The Top Vacation Destinations For Spring Break Families!

With Spring Break on the horizon, I thought I’d share some exciting insights that might be useful for your readers as they plan their family getaways.

According to recent research by Icelandair, Iceland’s flagship airline, the top destinations for family travel in 2025 have been revealed, offering something for every type of traveler. Here are some standout key findings:

Boston, MA, ranks #1 worldwide for a family Spring Break vacation due to its balance of culture, attractions and outdoor activities.
Four out of the top five family destinations are in the US!
Amsterdam ranks as the top European destination for families, with its walkable city centre, canals and cultural hotspots.
Dubai is the sunniest destination on the list, boasting 3,580 annual hours of sunshine.
Bangkok offers the cheapest dining experiences with an average meal costing just $2.09.
Taipei is ranking the safest destination, scoring 83.85 on the world safety index.
Reykjavik has the fastest internet speeds, ensuring seamless connectivity for travelers.

The comprehensive study analyzed 12 key factors such as affordability, safety, and family-friendly attractions to rank the 50 best destinations for family vacations. Whether you’re planning a long-haul trip or staying closer to home this Spring Break, this research as you covered. Please see the top 10 family friendly destinations below:

#1 overall- Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Boston MA comes out on top. Its coastal home on the northeast of the US means that it has some of the cleanest air of all the cities analyzed. If you’re an outdoorsy family, the Freedom Trail and the swan boats at the beautiful Common and Public Garden might be top of your list. Keep the kids entertained at a Red Sox game at Fenway Park or the New England Aquarium, or try and see some marine life in its natural habitat on a whale watching tour. Whatever your family’s interests, Boston has everything you need!

#1 for sunshine- Dubai, UAE

If it’s sunshine you and the kids are after, Dubai is the destination for you. With 3580 annual hours of sunshine, you’d be hard pushed to find anywhere with more Vitamin D at any time of year. Dubai also has 496 budget and family-friendly attractions, meaning there’s more than just the beach to keep you and the kids entertained.

#1 for cheap eats- Bangkok, Thailand

If you’re looking for cheap, fresh and delicious food on your vacation/holiday, Bangkok is the destination for you. The average cost of a meal in Bangkok is just $2.09, and with a wealth of street food vendors, produce markets and restaurants, you can find tasty, fresh food around every corner. You can find anything in Bangkok- fresh noodles, curries and, thanks to its international influences, a wide range of cheap and delicious cuisine from pretty much anywhere in the world!

#1 for safety- Taipei, Taiwan

With a score of 83.85 on the world safety index, Taipei is the safest destination on the list. Not only does it have one of the lowest crime rates of any country in the world, but Taiwan was also voted the happiest city in Asia in 2020, so you’ll feel right at home with the friendly locals. Taiwan is world-renowned for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, so if you’re looking to keep your family’s health in check whilst you’re away, this may be the perfect destination for you.

#1 for internet speeds- Reykjavik, Iceland

If your children absolutely must be connected to their devices whilst you’re away, and if you need to check the odd work email, Reykjavik has the best internet speeds out of all of the destinations on the list. With average download speeds of 191.83 Mbps, you can plan your itinerary in the morning, stay connected to google maps whilst you’re out exploring (as stunning as they are, no one wants to get lost on a glacier!) and access up-to-date info to help you spot the Northern Lights once it goes dark. The perfect 21st century vacation!

Top tips to save money on Spring Break travel

Planning your spring break getaway doesn’t have to break the bank. Gísli S. Brynólfsson travel expert and Global Marketing Director at Icelandair has shared some valuable tips to help you save money on your travel while still making the most of your Spring Break vacation:

Turn a layover into an adventure

Transform your journey by adding a multi-day stopover to your trip. Icelandair offers a stopover option in Iceland at no extra cost on airfare, giving you the chance to explore a second destination when you fly to Europe. You can stay up to 7 days in Iceland – imagine spending a few days soaking in the local culture before continuing to your final destination, it’s like having two vacations for the price of one!

Bundle flights and hotels for extra value

Booking a flight and hotel package can save you time and money while simplifying your trip planning. These bundles often include handpicked accommodations suited to a range of budgets, making it easy to secure quality stays without the hassle of searching independently.

Book tours and activities in advance

Take advantage of pre-packaged tours to enjoy experiences like guided hikes, cultural excursions, or city tours. Pre-booking these activities not only ensures availability but also provides better value compared to booking last minute. Bundling tours with accommodations or flights can lead to even greater savings.

Leverage local transport and rentals

If you’re planning to explore independently, look for options to bundle transport with your travel plans. Trusted rental car services or public transport passes can make exploring more convenient and cost-effective. Whether you’re driving along scenic routes or using efficient city transit systems, planning ahead will help keep your expenses in check.

About Icelandair:

Icelandair, Iceland’s flagship airline, connects Europe and North America through our hub in Reykjavik. With over 85 years of aviation history, we offer reliable service to more than 40 destinations and a unique stopover program, allowing passengers to explore Iceland at no additional airfare. Combining exceptional service, complimentary inflight entertainment, and gate-to-gate Wi-Fi, we make every journey seamless and unforgettable.

Methodology & sources:

We collected data across 12 metrics for 54 cities around the world (please see all metrics below). Each of the metrics was awarded a score out of 54 and these were combined and divided by the total number of metrics to give an average score for each city. This was then used to rank the 54 cities to determine which would be best for a family holiday.