The best mid-haul destinations to fly to from the UK in 2025

Pack your bags for a whole new experience with these top mid-haul locations to visit in 2025. When it comes to travel options, the UK should consider itself rather lucky. With continental Europe right on its doorstep, a whole list of sunny havens, crystal clear waters and cultural delights are just a couple of hours away on a plane. However, sometimes it is worth just adding on a few extra hours to see what other continents may have to offer. Mid-haul flights, roughly four to six hours long, can take travellers as far as northern Africa and the Middle East if you fancy swapping medieval architecture in European cities for ancient necropolises in Egypt.

If you are a wine aficionado who has explored every juicy grape variety the vines in Italy’s wine regions have to offer, maybe it is time to venture further afield to Madeira to sample a different assortment of tipples. For tourists led by their lust for food, it could fare well to swap French fine dining for some sought-after Nordic cuisine. It's not just cultural sightseeing and indulgence in tasting menus that mid-haul destinations will provide, as there is a whole array of beach resorts, kid-friendly hotels and tranquil spots under the sun that are worth travelling a little further afield, such as a trip out to Tenerife for a family holiday.

Whether it's an extended city break or a fly-and-flop beach getaway, we have rounded up our top picks for the best mid-haul destinations within reach of the UK. Flight time: 4h 30m. While it takes a little less time to get to some other Greek destinations, a journey to Rhodes is worth the extra few hours in a plane seat. Spring and winter deliver mild and pleasant weather, but moving into the summer months, the island is blessed with high average temperatures getting close to 30C.

There are beach resorts and hotels aplenty, from accommodation designed for families to five-star luxury pads, and it's not just its white, pebbly sands and the clear waters of the Aegean that this Dodecanese island has to offer. Rhodes’ extensive and impressive history can be explored through its historical landmarks, from its fortified medieval Old Town to the Acropolis in Lindos. There are plenty of beach resorts to choose from on the island’s sprawling coast, but if you are planning on staying near the action in the medieval Old Town, then this boutique hotel will be an ideal base. S. Nikolis occupies a townhouse dating back to the 14th century, and the four-poster beds and elegant drapes only add to the stone features, vaulted ceilings and arched entrances that fill each dwelling with a romantic touch.

Read more: Best hotels in Rhodes. Sitting on a boundary where two continents meet, Turkey’s largest city is an amalgamation of several thousand years of history woven into its monuments, heritage and culture it has left behind. Having been the capital city of three different empires, the city is a host of many historic gems, such as the Hagia Sophia, a monumental mosque and former church dating back to the 6th Century.

Aside from its jaw-dropping landmarks that often dominate itineraries, travellers to Istanbul may also find themselves weaving around the 4,000-plus shops in the city’s Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest of its kind. Seeking out the best menemen (scrambled eggs, tomatoes, peppers and spices), taking time out to relax while visiting a hammam (steam bath) or sipping Turkish coffee in a tucked-away bolthole are some of the many activities to tick off in this large and bustling city.

For a touch of luxury during your Turkish getaway, delight in the swanky modern rooms that make up Raffles Istanbul. This five-star hotel encompasses floor-to-ceiling windows that offer views of the city below, sleek interiors enhanced by art collections mostly filled with local artists, private balconies and freestanding baths. The luxury experience extends to its dining rooms, where Rocca Grill highlights the very best of Mediterranean cuisine, while Isokyo takes its guests on a tasting journey through Asia.

Read more: The best Turkey holiday destinations – and when to travel to each one. Tenerife has long been a staple for family-friendly getaways, affordable resorts, and cheap holidays that have become a favourite among Brits, yet the largest of the Canary Islands has been slowly shedding away its reputation with luxury hotels popping up across the archipelago. Whether you opt for a private suite with your own swim-up pool or a bright and bustling resort packed with waterslides and kids' activities, you can bask in its year-round warmth.

Many will happily fly that little extra further to the Canaries, especially in the winter months, to make the most of high temperatures and long sunshine hours. Aside from beach sessions, scaling the volcanic Mount Teide, wandering around the churches and colourful buildings in San Cristóbal de La Laguna or dining al fresco on locally sourced fish also make for incredible experiences. If Tenerife is your next family holiday destination, you might as well go all in at the kid-approved Bahia Principe Fantasia. This hotel has everything from a turreted castle, a club for kids and teens, live entertainment and a water park, while adults may appreciate a few hours in the Bahia Spa for some revitalising treatments and oil massages. All-inclusive options are available, while the five restaurants across the resort make for a wide range of choices.