Spain completely dominates the rankings as the go-to destination for UK family holidays in the 2026 study from easyJet & easyJet holidays, claiming a whopping six of the top 10 spots.

Top Destinations for holidays with the family

1. Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Palma de Mallorca takes the top spot in the index thanks to its fantastic mix of beaches, waterparks, and easy travel logistics from the UK.

  • It combines golden sweeping sandy beaches with an abundance of family activities located within easy reach of the airport.

  • Families can enjoy sprawling aquariums, boat trips along the dramatic coastline, and towering waterparks.

  • It offers a near-perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.

2. Algarve (Faro), Portugal

Just behind in second place is Portugal's Algarve, renowned for its warm hospitality and calm Atlantic beaches.

  • The coastline features honey-coloured cliffs and seaside towns.

  • It is a perennial favourite for British families thanks to sprawling waterparks, cliff-top walks, and dolphin-watching excursions.

3. Costa del Sol (Málaga), Spain

Taking third place is the Costa del Sol, stretching along the Andalusian coast.

  • It boasts wide sandy beaches and popular family-friendly resorts like Benalmádena and Fuengirola.

  • The area offers beachfront promenades perfect for evening strolls and ice cream stops, alongside aquariums and wildlife parks.

Other Mediterranean Family Holiday Highlights

Further down the rankings, Mediterranean island escapes feature strongly for their relaxed resort life.

  • Sardinia, Italy (6th): Charms visitors with crystal-clear waters and calm, shallow beaches ideal for younger swimmers.

  • Crete, Greece (7th): Earns its spot with a sprawling coastline, welcoming resorts, and a wealth of attractions including boat trips and waterparks.

  • Mainland Spain & Ibiza: Destinations like Costa Blanca, the Barcelona Coast, and Ibiza round out the top ten, further cementing Spain's dominance.

The Top 10 Best Family Destinations Ranked

Here is the complete top 10 list from the easyJet and easyJet Holidays Family Holiday Index, including overall scores out of 100 and starting prices:

Rank

Destination

Country

Index Score

Flight Prices

Holiday Prices*

1

Palma de Mallorca

Spain

87

£28.99

£315

2

Algarve (Faro)

Portugal

85

£22.99

£329

3

Costa del Sol (Málaga)

Spain

84

£31.99

£339

4

Costa Blanca (Alicante)

Spain

82

£29.49

£315

5

Lanzarote

Spain

81

£36.99

£379

6

Sardinia

Italy

79

£38.99

£535

7

Crete

Greece

78

£55.99

£309

8

Ibiza

Spain

77

£16.99

£339

9

Barcelona Coast

Spain

76

£16.99

£399

10

Dubrovnik Coast

Croatia

72

£42.49

£365

*Flight prices based on two adults sharing for five nights

Source: The easyJet & easyJet holidays Best Family Holidays Index

"Family holidays are all about simplicity: easy flights and packages, easy transfers, destinations and resorts where there’s plenty to keep children entertained. Our Family Holiday Index highlights some of the destinations across Europe where beaches, pools, waterparks and great value come together to create the perfect family break."

Kevin Doyle, easyJet’s UK Country Manager

Methodology:

The easyJet Family Holiday Index ranks European holiday destinations accessible via easyJet flights based on factors most relevant to families travelling with children. Each destination was scored across five weighted criteria: water and beach access (30%), measuring beach quality, pool availability and proximity to waterparks; family activity density (25%), including attractions such as waterparks, mini golf, zoos, aquariums and boat trips; family logistics (20%), assessing airport transfer times, walkability and ease of getting around with children; family cost (15%), based on the typical price of an ice cream and a family meal for four in tourist areas; and airport ease (10%), considering airport size, facilities and overall passenger experience. Scores were normalised on a 0–10 scale for each category and combined to produce a final index score out of 100.