18 of the best European city breaks with children

Times

2 days ago

City breaks look a little different once children come along. Interactive museums, playgrounds and even theme parks suddenly seem far more appealing than the latest rooftop bar or Michelin-starred restaurant. Luckily, you won't have to go far to find everything you need: European cities generally offer plenty of family-friendly activities, entertaining days out and unexpected treats, from island-hopping to Harry Potter tours. Some have cable cars and castles; others have museums aimed specifically at children, or world-class cake, pizza or chocolate. Whether you're travelling with toddlers or teens, here are the best European city breaks for families.
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Pack everyone's comfiest shoes for a trip to Portugal's capital because you'll need to navigate a few steep hills while exploring this otherwise easily walkable city. The 11th-century St George's Castle towers over the city's oldest neighbourhood, Alfama, and kids can spot the free-roaming peacocks and imagine what life was like when knights strutted in the same spot. Wander the neighbourhood, stopping to snack on the city's famous pastel de nata (custard tarts) before hopping on the yellow tram to trundle back down the cobbled hills. There's also an excellent science museum, a large aquarium with sharks and penguins, plus beaches within easy reach.
The boutique Martinhal Lisbon Chiado is a dream for families, featuring brightly coloured apartments with kitchenettes, a playroom, kids' club and all kinds of pre-bookable baby equipment.
• Read our full guide to Portugal
The only problem with bringing children to Prague is that a weekend just won't be long enough to pack in all the family-focused activities this city offers. Start at the tourist office in the Old Town Hall to pick up a specially designed illustrated map of the city for kids. Then take your pick from the city's wacky and wonderful museums, including the Museum of Fantastic Illusions and the Museum of Bricks, home to the world's largest private Lego collection. If the sun's out, you can see the sights from a river cruise or spend the afternoon picnicking near the playgrounds of Stromovka Park before heading into the old town for a sweet treat from the Gingerbread Man's Dream or the family-owned chocolatier the Choco Café. If that weren't appealing enough, children under 15 can use the city's public transport for free (proof of age may be required).
The BoHo Hotel Prague is within walking distance of the Old Town Square and has family rooms that sleep up to four, as well as a generous breakfast buffet with plentiful pancakes the kids will love.
• Read our full guide to Prague
Not only do you get free entry most weeks to Linnanmaki Amusement Park in Helsinki, you also get to go on six rides for free (that's if you can drag your children away from the playgrounds and games). It's one of a number of things that are free in the Finnish city that has a somewhat unfair reputation for being incredibly expensive (some elements are, of course, but children under seven will travel for free on the city's public transport, which is definitely a bonus). It may be a two-hour train ride away, but a day trip to Moominworld will thrill little and large fans of the books. Or make the most of the city's outdoor swimming pools — the Swimming Stadium is one of the best, with its heated and shallow children's pool, 50m pool and diving boards for leaping off.
Kids will love watching the boats on the water at the Radisson Blu Seaside and there's a games room, too. Handy family rooms come with two king beds, and decor is stylish and minimalist.
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Gothenburg isn't just one of the most family friendly cities in Europe, it could claim the top spot in the world. First up, there's Liseberg, Scandinavia's largest amusement park. The best bit may not even be the rides (which toddlers to teens will love, thanks to its carousels and rollercoasters) but the adjoining hotel, which is beautifully decorated, right next door and surprisingly affordable. Museums here are fun and often free for children, from Varldskulturmuseet (the Museum of World Culture) to Sjofarts Museet (the Maritime Museum), which has a lower floor aquarium. There's also Slottsskogen, a huge park in the centre of the city. All that before you start island-hopping in the archipelago, paddling at pretty beaches and feasting on cinnamon buns.
Just 30 seconds from Liseberg amusement park, the Liseberg Grand Curiosa hotel has parent-pleasing eclectic decor, fancy bunk beds, a slide between floors in the lobby, plus a games room and cinema.
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Parents will instantly appreciate how Copenhagen is one of Europe's friendliest cities for families, with a relaxed pace of life, tons of green space and five times more bikes on its streets than cars. As for the children, how much better does it get than a city with a theme park in its centre? You'll want to devote at least an afternoon and evening to the magical Tivoli Gardens. Other unmissable experiences include a boat tour along the canals, and visits to the impressive national aquarium, Blue Planet, and the Children's Museum at the National Museum, where younger ones will love meeting a Viking, dressing up as a sailor and finding out what happens when they press the 'boredom button'. Don't miss taking a harbour swim at Islands Brygge; there are kids' pools in addition to the main one.
The large indoor swimming pool, outdoor play area, indoor play room and weekend movie nights make Tivoli Hotel one of the best kid-friendly picks in the city.
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If you're within reach of London, the ease with which you can hop on the Eurostar to Paris is a big plus for anyone travelling with little ones. Once there, classic experiences such as climbing the Eiffel Tower, boat trips on the Seine, and hop-on hop-off bus tours are sure to please — as are multiple stops for crêpes, chocolat chaud and croissants. Save time for more offbeat and interactive attractions, such as the Musée de l'Illusion and the Cité des Sciences et de L'Industrie. Your children will probably prefer the animated digital art at the Atelier des Lumières to the Louvre. If they don't fall quite as hard for the City of Light as you do, Disneyland Paris is just 40 minutes on public transport from the centre.
25hours Hotel Terminus Nord is a boutique hotel with quirky and vibrant interiors, just steps away from Gare du Nord.
• Read our full guide to Paris
If yours is a family that can't get enough of the outdoors, Barcelona is going to push all the right buttons. For starters, it's a city on the sea, which means plenty of beaches within reach. Barceloneta is the most famous; have your children choose their own picnic-style lunch (and perhaps some churros) from the Mercat de la Barceloneta before hitting the sand. From here, you can catch a couple of cable cars across the city to Montjuic Castle and hire a bike to explore the surrounding hills, stopping to take in the terrific views. Another standout is Park Guell on the outskirts — children will enjoy running around the grounds, home to Gaudí's fairytale sculptures and buildings — or why not make your own chocolate at a workshop at the Museu de la Xocolata?
The Hoxton, Poblenou in Barcelona has a rooftop pool that's perfect for cooling off and top-of-the-range amenities for families — think cots with Naturalmat mattresses.
• Read our full guide to Barcelona• Best cities to visit in Spain
If ever there was a city to fire young imaginations, it's Edinburgh — with a castle smack-bang in the centre and gothic architecture at every turn, it looks conjured straight from the pages of a story book. Touring Edinburgh Castle should be top of your list; an explorer quiz will keep younger family members entertained as you roam the grounds. In the streets below, book an atmospheric ghost tour; take in street performers along the Royal Mile; and learn about the plague and medieval toilet habits in enjoyably gruesome detail at the Real Mary King's Close. There's also a Harry Potter-themed walking tour along the Potter Trail in the city that JK Rowling calls home. And if the family has excess energy to burn, a climb up Arthur's Seat, the ancient volcano rising above the city, will help rid you of it.
Sometimes family stays are less about the kids' clubs and menus, and more about having a washing machine, fridge and space to spread out on a sofa. The stylish Eden Locke aparthotel is perfect for that.
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The appeal of Reykjavik as a child-friendly destination is what lies beyond the city limits — use the Icelandic capital as your base and you've some of the world's most spectacular landscapes on the doorstep. Highlights within reach include the spouting flumes of Geysir, the thundering cascades of Gullfoss Falls and the active volcano of Fagradalsfjall. Your children will never forget glacier-hiking at Solheimajokull, whale-watching in the bay or taking a dip in the thermal waters of the Blue Lagoon. It's easy enough to book an organised tour in Reykjavik — perhaps take a ride through lava fields on the back of an Icelandic horse (transport to and from the stables is usually included) — or you can hire a car and set off on a little self-guided road trip.
You don't find many hotel rooms with space for six, but thanks to some king-size bunk beds, the Reykjavik Marina hotel ticks that box. Colourful decor, wipeable floors, a breakfast buffet and handy location also make it a great choice.
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Where to begin in a city that offers a lifetime of distractions? Whatever your children's interests, you'll find something to keep them busy here. Interactive displays at the Natural History Museum and Science Museum do an excellent job of making education entertaining, but you should seek out lesser-known (and less crowded) attractions, too. Start with the Horniman (an anthropology museum) and the Young V&A (with plenty of games). More high-octane amusement can be found in rigid inflatable boat tours on the Thames, learning circus skills at trapeze school and in activities such as cycling and whitewater rafting at the former Olympic venues in east London. Sample unusual ice-cream flavours at Chin Chin's dessert parlours in Soho and Camden, and don't miss a show — perennial favourites The Lion King, Wicked and Matilda are guaranteed family-pleasers.
A kids' concierge, viewable beehive (from behind glass), and family suites sleeping six (complete with teepee) are just some of the reasons to love St Ermin's Hotel. A handy location, close to St James's Park, is another.
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For a place with such a laid-back reputation, Amsterdam has a surprising number of high-adrenaline attractions within its city limits. Picks for older children include the A'Dam Lookout, an observation deck with a swing that dangles occupants over the side of a 100m-tall building. There's a VR rollercoaster ride in the same complex. In a similar vein, This is Holland has a 5D Flight Experience — once strapped in, participants swoop and glide around a virtual Netherlands. If that sounds like too much for younger children, make a beeline for the Nemo Science Museum where they'll lose several hours testing out the many interactive exhibits. Rent a boat to putter about the canals or a bike to explore the cobbled streets (cargo bikes are a great option for ferrying smaller ones about).
You won't be compromising on style at The July — Boat & Co, which blends great interiors with functionality in its apartments (with kitchenettes for the occasional meal in or packed-lunch prep).
• Read our full guide to Amsterdam What's not to love about a city where a boat is the main form of transport? Whether gliding through the lagoon and canals on a public ferry, in a private water taxi or in the back of a gondola, the magic never gets old. On dry land, strolls around the labyrinthine canalside alleys will be made all the more pleasurable with frequent stops at gelaterias and pizzerias. Your children might not be as thrilled to call into Venice's stunning religious buildings as you, but they will enjoy a visit to the magnificent Doge's Palace, particularly its spooky dungeons. They'll also love catching the vaporetto to the long, sandy beach at the Lido, or making and decorating a carnival mask at a family workshop at Ca' Macana.
Youngsters will go wild for the rooftop pool, canal and boat views, and freshly baked cookies at Hilton Molino Stucky Venice. The Giudecca island neighbourhood is the perfect place to escape the bustle of Venice, but also reach the big sights.
• Read our full review of the Hilton Molino Stucky Venice
Active families are going to love Bergen no matter when they visit. Cable cars and funiculars whisk passengers from the heart of the city directly into the surrounding mountains — that means plenty of options for hiking in summer, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. Why not take the children to find the hand-carved troll sculptures dotted around Troll Forest on Mount Floyen? Another year-round attraction is the Norway in a Nutshell tour, taking you into some of the country's most beautiful scenery via train, boat and bus. In the city itself, the old wharf of Bryggen is well worth a visit: it's a lovely area of crooked wooden buildings now housing museums, shops and restaurants.
The generous buffet breakfast spread at the Thon Hotel Bristol will please the pickiest eaters, and the handy central location means it's a short stroll to the fish market and funicular.
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If your children's eyes start to glaze over at the mere mention of the word 'museum', Berlin might change their views. The German capital seems to have a museum to honour every type of weird and wonderful object that ever existed (it even has a 'Museum of Things'). Ones that will particularly appeal to children are the German Spy Museum, with plenty of interactive exhibits designed to test their inner sleuth, the Computer Games Museum and the Labyrinth Children's Museum, which aims to explain the world through play. The whole family will enjoy taking a tour of the city in a rattling old Trabant car; the more active will love tumbling about the sky-high adventure course of MountMitte or hiring a bike and spending a leisurely few hours cycling through Tiergarten, the city's enormous central park.
When it comes to rooms with a view, looking out over the city's zoo from 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin is probably as child-pleasing as you can get.
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You can't go wrong with children in a city that places so much importance on cake. Your first port of call should be one of Vienna's coffee houses to sample an Austrian speciality — perhaps a rich chocolate Sachertorte or a delicate apple strudel. If your children are remotely horsey, they'll find happiness here — book ahead for the displays at the Spanish Riding School and take a city tour in a horse-drawn carriage. Wildlife fans will also love the marine-dwellers on display at the unusual House of the Sea aquarium. Of course, Vienna is also famous for its classical music: budding composers should be let loose on the interactive displays at the House of Music. For a more visceral thrill, take a spin on the giant Ferris wheel in Prater, a public park with a number of fairground rides.
Colourful, connecting rooms and a location right next to the Prater amusement park (plus handy transport links) makes Spark by Hilton Vienna Messe Prater a great, affordable option in the city.
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Athens can seem like one giant open-air museum, with astonishing ancient sites apparently at every turn. If your children are of an age where history has started to become interesting, a trip to the Greek capital will help bring the subject to life. Be sure to take tours at attractions such as the Acropolis so they can learn the stories behind them. Don't miss catching the funicular to the top of Mount Lycabettus, where incredible views await; it's particularly memorable at sunset. Younger children may prefer taking in the city in one of the carriages of the Athens Happy Train, a sightseeing train that chugs through the centre. Bear in mind that it gets really hot here in summer, so aim to be outside earlier in the morning and later in the afternoon — or opt for shoulder seasons. If it gets too much, decamp to the beach: there are several within easy reach of the city.
A rooftop pool makes the centrally located Radisson Blu Park Hotel a great choice for post-sightseeing cool-offs, and across the road there's a lovely park where children can let off steam.
• Best things to do in Athens• Read our full guide to AthensAt just under two hours from London on the Eurostar, the only thing easier than getting to Brussels is the discovery of a chocolate shop once you're there — the 'chocolate capital of the world' is thought to have 500 chocolatiers. Head first to Choco-Story Brussels, a fun museum with demonstrations and tastings; book a workshop and you can make your own bar and lollipops to take away with you. The tourist board has recommendations for chocolate tours through the compact city — be sure to turn up hungry. There are plenty of family-friendly attractions that don't involve the mass consumption of cocoa, including the Museum of Natural Sciences, Musical Instruments Museum and the Autoworld car museum. The Comic Book Route through the city features street art of Belgian characters Tintin and the Smurfs, among other creations.
Housed within a former art college, the hip Jam Hotel has a range of rooms sleeping up to six, complete with wi-fi and Belgian chocolate. Too-cool-for-school teens will love it.
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Young film fans will love ticking off shoot locations from their favourite productions in Dubrovnik. The medieval city on the Adriatic has been the setting for an extraordinary number of blockbusters, including Game of Thrones, Robin Hood and Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Wandering its city walls and narrow cobbled streets, you'll soon see why — Dubrovnik seems conjured out of a fantasy. The tourist office offers themed walking tours, with costumed actors likely to make an appearance en route. Be sure to leave time to catch the cable car up Mount Srd for fantastic views, and have a swim from one of the many nearby beaches. Or perhaps catch the ferry to one of the three inhabited Elafiti islands — Lopud is an hour away and has lovely beaches, walking trails, bike hire and restaurants.
Base yourself at Valamar Lacroma and you'll be a short distance from the Old Town, but also be able to make the most of the region's beaches. Stay here for swimming pools and free entry to Maro World, with its trampoline park and kids clubs.
• Best beaches in Croatia• Read our full guide to Croatia