Six European City Breaks Perfect For a Family Trip

For a city break that mixes culture and adventure with fun for all the family, visit one of these amazing European destinations.

With summer holidays fast approaching, plan a trip to one of these exciting cities where you can combine sightseeing with a child-friendly stay – and all just a few hours from the UK. From private guided tours in Rome and Athens, to exploring green spaces in Amsterdam and even visiting the world-famous Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, here are some suggestions for city breaks that will ignite children’s imaginations and broaden their minds.

Just under four hours away by train via the Eurostar, Amsterdam is an extremely accessible city for families. The city is flat, making it very buggy friendly and it’s packed with places to take the kids. Wander the quaint streets, visit some of the best museums in Europe and, of course, cruise down the canals that it is most famous for.

Amsterdam With Children

Explore the extensive network of pretty waterways that crisscross the city with a Blue Boats Kids Cruise. This 75-minute trip offers a child-friendly audio tour in English and a complimentary activity package from just €13.50. With little ones entertained, adults can enjoy the grown-up version of the cruise around this stunning UNESCO World Heritage site. The Nemo Science Museum has tons for children to see and do – from interactive areas and experiments to messy water play complete with a fun drying machine so you’d don’t need to worry about transporting soggy little people around or children getting sick. The museum’s eye-catching copper-green building is easy to spot from Amsterdam Central Station and just a 15-minute walk from the city centre. For picnics in the sunshine, make a beeline for Hortus Botanicus, a gorgeous botanical garden for little green fingers with a great nearby café for lunch. Or check out Amsterdamse Bos, a 1000-hectare forest and nature park on the southern fringe of the city, with a working farm and lots of playgrounds for kids to let off steam. Take older children to the outstanding Rijksmuseum to see art work from Van Gogh and Rembrandt.

Where to stay

The July Boat & Co is a sustainable apartment-hotel with spacious family apartments that feature fully equipped kitchens and a full hotel experience including housekeeping, a café and a gym – all located on the waterfront in the Houthaven, Amsterdam’s historic timber harbour district just a short walk from the centre.

Edinburgh is the perfect city to discover as a family at any time of year. Steeped in history and brimming with child-friendly activities, it makes for a great weekend away. With most of the city’s main sights all within a short walk of each other, it’s easy to get around on foot. First stop has to be the world-famous Edinburgh Castle, one of the UK’s top attractions that pulls in millions of visitors every year. Built in 1103, it allows visitors to delve into the past with interactive exhibits, audio guides and even live performances from actors to really set the scene.

Edinburgh With Children

Youngsters will love taking a trip to the eery dungeons and seeing the Scottish Crown Jewels. Just remember to cover your ears as the the famous 1 o’clock gun from the castle ramparts. Entry to the castle costs from £19.50 for adults and £11.40 for kids, under sevens go free. Head down the Royal Mile to the National Museum of Scotland to discover more about the nation’s history, with a diverse collection of family-friendly exhibits and activities, such as workshops and storytelling sessions. Older children (and definitely their parents) will find a visit to the city during the famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival truly fascinating. One of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture on the planet, this three-week festival in August is when the city is at its most vibrant and is packed with tourists and performers – it’s an electric atmosphere that’s hard to beat. There is something for everyone; from theatre and comedy to circus and children’s shows. Check out the line up to see what’s suitable for younger audiences. For a sweet treat visit The Edinburgh Chocolatarium, just steps from the Royal Mile. Enjoy a 90-minute guided tour of the chocolate-making process before making your very own chocolate bar where you’ll have lots of toppings to choose from. To finish off, head to the chocolate Tasting Room where you’ll taste a variety of Scottish and international chocolates. A delicious highlight of the trip.

Where to stay

The iconic Balmoral Hotel on Princess Street, in the very heart of the city. Referring to itself as a ‘love letter’ to Scotland, expect to find all the very best the country has to offer mixed with five-star style. With huge family suites, wonderful dining options, a magnificent spa and a very family-friendly atmosphere, this Rocco Forte Hotel makes the ideal base for sightseeing.

It’s hard to find a city that’s more interesting for children than Rome. With sights and stories straight out of their school history books, a trip the Italian capital is simply enchanting as tales of gladiators and emperors come to life on its streets. With so much to tick off the to-do list, hiring a tour guide is a great way to make seeing the main sights so much easier. With your own knowledgeable guide – usually a local historian – you’ll get a private experience tailored to you and your questions, packed with insider insight as you discover the likes of the Coliseum, the Trevi Fountain and the Vatican.

Rome With Children

Enlist the help of the team at Kids Tours of Rome who organise amazing walking tours that are tailormade to suit children aged from six upwards. They know the best times to go and can secure early access to certain sights, plus you can ask questions along the way and spend more time in the places that interest you the most. Prices start from €210 per family group and last two to three hours depending on which tour you choose. If you are travelling with young children, combine the historical side of the stay with a few hours at the lovely Villa Borghese, Rome’s central park, which is ideal for little ones with several open-air playgrounds, plenty of grassy spaces to run around and a miniature train ride – not to mention cafes selling ice cream. Dining in Italy is generally easy with children who can choose from their favourite pizza or pasta in a restaurant that are incredibly welcoming of kids and will reduce their portion sizes if they don’t have a kid’s menu. Check out the extensive list compiled by local experts Italia Kids for some great suggestions in different areas of the city.

Where to stay

The Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria hotel, is a great choice. Set on Rome’s highest hilltop with panoramic views, the hotel is nestled in 15 acres, and offers generous family suites and a great outdoor swimming pool. During the summer it also runs kid’s club which is complimentary to all hotel guests aged four to 12. Simply call the concierge to book.

Athens is a delight for little historians and budding archaeologists. A vibrant and exciting city, the Greek capital is the perfect juxtaposition of old and new world, making it a great option for a week away with the kids. No trip to Athens is complete without climbing to the top of The Acropolis as well as exploring the archaeological site of the Ancient Agora that lies beneath. It’s worth investing in an experienced guide who can ensure you don’t miss any of the sights and also make it fun and accessible for the kids.

Athens With Children

Speak to the local experts at Athens For Kids who are bursting with great ideas and run a number of tours and workshops all over the city, including the Myths, Heroes and Mythical Creatures Exploration: a one hour and fifteen minute guided walk around the Acropolis museum hunting for the most terrifying creatures, the heroes and stories that are hidden inside the building’s walls. Tours are often tailormade so ask for prices when booking. Be sure to visit the Acropolis Museum too with its uninterrupted views over the ancient site and don’t miss the impressive model of the Acropolis on the second floor, built out of 120,000 pieces of Lego. When you’ve had your fill of myths and legends, head to one of the many family-friendly beaches on the Athenian Rivera, such as Akti tou Iliou beach. Just a 15-minute drive from the city centre, this large, sandy beach has plenty of umbrellas, sunbeds, and a café. Lifeguards are on hand and kids will love playing on the inflatable play park on the water, or the whole family can hire a pedal boat or canoes. A wonderful mix of city and sea.

Where to stay

The One&Only Aesthesis, a laid-back, chic five-star beach resort escape just 20 minutes from the historic city centre. Expect outstanding service as this luxury property is known for, as well as large family suites, tennis, water sports and an excellent kid’s club.

To combine a beach holiday with a city break, fly to sunny Palma. The Mallorcan city is incredibly charming with its cathedral, cobbled streets and open-air markets, but is also just a short car journey from chilled-out family-friendly beach clubs tucked away in picture-perfect coves. The city itself is walkable, accessible for prams and packed with little restaurants that are very happy to cater to young diners. It’s the sort of place you want to stroll around in the sunshine, shopping and stopping for coffees and ice creams. While there is a nice sandy beach just in front of the cathedral, the beautiful bay of Iletas has shallow seas and is the perfect spot to hangout with kids.

Palma With Children

Book into the stylish but uber relaxed Balneario Illetas and enjoy lunch on your lounger while the children play in the sand. S’Hort del Rei (‘the King’s Orchard’) is a lovely garden just a few minutes from the Cathedral and a shady spot to let little ones roam when they need some time to play. For more of an adventure, pay a visit to Palma Aquarium which is a magnet for families as kids love spotting all the colourful species of fish and it’s the ideal place to shelter from the sun on hot afternoons. For a quaint little outing, take the traditional wooden train from Palma to the beautiful Port de Sóller. A little step back in time, the train has been running since 1912 and you can sit back and enjoy the stunning scenery of the Sierra Norte de Mallorca during the short journey. Have lunch at the port and travel back in the evening. It takes about an hour to reach Soller and tickets start from €11. A memorable and unique excursion for all ages.

Where to stay

In the heart of all the action at the Hotel Victoria Gran Melia, Palma. Its very child-friendly with interconnecting family rooms, a kids menus and a fantastic outdoor pool just steps from the beach, and makes a great base from which to explore the city and the seaside.

If a city has 125 playgrounds, that automatically tells you something about their attitude towards young inhabitants – and indeed visitors. Copenhagen welcomes kids with open arms and has a huge selection of museums, attractions, and sights to keep them entertained. The magical Tivoli Gardens were founded in 1843 and are a true national treasure for the Danes. As well as lush green spaces, there are fun rides and amusements for all ages. Elsewhere in Copenhagen, discover The National Gallery of Denmark with the country’s largest collection of art and Frilandsmuseet Open Air Museum, one of the oldest and largest open air museums in the world. Next stroll around the pretty port at Nyhavn, one of Copenhagen’s most iconic sights, where you will find a multitude of cafés and restaurants – many of which are child friendly, like Hyttefadet which is located in a picturesque spot right on the harbour and also has a great kid’s menu.

Copenhagen For Children

The wooden rollercoaster in Tivoli Gardens was constructed in 1914, and is one of only seven rollercoasters worldwide which have a brakeman on board every train. Braver members of the family can also try state-of-the-art Vertigo, which will turn you upside down at 100 km per hour, and was incidentally voted Europe’s Best Ride in 2014. For a more educational experience, head to Experimentarium. Founded in 1991 as a non-profit foundation it’s mission: to educate on scientific and technological methods and research past and present. Spread out across four floors, each is divided into various themes such as the human body, a ‘Miniverse’ for toddlers and the world’s first fully interactive cinema with motion sensors. Everything is designed to be hands on and all activities and exhibits are in both Danish and English. Adult tickets cost from 225,00 DKK (roughly £26) and kids from 140 DDK (£16).

Where to stay

Bryggen Guldsmeden is a super-cool urban eco resort in the centre of Copenhagen that has amazing family suites which they will happily kit out with cots and highchairs. Children will love the jungle inspired outdoor pool, a great place to cool off after a busy day taking in the sights.