The best kind of holiday for families who need sunshine and a reset

collaborative guest post

Family life can be wonderfully full, but sometimes it becomes a little too full. And with everything going on daily, everyone can reach a point where they need to step away from the usual routine. A family holiday will not magically remove every worry, of course, but the right one can create space to slow down and enjoy being together.

Choose the destination that matches your family’s pace

A reset begins long before anyone reaches the pool. It starts with choosing somewhere that will make daily life feel easier, rather than simply picking the place with the prettiest photographs. Lanzarote is a lovely example for families who want simple beach days alongside gentle adventures and distinctive volcanic scenery. Families who want a busier choice of attractions might also consider Tenerife, while Majorca can work well for those imagining classic Mediterranean days. The Algarve or Costa del Sol may suit families hoping to combine resort comfort with trips beyond the pool.

None is automatically the “best” choice. The right question is: where will your family find it easiest to settle? Our guide to planning a family holiday to Spain is useful if you want to know where to start, particularly its reminder to research the location, transport, accommodation and amenities before deciding!

Give everyone space to reset differently

A relaxing family holiday does not mean spending every moment together. One child may want to swim all afternoon, another may be eager to explore, and the adults might simply want twenty quiet minutes with a coffee. The best destinations give families enough choice without making every day feel like an organised timetable. In Lanzarote, that could mean alternating the pool with a beach morning or a look at the island’s volcanic landscape. Costa Teguise is the sporty, family-friendly option, Puerto del Carmen is the livelier base and Playa Blanca is the more peaceful choice, so even one island can offer several different holiday rhythms.

The same thinking applies elsewhere. Tenerife might appeal when the family wants plenty of possibilities, while Majorca, the Algarve and Costa del Sol can all be shortlisted according to whether your priority is beach time, easy meals, activities or room to explore. A family reset works best when nobody has to enjoy the holiday in exactly the same way and the planning has involved everyone.

Plan one memorable thing, then leave breathing room

It is tempting to fill a sunshine holiday with day trips because we want to make the most of being away. Yet children rarely remember a holiday according to its carefully planned itinerary. They remember the afternoon when they were allowed to stay in the pool until their fingers wrinkled. Choose one or two meaningful experiences and let the rest of the week develop naturally.

In Lanzarote, a volcanic excursion could sit between quiet beach days. In Tenerife, it might be one family adventure followed by a deliberately slow morning. Majorca could offer a gentle wander away from the resort, while the Algarve or Costa del Sol might inspire an unhurried coastal day. We are massive fans of experience-based family travel, which can help families reconnect and create memories together.

The important word is shared, not scheduled. One experience enjoyed by everyone is worth far more than five activities completed while tired!

Make practical choices that support everyone’s wellbeing

Much of the stress attached to family travel comes from small, repeated decisions. Where will everyone eat? How far is the beach? Is there a suitable pool? Will the room arrangement work? Before booking, write down the three things that would make the break noticeably easier. For one family, that may be all-inclusive meals and entertainment. For another, it may be an apartment with a kitchenette, a short transfer or accommodation within walking distance of restaurants. If you are tempted by a Lanzarote holiday, the range of family hotels, self-catering stays and resort areas makes it possible to match the practical details to the people travelling. Apply the same test when looking at Tenerife, Majorca, the Algarve or Costa del Sol: do not focus only on what the destination offers; think about how your family will move through an ordinary day there. 

The most restorative choice is often the one that removes several little stresses at once.