Kid-Friendly European Cities You Should Have on Your Travel List

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of traveling with the family to either an exotic locale somewhere in South Africa or experiencing Southeast Asia’s distinct culture. On paper, it’ll seem like all the requirements, stresses, and hassles can be overwhelming, but the Huffington Post’s travel writer Cliff Hsia’s advises, all the benefits will certainly outweigh the troubles.

So what should we look for in a family holiday? According to a blog post on Tootsa, the corporation’s founder and main designer describes a great family holiday as having “lots of sunshine, good company, and new experiences.” These soon-to-be-made memories, ultimately, tilt the scale further in your favour, for you to also enjoy the advantages of travelling with your kids.

To lessen some of these worries altogether, instead of going outright to cross continental adventures with your family to Africa or Asia, Nomadic Matt suggests hopping on a bus, or a train to neighbouring countries here in Europe. At the end of the day, city breaks – above all – offer an ideal, low-stress family bonding experience. With that, here’s a rundown of the most kid-friendly European cities.

London, England

When talking about family vacations, London remains (arguably) at the top of everyone’s destination list. England’s world-famous capital presents plenty of playgrounds and parks to entertain its young tourists, as well as a bevy of sports stadiums and museums for teens and adults. Best of all: most of these activities are absolutely free.

Copenhagen, Denmark

For a different kind of family bonding experience, you can travel to Copenhagen and get a first-hand look at how fairy tales come to life – albeit in a more fascinating way. There’s plenty of dark yet captivating places to visit in Denmark, as anywhere from the dreamlike Round Tower to the sad mermaid in the harbour, highlights the city’s essence. Moreover, you can relish the view of majestic castles, which are just half-an-hour’s train ride away from the city.

Rome, Italy

Rome funnels traveling families to its enchanting city in the most natural, most effortless way possible. This Italian capital underlines the allure of its ancient history, the pleasure of its signature cuisines, and the astonishing beauty of its locals. In other words, you can all enjoy visiting famous sites such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Colosseum, as much as snacking on Naples pizza and authentic gelato.

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona represents the most endearing qualities of a typical Mediterranean setting. The Spanish city has months of seemingly endless sunshine, mouth-watering dishes, and a comfortable pace perfect for the whole family. What’s more, you’ll have a glorious mix of visual performances like the La Rambla fire-eaters, as well as the fine stretch of ocean and sand on the city’s coastline.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

This may be somewhat of a wild card, but Dubrovnik is making a strong statement as a legitimate family holiday destination. The Southern Croatian city overlooks the turquoise waters of the Adriatic, and owns the distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s also considered as one of the greatest old towns in the world, where families can blend history and leisure – underscored by activities such as climbing the city walls and taking in the scenic coastline on a kayak.

Aliana Caithlyn