Best Family Holiday Deals for the School Summer Holidays

We’ve spent hours reading the hundreds of reviews you’ve shared with us, to produce a visited & verified shortlist of The Best Family Holiday Deals for the School Summer Holidays. We hope you find this really useful, and if you do, that you consider booking via the affiliate links in the article (meaning we make a small commission, and can keep providing you with this kind of content!)

A Bite-sized Guide to: The Best Family Holiday Deals for the School Summer Holidays

Candia Park Village, Crete

Elea Concept Hotel & Suites, Crete

Paradisio Baby Kinder Hotel, Crete

MarSenses Hotel Paradise Club, Menorca

Valamar Lacroma, Croatia

Inturotel Esmeralda Park, Mallorca

Iberostar Waves Alcudia Park, Mallorca

Village Heights Resort, Crete

Las Terrazas de Abama Suites Hotel, Tenerife

Tivoli Alvor Algarve, Portugal

Hotel Château Bela, Slovakia

Center Parcs Villages Nature Paris, France

Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina, Madeira

The Westin Dragonara Resort, Malta

Château Les Carrasses, France

A perennial Tiny Travelship favourite, and for good reason. Set above a calm bay near Agios Nikolaos, Candia Park Village feels less like a hotel and more like a beautifully curated Greek village where someone has very thoughtfully removed all stress. The whole place is designed around families who want ease without compromising charm. Apartments are spacious and practical, complete with kitchenettes (a small, but game-changing detail when travelling with children prone to hanger meltdowns), there’s an onsite village market for any forgotten essentials, and everything sits within a postcard-pretty layout

The kids’ club welcomes children from age four upwards and, refreshingly, there’s no need to pre-book sessions. Activities range from folklore costume crafting and cooking classes to language lessons, mini discos, movie nights, and even ‘mermaid school,’ which is exactly as fun as it sounds. Younger children can also use the facilities when accompanied by a parent. Location-wise, it’s brilliantly placed: just a 15-minute drive from the towns of Agios Nikolaos & Elounda, where you can dine right on the waterfront or head out on glass-bottom boat trips, and under an hour from the airport, making arrivals and departures refreshingly painless

Elea Concept Hotel & Suites manages to strike that rare balance between relaxed family living and understated boutique style. The atmosphere feels calm, contemporary and effortlessly welcoming, with beautifully designed interiors that lean more toward a luxury boutique retreat than the remarkably accessible rates might suggest. Spaciousness is another standout feature, with some of the largest suites you’ll find within this category – such an advantage for families wanting comfort without compromise

What truly sets the experience apart, however, is the warmth of the hospitality. The team delivers a level of personal care that feels refreshingly genuine, offering thoughtful local recommendations, arranging taxis, securing tables at nearby tavernas, and creating the kind of effortless, informal concierge experience typically associated with far more expensive European resorts. Families are particularly well catered for. The main pool includes a shallow section ideal for younger children, while a small lawn play area with toys adds another thoughtful touch for little ones. Those travelling with babies or toddlers are also well supported with helpful in-suite children’s equipment available upon request, making stays feel easy and stress-free from the moment of arrival

Just a short stroll away, the local village reveals an unexpected bonus for families, with inflatable play areas, slides, swings, and casual evening entertainment that younger guests quickly fall in love with. Accommodation options have also recently expanded to include stylish Junior Suites with Private Pools, alongside exceptionally roomy multi-bedroom suites that are ideal for larger broods or multigenerational stays – something still surprisingly difficult to find in many family-focused Mediterranean hotels. Combined with its relaxed atmosphere, thoughtful design, and attentive service, Elea Concept Hotel & Suites is one of Crete’s best-value boutique family stays for the summer holidays

You may be familiar with the concept of Kinderhotels from the Alps, where they’ve nailed their own category of ‘how are we ever supposed to go back to normal hotels after this?’. But on mainland Europe? It’s a different story. Bases tend to fall into either boutique stays with a polite “bring your own entertainment” approach, or large resorts that tick every facility box but can feel a bit overwhelming for certain types of travellers. Which is exactly why we were so excited to discover Paradisio Baby Kinder Hotel, the antithesis of the large, sprawling resort model that covers much of Crete

This is a small, family-run hideaway that feels intentionally intimate from the moment you arrive. Designed exclusively for families with young children, Paradisio is a joyous retreat where there is no awkward side-eye from child-free guests – everyone is very much in the same boat, juggling snacks, naps, and negotiations. One of its standout features is its themed accommodation: from swashbuckling pirate adventures and fairytale castle kingdoms to wild zoo expeditions. What about the entertainment you ask? There’s a large outdoor play area, bikes and ride-ons scattered around the grounds, and a gated layout that means children can roam safely and freely without constant supervision stress

At the heart of it all sits the pool – calm, communal, and clearly designed with families in mind, with shallow areas for little swimmers. Children can enjoy hands-on farm experiences daily, feeding friendly goats, meeting fluffy animals and harvesting fresh fruit and vegetables straight from the garden – fabulous and wholesome – tick, tick. If you’re a fan of the likes of Caserio del Mirador in Spain, or Cornwall’s Flear Farm and Bosinver, and you’re looking for something similar in a new setting, this is very much the answer 

One of the rarest finds in peak summer family travel is an all-inclusive that actually stacks up on price, and MarSenses Paradise Club Hotel is one of the very few we’ve come across for the school holidays that still comes in at *just over* £4,000 for a family of four – flights included! Set in Cala’n Bosch on Menorca’s south-west coast, this is a classic, easygoing resort that knows exactly how to cater to parents. It delivers the full family-friendly package, from multiple pools and the all important splash park, to a Kids’ Club and evening entertainment. Rooms are straightforward but practical, designed with families in mind rather than aesthetic overstatement that no one really needs. Location wise, it’s also a win. You’re a short, easy walk from Cala’n Bosch’s marina, where you’ll find a relaxed mix of waterfront restaurants, casual bars and low-effort dinner options (if you decide you fancy eating a couple of meals out). Even better, you’ve got not one but two beaches within walking distance. The main Cala’n Bosch beach is a calm, sheltered cove with soft sand and shallow, gentle water, while a little further along, Son Xoriguer offers a slightly more open stretch with a bit more space to spread out, plus watersports for older kids or more active days. What’s not to love?

One of the real unsung heroes of family travel in the Med is the Valamar brand – a chain setting the standard of what child-centric-but-make-it-chic family hotels can look like. In Dubrovnik, that philosophy takes the shape of the 4-star Valamar Lacroma Hotel, which acts as the more accessible entry point into the brand’s wider resort ecosystem. On its own it’s already a very strong family base, but what elevates it far beyond what you’d normally expect from a 4-star property is a rather clever bit of design thinking: guests are actively encouraged to use the facilities of neighbouring Valamar hotels, some included and some for a small supplement, effectively unlocking an entire resort district rather than a single hotel. Within minutes, you’ve got access to multiple pools, beach clubs, restaurants, and entertainment spaces across the Babin Kuk peninsula, meaning your holiday can shift shape day by day without ever feeling repetitive. Elevating the experience into something closer to a multi-resort stay, without the multi-resort price tag or complexity

Lacroma itself sits in a calm, green pocket just outside Dubrovnik’s Old Town, offering up the dreamy combination of easy city access and proper resort downtime. You can head into the historic centre for cobbled streets, fortress walls and harbour views, then retreat back to base when the crowds peak and little legs tire. And for beach days, it over-delivers again as you’re just a 5-minute walk from three different turquoise-hued beaches. And, apologies for burying the lead here, but the real headline act? The 1,800 square foot Maro World play centre (anchored by a supervised Maro Club open 9am–9pm), plus a PlayStation and Nintendo-filled Theatre, two-storey soft play, Lego zones, giant foam building blocks, and much, much more. Sign us up

In a world where “quick escape” usually still means a half-day of travelling, Mallorca is blissfully straightforward – you can be on the beach in roughly 2 hours 15 minutes from London. But that’s not even the best bit – it has some of the cheapest plane tickets for peak summer travel to boot. Set directly on the shoreline, Inturotel Esmeralda Park gives you immediate access to the stunning Cala Esmeralda beach, a sheltered, sparkling cove that feels tailor-made for families thanks to its calm, shallow water and soft sandy edges. Within the resort itself, there’s a brilliant splash park called Dragoland, which is a big hit with children, though worth noting you only get one free entry per stay before it becomes chargeable. The kids’ club caters for 4-7 year-olds, alongside a Maxi Club for 8-12 year olds, plus evening entertainment, a kids’ disco, mini golf and various play areas dotted around the resort

Dining is where Esmeralda Park really leans into its location. Many families opt for self-catering, not out of necessity, but because Cala d’Or itself is such a pleasure to wander in the evenings. The marina and surrounding streets are packed with restaurants, from relaxed waterfront spots to more atmospheric local eateries. This is not a resort trying to isolate you; it’s one that actively plugs you into its surroundings. Budget-friendly in peak summer? Yes. Designed properly for families? Yes. Steps from beaches, restaurants and easy evening wanderings? Yes. And still visually pleasing enough that adults don’t feel like they’ve compromised? Yes, yes, yes

Up in the north of Mallorca, Alcúdia is one our favourite postcodes on the island, and the 4* Iberostar Waves Alcudia Park is very much Iberostar doing what it does best for families. Let’s start with the location shall we? You’re right on the edge of Playa de Muro (voted the best beach in Spain and third best in Europe in 2022 by Tripadvisor users) and it so lives up to the hype. This is a vast stretch of pale sand and impossibly tranquil, shallow water that stays ankle-deep for what feels like miles. And it doesn’t stop at paddling. Adventurous children are just as well catered for, with pedal boats, kayaks, and even sailing lessons all available directly from the beach, alongside rows of loungers, umbrellas, and relaxed little cafés serving easy lunches and cold drinks

Onto the hotel. Multiple pools ensure nowhere feels too crowded, while a splash park-style area, playgrounds, and constant but well-paced entertainment (including a Kids’ Club 4-17) ensure there’s always something happening for your tiny travellers. And the icing on the cake? Alcúdia old town. It has that same charm you might associate with Palma, but in a far more relaxed, family-friendly format that doesn’t require city logistics. Pricing is the final surprise. In peak August, bed and breakfast comes in at just under £3,000 for a family of four, while full all-inclusive – proper “eat, drink, repeat without thinking” territory – sits just shy of £4,000. With flights often available for under £100 per person! And when all-inclusives at this price point are becoming rarer than a toddler willingly leaving the pool without a full-scale negotiation, it’s definitely one worth bookmarking

Another all-inclusive that somehow still sneaks in at a little over £3,000 for a family of four in August, Village Heights Resort is a hotel quietly turning the usual family resort formula completely on its head. Traditional in the sense of giant buffet halls, matching wristbands, and children’s entertainment blaring from every corner? Absolutely not. Traditional in the sense of genuinely respecting Cretan culture, landscape, and atmosphere? Very much so. Nestled amongst lush landscaped gardens with sweeping countryside views, Village Heights feels more like a low-key Mediterranean hideaway than a classic all-inclusive. Accommodation is a huge win, especially for larger families. Spacious self-catered apartments come with one, two, or even three bedrooms alongside fully equipped kitchenettes, making this a mega smart option for families of five who are so often squeezed into awkward room setups elsewhere. The four pools are beautifully maintained and, astoundingly, never seem to descend into the usual sunbed warfare. Plenty of loungers are spread out both around the pools and beneath olive trees on the grass, creating the sort of setup where people actually relax rather than strategically defend territory by 7am

Scattered across the resort there’s plenty to keep children occupied too: crazy golf, volleyball, tennis, a kids’ club (3+) and playgrounds. Dining is another area where Village Heights overachieves. This is not a “chips at every meal” kind of all-inclusive. Menus lean heavily into fresh Cretan produce and local dishes, making meals feel genuinely connected to the island rather than copied and pasted from an international buffet handbook. And while the resort itself isn’t directly on the beach, it has solved that problem in a very clever way. Through its partnership with Beachcomber beach bar, guests can easily shuttle down to the coast – even without a hire car – giving you access to beach days whenever you want them, without sacrificing the calm countryside setting the rest of the time. It’s the best of both worlds. Bravo 

Tenerife may not always be the first destination that springs to mind when plotting a summer family escape, but honestly? For families looking for affordable flights, year-round sunshine, and temperatures that stay gloriously warm but on the right side of scorching, it’s a pretty obvious choice. And nowhere makes a stronger case for that than Las Terrazas de Abama Suites. One of the cleverest things about Abama is that it’s essentially two resorts in one. Las Terrazas sits lower down the hill, while Los Jardines is perched above, with the golf course weaving through impossibly manicured grounds in between. Guests can move freely across both areas, unlocking a huge range of facilities that makes the whole resort feel expansive without ever feeling crowded. And then there’s the accommodation, which immediately sets this apart from standard hotel living. The suites at Las Terrazas are enormous, we’re talking proper home-from-home spaces with one, two, and three-bedroom layouts, full kitchens, sprawling living areas and huge terraces overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. For larger families, or anyone craving a little extra privacy, the two and three-bedroom villas with private pools are a totally brilliant option – especially given they can still be booked on the hotel’s half-board dining package.

Pool-wise, this place is operating at an extremely high level. Cinematic infinity pools? Naturally. Zero-entry pools for tiny swimmers? Of course. And the food offering is where Abama really begins to show off. A quick 5-minute taxi from the Ritz-Carlton down the road means you have access to a double-digit restaurant line-up and, frankly, more Michelin stars than we’re used to seeing attached to a family holiday. Tiny travellers, meanwhile, are exceptionally well looked after. The Abama Kids Camp (4+) is one of the most impressive children’s spaces we’ve come across anywhere in Europe. Activities range from gardening and science experiments to football, zip-lining, and excursions to Siam Park or go-karting, while seasonal evening mini parties occasionally hand parents the holy grail: an actual child-free dinner guilt free. Hear us when we say, for this level of space, childcare, dining, and polish, you’d comfortably be paying double the price tag in many parts of Greece, Spain, or Portugal. Run don’t walk

All-inclusives in Portugal are surprisingly rare to begin with. Stylish all-inclusives in Portugal that still come in at just shy of £4,000 for a family of four in peak summer? Practically mythical. Which is exactly why we’re so proud to have uncovered Tivoli Alvor Algarve Resort for you. Because while meltdown-free mealtimes are, of course, one of the great all-inclusive gifts to family travel, Tivoli Alvor Algarve goes well beyond the standard “buffet and a sunbed” formula. This is a properly polished resort with a softer, more elevated feel than many under-one-roof family setups. Somewhere that manages to cater brilliantly to children without adults feeling like they’ve accidentally checked into a theme park

The layout helps enormously. Low-rise bungalow-style accommodation is scattered across the grounds, creating a calmer, more spacious atmosphere than the towering resort blocks so common elsewhere in southern Europe. And then there’s the pool situation – six shimmering swimming pools in total. Instead of everyone funnelling into one giant main pool, the resort feels spread out and surprisingly relaxed. For younger children there’s also a charming splash pad and outdoor playground, ensuring even tiny travellers too young for the Kids’ Club (which starts from age 4) still have plenty to keep them occupied

The four on-site restaurants do a very convincing job of proving that all-inclusive food doesn’t have to mean culinary compromise, with a far more refined offering than many family resorts at this price point. It’s polished without being pretentious. And perhaps the smartest part of all is that Tivoli welcomes you to explore your surroundings. A complimentary shuttle runs regularly into the charming fishing town of Alvor itself, where cobbled streets, seafood restaurants, and waterfront strolls add a different dimension to the holiday

Slovakia? Stay with us. Because Château Bela feels like the sort of place you almost don’t want too many people to discover. A sprawling countryside chateau with grand gardens, fountains, rose-covered pathways and impossibly elegant interiors, it looks far more like something hidden away in Provence than a family hotel quietly sitting under the radar in Eastern Europe. And yet somehow, despite all the stately-home grandeur, it manages to be one of the most genuinely child-welcoming – and spend-smart – stays we’ve come across

The whole place feels wonderfully eccentric in the best possible way. One minute you’re wandering through manicured gardens, the next you’ve stumbled across a hidden cinema room in the cellar, ponds that are home to giant koi carp begging to be fed, playgrounds tucked behind hedges or a seriously spoiling candlelit spa. And then there’s the kids’ club, which is where Château Bela quietly becomes exceptional. This is not a ‘craft table in a side room’ operation. Staff sweep children up into proper adventures across the estate. Think scavenger hunts through the gardens, fish-feeding expeditions, games on the lawns and hide and seek amongst the flowers. Evenings bring balloon animals, face painting and low-key little discos that feel charming rather than overstimulating. The food deserves its own standing ovation. Think Bridgerton-esque buffets with white tablecloths, towering iced cakes and fruit and vegetables carved into delicate little roses. It sounds wildly incompatible with family life, and yet somehow it works beautifully, and children are not just tolerated here, they’re treated like tiny VIPs. Add in the gorgeous outdoor pool, endless gardens to roam and the fact a week half board for a family of four hovers around the £2k mark, and the whole thing starts to feel faintly absurd in terms of value. Château Bela is proof that family holidays don’t always have to follow the same Mediterranean script to be completely magical

If the price of a UK Center Parcs during the school summer holidays has ever caused a small cardiac event, allow us to introduce a rather excellent alternative: Center Parcs Villages Nature Paris. Because while a week at some UK parks now comfortably costs more than a European all-inclusive, Villages Nature Paris often comes in significantly cheaper while somehow feeling considerably chicer. And then there’s the location. Not only do you get all the freedom, bikes, nature trails and family-friendly chaos Center Parcs does so well, but both Paris and Disneyland Paris sit within incredibly easy reach too – with the City of Light accessible for roughly €2.50 by train. A countryside escape and a Paris combo holiday for less than some UK lodge breaks? Suddenly the maths starts mathing very quickly

Crucially though, Villages Nature never feels like a compromise. In fact, it feels like one of Europe’s great under-the-radar family holiday hacks, which we’ve heard on good authority sits somewhere between a scaled-down Kinderhotel and a family version of Soho Farmhouse. And yes, the swimming setup absolutely delivers on the Center Parcs reputation. With an enormous indoor-and-outdoor water park complete with giant slides, obstacle courses suspended over the water, lazy rivers, wave pools, flumes, splash parks and dedicated areas for every age and swim stage. But there’s far more here than just swimming. BelleVie Farm gives children the chance to meet cows, goats and ponies, alongside bread-making, gardening and beekeeping workshops, plus a brilliant soft play. Then there’s the Forest of Legends, which we can best describe as a child’s fantasy playground brought to life, with rope bridges, treehouses, climbing frames, hidden paths and mini adventure parks scattered throughout the woodland. Elsewhere? Segways, bike hire, canoeing, archery, mini golf, climbing walls, obstacle courses, fairy trails, pony rides, wellness classes, baby swimming, beach games, chocolate-making workshops, driving schools and even miniature 4×4 off-roading adventures for children. Frankly, reading the activity list alone requires a small sit down afterwards. And what makes it particularly brilliant for mixed-age families is that not everything revolves around constantly spending more money. Huge amounts of time can happily be spent simply rotating between the adventure playgrounds, forest trails, splash zones, farm, soft play and cycling paths – all included – before selectively adding the occasional paid activity. Affordable compared to the UK equivalent? Dramatically. Easier than a long-haul summer escape? Absolutely. And packed with enough genuinely good family entertainment to keep everyone from toddlers to teenagers occupied without screens? Completely

If the usual Mediterranean summer suspects are looking prohibitively expensive for the school holidays, allow us to put forward Madeira as one of the smartest alternatives nobody is talking about loudly enough. Slightly cooler than mainland Europe in August (think: properly sunny, but without that constant tactical scanning for the nearest patch of shade the moment you step outside), dramatically beautiful, reassuringly safe and often significantly better value than many of the mainland coastal hotspots, the island makes a very compelling case for switching things up entirely. And Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina is exactly the kind of resort that brings that case to life

Set beside a peaceful marina on Madeira’s quieter eastern coast, it feels more laidback and spacious than many traditional Med resorts from the moment you rock up. The supervised kids’ club is a highlight, thoughtfully split between ages 4-12 and 13-17 rather than the usual one-size-fits-all approach. Activities rotate throughout the week and go far beyond the standard hotel offering: treasure hunts, cooking sessions, team games, arts and crafts, and evening mini discos. And then there’s Madeira itself. Boat trips from nearby Funchal regularly deliver dolphin and whale sightings. Funchal also makes for an effortlessly easy family day out, with cable cars gliding above the city, botanical gardens to explore, and a waterfront lined with cafés and snack stops. Back at the resort, parents still get exactly what they need from a summer break: multiple pools, Atlantic Ocean views, spacious rooms, and enough dining options and relaxed corners to fully switch off. All for a price point that doesn’t put you off

On the subject of alternative destinations in Europe delivering far better value for school summer holidays, it’s time to get acquainted with Malta. Compact, sun-soaked, and incredibly easy to get around, the island naturally lends itself to a relaxed rhythm where beach time, sightseeing, and simple exploring all slot together without effort. And this is where The Westin Dragonara Resort becomes such a strong base. Set on a private peninsula in St Julian’s, it bridges the gap between proper exploration and easy resort living, giving families the freedom to do both without compromise. Days tend to naturally split in two. Mornings are for exploring – Valletta’s Grand Harbour, Mdina’s walled streets, nearby beaches, or standout family attractions like the Esplora Interactive Science Centre, one of the most engaging hands-on museums for children in Europe. Afternoons, meanwhile, are for drifting back to the resort to reset by the pool, grab a relaxed lunch, and decompress before dinner. The hotel itself covers all the essentials with ease: kids’ club (4+), heated pools, and flexible dining options including half board. It’s not trying to be boutique or overly stylised, but what it does offer is space, comfort, and consistency. The result is a destination that feels like a hybrid of city break, beach holiday, and cultural escape. Who said it wasn’t possible to have it all?

If you have a child in tow who’s currently deep in their fairytale era, Château Les Carrasses is the kind of place that guarantees serious parenting points on arrival. And because it’s set on a working wine estate, it’s not just the smallest members of the family who are delighted with the choice. Despite its elegance, Château Les Carrasses is very deliberately designed with families at its core. Accommodation is spacious rather than compromised: multiple-bedroom villas and residences come with full kitchens, terraces, generous living areas (and some with private pools), making it particularly strong for those who want hotel-style support without giving up the freedom of a private home. The heart of the estate is the striking infinity pool that runs along the front of the château, overlooking vineyards in every direction. It’s as photogenic as it is practical, with a shallow section perfectly suited to younger swimmers and plenty of loungers and oversized daybeds for long, leisurely afternoons. Beyond the pool, there’s a clay tennis court, boules court, vineyard trails, and complimentary bicycles for exploring the grounds and surrounding countryside. There’s a mini farm just a short walk from the château where children can feed goats, watch donkeys and ponies, and spend time with ducks. Just beyond that, tucked into a shady pocket of pine forest near the farm, you’ll also find an adventure playground that gives little ones somewhere to climb, explore and burn off energy in between animal visits and pool time. During the school holidays, a weekday kids’ club (4+) adds extra entertainment, rounding out a setup that makes life notably easy for parents. Dining is definitely worth writing home about. The on-site restaurant delivers elegant fine-dining dishes, served in a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere. And for evenings when you’d rather not venture out at all, there’s also an in-house dining menu available, so parents can opt to stay in the comfort of their accommodation and still enjoy a proper meal without the logistics of a restaurant visit

Themes: Where To Go When 

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