Are you planning a trip overseas this year with under-fives? Are you excited about showing your young ‘uns the world but don’t know where to start? Did your last family package holiday bore your socks off? Whether it’s your first trip with young children or your seventh, here are 21 fantastic family travel destinations suitable for under-fives to feed your wanderlust.

What makes a destination great for family travel?

Before I had children, the criteria I used to pick my next travel destination was very simple. What was there to do there? Did I need a visa/ malaria protection? Could I get a cheap flight there? How much was a dorm bed or a simple double hotel room?

Nowadays travelling with two under-fives our destination picking criteria looks more like this. Does x city have family-sized apartments – with bathtubs and a highchair? Will we be able to buy nappies easily? Can we hire child safety seats? Is Malaria present? How about Zika? Is Dengue a big risk? Do the stairs look safe? Is there a park nearby? Are there decent cooking facilities? The checklist goes on and on…and on…It’s a headache planning a trip with two small children well.

So I wanted to help you out by listing our 21 of our favourite family travel destinations. We’ve been to all these great destinations with our own under-fives so we can give you an honest and personal overview. We’ve also added already published blog posts on most of this great family travel destinations so click through to discover more local tips, see our easy itineraries and of course, be inspired by our photographs and family travel stories.

Where are the best international places to travel with toddlers and preschoolers?

In no particular order, here are our favourite family destination destinations that we’ve travelled to with babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers.

1. The Balkan Countries, Europe

H turned 1 whilst we were in Kotor – you can tell he enjoyed his stay!

Beautiful, affordable and short haul the countries of the Balkan region offer everything a family with young children wants and needs. We’ve experienced great hospitality in every country we’ve been to. The local food and wine are unexpectedly delicious- although with neighbours like Greece and Italy maybe this wasn’t unexpected.

Since the end of the war in the 1990s, the former Yugoslavia has split into many smaller countries all with their own unique cultures, geography and history. Montenegro and Croatia have beautiful coastlines, fantastic historical sites and stunning scenery in their interior, Macedonia and Albania share the spectacular Lake Ohrid and some interesting lesser-known cultural sites.

If you’re more adventurous visit the Bridge at Mostar and vibrant Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzigova. Don’t miss landlocked Serbia, the intriguing emerging nation of Kosovo or mountainous Slovenia.

The beauty of travelling around this region is it’s compact and you can choose between hiring cars or travelling by train or coach. All baby items are available and local people are warm and friendly towards children. Best of all, you can choose between a multidestination road trip like we did Kosovo, Albania and Macedonia or explore Montenegro with a day trip to beautiful Dubrovnik in Croatia.

Our Balkan Region Family Travel Posts include:

Montenegro Highlights: Family Travel Blog

Kosovo Highlights: Family Travel Blog

Macedonia Highlights: Family Travel Blog

2. Caribbean Island-Hopping

Eggy’s beach bar in Treasure Beach served fresh fish, cold beers and a chilled vibe. Perfection!

We’ve had some amazing family holidays in the Caribbean with our under-fives. We love multidestination trips and hopping between sun-kissed islands is a great way to fulfil our wanderlust and give the kids lots of relaxing beach time.

We loved visiting the US and the British Virgin Islands with toddlers. These jewels of the Caribbean may not be the cheapest of West Indian islands to visit but they are perfect for families with under-fives. Sandy beaches, high living standards and easy transport between islands.

In Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the US Virgin Islands, there’s an absolutely fantastic children’s museum that we visited twice! Of course, there are stunning white-sand beaches almost everywhere and lots of child-friendly beach bars.

If you head to Jamaica, you don’t need to stay in a resort instead why not rent a car as we did and explore waterfalls, spot alligators on the Black River and visit the relaxed inlet of Treasure Beach.

Our Caribbean Islands Family Travel Posts are:

Jamaica Highlights: Family Travel Blog                               More coming soon!

3. The Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

H was really happy at Chichen Itza and even posed for loads of photos

If you want culture, ancient ruins, great food, beaches and modern amenities look no further than Cancun or Playa Del Carmen. There’s so much to do, the possibility of road trips and of course, lots of amazing beaches and cenotes.

Since we spent a month in Playa Del Carmen back in 2016 with a four-month-old and a two-year-old, the Yucatan Peninsula and Quintana Roo state have been in the spotlight due to gang violence seeping into the tourist areas so check your government’s latest travel advice before you go. Find the latest information from the British FCO Mexico travel advice here.

4. California, USA

We had an amazing time at Joshua Tree National Park in California

California is a US state the size of a medium-sized country. It offers so much diversity, amazing nature and family-friendly activities. In fact, we spent over 2 months exploring this fantastic state. Our long-term stay was made possible by some great house swapping opportunities.

An absolute highlight of our stay was a 3-day road trip from pass the Big Sur from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. Posts and itineraries coming soon!

5. Iceland, Northern Europe

Iceland has incredible scenery

If you’re looking for an awe-inspiring family travel destination with natural wonders galore, Iceland should be high on your bucket list. Hike volcanoes, explore glaciers and marvel at geysers. This small island in the North Atlantic has unique geography, cuisine and culture.

We hired a car and drove around Iceland with our son. Travelling around was simple, the accommodation good-quality and baby supplies were available in all the towns and cities. A layover in Iceland is also a great way to split up a long-haul flight from the US/Canada to Europe.

Click here for our Iceland Highlights: Family Travel Blog

6. Northern Spain, Europe

Zaragoza’s stunning cathedral in Northern Spain

If you want to stay close to the UK but escape the heat and crowds of Southern Spain this summer why not try a road trip across Northern Spain?

Visit some of Spain’s cultural highlights like the pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela and Zaragoza as well as spend some relaxing beach time on the Costa Blanca. You can dip into the Pyrenees and even add on a night or two in the tiny mountainous principality of Andorra as we did.

Our Northern Spain and Andorra Family Travel Posts include:

Road-Trip: Northern Spain and Andorra with a Toddler

Top 5 Europe Road Trips with Babies and Toddlers

7. Cape Verde, Atlantic Ocean

Life in Boa Vista’s towns looked quite basic, which gave a thought-provoking contrast to the glitzy resort.

This windswept islands in the Atlantic Ocean are a fascinating mix of African and Portuguese culture. Great for young children because the islands are only one hour behind GMT eliminating jet lag from your planning. You can easily get a package holiday here and use that as a base to explore.

If it’s winter sun you’re after the Cape Verde Islands could be a great option with under-fives.

Cape Verde Highlights: Family Travel Blog

8. Vietnam, SE Asia

Our 4 year old managed to climb over 500 steps to take in this amazing vista over Ninh Binh, Vietnam

For many, Vietnam is a dream family travel destination. Our own experience was a mixture of stressful city breaks and rural backpacking heaven. In all honesty, we found busy, bustling Hanoi difficult with young children. Read our post I love Hanoi But Hanoi with toddlers left me ripping my hair out!! to find out why.

However, Hue and Hoi An were fantastic cities to explore with under-fives. There might have been plenty of culture and delicious food for us adults but there is also easy beach access, child-friendly cafes and great accommodation options for the kids.

Bustling Ho Chi Minh City isn’t renown as a family travel destination but you can easily find great restaurants, plenty of soft plays, spacious apartments and lots of parks. Gorgeous and family-friendly Ninh Binh is an easy train ride from Hanoi. The rural region of Ninh Binh is a wonderful mix of nature and outdoor activities.

Our Vietnam Family Travel Posts include:

Hanoi with a Toddler: 15 Tips to make it less stressful

Ninh Binh with Kids: The Perfect Family Travel Destination in Vietnam

Vietnam with Kids: 21 Day Itinerary with Two-Spirited Under-Fives

Hoi An with Toddlers: An Awesome 3 Day Itinerary

Hue with Toddlers: Two (Honestly) Amazing Days!

9. Wales, Scotland and Ireland

So I may have cheated by grouping together three diverse and not all ‘international’ countries for our British readers but I couldn’t leave out the UK and Ireland, could I?

It might rain a lot and the skies may often be overcast but it’s so easy to travel around the UK and Ireland with young children. Rent a car, hop on a train or a bus. The size of each country means that travel times are short, modern conveniences (packaged sandwiches anyone?!) are always available and there are so many beautiful national parks and historic towns to visit that you’ll never get bored. If you need more of an adventure, try taking the ferry between Ireland and Scotland/ Wales or exploring the Scottish Islands by boat.

We’ll be writing up our own experiences later in the year. Why not follow World for a Girl on Facebook or Twitter to stay up to date with the latest posts.

10. Southern Thailand, SE Asia

The long-tail boats added an extra, colourful dimension to the beauty of Railay beach.

Thai people are known for being especially friendly – take a young child into any bar, cafe, restaurant or shop and you’ll instantly see why Thailand is a great family travel destination.

Whilst we also love Northern Thailand and Bangkok for their culture and fantastic historical sights for this round-up, Southern Thailand is the winner. Soft sand beaches, sublime green karsts rising from the sea, beach cafes and boat trips.

Our Thailand Family Travel Posts include:

Southern Thailand Itinerary: 10 days in Thailand with Kids

Bangkok with Young Children; Make it memorable and NOT mayhem.

Sleaze, Sand and Sunsets: Should you holiday in Pattaya with kids?

11. The Greek Islands, Southern Europe

The views back to Elounda from Spinalonga Island were stunning.

Last autumn, we spent an amazing week in Crete. It’s the largest Greek island with its own unique history, cultural traditions and delicious food. Greek meze is fantastic toddler fare: simple, fresh salads, fresh bread and lots of hummus!

Exploring the ruins on the deserted island of Spinalonga was an absolute highlight as was learning about the island’s fascinating and dark history.

Our Greek Family Travel Posts include:

Crete Highlights: Family Travel Blog

12. Cyprus, Southern Europe

The luscious spring meadow was an extra treat on our way to the Tomb of the Kings.

Two cultures, one island, dozens of ancient sites what is not to love about Cyprus?

Our road trip around Cyprus with a toddler remains one of my favourite family road trips in Europe. The Cypriot people, both Greek and Turkish, were incredibly friendly, kind and children.

Due to its size, it is easy to drive around Cyprus in a week or so. We loved visiting the ancient Roman ruins, playing on the beaches and exploring the old forts.

Our Cyprus Family Travel Posts include:

Cyprus Highlights: Family Travel Blog

Top 5 Europe Road Trips with Babies and Toddlers

13. Scandinavia

We stumbled across an amazing Viking festival whilst on holiday in Denmark

14. Florida, USA

Me and Z on Anna Maria Island. This photo was taken on the day she first waved!!

Forget Orlando and it’s big theme parks, Florida has so much more to offer. We spent a month here a few years ago. Again, we did a successful house swap next to Anna Maria Island. We loved sunsets, playgrounds and fish tacos on Manatee Public Beach.

Of course, we did sneak in a few theme parks: Sea World and Busch Gardens but the highlights for us were the beaches – or rather the beach life! Even in a month, we didn’t make it down to Miami and the Florida Keyes but they’re high on our bucket list.

15. South Korea, East Asia

Suwon’s temple has been rebuilt and is perhaps a bit too immaculate, but it’s a pleasant walk nevertheless.

South Korea may not be on many family travel bucket lists but it should be. Check out our article Why South Korea is a Fantastic Family Travel Destination to find out why.

If you want to experience a new East Asian culture and delicious and unusual foods in a safe, child-friendly and affordable nation visit South Korea.

Some of our most popular South Korea posts are:

A Perfect Day in Gyeongju with Children

Top Tips for an Incredible Time in Seoul with a Toddler

16. Hong Kong, China, East Asia

Here’s the light show (which looks pretty much the same for the rest of the evening too…)

Hong Kong may not strike you as somewhere to visit with under-fives. Perhaps, you’re concerned it will be too busy, too noisy or too crowded. And yes, these are all valid concerns but that’s only part of the city. In the city itself, you will find fantastic world-class family travel facilities – public playgrounds and museums

The island of Hong Kong has beaches, theme parks and nature parks. We loved our ferry ride over to Lamma Island. We had a great walk around the island with the kids (watch out for snakes!), fun time at the beach and lunch at a very British pub. It was our lucky day as we also stumbled on some dragon boat racing!

Want to know more about planning an amazing 4 day itinerary with toddlers to Hong Kong, click here to read of of our most popular posts.

Hong Kong Itinerary: 4 Days in Hong Kong with Kids

17. Switzerland

Habsburg is a fairytale castle plus is free to visit

There are so many European travel destinations that are great for families that I haven’t mentioned on this list of our top 21 places to go with young children. I’d love to mention France, Germany and Austria individually but instead how about Switzerland?

Switzerland is a stunningly beautiful country and its slap bang in the middle of Western Europe making it a great place nip into neighbouring countries from. Last time, we were there we popped into both France and Liechtenstein for the day. Again, stay in hostels, camp or house-swap to keep costs down. We found a great house-swap just outside the small town of Olten.

Read our Switzerland with kids post here.

18. Malaysia, SE Asia

A boat ride through the mangroves in Langkawi, Malaysia

Of course, Malaysia, our current home has to make our top 21 best international travel destinations with toddlers and under-fives list. Malaysia is an incredibly diverse country both culturally and geographically. Malaysia is a very easy country to travel around with young children. All the baby items that you could possibly need are widely available, there are some high-quality accommodation options and world-class healthcare facilities in the major cities.

Dine on Indian roti for breakfast, Malay Nasi Ayam for lunch and Chinese-style Mee Goreng for dinner. Stay on the peninsula and explore national parks or pop over to the popular islands of Langkawi and Penang for some beach time. For us, we love exploring the Chinese temples, historic churches and thriving mosques of the old Straits cities: Malacca and Georgetown. Of course, if you can catch a flight over to Malaysian Borneo and see orangutans in the wild.

We’ll be writing up our own experiences of expat life in Malaysia later in the year. Why not follow World for a Girl on Facebook or Twitter to stay up to date with the latest posts?

19. Myanmar

I took this photo from the top of an unnamed and not-on-the-map temple in Bagan, one of the last to be closed to the public from climbing.

Myanmar may often make the news for the wrong reasons but don’t let that put you off visiting this beautiful, emerging country. We visited Myanmar over the Christmas holidays and couldn’t have wanted a better holiday. For us, Myanmar had everything that we want and need for an awesome family holiday. If you feel wary about travelling to Myanmar with young children, read our post Myanmar with kids: 9 Essential Questions Answered where I talk about safety issues in detail.

Our Myanmar family travel posts include:

Inle Lake with kids: 5 awesome things to do PLUS useful tips

Bagan with Kids: Incredible temples and more!

Yangon with kids: A 1 Day Family Travel Guide

20. Japan

In Kyoto with a rather large belly!

We last visited Japan when I was 7 months pregnant with our first child. We may not have been parents yet but when I was heavily pregnant I resembled a small child in many ways. Walking at snail’s pace, always needing the toilet at inconvenient moments, being a super fussy eater and needing a ‘nap’ every afternoon. Therefore, I deem myself qualified to say that Japan is extremely toddler-friendly.

Multi-destination travel is a breeze in Japan with super efficient and spacious public transport – show me a toddler who wouldn’t like a go on a bullet train! The food is delicious – even for picky toddlers and nauseous, pregnant women. Accommodation is expensive and small but that’s all part of the experience. We had a great time exploring Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiromisha – a simple itinerary easily doable with under-fives.

21. South Africa

Meeting the penguins in South Africa!

OK, hands up technically we have not visited South Africa with young children. I’ve been there twice once as a solo female backpacker when I travelled extensively throughout the country and later, with Rhino’s family including his then 11-year-old half-sister. I just couldn’t not mention South Africa though. I travelled widely through Southern Africa (pre-kids) but South Africa really stands out as the most family-friendly country to travel around.

From the beautiful beaches of the Garden Route to safaris at Kruger or Pilanesburg National parks, the cosmopolitan vibes of Cape Town to the Stellenbosch wineries, South Africa is a great family travel pick.

Whilst South Africa may have some safety issues if you want to visit Southern Africa with toddlers or preschoolers I can’t recommend this gorgeous and accessible country highly enough. If you’d like the low-down on how and why to do an amazing multidestination road trip through South Africa with your young children, check out Packed Again Family Travel Blog for great South Africa tips and itineraries.

That sums up my 21 Fantastic Family Travel Destinations with Kids Under Five post. I hope that you find some great new locations to add to your family bucket list. And huge apologies to all those places that I left off the list (sorry San Marino, sorry Liechtenstein).