The 25 best last-minute summer holidays to book now

In just a few short weeks, the holiday season will soon be upon us – so what does it have in store for you and your family? Perhaps a hideaway villa with a pool, a beachside hotel on the coast, or maybe an active, outdoor week in the mountains. But if you haven’t got round to booking a break, never fear. The good news is that there are still plenty of options that are up for grabs.

So whether you are casting around for inspiration, or you just need to take the plunge and book, here are 25 great family summer holiday ideas to help you on your way.

1. Outdoor activities in Italy

Zip-lining, mountain biking, mini golf and hiking are among the family activities on offer in the summer programme which operates in Val Gardena, a region in the Italian Dolomites. Family-friendly accommodation is available in the village of Selva.

Inghams (01483 319 636; inghams.co.uk) offers stays at three-star Mountain Home Garni Villa Anna in Selva, with 20 rooms and a spa, from £1109 b&b based on a junior suite. Departs Edinburgh on July 27.

2. Seaside apartment in Meganisi

The family-friendly Villa Alex has a pool overlooking the island of Meganisi’s Spilia Bay and the beach itself is only a short walk from the door. Choose to cook up your own BBQ feast, or walk to the family-run taverna on the beach.

Ionian and Aegean Island Holidays (020 8459 0777; ionianislandholidays.com) offers stays at Villa Alex for £2,189pp, including flights, transfers and car hire. Departs July 21.

3. Waterpark in Brittany

Water slides are the biggest draw at Yelloh Village La Plage campsite, near the fishing port of Le Guilvinec on Brittany’s west coast, but there’s also a long sandy beach and free activities for five to 12 years.

Brittany Ferries (0333 060 8807; brittany-ferries.co.uk) offers stays at Yelloh Village La Plage le Guilvinec campsite from £448 self-catering, based on a two-bedroom mobile home, including a self-drive Portsmouth-St Malo return crossing. Departs August 10.

4. Family cruise to Norway

Explore the scenic fjords and harbour towns along the Norwegian coast on board MSC Virtuosa, departing from Southampton. The ship offers kids’ clubs for young children and activities for older teens, plus family-focussed excursions and entertainment.

MSC Cruises (0203 426 3010; msccruises.co.uk) offers a Norwegian Fjords cruise from £799 full board, based on two interior cabins. Departs August 24.

5. Spa hotel in Madeira

A large outdoor pool, mini-club for young children and a playground are among the plus points at five-star Pestana Grand Hotel, located among leafy gardens high on the Ponta da Cruz cliffs overlooking the Atlantic. It also offers a spa, gym and sauna.

easyJet holidays (0330 551 5165; easyjet.com) offers the Pestana Grand Premium Ocean Resort from £1,399 half board based on a family room. Departs Manchester July 26.

6. River kayaking in France

The Ardèche Gorge in southern France offers plenty of scope for an action-packed itinerary, including a two-day, 24km kayak expedition with a night of wild camping on the riverbank, under the stars.

Acorn Adventure Family Holidays (01384 398870; acornfamilyholidays.co.uk) offers an eight-night Ardèche Adventure from £849 (adult), £799 (child aged up to 15) full board based on campsite accommodation and coach travel. Departs August 10.

7. All-inclusive in Mallorca

Try out a newly opened waterpark, the largest in the Balearics, in the grounds of the four-star Fergus Club Waterpark near Calvia beach on the island’s west coast. Younger children have a splash park with sprinklers, spouts and waterfalls, with kids’ clubs offering crafts and team games.

Jet2Holidays (0800 408 0778; jet2holidays.com) offers a five-night stay at the Fergus Club Mallorca Waterpark from £1,021 all-inclusive, based on a suite. Departs July 29.

8. Hideaway in Andalucia

Head to this mountainous region in southern Spain for a stay at Villa Casa Montana, sleeping six, with a fenced pool in Sierra Grazalema Natural Park, surrounded by olive groves and walking trails. Nearby Órgiva has shops and a weekly market.

Vintage Travel (01954 261 431; vintagetravel.co.uk) offers stays at Villa Casa Montana from £1,598 self-catering, including car hire, based on full occupancy. Departs August 24.

9. Surf school in Portugal

Learn to surf on the Atlantic-facing beaches around Povoa de Varzim near Porto. Morning classes in surfing basics, water safety and technique are followed by a choice of optional activities in the afternoon including yoga, kayaking and volleyball.

Families Worldwide (01962 302062; familiesworldwide.co.uk) offers Portugal Family Surf School, from £695 (adult), £625 (child) sharing a family tipi, including five dinners but excluding flights. Departs August 24.

10. Wilderness adventure in Sweden

Varmland, in southwest Sweden, is a region of scenic valleys and woodland and offers a range of activities including river rafting on Lake Grasmangen, cycling around Lake Lersjon and hiking along the forest trails in Karlstad, based in a family-friendly guesthouse in Fyrbo.

Discover the World (01737 428 307; discover-the-world.com) offers Varmland Summer Adventure from £1,034 including all meals and activity programme. Departures in July and August.

11. Whitewater rafting in the Pyrenees

Energetic families can find plenty of high-octane activity in the Spanish Aigues Tortes National Park, including whitewater rafting and kayaking on the Noguera river, abseiling down gorges and off-road mountain biking.

Explore (01252 240 605; explore.co.uk) offers a Family Pyrenees Multi-Adventure from £1,400 (adult), £1,270 (up to 11 years) including one lunch, based on accommodation in a family-run hotel with pool. Excludes flights. Departs July 20.

12. Beach resort in the Algarve

Children of all ages are catered for at the five-star Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort in southern Portugal, where facilities include five pools, a crèche for six to 23 months, kids’ clubs and a watersports centre.

Inspiring Travel (01244 729525; inspiringtravel.co.uk) offers stays at Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort from £1,442 based on a family of three, sharing a beach room with partial sea view (price valid for bookings made by August 5). Departures between July 20 and August 31.

13. Coastal tour of northern Spain

Combine culture with activity in the Basque country on a flexible itinerary, which begins with two nights in Bilbao, four nights in a rural guesthouse for fishing, canoeing and beach trips and a stay in the resort of San Sebastián.

Pura Aventura (01273 676712; pura-aventura.com) offers an eight-night Basque Coast Family Adventure from £1,300, including four breakfasts and one dinner, car hire and guided excursions. Departures throughout the summer.

14. Watersports in Rhodes

Karmari Beach Resort on Lardos beach near Lindos offers a purpose-built watersports centre with RYA-qualified instructors to coach dinghy sailing and windsurfing. Kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, tennis and cycling are included in the holiday price.

Mark Warner (0845 322 5037; markwarner.co.uk) offers stays at Kamari Beach Resort from £1,399 half board based on a family seaview room. Departs July 20.

15. Guided group on the Amalfi Coast

Tour the ruins of Pompeii on a guided group tour for up to 18 people. The itinerary, which is best suited to accompanied nine- to 12-year-olds, also includes a boat trip, pizza-making lesson and a walk up the slopes of Mount Vesuvius.

Exodus (020 8772 3747; exodus.co.uk) offers an Amalfi Coast Family Holiday from £1,519 (adult), £1,199 (up to 16 years), including four lunches and five dinners. Departs July 13 and 20, and August 3.

16. Wellness retreat in Tenerife

An astronomical observatory is among the facilities for families to explore at five-star Hotel Bahia del Duque in Costa Adele on the island’s southwest coast. With five pools and over 20 bars and restaurants, it also offers tennis, squash, children’s club and teen lounge.

Sovereign Luxury Travel (01293 324693; sovereign.com) offers stays at Hotel Bahia del Duque from £1,636 based on twin interconnecting rooms with a garden view. Departs August 4.

17. Family cruise in the Med

Board a cruise departing from Southampton for a voyage to the Mediterranean on Arvia, P&O’s newest cruise ship. Onboard entertainment includes cinemas, children’s club and night nursery, four swimming pools and evening comedy or live music shows.

P&O Cruises (0344 338 8003; pocruises.com) offers a 14-night Western Mediterranean cruise from £1,499 full board, based on a family-sized balcony stateroom. Departs August 18.

18. Trapeze lessons in Marbella

Circus skills, including the flying trapeze, is one of the activities on offer at Club Med Magna Marbella in southern Spain, alongside golf, tennis, archery and basketball. Kids’ clubs are also included, and the resort has five pools and an adults-only Zen Zone.

Club Med (03453 676767; clubmed.co.uk) offers stays at Club Med Magna Marbella, from £1,791 all-inclusive, based on an interconnecting superior room. Departs August 24.

19. Beachside villa in Menorca

Soak up the peaceful atmosphere of this tranquil Balearic island, staying at Mermaid Cottage, a family-sized retreat within walking distance of the bars and restaurants of Cala’n Bosch on the island’s southwest coast.

CV Villas (020 3993 7136; cvvillas.com) offers stays at Mermaid Cottage (sleeping four), from £1,021 per person including flights and car hire. Departs July 13.

20. Lakeside cycling in Austria

Take the family to the four-star Hotel Bergrose Hideaway in Strobl, near Salzburg, on the eastern shore of Lake Wolfgangsee – a great base for relaxed, self-guided cycling itineraries, ranging from nine to 17 miles.

Headwater (01606 720199; headwater.com) offers an eight-night Austrian Lakes Activities from £1,559, including bike hire, maps and route directions. Departures throughout July and August.

21. Self-drive tour in Slovenia

A family-focussed, self-drive tour of Slovenia begins and ends in the country’s capital, Ljubljana, and takes in the Logar Valley, Lake Bled, the Triglav National Park and Bovac, with opportunities for hiking, kayaking, canyoning and white water rafting.

Stubborn Mule Travel (01728 752751; stubbornmuletravel.com) offers an 11-night Highlights of Slovenia from £2,250pp, including car hire and some activities. Departures throughout July and August.

22. Log cabin in Finland

Book a stay at the family-friendly Lehmonkarki Resort overlooking Lake Paijanne, north of Helsinki. Included in the holiday price is a fishing trip, e-mountain bike tour, husky farm visit, boat trip and a guided hike.

Regent Holidays (0117 453 2948; regent-holidays.co.uk) offers a Finnish Lakeland Summer Break from £2,975 (adult), £1,070 (under 12 years) including car hire and excursions. Departures throughout July and August.

23. Riverboat along the Danube

Explore one of Europe’s most iconic rivers on a voyage from Vienna to Nuremberg on Uniworld’s River Princess cruiser. Summertime departures offer a Generations programme with activities aimed at children, including cooking classes, craft workshops, film nights and cycling excursions.

Uniworld (0808 168 9110; uniworld.com) offers an Authentic Danube cruise from £3,999 all-inclusive including Generations programme activities. Departs July 31 and August 7.

24. Gulet on the Turkish coast

Charter a traditional gulet for a four-night cruise from Gocek to find quiet coves for swimming and snorkelling. Combine this with a three-night stay in a beach-front hotel in Kalkan, known for its cobbled Old Town and scenic bay.

Fleewinter (0207 112 0019; fleewinter.com) offers a Family Cruise & Coast tour from £1,530pp. Villa in the South of France

Far-reaching views and a spacious sun terrace are among the plus points for families at Rêve de Lumière, a staffed villa on the hillside above St Tropez. Sleeping twelve, it has a large pool, hot tub and hammam, plus cinema room and boules court.

Purple Summer (01885 488799; purplesummer.com) offers stays at Villa Rêve de Lumière from €6,746 (£5,748) per person, based on full occupancy, including private chef. Flights excluded. Departs August 17 and 24.

25. Tailor-made tour of Iceland

Tour Iceland’s extraordinary landscapes on a bespoke itinerary with a private guide, taking in Thingvellir National Park on the Golden Circle tour. Itinerary highlights include a super-jeep safari in the Thorsmork Valley, a whale-watching trip and a chance to see puffins in the Westman Islands.

Abercrombie & Kent (03301 627 040; abercrombiekent.co.uk) offers a Family Iceland tour from £8,810 half board. Departures in July and August.

Prices quoted are per person for seven nights, based on two adults and two children aged under 12 years, including flights from London airports, transfers and breakfast unless otherwise stated, and are subject to availability.

This story was first published June 2, 2024 and has been revised and updated.