Where to Go with Young Children: 48 Short-Haul Family Holidays

12 months • 48 family-friendly escapes

Travelling with a baby, toddler or pre-schooler changes the holiday wish list. A beautiful beach still matters, but so do a manageable flight, a straightforward transfer, somewhere easy to find an early dinner and a room that works after bedtime. This month-by-month guide brings together 48 short-haul ideas chosen with little travellers, and their parents, firmly in mind.

The aim is not to fill every day with attractions. With young children, the best trips often have a gentler rhythm: breakfast without a rush, a paddle before the sun becomes too strong, a proper nap and one simple outing that everyone enjoys. If you are still deciding when to travel, begin with our Where to Go, When guide. For help turning a shortlist into a practical itinerary, read why expert planning can save more than money.

January: gentle winter sunshine in the Canary Islands

January is the month to prioritise daylight and simple resort living. The Canary Islands keep the journey within short-haul territory while offering a good chance of mild afternoons. Choose a heated pool because the sea and unheated pools can feel cool, and remember that sunshine is likely rather than guaranteed.

Costa Adeje, Tenerife

Costa Adeje makes family life unusually easy. The seafront is buggy-friendly, Playa del Duque and Playa Fañabé provide accessible beach time, and shops, pharmacies and restaurants are close at hand. The short transfer from Tenerife South Airport is another advantage after a flight with a small child. For a hotel designed around younger guests, HOVIMA La Pinta Beachfront Family Hotel has apartment-style accommodation, a splash area and clubs including a baby club for children from six months. Check the current schedule and any charges for your dates.

Playa Blanca, Lanzarote

Playa Blanca has a calm, contained feel, with a long promenade suitable for pushchairs and the sheltered water of Playa Dorada. Apartment-style stays are plentiful, which can be helpful for bottles, snacks and early nights. Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort sits beside Playa Dorada and offers family suites, children’s pools and Capitan Park, a large dedicated play area.

Maspalomas, Gran Canaria

Maspalomas combines winter light with plenty of space. Toddlers may be happiest playing on the broad sandy beach rather than walking far into the dunes, while nearby Meloneras has an easy promenade for an evening stroll. Look for accommodation with a heated shallow pool and confirm the walking distance to restaurants rather than relying only on a map.

Caleta de Fuste, Fuerteventura

Caleta de Fuste is a practical first sunshine holiday with a baby or toddler. It is close to the airport, its horseshoe-shaped bay is sheltered, and the resort centre is compact. Fuerteventura can be breezy, so a wind-protected pool area and a light layer for the evening are worth prioritising.

February: easy bases with room to slow down

February half-term can be busy, but outside those dates it is a useful month for a quiet break. The southern Canaries remain the strongest bet for warmth, while Cyprus, the Costa del Sol and Malta are better viewed as mild spring escapes than guaranteed beach holidays.

Costa Teguise, Lanzarote

Costa Teguise offers a family-friendly promenade, a choice of casual restaurants and the protected curve of Playa del Jablillo. The compact centre means fewer taxis and easier evenings. A self-catering apartment can work especially well if your child eats early or still needs familiar breakfast foods.

Paphos, Cyprus

Paphos in February is about fresh air, seafront walks and simple sightseeing. The harbour promenade suits a buggy, and a short visit to the archaeological park can be fitted around naps. Pools may be cold and some seasonal facilities limited, so choose a hotel with a heated indoor pool and enough space for a comfortable day if the weather changes.

Costa del Sol, Spain

The Costa del Sol offers a short flight, familiar food and well-developed resort infrastructure. Benal mádena and Estepona are useful bases for families who want parks, promenades and cafés rather than a packed sightseeing plan. February weather varies, so an apartment or family suite and an indoor play option add valuable flexibility.

Malta

Malta works best as a gentle exploring holiday at this time of year. Base yourselves near the level waterfront in St Paul’s Bay or consider Mellieha for a quieter atmosphere. Children often enjoy the ferry itself as much as the destination, but steep streets and steps make a lightweight pushchair or carrier useful for historic towns.

March: spring begins around the Mediterranean

March brings longer days and comfortable conditions for being outdoors, but it is still too early to assume warm sea temperatures. A hotel with gardens, a playground or an indoor pool gives young children somewhere to play without making the holiday weather-dependent.

Algarve, Portugal

The Algarve’s wide beaches and relaxed restaurants suit families who are happy to explore in a light jacket. Lagos and Alvor have appealing old centres, while Sagres feels wilder and quieter. Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort is particularly well designed for babies and toddlers, with family accommodation, children’s clubs, play areas beside restaurants and baby equipment available to request. Its transfer from Faro is longer than many resort transfers, so factor that into the decision.

Protaras, Cyprus

Protaras is peaceful before the main summer season. Fig Tree Bay is the star, although not every restaurant and attraction will be fully open in March. Choose accommodation near the centre and confirm its opening date, heated-pool arrangements and meal service before booking.

Paphos, Cyprus

Paphos offers more year-round life than many seasonal resorts. Its harbour, mosaics and nearby villages give parents variety without demanding long days. A hotel in Kato Paphos keeps walks short, while a property farther along the coast may provide more space but require taxis or a hire car.

Costa del Sol, Spain

March is a pleasant time for playgrounds, promenades and day trips before summer heat arrives. Bioparc Fuengirola can make an easy half-day for animal-loving preschoolers, while beach time can remain delightfully simple: buckets, sand and a picnic rather than an expectation of swimming.

April: islands and family resorts waking for spring

April brings colour, longer evenings and the beginning of the Mediterranean season. Easter school holidays raise demand, while early-season water can still be cool. Confirm that the children’s pool, club and restaurants will all be operating rather than assuming every advertised facility runs from opening day.

Cala d’Or, Majorca

Cala d’Or is made up of small coves and low-rise neighbourhoods, so families can choose a base close to a beach and avoid daily transport. Cala Gran is convenient, while Cala Egos can feel more self-contained. The resort has some slopes, making exact hotel location important for pushchairs.

Crete

Crete has enough year-round character to make April interesting even when the beach is not the whole focus. The flatter resort areas east of Heraklion suit families who want short transfers, while Chania’s old harbour is lovely for a few nights if you are comfortable with cobbles. Keep driving days short because the island is larger than it appears.

Corfu

Spring makes Corfu green and fragrant. Acharavi and Roda offer level resort centres and long stretches of shore, while Corfu Town works better for a cultural short break. Pool heating, mosquito screens and the timing of seasonal flights are more useful questions than the size of the activity programme.

Salou, Costa Dorada

Salou has broad beaches, level promenades and a large choice of family apartments. PortAventura is nearby, but families with toddlers do not need to build the entire holiday around it. The fountains, playgrounds and sand can be enough. If the theme park matters, check ride height rules before buying tickets.

May: warm days without peak summer intensity

May is one of the easiest months for a European family holiday. Days are warm, landscapes are still green and restaurants are open, yet the most popular resorts have not reached their busiest point. Sea temperatures vary, so a good pool remains valuable.

Cala’n Bosch, Menorca

Cala’n Bosch is compact, easy to navigate and centred on a marina lined with relaxed restaurants. The beach has shallow entry and Son Xoriguer is nearby. Globales Cala’n Bosch offers direct beach access, a children’s pool with slides, a playground, mini club and mini disco. Club ages and seasonal opening dates should be checked before booking.

Halkidiki, Greece

Halkidiki’s pine-backed bays and gently shelving water are an excellent match for little children. A resort stay removes much of the daily decision-making. Sani Resort has baby equipment, a crèche for children from six months, children’s clubs and beachside childcare. These services may require reservations or supplements, so confirm the details for your child’s age.

Istria, Croatia

Istria combines attractive coastal towns with short drives and family-focused hotels. Beaches are usually pebbly or paved rather than sandy, so water shoes are useful. Family Hotel Amarin near Rovinj has family rooms, toddler and children’s pools, age-based activities and dining facilities designed to help with baby food.

Faliraki, Rhodes

Faliraki’s long beach, straightforward transfer and broad range of hotels make it practical with young children. Stay toward the quieter ends of the resort if nightlife is not part of the plan. A property with a shaded splash area can be more useful than a dramatic waterpark designed mainly for older children.

June: proper summer before the largest crowds

June offers warm seas, long evenings and a full resort season. Families who can travel before school holidays often find a calmer atmosphere. Build the day around early beach time, shade after lunch and a relaxed evening rather than expecting a preschooler to manage sightseeing in the hottest hours.

Antalya, Turkey

Antalya’s all-inclusive resorts can make meals, naps and pool time wonderfully simple. Lara Beach is closest to the airport, while Belek has spacious resorts and a greener setting. Check the walking distances within large properties, the depth and shade of children’s pools, and whether a club accepts children under four.

Sardinia

Sardinia rewards careful base selection. The south offers relatively easy access from Cagliari, while the northeast has beautiful coves but can involve a longer transfer. Choose a sandy, gently shelving beach and keep island touring modest. The goal is an easy family week, not seeing every celebrated bay.

Kos, Greece

Kos is flatter and more compact than many Greek islands. Resorts around Marmari and Tigaki offer sandy beaches and space, while Kos Town adds evening atmosphere and easy boat watching. Cycle paths are appealing, but parents should choose properly fitted child seats or trailers from a reputable operator.

Lake Garda, Italy

Lake Garda offers ferries, playgrounds and gelato stops, making gentle sightseeing feel like part of the fun. Peschiera del Garda is convenient for rail arrivals and has a level centre, while Lazise is compact and attractive. Lakeside beaches are often pebbly, so bring water shoes and choose accommodation with a pool.

July: classic family favourites with an unhurried plan

July brings reliable sunshine and busy resorts. Book airport transfers, family rooms and any essential childcare early. Start the day before the strongest heat, let lunch and naps take up the middle of it, then return outside when promenades come alive in the evening.

Majorca

Majorca has a family resort for almost every style. Alcúdia has a long shallow beach, Puerto Pollensa offers a lovely level promenade, and Cala d’Or has smaller coves. Avoid choosing purely by hotel photographs. A superb property can still be inconvenient if the beach, shops or evening stroll require a taxi.

Zante

Kalamaki and Tsilivi are better suited to young families than the island’s livelier nightlife centres. Kalamaki has a broad sandy beach and a short airport transfer, although aircraft noise varies by location. Turtle-nesting rules protect the beach, so follow local guidance and avoid expecting unrestricted access at every hour.

Bodrum, Turkey

The Bodrum peninsula combines resort convenience with marina evenings and boat trips. Bitez has a relaxed bay and a gentler pace than central Bodrum. A private transfer and a room close to the main family facilities can prevent a hot, tiring arrival or repeated buggy journeys across a hillside resort.

Pula, Croatia

Pula gives families Roman history without demanding a full city break. Stay on the nearby coast for swimming, then visit the amphitheatre early in the morning. Many beaches use rock platforms or pebbles, so seek out a resort with easy water access, natural shade and a suitable children’s pool.

August: choose the right resort within the destination

August is not the month for improvising the most important details. Flights, family suites and convenient transfers sell quickly. It is also hot, so shaded play areas, air conditioning and a genuinely short walk to the beach matter more than ambitious excursion lists.

Costa Brava, Spain

The Costa Brava can be very family-friendly when you choose a walkable resort. L’Estartit has a broad sandy beach and a flat centre, while Tossa de Mar adds historic character but more slopes. Consider Girona Airport routes and exact transfer times, as Barcelona can make arrival day considerably longer.

Menorca

Menorca remains one of the most natural fits for young families. Cala Galdana, Son Bou and Cala’n Bosch all offer useful resort facilities, but beach parking and popular coves become busy in August. Staying close enough to walk to the water removes a daily layer of planning.

Halkidiki, Greece

In August, Halkidiki works best as a resort-led holiday. Choose a beach with shallow water, reserve any crèche sessions in advance and plan outings for the cooler morning. A room with a separate sleeping area lets parents enjoy the evening without whispering beside a travel cot.

Rhodes

Rhodes offers dependable sunshine, but midday sightseeing is demanding for small children. Base the holiday near a good beach and treat Rhodes Old Town or Lindos as one carefully timed outing. A sunshade for the buggy is useful, but it must allow safe airflow rather than enclosing the child in heat.

September: warm seas and a softer pace

September is excellent for families not yet tied to school terms. The sea retains summer warmth, evenings remain easy and resorts usually feel calmer. Later in the month, check seasonal closing dates and reduce expectations of a completely rain-free week.

Lake Garda, Italy

September makes ferry trips and lakeside walks more comfortable. A morning boat to another town provides an adventure without a car seat or long drive. South-lake bases usually offer easier transfers and flatter streets, which can matter more with a buggy than the most dramatic mountain view.

Puglia, Italy

Puglia suits families who want beaches, simple food and a little exploring. Choose one area rather than attempting the entire region. A masseria with a pool can provide space and calm, but families who do not want to drive may prefer a coastal town with restaurants within walking distance.

Costa Dorada, Spain

Sea temperatures are inviting and the main summer rush begins to ease. Cambrils has a family-friendly waterfront and a more local feel, while Salou offers the widest choice of entertainment. Both make it easy to alternate a no-plan pool day with a short outing.

Athens Riviera, Greece

The Athens Riviera lets families combine beach time with a small taste of the capital. Vouliagmeni has organised beaches and a relaxed coastal atmosphere. Do not force a full classical-Athens itinerary on a toddler. One early visit, plenty of snacks and a return to the water is a far happier balance.

October: extend summer without travelling long haul

October can still feel summery in the eastern Mediterranean, particularly at the beginning of the month. Weather becomes less predictable as the weeks pass, and some resort services start winding down. A heated pool and a town with year-round life give useful insurance.

Cyprus

Cyprus often holds onto warmth well into autumn. Paphos offers the most year-round atmosphere, while Protaras has gentler beaches but becomes quieter later in the month. Confirm hotel closing dates and whether all restaurants and children’s facilities will remain available.

Crete

Crete’s size and local life make it more resilient than a purely seasonal island resort. Choose the north coast for easier access from the main airports and avoid long cross-island drives. Warm afternoons can still suit the beach, while villages and archaeological sites provide alternatives on cloudier days.

Antalya, Turkey

Antalya is a strong October half-term option for families who want a polished resort and a good chance of sunshine. The sea is often warmer than hotel pools, so ask specifically about pool heating. Large all-inclusive properties vary greatly in scale, noise and walking distance, making tailored hotel selection important.

Algarve, Portugal

The Algarve in October is suited to sandcastles, coastal walks and long lunches rather than guaranteed swimming. Alvor is compact and relaxed, while Lagos offers more year-round restaurants. Western areas can be breezier, so a protected pool and flexible indoor space are worthwhile.

November: Atlantic islands for a manageable winter escape

November calls for realistic expectations. The Canaries offer the best chance of warmth on this list, while Madeira is ideal for scenery and outdoor time rather than a traditional beach holiday. Heated pools and well-designed family accommodation become especially valuable.

Tenerife

Southern Tenerife remains the most reliable choice for resort convenience. Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos have accessible promenades, plenty of places to eat and short transfers from the southern airport. Choose a sheltered location because wind and cloud can vary noticeably around the island.

Gran Canaria

Base yourselves in the south for the strongest chance of sunshine. Puerto de Mogán is pretty and compact, while Maspalomas and Meloneras offer more hotel choice and broad promenades. Mountain drives are beautiful but winding, so they may not suit children prone to travel sickness.

Lanzarote

Playa Blanca works particularly well in November because its promenade, restaurants and sheltered beaches create an easy routine. César Manrique attractions can be added one at a time, but a young family need not tour the whole island for the trip to feel worthwhile.

Madeira

Madeira is for families who enjoy gardens, cable cars and dramatic scenery. Funchal provides the easiest base, although hills and cobbles make a sturdy buggy or carrier useful. Many coastal swimming areas are rocky, so choose a hotel with a suitable children’s pool rather than promising a conventional sandy-beach week.

December: festive sunshine close enough for young families

A pre-Christmas break or festive week can feel restorative without a long-haul flight. December prices rise quickly around school holidays, so prioritise convenient flight times and the right room before optional extras. Christmas programmes vary, and some require advance booking.

Fuerteventura

Fuerteventura offers space, broad beaches and a quiet rhythm. Caleta de Fuste is practical for a short transfer, while Corralejo has more restaurants but is farther from the airport. The island’s breeze can make an exposed pool feel cooler than the forecast suggests.

Costa Adeje, Tenerife

Costa Adeje is an easy festive choice because families can walk between beach, hotel and restaurants. Look for a properly heated pool and a suite or apartment with a separate sleeping area. Confirm what Christmas or New Year meals are compulsory and whether they suit the child’s usual bedtime.

Paphos, Cyprus

Paphos provides a mild change of scene, waterfront walks and enough year-round life for a winter break. It should not be sold as guaranteed beach weather. A hotel with an indoor pool, flexible dining and a central location makes the destination work even when a cooler or wet day arrives.

Malta

Malta brings festive lights, historic streets and harbour views within a short flight. Valletta is atmospheric but stepped, while Sliema offers level waterfront walking and easy ferries. Choose a larger room or aparthotel, because winter evenings with a sleeping toddler can otherwise feel very long.

What makes a hotel genuinely suitable for young children?

A children’s pool and the words “family friendly” are only the beginning. Before booking, check the minimum age for supervised childcare, whether sessions cost extra and whether they run on your dates. A mini club for children aged four and over is not a crèche for a two-year-old.

Room design matters just as much. A separate sleeping area, blackout curtains, a fridge, a bath and a terrace that adults can use after bedtime may improve the holiday more than another restaurant. Ask whether cots reduce the usable space and whether balcony doors have secure locks.

Look at the resort through a normal day: the distance from room to breakfast, the availability of highchairs, shade around the shallow pool, steps between facilities and somewhere calm to eat at 5.30pm. If the hotel provides sterilisers, bed guards, potties or buggies, reserve them before arrival because stocks can be limited.

Keep the journey part of the holiday

A three-hour flight followed by a two-hour transfer is not necessarily easier than a four-hour flight with a 15-minute transfer. Compare the full door-to-door journey, including airport parking, check-in time and the likelihood of a late arrival. Daytime flights often protect routines better than saving a small amount on an inconvenient departure.

Pre-book an appropriate child seat for the transfer and ask who provides it. Pack enough essentials for delays, but do not assume everything must travel from home. The best family hotels can often supply cots, sterilisers, baby baths and highchairs, leaving luggage space for familiar sleep items, medicines and the snacks that solve difficult moments.

Ready to choose the easiest family holiday?

Begin with the month you can travel, then shortlist the two destinations with the simplest journey and the most suitable accommodation. From there, Aveline Travel can compare flight times, transfers, room layouts and hotel facilities, including the small details that are rarely obvious on a booking page.

Contact Aveline Travel to start planning a family holiday shaped around your children’s ages, routines and the pace you want to enjoy.

Hotel facilities, childcare ages, opening dates and charges can change. All details should be confirmed for your exact travel dates. Aveline Travel is independent of the hotels linked in this article.