Here we are, in the final days of school term, and the 2024 summer holidays looming fast. 6 weeks to fill, with most working parents relying on clubs and local activities to take the pressure off entertaining their kids and avoiding the inevitable “I’m bored”.
If you planned a staycation and are regretting it after a very wet July, do not fear. There may be alternatives out there calling your name, which at least warrant some idle scrolling.
Holidays anywhere aren’t cheap, but that includes the UK too. In fact, even staying local racks up costs quickly, with only accommodation saved as you pay entry, buy food and drink, entertainment, etc. Some all inclusive package holiday deals can work out cheaper if you stay by the pool and make the most of the offerings.
Obviously going abroad requires overseas travel on a plane or boat, so lets not pretend it doesn’t carry a hefty price. And if you stick to the school holiday times, parents can pay up to 16 times more for a summertime getaway and this isn’t always feasible with the current cost of living.
However, with the right research, you could find some amazing last-minute deals to gorgeous destinations in Europe (or beyond), all on a budget friendly shoe-string price. Plus, if your flight gets delayed, you could even get enough compensation to cover the holiday.
So if you are desperate to escape the rain and haven’t yet booked a family excursion abroad, don’t worry! We’ve put together a list of exciting locations that are perfect for travellers with children of all ages to help you narrow down the search.
Top tips for getting a bargain last minute holiday
Firstly, search in incognito mode to limit price changes before you book last minute. Flexibility can help you snag the best deals. Look for multiple destinations and be flexible with your travel dates where midweek can be cheaper.
Look at flying from less popular airports, and look for package deal companies who have their own planes like Tui and Easy Jet Holidays who will be keen to fill them.
Self-catering holidays are undoubtedly cheaper, but unlikely to have a pool which is fine if a nice beach nearby. Look at all options are available and have a rough idea of what daily spend you will need for comparison. All-inclusive packages can sometimes be more cost-effective.
The flight times given are from Birmingham and rough guides only. The average holiday is based on self catering in August for a family of 4, but prices can vary based on booking time and specific requirements. I haven’t extensively researched as I’m off to Ireland instead, and it started to give me FOMO.
Cyprus
- Flight Time: Approximately 3.5 to 4 hours (e.g., Crete, Rhodes).
- Cost: Around £2,800 to £3,500, depending on the island and accommodation quality.
- Top Spots: Fig Tree Bay, Nissi Beach, and Coral Bay.
- Weather: Daytime 30°C to 35°C, night time 21°C to 24°C
For beach bums with young children, Cyprus is an excellent choice for a beach holiday fused with good food and culture for sightseeing. You will find plenty of family-friendly resorts that offer kids’ clubs and organised activities that entertain little ones while parents enjoy some well-deserved relaxation.
There are so many great places to visit on this Mediterranean Sea with experiences that cater to all tastes – history, cultural attractions and outdoor experiences. The Troodos Mountains offer scenic hiking trails, the party-centric town of Ayia Napa has boisterous nightlife and the Tombs of the King ruins and Archaeological Park in Paphos will transport you back into ancient civilisations.
Now, I have a soft spot for Cyprus as I worked out there for 6 months back in 2003. Back then Protaras was a lovely balance of chilled vibes and close enough to Agia Napa. But I do hear it’s a lot more lively now and a lot more built up. Fig Tree Bay however is great for kids and beautiful, and still one of the best for families, and Nissi beach is one of my favourites.
As I have kids, I tend to go to the Paphos side now which is more relaxed and it’s nice strolling down the harbour and castle. Coral Bay is a great place to stay, and my top secret tip I may regret letting slip; Laourou Beach is amazing and a lot quieter.
It’s easy to hire a car as they drive on the same side of the road, and English is widely spoken with the Cypriot hospitality very welcoming to holidaymakers. My only word of warning was it was very hot in August, but of course that is much more bearable when sitting by a pool or the sea. I tend to visit in April/May or September/October now, but I would recommend you check the forecast as a heatwave might be more like 38 degrees.
July/August weather
Cyprus experiences very hot weather in peak summer, with daytime temperatures often reaching 30°C to 35°C (86°F to 95°F), and night time temperatures dropping to around 21°C to 24°C (70°F to 75°F).
It’s a lot cooler in the mountains though, I once drove up in shorts and t-shirt and it dropped 30 degrees to around 3 degrees at the top view point in the clouds.
Turkey
- Flight Time: Approximately 4 hours (e.g., Antalya, Bodrum).
- Cost: Around £2,700 to £3,400.
- Top Spots: Cappadocia, Bodrum, and Ephesus.
- Weather: Daytime 30°C to 35°C, night-time 20°C to 24°C.
Travellers looking for cheap and easy summer holidays will have a blast in Turkey. Locations like Istanbul and the picturesque Bodrum are easy to get to and packed full of beach-front, all-inclusive hotels. The land is rich with old Ottoman archaeological sites of the likes of the Patara Ruins and the ancient city of Ephesus.
Must-do excursions include a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia’s unique rock formations and shopping in the vibrant bazaars of Ankara. You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to pristine beaches to lounge on.
Türkiye is well known for it’s great value and bargain prices for luxury hotels and there are plenty to choose from. Antalya and Marmaris are popular. Again, peak summer can be hot.
July/August weather
In Turkey, both months are hot with average daytime temperatures ranging from 30°C to 35°C (86°F to 95°F) in coastal areas like Antalya and Bodrum which have a sea breeze. Night-time temperatures are generally between 20°C to 24°C (68°F to 75°F)
Malaga, Spain
- Flight Time: Approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
- Cost: Around £2,500 to £3,200.
- Top Spots: Playa la Malagueta and Alhambra Palace in Granada.
- Weather: Daytime 28°C to 31°C, night-time 18°C to 21°C.
Perfect for foodies, cultural immersion and sun worshippers, Costa Del Sol’s Malaga is a popular holiday destination for families. You can build sandcastles on the Playa la Malagueta, discover the impressive history of the Alhambra palace in Granada and sample the delicious local tapas.
Arranging flights and airport transfers to your Malaga resort is completely hassle-free, giving you one less thing to worry about. Accommodation provides plenty of child-friendly activities, including interactive museum exhibits and boat tours so you and your little ones can spot dolphins.
Malaga is in Andalusia, on the southern tip of Spain on the Alboran Sea, which is part of the Mediterranean. It’s cooler than rest on this list, and although you will still need to lather on the sun cream, it’s a bit more relaxing in the sunshine.
July/August weather
The average daytime temperatures in Malaga during July and August is around 28°C to 31°C (82°F to 88°F), with night-time temperatures dropping to 18°C to 21°C (64°F to 70°F). The region enjoys about 11 hours of sunshine per day, the sea temperature is around 23°C (73°F), and rainfall is minimal.
Greece
- Flight Time: Approximately 3.5 to 4 hours (e.g., Crete, Rhodes).
- Cost: Around £2,800 to £3,500, depending on the island and accommodation quality.
- Top Spots: Rhodes, Crete, and the Acropolis in Athens.
- Weather: Daytime 28°C to 34°C, night-time 22°C to 26°C.
Whether you go to mainland Greece or the idyllic islands of Rhodes, Crete, Kos et all, you can bask in the sun at one of the world’s best and safest family-friendly locations. Together, you can swim in the turquoise waters of the Aegean, explore the historical wonders of the Acropolis and unwind on the beach.
The atmosphere of the Greek islands is laid-back and relaxed, while busy cities like Athens and Thessaloniki offer a peek into the bustling local life.
This is not to say every Greek Island is equal. Firstly there is 227 inhabited islands, and naturally only those with airports are busy with visitors. They don’t all have sandy beaches. Some are stony, including the famous shipwreck on Navigio beach look better from a distance as it’s white pebbles. Of course it’s the clear sea that make things so appealing.
Faliraki in Rhodes for example is like your typical tourist mecca, complete with topless lads driving quad bikes up the strip. Although to be fair, the locals are working hard at changing that atmosphere to be more family friendly. The island has plenty of more relaxed places though.
I fell in love with Kefalonia and Skiathos in my early 20’s, and have been back yearly ever since. Since the kids were born it’s the all-inclusive family experience, but back then it was the more authentic self catering apartments. That was when it was easy to get ridiculously cheap last minute holidays looking at Teletext and allocation on arrival to fill any spaces.
And if you like authentic Greek food, there is nowhere better than a traditional family Taverna cooking on a charcoal grill. Although Panny’s Mezemas does a great job of bringing this to our homes.
July/August weather
To me Greece is vast and even in the UK you can’t compare the south coast with Scotland and bracket them the same. While it’s not so drastic, the southern Islands like Rhodes and Crete are closer to the equator and hotter. The weather there in my opinion is more like Cyprus, whereas in places like Kefalonia it doesn’t feel as hot. But I’d urge you to check local forecasts which are better accuracy than my memories.
On average though, the weather in Greece during July and August is typically hot and dry, with daytime temperatures ranging from 28°C to 34°C (82°F to 93°F). Night-time temperatures generally drop to around 22°C to 26°C (72°F to 79°F). But in my mind there is a bigger difference in comfort levels for the mid to late 30’s compared to late 20’s where it’s pleasant. Either way, don’t forget the SPF.
That’s it, happy searching. There are other places of course, Portugal, France, the Canary Islands (although Tenerife doesn’t seem that welcoming currently), Croatia and Bulgaria are all options for last minute family holidays with beautiful beaches.
If you do get away, have a lovely time. Make some core memories, and take loads of pictures. Just don’t tag me.
