Family-Friendly Winter Destinations with Direct Flights from the UK

When it comes to the winter months in the UK, the thought of getting up in the dark and coming back home in the dark for three to four months is just too much for some people.

Whether it’s winter sun that you’re craving, or perhaps taking the kids somewhere they can experience a white Christmas instead of a grey and drizzly one, this article will discuss eight of the best family-friendly winter destinations, all with direct flights from the UK.

1. Reykjavik, Iceland

For those who want their children to experience a snow-filled winter and one that they will treasure for years to come, then a trip to Reykjavik simply must be on the cards.

The capital city of Iceland is one of the most unique capital cities in the world – the population of Iceland is under 400,000, and most of those people live in Reykjavik, but it still never feels overly crowded or busy.

Alongside the numerous interactive museums in the city, such as the Maritime Museum where you can learn about the country’s fishing heritage. Furthermore, a visit to the Hallgrímskirkja Observation Tower offers a full 360-degree view of Iceland’s capital.

In addition, the airport is very close to the city centre – a mere 6-minute drive in a car, or 22 minutes on a bus which runs directly from the airport to many stops in the city centre. Additionally, if you’re planning on hiring a car in Iceland, then a trip to (and a dip in!) the world-famous Blue Lagoon is a must (a 50-minute drive from Reykjavik), or even a trip to see Iceland’s main active volcano, Eyjafjallajökull.

• Flight time from the UK: 2h 25m – 3h 5m

• Airports with direct flights: London (Heathrow, Stanstead, Luton), Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh

2. Albufeira, Portugal

With over 300 days of sunshine a year, southern Portugal – known as the Algarve – is one of the best winter sun destinations in Europe. There are many places to visit in the Algarve, but for families, Albufeira is arguably the best.

Albufeira is home to many resorts and hotels which offer kids' clubs as part of their package, so you can relax with a cocktail by the pool while the kids are looked after and entertained in the kids' club.

Outside of the hotels, the beaches make for a wonderful day out – while the Atlantic Ocean can be chillier than in the summer months, it is still warm enough for a quick dip, and a day at the beach is definitely doable. With winter temperatures reaching as high as 17℃, you can expect to swap your snowboard for your surfboard and skis for sandals.

Albufeira is also easy to reach from Faro Airport (the Algarve’s main airport), either 40 minutes by car or just over an hour and a half via bus.

• Flight time from the UK: 2h 50m – 3h 15m

• Airports with direct flights: Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow, Bristol, London (Luton, Gatwick), Leeds Bradford

3. Tallinn, Estonia

If you’ve ever seen a Disney movie with a magical Christmas theme (or want to save money on travelling to Disneyland Paris!), then a family trip to Tallinn should definitely be considered.

One of the most eastern cities in Europe, Tallinn is the capital city of Estonia, and in the winter it looks like a magical kingdom straight out of a fairytale. Snow-capped roofs of medieval churches dotted around the city centre make for an unforgettable winter holiday, where your children can feel like princes and princesses in this almost other-worldly city.

There is even a dedicated Children’s Museum in Tallinn which is an excellent way to pass the time, or, for a fun day out, how about taking the short ferry ride to Helsinki in Finland, and letting your children visit two countries in one day? Two ferries depart from Tallinn every hour, so you can visit Helsinki as and when you please.

Public transport in Tallinn is also excellent, and you can reach the city centre from the airport in less than 25 minutes via bus, or in 15 minutes by car. And if you’re planning to hire a car, why not take the family on one of these road trips?

• Flight time from the UK: 2h 55m

• Airports with direct flights: London (Heathrow, Luton, Gatwick)

4. Montreaux, Switzerland

Famed for its Christmas Market, Montreaux is one of the most picturesque locations not just in Switzerland, but in Europe in general. This is an ideal location for families who want the chance to see some snow in winter.

With lots of activities to do during the winter, such as exploring the Lake Geneva shoreline, hiking in the Alps, to enjoying a nice Swiss hot chocolate in a chalet by the lake, there’s so much to help make a trip to Montreaux a memorable, family-friendly winter holiday.

In addition, it’s close to Geneva Airport, reachable in just over an hour by either car, bus or train. If you opt to take the train, you will be taken on one of the most scenic train journeys in Europe, as you pass Lake Geneva, with the backdrop of the glorious Alpine forests that Switzerland is known for, all underneath the backdrop of the Alps. A great chance to improve your Instagram grid!

• Flight time from the UK: 1h 35m – 2h 15m

• Airports with direct flights: London (Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton), Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh

5. Nice, France

There’s something magical about seeing Christmas lights wrapped around palm trees, but that’s exactly what you can expect to see if you visit Nice during the festive period.

Situated in the South of France on the French Riviera, Nice is one of the most beautiful cities in France, and it’s also blessed with a year-round Mediterranean climate, meaning that the winters are usually dry, sunny and, most importantly, warm.

Even if you don’t visit Nice during the festive period, there’s still lots to do in the winter months with the family – walks up to Castle Hill to admire the views of this incredible city, or attending the Nice Carnival which occurs every February are just a couple of suggestions.

And there’s no shortage of family-friendly restaurants in Nice either – and let’s face it, all kids love pizza!

• Flight time from the UK: 2h – 2h 20m

• Airports with direct flights: London (Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, City), Manchester, Belfast, Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool

6. Hurghada, Egypt

If you have slightly older children who don’t mind longer flight times, and if you’re all craving some winter sunshine, then a visit to Hurghada on Egypt’s Red Sea coast makes for an excellent winter holiday.

With temperatures rarely dropping below 20℃ during the winter, you can put away your hats and gloves and swap them for snorkels and sunscreen! In addition, Hurghada has the advantage of primarily being a resort town, built with family holidays in mind, so there’s no shortage of family-friendly activities to do.

Whether it's a trip into the desert, a camel ride on the beach or swimming in the warm waters of the Red Sea, a family holiday to Hurghada in the winter makes for a memorable trip. There are also several ways to get around Egypt if you’re not comfortable hiring a car, so public transport links are certainly a feasible option.

• Flight time from the UK: 5h 20m – 5h 35m

• Airports with direct flights: London (Heathrow, Stanstead, Gatwick, Luton), Manchester

7. Lapland, Finland

Winter holidays don’t come much more wintry than a family holiday to Lapland. Ideal if you have small children, but especially if they are aged between 5 and 10, a trip to Lapland in the far north of Finland will undoubtedly create memories that will last a lifetime.

Lapland, often referred to as either the ‘North Pole’ or where Santa Claus lives, really plays on its reputation, offering numerous family-friendly activities, from visits to some of the many grottos around the place to sledge rides pulled by working huskies, to enjoying the beauty and serenity of the Northern Lights in a glass igloo dome under the stars.

You could also experience a Finnish sauna, or even partake in some ice fishing on Lapland’s many frozen lakes. Remember to pack all of your thermal clothing, especially for young children, as temperatures can regularly drop as low as -30℃, so staying warm when out in the cold is imperative.

Flights from the UK will generally land at Rovaniemi Airport in northern Finland, and you can make your way to many of the small towns or villages from there from as little as 10 minutes right up to longer journeys which can take upwards of four hours.

Flight time from the UK: 3h 5m – 3h 20m

Airports with direct flights: London (Gatwick), Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, Birmingham

8. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

The furthest destination on this list is a family winter holiday to the Caribbean. Whenever winter sunshine is mentioned, the Caribbean is surely one of the first places that comes to most minds – and where better than the most popular tourist destination in the entire region, the Dominican Republic?

Punta Cana, similar to Hurghada in Egypt mentioned earlier, is primarily a resort town, built with family holidays to this beautiful country in mind. The winter months are the best time of year to visit the Caribbean – with it being the height of the Caribbean dry season. Daytime temperatures regularly surpass 30℃, making it one of the warmest and driest locations in the world during the UK winter months – the perfect place to escape from the January blues.

As for activities, there are some beautiful pristine, white sand beaches in Punta Cana, perfect for a day out. You can book excursions such as swimming with whale sharks, which are gentle giants of the oceans. In addition, there are several family-friendly activities such as wildlife safari tours, zoo trips and even excursions to Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, which is home to numerous museums, restaurants and galleries.

Punta Cana also has its own airport, and it generally takes around half an hour to arrive in Punta Cana from the airport via bus. As the flight time is long, this is the perfect family holiday for those with older kids or teenagers who can handle the flight time.

• Flight time from the UK: 9h 15m

• Airports with direct flights: London (Heathrow, Gatwick), Manchester, Birmingham