Remember the days when you and your partner could enjoy a city break? You would stroll down Las Ramblas taking in the ambiance or shop on Via Condotti or take a turn around Wenceslas Square? You’d drop in on a kooky antique store or flea market in some forgotten arrondissement of Paris or spend hours mooching around Krakow’s old town, maybe take in a flamenco show in Seville or enjoy an evening meal overlooking some Mediterranean harbour with a cocktail watching the world go by? 

Well, forget it. You’ve got kids now and they hate that stuff. If it hasn’t got a waterpark, light show and doesn’t come with a side of fries and ketchup, they’re not interested. So, it’s time to accept your lot in life and turn your attention to a cheap family holiday. And have we got the 3 perfect cheap family holidays for you? (No, actually… for YOU! And the kids).

Any holiday that is “cheap” is going to have to involve a cheap flight and so a low cost carrier and that is going to mean Europe. It makes sense to go all inclusive as kids drink several litres of juice and fizzy drinks daily so you’ll need them on tap and free. And “enjoyable” may mean some onsite luxury for you and your partner and possibly even a kids club, to give little Jonny and Eva a chance to socialise and yourself a chance to de-stress.

Salou

No kid can possibly complain if you take them on holiday to Salou. It’s the closest thing we have to Disney in Europe (well, apart from EuroDisney but who wants to go there?) and yet it’s right here on our doorstep. Salou is on the Costa Dorada and a flight into Barcelona can see you in Salou and the fabulous Port Aventura within an hour. The great thing about Salou is its location, with the Penedes (winemaking – and we mean Cava ladies) behind it and the golden sands and top class Catalan beaches and restaurants along it, you can enjoy the best of a cultured and culinary holiday and still keep the kids engaged with theme parks, water slides and beaches.

However, we recommend going All Inclusive and we recommend the H Top Molinos Park for a crazy £100 per person per week. With a kids club, rooftop terrace, bar and all inclusive menus this is the perfect cheap family holiday.

Benidorm

Remember those romantic city breaks we spoke about earlier? Well, Benidorm’s reputation is worse than its reality as the fun capital of Spain, the kids will love it here and we bet you will too.

Benidorm is top for a bargain holiday with the kids. This big, lively resort on the Costa Blanca, just down from Salou, has got everything covered when it comes to keeping the family entertained, with everything from theme parks and water parks to a huge choice of family-friendly hotels with special programmes for kids. 

We recommend the Magic Crystal Park in Benidorm from £169 per person per week. Here you can find games for the kids including archery and bowling, a rooftop swimming pool and four bars for you. Perfect.

Sunny Beach

No, it’s a real place. Sunny Beach. It’s not from TV’s Home and Away, it’s one of Europe’s cheapest and most child-friendly resorts and it’s in Bulgaria.

If you’re looking for sun at the lowest price point then Sunny Beach is the way to go and its 5 mile stretch of sandy beaches and scores of all inclusive resorts, plenty of water sports, parks and play areas your kids are going to love this choice.

“A shining jewel unfurling along the sparkling Black Sea coast, Sunny Beach is considered Bulgaria's most beautiful corner. Blessed with a stunning 8km long Blue Flag beach, holidays in Sunny Beach offer the best of the Balkan's sun, sea and sand all in a vibrant environment. This modern holiday town is popular among families, backpackers and party hunters for its energetic nightlife scene, while Sunny Beach also has a great choice of pubs, clubs and bars alongside numerous open-air events and beach parties.”