When choosing a seaside resort for a family vacation, it is important to assess not only the beaches and climate, but also the conditions for children. You should consider how easy it is to get there, whether suitable food is available, whether the entrance to the sea is safe, and whether there are children’s entertainment options and infrastructure for a relaxing stay. In this article, we will look at 11 destinations in Russia and abroad where you can go to the sea with children in 2026. We will cover the features of each resort, the approximate cost of the trip, and travel options.
Sochi
Country: Russia, Krasnodar Territory.
Sea: Black Sea.
Summer temperature: the air usually warms up to +25…+30°C, and the water to +22…+24°C.
Cost of vacation: a one-week trip for two adults and one child, including flights and accommodation, costs approximately from 120,000 rubles.
How to get there: you can fly to Sochi, or travel by train or bus from major Russian cities. A flight from Moscow takes about 3.5 hours, and a one-way ticket costs from 12,000 rubles.
Sochi is the largest resort in Krasnodar Territory and one of the most popular destinations for a vacation with children on the Black Sea. The city has its own airport, a wide selection of hotels, sanatoriums and boarding houses, a developed transport system, and many entertainment options for different ages. After the 2014 Olympics, the city gained modern infrastructure, making it easier to organize a family vacation without complicated logistics.
The beaches in Sochi are mostly pebbly. This is not always as convenient for small children as sand, so it is better to bring water shoes in advance and choose a beach area with a comfortable entrance into the water. During the high season, popular beaches can be crowded, especially in the Central District and Adler.
For family vacations, four districts are most often considered: Adler, Lazarevskoye, Khosta, and Central Sochi. Lazarevskoye is suitable for those looking for a calmer atmosphere. There are many small villages, sanatoriums, and boarding houses here, as well as nearby gorges, gardens, vineyards, and green natural locations. The beaches are usually less crowded than in central Sochi, but for major entertainment you will often need to travel to other districts.
Adler and Sirius are convenient for families who want to stay closer to the main children’s attractions, the Olympic Park, embankments, and modern walking areas. In this part of the resort, it is easier to combine beach time, trips to amusement parks, evening walks, and visits to cafés. The Central District is suitable for those who want to be in the heart of resort life, while Khosta is often chosen for its quieter atmosphere and proximity to Sochi National Park with its relict forests.
The main advantage of Sochi for a trip with children is the wide choice of entertainment. One of the most famous attractions is Sochi Park. It is better to set aside a whole day for it: there are rides for different ages, from carousels and water slides for toddlers to roller coasters and extreme attractions for teenagers. A single-day ticket in summer costs about 3,200–3,400 rubles per person, while a two-day ticket costs about 4,200–4,600 rubles.
In addition to Sochi Park, families with children can visit Riviera Park with its dolphinarium, Mayak Water Park, and the large Arboretum with a funicular and a collection of plants from around the world. The city also has many embankments, playgrounds, cafés, excursions, and walking routes.
When choosing where to stay in Sochi with children, it is worth considering not only the price, but also the location, meals, availability of pools, children’s infrastructure, and convenient access to walking areas. For a family vacation, Sirius is a convenient place to stay: it is close to the sea, the Olympic Park, walking areas, and Sochi Park. One suitable option is Mantera Resort & Congress on Golubaya Street, 1A. The hotel is a good choice for those who want to combine a comfortable beach vacation with well-thought-out infrastructure for children: it has a kids’ club, a children’s pool, a playground, a separate buffet line for young guests, and for parents — a spa, restaurants, bars, babysitting on request, and connecting rooms for convenient accommodation of the whole family. Sochi Park can be reached in about 15 minutes, making it easy to include entertainment in the vacation without long transfers.
Anapa
In 2025, swimming and beach recreation in Anapa and the Temryuk District were banned. The reason was work to eliminate the consequences of the tanker accident involving petroleum products. After the accident, which occurred in December 2024, several thousand tons of fuel oil spilled into the Black Sea.
As of early 2026, the authorities of Krasnodar Territory and Rospotrebnadzor had not provided clear information about the full reopening of beaches in Anapa and the Temryuk District. Therefore, before traveling, it is important to separately check up-to-date information about the environmental situation and the status of a specific beach.
Country: Russia, Krasnodar Territory.
Sea: Black Sea.
Summer temperature: the air usually warms up to +25…+29°C, and the water to +22…+24°C.
Cost of vacation: flights and one-week accommodation for two adults and one child cost approximately from 120,000 rubles.
How to get there: you can fly to Sochi and then continue by land transport. Trains and buses also run to Anapa from major Russian cities. A train from Moscow takes about 33 hours, and a ticket in a reserved-seat carriage costs from 5,500 rubles. During the high season, train tickets sell out quickly, so it is better to buy them in advance.
Anapa is often called one of the most convenient resorts in Krasnodar Territory for families with children. The city is located north of Gelendzhik and Sochi, so the atmosphere here is usually calmer, and resort life is less noisy and crowded.
The main advantage of Anapa is its wide sandy beaches. For families with children, a gentle entrance into the sea, shallow water near the shore, and well-warmed water are especially important. Most beaches are free, and sun loungers and umbrellas can be rented if desired.
For children’s recreation, the Central Beach, Lechebny Beach, and Fotini Beach are most often chosen. They are located near the main embankment, so cafés, walking areas, and entertainment are within easy walking distance.
The city offers many options for family leisure. Anapa has water parks, including the large Golden Beach Water Park, as well as oceanariums and dolphinariums. There are also amusement parks — Jungle Park and Sunny Island. One ride on a carousel usually costs about 250–350 rubles.
In addition to Anapa itself, families with children often choose nearby resort villages — Vityazevo and Dzhemete. These places also have convenient water entry, sandy beaches, and calm sea where strong waves are rare. However, the destination has one feature: due to algae, the sea may bloom, and it is difficult to predict exactly when this will happen.
To compensate for possible restrictions on beach recreation and make the vacation more comfortable, many hotels offer swimming pools. According to tourism market estimates, pools are available in about 80 percent of hotels. In addition, more and more hotels in Anapa, Vityazevo, and Dzhemete are switching to the all-inclusive system. For families with children, this is a convenient format: parents do not have to look for cafés every day, think about the child’s meals, or adjust the vacation schedule to restaurant opening hours.
Gelendzhik
Country: Russia, Krasnodar Territory.
Sea: Black Sea.
Summer temperature: the air usually warms up to +25…+29°C, and the water to +20…+24°C.
Cost of vacation: a one-week trip for two adults and one child, including flights and accommodation, costs approximately from 120,000 rubles.
How to get there: most tourists first fly to Sochi, and then travel to Gelendzhik by bus, rental car, or the high-speed Kometa hydrofoil. In summer, a direct flight to Gelendzhik may also be considered: the airport resumed operations in July 2025. For now, it accepts a limited number of flights from Moscow, and flights from St. Petersburg, Krasnoyarsk, and Novosibirsk are also planned for spring and summer 2026. There is no railway station in Gelendzhik itself.
Gelendzhik is one of the most recognizable resorts in Krasnodar Territory. From above, the city resembles a horseshoe: it is located in a picturesque bay between two capes and surrounded by mountains. Thanks to this location, the sea here is often calm, and the resort itself feels compact and cozy.
The main walking area in Gelendzhik is its long embankment. It stretches for about 14 kilometers, and most of the resort life is concentrated here. Along the promenade there are cafés, souvenir shops, playgrounds, rental points, and entertainment areas. For families with children, this is convenient: you can walk by the sea, stop to rest, and quickly find activities for the child.
The beaches in Gelendzhik Bay are mostly pebbly, although there are areas with sand and shell fragments. The entrance into the water differs from beach to beach, so for a vacation with small children, it is better to choose a more convenient section in advance. Because of the bay, strong waves and storms are rare here, making swimming calmer.
At the same time, tourists sometimes have questions about the cleanliness of the water in Gelendzhik Bay. It is believed that urban pressure and wastewater may affect water quality, although checks are regularly carried out by Rospotrebnadzor. If you want to swim specifically in the open Black Sea, you can consider villages near Gelendzhik — Divnomorskoye, Kabardinka, or Dzhanhot. There, the sea is open, and the atmosphere is usually more intimate.
One of the most popular places for children in Gelendzhik is the Golden Bay Water Park. It is the largest open-air water park in Russia, where many families come for the whole day. An adult ticket costs about 2,900 rubles, a child ticket costs around 1,900 rubles, and toddlers under 106 centimeters tall enter free of charge.
In addition to the water park, Gelendzhik has a safari park, dolphinarium, and amusement park. Therefore, the resort is suitable for families who value not only the sea and beach, but also a wide range of entertainment close to their accommodation.
Kaspiysk
Country: Russia, Republic of Dagestan.
Sea: Caspian Sea.
Summer temperature: the air warms up to +27…+30°C, and the water to +22…+25°C.
Cost of vacation: a week’s stay for two adults and one child in a 3- or 4-star hotel costs approximately 40,000–80,000 rubles. Apartments near the sea can be found from 25,000 rubles per week.
How to get there: the most convenient option is to fly to Makhachkala, and then travel to Kaspiysk by taxi or minibus. A taxi takes about 20 minutes and costs around 500 rubles. Flights to Dagestan operate from many major cities. In summer, a ticket from Moscow costs from 11,000 rubles, and the flight takes about 3 hours. From Yekaterinburg, tickets start from 14,000 rubles, with the travel time also about 3 hours.
Kaspiysk is located near Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan and one of the southernmost regions of Russia. The Caspian is often called a sea because of its large size, depth, and salty water, although formally it is the largest lake on the planet. For tourists, this difference is hardly noticeable: there is a warm climate, sandy beaches, salty water, and the familiar atmosphere of a seaside vacation.
This destination is suitable for families who want a calm and fairly comfortable vacation without unnecessary bustle. In Kaspiysk, you can relax on clean sand, walk along the embankment, breathe in the sea air, and avoid the dense tourist flow typical of more promoted resorts.
Another advantage of Kaspiysk is its proximity to the airport. After the flight, you will not have to travel far to the resort, which is especially convenient when traveling with children. For accommodation, you can choose a hotel, spa hotel, guest house, apartment, or flat. At the same time, it is in Kaspiysk and Makhachkala that it is easier to find good four-star hotels with three meals a day. At smaller seaside resorts in Dagestan, there are noticeably fewer options of this level.
The sea near the shore is shallow, and the entrance into the water is gentle, so the beaches are well suited for families with children. Compared with Makhachkala, Kaspiysk is calmer and less crowded. The main beaches of the city are Central Beach and Laguna. They are spacious, fairly clean, with convenient water entry and basic recreational infrastructure. There is also a children’s area about 70 meters long on the embankment.
For family leisure, you can visit Aqualand Water Park, Dinopark entertainment center, or take a walk in a park with relict trees. There are fewer beach activities here than on the Black Sea coast, but the vacation feels more peaceful: without intrusive service, noisy trading, or constant offers on the beach.
Yeysk
Country: Russia, Krasnodar Territory.
Sea: Sea of Azov, Taganrog Bay.
Summer temperature: the air usually warms up to +28…+30°C, and the water to +25…+26°C.
Cost of vacation: a week’s stay for two adults and one child in a guest house or apartment costs approximately 25,000–35,000 rubles. A hotel for the same period will cost more — about 40,000–60,000 rubles.
How to get there: in summer, you can reach Yeysk by train from Moscow or St. Petersburg in about a day; tickets cost from 4,500 rubles. Buses run from Krasnodar: the trip takes 3–5 hours, and a ticket costs about 1,500 rubles. From Moscow, the bus takes about 16 hours and costs from 4,800 rubles.
Yeysk belongs to the resorts of Krasnodar Territory, but it is located not on the Black Sea, but on the Sea of Azov, on the shore of Taganrog Bay. This destination is often chosen by families who want a calm, inexpensive, and straightforward seaside vacation without a large influx of tourists.
The Sea of Azov is well suited for trips with children. It is shallow, warms up quickly, and has a gradual entrance into the water. The average depth of the sea is about 7 meters, and near the shore children can swim comfortably even at a shallow depth. The beaches in Yeysk are mostly sandy or sand-and-shell, making the vacation comfortable for families with young children. There are usually fewer tourists than on the Black Sea coast, and the beaches feel freer.
Many city beaches are suitable for children, but Children’s Beach and Melyaki Beach are especially often highlighted. The depth there is very shallow, the water is warm, and the entrance into the sea is calm and gradual.
In terms of atmosphere, Yeysk is noticeably different from Sochi and other major resorts. There is less noise, dense traffic, and entertainment, but more of a cozy seaside town feel. This format is suitable for those who want to spend their vacation at a relaxed pace: swimming, walking, relaxing on the beach, and not overpaying for resort infrastructure.
Yeysk is known for its long beach strip, shell sand, and natural locations around the city. For a vacation with children, it offers important advantages: warm seawater, a shallow bottom, calm beaches, and relatively affordable prices.
A vacation in Yeysk usually costs less than on the Black Sea. However, it is worth considering that there are fewer entertainment options here. In the city, you can visit a large park, oceanarium, dolphinarium, walk along the embankment, and spend time at playgrounds. If you want to diversify the trip, you can travel to other resorts on the Azov coast — Golubitskaya, Dolzhanskaya, or the village of Kuchugury. Nearby there are lakes, mud volcanoes with therapeutic mud, and a lotus valley.
Tourist infrastructure on the Sea of Azov is simpler than at popular Black Sea resorts. There are more economy-segment properties here: guest houses, small hotels, and accommodation options without meals. On the other hand, the tourist flow is lower, and the vacation is calmer and more budget-friendly. For families looking for an inexpensive seaside holiday, Yeysk can be a good alternative to Anapa: on average, a trip here costs about 15–20 percent less.
Zelenogradsk
Country: Russia, Kaliningrad Region.
Sea: Baltic Sea.
Summer temperature: in June, when the full season has not yet begun, the air warms up to about +20°C, and the water to +16°C. July and August are warmer: the air stays around +22…+23°C, and the water reaches +19…+20°C.
Cost of vacation: a week’s stay for two adults and one child in a 3- or 4-star hotel costs approximately 70,000–150,000 rubles. Renting an apartment in Zelenogradsk is cheaper — on average 35,000–40,000 rubles per week.
How to get there: first, you need to fly to Kaliningrad. Flights are available from major Russian cities: a ticket from Moscow costs from 8,000 rubles, and the flight takes about 3 hours; from Yekaterinburg, tickets start from 15,000 rubles, with a travel time of about 4 hours. From Kaliningrad, you can conveniently reach Zelenogradsk by Lastochka train from the Southern or Northern railway stations: the trip takes 30–40 minutes, and a ticket costs about 100 rubles. From the airport, you can take a taxi — the journey takes about 20 minutes, with prices starting from 800 rubles.
The Baltic Sea is rarely the first thing that comes to mind when talking about a family beach vacation. But in July and August, Zelenogradsk can offer a mild beach season without heat, overheated air, or crowds of vacationers.
The climate here differs from southern resorts. Zelenogradsk has no exhausting heat, so the city is well suited for families who do not tolerate high temperatures well. The beaches are clean, wide, with fine golden sand and a comfortable entrance into the water. The most popular beach is Central Beach: it has changing cabins, cafés, and entertainment. Vacationers also choose Western Beach and Skovorodka Beach. The latter is closer to a wild beach format, but it also has cabins, volleyball courts, and regular cleaning.
The Baltic Sea can have strong waves, so breakwaters have been installed in Zelenogradsk. Jellyfish are rare here, which is also convenient for families with children.
In some places, the beach strip in the city reaches 200 meters. The soft sand is pleasant for walking and relaxing not only in summer, but also in early spring. The slope near the shore is gentle, so children can comfortably enter the water and play by the sea. There are children’s health camps in the area, where children can spend time, socialize with peers, and relax by the coast. The Baltic climate is considered mild and beneficial for restoring energy, so Zelenogradsk is often chosen not only for swimming, but also for calm wellness-oriented recreation.
The coast of Zelenogradsk gradually turns into the Curonian Spit. This is a narrow sandy strip of land with forests, dunes, and unusual natural landscapes, stretching almost 98 kilometers to Lithuania. The Curonian Spit is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is considered one of the main attractions of the Kaliningrad Region.
Another feature of Zelenogradsk is its love of cats. The city is often called the cat capital: here you can see graffiti, sculptures, souvenirs, and entire museums dedicated to cats. There are food vending machines on the streets so that residents and tourists can treat stray animals.
With children in Zelenogradsk, you can ride the Eye of the Baltic Ferris wheel, visit the Murarium cat museum, travel to the Curonian Spit, or simply walk along the long seaside promenade. The embankment has many cafés, walking areas, and small entertainment spots. The city itself also deserves special attention: until 1946, Zelenogradsk was called Cranz and was a German resort. Low brick houses, tiled roofs, and European-style architecture create an almost fairytale atmosphere that nicely complements a family vacation by the Baltic Sea.
Gagra
Country: Abkhazia.
Sea: Black Sea.
Summer temperature: the air stays around +25…+27°C, and the water warms up to +24…+26°C.
Cost of vacation: a week’s stay for two adults and one child usually costs about 40,000–80,000 rubles.
How to get there: first, you need to reach Sochi by plane or train. From there, you can get to the border by taxi, and after crossing the border — by bus or minibus. The most convenient option for a family with children is to book a transfer in advance from the airport or railway station directly to your accommodation. Many hotels and guest houses offer this service. A taxi for three from Sochi to Gagra costs from about 2,200 rubles.
It is important to take entry rules into account. From January 20, 2026, children under 14 will need an international passport to travel from Russia to Abkhazia. A birth certificate will no longer be sufficient for crossing the border. The same requirements will apply for travel to Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and South Ossetia.
Children over 14, as before, will be able to enter Abkhazia and the listed countries using their internal Russian passport.
Gagra is one of the most convenient resorts in Abkhazia for travel from Russia. The city is closest to the border, so the drive from Sochi takes about an hour by car. It has the same Black Sea coast, pebble beaches, and warm southern climate, but there are usually far fewer vacationers than at the popular resorts of Krasnodar Territory. Gagra has many guest houses, small hotels, and hotels; prices are listed in rubles, and for adult tourists from Russia, entry remains very simple.
This destination is better suited for vacations with older children. They will be more interested not only in swimming in the sea, but also in going on excursions, seeing waterfalls, walking in relict parks, taking boat rides, going horseback riding, or joining jeep tours in the mountains.
Abkhazia attracts visitors with its nature: mountain landscapes, gorges, Lake Ritsa, the caves of New Athos, and scenic routes are among the main reasons to travel here. Excursions are regularly organized to most famous places. If you want more freedom, you can come in your own car or rent one on the spot and travel around the country at a pace comfortable for the family.
Compared with Sochi, Gagra feels calmer and more affordable. There is less noise, lower prices for accommodation and food, and the vacation is more measured. But there are also disadvantages: fewer entertainment options and less developed tourist infrastructure than at Russian Black Sea resorts.
On Gagra’s main embankment, there are children’s playgrounds, walking areas, and the usual resort attractions. A water park, dolphinarium, and amusement park operate here, but in terms of scale and variety they are inferior to large facilities at Russian resorts. Therefore, Gagra is worth considering primarily as a place for a calm seaside vacation, walks, and trips to beautiful natural locations.
Antalya
Country: Turkey.
Sea: Mediterranean Sea.
Summer temperature: the air usually warms up to +24…+30°C, and the water to +23…+27°C. Cost of vacation: a one-week trip for two adults and one child, including flights and all-inclusive accommodation, costs approximately from 160,000 rubles.
How to get there: direct flights to Antalya operate from major Russian cities. The flight takes about 4.5–5 hours. A visa is not required for a tourist trip: you can stay in Turkey without a visa for up to 60 consecutive days.
Antalya is one of the most convenient foreign destinations for a seaside vacation with children. Turkish resorts have long been focused on the family format: hotels often offer all-inclusive meals, children’s pools, play areas, kids’ clubs, and animation. For parents, this significantly simplifies the vacation, because many everyday issues are solved directly on the hotel grounds.
Another advantage of Antalya is that the airport is located within the city. After the flight, you do not have to travel far to the resort area, which is especially important when traveling with small children. Depending on the district and the hotel’s location, the transfer can take very little time.
The beaches in Antalya vary: there are both sandy and pebble areas. When choosing a hotel for a family vacation, pay attention to the coastal terrain and entrance into the sea. Not every beach is equally convenient for toddlers. For trips with children, the Lara and Konyaalti districts are most often recommended: they offer a more comfortable entrance into the water, calm sea, and developed beach infrastructure.
There are many entertainment options for children in Antalya. In the city, you can visit the zoo, see the sand sculpture complex, spend a day at a water park, or choose one of the entertainment centers. So even during a long vacation, a child will not be limited to only the beach and pool.
About an hour’s drive from Antalya is the large Land of Legends theme park. In format, it resembles Disneyland: animators in costumes work on the territory, and there are rides, shows, and a water park. In summer, a full-day ticket costs from 80 euros for an adult and from 64 euros for a child; discounts and special offers are also available.
Most Turkish hotels are well prepared to host families with children. In kids’ clubs, animators work with children, allowing parents to relax by the sea or pool. Many hotels have a children’s menu, a separate buffet, jarred baby food, and useful equipment such as cribs, potties, strollers, and other items that are not always convenient to bring on a trip. Thanks to this, Antalya remains one of the most popular options for those choosing where to go to the sea with children abroad.
Hurghada
Country: Egypt.
Sea: Red Sea.
Summer temperature: the air warms up to +34…+37°C, and the water is around +28°C. In autumn, the weather is milder: the air stays within +25…+34°C, and the water reaches +24…+26°C.
Cost of vacation: a one-week trip for two adults and one child, including flights and all-inclusive accommodation, costs approximately from 180,000 rubles.
How to get there: flights to Hurghada operate from major Russian cities. Travel time is usually 5.5–6 hours.
Egypt remains one of the most popular foreign destinations among Russian tourists. For family vacations, Hurghada is most often chosen: it has many all-inclusive hotels, sandy beaches, and a convenient gentle entrance into the sea, which is especially important for trips with children.
When entering Egypt, a visa is usually required. It costs 25 dollars, which is roughly 2,000 rubles. An exception applies to tourists who arrive by direct flight to Sharm El Sheikh and stay only within the Sharm El Sheikh — Dahab — Nuweiba — Taba resort zone for no more than 15 days. This option is called Sinai Only and must be declared at the airport upon arrival. If you plan excursions outside this zone, for example to Luxor or other regions of Egypt, you will still need to obtain a visa.
The Red Sea is known for its clear water, high salinity, and rich underwater world. Thanks to the salty water, it is easier for children to stay afloat, and swimming may be more comfortable even for those who are not yet very confident in the water. Underwater, you can see coral reefs and bright fish — sometimes a simple mask and snorkel are enough.
In Egyptian resort hotels, most entertainment is located directly on the hotel grounds. For children, there are usually kids’ clubs, play areas, and animators. During the day, sports activities and poolside games are held, and in the evening there are shows, discos, and entertainment programs for the whole family.
Hurghada itself also has places to visit with a child. Popular options include Makadi Water World, a large aquarium, and a sand sculpture complex. About 22 kilometers from the city is the resort of El Gouna, where the Sliders Cable Park recreational complex operates. There you can try water skiing, wakeboarding, and kneeboarding.
The main nuance of Hurghada is the summer heat. In July and August, daytime temperatures often stay around +37°C. The dry climate makes the heat easier to tolerate than in humid regions, but with children, it is better to avoid activities in the sun during the middle of the day. It is best to spend daytime hours in an air-conditioned room, by the pool in the shade, or in indoor spaces.
For family vacations, Hurghada is more often recommended not in summer, but from September to November. In autumn, the heat becomes milder, the sea remains warm, and the weather is more comfortable for walks, excursions, and vacations with children.
Fujairah
Country: United Arab Emirates.
Sea: Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman.
Summer temperature: the air warms up to about +36…+37°C, and the water to +25…+26°C.
Cost of vacation: a one-week trip for two adults and one child, including flights and all-inclusive accommodation, costs approximately from 220,000 rubles.
How to get there: the most convenient option is to fly to Dubai. The flight takes about 5–7 hours, then you can reach Fujairah by transfer in about 1.5 hours.
UAE resorts have become increasingly popular among Russian tourists in recent years. The flight is relatively short, and you can stay in the country without a visa for up to 90 days, which is convenient for a family vacation.
In summer, the Emirates are very hot, but due to the dry climate, high temperatures are easier to tolerate than in humid tropical countries. At the same time, during the hot season, hotels often offer major discounts. Sometimes a summer vacation costs two or even three times less than during the more comfortable months.
Some hotels offer additional family bonuses in the low season: free accommodation for children, expanded children’s meals, or special conditions for parents with children. Another advantage of a summer trip is shorter queues at popular amusement parks and tourist attractions.
For family vacations in the UAE, the resorts in the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah are most often chosen. Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah are usually considered more affordable, while Fujairah is interesting for those looking for a calmer seaside vacation.
Fujairah is one of the greenest and relatively coolest resort emirates. It is located on the Indian Ocean side, by the Gulf of Oman, and is protected by mountains from hot desert winds. Thanks to this, the climate here is milder than in many other parts of the country. The main disadvantage is its distance from the UAE’s main attractions: getting to Dubai and major entertainment parks takes longer.
Most hotels in Fujairah are focused on family vacations and often operate on an all-inclusive basis. Their grounds usually include large pools, children’s areas, kids’ clubs, animation, play spaces, and babysitting services. This format is convenient for parents: a significant part of the vacation takes place inside the hotel, without the need to plan routes and meals every day.
The beaches in the UAE are mostly sandy, so they are well suited for families with children. In Fujairah, you can calmly spend time by the sea, swim, walk around the hotel grounds, and use the family infrastructure.
If you want to diversify the vacation, you can set aside a day for a trip to Dubai or other emirates. In summer, due to fewer tourists, it is easier to get into theme parks, the Museum of the Future, observation decks including the world’s tallest building, or go on a desert safari. But when traveling with children, it is important to take the heat into account and plan activities for the morning, evening, or indoor air-conditioned spaces.
Batumi
Country: Georgia.
Sea: Black Sea.
Summer temperature: the air usually warms up to +26…+31°C, and the water to +22…+28°C.
Cost of vacation: a week’s stay for two adults and one child in a four-star hotel costs approximately 30,000–80,000 rubles. Apartments can be rented for an average of 20,000–25,000 rubles.
How to get there: the most convenient option is to fly from major Russian cities. A flight from Moscow costs from 14,000 rubles per person and takes about 3.5 hours. From St. Petersburg, tickets start from around 17,000 rubles, with a travel time of about 4.5 hours. From Yekaterinburg, the flight costs from 17,000 rubles and takes about 4 hours.
Batumi is one of Georgia’s best-known seaside resorts and a popular destination for family vacations on the Black Sea. The city combines beach relaxation, walking infrastructure, modern spaces, and southern charm. The beaches here are mostly pebbly, well maintained, and quite spacious. Palm trees grow along the embankment, and there are walking areas, cafés, and places to rest.
The main city beach is Batumi Beach. It is located in the central part of the city and is suitable for those who want to stay near the sea, walk along the embankment, and avoid spending much time getting to the beach. Even during the high season, it is usually possible to find a free spot here. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available for a small fee, making relaxation by the water more comfortable.
Batumi differs from many classic resorts with its modern urban environment. There is a lot of unusual architecture, art objects, green spaces, promenades, and areas for walking with children. The city feels lively and dynamic: during the day you can relax on the beach, and in the evening you can walk along the embankment, watch the dancing fountains, and stop by a café.
There are also entertainment options for children in Batumi. Families can visit the dolphinarium, bird nursery, Miracle Park amusement area, ride the cable car, and see the city from above. Many districts have playgrounds, parks, and convenient walking areas. Therefore, Batumi is suitable for those who want to combine a seaside vacation with city entertainment, excursions, and lively evening walks.
What to Prepare for a Vacation with Children: Checklist
Before the trip, it is worth checking the accommodation conditions in advance. Find out whether the hotel has suitable food for children, kids’ animation, play areas, a pool, crib, high chair, and other family infrastructure. Separately check which services are included in the price and which require extra payment: stroller rental, an additional bed, kids’ club, babysitting services, or transfer.
For the beach, be sure to bring hats, water shoes, and sunscreen. For children, products with a high level of protection are usually chosen — SPF 50 or SPF 50+. Sunscreen should be applied in advance and reapplied every two hours, as well as after each swim. For water recreation, waterproof aqua cream is more convenient: it stays on the skin longer, but it also needs to be reapplied regularly.
Study the nearest beach in advance. For vacations with children, it is better to choose places with a gentle and shallow entrance into the sea, without a sudden drop in depth, large stones, or slippery slabs. This is especially important for toddlers who are just learning to swim or like to play at the water’s edge.
Before traveling abroad, check your child’s documents. The birth certificate must have a citizenship stamp or insert. Previously, this was a red stamp on the back of the document, and since July 1, 2024, inserts have been issued instead. If the stamp is already there, it does not need to be replaced. The insert can be obtained through an MFC office or the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This document may be required even if the child has their own international passport.
Separately, prepare a travel first-aid kit. It should include motion sickness remedies, antihistamines in case of insect bites, sunburns or allergies, fever-reducing medicine, medication for stomach upset, plasters, and simple antiseptics such as hydrogen peroxide and iodine. If the child regularly takes any medication, check the supply in advance: there should be enough medicine for the entire vacation and the trip back.
