1. Turkey
Surrounded by the azure waters of the Mediterranean and Aegean, family holidays to Turkey are made for sandcastle building. With alluring white sands, thrilling watersports and one of the most photographed beaches in the world, have your bucket and spade on standby. While your teens are riding the waves via a jet-ski, you could be soaking in a natural Turkish bath at Pamukkale. And if you’ve got toddlers in tow, then the turtle conservations and wildlife parks will be a huge hit! But the big question is - which adventure should you head on first?
Temperature: 21°C
Top family attractions:
- LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Istanbul
- Hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia
- Istanbul Underwater World
- Aquapark Adaland Kusadasi
Where to stay:
Long Beach Resort Hotel & Spa Deluxe
Combine 5 star luxury with a playground of fun-filled activities at this swanky Alanya property. With an all-access pass to Long Beach Waterpark and Funfair prepare for thrills and spills as you go head-to-head on the bumper cars and freefall down its vertical drops. There’s no shortage of pools either, and for added opulence you can bag yourself a swim-up room placing the water directly at your feet.
2. Tenerife
Say hola to one of the top 10 destinations in Europe ranked by TripAdvisor! Holidays to Tenerife are a must for families, with an 11-foot wave pool at the Thai-themed Siam Park, submarine safaris in the Atlantic Ocean and zip-lining adventures, the whole clan is guaranteed unlimited fun. To top it off, it’s the perfect Easter holiday destination thanks to its year-round sizzling temperatures. And the monkey parks, train rides and dolphin-spotting make trips here all the more impressive.
Temperature: 22 °C
Top family attractions:
- Siam Park
- Forestal Park
Where to stay:
Bahia Principe Fantasia Tenerife
Placing you footsteps from Golf del Sur Beach, this all-inclusive gem ticks all the boxes for a top-notch Easter holiday getaway. We’re talking cooking workshops to inspire mini chefs, five sprawling pools and a fairytale castle for little princes and princesses. Combine that with around-the-clock entertainment and an adult-only infinity pool and you’re onto a winner.
3. Cyprus
With a subtropical climate, this Mediterranean hotspot welcomes families all year round. From the ancient ruins of Paphos to the striking beach resorts of Protaras, it’s a coast of real diversity.
Alongside its historical lures and Blue Flag shorelines, you’ve got attractions to suit all ages. Waterparks, zoos and horse riding - you name it, Cyprus has it! Now, add a bunch of child-friendly hotels to the mix and a long list of resorts, and you’re guaranteed an unforgettable time with your nearest and dearest.
Temperature: 24°C
Top family attractions:
- Aphrodite Waterpark
- Limassol Zoo
- Play4Kids
- Eagle Mountain Ranch
Where to stay:
King Evelthon Beach Hotel & Resort
Unlimited access to the onsite waterpark - yes please! And that’s just one of the perks you can expect from this 5 star stay in Paphos. There’s an impressive line-up of eateries including three a la cartes specialising in Greek, Italian and Mexican cuisine. Meanwhile, the six drinking spots make your all-inclusive status worthwhile. Flaunting panoramic sea views, spacious family rooms and a splash zone for tiny tots, what doesn’t this hotel include?
4. Florida
When we say Florida holidays have it all, we really do mean it. On one side you’ve got Orlando with its Walt Disney magic and movie mayhem at Universal Studios. Here days are filled with sugary treats, adrenaline-rushes, and most importantly, the chance to meet your favourite characters. Or, there’s Miami where you’ll get to discover the beaches north of the Caribbean. And you can’t forget about Florida’s natural allures, the Everglades!
Temperature: 29°C
Top family attractions:
- Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure™
- Walt Disney World Resort®
- Kennedy Space Centre
Where to stay:
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas Kidani Village
When it comes to an Easter holiday break to Florida, you want to be in the heart of the action. And it doesn’t get any closer to the fun than at Disney’s Animal Kingdom itself. This African-inspired stay is home to 30 species of wildlife which freely roam the hotel grounds. When you’re not spotting a giraffe from your multi-bedroom villa, take advantage of a pool accessorised with water cannons and slides. Or, dive straight into the thrills at Walt Disney World Resort!
5. Portugal
Whether you’re seeking the award-winning sand spots of the Algarve or jeep safari adventures in Madeira, Portugal has family-focused allures by the boatload. Resorts such as Albufeira and Vilamoura have your tiny travellers covered thanks to the all-singing, all-dancing waterparks, swimming dolphins and paintballing.
There’s more to Lisbon than its historical charms too, take your mini holidaymakers to Oceania or Jardim Zoológico where white tigers and giant stingrays await. And just because you’ve got the little ones in tow doesn’t mean you can’t practise your swing. As the home of many championship golf courses, adults can battle it out on the fairway while youngsters practise hitting that hole in one on the mini courses.
Temperature: 20°C
Top family attractions:
- Gather seashells at Praia da Rocha Beach
- Lisbon Oceanarium
- Aquashow Waterpark
- Parque Aventura
Where to stay:
Aquashow Park Hotel
Boasting interconnecting rooms perfect for bigger families, an indoor play area for kids and a duo of pools, this 4 star crowd-pleaser pulls out all the stops. Including access to Aquashow Waterpark which features a watercoaster, multi-racer slides, wave pools and splash areas for smaller tots. And will you dare take on the 32-metre-high freefall?
Now you’ve got the low-down on the best Easter holiday destinations, it’s time to make this April unforgettable!
About the author
As a frequent jetsetter, Danielle is an expert in all things travel. From foodie trips in Rome to hunting down the best beaches in the Balearics and Christmas shopping in New York. She’s also the mum of a very cute but mischievous toddler, meaning she has some great family holiday hacks too. Check out all her travel tips & tricks!