If you follow me on Instagram, you know we’re a family full of adventurers. We love to travel and explore new places, both domestic and abroad. We even took our 8 week old and 2 year old to Tuscany for three weeks (yes, you can travel with a baby!). But rather than picking a place at random or going somewhere on a whim, I research each dream destination before bringing it to fruition.
When looking into potential destinations, it’s hard not to be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information. Especially when you have questions and concerns about traveling with kids.
I’m writing this article in hopes of sharing the valuable information I’ve found during my research on the best European cities to visit with kids. With all the research I’ve done, it should most certainly be easier for you to plan your next family vacation. You can trust me on that one, mama.
From the remarkable sights and sounds of Paris, France to the picturesque white-washed views in Naxos, Greece, I’ve compiled a list of the best European cities to visit with kids. I made sure to not only include the best family-friendly activities, but also my recommendations for how long to stay. Let’s get into it!
Best European Cities To Visit With Kids
Venice, Italy
Venice is the capital of the Veneto region in northern Italy. It’s built on more than 100 small islands in the Adriatic Sea. I’ve talked about this magical city before when I named it one of the best places to visit in Italy for families, and it’s undoubtedly worth mentioning again.
Remarkably, there are no roads in Venice! In fact, transportation by car, bus, and even bike is impossible. Instead, you’ll have to rely on walking and boating to navigate the city. On foot, you’ll traverse across more than 400 staired bridges and walk through narrow alleyways to explore each district.
Unfortunately, this means Venice isn’t exactly stroller-friendly. While kids of all ages can enjoy all that Venice has to offer, it’s better suited for kids aged 6 and above. At that age, they’re more able to appreciate the unique sights, sounds, and rich history of Venice, Italy and you won’t have to rely on a stroller so much anymore.
Speaking of unique sights and rich history, there are a ton of great family-friendly activities to enjoy in Venice. Some of the best things to do as a family include:
- Explore the exhibits at the Natural History Museum
- Ride a gondola through the city’s canals
- Take boat rides to explore the Venetian Lagoon
- Visit St. Mark’s Square to see St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, and to feed the pigeons
A 2- to 3-day trip offers plenty of time to explore all that the city has to offer. For the best weather, visit during the spring (March to May) but if you want to avoid crowds, consider going during the fall (September to November).
Rome, Italy
Rome is another one of the best places to visit in Italy for families. This Italian capital city offers nearly 3,000 years of art, culture, and architecture. From cozy restaurants crafting authentic Italian fare to breathtaking historic sites, it’s practically impossible to choose the most magnificent thing in Rome.
Of course, there are the must-sees like the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. The Roman Forum is an ancient site where kids can run around outdoors and explore the ruins. Other child-friendly activities in Rome include:
- Explore the Villa Borghese Gardens and rent a rowboat for fun on the water
- Learn through play at Explora Children’s Museum
- Watch the street performers and feed the pigeons in Piazza Navona
With so many child-friendly activities, Rome is a great European destination for kids of all ages to visit. For the most part, it’s a stroller-friendly city, although the occasional cobbled street might make things difficult. When you’re not exploring the city on foot, you can use public transportation (buses, trams, and the metro) to get around the city.
A 4- to 5-day trip should give your family enough time to see all of Rome. Just like Venice, the best time to visit Rome is during the spring (March to May) or the fall (September to November).
Naxos, Greece
The only thing better than embarking on an adventure to paradise is doing it with your kids in tow. As long as you choose the right idyllic destination, of course. In this case, the paradise we’re talking about is none other than the white-washed, picturesque island location of Naxos, Greece.
Naxos is a great European destination for families with kids of all ages. Except for Old Town, where there are numerous stairs to climb, Naxos is an incredibly stroller-friendly city. Getting around the island is easy, too. Public transportation via bus is an affordable way to get just about anywhere, although you might need to rent a car to get to more secluded parts of the island.
The beaches are by far the best attraction in Naxos. There’s nothing like burying your toes in the ultra-soft white sand and splashing around in the water that surrounds the island. The best beaches to visit in Naxos with kids are Agios Georgios, Agios Prokopios, and Agia Anna. If you have older kids who are interested in windsurfing and other thrill-seeking watersports, check out Plaka Beach.
In addition to spending time on the breathtaking beaches, the best things to do in Naxos, Greece with kids include:
- Explore the white-washed cobbled streets of Naxos Town
- Visit the ancient ruins at Portara of Naxos
- Experience the rich culture and quaint shops in the traditional Naxos villages
Although you could easily spend weeks in Naxos and never tire of its gorgeous scenery, a 5-day stay would be just about perfect for a trip with kids. To avoid the largest crowds and still take advantage of the fantastic weather, the best time to visit Naxos is April through early June and mid-September through October.
London, United Kingdom
London is one of the most popular cities to visit in Europe with kids. It’s a wonderful destination for kids of all ages, including kids who still use a stroller. It’s especially accommodating for families with young kids, thanks to its accessible public transportation system. The whole family can easily get around on the London Tube, tram, bus, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth Line, River Bus, and most National Rail services, with an Oyster card.
First-time visitors will want to visit famous attractions like Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, and Big Ben.
The best kid-friendly things to do in London include:
- Visit one of the many museums:
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
- Visit one of the many parks and playgrounds:
- Say “hi!” to the animals at London Zoo
A 4- to 5-day trip to London will give you enough time to see and enjoy all that the city has to offer. The best time to visit London with kids is in the spring, particularly in April when the weather is pleasant and there are fewer crowds to deal with.
Paris, France
Paris, France is one of the most popular bucket list destinations in Europe, and for good reason. The magical City of Light is an iconic, picturesque, and romantic city that everyone needs to see at least once.
The key to an enjoyable visit to Paris with kids is choosing activities that are not only age-appropriate, but that cater to your child’s interests. For example, while you may be dying to see The Louvre, the Musee d’Orsay is probably more suitable for young kids and toddlers. And while the Eiffel Tower is certainly worth seeing in person, climbing the 600+ steps with multiple young children sounds more like punishment than fun.
Some of the best things to do in Paris with kids include:
- Spend a day at Disneyland Paris
- Or visit Jardin d'Acclimatation (a more affordable amusement park) instead
- Indulge in some of the local sweets and treats (Crepes, croissants, hot chocolate, etc.)
- Enjoy a picnic and burn off some energy at one of the local parks:
- Spot all the statues in the gardens of the Rodin Museum
- Walk around the Palace of Versailles
Paris, France is a fantastic European destination for kids of all ages. With a myriad of things to do, you can plan your trip with age-appropriate activities, no matter whether your child is a toddler or a teen. Despite its size, Paris is great to explore on foot and it’s incredibly stroller-friendly. The bus, metro, and tram are also great, affordable transportation options.
To have enough time to enjoy all of Paris with some downtime for younger kids, a 5- to 7-day trip would be ideal. That’s not to say you can’t have a great 3- to 4-day trip to Paris; just that the more time you have in Paris, the better.
The best time to visit Paris, France with kids is either in October or April. Like in other European cities, it’s less crowded during these months and the temperatures are still pleasant enough to enjoy outdoor activities.
Copenhagen, Denmark
While it isn’t usually one of the first cities people think of when planning a European vacation with kids, Copenhagen, Denmark is easily one of the most family-friendly destinations in Europe. Copenhagen is a vastly underrated, quaint, and charming city. It’s the perfect location for a memorable vacation with kids of all ages.
With so many activities to choose from, it can be hard to narrow them down. But one thing you definitely don’t want to miss out on is a trip to Tivoli Gardens. Tivoli Gardens is the second-oldest amusement park in the world. It offers a slew of rides and rollercoasters as well as vast green space and idyllic lakes. (You can also visit the world’s oldest amusement park: Bakken!)
Other notable things to do in Copenhagen with kids include:
- The Blue Planet Aquarium
- The Copenhagen Zoo
- Nature Playground in Valbyparken
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours
- The Children’s Museum at the National Museum of Denmark
- Natural History Museum of Denmark
- Experimentarium Science Museum
- Copenhagen Planetarium Dome
- Guinness World Records Museum
A 3- to 4-day trip offers plenty of time for your whole family to enjoy Copenhagen but, of course, a longer stay is always welcome. It’s a very walkable city, which is great if you have younger kids. But if your kids are old enough, I recommend renting bikes to get around. Considering the city is designed for bikes, it’s incredibly stroller-friendly (as long as you stay out of the way of cyclists).
The best time of year to visit Copenhagen with kids is in the spring from March to May or in late summer between June and August.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Like most Nordic countries, Iceland is pretty family-friendly. Not only is it incredibly safe, it offers plenty of interactive and educational museums, large green spaces, and a bunch of outdoor activities.
Although late spring or early fall are the best times to visit Reykjavik with kids, you’ll likely see kids of all ages exploring the various to-do’s in the city year-round. Reykjavik, as well as most of the rest of Iceland, is very baby- and stroller-friendly. Plus, there are plenty of activities to enjoy for young children, teens, and adults.
The best things to do in Reykjavik, Iceland include:
- Spend time in one of the local parks:
- Explore the gardens and feed the ducks at Tjörnin
- Stroll through the city center
- Go whale watching
- Visit one of the local museums:
- Go swimming in the city’s largest pool: Laugardalslaug Pool
- Take a short drive to the world-famous Blue Lagoon
There are several ways to get around Reykjavik. You can explore the city on foot, by boat or buggy, or even take a hop-on hop-off bus tour.
A 2-day trip is plenty of time for a trip to Reykjavik with an infant or toddler. If you’re traveling with older kids, you can find enough to do to keep you busy for 5 to 7 days.
Munich, German
Munich is a glorious blend of old and new, vintage and modern, and rustic and sleek. It’s a great destination for families traveling with kids of all ages, including babies.
Just about all of Munich is stroller-friendly, including public transportation. A travel stroller is definitely easier to navigate, but even full-size strollers can easily fit in all the buses, trams, and subways in Munich.
The best things to do in Munich with kids include:
- Appease car-obsessed kids at BMW Welt
- Explore Olympiapark
- See the Glockenspiel at Marienplatz
- Run around Englischer Garten
- Visit the German Museum
- See more than 500 animal species at Tierpark Hellabrunn
- Explore Sea Life
The best time to visit Munich with kids depends on the kind of experience you’re hoping to have. The city is most crowded with tourists between May and December. It’s especially packed in early fall for Oktoberfest and in December for Christmas festivities. If you visit in April, you can avoid the hoards of visitors and still enjoy mild and pleasant weather.
Valencia, Spain
Valencia is another family-friendly European destination that offers plenty of activities for parents and kids to enjoy together. For the most part, this charming and friendly Spanish city is stroller-friendly. Like many of the other cities mentioned in this post, Valencia is great for kids of all ages, from babies to teens.
The best things to do in Valencia with kids include:
- Explore the Science Museum (Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe)
- Greet the animals at Bioparc
- See the aquatic animals at Oceanografic
- Run and climb at Gulliver Park
- Visit Patacona Beach
- Ride a four-wheel bike through Turia Park
- Experience The Hemisfèric
- Play at the LEGO Fun Factory at Aqua Shopping Center
- Tour the Natural Science Museum (Museu de Ciències Naturals de València)
While many activities and attractions are within walking distance, public transportation makes it easy to get to and from areas that are further apart. From bikes, cars, and scooters to buses, metros, trams, and taxis, there are plenty of ways to get around Valencia with kids.
As for when you should visit, aim for a trip in April and May or September and October. This way, you’ll still get to enjoy the warm weather and you’ll avoid the hectic crowds.
Lisbon, Portugal
For a vibrant, charming, and family-friendly European destination with pleasant weather practically year-round. Although it’s recognized as one of the most walkable cities in Portugal, it’s pretty hilly. The hills alone are reason enough to consider Lisbon less stroller-friendly than other destinations mentioned in this guide unless you prefer a challenge.
Lisbon is home to several remarkable museums and historical sites. The best way to see everything is to take advantage of public transportation. The Lisboa Card gives you unlimited free travel via bus, metro, and tram for either 24, 48, or 72 hours. It can also give you free or discounted entry to several attractions throughout the city.
There are a ton of great family-friendly activities in Lisbon, including:
- Visit the Praça do Comércio
- Have a ball at The Lisboa Story Centre
- Explore the Lisbon Aquarium (Oceanario de Lisboa)
- Experience the Science Museum (Pavilhão do Conhecimento)
- Visit the oldest bookshop in the world: Livraria Bertrand
Lisbon sees more sunshine than most of the rest of Europe, so you can expect great weather for most of the year. That said, Lisbon tends to get pretty crowded in the summer. You would do better to plan your family trip for between March and May or September and October. This way you can enjoy the fabulous weather without overcrowding.
All things considered, Lisbon is a great family-friendly destination, but it’s better suited to kids elementary-aged and older.
Where are you taking your kids for your next family vacation?
If you have plans to visit one of the European cities in this guide, I’d love to hear about it. If you’re visiting a destination somewhere else in the world, I want to hear about that too!
Gearing up for a trip with your little ones? Be sure to check out my posts on 30+ Toddler Travel Essentials and the Best Mom Backpacks for Travel!
For more tips on traveling with kids, including destination ideas and packing guides, head over to the blog.
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