The world’s best family holiday hotspot for 2026 has been revealed – and it’s just a short flight from the UK.
A new global list of the best holiday destinations has ranked the top 20 spots.
The ranking was created through analysing a combination of online search data, Tripadvisor reviews, information from official tourism boards, and geological data.
And each destination has been ranked based on popularity, accessibility, safety, diversity of activities, family-friendly accommodation options and beaches.
And it’s Sardinia, an island in Italy, which has been crowned number one.
Praised for its calm, child-friendly beaches, you can reach the destination in two hours and 50 minutes from London Stansted – and even quicker than that from hubs such as Manchester Airport.
Sardinia promises natural beauty as well as family-friendly comfort.
Unlike many overcrowded Mediterranean hotspots, Sardinia balances lively resorts with peaceful coves, perfect for travelling with both younger kids and older teenagers.
The world’s best family holiday hotspot for 2026 has been revealed – and it’s just a short flight from the UK
Sardinia, an island in Italy, has been handed the coveted title
It’s also renowned for its pristine beaches, such as Cala Brandinchi, described by travellers as ‘perfect for families with small children because the bay protects the waters so it’s really calm’.
Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily.
It boasts more than 1,800km of coastline and is renowned for its beauty and stunning beaches.
There’s lots to do on the island, too – for example, you can visit Neptune’s Caves or go hiking and walking.
Plus, it has many beautiful towns and villages, such as Alghero and Cagliari.
Sardinia’s reputation for safety and welcoming hospitality, along with its unspoiled landscapes and vibrant culture, makes it the ultimate family holiday destination for 2026.
Meanwhile, Ibiza comes in second place in the study, commissioned by Sunsail, scoring highly for safety, cleanliness and Blue Flag sands.
Lake Garda, Cornwall and Orlando also made the top five.
Sardinia promises natural beauty as well as family-friendly comfort – and it’s renowned for its pristine beaches
It comes as online searches show a 50 per cent rise for ‘family holidays 2026’, while searches for ‘last-minute family adventure holidays’ have surged by 300 per cent compared to this time last year.
Becky Hutton, Holiday Planner at Sunsail, said: ‘As families and friends start to plan their holidays for next year, we are delighted to reveal the best destinations in the world for family and group travel in 2026.
‘Each destination on this list is unique in its offering, from idyllic sandy coves to historic attractions, but what they have in common is their popularity, ease of access, safety, abundance of activities and fantastic selection of family-friendly accommodation.
‘Whether you are already planning a fun-filled family holiday to one of our 20+ worldwide destinations, or still looking for inspiration on where to book for your annual group getaway, we hope our list of the best family and group destinations in the world helps you find somewhere you can all relax, explore and create memories for life!’
