The Top 10 Family Vacation Ideas for This Summer

Looking for ideas on where to go this summer? At Civitatis, we’ve come up with a list of 10 family vacation ideas to inspire you. From water sports activities and theme parks to eco-adventures and city breaks, we’ve got all bases covered. Keep reading to discover your next summer vacation destination!

Los Cabos, Mexico

First on our list of ideas for your family vacation this summer is Los Cabos, Mexico. On the southern tip of Bajo California Sur, Los Cabos is perfect for families looking for exciting activities this summer. 

For those wanting to spend a fantastic time in the water, check out these many watersports activities, which include kayaking, paddle boarding, parasailing, and surfing lessons. We also highly recommend this kayaking and snorkeling tour to discover the magic below the surface in Los Cabos. Another way of checking out the marine life while staying dry is this clear boat tour. You’ll be able to admire the fascinating species from the comfort of this glass-bottomed boat.

However, Los Cabos doesn’t just have water-based activities. Take this camel ride around the Los Cabos desert and delight in a buffet lunch. For the more adventurous families, this Wild Canyon Park Pass gives you entry to a park with quad bikes, zip lines, bungee jumping and much more. You’ll love it!

Iceland

With regular flights from New York to Reykjavik, the land of fire and ice is an excellent idea for your family vacation this summer. For those looking for a more nature-based vacation, Iceland could be your next destination!

Since all international flights land just outside the capital, we highly recommend spending at least a day here. With this Reykjavik city card, you’ll get offers on many of the city’s best attractions, including Reykjavik Zoo, Arbær Open-Air Museum and the Maritime Museum, as well as access to thermal pools and the city buses. Why not also check out this Icelandic sweet tooth food r tour to savor some local delicacies?

Another famous and popular spot (and rightly so) near the capital is the Blue Lagoon. Relax in this open-air spa, swim in its various milky blue pools and apply renovating natural clay. Top tip: Don’t get your hair wet! Purchase your ticket to the Blue Lagoon here in advance so as not to miss out!

After exploring the capital, it’s time to seek out some of Iceland’s best natural attractions. This Golden Circle Tour will help you do just that. You’ll stop off at Geysir to see jets of boiling water shooting into the sky and Gullfoss Waterfall to marvel at the incredible amount of water flowing down these falls. Plus, you’ll make a trip to Thingvellir National Park to see where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are moving apart at a rate of 2 cm per year. We bet you won’t have seen anything like it! Did you know that it was here where the first Icelandic government was established in the year 930?

Our final recommendation for your family vacation in Iceland is to try and spot some of its iconic species. Whales frequent these northern waters, meaning the list of whale-watching activities available is endless. Here are just a few we recommend:

• Whale watching from Akureyri
• Whale watching from Husavik

Did you know that the island is also home to huge puffin colonies? On this whale and puffin-watching trip in Husavik, you’ll have the chance to see these charming birds and graceful mammals!

Barcelona, Spain

Next on our list of ideas for your family vacation this summer is Barcelona. For families looking for a bit of culture this summer, Barcelona won’t disappoint. As the second largest city in Spain, it’s the perfect destination for visiting incredible museums, admiring unique architecture, trying typical tapas dishes and soaking up Spanish culture.

You can’t visit Barcelona without learning about Gaudi. This 19th-century architect has really left his mark on the city. From the Sagrada Familia (which is still being built) to Park Guell, you’ll be amazed by his design. Book your tickets to the Sagrada Familia and Park Guell now to explore both of these sites with a knowledgeable tour guide.

Barcelona is also home to one of the best soccer teams in the world. Kids and adults alike love a trip to the famous Camp Nou Stadium to see the trophies the teams have accumulated over the years and to get their pictures in the stands. Did you know that Barcelona’s Women’s team won the Champions League for the second year in a row in May 2024? Camp Nou and Barcelona Football Club are world-class.

To make the most out of your time in the city, we couldn’t recommend purchasing this Barcelona Card more! You’ll get free and discounted entry to the city’s most famous museums and tourist attractions, including the Picasso Museum, the Fundació Joan Miró and the Chocolate Museum, as well as city tours and flamenco shows. To fill your family vacation in the Catalonian capital, take a look at all the activities, tours and day trips available in Barcelona.

York, UK

Many foreign visitors to the UK only stick to London and day trips in the south. However, if you want to experience an authentic Roman city, York is for you. Located in the North of England, it’s only a couple of hours on the train from London, Manchester and Birmingham.

York has extremely well-preserved Roman walls that surround the city. Take a stroll along the walls and down the narrow cobbled streets and feel like you’ve been transported back in time. To learn more about the Romans, check out the Roman Museum. It’s full of interactive activities that are perfect for kids!

Did you know that York also has a spooky side? Venture into the city’s darker side on these popular ghost bus and witches guided tours. To get even more ideas on what there’s to do, check out all the activities we have on offer in York.

York is also the perfect vacation destination for day trips to enjoy the typical English countryside. Join this day trip to visit the Yorkshire Moors where you’ll go on a steam train and take a guided tour around the delightful coastal town of Whitby. It’s the best place to try fish and chips!

Dubai, UAE

Our next suggestion on our list of ideas for your family vacation this summer is Dubai. Seen by many as just a beach destination, Dubai is actually the perfect family vacation spot. It’s full of exciting theme parks, fascinating museums and wonderful water parks. There are so many to choose from!

Where to begin? For those seeking thrills at theme parks, check out this Ferrari world trip. Buckle up and feel the adrenaline onboard rollercoasters themed like your favorite racing cars. Younger kids may prefer these tickets to Motiongate Dubai, where they can meet their favorite characters, and KidZania Dubai, where they’ll dress up and try out different jobs. Kids love it!

If you want to cool off in the heat of the summer, don’t miss out on one of Dubai’s many waterparks. Get your tickets now to Aqua Venture Waterpark or Legoland Waterpark. If you want to combine fun in the water and marine life, this ticket to the Dolphinarium in Dubai is perfect. Come and play with some friendly dolphins!

Since you’re in Dubai, you can’t miss out on a trip to the desert. Join this Dubai Safari, which includes a camel ride, a 4×4 ride through the dunes, a barbeque dinner and much more. It’s a once in a life experience!

Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt

Egypt is famous for its pyramids, ancient mummies and sphinxes. However, it’s also a country of incredible nature, particularly on the coast. Sharm el Sheikh is the perfect destination idea for a family vacation if you want to combine a trip with water and land-based activities.

Sharm el Sheikh is situated on the Red Sea and is home to many species, such as the red sea bannerfish, the rusty parrotfish and the Oceanic whitetip shark. It’s a very popular spot for divers! Get up close and personal with this incredibly diverse marine life on this snorkeling cruise.

Another popular activity people love to do when on a family vacation in Sharm el Sheikh is a visit to the desert. If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, this quad tour of the Sinai desert won’t disappoint! Want to combine a trip to the desert and exploring the sea? Then this desert safari and blue hole snorkeling tour will tick all your boxes.

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Zanzibar is the only place on our list of family vacation ideas for this summer that is located below the equator. The best time to visit Tanzania is during the dry season, between July and October, making it a perfect addition to our list.

The first thing everyone wants to do when visiting Tanzania is to explore its unique nature. Discover all on this Kuza Cave Day Trip where you can snorkel in this natural cave and even learn how to make traditional local dishes. Create lifelong memories with your family!

Another huge attraction of Zanzibar is its beaches, stretching all around the island. Sit back, relax and soak up the sun’s rays. For the chance to spot some of Tanzania’s marine life, join this snorkeling tour. It’s the perfect fun activity for a family vacation! 

There are many other activities on offer in Zanzibar, including day trips to different areas of the island, such as this Kwale Island Day Trip. It doesn’t matter where you’re staying, you won’t be short of things to do. Check out what activities we have on offer in Zanzibar here.

Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

Did you know that Spain has an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean? Just off the coast of Morocco and Western Sahara lie the Canary Islands, a collection of volcanic islands that are super popular vacation spots, especially with families. With warm and dry weather all year round, an abundance of golden sandy beaches and hotels with pools on the coast, what’s not to love?

Tenerife is the largest of the islands and home to just under half the population of the Canary Islands. Due to its close proximity to continental Europe, budget flights and package holidays, Tenerife is a favorite summer vacation choice for many Europeans. As a consequence, the island is full of activities perfect for kids and families! Here are a few of our favorites:

• Loro Park. This zoo is home to hundreds of birds, including parrots, parakeets, macaws and cockatoos, as well as other animals such as dolphins, red pandas, alligators and chimpanzees. Don’t miss out. Get your tickets here!
• Siam Park. This waterpark has won the World’s Best Waterpark 9 times since it opened in 2007. With a variety of rides and attractions, from a wave pool with the highest waves in the world to donut floats down a river, there’s something for everyone. Spend a day at Siam Park with this ticket. You can even purchase a ticket that gives you access to both Siam Park and Loro Park!
• Ride a camel. Due to its location just off the coast of the Western Sahara, it comes as no surprise that the island of Tenerife is somewhat desert-like. Join this 30-minute Camel Ride Tour and admire the native vegetation of the Tenerife Highlands.
• Enjoy a boat trip. As it’s an island, there are endless sea-based opportunities in Tenerife. We highly recommend this Schooner Boar Ride + Whale Watching activity. Sail the seas in a large wooden ship, take a dip in the warm sea and even have the chance to spot the local whales and dolphins. What more could you ask for?

We offer over 140 fantastic tours and activities in Tenerife. Click here to discover more.

Florida, USA

An oldie but a goodie, the Sunshine State is a big hit for families on vacation. Here are just a few ideas of how to fill your family vacation this summer in Florida.

A very popular activity for kids in Florida is a visit to an aquarium. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating sick marine animals, as well as promoting public education and conservation. Families can spend hours admiring the river otters, dolphins, sea turtles, stingrays, nurse sharks and much more. Secure a ticket here!

Of course, Florida is home to some of the best theme parks in the world. They need very little introduction. Whether you’re a Disney fan or more of a Universal aficionado, both parks have thrilling rides for those looking for an adrenaline rush, as well as more child-friendly ones too. They’re perfect for the whole family. Get your tickets to Universal Studios and Disney World today!

And it’s not just theme parks. Read this blog on the 11 Fun Things to do in Orlando besides theme parks. We’ve got plenty of ideas for how to spend a family vacation in Florida this summer.

Costa Rica

For the more adventurous looking for family vacation ideas this summer, Costa Rica may have just what you’re looking for. You can tailor your trip around animal reserves, nature-filled day trips and adventure activities. You decide!

Wherever you stay, there won’t be any shortage of wildlife activities. Get up close and personal with native sloths on these tours: Sloth Tour in La Fortuna or Sloth and Birdwatching in San José. Crocodiles are also a big hit, especially with kids. On this Crocodile Safari on the Tarcoles River, you’ll spot dozens of these snappy creatures. Another fabulous animal activity is this Toucan Rescue Ranch Day Trip, where you’ll meet toucans, sloths and other rescued species. It will be an unforgettable experience!

If you want to sit back and just enjoy your family vacation, why not join this 13 Day Tour of Costa Rica? You’ll explore all over the country, visit the many national parks, relax on stunning beaches and admire the beautiful rainforests in Costa Rica.

We hope we’ve given you plenty of ideas for your family vacation this summer. If you’re still looking for activities, tours and adventures, see what we have available on our website.