Family getaways don’t have to be complicated to be special. The trick is finding places where everyone, from toddlers to teenagers, and even the family dog, can find something to enjoy. Here are five destinations that mix fun, adventure and a bit of down time, all perfect for making those shared holiday memories.
Barcelona: City Break with a Beach Twist
For families who want a mix of culture and outdoor fun, Barcelona is hard to beat.
The city offers plenty of attractions that work well with kids, from the colourful mosaics of Park Güell to the interactive exhibits at CosmoCaixa science museum. Walking down Las Ramblas, families can soak up the buzz of the city before heading into the Gothic Quarter to explore narrow streets and hidden squares.
One of the best parts about Barcelona is how close the beach is to the city centre. After a morning of sightseeing, it’s easy to spend the afternoon on Barceloneta Beach building sandcastles or taking a dip in the sea.
Families can also take the cable car up Montjuïc for sweeping views, gardens to wander and plenty of space to let the kids run around. Barcelona manages to be both exciting and family-friendly, making it a great all-round choice.
Cornwall: Seaside Days in Padstow
Cornwall rarely disappoints when it comes to family holidays. Its beaches alone are reason enough; miles of sand, tidal pools to explore, and waves just right for learning to surf. Padstow is especially popular, with its harbour that’s always busy with fishing boats and crabbing lines dangling over the side.
One of the best family outings is hiring bikes and cycling the Camel Trail, a flat route that’s easy for children and takes you through some of the area’s prettiest scenery. Boat trips run from the harbour too, giving families a chance to spot seals out in the bay. And when the tide’s out, kids can happily spend hours with buckets and nets among the rockpools.
If you’re bringing a dog along, there are plenty of beautiful dog friendly cottages in Padstow where everyone (two- and four-legged alike) can feel at home. Evenings tend to be about sandy shoes at the door, a hearty dinner, and maybe a quick stroll to watch the sun set over the water.
The Algarve: Warm Seas and Easy Days
Portugal’s Algarve region has long been a go-to for families who want simple pleasures: sunshine, shallow waves and beaches that stretch for miles. Children can paddle safely in the calm bays, while parents can actually relax instead of constantly watching the tide. Praia da Rocha and Praia da Marinha are two beaches worth heading to, both are stunning, and both have the sort of soft sand that makes castle building irresistible.
For active families, you can find some of the best family adventure holidays in the Algarve. Join expert led classes with padleboarding instructors or explore the South West Alentejo and Vicentine coast Natural Park.
It’s not all about beach time either. Families often head out on boat tours to explore sea caves or even catch sight of dolphins, which is usually the highlight of the holiday for kids. Away from the coast there are waterparks, adventure playgrounds and plenty of short countryside walks for days when you need a change of pace.
Add in easy-to-reach villages full of whitewashed houses and cafés, and you’ve got a destination that’s not only beautiful but also welcoming. The Algarve is the kind of place where families return year after year.
Orlando: A Theme Park Adventure
Few places make children’s eyes light up like Orlando. With its mix of big-name theme parks, waterparks and endless entertainment, it’s a destination that’s all about fun. Families can easily fill a week here, one day might mean roller coasters and fireworks, while the next is spent floating down lazy rivers in a waterpark.
Orlando has smaller attractions too, like wildlife parks where kids can meet animals up close, or hands-on science museums that break up the park days nicely. Parents often say they enjoy watching their kids’ excitement as much as the rides themselves.
It’s not necessarily a restful holiday, but it’s certainly a memorable one. For families who love thrills and don’t mind full days, Orlando is hard to beat.
Iceland: A Natural Playground
For something very different, Iceland offers families a mix of adventure and wonder. Imagine standing together as a geyser erupts, walking behind a curtain of water at Seljalandsfoss, or spotting puffins along dramatic coastal cliffs. It’s a country that makes the outdoors feel like a playground.
Younger children love the simple things here: throwing stones into glacial rivers, seeing steam rising from the ground, or splashing in the warm, milky waters of the Blue Lagoon. Older kids can hike lava fields, join whale-watching trips, or even trek on a glacier with a guide.
And then there are the unforgettable natural events: the midnight sun in summer that makes bedtime negotiable, and the northern lights in winter, which turn the sky into something magical. For families that enjoy exploring together, Iceland offers the kind of experiences that are retold for years afterwards.
Where Will You Choose For a Family Getaway?
Whether it’s Cornwall’s sandy coves, Portugal’s sunny beaches or the wild beauty of Iceland, these destinations all have one thing in common: they bring families together. The best trips are rarely about luxury or ticking off a list of sights, they’re about shared moments, whether that’s building a lopsided sandcastle, spotting a seal, or laughing as someone inevitably falls off a paddleboard.
Family holidays don’t need to be complicated. They just need the right setting, and a bit of time together!
