Best Family Holidays with Teenagers in 2025: Where to Go

Planning a holiday with teenagers can feel like a balancing act. They want adventure, some downtime, and (let’s be honest) a break from their parents. The key to getting your teenagers excited about a family trip is finding the right destination. 

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2.5min read

Published 16 April 2025

Flight Centre Author

Guest Blogger


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Planning a holiday with teenagers can feel like a balancing act. They want adventure, some downtime, and (let’s be honest) a break from their parents. The key to getting your teenagers excited about a family trip is finding the right destination. 


And that means you need to make sure your choices include places which offer them some freedom as well as plenty of ‘cool’ things to do (cool by their standards, not yours!) and ideally, some experiences the whole family can enjoy together.

So, where exactly do you find these “needle in a haystack” destinations? Here are our top picks for for a family trip with teens.


In this blog


Mauritius – Beach Days and Island Adventures

A Mauritius holiday isn’t just about lying on the beach—although there’s plenty of that too. This popular island is packed with things to do, from snorkelling in coral reefs to paddleboarding along the coast. Resorts like Sugar Beach and Long Beach make traveling with teens easy, with water sports, beach volleyball, and guided excursions to keep them busy. Plenty of resorts also offer teens clubs, so they can spend their time socialising with other teenagers and enjoying dinners, parties, and sport activities. Meanwhile, parents can unwind at the spa or enjoy a quiet cocktail by the pool. See why Mauritius is the ultimate family holiday spot.

Bali – Surf, Temples, and Outdoor Adventures

Bali hits that perfect mix of relaxation and adventure for both adults and teenagers! Teens can learn to surf in Canggu, white-water raft down the Ayung River, or explore the famous rice terraces. If they’re the yoga-loving types, there are plenty of opportunities to practice too.

There’s also no shortage of TikTok-worthy spots from Uluwatu Temple to the Tegalalang swings. If you opt for a resort stay, then plenty of options including Club Med Bali and The Westin Nusa Dua, offer surf lessons, yoga classes, and water sports. In fact, there’s so much to do that you shouldn’t be surprised if you barely see your teenage kids while you’re on holiday.

bali
bali
bali

Dubai – Theme Parks, Desert Safaris, and High-Tech Fun

Dubai is all about over-the-top experiences, which makes it a winner for families with teens. They can ski indoors at Ski Dubai, go zip-lining over Dubai Marina, or spend a day at IMG Worlds of Adventure. For something completely different, a desert safari is amazing fun. It gives you the chance to do camel rides, dune bashing, and even sandboarding.

The Atlantis is a top pick for families. It has its own water park, aquarium, and diving experiences. If your teenagers are the type to prefer chilling by the pool, then there’s also no shortage of gorgeous places to see and be seen – so Dubai wins in the ‘cool’ stakes too.



Koh Samui, Thailand – Laid-Back Island Fun

For a beach break that has a mixture of places to chill out as well as places to let your hair down, Koh Samui ticks all the boxes. The island’s crystal-clear waters are great for snorkelling and diving, and there are also plenty of opportunities to try out water sports. If you get bored of the beach, take a break and spend some time letting the teenagers check out waterfalls, temples, and jungle hikes offer a break from the beach. Plus there’s amazing food and restaurants. You could even take a family cooking class!

Resorts like Chaweng Regent Beach Resort and Amari Koh Samui provide beachfront access and plenty of activities for teens, including paddleboarding and Muay Thai classes.

dubai
dubai
dubai

Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks, USA – The Ultimate Outdoor Adventure

If your family prefers mountains over beaches, an extended road trip through Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks is a must. Hike to geysers, spot bison and bears, or go white-water rafting on the Snake River. 

Teens who love adventure can try rock climbing, kayaking, or horseback riding through scenic trails. These parks are packed with natural wonders, so if your teen is more about scenes and less about screens, they’ll be overjoyed. Just try to give yourself plenty of time outside of the car too – whether that’s camping, staying in hotels, or just being outdoors doing activities. After all, they’ll want a bit of a break from enclosed spaces with their parents (wink, wink).

New York City – Culture, Food, and Big-City Buzz

For families who love exploring new places, New York has endless things to do. Teens can take in the city skyline from the Empire State Building, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, or visit an iconic Broadway show. Not to mention check out loads of cool restaurants and hail a yellow taxi cab like they’re in a movie.

Shopping in SoHo, exploring Central Park, and checking out the latest street food trends in Chelsea Market are just a few ways to keep everyone entertained. If you're planning a trip, browse flights to New York for your next big city adventure.

usa
usa
usa

Venice, Italy – Gondolas, Hidden Streets, and Italian Food

Venice is an exciting city for anyone who love history, photography, and food – teenagers included. Getting lost in the maze of canals, hopping on a gondola ride, and trying authentic Italian gelato are all part of the experience.

If your teenagers are the cultured type then they can visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the Doge’s Palace or the eerie dungeons of the Bridge of Sighs. For a change of pace, take a boat ride to the colourful island of Burano for some postcard-perfect scenery.

Istanbul – Where Europe Meets Asia

For families looking for something a little different, Istanbul is an interesting choice. Firstly, there’s the fact that it’s rand-friendly and hungry teenagers won’t damage your wallet too much. If you’re planning a trip and need to be mindful of, these budget family holiday planning tips will help.

But then there’s the fact that Turkey is, quite simply, an amazing place to spend a week or two. Shopaholic teenagers will love exploring the Grand Bazaar and checking out all the leather goods, souvenirs, clothes, and trinkets.

Booking a tour to taste the best local street food is another family-friendly day out, and climbing to the top of Galata Tower for stunning views of the city will mean they get some great pictures to remember the holiday by. 

Looking for something different?

Set Sail on A Cruise through the Caribbean or the Med

Caribbean and Med Cruises are true paradise experiences. Think crystal-clear waters, exploring many cities and cultures, and family-friendly beach days. You get the best of all worlds with a cruise.

If you're looking for a cruise that caters to every family member, Royal Caribbean, NCL and MSC Cruises are a few of the best options, with massive ships packed with a variety of things to do. Depending on which Cruise Line you cruise, your teens can expect water slides, surf simulators, zip lines, go-kart tracks, laser tag and rock climbing walls, there’s no shortage of adventure.

With Royal Caribbean, teens have their own hangout zones and arcade areas, and on NCL, they can enjoy Entourage, their exclusive teen club. MSC Cruises is known for its family-friendly charm and offers one of the best value-for-money cruise experiences.

A family cruise is one of the easiest and most fun ways to travel, offering something for every age group. 

How to Make a Family Holiday with Teens a Success

Teenagers want independence, excitement, and a few experiences they can show off to their friends. The best family holidays balance adventure with downtime and give them space to explore while keeping the whole family connected.

The unique type of family you are will determine if you’re after an island escape, an action-packed road trip, or a city break. But whether your teens are the kinds who are up early and exploring or prefer relaxing by the pool, there’s a perfect destination for your family. Browse Flight Centre’s family-friendly holidays and start planning your next adventure.

italy
italy
italy
Flight Centre Author

Guest Blogger


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