10 best family holiday destinations

Whether you're in search of a beach holiday, a city break or an activity-packed escape, there are some destinations that are particularly well suited to families. If you're not sure where to book for your next family holiday, we've got some brilliant recommendations from Mumsnet users who have travelled near and far in search of fun family holidays.

Follow in the footsteps of fellow Mumsnetters by considering one of these top family-friendly holiday destinations.

What's the best holiday destination for families?

• Best short-haul destination: France

• Best for a UK break: Cornwall

• Best for an action-packed escape: Florida

• Best long-haul destination: Mexico

• Best for budget breaks: Turkey

1. France

Hotels in France | Campsites in France | Activity holidays to France

Whether you're camping in the Dordogne or heading direct to Disneyland Paris, France is a firm family favourite. If you're heading from the UK, it's easy to get to by train, plane, boat or car and there are good value holiday parks, campsites and gites to book for families of all sizes. The beaches in northern France come highly recommended by families, and Paris will always be a sure-fire hit for a fun-packed city break.

Best family-friendly destinations in France, according to parents

• Normandy: "I did a week in Normandy when my daughter was 5. At that age anything is exciting, we rented a basic gite for a week. Just enjoyed the lovely croissants, baguettes, cheese and tomatoes. That, playing on beaches and playing in the garden." - recommended by Mumsnet user, testing987654321

• Disneyland Paris: "My mum went from being 60 to 5 in front of me, and practically pushed me out of the way when her childhood favourite came towards her and gave her a hug. Go during February half term when it is quieter and dress for the weather." Singleandproud

• South of France: "We like the Occitaine and Languedoc areas - sandy beaches, nice cities and much cheaper than the Cote D'Azure. A lot of French people go to this areas for family holidays so there are traditional beach resorts like Saint Cyprien and fancier places like Couloire. There are also historic and lively towns like Beziers, Sete, Montpelier and Perpignan that are an easy public transport ride from the beaches." Ginmonkeyagain

Read next: The best suitcases to buy for family holidays, as rated by parents

2. Spain

Hotels in Spain | Campsites in Spain | Activity holidays in Spain 

Another Euro hit, Spain is ideal for both city breaks (Barcelona! Valencia! Madrid!) and relaxing beach holidays. Mallorca is undoubtedly a good fit for families, meaning it can get pretty busy in the school holidays. If you fancy something a bit quieter, try its sister island Menorca – sea, sangrias (for you) and sunshine (mostly) still guaranteed.

Best family-friendly destinations in Spain, according to parents

• Tenerife: "We really enjoyed [Costa Adeje] - there was a nice family vibe about the area we took a trip up in to the mountain and we older ones did paragliding over the island, a trip to a wildlife sanctuary and dolphin watching on a boat trip. We enjoyed lots of local cooking in various cafes and restaurants and saw traditional buildings and spoke with lots of welcoming Spaniards. We had a great time." VeneziaJ

• Barcelona: "We did Barcelona with 9 & 11 yo in October half term many moons ago and it was wonderful. Weather was fab -70 degrees, and plenty to see and do." SpentAll

• Mallorca: "I love Cala D'or and have been many times with my children. Everything is close by, the beaches are lovely coves and the food is good too. Would definitely recommend." WhatHaveIDone21

3. Florida

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If you're after a bit of a 'bigger' trip, Florida might well be the destination for you. With its theme parks, beaches, fun cities and everglades, there's plenty to see and do that no family member could complain of being bored. It's also a safe bet for year-round sunshine.

Best family-friendly destinations in Florida, according to parents

• Orlando: "I would always stay onsite. It's a lovely experience. The Disney transport is brilliant and you can pop to one park in the morning and a different one in the afternoon/evening if you want. It's so easy." mynumber

• Miami: "Miami is cool [for teens] with art deco buildings, shops and Venice beach is great for people watching at the outdoor gym, skaters etc. The Space Kennedy Centre is also worth a visit." Turmerictolly

• Florida Keys: "The Keys are lovely and the drive iconic. Stop in a waterside motel on the way. Not tacky but it is mostly fishing related if that’s your thing or not. Could be too much driving. Key West is expensive to stay and might be very busy at that time of year." Newgirls

4. Cornwall

Hotels in Cornwall | Cottages in Cornwall | Holiday parks in Cornwall

Perennially popular, Cornwall is a favourite spot for Mumsnetters with kids of all ages. Stunning beaches, cute harbour towns, fresh seafood and pasties galore attract families all year long. If you luck out with the weather, it can feel like you're on a tropical beach escape without having to pay for a long-haul flight or deal with the associated jetlag

Best family-friendly destinations in Cornwall, according to parents

• St Ives: "Beautiful golden sands and clear water. There are lots of gorgeous art shops and independent places to eat/shop, which are nice to browse. We typically stay outside of St Ives and just visit for a day or two (either via the little coastal train from further North, or via car). There's a lovely walk up a mount and it's just so picturesque and quaint." ItsNearlyEaster

• Falmouth: "Falmouth might fit the bill. Lots of beaches, a castle, ferry to St Mawes or Trelissick, mainline station, lots of nearby towns. Its also got some nice restaurants and bars and shops if that's your thing." LateMumma

• Mawgan Porth: "Mawgan Porth is lovely - big sandy beach." FanSpamTastic

Read next: The best family hotels in Cornwall, as rated by Mumsnetters

5. Greek Islands

Hotels in Greece | Villas in Greece | Activity holidays in Greece 

With over 200 islands to choose from, it's no surprise that Greece is a top holiday destination. Depending the island, you're likely to find beaches, historic sights and laidback tavernas within easy reach. And beyond the party hubs of Mykonos and Malia, the vibe is very family friendly.

Best family-friendly Greek islands, according to parents

• Crete: "We went to Elounda in Crete and it was lovely. Its a fishing village but the resort we went to had a small waterpark attached. There are daily boat trips from the harbour to the island Spinalonga, a former fort and leper colony which is now beautiful uninhabited ruins." Coffeethrowtrampbitch

• Kos: "We really enjoyed exploring Kos Town, particularly Kos Old Town which was beautiful. We also did a boat trip to Plati and Pserimos, definitely worth doing. The sea at Plati was unbelievably turquoise, just stunning." cherryassam

• Rhodes: "Rhodes is gorgeous and different to many Greek islands. Rhodes town is one of the most preserved medieval towns in the world. There's wonderful history and culture." Hobbesmanc

6. Wales

Hotels in Wales | Cottages in Wales | Holiday parks in Wales

Well known for its mountains and valleys, Wales also boasts some of the most stunning beaches Britain has to offer. In fact, The Gower Peninsula in South Wales was the very first site in the UK to be crowned an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'. From Cardiff to Carmarthen it's easy to find a scenic spot for a family break.

Best family-friendly destinations in Wales, according to parents

• Gower Peninsula: "I am local. It is a fabulous place if you like walking and coastline. If you want to be able to walk to shops/ restaurants etc, then I would stay in Mumbles. If you’d prefer rural / coastal, I would look at south Gower - Port Eynon, Horton, Oxwich all have direct access to beaches." CatherineCawoodsbestie

• Pembrokeshire: "Tenby is pretty and has a few beaches, loads of restaurants, gift shops and boat trips to Caldy island. Manobier beach is very pretty with streams and a castle. I want to go back now! Simplelobsterhat

• Anglesey: "The coastal path is amazing. Loads of stunning but very different scenery as you go round." MorePressureMoreRelease

7. Lapland

Hotels in Lapland | Holidays to Lapland | Activities in Lapland

For magical family memories, a trip to Lapland is hard to beat. Even if your kids are a little older and their 'belief' is starting to wear off, it's likely that they'll be wowed by stunning snowy scenes and glimpses of the Northern Lights. It's especially festive in the run up to Christmas as excited kids flock to see Santa in his natural habitat.

Lapland holidays according to Mumsnetters

"I've travelled a lot and lived/worked in ten different countries and think Lapland in the winter is the most magical place I've ever visited." WineWithAView

"It's so unbelievably worth every penny!! The most magical place on earth. But saying that definitely book yourself you'll save an absolute fortune. Lots of groups on Facebook with amazing tips how to diy it." Itsallthelittlethings

8. Italy

Hotels in Italy | Campsites in Italy | Activity holidays to Italy

You don't have to be an art or history buff to enjoy Italy, but if you are, all the better for it. And a trip to the Colosseum in Rome or the ruins in Pompeii can bring the pages of Horrible Histories to life. And for kids that might be more interested in their next meal than The Last Supper, there's food to please even the fussiest of eaters. Oh, and there's a beautiful Mediterranean coastline to explore too. La Dolce Vita in spades.

Best family-friendly destinations in Italy, according to parents

• Sardinia: "We went to southern coast of Sardinia (flew to Cagliari) Oct 23 - beautiful weather, 26-28 degrees, no rain and beaches virtually empty. Most restaurants seemed to welcome children tho we were just DH and me. It’s a great place for small kids, took ours to north east area aged 1 and 4 20+ years ago - sandy safe beaches and kid friendly food. You do need a car tho." sergeantmajormum

• Lake Garda: "I can thoroughly recommend Sirmione as one of the nicest resorts to stay in. I've stayed in Garda Town and Bardolino too, but Sirmione is in my opinion, the nicest. You can get the ferry to visit any of the resorts - we went to a different resort each day for lunch and it's a lovely way to get about and see the Lake." sympatico1

• Amalfi Coast: "Stay in Sorrento, it’s a great base for getting around, you can get reasonably priced boat trips pretty much anywhere and a direct train to Pompeii." jackiesgirl

9. Turkey

Hotels in Turkey | Apartments in Turkey | Holidays to Turkey

For an exotic escape without a long-haul flight, consider a trip to Turkey where you'll find beautiful beach towns, bustling bazaars and delicious meze dishes. It can be cheaper than a Mediterranean beach break but there are plenty of luxury hotels and family-friendly apartments to choose from.

Best family-friendly destinations in Turkey, according to parents

• Antalya: "We stayed at the Delphin Palace in Antalya and had a lovely time. It was really relaxing for us because it was a family-friendly resort. There is a main restaurant served a large buffet as well as a kids buffet and then there were several a la carte restaurants. There is a lovely beach with a play area, a children's pool, as well as an indoor and outdoor pool. There is also a kids club with a play area..." whiteorchids44

• Side: "Side, near the old town and along the beach, is really lovely. Some excellent hotels , the Barut chain very good. Roman ruins amazing , beach lovely. Lots to do in the area and of course the shopping is an experience." MargaretBall

• Bodrum: "My favourite part of Turkey is the Bodrum peninsula. Gumusluk is a lovely resort village, tends to be more Turkish tourists but some British. Has some really nice restaurants right on the water." cherryassam

10. Mexico

Hotels in Mexico | Holidays to Mexico | Tours in Mexico 

Beaches, ancient culture and amazing food combine in Mexico. It really is one of those trip-of-a-lifetime type places and despite the distance from the UK, there's plenty for families to see and do when there. The Riviera Maya boasts plenty of kid-friendly resorts, with easy access to Playa del Carmen and the Tulum ruins.

Best family-friendly destinations in Mexico, according to parents

• Riviera Maya: "We went to the Riviera Maya in October, we stayed at the Grand Palladium WHite sands. I would highly recommend the Tulum ruins, but if you have young kids it does get very hot as there isn't much shade. The cenotes are amazing, and you can have a lovely refreshing swim." Monkeybutt1

• Tulum: "Tulum was great to visit and not as far or crowded as Chichen Itza and we enjoyed swimming in a cenote as well as driving a golf cart round Isla Mujeres". Hoppinggreen

How we chose our recommendations

Before choosing any destination for our roundups, we first consult the Mumsnet forums. With over 9 million users per month, there’s a lot of suggestions by real parents who have been there and done that when travelling as a family. After we’ve collated our destination picks, we then turn to the likes of Tripadvisor, Booking.com, and Expedia to check user ratings and reviews. We cross-reference all of the above information to narrow down the best family holiday destinations to ensure there's something for everyone, to suit every budget.