families who want an easy, varied holiday
Ideal for kids of all ages
A playground for both the young and old, Mexico is drenched in rich culture and history, buzzing family attractions, and relaxing spots to laze away the day. For the ultimate kid-friendly getaway, we recommend a stay in one of the country’s most popular coastlines – the Riviera Maya. Keep the kids entertained with a visit to one of the many water-based parks in the area, fun museums, or impressive Mayan ruins. Enjoy some downtime in one of the hundreds of unique cenotes (deep swimming holes), or take your pick from a number of gorgeous white sand beaches.
For more inspiration, read our Riviera Maya Travel Guide.
Best for: Adventure-seeking families
Ideal for kids aged 8+
Although Santorini is best known for its Insta-worthy honeymoon spots and romantic locations, you shouldn’t rule out a trip to the island in Greece as one of your top holiday destinations for families. Santorini is a fantastic choice for kids who prefer an active holiday. There are loads of great swimming spots across the island, and many companies offer boat tours of the caldera too. This volcanic island has an impressive origin story, which history-lovers are sure to enjoy. And of course, those impressive views don’t hurt either…
Best for: snow babies and ski nuts
Ideal for kids 5+
There’s nothing quite like teaching them when they are young! Kids are sponges for knowledge and skill, so if you take your family Alp-ward on holiday, you’re sure to instil the snow bug in them! There are many resorts to choose from in the well-established French Alps, from high luxury to family-friendly fun where there are dedicated kids slopes for them to hone their skills. What’s more, we list a whole host of fabulous chalets, some with hot tubs, some that are made for ski-in ski-out access to the slopes, and with the all-important après-ski nearby! (Maybe just a hot choc for the little ones…!)
Take a look at our guide to the Best Ski Resorts in Europe to find the right resort for you.
Best for: A quick coastal or countryside retreat
Ideal for babies, toddlers, and younger children
We get it – travelling abroad with your little one/s can be slightly stressful. Luckily, ‘staycation’ continues to be the buzzword in travel on everyone’s lips right now, meaning a quick UK break has never been easier. We picked Sussex because of its proximity to London and the diversity of the county. With bustling coastal towns that are complete with all the classic British seaside quirks and countryside retreats that are ideal for a relaxing getaway, Sussex is quickly rising in its staycation popularity.
Check out our Best Family Activities in Sussex blog for further inspiration.
Best for: A once-in-a-lifetime family holiday experience
Ideal for older kids and teens
One of the newest destinations to be added to Oliver’s Travels, South Africa is full of unforgettable experiences that your kids will carry with them for a lifetime. Animal lover or not, a safari is a must when visiting the country, one of the few places in the world where you can still see the likes of elephants, giraffes and lions in the wild. It’s all about the outdoors in South Africa – from mountains to grasslands, this is sure to be an active and busy family holiday. Explore the Western Cape beaches near Cape Town, or traverse exquisite Winelands. South Africa has something for everyone.
Best for: A fun-filled seaside family holiday
Ideal for kids of all ages
Head to the ‘heel of Italy’ for a bustling summer holiday that will be a hit with older and younger kids alike. Little ones will love the fairytale style Trulli houses (pictured above) that are traditional in this area of Italy. Puglia is also known for its scuba-diving spots – great for teens looking to explore, and they can even get their diving certificate if they want to as well. Holidaying during July and August? During the summer months, Puglia comes alive with festivals celebrating varying parts of the rich Italian culture.
Want more? Check out our guide to the 10 Best Family Activities in Puglia.
Best for: Families who like uncovering historic treasures in epic natural surroundings
Ideal for kids aged 0-18
Fancy a holiday purely inspired by nature? Then Ireland is the place to be for you and your family! From rafting to hiking to visiting ancient castles or cliffs by the seaside – the options are endless, and your kids will most definitely enjoy the change of scenery and playing the role of an explorer! Tired of country life? Ireland’s buzzing capital, Dublin, makes an exciting day trip!
If you want to delve further into Ireland as a place to travel to, then have a look at our Travel Guide, which will give you the low-down.
Best for: A bucket-list island adventure
Ideal for kids aged 2-16
We’ve no doubt that the Maldives is already on your bucket list (like most of us!), but did you know that the country is also a great holiday destination for families? Of course, the main attractions are all the watersports and beach-based activities. From swimming, snorkelling, dolphin watching, fishing, and more. There’s even the chance to go on a whale submarine tour or catch a film at the beachside cinema. The best part? These are all things that you’re bound to enjoy just as much as the kids!
Best for: Families who want to live like the locals
Ideal for kids aged 0-12
No matter which region in France you’re travelling to, you’re guaranteed a great family holiday that ticks all the boxes. For 2023, we highly recommend the Northwest region of Brittany. Far more than just another coastal getaway, there are loads of areas that will feel magical and undiscovered. Think rugged cliffs, ancient castles, and medieval-walled citadels – little history lovers will marvel at the rich culture of Brittany.
Of course, you can’t visit without checking out the Top 10 Brittany Beaches.
Best for: Families who like to get their hiking boots on
Ideal for kids aged 12-18
Take a breath of fresh air and hike the Lycian Way with your older kids and teens – a gorgeous trail that passes through Kalkan. This area of Turkey is full of ancient wonders that are easily discoverable by foot. Nearby are also the impressive ruins of Patara, a mysterious Lycian City complete with Roman baths and a wonderful theatre. Of course, there’s also always the lovely beaches in Kalkan to relax on once all the hiking has well and truly tired you out. While you’re there, why not jump on a gulet tour and be taken around the turquoise coast? Have a look at our Kalkan Travel Guide for more ideas on what to do during your family holiday to Turkey.
Found your dream holiday destinations for families in 2024? Wherever you choose to go, we’re sure you’ll have the time of your lives! Villa holidays are perfect when you’re looking to stay somewhere with the whole family because you get the privacy and independence of your very own home-from-home that you can truly relax in (and with Oliver’s Travels, our places have plenty of space for even the biggest of groups!) If you need help in planning your holiday, don’t hesitate to reach out to our free concierge service.
Happy travels!
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