Best holidays for Solo Parents with children - UK guide
Best Holidays for Solo Parents With Children (UK Guide 2026)
For many solo parents, the hardest part of planning a holiday isn’t choosing the destination.
It’s the thought of doing everything alone.
The airport.
The luggage.
Keeping the children entertained.
Making sure everyone is safe and happy.
And one worry I hear again and again is:
“What will evenings feel like if it’s just me while the children are playing?”
These are completely normal thoughts.
But after helping many solo parents plan holidays — and travelling myself as a solo parent — I’ve learned something important.
Solo parent holidays are often much easier, and much more enjoyable, than people imagine.
Why Holidays Can Feel Harder as a Solo Parent
When you’re the only adult travelling with children, everything feels like your responsibility.
Parents often worry about:
* managing the airport alone
* keeping children entertained
* safety if someone becomes ill
* evenings feeling lonely
* whether their children will make friends
These worries can sometimes stop people booking the holiday they really want.
But the reality once you arrive is usually very different.
Children adapt quickly.
They make friends easily.
And once they are happily playing, parents often discover something they didn’t expect…
They can finally relax.
What Actually Makes a Holiday Easier for Solo Parents
After planning a lot of family holidays, there are a few things that consistently make trips easier for solo parents.
The best holidays usually include:
All inclusive hotels
So meals, snacks and drinks are easy and stress-free.
Waterpark hotels or activity resorts
Where children have plenty to do throughout the day.
Walkable resorts
Where everything is close together and easy to navigate.
Family entertainment in the evenings
So children can enjoy shows, discos or games.
These types of resorts allow children to stay busy and happy, which gives parents time to relax — even if that just means sitting by the pool with a book or people-watching with a drink in hand.
Destinations That Work Well for Solo Parent Holidays
Some destinations naturally work better than others for solo parent travel.
Places with short transfers, great family hotels and lots to do nearby tend to be the easiest.
A few destinations that often work well include:
Tenerife
A huge choice of family resorts and waterpark hotels.
Mallorca
Beautiful beaches and safe, well-developed family areas.
Salou
Perfect for families who love theme parks and waterparks.
These destinations are popular for a reason — they are easy, well organised, and designed for family holidays.
You can explore some of the destinations I recommend here:
Mistakes Solo Parents Sometimes Make When Booking
When parents try to organise holidays themselves, a few common issues come up.
For example:
Choosing a very cheap self-catering apartment can sometimes make things harder, not easier.
It can feel awkward leaving belongings to get drinks or food, and you end up doing far more of the work yourself.
Similarly, small or isolated hotels can feel quiet if there aren’t many children around.
Family-focused resorts with plenty going on often create a much better experience for both parents and children.
The Moment Parents Finally Relax
There is usually a moment on the first or second day where everything suddenly clicks.
It’s often very simple.
The children are in the pool.
They’ve already made friends.
The holiday rhythm has begun.
And the parent finally sits down with their first cocktail and realises:
“This is actually easier than I expected.”
That’s the moment where the stress disappears and the holiday truly begins.
Why Travelling Alongside Other Solo Parents Helps
For some families, travelling alongside other solo parents adds another layer of reassurance.
It doesn’t mean spending every moment together.
But it does mean knowing there is someone nearby who understands what travelling solo with children is like.
Children often enjoy having other kids around, and parents appreciate the comfort of knowing someone is there if something unexpected happens.
You can read more about how this works here:
→ SPARCLE shared holidays for solo parents
Solo Parent Holidays Can Be Wonderful
Children are incredibly adaptable.
They make friends quickly, they find their rhythm, and they often end up having the time of their lives.
Once that happens, parents can relax too.
And those moments — watching your children laugh in the pool, enjoying evening entertainment together, or simply sitting in the sunshine — become the memories that make the holiday special.
Thinking About Your First Solo Parent Holiday?
If you’ve been thinking about taking a holiday alone with your children but feel unsure where to start, you’re not alone.
With the right destination and the right resort, solo parent holidays can be far easier and far more enjoyable than you might expect.
If you’d like help finding a holiday that works for your family, you can:
→ Complete my enquiry form here
Travel should feel achievable — not overwhelming.
Catherine
Aurora Dream Travels ✨
