Europe: A Few Lovely Cities to Discover with Kids

Preparing a trip to Europe with children isn't always easy: finding the best weather conditions, checking how accessible the places you want to visit are, and factoring in everyone's interests... keeping everyone happy can sometimes feel like a puzzle!

But there's good news: contrary to popular belief, some European cities are particularly well suited to a family trip. Provided you favour certain activities and pace your days well.\

And to go further and keep the inspiration flowing, more ideas for great family trips can be found on the Bonjour Evasion website, which helped us write this article.

Copenhagen: a capital designed for families!

With flat terrain and a safe, well-organised city, Copenhagen is easy to explore on foot, by bike or by public transport, even with a pushchair!

The city has been designed with families in mind: high levels of safety, clean infrastructure... Children naturally find their place there, whether in cafés, museums or public spaces!

In spring and summer, temperatures are mild and the city's many green spaces, parks and playgrounds become a real asset. It's very easy to plan outdoor breaks between visits.

For maximum fun, the Tivoli Gardens are the family must-see, with rides suited to all ages and a fairy-tale atmosphere. They're open from 11am to 10pm. Expect to pay 100 kroner for children aged 3 to 7, and 200 kroner for adults.

For culture and learning, the Experimentarium is a must! This modern, interactive science and technology museum is a little pricey (225 kroner for adults and 140 kroner for children aged 2 to 11), but you won't be disappointed.

Finally, if you love history, the National Museum offers interactive trails and guided tours (in English) that can appeal to younger visitors too. Admission is free for under-18s.

Amsterdam: a fun-filled capital between canals and parks

Amsterdam is particularly enjoyable to discover with children, especially in good weather. It's a human-scale city that immediately puts you at ease. Everything is close by and easy to reach, and the omnipresence of water adds a playful dimension that's hard to find elsewhere.

The city is well suited to gentle travel, with many green spaces, starting with the vast Vondelpark. Perfect for playtime breaks or picnics.

The canals offer an original and fun way to explore the capital, particularly thanks to short, narrated cruises, which are often very popular with younger visitors.

When it comes to museums, the NEMO Science Museum, designed as a life-size experimentation ground, is especially popular with young people. Expect to pay €21.50 for a ticket for ages 4 and up.

For more information, read our article Visiting Amsterdam with children.

Rome: when history becomes a playground

Rome can also win children over when explored at the right pace. It's worth it, because history is visible in the open air: the monuments speak for themselves, and children quickly feel involved. It's also a city where the food is likely to please all ages!

Do watch out, though, for the high temperatures, which can quickly climb in summer. In spring, temperatures are generally mild enough to enjoy the outdoors with ease.

Green spaces such as Villa Borghese are great for resting and having fun, with playgrounds, bike rental services and even a zoo open from 9:30am to 7pm. Expect to pay €14 for under-10s and €19 for older visitors.

Of course, in the city, history is everywhere and often spectacular, even for the youngest visitors: the Colosseum, the Forum and the Pantheon easily spark children's imaginations.
Good news: entry to the Colosseum is free for all children under 18! It's also possible to book guided tours for families, which include a visit to both the Colosseum and the Forum and Palatine Hill.

For more information, read our article Visiting Rome with children.

Lisbon: a sunny capital for young and old alike

Lisbon is especially appealing to families in spring and summer thanks to its relaxed atmosphere and relatively mild climate.

The many viewpoints and parks let you catch your breath between cultural discoveries. But let's be honest, the city is hilly, and that won't be easy with a pushchair! That said, for older children, it's easy to explore by combining walks with tram rides and urban lifts, which turn every journey into a little adventure.

As for sightseeing, the Oceanarium stands out as a family must-see, with immersive exhibits suited to all ages. Expect to pay €18 for ages 3 to 12, and €31 for older visitors.

For more information, read our article Visiting Lisbon with children.

Paris: a capital that sparks curiosity

Of course, Paris remains one of the best European capitals to discover as a family as soon as the good weather returns! The wonderful gardens (Tuileries, Luxembourg, Buttes-Chaumont...) offer vast play and relaxation spaces between cultural discoveries.

Children generally enjoy the city for its spectacular, iconic side: seeing the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame or the Arc de Triomphe with their own eyes always has an impact, big or small.

When it comes to family sightseeing, there's plenty to choose from! The tropical aquarium at Porte Dorée, for example, is truly impressive, and children love it. Great news: it's free for under-18s!

Prague: a fairy-tale capital

Prague immediately charms children with its almost magical atmosphere. And it's a very easy city to explore. It's compact, easy to get around, safe, and offers a wealth of activities that make discovering it as simple as it is enchanting for the whole family.

Charles Bridge, the astronomical clock and the castle all provide settings that make you feel like you've stepped into a life-size fairy tale... The parks, particularly Letná and Petřín, let you catch your breath while enjoying spectacular views.

For a successful family visit, the Zoo is a must. Often ranked among the best in Europe, it's huge, varied and especially popular with children thanks to its immersive enclosures and interactive areas. Expect to pay 200 kroner for children and 300 kroner for adults. It's free for under-3s.

London: a capital full of adventure

London is also a European capital well suited to families, especially in spring and summer! You can then stroll through its huge parks, with their almost tame, easy-to-approach squirrels.

Children quickly find their bearings in the city: the red buses, the taxis, driving on the left, the royal guards... Everything helps make the city feel like a playground. What's more, culture is particularly accessible there. Street performances are plentiful, and above all, the major national museums are free!

The Natural History Museum, with its huge dinosaur skeleton and interactive galleries, is perfectly suited to children!

For more information, read our article Visiting London with children.

Vienna: a gentle, cultural city

Vienna appeals to families thanks to its surprisingly relaxed pace for a capital city.

Children can enjoy a reassuring, clean atmosphere, where you can easily alternate between sightseeing and green breaks. In spring and summer, picnicking in its vast imperial parks is both a relaxing and exhilarating experience.

It's also the ideal city for introducing young children to classical music. Given the right conditions, they're generally very receptive to it.

But to be absolutely sure of a hit, head to Tiergarten Schönbrunn. It's the oldest zoo in the world. Now perfectly laid out, it fascinates children and adults alike. Admission is a little pricey (around thirty euros for adults and €17 for young people...), but it's free for under-sixes.

Barcelona: a city like no other

By combining sea, culture and open spaces, Barcelona stands out as an ideal destination for families, especially in good weather. The city is easy to live in: accessible beaches, well-thought-out transport, plenty of shaded parks...

Children love its colourful atmosphere and its beaches... but often also the architecture of Antoni Gaudí (Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, Park Güell...), which makes them feel like they're living inside a cartoon! A rare blend of relaxation, culture and sensory experiences.

The Tibidabo amusement park is one of the oldest amusement parks in Europe still in operation. Located at the top of Mount Tibidabo, it lets you combine retro rides and modern attractions with spectacular views over the whole city and the sea. A perfect outing for families. Expect to pay €39 for adults and €15.50 for children.

For more information, read our article Visiting Barcelona with children.

In short: as you can see, many European cities are an ideal destination for families wanting to get away for a few days with their young children and enjoy a relaxing, unforgettable trip. Of course, there are many other places in Europe where you can make your children happy. You'll discover more of them in our other blog articles.

Article written in collaboration with "Bonjour Evasion".
"Bonjour Evasion" is a travel blog that shares great tips for several European cities.