Best family-friendly summer holiday destinations for 2026

Family-friendly summer holidays for 2026

Even if you once prided yourself on your holiday-planning abilities, it really does become a whole different beast once you add kids to the mix! Suddenly, there are so many factors that you have to consider: school holidays and inset days, budgeting for the entire family, finding hotels that offer amenities for children, and then finding a holiday destination that ticks the boxes for every individual in the family.

While it might sound a bit daunting at first, it's actually all part of the fun; you could easily turn a lot of these factors into positives. Plus, there are so many deals out there that you're bound to find a holiday that suits your budget - and your family's particular requirements.

Let's get started with our tips for planning your next summer family holiday:

• School holidays and inset days: To make the most of your family's time together, get the dates for your school's holiday closure dates, as well as any inset days (staff training days when no children are present). The school summer holidays tend to happen in July and August, but it's important to know the exact dates so that you can act quickly if the right holiday deal comes along. With inset days, consider these as an extra day of holiday or a day to use for your return travel.

• Before you book anything, make sure that you check what your accommodation offers, both in terms of activities for children, like kids' and baby clubs, but also food and drink. It's a good idea to compare prices for half- or full-board, as well as all-inclusive, and offset this against the cost of having to eat out every night instead.

• How old are your kids and have they flown before? If this is going to be their first flight, minimise your stress by choosing a holiday destination that's not too far away. Well-travelled families with older children are more likely to pick long-haul summer holiday destinations.

• Once school terms and inset dates are released, you'll be free to start looking out for early bird deals to help you save money. You could also check out family discounts and deals, as some providers will offer kids-go-free spaces.

With all this in mind, we've rounded up some of our favourite family summer holiday destinations for 2026, which all offer great attractions for children of all ages, as well as family-friendly accommodation.

Corfu, Greece

Last year, we were telling you all about Halkidiki, but 2026 is all about getting out to the Greek Islands. Corfu is one of our top spots for a family holiday in Greece, and you'll soon find out why.

Located in the Ionian Sea, Corfu is an island that's packed with safe, child-friendly beaches, activities for the whole family, historical sites and attractions and, most importantly, a wide range of hotels that cater to families and all their requirements. There's another perk: you can catch direct flights from the UK to Corfu during the summer months.

The beaches are Corfu's main draw, and there are many beach resort areas to choose from, including Paleokastritsa, Glyfada, Pelekas and more. When you want to spend time away from the beach, there are many family attractions scattered across the island, including an aquarium, Aqualand water park and glass-bottomed boat trips. For history and culture, head to Corfu Town.

The family hotels on the island are, quite simply, amazing. Sandy Beach Resort is one such place, located in Aghios Georgios. The resort is close to a sandy beach; within the hotel you have a kids' swimming pool with water slides, kids' club, a playground, games room and additional activities like watersports and tennis. Grecotel Daphnila Bay is another great option, located in the vibrant Kommeno Bay area. The resort offers a kids' swimming pool, kids' club, babysitting services at an extra charge and there's an evening entertainment schedule. Both of the hotels mentioned above offer free kids' spaces.

Sardinia, Italy

We'd find any excuse to go to Italy every year, but we've been hearing seriously good things about one of its islands: Sardinia. Boasting a total of 16 Blue Flag beaches, which are beaches that are considered to be safe, clean and feature all the amenities a family might need, Sardinia is the place to be if you're looking for sea and sunshine.

If the beach is your ultimate goal, then there are many spots you could choose as your base. In the north of the island, Gallura, Olbia and Alghero are the most popular beach holiday destinations. In the south, you may want to consider staying in Costa Rei, Cagliari or Villasimius. While it may not be as famous as other family holiday destinations in Europe, there's actually loads to do for families in Sardinia. From aquariums and water parks to riding the Green Train and exploring caves, there's something for all ages, and Sardinia's towns and villages are worth seeing too.

There are many family-friendly hotels and resorts to choose from too. Sentido Orosei Beach, located in Orosei, offers free kids' places, while also providing a robust schedule for the kids so that they never feel bored. We're talking about kids' club, child-friendly evening entertainment, a playground, swimming pool, games room and watersports at the nearby beach. Another stand-out option is Club Esse Sporting, located in Stintino, which prides itself on being a family hotel. If beach safety is your biggest priority, you can catch a complimentary shuttle to the hotel's private area of the nearby beach. At the hotel, there's a kids' club, child-friendly evening entertainment, a playground and a wide range of sports that can be played on-site.

Ibiza, Spain

Perhaps more famous for its hedonistic all-nighters and dance festivals, Ibiza is actually one of the best family-friendly destinations that's only a short flight away from the UK. All the Balearic Islands are great for families, but Ibiza is a dark horse because of its primary reputation as a party island. The truth is that it's easy to find nightlife venues in Ibiza - but it's as easy to find sleepy, relaxed villages and resorts with family-friendly hotels and activities.

So where are these quiet, family-friendly spots in Ibiza? Santa Eulalia, on the east coast, is a family favourite, with a good offering of coffee shops, restaurants and grocery stores, as well as a number of peaceful beaches to choose from and there's a range of kid-friendly activities and day trips available. Cala Llonga, Es Canar and Portinatx are also ideal for families. In terms of attractions, your kids can choose from an aquarium, water park, glass-bottomed boat tours and organised bicycle tours.

Leonardo Royal Hotel Ibiza Santa Eulalia is just one of many family-friendly hotels you can choose from, but we love it because of its proximity to the beach. It also caters to families with a kids' club, a kid-friendly buffet, a dedicated swimming pool and an indoor play area. Another solid option in Santa Eulalia, Insotel Fenicia Prestige Suites & Spa provides entertainment and relaxation, where kids can go to kids' club, while parents destress in the on-site spa. Children also have a dedicated swimming pool and a playground.

The Algarve, Portugal

The Algarve, located on the southern coast of Portugal's mainland, is a classic for a reason. Not only does it have a wide offering of family-friendly accommodation and attractions, but it's also a top destination for getting a cheap summer holiday deal. What's more, holidaymakers are now spreading out beyond the most popular destinations in the Algarve, opting for quieter resorts and beaches that are off the beaten track.

Historically, most holidaymakers have flocked to Faro, Albufeira and Lagos for their summer holiday. And it makes sense, as these spots have plentiful accommodation, activities and attractions for all ages. However, these can be quite busy during the peak summer months. Why not explore the quieter side of the Algarve for the summer? Families are opting for places like Tavira, Sagres, Carvoeiro and Alvor, all of which are considered to be more peaceful and suitable for families, especially those with young children.

Colina da Lapa & Villas in Carvoeiro offers villas and apartments, and is particularly popular with families due to its offering for kids; there are babysitting services, a kids' club, a dedicated swimming pool and a playground. A safe, sandy beach is only a 12-minute walk away. In Tavira, Pedras da Rainha is only 15 minutes away from the beach, and it provides a kids' club, an entertainment programme just for kids, a dedicated swimming area and babysitting services.

Croatia

If having lots to do and experiencing local culture are priorities for your next summer holiday, look no further than Croatia. This country is packed with variety and, what's more, it still offers such good value for families. Adults and kids alike will love exploring Split's Old Town, Dubrovnik's city walls and the cerulean lakes of Plitvice National Park. While Croatia does get busy during summer, it's easy to escape the crowds and find a small fishing village or beach resort to use as your holiday base.

Outside the main towns and cities, Sibenik, Pula and Rovinj are renowned as family-friendly destinations, or you can fully escape by picking one of Croatia's islands, like Brac or Krk. Beach days, local history, fresh seafood and boat trips are popular activities for holidaymakers in Croatia, and while there are many pebble beaches in Croatia, you can easily find sandy, calm beaches too.

In Rovinj, Resort Amarin is a four-star beach resort, located three minutes away from Amarin beach. The resort has a kids' club for children aged four and above, a dedicated children's swimming pool and entertainment programme. Amadria Park Hotel Jakov in Sibenik is a popular choice for families thanks to its proximity to Aquapark Dalmatia. This beach hotel offers direct access to the beach, as well as a kids' club for children aged three and above, a children's swimming pool, a playground, evening entertainment and babysitting services.