Here is a selection of the best destinations for families in the autumn holidays to inspire you: with or without childcare, on the beach or in the mountains, near or far.
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Cyprus
You’ll be hard pressed to find a destination that’s still as warm as Cyprus in the autumn holidays. And at around 3.5 hours from Central Europe, it’s a flight time that will go down well with families, too. Thanks to the eastern Mediterranean location, sunshine’s almost guaranteed. On average, you can expect temperatures up to 28 degrees, plus a water temperature of around 25 degrees, on the south coast of Cyprus in October. And there’s plenty of variety here, as well. Cyprus is home to thick forests, towering mountains and picturesque bays. So, you can opt for a beach holiday in Cyprus, where your kids can wear themselves out racing down waterslides all day. Or, you can spend your time exploring the likes of the Aphrodite cliffs, ancient ruins and cute little villages. Not forgetting the food. The island’s cuisine combines Greek, Mediterranean and Levantine flavours, often served up meze style – ideal for trying new dishes and keeping fussy eaters happy.
My tips for all-inclusive family hotels for the autumn holidays in Cyprus
Turkey
Turkey often features on roundups of the most-popular travel destinations, and for good reason. You can expect good weather, not too long a flight time, excellent food, friendly locals and great value for money for families. So, is it a good destination for families in the autumn holidays? Yes! It’s even better than in summer, in fact, when it can get extremely hot. In October, the south coast is pleasantly warm, with an average maximum temperature of 26 degrees during the day, plus the sea’s still bath-warm at 24 degrees. These temperatures are perfect for lying on the beach or for setting out on exciting excursions along the Turkish Aegean Coast and the Turkish Riviera.
Tip: The TUI BLUE Sarigerme Park has a family-friendly short transfer time of only 20 minutes between the airport and the hotel.
The best all-inclusive family hotels in Turkey with kids’ club:
Canaries
The Canary Islands are an all-time favourite for holidays during the cooler, shoulder months and are therefore a great destination for family holidays during the autumn holidays. With an average temperature of 22 degrees, the Atlantic Ocean is still good for swimming in October. The kids will jump for joy when they see photos of Aqualand Maspalomas, a waterpark in Gran Canaria. Sliding down sand dunes on a body board, and visiting volcanic sights at the fascinating Timanfaya National Park on Lanzarote, are some of the other things you can be getting up to here. Check out our great tips for excursions in the Canary Islands.
Convinced? Here are my tips for family hotels in the Canary Islands for the autumn holidays:
Tip for self-catering stays: TUI BLUE Las Pitas on Gran Canaria. With well-equipped kitchens in the apartments, a whirlpool in the spa, childcare and a playground, it’s got everything a family could want on holiday. Not in the mood for cooking and washing up? You can also book this hotel as Half Board or All Inclusive, or eat at one of the family-friendly hotel restaurants. It’s only 20 minutes transfer to the airport, too.
TUI BLUE family hotels with childcare in the Canary Islands
Balearic Islands
Everyone knows and loves Mallorca. The Mediterranean island can be reached quickly by plane and many flight connections also mean more pleasant departure times. Many bays with gently sloping sandy beaches are ideal for children to swim and the infrastructure is simply perfect for families. The smaller Menorca does not need to hide and perhaps even has the more beautiful bays? And did you know that families can spend a terrific holiday in Ibiza? With an air temperature of 23 degrees and a water temperature of 22 degrees, the weather in Mallorca in October is just right for experiencing something without dying of heat.
My tips for all-inclusive family hotels for the autumn holidays on the Balearic Islands:
Crete
Actually, all Greek islands are suitable for families during the autumn holidays, but Crete is the warmest! The largest and southernmost Greek island convinces with average daytime temperatures of 24 degrees and water temperatures up to 23 degrees. There is a lot to see: Archaeological sites, beautiful beaches like the famous pink beach, gorges for hiking and simply lots of sun and relaxation for the whole family. Learn more about Crete in the article “Top 10 sights in Crete“.
I recommend these all-inclusive family hotels for your autumn holidays
Austria
If you’re a family that doesn’t want to fly, and prefers hiking to lying on the beach, then Austrian holiday resorts are ideal for you. What’s more, they’ve got adventure trails, climbing parks, toboggan runs, go-kart tracks and lots of other action, so there’s no chance of getting bored. The weather unfortunately doesn’t always play ball in autumn, but there are many indoor activities for children that you can do whatever the weather. No matter the forecast, the views of the autumn leaves in the colourful mountain forests have to be seen to be believed. The Pillerseetal valley, in Tyrol, is well-suited to families, with well-developed hiking trails, covering all difficultly levels – some are even accessible with a pram. You’ve also got an amusement park, a mountainside adventure park, a climbing park and much more.
Hotel tip for families with older children: Look no further than the TUI BLUE Fieberbrunn for an active family holiday during the autumn holidays. The Half Board with hearty, local cuisine is guaranteed to please children. There’s an indoor pool and spa area. And, the hotel is located directly next to the gondola lift. When you stay here, you can get the Pillerseetal-Card at a reduced price, which gives you free entry to the cable cars and leisure facilities.