Family holiday ideas for every month of the year

A bite sized guide to: Where and when to go on holiday, with kids

Maldives in January: Patina Maldives, Kurumba Maldives, LUX* South Ari Atoll

Antigua in February: Carlisle Bay Antigua, Blue Waters Resort

Canary Island in March: Kamezí Boutique Villas, Ritz Carlton Abama, Eco Finca de Arrieta

Italy in April: The Hoxton’s Rome, Riva Lofts in Florence, Casa Talia

England in May: Woolley Grange, Cabu by the Sea, Glebe House

Crete in June: Domes of Elounda, Cretan Malia Park, Daios Cove

The Balearics in July: Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay, Belmond La Residencia, Ikos Porto Petro

Southern France in August: Chateau St Victor la Coste, Les Roches Rouges

The Algarve in September: Octant Praia Verde, Martinhal Sagres, Quinta da Comporta

Scotland in October: Dalmahoy Hotel Country Club, Gleneagles

Mexico in November: Etéreo, Hotel Rodavento

Mauritius in December: Lux* Le Morne, The Oberoi Beach Resort, Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita

Travel with kids can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be hard work when it doesn’t quite go to plan. Luckily, when it comes to holidays that are both parent-pleasing and fun for littles, we know our stuff

Whether you’re heading off for the first time with one tiny human in tow or have a brood of well-travelled babes of different ages, these ace destinations, one for every month of the year, promise to set you on the right track when it comes to climate, crowds and fun things to do

Spending sunkissed days on one of the Maldives’ idyllic atolls needn’t be classed as something you could only have done pre-kids (or as something to look forward to in, say… 18 years time). Plenty of savvy parents have proven that this holiday paradise in the middle of the Indian Ocean isn’t just for honeymooners. Visit in January for day after day of sunshine

Stay

Patina Maldives for outdoorsy, quality time with your gang. Kurumba Maldives for child-friendly heaven just a 7-minute speedboat ride from the airport. LUX South Ari Atoll for peace, quiet and making magical family memories

When you’re desperately in need of winter sun, Antigua is the answer. Soft sand, crystal clear shallows and the chance to spot wildlife beneath the waves make Antigua’s beaches ideal natural playgrounds for kids of all ages. Pair that with a laid-back atmosphere, plus consistent sunshine, a gentle coastal breeze and low rainfall in Feb, and you’re onto a winner

Stay

Carlisle Bay Antigua for family friendly relaxation, with a side order of spa time. Blue Waters Resort for a kids club, babysitting on tap and plenty of Caribbean zen

Pretty pleasant all year round, the Canaries start to really warm up in March (Tenerife and Gran Canaria have slightly higher average temps this month, fyi). You can expect mild and dry days with few crowds: perfect for letting littles loose on the sand, or exploring the parks and natural landscapes these islands off the west coast of Africa have to offer

Stay

Kamezí Boutique Villas for dreamy serviced villas with their own private pools. Ritz Carlton Abama to stay in a perfectly pink photogenic palace. Eco Finca de Arrieta for adventurous and self-sufficient, eco vibes

If a fly and flop doesn’t appeal, April is your month for a hassle-free European city break. In Italy at this time of year, the weather is warming up (but nowhere near the oppressive heat of mid-summer) and spring has sprung in city parks. You’ll find great hotel deals ripe for the picking, attractions quieter without the crowds and plenty of easy eating out options (pizza and pasta for the win.)

Stay

The Hoxton’s Rome outpost for mid-century cool. Riva Lofts in Florence for a family stay with a grown-up feel. Casa Talia in Sicily’s Modica for sweeping views and a historic setting, where kids of all ages are welcomed

See our edit of the best family friendly hotels in Italy for more recommendations

May is the start of summer in England. You can’t rely on dry weather (you never can in the UK), but you can count on spectacular scenes, like forest floors transformed by carpets of bluebells. It’s warm enough to spend your days exploring outside, yet not as expensive or busy as August. Think sunny walks, alfresco adventures and beach picnics

Stay

Woolley Grange for free childcare and a baby-friendly spa. Cabu by the Sea for beach-adjacent and incredibly photogenic summer camp vibes. Family-run Glebe House for incredible food and beautifully decorated rooms

See our edit of the best family friendly hotels in the UK for more recommendations

Easy beach weather is almost guaranteed in Greece during June, but the crowds are yet to descend. The mainland and the country’s collection of captivating islands are all great options for a trip with the fam, but we’ve got our sights firmly set on Crete right now. You can find the perfect mix of culture, good cuisine and amazing beaches on this rocky spot – plus some incredible kid-friendly hotels

Stay

Domes of Elounda for seaside downtime with a Montessori childrens’ club. Cretan Malia Park for laid back family stays in a design-led setting. Luxury Daios Cove to achieve pre-kids levels of relaxation

See our edit of the best family friendly hotels in Crete for more recommendations

Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca, the biggest of the Balearic islands, are dotted with amazing villas and resorts that will make your family holiday a dream. These islands in the Med offer peak sunshine and balmy temperatures this time of year, making them the perfect destination for easy days spent on the sand or beside the pool. If you can visit in early July outside of the school summer holidays, that’s an added bonus for your bank balance

Stay

Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay for wellness and mega sunsets, with an ace kids club. Mallorca’s Belmond La Residencia for a bougie but surprisingly family-friendly break. Opening June 2023, Ikos Porto Petro is the latest addition to Ikos’ parent-pleasing tribe of resorts

Warm days are waiting for you if you travel to France in midsummer, but it rarely gets too hot for little ones, especially if you opt for somewhere with a seabreeze. The south of France has it all, from chic beachfront hotels to countryside dotted with roomy chateaus that’ll keep you all cool in the midday heat. We’ve got outdoorsy adventures in the woods, late afternoon beach trips and shady sun loungers by the pool in our sights

Stay

Chateau St Victor la Coste for self catering cottages in a fairytale setting. Les Roches Rouges for cinematic, south coast vibes

See our edit of the best family friendly hotels in France for more recommendations

Late summer is truly lovely on Portugal’s south coast. If you’re able to travel outside of school hols, you’ll find warm temperatures and empty beaches (the actual dream). The Algarve’s stunning coastline is dotted with hotels and resorts that offer holidays that are both kid-friendly and actually relaxing for the grown ups

Stay

Octant Praia Verde for all the baby kit you could need, great food and a perfect, pine-scented pool. Martinhal Sagres for a 5-star family resort that’s also dreamy for parents. Quinta da Comporta for a stylish stay where kids can slot right in

See our edit of the best family friendly hotels in Portugal for more recommendations

Get ready to fill your camera roll with pictures of your little ones surrounded by golden autumnal vistas. Scotland in October is all bright, crisp days full of bright, crisp leaves. Head to the Highlands for otherworldly beaches and hikes with breathtaking views, or stick to Scotland’s cities for a break exploring art galleries, interactive museums and kid-friendly attractions

Stay

Dalmahoy Hotel Country Club on the outskirts of Edinburgh for an indoors kids camping set up right in your hotel room. Locke for super-stylish self-catering city stays. Gleneagles for a luxury country escape, where your little ones are welcomed with open arms

Dry, warm and just before the start of the country’s proper high season, November might be the perfect time to visit Mexico. There’s plenty of culture to uncover and adventures to set off on – though you’ll also find parent-pleasing resorts that tick so many boxes you may decide not to leave after all…

Stay

Stylish Etéreo for amazing food, ace kids activities and a genuinely welcoming vibe. Hotel Rodavento for tranquil, outdoorsy vibes and a great kids club in the middle of a 55-acre forest

This beautiful little country off the east coast of Africa is one of those dreamy destinations that is actually great all year round. Its climate is always balmy – but not so hot you’ll be worrying about your little ones being uncomfortable – and you’re pretty much guaranteed beach weather whenever you visit. December is one of the most popular months thanks to average temperatures in the mid to high 20s and low rainfall. Other reasons to love this island? Chilled vibes and, if you’re travelling long-haul from the UK, the minimal time difference, which makes holiday nap schedules and bedtimes a whole lot smoother

Stay

Lux Le Morne for an idyllic, tropical stay (with the added bonus of complementary food for under 5s). The Oberoi Beach Resort for utter luxury. Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita for serious down time and seclusion