Best Family Holiday Destinations for 2027: Picks for Every Age and Budget
The best family holiday destinations for 2027 for UK, US and Australian families, by children's age, with family hotel tips.
Key takeaways
- For young children: short flights, calm beaches and hotels with kids' clubs and family rooms.
- For tweens and teens: theme parks, adventure activities and cities with lots to do.
- Orlando, the Canaries, Spain, Greece, Gold Coast and Bali are perennial favourites.
- Avoid peak school holidays if possible, and compare villas and aparthotels with hotel rooms.
In this guide
Choosing a family holiday destination means balancing everyone's needs: short flights for little ones, activities for older kids, and a little relaxation for the adults. Here are the best family holiday destinations for 2027, with tips on finding the right hotel.
Quick picks by type
| Type | Destination | Best ages | Good from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theme parks | Orlando, Florida | 4+ | UK, US, AU |
| Theme parks | Gold Coast, Queensland | 3+ | AU |
| Theme parks | Disneyland Paris | 3+ | UK |
| Theme parks | Southern California | 4+ | US, AU |
| Beach resort | Canary Islands | All | UK |
| Beach resort | Mallorca and Menorca | All | UK |
| Beach resort | Algarve, Portugal | All | UK |
| Beach resort | Greece (Crete, Rhodes, Corfu) | All | UK |
| Beach resort | Bali | All | AU |
| Beach resort | Fiji | All | AU |
| Beach resort | Mexico (Riviera Maya) | All | US |
| Beach resort | Hawaii | All | US, AU |
| City break | London | 6+ | US, AU |
| City break | Copenhagen | 4+ | UK |
| Adventure | Costa Rica | 8+ | US, UK |
| Adventure | New Zealand | 6+ | AU, UK |
| Nature and wildlife | Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef | 6+ | AU, UK, US |
Theme park favourites
Orlando
Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando (including Epic Universe, opened in 2025) and SeaWorld make Orlando the world's theme-park capital. See where to stay in Orlando.
Gold Coast, Australia
Dreamworld, Movie World, Sea World and Wet'n'Wild sit alongside long sandy beaches.
Disneyland Paris
A short trip from the UK by Eurostar or flight. Combine with a few days in Paris. See where to stay in Paris.
Beach holidays
Canary Islands
Year-round sunshine, short flights from the UK, and lots of family-friendly hotels with kids' clubs. See where to stay in Tenerife.
Spain and the Balearics
Mallorca and Menorca offer calm bays, shallow water and family resorts.
Greece
Crete, Rhodes, Corfu and Kos have family-friendly beaches and resorts, plus history for older children.
Algarve, Portugal
Golden beaches, water parks and good-value villas.
Bali and Fiji
Popular with Australian families, with resort kids' clubs, pools and a short-to-medium flight. See where to stay in Bali.
Mexico and Hawaii
For US families, all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and Hawaii's beaches and nature are big draws.
City breaks with kids
- London: free museums, parks and family-friendly attractions. See where to stay in London.
- Copenhagen: Tivoli Gardens, playgrounds and easy cycling.
- New York: Central Park, museums and big-city excitement. See where to stay in New York.
Adventure holidays
- Costa Rica: wildlife, zip-lines and beaches.
- New Zealand: road trips, Hobbiton and outdoor adventures.
- Queensland: snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef and rainforest walks.
Choosing family-friendly hotels
- Enter children's exact ages when searching.
- Check room options: family rooms, connecting rooms or suites.
- Look for kids' clubs, children's pools and play areas.
- Consider all inclusive for families who snack all day. See is all inclusive worth it?
- Read reviews from families. See our full family hotel booking guide.
Saving money
- Avoid peak school holidays where possible.
- Look for kids-stay-free and kids-eat-free offers.
- Compare villas and aparthotels with hotel rooms.
- Book early for summer and use refundable rates.
Best destinations by children's age
| Age group | Priorities | Great choices |
|---|---|---|
| Babies and toddlers (0–3) | Short flights, calm water, cots, quiet | Canaries, Mallorca, Algarve, Gold Coast, Sanur (Bali) |
| Young kids (4–8) | Pools, kids' clubs, theme parks | Orlando, Disneyland Paris, Costa Adeje, Crete |
| Tweens (9–12) | Adventure, water parks, wildlife | Costa Rica, Dubai, Queensland, Florida |
| Teens (13+) | Activities, Wi-Fi, independence | New York, London, Iceland, New Zealand |
| Multi-generation | Space, accessibility, variety | Villas in Florida or Portugal, Mediterranean resorts |
Questions to ask before booking a family hotel
- What are the kids' club hours and age limits, and is it free?
- Is there a shallow or heated children's pool?
- Are cots, high chairs and baby baths available?
- Are there family rooms, connecting rooms or suites?
- What are restaurant hours and are there children's menus?
- Is there a laundry?
- How far is the beach and is it safe for children?
Budget-friendly family alternatives
- Self-catering apartments in Spain, Portugal and Greece.
- Holiday parks in the UK and caravan parks in Australia.
- US national parks with lodges and campgrounds.
- Shoulder-season trips for pre-school children who are not tied to school holidays.
Making the trip easier
- Choose direct flights when possible.
- Book an airport hotel before early flights. See airport hotels guide.
- Bring familiar bedtime items.
- Schedule downtime between big days out.
The bottom line
Pick Orlando or the Gold Coast for theme parks, the Canaries, Spain, Greece or Bali for beach fun, and London, Copenhagen or New York for city adventures. Choose a hotel that makes life easy for the whole family.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best family holiday destination?
It depends on your children's ages and your budget. Orlando is the classic theme-park choice, while Spain, the Canaries, Greece, Florida, the Gold Coast and Bali suit beach-loving families.
Where is good for a family holiday with toddlers?
Short-flight destinations with calm, shallow beaches and family-friendly hotels, such as the Canary Islands, Mallorca, Menorca, the Algarve and parts of Greece for UK families, or Queensland for Australians.
How can I save money on a family holiday?
Travel outside peak school holidays where possible, compare all inclusive and self-catering options, book family rooms or apartments, and look for kids-stay-free and kids-eat-free offers.
Prices, fees, taxes and booking rules change often and vary by hotel, date and country. Figures in this guide are typical ranges for planning, not quotes. Always confirm the total price and cancellation terms with the hotel or booking site before you pay.
