Last-minute early Autumn family breaks worth booking now
The summer holidays are winding down, but there's still time to squeeze in one more trip before uniforms, timetables and extracurricular activities take over. Whether you want guaranteed sunshine, cooler mountain air or simply somewhere new that doesn't need months of planning, we’ve got you covered.
Our edit of the best last-minute early autumn breaks worth booking this week include weekend breaks just a short flight away and beach escapes for those chasing the last of the summer sunshine.
Whichever you choose, the trick with a last-minute autumn booking is speed. Prices tend to firm up as soon as schools break up for October half term, so if one of these has caught your eye, it's worth acting on it fast.
Méribel, French Alps
If the heat has worn thin, "coolcation" is the word of the summer for a reason. Méribel sits at an average of 22 degrees even in late summer and early autumn, and the new Pass Explorateur opens up more than thirty family activities, from inflatable castles and tubing to tennis and mini-farm visits, plus unlimited access to the pedestrian ski lifts. A three-day pass costs £59, a six-day pass £85. It's an easy way to fill the days without every activity being an extra cost on top of the trip. When it comes to accommodation, we love La Chaudanne Hotel & Spa with its Solarium terrace and Nuxe Spa for parents who want a proper reset after a day on the trails, or Falcon Lodge for families who prefer a self-catered chalet with shared wellness facilities.
Book via chaudanne.com or alpine-resorts.fr
Bressanone, South Tyrol
If Méribel’s alpine air appeals but you’d rather trade hiking boots for a spa robe, AKI Plose in Bressanone is worth the detour. It’s the first family-only property from the Adler Spa Resort group, set on the slopes above Bressanone, with family suites opening onto private terraces overlooking the Dolomites. Every table comes with a Stokke Tripp Trapp chair as standard, there’s a soft play area beside the main dining room, and the Kids’ Club runs supervised meal times so parents can get a proper, uninterrupted dinner. Early autumn is a quiet window before the ski season crowds arrive so add this one to your list.
Canary Islands, Spain
The Canary Islands are still the easiest last-minute win for guaranteed late-summer/early-autumn sun with young children in tow. There are two deals worth grabbing right now from TUI. Enjoy seven nights at TUI BLUE Las Pitas in Gran Canaria from £548pp (around £1,642 for a family of four) departing 17 August from Newcastle. Or, seven nights at TUI BLUE Flamingo Beach in Lanzarote from £592pp (around £2,365 for a family of four) on an all-inclusive basis, departing 31 August from London Gatwick. Both deals include 25kg luggage and transfers. Both are perfectly catered to families with kid’s pools, clubs and activities for all ages to enjoy, plus both islands keep their warmth well into autumn. Prices are correct as of publication but will move as availability tightens, so it's worth confirming before you get too attached to a departure date.
Book via tui.co.uk
Kotor Bay, Montenegro
For a location that ticks all the boxes, try Mövenpick's first Montenegro property in Risan, on the UNESCO-protected Bay of Kotor. The 151-room waterfront hotel has an infinity pool, a private beach club and the Little Birds Club for children aged three to twelve, alongside a wellness area with an indoor pool, sauna and steam room. It's around 25km from Tivat International Airport, making it a realistic option even for a short autumn trip, and new openings like this one are often at their best value in the first season. The hotel is also around 50km from Dubrovnik, so it works as a base for a short Croatia and Montenegro combined trip if you want to add a day or two of sightseeing either side of the beach club and pool.
Book via all.accor.com
Marrakech, Morocco
For a short-haul dose of heat and colour, Marrakech is hard to beat this time of year. The Four Seasons Resort Marrakech pairs traditional riad-inspired architecture with proper family infrastructure. There’s a a complimentary Kids For All Seasons programme built around a dedicated kasbah with its own mini theatre, kitchen and shallow pool, plus a Young Adult Centre for teenagers with video games and sports facilities. Rooms lean sumptuous rather than spare, with velvet and linen finishes and thoughtful turndown for younger guests. It’s a four-hour flight from the UK, making it realistic even for a long weekend.
Mauritius
For families willing to go further for guaranteed sun, One&Only Le Saint Géran on Mauritius’ east coast is a serious contender. The kids’ club runs from 10am to 10pm with pony rides, cupcake decorating and a proper outdoor playground, while a dedicated teen room covers computers, films and games. Beyond the kids’ club, the boathouse offers water-skiing, paddleboarding and boat trips, and the babysitting service has a reputation strong enough that parents actually use their evenings off. It’s a long-haul trip, so it suits a week or more rather than a quick early autumn break.
Book via oneandonlyresorts.com/le-saint-geran
