When people think of family-friendly travel destinations, they often picture kids’ clubs, water slides and all-inclusive resorts.
But for us, family-friendly means something different.
It means destinations where both parents and children genuinely enjoy themselves. Places where there’s enough to keep everyone entertained without spending the entire holiday rushing from one attraction to the next. Places where the memories come from feeding ducks by a lake, discovering a hidden waterfall or spotting wildlife in the wild.
Over the years, we’ve been fortunate enough to travel as a family to some incredible places. These are the five destinations that have stood out the most.
1. Lake Garda, Italy
Best for: Families of all ages looking for a holiday that combines relaxation, adventure and stunning scenery.
We’ve visited Lake Garda three times over the years, once as a couple and twice with our children, making it one of the very few family-friendly travel destinations we’ve happily returned to again and again.
What we love most is that it grows with your family. We enjoyed it before we had children, and loved it just as much when we returned as parents.
Lake Garda strikes the perfect balance between relaxing and exploring. There are beautiful lakeside towns connected by ferries, plenty of opportunities for swimming, incredible mountain views and enough activities to keep children entertained without feeling like you’re spending the entire holiday rushing between attractions.
One of our favourite things about Lake Garda is that so much of the fun is wonderfully simple. We spent hours strolling along the lakeside promenades, stopping at playgrounds with incredible views and feeding ducks by the water. Some of our favourite memories are of sitting on a bench overlooking the lake while the children played nearby.
For families looking for bigger adventures, attractions like Gardaland or Caneva Aquapark are within easy reach, while the lake itself provides endless opportunities for boat trips, beach days and exploring.
We also love the accommodation options. Many of the campsites offer caravan-style and mobile-home accommodation right on the lake, giving families space, flexibility and fantastic facilities without sacrificing the views.
If we had to choose one destination that consistently delivers for both adults and children, Lake Garda would be very close to the top of the list.
2. Sicily, Italy
Best for: Families looking for an easy getaway packed with great food, beautiful scenery and minimal travel stress.
If repeat visits are the ultimate travel recommendation, Sicily would be at the top of our list. We’ve been around 20 times over the years and still haven’t run out of reasons to go back.
For families travelling from Malta, Sicily is hard to beat.
Whether you choose to fly or take the catamaran, getting there is quick and straightforward. There are multiple daily flight options, including early morning and late evening departures, as well as several airport and port choices depending on where you’re headed.
When our children were younger, we especially loved travelling by catamaran. Being able to load the car, bring everything you need and simply drive off at the other end made travelling with little ones so much easier.
One of our favourite ways to experience Sicily is by staying in agriturismos. Over the years, I actively sought them out because they combine the charm of the countryside with the convenience families need.
Many allow you to park your car right outside your room, making it easy to unload bags, snacks, pushchairs and everything else that seems to come with travelling as a family.
Our days often followed a simple rhythm: a hearty breakfast, a day spent exploring beaches, villages or local attractions, followed by a return to the agriturismo for dinner. One of the things we loved most was the food. Many agriturismos served lavish evening spreads featuring local produce, homemade dishes and multiple courses. After a day out exploring, it was wonderful to simply sit down and enjoy an authentic Sicilian feast without having to think about where to eat.
Of course, Sicily also offers beautiful beaches, fascinating history, charming towns and incredible food, but what keeps drawing us back is how easy and enjoyable it feels as a family destination.
It’s close enough for a short break, varied enough for a longer holiday and relaxed enough that everyone can properly switch off.
3. South Africa
Best for: Families with older children who love wildlife, adventure and variety.
South Africa is one of the most diverse family-friendly travel destinations we’ve ever visited.
We visited when our children were older (Nina was 8 – the perfect age, and Yanik was 17), which made it the perfect age for appreciating everything the country has to offer. From wildlife encounters and spectacular scenery to incredible food and fascinating road trips, every day felt like an adventure.
We followed an extended version of the Garden Route, which turned out to be one of our favourite road trips ever. Every few hours it felt like we had arrived in a completely different destination. Along the way, we visited Boulders Beach to see the penguins, went whale watching, spent time in Oudtshoorn, often referred to as the ostrich capital of the world, and stayed on a private island where zebras roamed freely around the property.
Of course, the safari experience was a major highlight. We chose a malaria-free reserve, making it a great option for families, and seeing wild animals in their natural habitat is something none of us will ever forget.
What also stood out was how modern and developed the country felt. We found excellent accommodation, fantastic roads, great amenities and some of the friendliest people we’ve met anywhere in the world.
The farm stalls deserve a special mention too. They’re unlike anything we’ve experienced elsewhere and became one of our favourite parts of the journey. Each one felt unique, offering local food, homemade products, unique play areas and plenty of reasons to stop and explore.
The value for money was exceptional, especially when it came to accommodation and dining. We enjoyed some incredible restaurants throughout the trip, often for a fraction of what we’d expect to pay elsewhere.
What I love most about South Africa is that we only scratched the surface. Even after an incredible trip, there are still so many regions, experiences and wildlife encounters we’d love to return for.
4. Northern Greece (Litochoro, Lake Kerkini & Meteora)
Best for: Curious families who love discovering hidden gems.
When most people think of Greece, they picture islands, beach resorts and whitewashed villages.
We went in a completely different direction and discovered a side of Greece that quickly became one of our favourite family-friendly travel destinations.
Our trip took us to Litochoro, a charming village at the foot of Mount Olympus, the wildlife-rich Lake Kerkini region and the breathtaking monasteries of Meteora.
What we loved most was the variety. One day we were taking a boat trip across Lake Kerkini spotting birds and water buffalo, the next we were exploring mountain scenery or standing beneath the towering rock formations of Meteora.
What really stayed with us, though, was everyday life in the small villages we passed through. At times it genuinely felt like stepping back 50 years. We’d stop in villages where local grocers still knew their customers, men gathered on street corners chatting for hours and tiny bakeries sold just a handful of incredible items before closing for the day once everything was gone.
Some of our favourite discoveries were completely unplanned. We’d pull over for a coffee at a small roadside café and find ourselves looking out over spectacular mountain or lake views. On another day, we’d follow a recommendation from a local and end up swimming beneath a hidden waterfall.
It felt like there was always something waiting to be discovered just around the next bend in the road.
For us, Northern Greece wasn’t just about the places we visited. It was about slowing down and experiencing a way of life that felt wonderfully untouched by modern tourism.
5. Slovenia
Best for: Families who love nature without the hassle.
Slovenia remains one of my favourite family trips of all time.
What made it so special was how easy everything felt. With almost nine years between our children, finding a destination that genuinely keeps everyone happy isn’t always straightforward. Slovenia was one of the very few places where both children enjoyed every day.
Because the country is relatively small, travel distances are short and manageable. We were able to explore lakes, mountains, villages, and caves without spending half our holiday driving from place to place.
The scenery is simply breathtaking. Bright green forests, crystal-clear lakes, mountain views and picture-perfect villages seemed to appear around every corner.
One of my favourite memories was visiting Lake Bohinj. While Lake Bled often gets all the attention, it was Bohinj that completely stole my heart. We rented a row boat, paddled out across the lake and stopped for a swim in some of the clearest water I’ve ever seen.
Slovenia also felt incredibly family-friendly. Playgrounds were everywhere. Many cafés, restaurants and even supermarkets had play areas for children. Nina was only three at the time and absolutely loved the freedom to run, play and explore.
The country felt peaceful, safe and uncrowded. Even during peak season we rarely felt surrounded by tourists. We could relax while the children played without constantly worrying about losing them in busy crowds.
We also loved the food, the friendly locals and the excellent value for money. Some of our favourite meals were in small family-run restaurants tucked away in villages we discovered while driving around.
For families who love nature but don’t want the stress of long travel days, Slovenia strikes a perfect balance. It’s adventurous enough to feel exciting, yet relaxed enough that everyone comes home refreshed.
Final Thoughts
Looking back at our favourite family holidays, it’s rarely the expensive activities we remember most.
It’s feeding ducks by a lake. Spotting penguins on a beach. Swimming beneath a hidden waterfall. Discovering a tiny bakery in a sleepy village. Watching your children experience something for the very first time.
These family-friendly travel destinations gave us all of that and more.
If you’re planning your next family adventure, I hope this list inspires you to look beyond the obvious and discover somewhere that your whole family will love.
Love,
Nakita xxx
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