The 50 best family holidays for 2025
There’s a lot more to a family holiday than a week’s fly-and-flop these days. The annual beach trip now faces stiff competition from activity breaks and one-off experiences. Practically, this means that instead of sand and kids club, you can opt for mountains and river rapids, jungles or ancient cities.
Previously off-the-beaten track destinations have made it into the mainstream too, with searches for Reggio Calabria in Italy up 541 per cent according to Skyscanner, and Costa Rica the most booked destination for family operator Stubborn Mule. Meanwhile, a smattering of new openings and refurbishments – from British holiday parks to American theme ones – mean there really is something for every age and family next year. We’ve rounded up the best breaks on offer for 2025, from Shrewsbury to San José.
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February half-term
Transylvania
Older kids will love a Dracula-inspired delve into Transylvania on Untravelled Paths’ winter itinerary. As well as a trip to Bran Castle (most evocative in chilly weather), there’s plenty of cool fun including husky-sledding, a night in the Hotel of Ice and a trip to a bear sanctuary.
From £995pp B&B excluding flights with Untravelled Paths’ (020 7101 4061; untravelledpaths.com).
Andalucia
Get them outside in sunny southern Spain, where temperatures can clamber to 18C in February. Three-bedroom Villa Loli comes with a kids’ playhouse and pool in rambling gardens ripe for exploration, while the house overlooks the photogenic white village of Frigiliana, Andalucia.
Sleeps six, from £2,091 per week self-catering with Oliver’s Travels (0333 888 0205; oliverstravels.com).
Tromsø
Meteorologists are predicting high solar activity in 2025, leading to exceptional northern lights viewing. See them from Tromsø, where you can also set off on Arctic adventures including dog sledding or snowshoeing.
Four-star Moxy Tromso (0047 9022 7061; marriott.com) has twin rooms from 2,377NOK (£710) per night room only.
Britain’s south coast
UK holiday parks can be expensive and drizzly, but old favourite Butlin’s in Bognor Regis has cheaper breaks – and a new £15 million indoor activity centre. PLAYXPERIENCE has laser tag, golf, a VR-cade and four escape rooms.
Four nights from £682, room only, for a family of four in a ship-themed Shoreline hotel room with Butlins (0330 100 6648; butlins.com).
French Alps
One of the prettiest resorts in the French Alps, La Clusaz is particularly good value for families, with English speaking ski instructors and tobogganing and snowshoeing at the Village d’Enfants.
Crystal Ski Holidays (020 3451 2821; crystalski.co.uk) offers a week’s self catering at Residence Mendi Alde from £1,202pp, including flights.
Dubai
Dubai’s balmy temperatures make it a safe choice for half-term heat. Raffles’ The Palm has rooms with space for little ones, an adventure playground and a much-loved kids club.
A week starts from £3,206pp half board, including flights, with British Airways Holidays (0344 493 0787; britishairways.com).
Fuerteventura
If the beach is your happy place, you’ll love newly-renovated Iberostar Waves Gaviotas Park, which overlooks the sandcastle-ready, bright white stretch at Jandía Beach in Fuerteventura. The slide in the reception should ensure a good first impression with the kids too.
Two-room family suites cost from £361 per night for a family of four, all-inclusive, booked direct (0034 92854 5150; iberostar.com).
Easter
Morocco
Families are heading beyond Marrakech for more adventurous itineraries according to Responsible Travel. Try its Morocco family holiday with teenagers, which includes remote kasbahs, desert camps and the chance to take to the skies by hot air balloon.
From £749pp, including most meals but excluding flights, minimum age 12 with Responsible Travel (01273 823700, responsibletravel.com).
Costa Rica
December to April is the dry season in Costa Rica – family operator Stubborn Mule’s most-booked destination. Its 14-night tailor-made trips mix spotting capuchin monkeys in Manuel Antonio National Park with whale and dolphin watching, white-water rafting and time at the beach and in San José.
From £3,575pp, B&B, including flights and car hire with Stubborn Mule (01728 751751; stubbornmule.com).
The Welsh Border
High energy kids will enjoy Love2Stay Shrewsbury, where guests in posh Wren’s Nest lodges can embark on raft and den building, kayaking and archery. There’s an assault course and year-round natural pool for the brave too.
From £885, room only, for a three-night break for a family of four booked direct (01743 583124, love2stay.co.uk).
Cervinia
The highest and most snow-sure of all of Italy’s ski resorts, Cervinia comes with gentle beginner slopes and a season that runs until May.
IgluSki (020 3993 0157, igluski.com) has a week at the Hotel Petit Palais from £968pp, half board, including flights.
Île-de-France
For a country house hotel done French-style, check into Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay, a fairytale estate 45 minutes’ drive from Paris. This former abbey has a heated outdoor pool and a lake with boats and pedalos. Meanwhile, a très chic kids’ club is run by luxe children’s brand Tartine et Chocolat.
From €1,098 (£912.50) per night, B&B, for a cottage in the grounds sleeping four booked direct (0033 14280 7676; abbayedesvauxdecernay.com).
Florida
See a different side to Florida in the seaside cities of St. Pete/Clearwater, where you can spot dolphins, paddle by clear-bottomed kayak and hop aboard Captain Memo’s Pirate Ship to cruise along the coast.
Suites at the new Opal Sol (00 1 866 258 7247, opalcollection.com/opal-sol), cost from $649 (£517), room only, sleeping four.
Vienna
Forget Christmas markets – Vienna’s Easter ones are just as exciting. Younger kids will love the outsized eggs and toy stalls of the city’s largest (outside Schönbrunn Palace), while there are puppet theatres and intricately painted eggs in Freyung square.
The Guesthouse (0043 1512 1320; theguesthouse.at) costs from €360 (£299) per night, room only, for two adults and a child.
May half term
Rhodes
Padel’s popularity has made it “the fastest-growing sport in the world” according to the Lawn Tennis Association. Make it a bonding experience at Kamari Beach Resort, where holidaymakers can get expert tuition.
Mark Warner (0845 322 5037; markwarner.co.uk) offers a week from £1,899pp half board, including flights and activities.
Majorca
This Balearic gets busy in summer, but May is more laid-back. Near Pollença on Majorca, cute, stone-clad villa Can Roig is new to Simpson Travel for 2025 and perfect for relaxed family breaks, with a pool, table tennis and stunning sunsets.
From £768pp, self catering, sleeping six, including flights and car hire with Simpson Travel (0208 003 6557; simpsontravel.com).
Swiss Alps
Ditch the skis and explore Switzerland’s Valais region in the sunshine, for lakeside strolls at Champex-Lac and a trip to the alpine zoo at Salvan (home to marmots and bears). Stay at hot springs park Les Bains de Saillon for a lazy river set against a burgeoning leafy backdrop.
Family rooms for four cost from 322CHF (£287), room only, booked direct (00 41 27 602 1111; bainsdesaillon.ch).
Istria
Jet2 Holidays has introduced trips to Pula and the Istrian Coast for summer 2025 and Family Hotel Amarin should be a firm favourite, with a pretty curve of beach, lazy river and kids clubs for those aged up to 18.
A week for a family of four costs from £5,196, full board, including flights with Jet2 Holidays (0333 014 0236; jet2holidays.com).
Portugal
Ritz Carlton’s recently refurbished Penha Longa Resort in Portugal’s Sintra-Cascais Nature Reserve has new three-bedroom apartments for multi-generational breaks. But the real selling point is its inventive kids activities – from mini-mixology classes to in-room camping.
Junior suites for four cost from €647 (£537) per night, room only, booked direct (00351 21924 9011; ritzcarlton.com).
Sardinia
There are great pools and kids clubs at Chia Laguna Resort, amid southern Sardinia’s beaches and empty countryside. But there’s also the chance to try cooking classes in Cagliari’s San Benedetto Market, follow the coast along an ancient Roman road or ride horses through deserted landscapes, embracing the region’s penchant for slow travel along the way.
From €889 (£738), B&B, per night for a family of four in a junior suite booked direct (0039 070 92391; chialagunaresort.com).
Lefkas
Hop aboard Sunsail’s week-long flotilla trip around the Greek island of Lefkas. Following the lead crew, up to 10 boats set off around the coastline, coming together so kids can make friends at beach barbecues and evening parties.
Sunsail (0330 332 1166; sunsail.com) offers seven nights from £2,549 for a two-cabin boat for a family of four, excluding meals and flights (qualification or additionally-paid skipper necessary).
Summer holidays
Orlando
Orlando’s vast new Universal Epic Universe opens in May 2025 at Universal Orlando, complete with Harry Potter’s Ministry of Magic and Super Nintendo World. Meanwhile, the Universal Helios Grand Hotel comes with family suites based on its How To Train Your Dragon area, based on the popular series by Cressida Cowell.
From £2,675pp, room only, for seven nights, including flights with Inspiring Travel (01244 729525; www.inspiringtravel.co.uk).
Calabria
A sleeper hit that’s been bubbling under for a while thanks to its white sand beaches and wild stretches of national park, Calabria is perfect for an easy summer break.
Tui (0203 451 2688; tui.co.uk) offers a week at the pretty Hotel Cala di Volpe, right by one of its quiet beaches, from £1,054pp half-board, including flights.
Serbia
Interest is growing in the Balkans and Responsible Travel’s Serbia multi-activity holiday is new for 2025. Head into the countryside for hiking in Tara National Park and paddling on the Drina River, as well as swimming and canyoning.
A week costs from £1,245pp, including activities (suggested minimum age is eight), accommodation and some meals, but excluding flights with Responsible Travel (01273 823700; responsibletravel.com).
Aruba
Caribbean weather can be unpredictable in summer, but this island lies south of the hurricane belt and only gets around 15 inches of rain per year. Tamarijn Aruba has postcard views over the big blue, as well as rock climbing, four pools and child-friendly meals.
Kuoni (0800 086 8388, kuoni.co.uk) offers a week from £9,591, all inclusive, for a family of four, including flights.
Norfolk
East Anglia – the UK’s driest region – is having a moment having been named a must-visit destination in 2025. The Maltings at Weybourne in North Norfolk comes with family rooms, nearby beaches for crabbing and a scattering of castles within easy reach.
From £434 per night, B&B, for a family of four booked direct (01263 804731; themaltingsweybourne.com).
Northern Spain
While temperatures soar across much of mainland Europe, in northern Spain, the Costa Verde is a comfortable 20 degrees; go for 350 km of coastline trimmed with dramatic white sand beaches. Eurocamp’s Playa Joyel makes a good base with kids thanks to a seaside location and onsite farm.
From £1,249 per week, self catering, for a family of four in a two-bedroom lodge, excluding travel, with Canvas Holidays (01606 787125; canvasholidays.co.uk).
Peru
With the bear’s South American adventures still fresh in mind, embark on your own Peru trip with Rainbow Tours. Its 13-night Eco-Friendly Peru Holiday combines exploring the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu with the chance to spot giant river otters and caiman in the Amazon rainforest.
From £4,495pp, room only, including flights and activities with Rainbow Tours (0203 930 2552; rainbowtours.co.uk.)
Cappadocia
Away from its busy resorts, Turkey has ancient ruins, soaring mountains and remote villages. See them on Families Worldwide’s week-long Cappadocia Adventure, which includes pottery making, hiking in the Taurus Range and a night in a cave hotel, as well as a visit to the region’s famous fairy chimneys.
From £1,565 per adult and £1,465 per child (suggested minimum age 12) in a small group, including flights, activities and meals, with Families Worldwide (01962 302 062; familiesworldwide.co.uk).
The Cairngorms
Whatever your family’s size, there’s fun to be found on Perthshire’s Atholl Estates. Cosy up in a cabin or cottage or have a huge celebration at Tulliemet House, a Georgian pile sleeping up to 16. All are perfect for trips to Blair Castle and exploration of the Cairngorms National Park.
From £1,200, self-catering for a family of four, for five nights in Charlottefield cottage, booked direct (01796 481355, atholl-estates.co.uk).
Mongolia
A once-in-a-lifetime trip for budding palaeontologists, The Ultimate Travel Company’s two-week Classic Mongolia itinerary sets out in search of some of the world’s best-preserved fossils and rock formations. See Protoceratops eggs laid more than 66 million years ago and make your own discoveries with the help of guides, between sand-sledding, riding and playing Mongolian games.
From £9,975pp, including flights, some meals and activities, with the Ultimate Travel Company (020 4525 2788; theultimatetravelcompany.co.uk).
Vietnam
Bamboo Travel’s new Family Adventure In Vietnam has been designed to work at a kid-friendly pace. Cruise Halong Bay by junk boat, explore Hanoi by bike and pedal through the countryside near Hue, then spend six days by the beach in Hoi An.
From £2,745 per adult and £2,395 per child for 11 nights, including flights, activities and some meals with Bamboo Travel (020 7720 9285, bambootravel.co.uk).
Canada
Canada’s campsites fill up fast in summer and Bon Voyage is the only UK operator to offer pre-booked motorhome pitches at some of the country’s best, making the drive much more relaxing. Tailormade trips might involve looping around Vancouver and Vancouver Island, encountering beavers, moose and elk along the way.
From £3,995pp, including flights and motor-home hire with Bon Voyage (0800 316 0194; www.bon-voyage.co.uk).
October half term
Costa del Sol
Cool brand Oku, which has outposts in Kos and Ibiza, opens its first family-focused resort on the Costa del Sol in summer 2025. Go for terraced suites with private pools, a huge kids club inspired by a typical Spanish ranch house – and an adults-only beach club, which you can sneak off to once they’re happily ensconced.
Double rooms from €375 (£310) per night, B&B, booked direct (0034 97134 8477; okuhotels.com).
The Netherlands
Wary of over-tourism, travellers are making for lesser-visited spots such as Breda according to rail holiday specialist Byway Travel. This off-the-radar Dutch city glows golden in autumn and has lots to keep kids entertained including a castle, canal boat trips and a museum packed with Playmobil scenes.
A three-night trip with rail travel, changing in Brussels, costs from £453pp, B&B, with Byway Travel (020 4525 6215; byway.travel).
Lanzarote
Upmarket operator Scott Dunn thinks this Canary Island will be big news in 2025, thanks to luxury new launches including Alila Lanzarote. There’s no opening date yet so, if you can’t wait (or can’t imagine the bill), book a chic self-catering cottage at Finca Malvasia.
A week’s self-catering in a two-bedroom cottage costs from £1,121, for a family of four, via booking.com.
Madeira
In need of a spa break? Take older kids to the Sentido Galosol resort for The Family TimeTogether programme that includes Ayurveda cooking lessons and calming yoga (though they may prefer the kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and cycling).
From £2,220pp, B&B, for five days, including five activities but excluding flights (minimum age 12) with Health and Fitness Travel (0203 397 8891; healthandfitnesstravel.com).
South Africa
Marataba Safari Lodge in Marakele National Park scooped i-escape’s 2024 Hotlist: Family Escape award thanks to its tents with separate kids bedrooms and Mack & Madi Kids’ Club, where children can head out animal tracking and enjoy camp-outs. The added bonus? It’s home to the Big Five but no malarial mosquitoes.
From £2,348 per night, all inclusive, for a family of four in a two-bedroom suite with i-Escape (0117 946 7072; i-escape.com).
Tuscany
The Thinking Traveller expands into Tuscany for 2025, with some very special houses on its lesser-visited coastline. Among them is Villa Talamo, a perfectly-restored former monastery that’s the dream for an extended family getaway, set on a 10-acre seaside estate with a private beach.
From £38,141 including a daily chef, sleeps 20, with The Thinking Traveller (020 7377 8518; thethinkingtraveller.com).
Greece
Percy Jackson fans will love The Peloponnese because they can visit the sites where the Greek legends were born, including Mycenae and Epidaurus. Stay at the aptly-named King Minos Hotel for full excitement.
From £1,577pp, B&B, for seven nights, including flights with Sunvil (020 8758 4758; sunvil.co.uk).
Albania
Comfortable temperatures make October the perfect time for Families Worldwide’s Wild and Untouched Albania itinerary, a small group trip with white water rafting and cycling, visits to the ancient ruins of Apollonia and pelican and flamingo spotting on Karavasta Lagoon.
From £1,895 per adult and £1,695 per child (minimum age eight), B&B, for seven nights, including flights and meals with Families Worldwide (01962 302062; familiesworldwide.co.uk).
Christmas 2025
Lapland
The Aurora Zone’s Enchanting Search for Father Christmas sets off to Lapland to find the big man himself. Wholesome fun includes baking gingerbread in the elves’ hut and a snowmobile search to his secret cabin. There’s a husky safari and reindeer sleigh ride too.
From £2,375 per adult and £1,395 per child, for four nights, including flights, cabin accommodation and most meals with Aurora Zone (01670 785012; theaurorazone.com).
The Yucatan
Make the school mums and dads jealous with post-Christmas tales of beaches and ancient sites. G Adventure’s Mexico Family Journey: Ruins and Cenotes of the Yucatan ticks off snorkelling coral reef, climbing Izamal’s crumbling pyramid and visiting Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of The World.
From £3,099pp half board, excluding flights (minimum age seven) with G Adventures (0207 313 6953; gadventures.com).
Tasmania
Forget Sydney Harbour Bridge – what little ones want to see are wombats, platypuses and much-mythologised Tasmanian devils. They’ll get their chance on Tasmania’s 10-day Tassie Family Wilderness and Wildlife Package, which travels along the east coast.
From AUD3,950 (£2,049), room only for four people, for nine nights, including car hire and a National Parks Pass, but excluding flights with Tasmania (001300 282 762; tasmania.com).
Sri Lanka
From white water rafting on the Kelani Ganga to climbing to the top of the rock fortress of Sigiriya, Exodus’s 12-night Sri Lanka Wild Family Adventure is guaranteed to keep Christmas boredom at bay, while there’s time to relax on the sand at the end.
From £2,149 per adult and £1,612 per child (minimum age is nine) in a group, excluding flights but including activities and most meals, with Exodus (020 3411 6734; exodus.co.uk).
Rajasthan
Treat teenagers to Wix Squared’s special trip to Rajasthan and enjoy a festive season of balloon rides, camel treks in the Thar dunes, strolls through Jaisalmer’s fort and nearby temples and two nights in the opulent tents of Rohet Wilderness Camp.
From £4,800pp, B&B, for nine nights, including flights and experiences with Wix Squared (0203 808 6383; wixsquared.com).
The Maldives
Jawakara Maldives opened at the end of 2023 specifically with families in mind. It’s home to the nation’s largest kids’ club, while Santa drops in on Christmas Day. Two-bedroom villas can host up to six, so the grandparents can tag along too.
From £987 per night, half board, for up to six booked direct (00960 662 9999; jawakara.com).
Thailand
December brings dry weather in Thailand, making this a good time for a beach holiday. At Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort, guests can mix time on the sand with whizzing down the water slide and games of laser tag.
From £3,309pp, B&B, for a week including flights with Travel Bag (020 3813 7234; travelbag.co.uk).
New York City
Original Travel’s tailor-made The Ultimate Festive Family Holiday – New York at New Year package is like living in a Hallmark movie. Families can see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, skate at the Rockefeller’s Rink and climb into a helicopter to see a festive Big Apple glittering from above.
From £2,700pp, room only, for five nights, including flights and a range of activities with Original Travel (020 3582 4990; originaltravel.co.uk).
Surrey
Push the boat out with a Christmas stay at Surrey’s Beaverbrook, where a recently added “Village” has brought family suites in recreated workers’ cottages to the grounds, whimsically decorated with curtained cabin beds and cheery checks. One of the UK’s most magical ice rinks adorns the hotel’s lawns during the festive season, against a backdrop of misty hills.
Two nights over Christmas 2025 in a Village Family Suite for two adults and two children costs from £3,112 B&B (01372 571300, beaverbrook.co.uk).
This article was first published in December 2023, and has been revised and updated. Prices were correct at the time of writing.
