If you’re the parent of a teenager, you don’t need us to tell you they’re fussy when it comes to holiday destinations or what you do when you get there. But whether it’s a quick city break or the travel trip of a lifetime you’re after, there are many different types of holidays for teenagers to choose from – making sure you all have a fantastic family break before the kids get old enough to go away on their own.
Popular searches
Log into your account
Travel and Insurance
Posting
Need some travel insurance to add security to your family trip abroad?
-
Beach breaks
Parking yourself on a sun lounger for eight hours a day may be your idea of holiday heaven, but your teenager probably won’t thank you for dragging them away from their friends to sit staring at the water all week. If you want to go to a beach with your family, choose one close to a new culture or activity they can experience. Try Cuba or Costa Rica for a truly unusual beach break. And if you really want to surprise them, head to the beaches of Iceland – named among the most beautiful in the world – and go on a tour of Game of Thrones filming locations.
-
Activity holidays
Teenagers aren’t known for their patience when it comes to, well, anything, so take them on an activity holiday and keep them busy the entire time. What that activity is depends on their interests – you could spend a week sailing round the Greek islands, biking through the Alps, kayaking in the Rockies, or even walking in the Himalayas. Whatever you do, throw yourself into the activity and your kids will love it.
-
Sports holidays
If your teenager likes their sport there are plenty of places they can work off some of their energy while honing their skills. For football fans, head to Chia Laguna Prodays Football Academy in Sardinia, where your 6-16-year old could be coached by Premiership legends, while tennis aces are well served at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Majorca. If they like to keep their sporting options open, head to La Manga Club in Spain, which offers everything from football and cricket to rugby and golf.
-
Long-haul city breaks
Cape Town, Los Angeles and Rio de Janeiro will all get your kids excited, but New York is the place that will really thrill them. The famous skyline, the shopping, the food, the shows and the sheer energy of the city all make it the perfect holiday to take teenagers on. For the true New York experience, rent an apartment in Brooklyn and, once you’ve done the city, travel out to the Jersey Shore for a bit of beach life.
-
European city breaks
There are plenty of cities closer to home that have a huge amount to offer the world-weary teenager. Barcelona is the ideal combination of beach and city, with fabulous shopping, stunning architecture and a world-famous football stadium providing more than enough stimulation for a short break. Meanwhile, Rome has the history and food, while Paris has the glamour and romance.
-
Surfing breaks
Cornwall is now one of Europe’s top teenage holiday destinations, with resorts such as Newquay and Polzeath a haven for teenagers keen on catching a wave. Book yourself a hotel such as the St. Moritz near Polzeath so you can treat yourself in the spa while your kids hit the surf. If you fancy a bit more guaranteed sunshine, head to San Sebastian in Spain or Ericeira in Portugal.
-
Club holidays
Many tour operators such as Mark Warner and Club Med offer holidays tailored specifically for teenagers, with activities laid on throughout the day to keep them out of their room and off their screens. Water sports from the sedate (sailing, windsurfing) to the exhilarating (paragliding, banana boating) will ensure your kid never gets bored, while you’ll have the chance to relax without the constant search for something to do.
-
Animal adventures
Seeing animals in their natural habitat in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, and when you combine that with sharing stories around the bush campfire and sleeping with the sounds of the wildlife is an unforgettable experience for both you and your teens . If you want to go further (and help them with their evolution homework) book a trip to the Galapagos Islands. As well as seeing one of the world’s most diverse ranges of wildlife, your teenager can hike up a volcano, swim with sea lions and visit the legendary Charles Darwin Research Station.
-
Villa with friends
You can offer your children all the experiences in the world but sometimes all they want is to be with their friends, so consider renting a villa and inviting a few of them and their families. Book a villa within walking distance of a town that the kids can wander around safely and ensure there’s plenty to do for both adults and children in the daytime.
-
The ultimate road trip
With your child about to head off to university or the world of work, this may be the last chance for you all to be on holiday together, so it’s a great time to book that road trip you’ve always wanted to go on. Whether it’s the iconic Big Sur in California, the thrilling Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse in Austria or the epic Route 66 across America, taking the ultimate road trip with your family will create some fantastic memories for you all.
Interested in travel insurance?
Other travel products
-
Travel Money
Order foreign currency online or in selected branches. Pick up in any branch or get it delivered to your home.
-
Travel Money Card
One prepaid Mastercard™ that stores up to 22 currencies.
-
Passport Check & Send
Get your passport application right the first time. We can even complete and submit it for you digitally.
This might interest you
Gap year travel advice for solo travellers
Exploring the globe can be scary, but there’s so much to find at the edge of your comfort zone. We look at some of the top destinations to visit on your own – and share ...
The Travel Safety Index for Solo Travellers
Travelling solo means freedom and independence, making new connections and never having to compromise.
Travel insurance for Japan
If you’re jetting off to Japan soon make sure you have good travel insurance to cover your trip. The right policy may offer more protection than the standard medical ...
Travel insurance for South Africa
How safe is South Africa to visit and why is having travel insurance important when you go? Our guide looks at the potential travel risks and the cover you may want to ...
Travel insurance for New Zealand
Find out what medical care Brits can access in New Zealand and travel risks to be aware of like natural catastrophes, however rare.
Travel insurance for Dubai
Planning on living the high life with a trip to the UAE’s iconic mega-city, Dubai? Make sure you’re aware of the local culture, travel risks and have travel insurance to ...
Don't make these holiday mistakes
Booking a last-minute holiday can get the blood pumping with the sudden thrill of adventure, but it also makes it easier to overlook things.
Travel insurance for Mexico
Find out about medical care available to Brits in Mexico, as well as travel risks, transport options and the importance of taking travel insurance.
Travel insurance for Italy
Find out about the safety of travelling to Italy as well as the medical care available to Brits and how to get around.
Travel insurance for Egypt
Make sure you’re travelling safely in Egypt with the latest advice and risks, and learn about getting around and local culture.
Travel insurance for France
It may be a short hop away, but a trip to France is not without its travel risks. Make sure you’re clued up on what they are and have travel insurance in place to help ...
Travel insurance for Canada
Canada is a vast country of diverse delights – everything from bustling cities to snow-capped mountains, deep forests and crystal clear lakes. If you're thinking of ...
Travel insurance for India
For many UK holidaymakers, India is an intriguing and diverse culture with colourful traditions and engrossing history. For many others, it’s a home from home.
Travel insurance for Thailand
Thailand’s idyllic beaches, azure-blue sea, buzzing cities and exciting alternative scene are a draw for Brits. A trip can be a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Travel insurance for Cuba
Today, Cuba is more accessible than it has been for many decades, and those who decide to holiday there can expect a mixture of colourful city life and luxurious ...
Travel insurance for Ireland
Do UK residents need travel insurance for Ireland? And what healthcare is available for Brits if they’re visiting the country?
Safe travels: where can I go on holiday?
Travel’s a great way to unwind, see the world, open the mind and expand horizons. But rapidly changing situations around the world can soon impact such plans.
Travel insurance for the Canary Islands
People flock to the Canary Islands from all over Europe. No wonder, with such appealing beaches, landscapes and temperatures to enjoy.
Travel insurance for Greece
Greece and the Greek islands have long been a popular travel destination for us Brits. But are there any travel risks or other factors to keep in mind before and when ...
Find hot holiday destinations any time of year
If you're the type of sunchaser who looks forward to that sizzling summer break, can’t wait to escape to warmer climes in the UK’s winter months or can't be away from ...
Schengen travel insurance
The status of Schengen visas for international students resident in the UK is currently uncertain. This page will be updated when more detail is available.
Travel insurance for Spain
Every year, millions of holidaymakers from the UK head to Spain for its combination of glistening beaches, unique culture and Mediterranean cuisine.
Travel insurance for Turkey
A trip to Turkey offers toasty beaches and tourist treats aplenty. No wonder it’s so popular with holidaymakers from the UK and elsewhere.
Travel insurance for USA
The famous cliché of America is that it's big. And it is. Across its six time zones are examples of virtually every type of geography on earth, from the baked deserts of ...
Travel insurance for Morocco
Perched on the northern tip of Africa, Morocco’s long been a popular destination for UK holidaymakers. If you’re heading there soon, make sure you’ve got good travel ...
Winter sun holiday destinations to escape to
Dark mornings, cold hands, heating bills and chapped lips are among the most disliked things about the British winter, according to our new study. Half of the nation ...
Travel insurance for Australia
Heading down under for a trip to or around Australia? Make sure you’ve got the right level of travel insurance cover for where you’ll be going and what you’ll be doing.
Travel insurance for the Balearic Islands
It’s one of the most popular holiday hotspots for UK holidaymakers. But what can you expect from a trip to the Balearics?