The best places to travel with kids are destinations that keep the practical side of travel simple. Easy transport, child-friendly attractions, flexible meal options, and enough variety for different ages matter more than trying to fit in everything at once.
For many families, that makes places like Orlando, Copenhagen, Tokyo, Costa Rica, the Algarve, and London some of the strongest options.
| DESTINATION | BEST FOR | WHY IT WORKS |
| Orlando, USA | Big family attractions | Theme parks, resorts, and activities for different age groups |
| Copenhagen, Denmark | Easy city breaks with young kids | Walkable streets, playgrounds, and family-focused attractions |
| Tokyo, Japan | Families who want variety | Families who want variety |
| Costa Rica | Outdoor family trips | Beaches, wildlife, and nature-based activities |
| Algarve, Portugal | Relaxed beach holidays | Family-friendly coastlines and a slower pace |
| London, England | A first city trip with kids | Museums, parks, and all-weather attractions |
What Makes a Family Destination Work
A good family destination usually gets the basics right. It is easy to move around, there is enough to do without rushing, and daily plans can shift without the whole trip falling apart.
Cities with parks, playgrounds, museums, and short travel times often work well. So do beach destinations with calm water, simple resort stays, and easy food options nearby.
The strongest picks usually offer:
- Short and simple transfers
- Attractions for different age groups
- Room for downtime between activities
- Flexible food choices
- Easy access to toilets, public transport, and shade or indoor breaks
Best Destinations for Family Travel
1. Orlando, Florida
Best for: theme parks and school-age kids
Orlando is one of the easiest family destinations to plan because so much of the city is built around children and parents. The official tourism board highlights activities for everyone from newborns to teens, which makes it easier to match the trip to different ages.
Theme parks are naturally a major reason families choose Orlando. Walt Disney World alone can fill several days, while Universal Orlando and other family attractions provide plenty of alternatives. If Disney is part of your family travel plans, our guide to Disneyland around the world compares the major Disney resorts and the types of travelers they suit.
2. Copenhagen, Denmark
Best for: easy city breaks with younger children
Copenhagen stands out because it makes city travel feel lighter. The official tourism site highlights family attractions, practical travel advice, and a large network of public playgrounds, which helps on days when children need more space and less structure.
It is a strong choice for parents who want a city holiday that still leaves room for naps, slow mornings, and shorter sightseeing windows.
Denmark also has an extra attraction for LEGO-loving families. The original LEGOLAND is in Billund, making it possible to combine Copenhagen with a theme park stop elsewhere in the country. You can compare it with other LEGOLAND locations around the world before deciding whether to add one to your family itinerary.
3. Tokyo, Japan
Best for: variety without sacrificing convenience
Tokyo works well for families who want a mix of big attractions and everyday ease. The city’s official guide includes family-focused ideas for exploring with children, from themed experiences to parks and day-to-day travel tips.
Tokyo Disney Resort is another major draw for families, with both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. Families considering a Disney-focused trip can use our Disneyland around the world guide to see how Tokyo compares with Disney destinations in the United States, France, Hong Kong, and mainland China.
Timing matters in Japan, especially around weekends, school holidays, and busy domestic travel periods, so consider the season carefully when planning a family trip.
4. Costa Rica
Best for: nature and active family holidays
Costa Rica is a strong option for families who would rather spend time outdoors than move through a packed city schedule.
Beaches, wildlife, and nature activities give children plenty to engage with, and the country’s tourism positioning makes it a natural fit for families who want a trip built around movement and fresh air.
It tends to work especially well for school-age children who enjoy animals and hands-on experiences.
Get Eskimo eSIM to stay connected globally
Need internet while travelling? Here's what we recommend:
Fixed data plans
- No speed reduction
- No expiry, keep your data forever
- Transfer data to anyone
- Personal hotspot
5. Algarve, Portugal
Best for: calm beach holidays
The Algarve is one of the safest picks for families who want an easier beach trip. Portugal’s tourism guidance presents the region as a leading coastal destination, and it suits families who want sand, pool time, and short outings instead of a packed sightseeing plan.
Where you stay can make a big difference on this kind of family holiday. A villa gives families more private space and control over meals and routines, while a resort can make things easier by putting pools, restaurants, activities, and services in one place. Our villa vs resort comparison can help you decide which setup better suits your family.
6. London, England
Best for: a first city trip with kids
London gives families plenty to do without requiring a car or a fixed daily schedule. The city’s official visitor site highlights museums, parks, theatre, tours, and free activities, which makes it easier to adapt plans around weather and energy levels.
That flexibility is a big reason London works so well as a first city break with children. Families can build a day around one major attraction and use parks, museums, markets, or shorter activities to fill the remaining time without making the itinerary feel overloaded.
How to Pick the Right One for Your Family
The best destination depends on your child’s age and the kind of trip you actually want.
With Toddlers
Prioritize short transfers, predictable meal options, playgrounds, and plenty of downtime. Compact cities and calmer beach destinations usually work better than fast-moving itineraries.
Accommodation also becomes more important with younger children. Having kitchen facilities, separate sleeping space, or family facilities within the property can make everyday routines much easier.
With School-Age Kids
Children in this age group often enjoy having one or two major experiences to look forward to.
Orlando is an obvious option for theme parks, while Costa Rica works particularly well for children interested in wildlife and outdoor activities. For LEGO fans, checking where LEGOLAND parks are located can also help you turn a theme park visit into part of a wider family holiday.
With Teens
Older kids usually want more variety and a little more independence. Tokyo and London tend to work well because there is enough range to keep each day feeling different.
Food, shopping, entertainment, museums, neighborhoods, and major attractions also give families more freedom to build days around different interests rather than expecting everyone to enjoy exactly the same activities.
Making Family Travel Feel Less Complicated
The easiest family trips are usually the ones with fewer moving parts. Choosing accommodation in a convenient location, leaving space between major activities, and avoiding unnecessary hotel changes can make a bigger difference than packing more attractions into the itinerary.
Where you stay matters too. Families who value extra space, kitchen facilities, and more control over their daily routine may prefer a villa, while those who want restaurants, pools, activities, and services close at hand may find a resort easier. Our guide to villa vs resort compares the two options for different types of trips.
It also helps to plan around your children rather than around a sightseeing checklist. One major activity each day, flexible meal times, and an easy backup plan for bad weather or tired kids can make the trip much easier to adjust as you go.
Stay Connected on a Family Trip with Eskimo eSIM
Mobile data is another practical part of traveling with kids, especially when you need directions, attraction tickets, transport apps, restaurant information, booking confirmations, or a quick way to contact other family members.
Eskimo eSIM provides coverage across the family destinations featured in this guide, including the United States, Denmark, Japan, Costa Rica, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. If you are unfamiliar with eSIMs, Eskimo’s guide to using an eSIM for international travel explains how they work before you travel.
For a family holiday that includes multiple countries or an international stopover, Eskimo’s Global Plan lets you use the same eSIM across supported destinations instead of arranging a different physical SIM each time you cross a border.
Eligible Eskimo fixed data plans also have no expiry, which can be useful for families who travel more than once. Data left after one holiday can remain available for another supported destination instead of expiring when the trip ends. You can learn more about Eskimo’s no-expiry data plans.
New users can also get 500MB of Global Data for free to try Eskimo before purchasing additional data for their trip.
FAQ
What age is easiest for a first family trip?
There is no single best age. The easier choice is to match the destination to your child’s routine. Younger children usually do better with slower trips and shorter transfers, while older children often enjoy destinations with more variety.
Is a city break or a beach holiday better with kids?
It depends on the child and the pace you want. Beach holidays are often easier for younger children because the day can stay simple. City breaks work well when the destination is walkable and has parks, museums, and easy public transport.
How many stops should a family trip include?
For many families, one base is easiest. Two stops can work on a longer trip, but moving too often usually adds stress, especially with younger children.
What matters most when choosing a destination?
Ease matters most. A good family trip usually comes down to transfer time, meal flexibility, rest time, and how easy it is to adjust plans when the day changes.
Are theme park destinations always the best choice?
Not always. They are great for some families, especially with school-age kids, but many children do just as well in beach destinations or easy cities where the pace is lighter. The best choice is the one that matches your children’s interests, energy levels, and the pace your family actually enjoys.
