5 Top Destinations for Families to Travel with Teens

Planning a vacation with teens can be a challenge. But despite that, a holiday with your teens can be a lot of fun, especially if you choose the right destination. So, to help you with this, we’ve rounded up a list of the top five destinations for families to travel with teens. From adventurous road trips to relaxing city breaks, these destinations will make your teens feel excited about your upcoming trip. 

Vietnam

Boasting an abundance of diverse landscapes, gorgeous unspoilt beaches, lush mountains, and fascinating culture, a vacation travelling Vietnam is perfect for families with adventurous teens. The vast country offers plenty of options to explore, depending on your preferences. It has something for history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts, and beach bums.

The bustling capital city of Hanoi is an incredible destination for families. It’s an ancient city with rich culture and history, home to fascinating museums, magnificent temples, ancient pagodas, and beautiful French colonial architecture. Wander around the Old Quarter, and visit famous sites like Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. If your teens are the outdoorsy types, take them on a trekking adventure to Sapa, a mountainous town in northwest Vietnam. Aside from admiring the stunning nature views, your trekking adventure will take you to local villages and get a peek into the life of ethnic minorities.

Your visit to Vietnam won’t be complete without a visit to the magnificent Ha Long Bay, one of the country’s top attractions. Cruising is the best way to explore this famous attraction, where your kids get a chance to enjoy kayaking along the bay. 

The Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos offers something for everyone, especially families with teens. There are many activities that the entire family can do together, from taking hikes to exploring lush jungles home to incredible wildlife. There is no better place on Earth to explore with your adventurous teens than the Galapagos.

Give your teens the chance to stretch out their legs and run around at the many incredible beaches of the Galapagos Islands. You’ll find black and white sand beaches in the Galapagos, with mangrove forests and volcanic rocks in the backdrop. Stay at Puerto Ayora, giving you easy access to some of the best beaches on the islands. While at the beach, your teens should go on a kayaking adventure, where they could encounter fascinating creatures like marine iguanas, turtles, sea lions, penguins, and more. 

Cruising is a great way to tour the Galapagos with your teens. You will be sleeping on the boat as it travels from one island to another. With this option, you won’t have to worry about booking separate accommodations. In addition, these cruises include a wealth of activities your teens will enjoy, not to mention the opportunity to see rare animals.

South Africa

If your idea of a family holiday is trying out exciting activities like horse riding, game viewing, hiking, and soaking up the sunshine at some beautiful beaches, take your teens to South Africa. Over recent years, South Africa is becoming a popular destination for families, thanks to its diverse attractions that appeal to adults and kids.

South Africa is one of the few places on Earth where you can enjoy unforgettable safari adventures to witness big animals in the wild, something your teens will love. It has outstanding national parks for game viewing, such as the Kruger National Park and Pilanesberg National Park. For adventurers, consider hiking to the top of Table Mountain. You can also go whale watching in Hermanus or horse riding in the Drakensberg.

If you’re looking to relax at the beach during your downtime, you should go to Cape Town, which has some of South Africa’s most beautiful beaches. You can go to Camps Bay, which is close to the centre or venture into Boulders Beach, where you can witness a colony of endangered African penguins. Cape Town has tropical coral reefs and excellent diving and snorkelling spots where you can discover fascinating marine life.

Italy

Italy is a fabulous place to take your teens for a family getaway. There are child-friendly historical sites and museums, stunning beaches, and natural wonders to explore. Your teens will also love Italy for having some of their favourite foods, from pizzas to pasta and gelato!

If your teens are history buffs, they will have a blast in Italy. The country is home to some of the world’s most prominent archaeological sites, including incredible ruins. Take them to Rome to explore the Colosseum, where the gladiators used to fight. Venture into the ancient town of Pompeii and discover fascinating ruins. Florence or Venice are ideal destinations if your teens are into arts and culture. Florence is home to many fantastic museums, like the Uffizi Gallery, Academia Gallery, and Palazzo Vecchio. Meanwhile, Venice has the Doge’s Palace and Palazzo Ducale.

While in Italy, don’t miss the chance to visit the country’s incredible lakes. But with so many to choose from, it can be tricky to decide where to go. Lake Como is the most popular, but Lake Orta or Lake Iseo are quieter alternatives. Other picturesque lakes to explore are Lakes Maggiore and Lugano, which lie along the border between Switzerland and Italy.

New Zealand

Travelling to New Zealand with your teens is an incredible opportunity to enjoy different outdoor adventures. Consisting of two main islands, the South Island and North Island, New Zealand is a fascinating destination to discover with your loved ones. Here, you’ll be treated to breathtaking landscape scenery with an unparalleled combination of majestic mountains, scenic lakes, and lush greenery. 

Teens love animals, so pay a visit to the Auckland Zoo, home to more than a thousand animal species and run by an organisation involved in wildlife research and conservation work. Visit the Hobbiton, New Zealand’s most famous attraction and a must-visit for families, especially if your teens love the Hobbit film series. 

New Zealand is home to many stunning beaches, but if you only have time to visit one, check out the Hot Water Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula. This beach is unique because it has a geothermal hot tub where you and your kids can relax.