10 of the best family summer holiday destinations

1. Algarve

The Algarve is a budget getaway gem for families. Coming first in the Post Office’s 2023 Family Holiday Report for cheapest overall family holiday destination, it’s a great retreat for families looking for beautiful beaches, fun activities and tasty food for less.

There’s a good variety of accommodation to suit all budgets too, whether you’re looking for a self-catering villa or an all-inclusive hotel.

Albufeira, Praia da Rocha and Lagos are the most popular holiday resorts for families, all boasting glorious stretches of golden sand and an abundance of attractions to keep kids and adults entertained – from waterparks and sea kayaking to shopping and golf.

2. Greece

White sands, mouth-wateringly fresh food, friendly locals and sun-filled skies await in Greece.

The big-draw islands of Crete, Corfu, Rhodes and Kos all have resorts ideal for families with safe beaches, lots of child-friendly activities and a wide range of places to eat out and stay. Alternatively, Zante will enchant every member of your group with its famous beaches, watersports opportunities and loggerhead turtles.

Greece’s mainland also has its fair share of beautiful beach resorts and pretty seaside towns. Head to Stoupa, Galaxidi or Parga for lovely child-friendly stretches of sand and plenty of waterside fun.

3. Spanish mainland

Spain ticks all the boxes for Brits looking for an inexpensive sun-filled holiday with fun for all of the family.

Costa del Sol, for example, is fantastic value for money, coming fourth in the Post Office’s report, while Costa Blanca and Costa Brava are full of family-friendly beach resorts including Tossa de Mar, Calpe and Torrevieja.

You’ll find there’s plenty to entertain all ages too. Base yourself in bustling Benidorm for waterparks and restaurants serving every type of cuisine, Torremolinos for seaside resort action on your doorstep, or Barcelona for culture combined with days on the beach.

4. Florida

Home to some of the world’s biggest theme parks, miles of sun-soaked beaches and fascinating wildlife, a family getaway to Florida is sure to prove memorable in more ways than one.

Orlando is the place to be if you’re ticking off a bucket list trip to Disney World or Universal’s world-famous theme and water parks. Look for hotels that offer ticket packages and priority park access to help keep the holiday budget in check.

Elsewhere, get back to nature in the incredible Everglades National Park, kick back on pristine sandy shores in Florida Keys, or sightsee and shop ‘til you drop in Miami.

5. France

Only a short flight from the UK and with everything from city breaks in Paris and Disneyland holidays to coastal camping trips and fun-filled holiday park stays, France is an easy-pleaser with families.

And, if you want to take the car and avoid strict airline luggage allowances, ferry holidays are a popular option – just make sure you know the rules of the road while you’re away.

Stay in seaside resorts such as Nice, Cannes and St Tropez for a spot of glamour or head to Brittany, where you can take your pick between beach days, fun trips to a zoo or aquarium, or historic days out exploring the region’s stunning chateaux.

6. Egypt

From snorkelling in the Red Sea to exploring pyramids, tombs and mummies, Egypt is an exciting family holiday destination.

Temperatures can soar above 30C in the summer months, so make sure to book a hotel with a pool so you and the little ones can cool off during the day. You’ll find a wealth of beachfront resorts and all-inclusive hotels in both Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada.

When you’re not basking on golden sands, there’s all sorts of thrilling activities to get stuck into: take a sailing trip on the Nile, explore capital Cairo or take a jeep safari through the desert dunes.

7. Turkey

The abundance of cheap all-inclusive hotels along Turkey’s gorgeous Turquoise Coast and year-round warm temperatures make it a top pick for an easy-going family beach break.

Antalya, Bodrum and Fethiye are all great destinations for kids – there’s an ample amount of family-friendly resorts and hotels, plus clean and safe beaches with all the usual seaside trimmings. Exciting attractions such as Bodrum Castle and Aqua Dream Waterpark are easy days out, too.

Marmaris also has lots going on and is another sought-after destination for holidaymakers on a budget – it joins the Algarve in first place for cheapest destination in the Post Office report.

8. Spanish Islands

Whether you’ve got a favourite spot in the Canaries or it’s your first time considering the Balearics, Spain’s islands have all the sun, sea and sand you could want on a family holiday.

You’ll be spoilt for choice for family resorts in Majorca with options including beach-based Alcudia, cosmopolitan Palma and laidback Puerto Soller. Menorca, on the other hand, offers a slower pace of life and families can sit back and relax on its quieter sands.

Tenerife is the go-to for adventurous family getaways with quad-biking, watersports and hiking all available, or look to Lanzarote and Gran Canaria for cheap deals on classic beach breaks.

9. London

Whether the kids have been to the UK’s capital before or it will be their first time, a trip to London is sure to be a hit with all of the family.

Big-name attractions such as the London Eye and the Tower of London will fascinate little ones, while an evening watching a West End show or a day out to Madame Tussauds will be a real treat.

And a break in London needn’t cost a fortune. If you shop around in advance for train tickets and your hotel or B&B rooms, significant savings can be made. Plus, many of the museums, art galleries and parks are completely free to look around.

10. Cyprus

Searching for a family holiday in the sunshine not too far from home? Cyprus is just the answer. Not only is there plenty of sunbathing and sandcastle-building potential on the island’s beach resorts, but there’s also the opportunity to explore ancient history with trips out to see ancient Greek ruins.

Paphos, Limassol and Larnaca are among the best family-friendly resorts on the coast and the hotels are well geared up to visitors of all ages, with many offering children's clubs, sport activities and direct beach access.

Or for a more lively stay, look to the likes of Ayia Napa and Nissi Bay for entertainment around the clock.

Budget-friendly family holiday destinations

Looking for an affordable family getaway this summer? Here at TravelSupermarket, we’ve crunched the numbers to bring you the top ten cheapest family holiday destinations for summer 2026.

Spain takes the lead

When it comes to the overall cheapest destinations, Spain dominates the list, with three of the top five destinations located on its sunny Mediterranean shores and four Spanish destinations in the overall top ten.

The Costa Brava takes the crown as the most affordable destination with the average price of a seven-night family holiday coming in at £685pp, closely followed by Costa Dorada (£732pp) and Costa Blanca (£738pp), showcasing the exceptional value Spain continues to offer British holidaymakers.

While mainland Spain features prominently, the Spanish island of Majorca also comes in at number nine with prices here averaging £843pp for a seven-night family holiday.

Beyond Spain

For those looking to venture outside of Spain, the list offers some exciting alternatives. Morocco comes in at second place with the average price of a seven-night summer holiday coming in at £727pp in Marrakech, while Agadir is seventh with seven-night family holidays averaging £775pp.

Chris Webber, TravelSupermarket’s head of holidays and deals says: "Morocco appearing twice in the top ten is a real sign of the times - destinations like Marrakech and Agadir are increasingly popular with families who want guaranteed sunshine and genuine value."

The Bourgas area in Bulgaria sneaks in the fifth place (£744pp), ideal for fun-filled sunshine holidays. Away from the beach, the Italian Lakes come in at number six (£748pp) with Lake Garda and Lake Como family favourites.

Malta makes an appearance at number eight (£808pp), where families love its spectacular coastline and historic sites. And the sun-drenched Algarve (£846pp) in Portugal completes our top ten.

Please note: Our research analysed clicks on TravelSupermarket between 1 January and 10 February 2026 for seven-night family holidays departing between 25 July and 24 August 2026, excluding airports in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Only destinations with sufficient search volume were included. Specific deals are based on availability at time of research and are subject to change.

Alternative family summer holiday destinations

It can be all too easy to revisit familiar summer holiday destinations, especially with kids in tow. These destinations have beautiful beaches, watersports galore and endless family fun, but you’ll find them with fewer crowds than the usual big-hitters. Just don’t tell everyone.

Conquered Corfu? Pay a visit to Paxos and Antipaxos

Corfu’s shores are delightful but you can get the same Greek hospitality with a more laidback feel on the nearby island of Paxos. You’ll have to get the ferry from Corfu to Paxos as there’s no airport, but this only adds to its appeal as it keeps visitor numbers down.

A day on this Greek island with your little ones can be spent at Harami Beach near Lakka, where yachts bob in the distance on the turquoise waters and there’s a lovely taverna. For powdery white sands that could be in the Caribbean, take a water taxi to nearby Antipaxos for the day.

Love the Italian Lakes? Seek new shores in Slovenia

If you enjoy lake dips and boat trips in the gorgeous Italian Lakes, try Slovenia’s Julian Alps. Here, the ridiculously photogenic town of Bled has a beautiful lake to swim in with the Church of the Assumption on an island at its centre. Row your own boat or take a boat trip here with the kids to ring its wishing bell.

Quieter Lake Bohinj nearby has family-friendly beach areas on its shores, plus you can take the cable car up Mount Vogel, which towers behind the water, for some knock-out views and a family hike.

Exhausted all options on Majorca? Fall for Formentera

Majorca’s beaches, coves and lively resorts are deservedly popular but if you’re looking for something different with the kids, try a trip to the smaller Balearic Island of Formentera, just south of Ibiza.

You’ll struggle to drag your family off the beaches on this laidback island. Visit Ses Illetes, which regularly top lists of the most beautiful beaches in the world, or dive into the warm, shallow waters lapping the powdery sands of Cala Saona.

There are also miles of cycle lanes to explore on, watersports to master and horse-riding lessons, too. And, after an active day, you’ll all appreciate a slice of the island’s traditional dessert, flaó – a cheesecake with peppermint.

Swap Croatia’s charms for neighbour Montenegro’s beauty

With its pretty cities and idyllic islands, there’s no denying Croatia’s beauty. But smaller Montenegro certainly competes with its glistening turquoise bays, towering mountains and Venetian-style towns. Explore Kotor’s old town with the kids, relax on a beach on the Budva Riviera and try white-water rafting on the Tara River.

For the bargain hunters among you, it’s also worth noting that Montenegro is generally cheaper than Croatia. According to Numbeo, a three-course meal for two people in a mid-range restaurant costs around €66.41 in Dubrovnik compared to €42.50 in Kotor.*

*Please note: the prices are indicative only. Prices taken from cost-of-living data website, Numbeo