7 European Cities We Know Your Family Will Love!
As some of you may know, we like to travel the world with our daughter, and Europe is one of our favorite places to explore! With its rich history, diverse cultures, and captivating landscapes, Europe offers an array of exciting and educational experiences for families traveling with kids. Whether you’re exploring ancient castles, indulging in mouthwatering pastries, or embarking on thrilling adventures, these cities promise memories that will impact everyone and last a lifetime. Here is our family’s Top 7 European cities you need to take your kids to!
7. Dublin, Ireland
Dublin is not only for drinking Guinness and pub hopping, it’s also a great place to bring your kids! It’s really a win win for everyone. They will love the music and lively atmosphere! The city is full of kid friendly places and activities. Lush green parks with well taken care of playgrounds, shops and restaurants galore (most being kid friendly), and attractions that the whole family will love. Dublin is a very walkable city, perfect for tiring little legs out!
The Giants Garden
We stumbled upon The Giants Garden as we were wandering the streets. It’s based off of the story The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde, so don’t forget to stop by his statue, also located in the park. This is one of our daughter’s favorite places ! Big playground, paths and cute signs throughout the fairy-like garden, and of course a fallen giant kids can climb all over!
Grafton Street
One of our daughter’s favorite things to do is to watch people sing, so she has watched quite a few buskers performing on Grafton Street. The street is lined with shops and restaurants, and at the end is the beautiful St. Stephen’s Green park.
Attractions
You have options when you visit Dublin. The Explorium, the Dublin Zoo, and even a Forest Adventure park! There is something here for all ages. We ran out of time during our stay so we were unable to visit these attractions, but are planning on it when we return!
To book your own adventures in Dublin, click here!
6. London, England
Our family has been to London twice, and we still haven’t made a dent in our “must see” list! With so many iconic landmarks, parks, and theaters, you will quickly find that there is just not enough time in the day. Not only seeing the big double decker buses but riding in one, while on our way to get fish n’ chips, was just the ultimate moment for us! This is definitely one of the European cities you need to take your kids to!
Landmarks
London is the kind of place where you can meander around aimlessly, and find something amazing. Keep your eyes peeled for Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the London Eye. Literally everywhere you look there’s something major, and everything has an air of royalty about it. I found it hard to keep my horrible English accent at bay. Get your kids involved (and educated) by playing a landmark scavenger hunt!
Bus Tours
Bus tours are always a great way to see the city, especially when you’re traveling with kids. There is so much to see in London that you would spend equal, if not more, money on getting around trying to squeeze in as much as possible. These bus tours tend to hit every major attraction, introduce you to some places you didn’t know about, and you get to rest your legs and cool off at the same time, all for a great price. Choose from a Hop On Hop Off Bus tour, or a traditional Double Decker bus!
Parks
Enjoy a fun FREE family day! London is known for its green spades and parks such as Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, and Kensington Gardens. The Victoria Tower Gardens is our daughter’s favorite park to run circles in! While you’re there, don’t forget to check out The Burghers of Calais statue by the famous Auguste Rodin.
Click HERE to discover more things to do in London!
5. Barcelona, Spain
Spain is one of our family’s favorite countries. Beautiful weather, delicious food, and budget friendly. What more could you ask for?! Kids love Barcelona. There are playgrounds and parks pretty much on every street corner, and most are located directly next to a bar or cafe. The architecture here is what stops most in their tracks. From the whimsical and colorful works of Antoni Gaudi in Park Guell, to the Sagrada Familia, there is beauty and creativity in everything you see here. Definitely one of the best European cities you need to take your kids to!
Park Guell
Built by the famous Antoni Gaudí, this eccentric and stunning park is great for kids. It was opened in 1926 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. The playful architecture allows for lots of exploration and imagination, for people of all ages! There is a cafe located inside the park and plenty of designated picnic areas. I recommend bringing your own food!
Click HERE to book your tickets!
Mount Tibidabo
Honestly, the only way we knew about this was because of FRIENDS. Iykyk. (We’re giving our daughter great material for her future lol)
It is totally worth the journey to the top. We had a cab drop us off at the bottom and hiked up. It wasn’t that bad of a walk though, and our 4 year old did it. We were only expecting some amazing views and a beautiful church, but there is so much more here! There was an entire amusement park. Ferris wheel, carousel, roller coaster, and some death defying rides that I just could never. You pay per ride and it was fairly decent pricing. There is also a restaurant and bathrooms. This was one of our favorite unexpected finds!
Tapas
My daughter insisted Tapas should be on this list. We are very blessed to have a child that is down to try any food. The little bites and the assortment of foods was just so exciting, for all of us! You have to try the patatas bravas while here. Whether you order them from a street vendor for cheap or in a fancy restaurant, any variation is worth a try. Trust me. You’ll find them at pretty much any place food is served. It’s a dish of chunks of fried potatoes, topped with a slightly spicy and creamy sauce. It’s simple, delicious, and cheap.
4. Paris, France
Paris has always been my number 1 bucket list destination. Visiting with my husband and experiencing the romantic and more wild side to the city was amazing, but going again and seeing Paris through my child’s eyes was a game changer. Beyond any doubt, one of the top European cities you need to take your kids to. I am a very anxious parent, especially when it comes to visiting new places, and Paris is known for not being the safest place to go, but if you practice smart safety you should be fine. I am so glad I overcame my doubts and took my daughter. It is one of her favorite memories!
There is so much here, for everyone. Most importantly…croissants.
Eiffel Tower
In case you haven’t heard of it yet, there’s this huge structure called the Eiffel Tower. It pretty much just stands around all day and does nothing, but it’s a wonder for people of all ages. The perfect day is to head to The Champ de Mars, grab a baguette and a bottle of wine, and let your kids run amok!
Museums
With a total of 136 museums, there is pretty much one on every corner. The Louvre, being the most popular of them all, offers a scavenger hunt or guided tour designed for kids and families.
Book your entry tickets or guided tours HERE
Disneyland
Disney. Every child’s (or adult’s) happy place! We took our daughter here for her 4th birthday. How will we ever top that?!
Be sure to book your tickets HERE!
3. Amsterdam, Netherlands
When most think of Amsterdam, they picture the red light district and “cafes”. In reality, it’s one of the most kid friendly cities in the world. Parks galore, canals, flowers, delicious food and friendly people. The people here are very welcoming, especially to children. Very unexpected, but definitely one of the best European cities you need to take your kids to.
Canals
They’re beautiful to look at while walking by, but why don’t you try taking a boat ride down one! Taking a canal cruise is one of the most popular things to do in Amsterdam!
Museums
Amsterdam is home to some of the best museums including the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House. In front of the Rijks and the Van Gogh museum is a big open green space, perfect for picnics or running around.
Click HERE to check out the different museums and book your tickets
Attractions
Interactive and educational attractions are popular here and fun for everyone! Check out the NEMO Science Museum or the ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo!
2. Valencia, Spain
The number 2 spot was a tough decision for us. So we let our daughter make the decision for us. She didn’t even think twice when she said Valencia. It may not be as clean and poppin’ as Barcelona, but it’s less crowded and way cheaper. The perfect vacation spot for all families.
Parks
I’ve never seen so many playgrounds in my life. Everywhere you look, there’s a park, and most are situated directly next to a cafe. It is very common for parents to let their kids play at the park while they sit at the cafe drinking sangria or Aqua de Valencia and enjoying some tapas.
Be sure to check out Gulliver Park, based on the book! Our daughter loves the movie so she enjoyed being a Lilliputian for a day!
City of Arts and Sciences
This cultural and architectural complex is definitely a must see. There is so much to do here, from the Oceanografic Aquarium, an interactive science museum, and an IMAX theater and planetarium.
The Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe has a selection of activities you can book for your kids that are quite inexpensive. We participated in the “Scientist for a Day” program (for under $5 USD!) and our daughter absolutely loved it.
Click HERE to see everything you need to know before your visit!
Be sure to book your tickets here!
Beaches
The beaches are the main attraction here, and are perfect for little ones. The boardwalks are lined with shops, restaurants, and gelato, the sand is soft, the water is warm, and the waves are on the smaller side.
Click HERE to read more about our time living in Valencia, Spain!
1. Kissamos, Greece (or any city in Crete!)
Our family’s number one place to visit with kids is Crete! We took a road trip from one end of the island to the other, and seriously every place we stopped was the most amazing place ever (You should take a roadtrip any where in Greece if you have the opportunity). The history alone is something that excites pretty much everyone. I’ve never heard anyone say the story of Zeus was boring. We were all schooled here. I love visiting a place and seeing that each member of our family has learned something. I feel better about myself and feel like a real winner for teaching my kid something new.
There may not be a ton of attractions for kids, but the beaches, the food, and the people make this our (especially our daughter’s) favorite place to go. Simply one of the best European cities you need to take your kids to!
Beaches
Crete is home to some of the most beautiful and unique beaches in the world. And most beaches you can find donut vendors. That’s right. Huge sugar donuts the size of your head. I have found there is nothing better than coming in from swimming or snorkeling and sitting in the warm sand with a big ol’ donut. The sand is soft and dotted with seashells, and the water is all different shades of blue and as clear as anything. We stayed in Malia, and were able to swim out to a little island with an old church on it! Our 4 year old did it with us. That’s how calm the water is here.
Check out the pink sand at Elafonisi or Falassarna Beach, or take a dive into the crystal clear and blue waters at Lake Kournas, Crete’s only freshwater lake.
History
There are a number of museums and archaeological sites on the island. There is so much history here, you kind of feel it wherever you go. Crete is the birthplace of Zeus, and many other Greek Gods are associated with the island. Check out the Palace of Knossos, or the Heraklion Archaeological Museum!
Book your tickets HERE
Culture
The people and the food are the best parts of Crete. Everyone you meet is extremely helpful and friendly, and you are treated like family. The food! So fresh, delicious, and cheap. Our daughter’s favorite memories from Greece are the people she met, and all the feta cheese!
Honorable Mention
I guess I could have made this a “Top 8” list, but this next city does take a little extra to get to, and sometimes that is not always an option for families. But for the ones who seek adventure and getting off the beaten path, this one may just be for you..
Andorra la Vella, Andorra
If you are looking for an adventure, make your way to Andorra. Located in the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain, Andorra la Vella is the capital and the largest city of this small country, and is known for its duty free retail hub and winter sports. There is no airport here, so it does take some planning to get there. We rented a car from Barcelona and drove there. It takes about 2 hours 45 minutes to get there, and one of the most stunning drives.
The town is on the smaller side so it is easily walkable, the people are so friendly and speak like a thousand languages, and there are a lot of restaurants and cute shops. There are also a number of clean and updated parks with stunning views.
Click HERE to see what Andorra has to offer!
I hope you gained some information from our Top 7 European Cities You Need to Take Your Kids to list!
Let us know what countries your family loved visiting!
