9 Holiday Destinations In Asia For Families To End 2024

As a seasoned traveller who has explored the wonders of Asia with my family, I’ve uncovered the hidden gems and must-visit spots that truly cater to all ages. From unforgettable beach days to thrilling city adventures, these locations have earned their place as the best family-friendly holiday destinations in Asia.

Best family-friendly holiday destinations in Asia

1. Tokyo, Japan 

Best for: Kid-friendly attractions and safe environment
Travel time from Singapore: 6 – 7 hour flight
Ideal trip duration: 5 – 7 days

When travelling, safety is always top priority for me — even more so when with younger ones. In fact, Japan has been ranked the most kid-friendly Asian country in 2024, according to the World Population Review. For that reason, I believe Japan is one of the best family-friendly holiday destinations in Asia. 

If I could only pick one prefecture, Tokyo would be the city to visit when travelling with family. Based on my experience, I noticed that while Tokyo is a tourist hotspot, it remains accommodating to families with babies and toddlers. Although busy shopping districts like Shibuya were slightly overwhelming for my three-year-old niece, there were still many attractions in Tokyo like the Rikugien Gardens and Meiji Jingu Shrine which she thoroughly enjoyed trotting around!

Family-friendly activities I recommend:

Where to stay:

I recently stayed at Mimaru Tokyo Hatchobori with my family, and we specifically chose this hotel for their Pokémon-themed rooms — which my niece adored! The hotel is also centrally located, near several train lines and attractions such as the Yasube Taketsune Horibe Monument and Koamicho Children’s Park.

If your family is planning a trip to Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, stay at Tokyo Bay Maihama Hotel Club Resort, as it’s within walking distance from both parks. Choose from their three family room types including a traditional Japanese style room with balconies overlooking Tokyo Bay’s majestic sunsets. 

2. Taipei, Taiwan 

Best for: Lively night markets and pleasant weather year-round
Travel time from Singapore: 4 – 5 hour flight
Ideal trip duration: 3 – 5 days

Exploring a country’s culinary delights is one of my favourite aspects of travel. If your family is anything like mine, vacations always revolve around finding the best eateries! This is why my family and I frequently visit Taipei, Taiwan — the vibrant land of night markets.

Taipei stands out as one of the best family-friendly holiday destinations in Asia, offering a delightful escape from the bustling crowds typically found in other locales. Even in the heart of Taipei, you’ll find that it doesn’t feel overwhelmingly crowded, allowing for a relaxed travel experience — which may be rare for big family trips. The food scene in Taipei is also endless. In a city littered with restaurants and night markets, I never find myself going to bed hungry when in Taipei. Plus, travelling to this city is good all year round. Even in December, you won’t have to contend with frigid temperatures; Taipei’s weather remains pleasantly mild, averaging a low of around 15 degrees Celsius.

Family-friendly activities I recommend:

Where to stay:

I was very pleased with my stay at Via Hotel Taipei Station. This hotel is within close walking distance from the Taipei Main Station, and popular tourist attractions like Ximending Shopping Area and National Taiwan Museum. My stay here saved me time and money by doing away with transportation fees for my family. I also noticed that the rooms have good noise-proofing, and there was minimal to no street noise, allowing my baby cousins to sleep through the night!

3. Seoul, South Korea 

Best for: Shopping and interactive kids’ attractions
Travel time from Singapore: 6 – 7 hours via plane
Ideal trip duration: 4 – 7 days 

Seoul, South Korea, is a perennial favourite among Singaporeans. The city’s vibrant shopping scene, with its endless array of skincare and fashion offerings, is a major draw. But beyond shopping, Seoul is one of the cleanest and safest cities in Asia — perfect for families. 

My friends with young children often rave about the city’s clean and abundant children’s facilities. With a strong focus on kids’ enrichment, Seoul offers some of the most interactive attractions, guaranteed to keep your little ones entertained!

Family-friendly activities I recommend:

Where to stay:

When visiting Seoul, Myeongdong is my go-to area to reside in. It’s incredibly centralised, so travelling around the city is easy and fuss-free. LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong is a reliable option, featuring excellent amenities and it’s just a three-minute walk from Euljiro3-ga Subway Station (Lines 2 and 3) and City Hall Station. Alternatively, consider Henn na Hotel Seoul Myeongdong, the world’s first robot-operated hotel, as recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records. With its unique decor, including life-sized dinosaurs and robots, it’s sure to amuse younger ones and adults!

During my longer three-month stay in Seoul, I stayed in Yeonnam-dong — a quiet neighbourhood near Hongdae. If you enjoy café hopping and vintage shopping or just prefer a more peaceful neighbourhood, I highly recommend this area.

4. The Maldives

Best for: Family-friendly beach resorts and unique water activities
Travel time from Singapore: 4 – 5 hour flight
Ideal trip duration: 4 -7 days 

I always thought of the Maldives as a dreamy honeymoon destination, but after visiting with family, I can confidently say it’s also one of the best family-friendly holiday destinations in Asia. Simply stepping foot on the white-sand beaches instantly lifted my younger siblings’ spirits. 

More importantly, most resorts here cater to families, offering everything from kids’ clubs to safe snorkelling spots. My family and I spent hours snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters, and watching my siblings’ faces light up as they watched fishes swim by was priceless. Some resorts even offer dolphin-watching tours, which will be a treasured core memory to share with family. 

Family-friendly activities I recommend:

Where to stay:

Resorts in the Maldives are distinct for their overwater bungalows that are mostly suitable for families of all ages. In my search for the best water villas, I came across COMO Maalifushi. This luxury resort is located in Thaa Atoll, the southwest region of the Maldives, and made for one of the most unforgettable stays I’ve had. Beyond the room, this private resort hosts a range of curated family activities, from reef bottom fishing to dolphin watching and even coral propagation! You can also drop your kids off at the Play by COMO Space, a play area filled with games, books and art materials for children aged four to 12.

5. Bali, Indonesia 

Bali may be my favourite island to visit for spontaneous trips. The island, a stone’s throw away from home, stole my heart with its stunning landscapes and warm, embracing culture. What I appreciate most is the hospitality in Bali. Balinese people are always welcoming, making you feel right at home no matter where you go. 

Contrary to belief, Bali is not just for couples or surfers; it’s also one of the best, and cheapest, family-friendly holiday destinations in Asia. There are endless activities you can do as a family here, including laid-back visits to temples, exploring the rice terraces and water rafting — a great way to introduce kids to water sports!

Family-friendly activities I recommend:

Where to stay:

From Canggu to Nusa Dua and Benoa, there are many spots to hit up in Bali. But I say book a stay at Hard Rock Hotel, Kuta for an all-in-one package. Enjoy some quality time with your little ones at their Kids Water Park pool. After lunch, bring them to the Lullaby Playroom — a colourful indoor play area for kids below four years and immerse them in educational toys and games. Want to spend some alone time with your partner? Drop your older toddlers off at Roxity Kids Club where they’ll be supervised and guided in a range of fun activities ranging from bracelet making to Rockwall climbing.

6. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Best for: Wildlife and ecotourism
Travel time from Singapore: 2 – 3 hour flight
Ideal trip duration: 3 – 5 days 

Is your family mad about animals? Then Chiang Mai, Thailand is probably one of the best holiday destinations in Asia for your family to get up close to and interact with some magnificent elephants. I visited the Elephant Nature Park, a fantastic ethical experience for the whole family. In fact, many elephant sanctuaries in this northern Thai city have been rescuing abandoned elephants from the logging industry among others. So, there is a strict no riding policy and visitors are encouraged to feed, bathe and walk the elephants instead. This was a fantastic way to introduce my little cousins to the importance of ethical wildlife tourism and they left with a deeper appreciation and care for animals.

Chiang Mai also has tons of outdoor activities that my family loves, like zip-lining at the Jungle Flight and visiting the Chiang Mai Zoo. It’s definitely one of the best family-friendly holiday destinations in Asia if you’re looking for a mix of culture and adventure.

Family-friendly activities I recommend:

Where to stay:

Don’t mistake boutique hotels to be non-family friendly. MoMo Hotel boasts spacious family rooms, a well-equipped kids’ club and a children’s playground. There are also free bikes available should you want to do a bike tour in the old city. Otherwise, you’ll be within walking distance of popular temples, the night market and Elephant Jungle Sanctuary — one of the oldest and best elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai.

7. Ipoh, Malaysia

Ipoh surprised me with its blend of history, nature, and food — it’s one of the most underrated locations that deserves a shout out among the best cheap family-friendly holiday destinations in Asia. My family had an amazing time exploring the city’s colonial architecture, visiting stunning cave temples, and cooling off at the Lost World of Tambun, a theme park with hot springs and water slides. Ipoh is perfect if you want to mix a bit of learning with fun. 

The food scene in Ipoh was another huge win. From delicious dim sum to curry mee, even my picky eaters couldn’t resist the local cuisine! Whether you’re travelling with older parents or kids, this place has the perfect balance of leisurely yet stimulating activities. 

Family-friendly activities I recommend:

Where to stay:

If you’re there with the kids and the agenda is the theme park, then staying at the Lost World Hotel is your best bet. Otherwise, reserve a two-bedroom or three-bedroom serviced apartment at Kinta Riverfront Hotel & Suites. The fully furnished apartment will make your life so much easier. Along with a stellar breakfast buffet line and since it’s situated minutes from the city, this can make the best home away from home!

8. Phu Quoc, Vietnam

Best for: Nature trails and beach walks
Travel time from Singapore: 4 – 5 hour flight
Ideal trip duration: 4 – 6 days 

Phu Quoc, Vietnam is an absolute gem and a rising star among the best family-friendly holiday destinations in Asia. If your family lives and breathes adventure then make a trip to Phu Quoc in Vietnam! Pronounced “foo kwok”, this pristine island sits just off the coast of Cambodia and is pretty unknown compared to its cousins on the mainland. During my time here, my family and I spent most of our time amongst nature, hiking the Ganh Dau Trail and ending the day off with long sunset walks along the Ong Lang Beach.

If your tots get restless, hop down to VinWonders, the island’s huge amusement park or the Vinpearl Safari for more engaging kid-friendly activities. I loved how Phu Quoc offered both relaxation and entertainment without feeling too commercialised.

Family-friendly activities I recommend:

Where to stay:

Book a stay at Novotel Phu Quoc Resort and enjoy your own beachfront villa with a private pool! This villa can comfortably house a family of four with direct access to Truong Beach and is the most idyllic place to return to after those long hiking trips. There’s of course, a relaxing spa and wellness centre and fitness centres to get your ab game on in case of wet weather. For more lodging options, check out the best hotels in Phu Quoc for your next beach vacation!

Bonus:

9. Singapore

Best for: Lively cityscape, rich cultural diversity, and safe environment
Ideal trip duration:  3 – 5 days 

Not quite ready to take your little one on an overseas adventure? Don’t worry, Singapore is renowned as one of the best family-friendly holiday destinations in Asia for good reason. With an excellent array of dining options, shopping experiences, and cosy retreats, indulge in a guilt-free staycation with your kids in our homeland. 

But if you are visiting Singapore for the first time, here is a local’s guide to the top family-friendly attractions to explore during your stay here!

Family-friendly activities I recommend:

Where to stay:

Instead of heading to a resort on Sentosa, why not uncover one of the East’s biggest secrets — D’Resort? Rates are affordable and rooms are spacious with options of two themed Rainforest Family rooms — choose from the Jungle or Underwater or a double-storey duplex room with your own BBQ pit. Let your kids ooh and ahh at the pretty wall paintings and encourage them to unlock the special treasure box found in the family rooms.

What are the best ages to travel with children?

Choosing the right time to travel with your kids can vary for each family. Many parents choose to travel with their kids as early as age 2, when toddlers begin to participate in activities without needing a stroller. From the ages of 3 – 5, kids are more engaged with their surroundings, making it a fantastic time for family outings.

As children mature from 6 – 12 years old, they begin to develop their own opinions and form a greater appreciation for cultures — which I feel is the best time to take your kids on trips. 

With regards to flying, it’s generally safe for children to travel after their first few months, with most airlines permitting infants as young as 2 days old. However, paediatricians often recommend waiting until they’re at least 2 – 3 months old for long-haul flights. Always check with your healthcare provider for tailored advice on travel safety for your little ones.

Take off to the best family-friendly holiday destinations in Asia 

So there you have it, these are the best family-friendly holiday destinations in Asia. But that’s not all! You don’t want to be caught off-guard when travelling, so be sure to tick off these travel essentials when packing for your holiday. Don’t forget to grab one of the best SIM cards for world travel to stay connected!

This article was updated on 25 October 2024. Additional research done by Quek Jie Ann.