Best Beach Holidays for Families from the UK: Top Destinations & Travel Tips
Best Beach Holidays for Families from the UK: Top Destinations & Travel Tips 🇬🇧🏝️
Finding the perfect beach holiday for families from the UK means balancing short flights, child-friendly beaches, great weather, and family-friendly activities.
Whether you’re looking for all-inclusive beach resorts, quiet coastal escapes, or fun-filled beach towns, we’ve rounded up the best beach destinations for UK families—plus essential travel tips to make your trip stress-free!
🏝️ Best Beach Holiday for Families Seeking Short-Haul Flights
Costa del Sol, Spain – The Best All-Round Family Destination 🇪🇸
Costa del Sol is a top choice for UK families, thanks to its short flight time (under 3 hours), warm weather, and sandy beaches.
🏖️ Best Family-Friendly Beaches in Costa del Sol
✔ Playa de la Malagueta (Málaga) – A safe, clean beach with playgrounds & shallow waters.
✔ Playa del Cristo (Estepona) – A quiet, child-friendly beach with calm waves.
✔ Burriana Beach (Nerja) – Great for families who love water sports & beachside dining.
🔹 Best time to visit: May – October (warm weather, fewer crowds in May & September!)
🔹 Top family-friendly resorts: Holiday World Resort, Iberostar Málaga Playa, Sol Marbella Estepona.
💡 Pro Tip: Book flights to Málaga Airport for the best access to family-friendly beaches!
🌊 Best Beach Holiday for Families Who Love Theme Parks
Orlando & Clearwater Beach, Florida – The Ultimate Family Adventure 🇺🇸
If you want a beach holiday with added thrills, a twin-centre trip combining Orlando’s theme parks with Florida’s stunning beaches is perfect.
🏖️ Best Beaches Near Orlando
✔ Clearwater Beach – Powdery white sand & shallow waters, ideal for kids.
✔ Cocoa Beach – Great for family surfing lessons.
✔ St. Pete Beach – A laid-back, friendly beach town.
🔹 Best time to visit: March – June & September – November (great weather, fewer crowds!)
🔹 Top family resorts: Disney’s Beach Club Resort, TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, Sheraton Sand Key Resort.
💡 Pro Tip: Fly direct from London to Orlando, then hire a car to explore Florida’s stunning Gulf Coast beaches.
🍦 Best Beach Holiday for Families with Toddlers & Young Kids
Algarve, Portugal – The Safest & Most Family-Friendly Beaches 🇵🇹
The Algarve is one of the safest family beach destinations in Europe, with gentle waves, soft golden sand, and plenty of child-friendly activities.
🏖️ Best Beaches in the Algarve for Families
✔ Meia Praia (Lagos) – Wide, sandy, and great for beach games.
✔ Praia da Rocha (Portimão) – A lively beach with plenty of restaurants & kid-friendly facilities.
✔ Praia do Barril (Tavira) – Features a fun tourist train ride to the beach.
🔹 Best time to visit: May – October (June & September for fewer crowds!)
🔹 Top family-friendly resorts: Martinhal Sagres, Tivoli Marina Vilamoura, Pine Cliffs Resort.
💡 Pro Tip: Many Algarve beaches have lifeguards and sunbed rentals, making them ideal for families with young children.
🎡 Best Beach Holiday for Families Who Love Entertainment
Tenerife, Canary Islands – The Best for Water Parks & Attractions 🇪🇸
Tenerife is a fantastic year-round family destination, offering beaches, water parks, volcano tours, and dolphin-watching trips.
🏖️ Best Beaches in Tenerife for Families
✔ Playa de las Teresitas – Golden sand, calm waters & shaded areas.
✔ Playa de Fañabé – Plenty of family-friendly beachfront restaurants & sun loungers.
✔ Playa del Duque – A quieter beach with luxury family-friendly resorts nearby.
🔹 Best time to visit: Year-round! (Tenerife enjoys warm temperatures even in winter!)
🔹 Top family-friendly attractions: Siam Park (Europe’s best water park), Loro Parque, Mount Teide National Park.
💡 Pro Tip: Choose a resort in Costa Adeje for easy access to beaches & kid-friendly attractions.
🍕 Best Beach Holiday for Families Who Love Culture & Food
Sicily, Italy – A Family-Friendly Beach & Cultural Escape 🇮🇹
If you want a family beach holiday with history, incredible food, and beautiful landscapes, Sicily is perfect.
🏖️ Best Family-Friendly Beaches in Sicily
✔ San Vito Lo Capo – A soft white-sand beach with shallow turquoise waters.
✔ Isola Bella (Taormina) – A unique pebble beach great for snorkeling & boat trips.
✔ Mondello Beach (Palermo) – Clear, calm waters perfect for kids.
🔹 Best time to visit: May – October (June & September for fewer crowds!)
🔹 Top family resorts: Verdura Resort, Grand Hotel Atlantis Bay, VOI Arenella Resort.
💡 Pro Tip: Try Sicilian gelato & local seafood at family-run trattorias!
💡 Essential Travel Tips for a Stress-Free Family Beach Holiday
✔ Book Early – Family-friendly resorts & flights from the UK sell out months in advance!
✔ Look for Direct Flights – Avoid long layovers by flying direct to Spain, Portugal, or Greece.
✔ Pack Smart – Bring UV-protective swimwear, sand-resistant towels, and plenty of snacks.
✔ Check for All-Inclusive Deals – Many resorts offer kids’ clubs, free meals, and babysitting services.
✔ Choose a Resort with a Kids’ Pool – This makes life easier when travelling with toddlers!
🏝️ Final Thoughts: What Is the Best Beach Holiday for Families from the UK?
The best family-friendly beach holiday depends on your travel style:
✔ For short flights & convenience – Costa del Sol, Algarve, Tenerife.
✔ For theme parks & beaches – Orlando & Clearwater, Florida.
✔ For culture & great food – Sicily, Italy.
No matter what kind of family beach trip you’re looking for, there’s a perfect destination waiting for you!
💬 Where’s your favourite family beach holiday destination? Let us know in the comments! 👇
