Best Family Travel Destinations – 9 Top Vacation Spots

Travelling on your own is an exciting adventure, bringing you to the most famous destinations around the world. However, travelling with your family provides a different type of expedition. If you have young kids, you must account for their needs, safety, and entertainment. The best family travel destinations will offer fun and relaxation for both parents and children.

Travelling with the whole family can seem daunting. Travel requires a lot of planning and holds a lot of unknowns. Throw children into the mix, and these complexities multiply. Since different family members might have conflicting interests, it can be tough to find a vacation destination that pleases everybody.

Nonetheless, don’t let the difficulty discourage you from embarking on an adventure with the whole family. With the right vacation spot, you can satisfy everyone’s curiosity. Check out this list of the best family travel destinations in the world.

List of Top Places to Visit With Kids on Vacation

• Bali 
• Canada
• Costa Rica
• Ecuador
• Finland
• Kenya
• New Zealand
• Portugal
• Romania

Bali

Bali is a famous island known for its rich culture. The exuberant nature will appeal to the whole family. Visit amazing multicoloured temples and watch spellbound shows at the island’s many festivals. Then head for a swim at one of many amazing waterfalls and tropical beaches.

Bali is also rich with exciting wildlife that your kids will love seeing. Don’t forget to watch out for the monkeys. These animals might just take your sunglasses when you’re not looking!

Canada

Canada is one of the best family travel destinations in North America. Towards the west of Canada lie the Rocky Mountains, a spectacular mountain range stretching over 3000kms across North America. The best places to go are Banff and Jasper National Park. These feature intricate trail systems and campgrounds that create a wonderful outdoor playground.

Children and adults will enjoy the hikes to awesome viewpoints over glacial lakes. And camping makes for a great family experience: roasting marshmallows and telling stories around the campfire, anyone?

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the top places to visit with kids. Central America doesn’t have the greatest reputation in terms of safety, but it is full of wondrous nature to discover. Costa Rica offers a great compromise. It is amongst the safest countries in Central America and full of awe-inspiring creatures.

In Costa Rica, you can see monkeys, sloths, colourful frogs and birds. These are guaranteed to enchant children and adults alike. The country is also full of luscious rainforests and pristine beaches to explore. This country is a perfect combination of adventure and relaxation for the whole family.

If your children love swimming, Costa Rica offers various aquatic activities for kids to enjoy. The best sports for girls and boys include swimming, volleyball, and kayaking.

Ecuador

Ecuador is one of the top vacation spots in South America. This country features the Galapagos Islands, a famous family travel destination. Getting there will take quite a bit of planning. However, the beautiful wildlife in this sunny country will be well worth the effort!

The animals of the Galapagos aren’t afraid of humans and are so different from anything else that your family has seen. Just picture giant tortoises and birds with blue feet. And, after a day of looking at the wildlife, you can spend your evenings listening to tales of pirates from the 16th and 17th centuries. 

Finland

Finland is known to your kids as where Santa lives. If you have young children, they will love visiting the homeland of Christmas. Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, is also the Official Hometown of Santa Claus. That fact alone will entice your children, especially around holiday season.

A visit to Lapland will be magical even for those who no longer believe in Santa Claus. If you go in the winter, go dogsledding and, if lucky, catch a glimpse of the northern lights. The wonderful white landscapes and dancing lights will be spectacular. And the dogs will thrill the children. 

Kenya

Kenya is a surprising inclusion in our list of the best family travel destinations. At first glance, it may not seem family-friendly. However, there are many opportunities to spot animals such as giraffes, elephants, leopards, zebras and lions. The wildlife will thrill your family!

Even places like Nairobi National Park offer great opportunities to see these animals within easy access to the capital city. You could even head to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a center for the rehabilitation of elephants. Caring for an elephant is bound to smile on any child’s face!

New Zealand

New Zealand has a famous family travel destination known as North Island. The many oddities here are guaranteed to fascinate children (and the child in everyone else). In Waitomo caves, you can see thousands of little lights produced by glowing worms.

Near the sulphuric Lake Rotorua, you can enjoy the smell of eggs. See for yourself bubbling pools on the Coromandel peninsula. And, last but not least, see the Hobbit holes in Hobbiton: magical round-doored dwellings built into the hillside.

Portugal

Portugal is a wonderful European travel destination for families. This country features rolling hills, spectacular beaches and beautiful medieval towns. The food is wonderful too. Just think of fresh seafood and pastel de nata. Making it a beautiful introduction to Europe for the family.

In addition, there are lots of opportunities for activities to keep both the more active members of the family satisfied. You can swim or even try surfing on the coast, and as you head inland, you can go cycling or hiking. Furthermore, the Portuguese are known for their warm hospitality, especially when meeting children.

Romania

Romania is a great family travel destination if your children are a bit older. Head to Bran castle, near the village of Brasov, the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Teenagers will appreciate this ode to the dark and mysterious.

Plus, the many spectacular castles are set amidst the majestic valleys and mountains. If you can head there in the winter, then a light blanketing of snow will make it even more magical. Also, the exotic landscape of Romania creates a romantic ambiance. It is the perfect places for married couples wishing to rekindle their passionate spark.

Family Travel Destinations – Popular Questions