It’s August, which means it’s time to take the family on the annual holiday. If you have children (and even if you don’t!), odds are, you are looking for a great getaway destination – somewhere warm and sunny where the kids can run free on the beach all day. Whether you have young children or troublesome teens, a beach holiday is a good way to go for a family vacation because beaches are real crowd pleasers and there is plenty of time for mom and dad to relax in the sun.

Here are our picks for the best family beaches in Europe and the U.S.

Costa Dorada, Spain

This segment of the Spanish Mediterranean coast just south of Barcelona is the perfect family destination. Not only is it lined with safe, beautiful beaches, but there are tons of other family-friendly activities in the area to keep everyone entertained. PortAventura is a sprawling theme park located in Salou that is run by Universal Studios and contains a series of themed sections, like “China” and the Wild West, with rides, roller coasters and even a water park!

Algarve, Portugal

Portugal’s southernmost region, Algarve, has the country’s best beaches and warmest climate, making it a perfect beach destination. Besides that, there are plenty of quieter resorts and hotels here to choose from, as well as activities to keep everyone going. The Rio Formosa Lagoon, for instance, is a huge swath of natural coast with lots of space for family outings and nature treks.

Cyprus

The Mediterranean island-nation of Cyprus may be small, but it has plenty of space for families to enjoy a nice quiet holiday. Surrounded by the Mediterranean, Cyprus has no shortage of great beaches to keep everyone submerged and happy, and the sun here is not too shabby, either. If you are looking for a more entertaining, activity-packed holiday, head to the better developed southern part of the island, which is full of great resorts, restaurants and hotels. For a quieter, more secluded holiday, the northern side of the island is still relatively peaceful, with plenty of nature to explore.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Though not as well known to those outside the U.S., Myrtle Beach (which is both a beach and a town), is one of America’s greatest beach destinations for families. Situated along the northern coast of South Carolina on the eastern seaboard of the United States, Myrtle Beach is home to South Carolina’s signature grassy bluffed beaches with soft white sand and cool Atlantic waves. With a traditional boardwalk, restaurants, amusement parks and festivals, Myrtle Beach is a perfect, all-inclusive family getaway.

Daytona Beach, Florida

Not all of Florida’s beaches make for a good family holiday, but Daytona Beach is completely kid-friendly. Situated along the east coast of Florida (far from the Gulf oil disaster), Daytona Beach is the home of the infamous Daytona 500 NASCAR race. Only about 1-hour’s drive from Orlando (with great international flight connections), you can easily escape the beach for a day (or three!) at Disneyworld or one of the other many theme parks in the capital city. Likewise, the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral (where many of the NASA shuttles are launched) is only an hour’s drive south of Daytona Beach and makes for a great day of educational space fun.