Alternative Summer Holiday Ideas for Families: Where to Go in the School Summer Holidays
Summer holidays are the big one, aren’t they? Six weeks off school, the chance to travel a little further, and enough time to plan something that feels like a proper family adventure rather than a quick dash with too many bags and one forgotten toothbrush.
But not every family wants a scorching beach holiday in 35°C heat. And honestly, with younger children, intense heat can make everything harder, from sightseeing and naps to restaurant meals and “please just walk five more minutes” negotiations. The Met Office notes that young children are among those more at risk during hot weather, which makes cooler summer destinations a really sensible choice for family travel.
So, if you’re looking for somewhere a bit different from the usual Spain-style summer holiday, here are some brilliant family-friendly summer holiday ideas, from mountains and lakes to cooler coastlines, islands, forests and further-away adventures.
Cooler European Summer Holidays with Kids
Perfect if you want fresh air, outdoor adventures and summer scenery without needing to plan your entire day around air conditioning and emergency ice lollies.
Switzerland
Switzerland is one of the best alternative summer holiday ideas for families who love mountains, lakes, trains and big outdoor views. It’s not the cheapest option, but it’s incredibly easy to travel around, and the scenery does half the parenting for you.
Base yourselves somewhere like Interlaken, Lucerne, Zermatt, Grindelwald or Lake Geneva for mountain railways, boat trips, swimming lakes, playgrounds and family-friendly walks.
Best for: mountain scenery, train travel, lakes, active families
Pair with: Jungfrau region, Lucerne, Lake Geneva, Zermatt or Bern
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Slovenia
Slovenia is a brilliant summer destination for families who want lakes, mountains, castles and outdoor adventure without the price tag or crowds of some bigger-name European destinations. It’s small enough to explore without endless driving, but varied enough for a proper week away.
Base yourselves around Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, Ljubljana or the Soča Valley for swimming, kayaking, caves, waterfalls and mountain views.
Best for: lakes, mountains, waterfalls, outdoor families
Pair with: Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, Ljubljana, Postojna Cave or the Soča Valley
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Scottish Highlands, Scotland
If you want a big adventure without leaving the UK, the Scottish Highlands are hard to beat. Think castles, lochs, beaches, mountains, wildlife, ferries and road trip stops that feel far more dramatic than the mileage suggests.
Base yourselves around Fort William, Aviemore, Inverness, Glencoe, Skye or the Cairngorms for a proper outdoorsy family trip.
Best for: road trips, castles, wildlife, mountains, UK adventure
Pair with: Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, Cairngorms, Glencoe or the Caledonian Canal
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Iceland
Iceland is a brilliant summer holiday idea if you want adventure, wild scenery and cooler temperatures. It’s great for families who like waterfalls, volcanoes, geothermal pools, black sand beaches and landscapes that look like the earth has been showing off.
Summer in Iceland is cool rather than hot, with July averages often around 10°C to 15°C, so it’s definitely a layers-and-waterproofs trip rather than a swimsuit-and-sandals holiday.
Best for: waterfalls, volcanoes, geothermal pools, big scenery
Pair with: Reykjavík, Golden Circle, South Coast, Blue Lagoon or West Iceland
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Scandinavia Summer Holidays with Kids
Perfect if you want long days, clean cities, nature, easy public transport and family-friendly culture.
Denmark
Denmark is a lovely summer holiday choice for families, especially if you want a mix of city, coast and easy-going family attractions. Copenhagen is brilliant with kids, and you can pair it with beaches, islands or Legoland Billund.
Best for: city breaks, cycling, design, family attractions
Pair with: Copenhagen, Tivoli Gardens, Legoland Billund, Odense
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Sweden
Sweden is a great summer option for families who want nature, islands, lakes and relaxed city exploring. Stockholm works beautifully with kids thanks to ferries, museums, parks and the archipelago, while further north gives you forests, lakes and wilder adventures.
Best for: islands, lakes, forests, relaxed city breaks
Pair with: Stockholm, Gothenburg, Swedish archipelago, Dalarna or Swedish Lapland
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Norway
Norway is a dream summer destination if you want fjords, mountains, ferries and scenery that makes everyone go quiet in the back seat for once. It’s great for older children who enjoy boat trips, wildlife, walking and road trips.
Best for: fjords, boat trips, mountains, scenic road trips
Pair with: Bergen, Flåm, Geirangerfjord, Lofoten Islands or Oslo
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Finland + Finnish Lapland in Summer
Lapland isn’t just for Father Christmas. In summer, Finnish Lapland is all forests, lakes, midnight sun, wildlife, canoeing, cabins and outdoor adventures. Visit Finland lists average summer temperatures around 15°C to 22°C in Rovaniemi, making it a great option if you want cooler days and plenty of fresh air.
Base yourselves around Rovaniemi, Levi, Inari or Ylläs for a very different kind of family summer holiday.
Best for: forests, lakes, cabins, wildlife, midnight sun
Pair with: Rovaniemi, Levi, Ylläs, Inari or Santa Claus Village in summer
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Lesser-Known European Beach and Island Ideas
These are still summer holiday destinations, but with a more adventurous twist than the usual fly-and-flop resort.
Aeolian Islands, Italy
The Aeolian Islands are a more adventurous Italian island choice for families who want something memorable. Think volcanic islands, boat trips, black sand beaches, seafood and slow island evenings.
The islands include Lipari, Salina, Vulcano, Stromboli, Panarea, Alicudi and Filicudi. For families, Lipari and Salina are usually the easiest bases.
Best for: island hopping, volcanoes, boat trips, older children
Pair with: Lipari, Salina, Vulcano mud baths or Stromboli boat trips
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Istria, Croatia
Istria is a beautiful family-friendly region in northern Croatia, with a mix of beaches, old towns, countryside, food markets and Italian-influenced charm. It’s a good choice if you want coast and culture in one trip without heading to the busiest parts of Croatia.
Base yourselves in Rovinj, Poreč, Pula or a countryside villa near Motovun.
Best for: coast and countryside, food, pretty towns, relaxed exploring
Pair with: Rovinj, Pula amphitheatre, Brijuni National Park, Motovun or Poreč
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Corsica, France
Corsica is a brilliant alternative to the more obvious Mediterranean islands. It has beaches, mountains, forests, pretty towns and some seriously dramatic road-trip scenery. It’s ideal if you want beach days but also want walks, viewpoints and villages.
Base yourselves around Calvi, Porto-Vecchio, Bonifacio or Ajaccio.
Best for: beaches, mountains, nature, French island charm
Pair with: Bonifacio, Calvi, Scandola Nature Reserve or mountain villages
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Lesser-Known Greek Islands
If you love the idea of Greece but want to avoid the busiest islands, look at some of the quieter options. You still get Greek food, beaches, harbour towns and warm evenings, but with a gentler pace.
Consider Naxos, Paros, Milos, Lefkada, Sifnos, Skopelos, Alonissos or Kefalonia. Some are easier than others with children, so check transfer times carefully before booking.
Best for: Greek island charm, beaches, boat trips, relaxed family days
Pair with: Naxos villages, Milos beaches, Skopelos old town, Lefkada beaches or Kefalonia caves
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Montenegro
Montenegro is a great alternative if you want dramatic coastline, old towns, beaches and mountains in one trip. It feels more adventurous than a typical beach holiday, but still gives families plenty of seaside time.
Base yourselves around Kotor Bay, Budva, Herceg Novi, Perast or Ulcinj depending on whether you want scenery, beaches or old-town wandering.
Best for: beaches, old towns, boat trips, mountain views
Pair with: Kotor, Perast, Budva, Lake Skadar or Lovćen National Park
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Mountain Holidays for Summer with Kids
Perfect for families who want adventure, cooler air and active days without the intensity of a hot city break.
Dolomites, Italy
The Dolomites are a fantastic summer holiday idea if you want Italy, but not scorching city heat. Expect cable cars, family hikes, lakes, mountain huts, playgrounds and dramatic views.
Base yourselves around Ortisei, Val Gardena, Cortina d’Ampezzo or Alta Badia.
Best for: mountain walks, cable cars, lakes, active families
Pair with: Lago di Braies, Alpe di Siusi, Cortina or Val Gardena
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Cappadocia, Turkey
Cappadocia is a magical option for families with older children, especially if you want something completely different. The landscapes, cave hotels, viewpoints and hot air balloons make it feel like a proper adventure.
Summer can still get hot, so this is one for early starts, pool breaks and careful planning. It works best if you choose accommodation with shaded outdoor space or a pool.
Best for: unique landscapes, cave hotels, balloon views, older kids
Pair with: Göreme, Uçhisar, Love Valley, underground cities or hot air balloon viewpoints
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French Alps
The French Alps are not just for skiing. In summer, they’re brilliant for family-friendly walking, lakes, cable cars, swimming, cycling and mountain villages.
Look at Annecy, Chamonix, Morzine, Les Gets or Tignes for a cooler summer holiday with lots of outdoor activities.
Best for: lakes, mountain air, walking, cycling, cable cars
Pair with: Lake Annecy, Chamonix, Mont Blanc views, Morzine or Les Gets
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Further-Away Summer Holiday Ideas
Because with the school summer holidays, you finally have enough time to go a little further and make the journey worth it. These destinations are good options if you want adventure, nature and cooler summer travel, while avoiding the USA and avoiding classic monsoon-season problems.
Vancouver Island, Canada
Vancouver Island is a brilliant further-away summer holiday idea for families who want wildlife, beaches, forests, easy road trips and cooler summer temperatures. It’s great for whale watching, gentle hikes, beaches, kayaking and slow coastal exploring.
Summer temperatures around parts of Vancouver Island are often described as pleasantly warm, with average highs around the low-to-mid 20s°C in July.
Base yourselves around Victoria, Tofino, Ucluelet, Nanaimo or Parksville.
Best for: wildlife, beaches, forests, whale watching, road trips
Pair with: Victoria, Tofino, Ucluelet, Pacific Rim National Park or Parksville beaches
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The Azores, Portugal
The Azores are a brilliant choice if you want to go further than mainland Europe without heading long haul in the traditional sense. They’re lush, volcanic, adventurous and much cooler than mainland Portugal in summer. The Azores sit around 24°C in summer on average, with July highs often around 24°C and nights around 18°C, making them a good choice for families who want warmth without fierce heat.
Expect volcanic lakes, whale watching, hot springs, black sand beaches, viewpoints and outdoor adventures.
Best for: volcanic landscapes, whale watching, nature, adventurous families
Pair with: São Miguel, Pico, Faial, Terceira or whale watching trips
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Madeira, Portugal
Madeira can work as both a May half term and summer holiday option, especially if you want nature, sea views and active days rather than a typical beach resort. It’s a good choice for families who like cable cars, viewpoints, lidos, gardens and easy outdoor exploring.
Best for: nature, lidos, sea views, outdoor exploring
Pair with: Funchal, Porto Moniz, Monte Palace Gardens, Cabo Girão or Calheta
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Atlantic Canada
For a quieter Canada trip, look at Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland. These are great for families who want coast, wildlife, road trips, small towns, beaches, lighthouses and cooler summer weather.
Best for: coastal road trips, wildlife, beaches, quieter Canada
Pair with: Halifax, Cape Breton, PEI beaches, Gros Morne National Park or whale watching
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Best Summer Holiday Ideas by Family Style
If you want mountains and lakes
Choose Switzerland, Slovenia, Austria, the Dolomites, the French Alps, Norway or the Canadian Rockies.
If you want cooler island adventures
Choose Iceland, the Azores, Madeira, Vancouver Island, Corsica or the Scottish islands.
If you want beach but not the obvious Spain holiday
Choose Istria, Corsica, Montenegro, lesser-known Greek islands, the Aeolian Islands or Sardinia’s quieter areas.
If you want outdoorsy but not too hot
Choose Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Scotland, Slovenia or Vancouver Island.
If you want something that feels really different
Choose Cappadocia, the Azores, Aeolian Islands, Iceland, Lapland in summer or Vancouver Island.
