The top European city breaks for families

As a couple we’d often book flights at short notice and escape for a European city break. We didn’t necessarily have an idea where we wanted to go either, we’d just booked whatever took our fancy. We were very much go with the flow types and being away was a great way to ensure the weekend felt even longer. We do research destinations more with a five year old in tow but as long as there’s enough to occupy her, everyone’s happy. So what are the top European city breaks for families with young children?

First up is Lisbon where there’s a wealth of activities on offer for children. We were hoping to meet friends there last summer but couldn’t quite make the dates work. POD would love the Hills Tramcar especially. It’s a hop on hop off tour that stops at landmarks such as São Jorge Castle where there is a camera obscura in the Torre de Ulísses. She’d definitely want to try out the Hippotrip which is an amphibious vehicle that enables you to explore the heart of the capital by land and by river – without even leaving your seat! Taking a cable car is another way to explore the city and take in the panoramic views at the same time. Museu da Marioneta, the puppet museum, and Jardim Zoológico would also be on our list. 

We love Barcelona with all its museums, galleries and attractions. From the aquarium, Tibidabo amusement park and Font Màgica to the zoo, Bubbleparc and cable car there’s more than enough to keep children occupied. Great spaces include Parc de la Ciutadella, Parc Güell which is a World Heritage Site, and Jardins de La Vila Santa Cecilia. Barcelona also has a vast stretch of coastline to explore with the climate to match. Local fiestas regularly bring free kids’ entertainment to the likes of Las Ramblas too. POD obviously doesn’t need a buggy anymore but if you do have children in pushchairs, there are lifts at some underground stations. Generally speaking though the buses are good and the city is very walkable as well.

Another family friendly destination is Seville, the quintessential city of Andalusia, which is known for its tapas, flamenco dancing and Mediterranean climate. If the trams, boat trips and bus tours and open top buses aren’t enough to keep the little ones occupied there’s the jungle-like Parque Maria Luisa which serves as a botanical garden. Opposite that is the Plaza de Espana which has featured in many films – the most famous of which being Star Wars. Seville’s cathedral is the third largest Gothic style church in the world so definitely worth a visit and you can climb its Giralda tower for views of the city. The Alcazar fort turned royal palace is conveniently located opposite. The Flamenco museum provides a flamenco dance with its entry ticket if you’re keen to see one and not up for a full show.

Home to the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe, Paris is renowned for being one of the most romantic cities in the world but it’s a great destination for families too. It’s one of our favourite European destinations – a view shared by many I’m sure. If you’re heading to the Jardin des Plantes there’s much to see at the Muséum national d’histoire naturelle – from animal specimens in the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution, fossils and skeletons of dinosaurs in the Galeries d’Anatomie Comparée et de Paléontologie with crystals, gemstones and minerals in the Galerie de Minéralogie et de Géologie. Also in the same area is Ménagerie which is the oldest public zoo in the world. The Eiffel Tower is always busy so you’ll need to arrive first thing if you’re keen to go up it. I learnt the hard way I’m not a fan of glass elevators and actually the view from under the Eiffel Tower is just as special as the views from the top. The alternative is Tour Montparnasse which has a terrace on the 56th floor that is open to the public.

Elsewhere in Paris there’s Jardin du Luxembourg which is a play park with ponies, puppet shows, karts and swingboats. Jardin des Tuileries, located between the Louvre and place de la Concorde, offers much of the same but with trampolines, carousels and flea markets. For the technology minded, La Cité des Enfants is a modern, science & technology museum aimed at kids aged 2-7 and 5-12. POD would love the Musée de la Poupée which is a private doll museum located near the Pompidou Centre. Choco-Story, the gourmet chocolate museum, is definitely somewhere not to be missed. It covers the history of cocoa and chocolate, the secret of making it and you get to try some! 

Rome is another superb city with much to offer and it’s great to walk around. Last time we were there we did a lot of walking so we’ve held off a bit before taking POD. There’s a hop on hop off bus if you’re looking to do a lot of exploring but we like to walk if we can. Piazza del Popolo, Piazza Navona and of course Basilica di San Pietro are the best squares to visit. There are numerous churches and nearly 20 basilicas within the Aurelian Walls – 3 of which are patriarchal (St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City, St John in Lateran and Santa Maria Maggiore). Ancient sights include the Colosseum, which has four floors and numerous corridors to explore, the Roman Forum and the influential Pantheon. If you’re keen to see the Vatican sights, there’s St Peter’s Church and the Vatican Museums which include the Sistine Chapel. The wonderful Fontana di Trevi is always worth a look as is the Fountain of the Four Rivers fountain on Piazza Navona and the Tritone Fountain.

We’ve always had a good time in Belgium regardless of whether we’re in Brussels or Bruges. Both are easily accessible from the UK – our last visit to Bruges saw us take the Eurotunnel to Calais and drive from there. The ‘Venice of the North’ is pretty much still a medieval town and on the list of UNESCSO World Heritage Sites. The Markt (Market square) is a good place to start with the 13th Century Belfry Tower, old buildings and a former government palace. The Bruges City Hall in historic Burg Square is certainly worth a look as it’s one of the oldest in the Netherlands region. Also there is the former Civil Registry, the double chapel Holy Blood Basilica and St. Donaasproosdij. We enjoyed walking around Bruges, stopping at various shops and tea shops along the way, but you can just as easily take a boat along the canal or take a bus. Horse and carriage rides are also available from the Markt. There are lots of chocolatiers in Brugges but we found Dumon to be the best for handmade.

Equally Belgium’s capital Brussels has much to offer with its history, architecture and sights. Not to mention the varieties of beer and chocolate on offer! There’s a tour you can take in Brussels although we explored on foot. The 15th Century Grand Place is usually the best place to start with its historic buildings including the Town Hall. A few streets away from there is the Mannekin Pis (peeing boy), who is always popular, and the Palace of Justice. Mini Europe is situated in Brupark and great for children with its amusement park, water park and the Atomium. The Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate is also worth a look along with the Museum of Natural Sciences. Planckendael is the closest zoo to the city located about 30 minutes away.

We’ve been itching to get back to Germany. I spent a month living in Mannheim and Heidleburg many years ago and the POD Father spent a time in Ramstein as one of his parents was in the RAF. Berlin is a mecca for young families with beaches, playgrounds and zoos. Kollwitz Platz, in the heart of Prenzlauer Berg, is one of the biggest parks with wooden toys shaped like giant vegetables and ping pong tables. Berlin Zoo is the oldest in Germany and has its own hippopotamus aquarium, where you can watch the hippos both above and under the water. Tiergarten is the city’s biggest park where there are boats, bridges and paths. Family boat tours are available around the city centre or from Museums Island. Tempelhof sounds like an interesting place to visit too – it’s a park but was once an airport!

We always have a brilliant time in Copenhagen and it’s a superb city for kids – there are even places reserved on buses and trains for buggies! The Blue Planet aquarium is next on our list to visit with water on all sides, giving visitors the feeling of being under the ocean. The Children’s Museum is where the kids under 12 can play their way through history with interactive exhibits. There’s a viking ship, 1920’s classroom and Grandma’s wardrobe to play with as well as a replica Viking ship. At Experimentarium City there are 300 interactive exhibits on science and technology – ideal for young Einsteins. The Tivoli amusement park has the world’s tallest carousel while Dyrehavsbakken (Bakken) is a 400 year old amusement park in woodland with roller coasters, ferris wheels and drop towers. Other notable places to visit include Fælledparken, Amager Beach and the Botanical Garden.

Stockholm has been on our must visit list for a while so we must rectify that this year. Like many of the other cities featured here, it’s easy to get around by foot but you can just as easily take a bus, boat or jump on the subway. On the green island of Djurgården, we’d have to explore the children’s museum Junibacken. Devoted to the fairytale world of Astrid Lindgren (of Pippi Longstocking fame), it’s a treasure trove of Swedish children’s books with exhibits and a bookstore. Nearby is the Gröna Lund amusement park with the Skansen open air museum, which has a zoo and aquarium, opposite. While we’d like to see Västerlånggatan and Österlånggatan, the Gamla Stan old town would be on our list along with palaces, castles and museums like Vasa. Also we hear Kaknästorget is the best place for views and the meatballs in Pelikan on Södermalm are not to be missed!

With thanks to Mary from Over 40 and Mum to One, Louise from My Gorgeous Boys, Jen from Jenography, Ellie from The Mummy Diary, Rebecca from The Beesley Buzz, Nichola from Globalmouse Travels and Becky from The Mummy Adventure, for sharing their favourite destinations.

Linking up with #CityTripping at Wander Mum

Images courtesy of iStock.