Want a quick and hassle-free holiday with the kids? We’re here to help! Not only can we suggest destinations that work for toddlers, older children and teenagers, but we’ve also selected the very best last-minute holiday deals from thousands of offers. It really couldn’t be simpler… or cheaper! Find out more about family holidays in Sunny Beach, Golden Sands, Paphos, Larnaca and Rimini.
Bulgaria: Sunny Beach
Sunny Beach is not only home to a vibrant nightlife, but also to a wide and sandy eight kilometre-long beach, which is characterised by a gentle slope into the water and extensive facilities. You’ll easily find toilets, ice cream shops and playgrounds here. The nearby Camel Park and Mini Zoo are also great options for a day out. Take a break from the heat with a trip to Nessebar, whose picturesque old town with narrow streets, historic churches and magnificent sea views is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sunny Beach Lunapark is an attraction that children of all ages will love. This amusement park offers a variety of merry-go-rounds, as well as a thrilling rollercoaster ride and a scream-inducing visit to the haunted house. In sunny weather, there is no better destination for families with children than Action Aquapark. This water amusement park has attractions for toddlers and youngsters alike, the biggest of which are the 80-metre Kamikaze slide and the 70-metre Free Fall with its thrillingly steep angle. A dedicated Kids’ Zone of around 1,000 square metres is ideal for young children! Planning a holiday with teens? Experience thrilling speed on the Go-Karts track or try water sports such as windsurfing and parasailing.
Bulgaria: Golden Sands
In recent years, Golden Sands’ popularity has returned to its previous levels from a few decades ago. No wonder – this resort destination is home to beautiful beaches with a gentle slope to clear, warm waters, surrounded by relaxing green hills. Visitors can enjoy mineral springs in the nearby villages of Sveti Konstantin, Sveta Elena and Albena, as well as the rock monastery of Aladzha that dates back to the 13th century with beautiful frescoes and views of the sea. How to spend time here with children? Head to the beach, which stretches for almost four kilometres and is up to 100 metres wide in places. For a small fee, you can hire a sun lounger and umbrella for the whole day, providing your child with shade and yourself with a comfortable place to watch their play.
Have little animal lovers in your party ? Head to Varna to the local Dolphinarium and Mini Zoo, as well as the Maritime Museum. As the largest of its kind in Bulgaria, you can see more than a hundred models of sea ships and plenty more besides. In Golden Sands itself, be sure to take advantage of the attractions of Aquapolis – a modern water complex with pools and slides. Thanks to its hillside location, it not only provides an adrenaline rush but also has great views of the sea. Teenagers will appreciate the great water sports on offer in the local bay. You can rent kayaks and SUP boards on site, as well as diving, sailing or parasailing trips. There are also several venues in the Golden Sands area offering paintball games.
Cyprus: Paphos
Is the city of Aphrodite a good destination for a family holiday? The best! In addition to the ancient Tombs of the Kings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the House of Dionysus, with its intricate mosaics from the Roman period, Paphos offers many attractions for children. Parents will especially appreciate local beaches such as Coral Bay, Pachyammos and Yeroskipou, all with golden sands, shallow, crystal clear water and numerous facilities such as bars, toilets and changing rooms. The wilder Lara Beach guarantees an unforgettable experience – from May to August you can admire sea turtles laying their eggs here!
Seek refreshment at the Paphos Municipal Park with its playgrounds, sports fields and pond, as well as Paphos Zoo, which houses a large variety of animals, bird shows and places to play. Make special memories with a pirate ship cruise from Paphos Sea Cruises or the Jolly Roger. You’ll experience beautiful views of the azure sea along with fund activities and delicious meals. Cyprus’ reliably sunny weather with high temperatures make for ideal conditions for a visit to Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark. One of the most popular waterparks in Cyprus, it offers, among other things, the extreme twisting Cobra slide, the adrenaline-boosting Black Hole slide and quieter attractions for little ones, such as the children’s zone and rafting in the calm currents of the Lazy River.
Cyprus: Larnaca
Larnaca is the ideal destination for those who want to combine family seaside relaxation with an exploration of Cypriot history and culture. Locations that attract tourists from all over the world to Larnaca include the 9th century Church of St Lazarus, known for its stunning Byzantine architecture and relics and the Hala Sultan Tekke mosque, which is an excellent representation of classical Islamic architecture. Take the children to the salt lake, which offers spectacular views in summer and the opportunity to admire flamingos in winter. At the local 15th-century fortress, they will be delighted by harbour views and, after sightseeing, it’s time to relax on the beach. Gentle dunes, clean sand and ample restaurants can be found on the popular beaches of Finikoudes and Kastella Beach. Meanwhile, the beaches of McKenzie and Pervolia, which are a little more remote from the centre, offer peace and quiet.
After a few hours in the sun, it’s time to get in the shade. Cool off in Larnaca at Patticheio Park, with its playgrounds and picnic areas, or at the smaller but less crowded Larnaca Municipal Park with its playgrounds and small zoo. A stroll around the marina, where luxury yachts are moored, is fun for everyone from toddlers to teens. Speaking of teens, Larnaca offers great conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing, among others, with especially strong winds on the beaches east of the centre. Younger children are sure to enjoy calmer snorkelling conditions off the island’s coast.
Italy: Rimini
This lively resort is one of Italy’s favourite holiday destinations. Located on the Adriatic Sea, it is predominantly known as a family destination. Why? Because this town offers everything adults and children could need for a carefree holiday. Beautiful, wide sandy beaches stretch up to fifteen kilometres. Meanwhile, lovers of historical monuments will appreciate great ancient treasures from the Roman period, namely the Bridge of Tiberius and the Arch of Augustus. Feeling peckish? Gourmets of all ages will love Piazza Cavour, the city’s main square, packed full of restaurants and cafés. For a quick day trip, children will be delighted with a visit to the Oltremare theme park in nearby Riccione. It offers dolphin shows, birds of prey, parrots and a tour of the rainforest as part of the Darwin Experience. You can also watch marine fish in large aquariums there, among other things.
There is no shortage of other places in Rimini worth visiting with children of all ages. The best for outdoor fun on a hot day is the Federico Fellini Centre park, with its playground and magnificent fountain in the centre. There is also a miniature park on the water known as Italia in Miniatura, which has models of the most popular Italian monuments, and Fiabilandia, an amusement park with attractions especially for younger children. Do you like water parks? Aquafan in Riccione is considered one of the very best in Italy.
