Are you thinking about planning one of your family vacations in Europe this year? You are in luck! Planning a trip with your family, especially one with young children, is always challenging. You often find that vacation destinations are not prepared to cater to visitors of all ages and preferences. However, this is mostly not the case with European cities, for they have numerous exciting family-oriented activities that will keep you on your toes. If you are wondering which destinations would constitute the perfect spots for a family vacation in Europe, worry not, for the following list identifies the top five European cities ideal for a fun holiday with your family.
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1. London
London tops our list of best destinations for family vacations in Europe, and so for the right reasons. After all, what do you expect from the city of Harry Potter and Peter Pan? Obviously, the best! London is a must-visit site for anyone planning a family vacation in Europe, for the city is inundated with sites and attractions suitable for people of all ages. Children especially love the city, for they can instantly recognize some of the popular landmarks they see in their books and on television. You should plan visits to the local museums, many of which are interactive and kid-friendly.
What is a better way there to introduce your children and teenagers to some history, art, and technology while having fun yourself as well? Some of the top favorite museums picks include the National History Museum and the London Transport Museum, the former of which boasts a stunning collection of exhibits that fascinate children. And museums are not the only spots you can visit with your family. You can savor several other popular family-friendly activities in town, including witnessing the guard’s change at the Buckingham Palace, taking a cruise through the Thames River, riding the London Eye, and exploring the Warner Brothers Studio, where Harry Potter was shot.
London Travel Guide & Resources:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to London.
Also, you can find the list of the best hotels in London to stay in. Our favorite hotels in London are The Kensington Hotel, Novotel London Tower Bridge, and Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel. These hotels are in the city center of London so it’s within the walking distance of many top attractions. Their prices are also reasonable compared to other hotels in the same areas.
Related: Find other amazing hotels options in London here.
Need more ideas to add to your London itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in London in addition to what already mentioned here.
2. Paris
Paris is yet another classic for family vacations in Europe that never ceases to entertain. Easily one of the tops picks for frequent vacationers to Europe, Paris maintains its status as a family-friendly destination conveniently with the host of attractions and activities it has to offer. There is no doubt that children, teenagers, and adults all love the city alike, for the city has something for everyone. Since the sheer number of possible activities that can be done in town is sometimes too exhausting for some, you have the option of booking a guided tour. However, a self-planned itinerary works just as well. For starters, you could head to Place du Tertre, which is lined by very talented actors offering to draw portraits. Children love this! Plus, French cuisine is such that you can find something that your children can eat without throwing tantrums.
As for the sites to visit, you should adjust museums and art galleries in your schedule, especially The Louvre, because, let us face it, a trip to Paris is not complete without witnessing the stunning art it has. Other popular activities include visiting gorgeous cathedrals (like Notre-Dame), climbing the Eiffel Tower, visiting kids’ parks, and taking a side trip to Paris’s very own Disneyland.
Paris Travel Guide & Resources:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Paris.
Here you can browse and find the list of the best hotels in Paris to stay in. Our favorite hotels in Paris are Hotel Montalembert Paris, Le 7 Eiffel Hotel, and Résidence Charles Floquet. For a little more budget-friendly options, we recommend Hotel Gavarni Paris or Europe Hotel Paris Tour Eiffel.
Related: Find other amazing hotels options in Paris here.
Need more ideas to add to your Paris itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Paris in addition to what already mentioned here.
3. Barcelona
We understand that Barcelona might initially seem a bit odd on the list of best destinations for family vacations in Europe, thanks to its nightlife’s popularity. However, Barcelona is much more than mere partying. In fact, it has all the right ingredients to make it one of the ideal places to visit with your family.
Starting with the amazing weather- Barcelona falls just on the perfect spot on the globe to have a climate that is not treacherous. And we all know that that is a major plus when it comes to traveling with children. Plus, there are amazing beaches that one cannot forget about. You can spend your time lazing out on long stretches of golden sand facing bright blue waters, while your children can run around and build their sandcastles. The sun is bright and perfect for you and your family to have a nice time.
You should also visit the Chocolate museum, Parc de la Ciutadella, and Tibidabo (an amusement park on a mountain). Adding Sagrada Familia to your list of sites to visit is also a great idea as this Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece will wow you and your kids alike with its towers, architecture, and interior.
Barcelona Travel Guide & Resources:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Barcelona.
Here you can browse and find the list of the best hotels in Barcelona to stay in. Our favorite hotels in Barcelona are H10 Cubik, Sensation Sagrada Familia Apartments, and Iberostar Selection Paseo de Gracia
Related: Find other amazing hotels options in Barcelona here.
Need more ideas to add to your Barcelona itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Barcelona in addition to what already mentioned here. For more kid-friendly activities you can do in Barcelona, see the full list here.
4. Stockholm
Stockholm is as kid-friendly as a city can get. The city is home to tens of children’s museums and attractions, with engaging activities, that your young ones are bound to have a blast. Plus, the popular sites are in each other’s proximity, so hopping from one point to another is not much of a hassle. You can find multiple dining spots in the city too, including Frantzen and Tapas 28. Plan trips to the Storkyrkan Cathedral, the Royal Palace, and take the historical canal tour. This would help you and your children get familiarized with the city’s history in a light and amusing way.
Kids also love visits to the Aquaria Water Museum and Skansen’s Aquarium, both of which let them interact with their favorite animals. Grona Lund and the Nobel Museum are also highly attractive options if you are traveling with older kids. Grona Lund is the city’s very own exhilarating theme park, and the Nobel Museum preserves details of how the prestigious Nobel award was conceptualized, with details of all receivers to date.
Stockholm Travel Guide & Resources:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Stockholm.
Here you can browse and find the list of the best hotels in Stockholm to stay in. Our favorite hotels in Stockholm are Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel Stockholm, Radisson Blu Royal Viking Hotel Stockholm, and Hotel Frantz, BW Premier Collection
Related: Find other amazing hotels options in Stockholm here.
Need more ideas to add to your Stockholm itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Stockholm in addition to what already mentioned here.
5. Madrid
A family vacation in Madrid is something that will delight each member of your family. Since the Spanish culture has a major emphasis on family life and relationships, Spanish cities have family-oriented elements that will cater to you and your loved ones. These elements are especially evident in the country’s capital, Madrid. While in town, you will find yourself surrounded by many options to entertain you and your family. You can start your vacation by spending some lowkey time in one of Madrid’s kid-friendly parks. Their long patches of greenery are very soothing, where you can lie down and watch your children play around.
If you visit Retiro, which is easily the most popular park in Madrid, you can rent rowboats and spend some quality boating time in its lake. You should also remember to put Madrid’s CaixaForum on your schedule, for there is always something exciting going on there. From cultural exhibitions to movie screenings to fun workshops for kids, there is a lot that will keep you and your family pleasantly occupied. Other notable destinations in the city include the Prado Museum and the Royal Palace of Madrid.
Madrid Travel Guide & Resources:
Find the best flights, train tickets, or rent a car for your trip to Madrid.
Here you can browse and find the list of the best hotels in Madrid to stay in. Our favorite hotels in Madrid are:
Related: Find other amazing hotels options in Madrid here.
Need more ideas to add to your Madrid itinerary? Find top attractions and things to do in Madrid in addition to what already mentioned here.
Video Guide: 5 Best Cities for Family Vacations in Europe
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Need help planning a family vacation to Europe?
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