17 January 2020 | Updated 5 July 20246 min read
Searching for this year’s family sunshine escape? It’s no secret that prices go up during the school summer holidays but it’s not too late to get a good deal – especially if you consider going all-inclusive.
Just think: your hotel, food and drink are all paid for upfront so there’s no need to budget for ice cream, plus your resort’s entertainment schedule means keeping the little ones entertained is easy, too. Choose a package deal with your luggage and transfers included as well, and you’re on to a winner.
As for where to go, we’ve crunched the numbers at TravelSupermarket HQ to reveal ten of the cheapest destinations for a seven-night, all-inclusive family getaway this summer – all departing after England’s schools break up in July and arriving back for the start of term in September.
Majorca is the Balearics’ queen of all-inclusive, so it’s no surprise that it takes the top spot for a cheap all-inclusive family holiday this summer. When we checked, the purpose-built resort of Calas de Majorca on the island’s east coast came up trumps for the best price, with a week’s all-inclusive during the school holidays averaging £666pp.
With three sandy coves and a handful of seaside cafes and bars, it's a great choice for a laidback beach escape. Rocky headlands shelter the beaches from wind and waves, perfect for swimming and watersports like paddleboarding. For an exciting day out, the Drach Caves are just a 20-minute trip up the coast.
If you’re looking to do Turkey on the cheap, Alanya is the place to go – even at the last minute, an all-inclusive family holiday can cost £712pp on average.
August brings 12 hours of sunshine a day and you won’t find a better place to soak it up than Kleopatra Beach. This 2km (1.2 miles) stretch of soft sand has plenty of space for the whole family and all the facilities you need, from beach bars to souvenir shops.
A trip to Alanya’s medieval castle is a must, as is a boat cruise from the marina.
Taking third spot, Puerto del Carmen ticks all the boxes for family fun in the sun this summer: its beaches are golden, the sea warm, and the town is full of kid-friendly restaurants and cafes. Plus, it’s just ten minutes from Lanzarote Airport – ideal if you’ve got a car full of children.
The all-inclusive resorts come in every shape and size too, many with huge pools, jam-packed kids’ clubs and activities such as tennis and golf.
Our data found that, on average, a week’s all-inclusive family break costs £730pp this summer.
When it comes to low-cost deals in the Costa Dorada, Salou is the place to go. This popular resort is one of the cheapest in Spain this summer, averaging £742pp for a seven-night family getaway on an all-inclusive basis.
Peel yourself away from your hotel pool and you’ll find heaps to do, from playing volleyball on Llevant Beach to hitting the water slides at PortAventura World.
If you’re up for an adventure, hire a car. Barcelona is around 90 minutes from Salou, or you could head inland to explore the cities of Reus and Valls.
A week in Marmaris also comes in at £742pp. This lively resort town has a prime position on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast and is known for its bustling beach and countless activities that will keep the whole family entertained – think jeep safaris, Turkish baths and boat tours. The sheltered bay is a haven for swimming and watersports, too.
Prefer to keep it chill? Kick back on neighbouring Icmeler Beach or explore the walking trails in Marmaris’ pine-clad hills.
Sea, sand and, as the name suggests, sun: Sunny Beach has everything you want for a family beach break, with a good deal of day trip options to boot. The Black Sea resort’s low prices (expect to pay around £758pp for a seven-night all-inclusive stay) and Mediterranean-like climate means it’s one of Europe’s top spots for a cheap summer getaway.
Its long Blue Flag beach has loads going on – you’ll find everything from scuba diving to mini-golf – and the water is safe and shallow. Away from the sand, Action Aquapark is a firm favourite with kids, while the UNESCO-heritage city of Nessebar is just a short drive away.
Package beach breaks are Benidorm’s bread and butter. Budget-friendly hotels scatter the shoreline and the city’s six beaches have got everything from juice bars to banana boats.
Known for its abundance of British restaurants and pubs, it’s a great destination for any families with fussy eaters, and the prices are decent too. A week’s all-inclusive escape in the school summer holidays will set you back £764pp on average.
To seek out Benidorm’s quieter side, hit the walking trails of Sierra Helada Natural Park or visit Algar waterfalls (a 30-minute drive away).
Head to Side this summer for sunbathing and sightseeing combined. It takes eighth place in the line up (around £784pp for an all-inclusive family holiday), and you won’t struggle to find a resort you like, with stunning sea views and spas coming standard in many.
Fill your morning by exploring ancient ruins in the Old Town – highlights include the Roman amphitheatre and Apollo Temple. Afternoons are best spent on the beach, soaking up the high-20s heat.
To the west, Side Beach stretches along the coast with soft sand and all the usual seaside facilities like watersports, cafes and sun-loungers.
The Costa del Sol has long been a hit with all-inclusive holidaymakers, and thanks to its bountiful beach activities and tourist-friendly town, Torremolinos is popular with families.
When you’re not basking on sun-drenched beaches (Playa de la Carihuela is one of the best), there’s lots to get stuck into. Kids will love the slide-filled paradise of Aqualand Torremolinos, while teens can bargain for souvenirs at the weekly flea market. The Molino de Inca Botanical Garden and Sea Life Benalmádena just along the coast are fun outings for the whole family.
At around £788pp for a seven-night all-inclusive family getaway, it’s a last-minute summer winner.
Lanzarote’s well-loved southern resort, Playa Blanca, rounds up the list of cheapest destinations for a seven-night family escape, costing £821pp on average for an all-inclusive stay this summer.
The beaches are the town’s biggest draw, ranging from watersport central, Playa Dorada, to the sheltered white sand of Playa Flamingo. Behind them, colourful promenades buzz with shops, cafes and restaurants serving something to suit all tastes.
For a real family treat, head out on a dolphin-spotting boat tour. These friendly creatures can be seen year round in the Canary Islands.
*Please note: The research looked at all price searches via TravelSupermarket from 3 June - 1 July 2024 for seven-night family holidays departing between 25 July and 25 August 2024. The cheapest all-inclusive destinations were based on the median all-inclusive price across that summer period.
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