Top 10 winter sun getaways with kids

Faced with dark nights and cold temperatures during the winter months, it’s only natural if your mind drifts off to warmer places. Let us help fuel the daydreams by showing you our favourite winter sun getaways with kids.

For those families living in Northern Europe, the months of October through to March can be characterised by short days, dark nights, rainy skies and precious little sunshine. It’s at this time of year that thoughts inevitably turn towards July and August, school holidays, warm weather and summer adventures.

But the fun doesn’t have to wait until then, there are plenty of places around the globe where the weather is kinder, with sunshine, outdoors adventures and glorious temperatures awaiting you. We’ve found ten perfect winter sun getaways for you and the kids, so keep reading for some winter inspiration.

1. Penang, Malaysia

READ: Top 10 things to do in Penang with kids

Not your typical winter sun destination, a visit to Penang is centred around heritage and cultural experiences rather than lying on the beach, although there’s still plenty here to keep the kids occupied and engaged.

There are so many amazing things to do in Penang but the main drawcard is the Unesco World Heritage Site of George Town, where days are spent visiting religious sites and heritage buildings, viewing the eclectic street art and, of course, sampling the world-famous cuisine. Kids always love a ride in one of the trishaws and they’re sure to find their new favourite Southeast Asian meal at one of the hundreds of food cart or restaurants dotted around town.

There’s more to Penang than just George Town, notably the rainforest covered delights of Penang Hill and Penang National Park, plus the beachside suburb of Batu Ferringhi where you’ll find the fancy resorts, swimming pools and seafront beach bars.

Save some time and energy for ESCAPE, a paradise for adventurous kids with a waterpark and theme park that contain several Guinness World Records, including the world’s longest zip coaster and the world’s largest tipping water bucket!

2. Koh Lanta, Thailand

READ: Koh Lanta with kids

The quintessential island paradise, Koh Lanta manages to combine the best elements of island life with enough modern conveniences and entertainment to keep the kids happy.

It’s worth spending a little bit more on your accommodation, ideally with a swimming pool, AC and free breakfast included. Kids will appreciate the easy access to the pool and it’ll give parents time to focus on reading, relaxing and cocktails.

Away from the hotels, Koh Lanta offers excellent diving tours (with special child-focused packages to get them used to the water), Muay Thai lessons, mangrove kayaking, island tours and a family-friendly walking street for a wide range of Thai dishes in the evening.

3. Lanzarote, Spain

READ: Lanzarote with kids: both on and off the beaten track

Much closer to home for many of you, Lanzarote has long been a winter sun package holiday destination, with many tourists heading to the island each year. But there’s much more to it than tour groups and English breakfasts, and if you choose to stay away from the busiest areas, you’ll discover a tranquil island full of family-friendly activities.

Although of course if sun and sand is what you’re looking for, there’s plenty of choice in Lanzarote.

If you’re in the mood for a more adventurous holiday, Lanzarote has you covered, especially if you choose to hire a car and get off the beaten track. Playa de la Canteria is perfect for body-boarding and riding the waves, while managing to avoid most of the crowds. Similarly, the beaches south of Orzola never get too busy, giving you and the kids a bit more freedom.

Elsewhere on the island there are several pretty, authentic towns including Arrieta, Orzola, Haria and Teguise. Some of these have market days where you can give the kids a few euros and let them wander off and find their own bargains.

4. Sabah, Malaysia

READ: Borneo with kids travel guide

Borneo is the ultimate adventurous family holiday destination, bringing to life all the best chapters of your guidebook including rainforests, golden beaches, river cruises and world-class nature encounters.

Choosing where to go in Borneo is the biggest challenge but the best option at this time of year is the eastern state of Sabah, home to all the best experiences and the most organised tourism infrastructure. The star attractions are the orangutans at Sepilok where kids will be captivated by their near cousins.

With the nearby town of Sandakan as your base (itself well worth a couple of days of your time), you can get your city fix (perhaps adding on some time in Kota Kinabalu later on), before heading back into nature and exploring the captivating countryside alongside the Kinabatangan River.

If you do have more time to fill your Borneo itinerary, you mustn’t overlook Kuching on the Sarawah side of Malaysian Borneo.

5. Essaouira, Morocco

READ: Essaouira with kids

Morocco is the closest exotic location for many Europeans, only a two or three hour flight from London or Paris. There are so many things to do in Essaouira and it’s an amazing place for young (and old) travellers to explore, with a traffic-free medina, working fishing port and golden sandy beach waiting for you.

If this is your first time to Morocco, you’ll find that Essaouira is a much easier acclimatisation point than Marrakesh, which can border on being overly-chaotic and too challenging for some younger kids. Essaouira is the easy version of Morocco.

When travelling here with kids, the beach will be your go-to retreat. Although the temperature is never very high in the winter (and can get decidedly chilly in the evenings), the (in)famous strong winds are now at their lightest, so time on the beach is peaceful and relaxed. Invest in some wetsuits and coax your kids into the water for surfing, body-boarding or swimming.

For any Game of Thrones fans in your group, many locations around Essaouira will be familiar, especially the ramparts, which features prominently in several episodes.

6. Goa, India

READ: Goa with kids

Hippy vibes and happy times, Goa has been the idyllic winter getaway for generations of travellers. In these few months of the year, away from the monsoons, Goa is the picture-perfect postcard version of winter sun, with mile upon mile of sandy beaches, backed with temporary beach huts, restaurants and, in some places, five-star resorts.

Whatever type of family holiday you’re looking for, it’s waiting for you in Goa.

Agonda is a popular beach for families, with a good selection of hotels, restaurants and activities. If you need some time away from the beach or want to add history to your worldschooling curriculum, Old Goa is easy to reach from the beaches, where you’ll discover a completely different side to the region thanks to its colonial architecture and museums.

7. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

READ: Abu Dhabi with kids

The city that shines and where everything seems possible, Abu Dhabi is quieter than its neighbour Dubai, more authentic and slightly more affordable. With excellent air connections to the rest of the world (and only a six hour flight time from Europe), it’s an increasingly popular place to visit for some upmarket winter sun.

If you have kids aged 8+, they’ll love the world-class theme parks including Ferrari World and Warner Bros World (keep an eye out for deals online as tickets can be expensive). Alternatively, book onto a desert safari to experience dune-bashing, camel rides and sandboarding.

Do try to push your hotel budget as far as it’ll go in Abu Dhabi, accommodation here can be incredible, often including beach clubs, multiple swimming pools and sumptuous buffets. Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi is a particularly good choice if you can afford the treat.

8. Andalucia, Spain

READ: Andalucía with kids

Offering so much more than just a package holiday destination, Andalucia is home to three of Spain’s most interesting and family-friendly cities (Granada, Malaga and Seville), where you can easily find a combination of sunshine, hiking and history.

Malaga is the more traditional holiday resort so you’ll find hotels and restaurants to suit everyone here, plus its cathedral and Alcazaba (a palatial fort with hundreds of nooks and crannies to hide in).

Older kids especially will enjoy a visit to the Picasso Museum and Alhambra in Granada (book well in advance for the latter, even out of peak season). Seville is a beautiful city to wander around in thw winter and, for football fans, a stadium tour of Seville FC is well worth a few hours of your day.

9. Western Australia

READ: Western Australia with kids

Potentially a long way from home, but well worth the effort, Western Australia is entering its peak season when the Northern Hemisphere is busy fighting the cold.

Base yourself in Perth for a few days and hop over the Rottnest Island where bikes can be hired for all ages and the traffic-free roads are ideal for easy peddling. Then move south to Margaret River for wineries (parents) and kids activities including a giant hedge maze and bush hiking.

Surfing and beach time is in full flow too, although some of the spots on the southwest coast are better suited to experienced surfers. That shouldn’t stop you all heading into the water though, body-boarding and splashing around are popular activities. Bear in mind that the Australian summer school holidays run from mid-December to early-February, so everywhere can be busy.

10. Siem Reap and Angkor Wat, Cambodia

READ: Angkor with kids 2026 travel guide: avoiding temple-fatigue

Although it’s not on many families’ winter sun radar, Angkor Wat is the world’s best interactive history lesson, with the friendly and fun Siem Reap only a few minutes tuk-tuk ride down the road for easy accommodation and dining options.

Angkor is the largest religious site in the world, so there’s no better place for an impromptu worldschooling lesson. As long as you time your visits for the quieter parts of the day (and don’t attempt to pack too much in), Angkor is a magical place for kids and adults.

Save some time to explore Siem Reap, it’s full of mid-range accommodation options, markets and adventure activities. There’s also an excellent pub street that works well for families in the early part of the evening.