Easter is the first long school holiday in which to escape the leaden skies and perma-drizzle that typify the British winter. It’s therefore not surprising that this is a popular time of year to enjoy a family adventure.
And none more so than this Easter, 2022, which may be many families’ first ‘proper’ holiday in two years. Even better, Easter falls quite late this year, April 17, which is great news weather-wise.
A truly awe-inspiring site, Jordan’s Petra never fails to impress the kids
Whilst some destinations are still off-limits to UK travellers, there’s a huge number of options for a cracking Easter family holiday, whether you prefer a short hop, skip and a jump to holiday heaven, or prefer to travel much farther afield.
Here, we’ve put together what we think are the most exciting. We’d love to have you with us!
NOTE: We’ve given the latest covid entry requirements for each country. These change incredibly frequently and should be used as a guide only! Please ask us for up to date requirements.
Sea kayaking is just one of many exciting activities your family can do in Crete on an Easter holiday
The largest island in Greece also offers the greatest number of family-friendly activities. Yes, being an island, there are beaches (large and off-the-beaten-track) galore. And the freshly caught seafood is exquisite. But wandering through the streets of the Venetian harbour of Chania (pronounced ‘Hania’), stopping off at tavernas, hiking the Samaria Gorge, sea-kayaking in Sfakion, or cycling, slow-travel style, though picturesque villages are all on offer, making Crete the perfect Easter destination for families.
What’s even better is that at this time of year, Crete is arguably at its beautiful best – the mountains giving way to a swathe of flowering shrubs and plants whilst Easter celebrations are everywhere! Our top tip? Don’t miss Bougatsa Iordanis, the oldest cheese pie shop in Crete for its traditional eponymous delicacy. Take a look at our 10-day Crete Adventure for what you could be doing this Easter. Parakalo!
Latest Entry Requirements: Travellers over 5 need a negative test before travel to Greece.
Temperatures on an Easter family holiday are perfect for cycling
By April, spring has firmly arrived in Portugal making it a wonderful time to visit. It will be sunny, with temperatures in the low 20’s, making it a great time to explore and get active. Search for dolphins from a catamaran! Hop on a Lisbon tram! Cycle along a Roman aqueduct! Explore a cork plantation! The cafés and restaurants may not be open yet, and the sea may still be a tad on the chilly side, but with cheap flights to Lisbon and just a two-and-a-half-hour flight time, why wouldn’t you choose to spend Easter here?
Take a look at our Highlights of Portugal trip. Alternatively, Madeira is also very pleasant at this time of year if you’d rather have a shorter, one-week Easter family break.
Latest Entry Requirements: Travellers over 11 need a negative test before travel to Portugal.
All the family will love exploring Oman’s wadis, mountains and forts, not to mention the beaches
The popularity of Oman has soared amongst family travellers in recent years – and with good reason. It boasts fabulous beaches, mountain scenery, ancient forts, picturesque fishing villages, oases, and deserts (think true ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ and you’re there). And although there are luxury hotels popping up all over the place, the price tag is much lower than in its glitzier near neighbour, Dubai.
With a direct flight time between the UK and Muscat of just over 7 hours, you can have guaranteed spring sunshine which makes Oman a great Easter holiday destination for families! Take a look at our Highlights of Oman sample itinerary to see what you could be doing on an Easter family holiday this year.
Latest Entry Requirements: Adults must be vaccinated and take PCR before travel. There are no requirements for children aged 17 and under.
Watch the vast sunsets in Jordan’s Wadi Rum
Visiting Jordan for a family holiday at Easter is ideal. The temperatures are warm but not yet ‘fried egg on rock’ hot, and you can expect endless sunshine to show off the beautiful desert landscapes. Travel now and you could be enjoying bike rides to the Dead Sea, riding camels and hiking in Wadi Rum, or following the Wadi Feynan trail through the spectacular Feynan Valley. Add in remote crusader castles, stunning Roman ruins (often carpeted by wildflowers at Easter), and the dramatic Nabataean ruins at Petra, and you might just have found your perfect Easter family holiday.
For photos and more ideas on what to do in Jordan with the kids, check out our blog post.
Latest Entry Requirements: PCR test before travel and on arrival in Jordan (straightforward to arrange on arrival at the airport).
Take the kids to Abu Simbel, the most magnificent monument built by Ramses II
In just over four and a half hours from London, you could be at the foot of the Giza pyramids on the first day of your Easter family holiday with zero jet lag and excited, not over-tired kids. The temperatures in Egypt are absolutely sublime during the Easter holidays, warm and sunny enough for t-shirts during the daytime and the optimum temperature for discovering the country’s rich history (our Egypt’s Eight Must-Do’s are a must-read!).
Our 8-day sample itinerary takes in all the Highlights of Egypt, but if you’ve got extra time, extend the trip to allow for some relaxing by the hotel pool. Alternatively, why not combine Egypt with a trip to Jordan – see Egypt & Jordan Highlights.
Latest Entry Requirements: Travellers aged 6 or over either need proof of vaccination or a negative test.
Care for rescued elephant in Nepal’s Chitwan National Park
Easter is springtime in Nepal, with the Himalayan foothills flanked with banks of rhododendrons in full pink and purple bloom. The air is still clear but the temperatures are much warmer than at Christmas. This is a magnificent time to take to the trekking footpaths and experience the full majesty of the Annpurnas.
If not trekking, then there are loads of other exciting things to see and do too, like visiting Chitwan in search of tigers or white-water rafting whilst the rivers are full of snowmelt. Want to know more? Take a look at our Nepal Highlights (no trek) or Active Nepal (with a 3-day trek).
Latest Entry Requirements: Travellers need a PCR test before travel. Adults must be vaccinated.
Packed with wonderful historical, cultural, and scenic attractions, Sri Lanka works for all ages
It doesn’t matter what time of year you want to visit, Sri Lanka is a stand-out winner, whether it’s Easter, Summer, or Christmas! No wonder it’s one of our most popular destinations. In March and April, the temperatures are dry and warm, with the southern and west coast beaches enjoying the best of the weather.
If you fancy visiting the highlights of the Cultural Triangle, taking a train through tea plantations, or searching for leopard on safari, see our 15-day Sri Lanka Christmas & Easter Tour. We also recommend checking out Sri Lanka with Kids – Top 10 things to do, to find out why it’s such a great Easter family holiday destination.
Latest Entry Requirements: Travellers 12-17 need at least one vaccination dose. Adults need to be fully vaccinated. Children 11 and under do not need to be vaccinated. All travellers must have a PCR before travel.
Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula offers families famous Mayan ruins, rainforest wildlife and Caribbean beach life
Easter in Mexico is A VERY BIG DEAL. Semana Santa (‘Holy Week’), the week leading up to Easter, is an important religious holiday in Mexico. You’ll see religious celebrations and processions, palm leaves aloft, through towns and villages. It’s also a time when families head to the beach and tourist attractions to make the most of their spare time as well as escape from the cities.
If you’re a family who travels to experience this unique festival atmosphere, there’s rarely a more vibrant time to visit, (except for October’s Day of the Dead festivals). However, we do recommend booking early to guarantee accommodation availability.
See our sample itinerary, Best of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, and take a look at our Top 10 things to do in Mexico with Kids for ideas on what else you could be doing on our Easter family holidays.
Latest Entry Requirements: None
Great for culture, beach and wildlife, you can also eat al fresco on Easter family holidays to Belize
Two neighbouring but contrasting destinations make for the perfect two-week Easter family holiday. Even better, March and April are some of the best months to visit, when it’s dry and sunny without much rain. Whilst Guatemala offers picture-perfect colonial towns surrounded by lofty volcanoes, lively indigenous markets, mysterious Mayan ruins, and the exquisite sparkling waters of Lake Atitlan, Belize has jungle that teems with wildlife, some of the best snorkelling in the world, blissful white beaches, and superb adventure activities. Take a look at our Belize and Guatemala sample itinerary for inspiration as well as clients’ photos from recent trips to Belize.
Latest Entry Requirements – Guatemala: Travellers over 12 must be fully vaccinated. Travellers 10 and over must have negative test before travel.
Latest Entry Requirements – Belize: Travellers 5 and over need a negative test before travel to Belize.
Costa Rica is an exciting outdoor playground but book early for a family holiday at Easter
April is the last month in Costa Rica’s dry season and is the ideal time to visit this tropical paradise, as our Costa Rica Easter & Christmas itinerary shows. There will be some rain (you don’t get the rainforest without frequent rain) but there should be lots of sunshine too. If you head to the Southern Pacific coast around Uvita, April is whale watching season with superb sightings on day boat trips off the coast.
Our Top 10 Costa Rica with Kids blog has lots of exciting ideas, too. It’s worth noting that due to Costa Rica’s increasing popularity during Easter, the best family-friendly accommodation (and flight availability) can get booked up in advance. Our advice is to book as far as you can ahead to bag the best of it.
Latest Entry Requirements: Travellers 12 and over need to be vaccinated. (There is a current lack of clarity as to whether 12-17 year olds can make do with one jab; for now we advise ensuring they have two).
Stubborn Mule’s Helene Cooper soaks up the Latin vibe on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro
It’s also a great time of year to travel. By Easter, the scorching mid-summer temperatures of December / January are a distant memory, but winter (and the cooler temperatures of July/ August) is still a way down the track. If you’re wanting more inspiration about what to see and do here, then check out our favourite family activities. Or, see our sample itineraries, we’ve three to choose from!
Latest Entry Requirements: Travellers over 12 must be fully vaccinated and take a test before travel.
Enjoy some close up wildlife experiences on an Easter family holiday in the Galapagos
A special Easter mention must go to the Galapagos Islands. At this time of year, eggs are hatching all over the place so it’s a particularly wonderful time to visit. Although giant tortoise hatchlings are coming to an end, land iguanas hatch in Isabella, and green sea turtles start to emerge, whilst the massive arrival of waved albatross on Espanola marks the start of courting season. See our sample Ecuador & Galapagos Highlights itinerary, and for further inspiration, check out our blog on the Top 10 activities to do in the Galapagos with Kids.
Latest Entry Requirements: Travellers over 12 need to be vaccinated and have a test before travel.
Hot air ballooning in California’s Napa Valley is wonderful family treat
Given that the USA is so vast, it’s generally pretty difficult to pinpoint the best time to visit unless you hone your search down to specific states or areas. That is…unless you’re visiting in spring when the heat of the summer has yet to intensify and the summer crowds haven’t arrived. As for where to go during late March and early April, California and the Western National Parks are your best bet, with plenty of sunny days on the Pacific coast and warmer evenings. There’ll still be some snow in the mountains, though. Take a look at our 15-day Classic California Family Holiday and 17-day Western National Parks USA for what you and your family could be doing this Easter.
Latest Entry Requirements: Travellers over 18 must be fully vaccinated. We strongly recommend that travellers 12 and over are fully vaccinated as many cities / states bar entry to restaurants for unvaccinated children.
Cuba has so much to offer active families on an Easter family break, including its gorgeous beaches
The largest of the Caribbean islands, Cuba has been a really popular family holiday destination in recent (non-Covid) years. During the months of March and April, you’ll enjoy warm, sunny, and dry conditions, whist as a religious island, there are festivities across the country throughout Easter.
Lush and tropical, surrounded by idyllic palm-fringed beaches but with more adventurous activities like ziplining in the rainforest canopy or cycling in Vinales, we’ve two itineraries to help you make the most of it this Easter. Choose from our 10-day Highlights of Cuba adventure, or Cuba in 2 weeks if you’ve more time. It’s also well worth looking at our Top 10 Cuba with Kids blog for our favourite activity inclusions and suggestions.
Latest Entry Requirements: Travellers over 12 must be vaccinated and take a PCR before travel.
If you’d like to know more about any of our suggested Easter destinations and/or their requirements for UK travellers, we’d love to help. Every Stubborn Mule holiday is tailor-made to suit you and your family and we will advise you every step of the way. Call us on 01728 752751 for the inside story on all our destinations or use our enquiry form.
Liddy Pleasants, MD Stubborn Mule Travel
I’m always interested to hear about your travels so do email me with your feedback and experiences of past Easter family holidays or any trips you’ve taken with us.
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