Top 15 Best Family-Friendly City Breaks in Europe
Are you planning a family city break with children? This guide includes some of the greatest European city breaks for families picked by prominent travel ... read more...bloggers, as well as our favorite European family city breaks. Whether you want to spend a weekend in Europe. Here you'll find the finest summer city vacations in Europe for families, as well as the best spring city breaks in Europe and the greatest European city breaks in each season. Continue reading for more information about the best family friendly city breaks in Europe.
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Berlin may not be the first city that springs to mind for a family vacation, but it is surprisingly kid friendly. The city boasts several parks, museums, and galleries that people of all ages will enjoy. Tiergarten and Volkspark are both excellent family parks. They are among the city's largest and are lined with natural walks, ponds, gardens, and playgrounds. They even have their own skating rinks in the winter.
One of the city's most fascinating playgrounds may be found in fashionable Friedrichshain. Dragons Playground is a children's playground shaped like a wooden dragon. Tempelhof Park, a former airport turned park, is undoubtedly the most interesting. It is a popular spot for kite flying and cycling. If the weather is bad and you'd rather stay indoors, the Zeiss-Großplanetarium is a planetarium with some excellent children's events. Otherwise, a visit to one of the city's major historical museums, such as the Kulturforum or the Mauermuseum near Checkpoint Charlie, is a must. Visit Legoland for a more standard children's activity. Boat cruises are a terrific way to experience the city if you've never been to Berlin before. The entire family will undoubtedly love discovering and learning about Berlin from the sea.
Despite its image as the capital of cool, Berlin is an excellent family trip. Berliners are typically accommodating to children, public transportation is simple, inexpensive, and quick, and the city is filled with parks, playgrounds, and lakes. Due to Berlin's relatively small population and impressive wealth of cultural delights, queues for the main attractions are usually shorter than in many other cities, and it's usually possible to beat the queues for big sights like the Reichstag and the TV Tower by simply booking online.
Location: Germany
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Cologne is much more than its gorgeous cathedral and beer cellars. It's a fairly walkable city, with little play spaces along the route and a variety of landscapes to keep you entertained. Begin with the Cologne Cathedral. The sheer height of the spires that penetrate the skies, on the other hand, is breathtaking, and families are invited to explore within. Then proceed to the river, where there is a little play area near the bridge. It's not immediately clear since it appears to be a sculpture. But this is a play art installation!
You can't help but notice the hundreds of love locks tied to the Hohenzollern Bridge, which spans the Rhine. Reading the names and dates is intriguing. On the opposite side, KölnTriangle offers spectacular 360° views of the city on a clear day. Then proceed to the left to reach Rheinpark's massive playground. Cologne also has a plethora of family-friendly museums and activities.
Cologne, like nearly all German towns, makes for an excellent family city vacation. During the summer months of July and August, Cologne becomes overrun with tourists, and hotel rates skyrocket, as they do throughout Europe. However, beer gardens and events (such as Summerjam, Eat Play Love, and the city's Christopher Street Day procession) are in full swing. The months of November and December are famous for visiting Christmas Markets, and Carnival Cologne takes place in mid-November.
Location: Germany
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Amiens is an excellent choice for a family city trip in Europe. Amiens has a plethora of family-friendly activities. An artistic tour through the hortillonnages, ranked as one of Europe's most beautiful parks, a cruise on the water, by boat or paddle, to explore its hanging gardens, vegetable gardens in the midst of the water, and several creative installations. Children will also enjoy seeing the Cathedral of Amiens, Europe's most stunning Gothic cathedral. You may also meander around the Saint-Leu area or treat yourself to a play at the Picard puppet theater "Chés Cabotans". Visit the Jules Verne House to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of the most famous adventure writer.
Share moments of complicity with the entire family to pique your children's interest. Discover Amiens in a new manner by participating in adventures full of mysteries and riddles that will lead you to a true treasure. Numerous year-round activities keep this tranquil city alive. Each season has its own unique characteristics. The famed Amiens flea markets attract eager collectors from all across Europe in the autumn and spring. During these days when the weather is often mild, don't hesitate to join the locals in one of the various terraces of restaurants to discover the local cuisines. Try ficelle picarde, a crepe filled with sliced mushrooms, minced garlic, and ham then baked with grated cheese and cream.
Location: France
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Enjoy the wonderful fairy-tale ambiance of Bremen on your next family vacation. Take a snapshot next to Bremen's iconic Town Musicians, then go down Böttcherstraße, Bremen's 'Diagon Alley', and see the amazing ships. Bremen is a small city with many attractions within walking distance that are simply waiting to be explored. Bring your kids along for thrilling, fun-filled days out in Bremen. Whether it's sunny or rainy, you'll find plenty of ideas and inspiration for your family vacation here! Bremen is an ideal location for a family city break, thanks to its modest preserved town center, cobblestone alleys, beautiful landmarks, and culinary delicacies like as the "Blechkuchen", Bremen's most renowned dessert.
Visit the "Bremen City Musician Pantomine" for free with your children. Every Sunday at 12:00 p.m. from May to September, the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale is played in the Domshof. Take a picture in front of the city's emblem, a donkey surmounted by a dog, which is surmounted by a cat, which is surmounted by a rooster. That sounds familiar, doesn't it? Come to Bremen to relive your childhood memories and the legendary Brothers Grimm stories. Book your flights, accommodations, excursions, and activities in Bremen to uncover the hidden secrets of one of the most beautiful German towns.
Location: Germany
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Pisa and its leaning tower are among the most magnificent landmarks in Europe and are regarded among the top locations to visit in Italy. Pisa is an ideal trip for fans of Renaissance, contemporary, and modern art. Book your trips and ascend to the top of Pisa's leaning tower. Don't miss the Keith Harring Pisa Mural if you're traveling with adolescents. This wall takes up 180 square meters of St. Anthony's Church's south wall.
Even people who have never visited Italy would recognize the image of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. If you wish to avoid the crowds during the summer, go early to the Piazza dei Miracoli, previously known as the Piazza del Duomo. Pisa's spectacular cathedral, Cattedrale di Pisa, Pisa Baptistry, and the Camposanto Monumentale cloistered cemetery are all located here. Santa Maria della Spina, a lovely Gothic church on the south bank of the Fiume Arno, which runs through the city's centre, is also worth a visit.
The Museo Nazionale di San Matteo houses a wonderful collection of medieval art. Look for sculptures by Donatello and Nicola Pisano, as well as paintings by Ghirlandaio, Giunta Pisano, and Lippo Memmi. Another outstanding collection of sculptures and religious artwork may be seen at the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. If you have time, pay a visit to Palazzo Blu, a renovated 14th-century structure that often presents temporary exhibits with its collection of paintings by local painters, mostly from the 14th to 17th centuries.
Location: Italy
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Dublin, Ireland's capital and the perfect spot to add to your Ireland bucket list, is a terrific city to visit with small children in Europe. The city center is not overly large, and the major commercial streets are broad and totally pedestrianized after 9 a.m., making them ideal for strollers and toddlers. St. Stephens Green and Phoenix Park are two excellent parks to visit with children. St. Stephens Green contains a lake, gardens, and a freshly restored playground, but Phoenix Park is home to Dublin Zoo and, if you're lucky, herds of deer. Both are accessible through public transportation or municipal touring buses.
Visit the 'Dead Zoo', as locals refer to the Natural History Museum, Imaginosity, the Dublin Children's Museum, or venture out of the city to Explorium, the science and sports complex, which offers a vast choice of interactive exhibitions and activities, many of which are suited for young children. If the weather is favorable, a visit to the Botanic Gardens is worthwhile, and Dublinia, which is located next to Christchurch Cathedral, is also worthwhile. It tells the narrative of Dublin from the Vikings through the Medieval Ages to the present day, with interactive exhibits for children to enjoy. Parents may read while their children play. Dublin is a very family-friendly city and has lots to offer younger children. There are family-friendly hotels to suit all budgets and a wealth of cafes and restaurants to suit everyone.
Location: Ireland
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Krakow, Poland is an excellent destination for a short vacation with small children. Krakow, although being one of Poland's largest cities, is not as congested as major cities such as Rome and Paris. It does, however, retain the beauty, history, and entertainment of any great metropolis. Krakow has Europe's largest main plaza, which also features the Sukiennice edifice. Inside Sukiennice, hundreds of sellers sell toys, apparel, and other handmade items to families. Hundreds of pigeons are reported to congregate in the square's surrounding region on a regular basis. The pigeons are habituated to people and will happily eat from your hand, becoming extremely friendly.
Children like chasing the pigeons, feeding them, and getting so close to them. Krakow also features a large waterpark, Aquapark, with several activities for children of all ages. Krakow also boasts a number of kid-friendly museums. The Transportation Museum, Muzeum Inzynierii Miejskiej w Krakowie, which used to hold trams, is one of them. Children may tour the museum by climbing on all of the trams. Finally, families may visit Smocza Jama, an indoor dragon's cave that narrates the story of the dragon that formerly inhabited it. A walk along the Wisla River right at the exit and on to one of the hundreds of highly rated restaurants in the main square are just additional reasons why Krakow is one of the best cities to go with children.
Location: Poland
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Whatever age your children are, there's enough to keep them occupied throughout as many family vacations or breaks as you choose to take in the British city, beginning with simple pleasures like a trip on a classic red London bus or a black cab. There are also world-class museums and iconic landmarks, the powerful river and lovely parks, a fantastic selection of family-friendly restaurants and cafés, and an incredible assortment of accommodation for all budgets. Your only real issue is figuring out how to fit it all in.
Begin with the London Eye, which is both a must-see and a must-see-from: on a clear day, it gives amazing views of the Thames and many of London's attractions, including the arch of the new Wembley Stadium and Windsor Castle. The London Aquarium, London Dungeon, Shrek's Adventure, and Namco Funscape are all located right next to the Eye in the ancient County Hall building. Take a boat ride from the Eye to marine Greenwich or even the huge Thames Flood Barrier, which will take you through many of London's most iconic attractions. Explore the Royal Observatory, which houses Greenwich Mean Time and a state-of-the-art planetarium, the National Maritime Museum, which has interactive galleries about the history of seafaring, and the Cutty Sark, the world's only surviving tea clipper, which has a kids' trail, backpacks, and lots of family activities. Take a picturesque journey in one of the gondolas of the Emirates Air Line cable-car between Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks while you're in London.
Children will enjoy exploring the city's parks and public places. The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens is particularly popular with families, but if you go on a calm weekday afternoon outside of the holidays, you should be able to get in without having to line, and it's always free. The other Royal Parks are also ideal for youngsters, with plenty of space for them to run about and explore. The fountains are turned on throughout the spring and summer, and our little guy liked running through them and being splashed. In the winter, an ice rink is installed in the courtyard between November and January. Traveling about London is one of the more costly things to do in Europe, and the cheapest way to do it is with an Oyster card. Some stations are not stroller-friendly, although buses typically seat two people.
Location: United Kingdom
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Manchester is a great place for family breaks or short family holidays with a cultural flavour, while for those looking to combine a city break with an exploration of greener pastures, it's only 25km from the Peak District or an ideal stop-off for those heading north to the Lake District or Scotland.
Modern architecture that currently dominates Manchester's skyline stands in stark contrast to Victorian red-brick cotton warehouses and factories that have been turned into anything from museums to boutique hotels, loft-apartments, and cutting-edge nightclubs. A lack of vast open areas may make the city center appear less welcoming to people with small children than, instance, London with its Royal Parks, but swish trams make Manchester considerably simpler to travel around - and, of course, it's more compact. Many people consider Manchester to be a smaller version of London, with nicer people.
Visit the Museum of Science and Industry, where Manchester's industrial legacy is brought to life via a variety of hands-on activities. Crawl through a Victorian sewer, see shows in the planetarium or 4D theatre, and see one of the world's largest collections of working steam engines before riding around the site on a replica steam train - and much more!
Discover other central attractions, such as the Manchester Art Gallery, which hosts numerous free events for children, has a permanent Clore Interactive Gallery designed specifically for families, and provides free activity backpacks to children aged 7 to 12, as well as explorer tool belts and story bags to children aged 3-6. A sketching path and a handling trail are also available. The People's History Museum highlights the narrative of democracy and the working class in the United Kingdom, with hands-on activities for all ages in each gallery, frequent family events, explorer kits for ages 3-6, and a picnic space in its engine hall.
Location: United Kingdom
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Prague is a popular tourist destination, and this includes family vacations with small children. After all, a family vacation in the Czech Republic entails enjoying the city's fairy-tale atmosphere. Furthermore, the parks' activities, interactive museums, and plethora of sweet delicacies are guaranteed to keep the whole family entertained.
So, if you want a memorable and enjoyable family vacation, simply schedule a trip to Prague. Prague appears to be intended for family vacations. With so many activities, the relatively traffic-free city is simple to explore with children. Summer is the finest season to go on vacation since the weather is nice and you can enjoy open-air boat excursions and parks. Children will like the Lego Museum, which is located directly in the city center, as well as the interactive National Technical Museum, where they can observe equipment in action and play with automobiles in a playroom. Petn, an observation tower atop a hill overlooking Prague, is a must-see while visiting Prague with children. You can take a funicular up, which is already an amazing experience. Furthermore, directly adjacent to the observation tower on the top of the hill lies Prague's number one mirror maze.
Also, the Prague Zoo is quite popular with families, and if you have a full or at least a half-day to spend there, the journey to Trója area is well worth it. Public transportation is child-friendly, but if you have a stroller, you must arrange ahead of time. Several metro stations in the city center have elevators (look for a disability symbol), and many trams do not have steps. Otherwise, if you face small steps and want assistance, don't be afraid to approach any male around; it's standard practice.
Location: Czech Republic
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Barcelona is fantastic for a family holiday or trip, with a sunny climate, moderate winters, busy beaches, lovely parks, mind-blowing ancient and modern architecture, and excellent, family-friendly gastronomy. And, while its popular with teenagers, it's also surprisingly popular with toddlers, assuming you do your research on where to stay and what to see and do.
Spend the day in Parc de la Ciutadella, which features a boating lake, a lavish fountain with gilded statues, including water-spouting dragons, a mammoth monument, free-flying green parrots, and two natural history museums. It is also the location of the Zoo de Barcelona. Parc Güell, created by Spanish Catalan architect Antoni Gaud, is full of mesmerizing stone constructions such as a seat shaped like a sea snake and vivid tiled mosaics, one of which is shaped like a salamander. Admire Gaud's spectacular Sagrada Familia, which is finally approaching completion over a century after the architect's death. For children aged 6 to 12, an audio tour gives it to life, while children over the age of five can climb its spindly towers. To avoid long lines, plan ahead of time.
Don't miss another Gaud masterpiece, La Pedrera or Casa Milà, with its dizzying array of chimneys that children adore to sprint around. Inside, there are exhibits on the natural influences for the building's architecture (including snakes and sea sponges), a mock-up of a period flat, and occasional activities such as workshops and puppet performances (some in English by request). Don't miss the wonderful old-fashioned toys at the giftshop or the superb ground-level bookshop.
Take the funicular or cable car up Montjuic hill for incredible views of the city from the 18th-century castle, a swim in the outdoor pool built for the 1992 Olympics (open to the public in July and August), child-friendly cultural venues such as the Catalan National Art Museum and the Fundació Joan Mro, and several remnants of the Modernist building experiment. Montjuc also offers a famous Magic Fountain sound-and-light performance on some evenings. Enjoy the wonderfully old-fashioned Tibidabo amusement park, which is located next to the neo-Gothic hilltop Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor. The carnival attractions, rollercoaster, and bizarre automaton exhibit offer 360-degree views of the city.
Location: Spain
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Consider taking the kids to Dingle in Ireland if you want to treat them to something unique. The beautiful, colorful towns of Dingle in the Southwest of Ireland are a joy to explore, and the neighboring sandy beaches provide lots of opportunity for recreation. While in the area, younger and older Star Wars enthusiasts may want to visit some of the surrounding Star Wars filming locations. Dingle Oceanworld, Ireland's largest aquarium, is located in the town. Regardless of the weather, this aquarium is sure to keep you entertained for several hours and is ideal for families of all ages. Visitors may also explore the new butterfly paradise to get up up and personal with the fluttering buddies.
Fungie, the wild bottlenose dolphin that has visited Dingle Harbour since the early 1980s, is probably the most renowned inhabitant in Dingle. Boat trips to visit Fungie in their natural habitat are available on a regular basis, and this unique experience is sure to be a vacation highlight for any child. Finish your day with some delicious ice cream from Murphy's. The fantastic flavors are well-known for being among Ireland's greatest ice cream! It is possible to walk about Dingle, but if you want to explore outside of the town, having your own personal transportation makes the most sense, especially if you have little children!
Location: Ireland
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Lisbon is an excellent family vacation location. The Portuguese are typically quite accommodating of children, and the city offers a variety of attractions and activities for children of all ages. This is also one of Europe's safest capitals, and, as in any large city, there are stores and pharmacies around every corner for a worry-free vacation.
Choose a big apartment-hotel in the city center for lodging. The majority of the sites are within walking distance, or you may utilize the simple metro system to get about. There are several activities for children in Portugal's capital. Spend a day at Oceanario, Europe's largest aquarium, take the cable car across the river, climb the Belém Tower for a view, and ride one of Lisbon's distinctive yellow trams - a must-do for any first-time visitor. If the historical structures bore you, there are many of interactive, kid-friendly museums, such as the Electricity Museum, as well as plenty of green areas around the city. White-sand beaches are only a short train trip away in the summer.
Lisbon boasts a wide range of eateries to satisfy even the most discriminating palates. Time Out Market is a local landmark that serves a wide variety of foreign cuisines under one roof. If your kids don't like Lisbon specialties like anchovies and sardines, they'll enjoy pastel de nata, Portuguese custard pastries. Eat them in family-run bakeries around the Belem area, or better yet, enroll in a kid-friendly cooking class and learn how to make them yourself. Finally, no trip to Lisbon is complete without a day excursion to Sintra's palaces, a childhood fantasy for each little princess or prince.
Location: Portugal
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Malaga is a highly family-friendly city that is ideal for a city holiday with children. The city itself is fairly tiny, making it quite simple to tour on foot, especially for young family members. Malaga has various family-friendly activities, beginning with the beaches. La Malagueta is Malaga's most popular beach, and it is well-equipped with all amenities, including lifeguards during the busy season. There is also a playground right on the beach, as well as two waterparks suitable for smaller children.
Picasso was born in Malaga, and while adults will love visiting the museum dedicated to his art as well as the home where he was born, youngsters may not be as excited. A trip to the Imagination Museum is a must for them. Children will enter a world of illusions here, where they will be captivated by interesting activities and great picture opportunities. There is also a supervised playroom for youngsters within the museum.
A boat ride to watch dolphins in the open sea is another fascinating activity that families with small children may include to their ideal Malaga itinerary. If the sea is calm, some of the cruises even enable swimming. Dolphins can sometimes be seen from the coast in this area of the Mediterranean Sea. Even while the cruises do not guarantee dolphin sightings, the odds of seeing them are very good. Most restaurants in Malaga are family-friendly, with highchairs and children's menus available. Malaga residents like spending summer evenings with their children. There is always the possibility that your children will make new pals at supper time.
Location: Spain
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Paris is a fantastic destination for a family vacation, with enough to see and do for children. There are many lovely parks and green places where children may play, but if you are visiting Paris from another nation, you are most likely seeking for something different. Visit La Grande Galerie de l'Evolution in Paris's Latin Quarter and have a blast amid dinosaurs and other monsters. Alternatively, cross the Seine River to the Musée de l'Homme to study about men and humanity.
You may also attend a culinary tour or a cooking class to learn how to create macarons if you want to have a taste of the food in Paris. A Street Art tour in Paris 13 is always a fantastic choice if your children are more arts oriented, but if you prefer a more leisurely day, ride the Parisian canals on a self-guided electric boat. You may rent these boats with a picnic basket and stop on the banks for a Parisian-style lunch. Every year, millions of families wander through Paris's streets. This outdoor museum is ideal for families. Your youngsters will learn about Rodin's monuments, the Mona Lisa, and Dadaism at the Georges Pompidou Museum, as well as the gargoyles of Notre-Dame de Paris and the Eiffel Tower's pinnacle. Book your Paris hotel as well as the greatest activities and trips for your family. During your stay, be sure to visit Disney Land Paris, your favorite amusement park in Europe.
Location: France