Cities to Visit with Kids: 16 Great Destinations & Our Experiences

Our Top City Trip Destinations with Kids in Germany

Don’t want to travel far? No need. Germany has some truly wonderful family city breaks to offer. These are our favorites:

Berlin

Why Berlin with kids? Berlin with kids is a lot of fun, and compared to many other major European cities, it’s relatively affordable. You can also get there easily by train or car.

Our hotel pick: aletto Hotel Kudamm and the Michelberger Hotel
Our personal tips:

• Definitely take the elevator up the Berlin TV Tower
• The Legoland Discovery Center is an absolute must for Lego fans
• You’ll find great playgrounds in Schöneberg (Märchenspielplatz), in Treptower Park (Weltspielplatz), and in Humboldthain (Abenteuerspielplatz)

Hamburg

Why Hamburg with kids? Because Hamburg with kids is genuinely easy to navigate. For families trying city vacations with children for the first time, Hamburg is just about perfect. Getting there is simple — by train or car — and once you arrive, there’s so much for kids to do. We have family in Hamburg and visit regularly. Our kids never get bored there. Not even close.

Our hotel pick: Superbude Hotel St. Georg
Our personal tips:

• You absolutely have to visit Miniatur Wunderland. Important: book tickets online well in advance. Last-minute, you won’t stand a chance
• Take a short harbor cruise in Hamburg and see the city from the water
• Our kids love the playgrounds in Planten un Blomen, in the Große Wallanlagen, and in Grasbrookpark

Munich

Why Munich with kids? A trip with kids to Munich has a really relaxed feel to it — which makes it perfect for anyone just getting started with traveling with kids. There’s plenty to see without your city break turning into a stressful ordeal.

Our hotel pick: Jugend- und Familienhotel Augustin
Our personal tips:

• Definitely ride tram lines 16 and 19. Both pass by a huge number of top highlights in Munich
• You can spend an entire day with the kids at Olympiapark: discover playgrounds, ride a paddleboat and the little train, or play mini golf
• The Museum Mensch is a real highlight for kids and a great option when the weather isn’t cooperating

Potsdam

Why Potsdam with kids? Potsdam, as Berlin’s smaller neighbor, often doesn’t get the attention it deserves — and that’s a shame. The city has a lot to offer families. And if you’re already planning a city trip to Berlin, why not add a day trip to Potsdam?

Our hotel pick: Elisapart Apartments am Sommerschloss
Our personal tips:

• Filmpark Babelsberg is a must. You can watch stunt shows, visit a 4D cinema, or dive into the worlds of Janosch or the Sandman. It’s one of the coolest filming locations in the world!
• Extavium is an interactive science museum for kids and absolutely worth a visit — not just on rainy days
• The giant slides in Volkspark are an absolute hit with kids

The Best City Trip Destinations with Kids in Europe

Discovering Europe with kids is so much fun. You don’t have to travel far, yet you still get to experience something completely different — and the kids get to discover so much that’s new.

Amsterdam

Why Amsterdam with kids? Amsterdam is easily reachable by train from many parts of Europe — and that alone is a great reason to go. You can explore the city on a canal cruise, and it’s also wonderfully walkable, even with a stroller. Best of all: kids are warmly welcomed everywhere. That’s what makes family city breaks fun for parents too.

Our hotel pick: Bob W in Amsterdam Noord
Our personal tips:

• the Nemo Science Museum
• the WONDR Experience
• the Maritime Museum
• The A’DAM Lookout and the swing over the edge
• take a canal cruise through Amsterdam

Copenhagen

Why Copenhagen with kids? Because there’s simply an incredible amount for kids to do. We’ve done city trips with kids to Copenhagen multiple times, and every single time we feel like we need way more time to fit everything in. On top of that, the Danes are incredibly family-friendly, the sea is never far away, and the food scene is fantastic. Admittedly, Copenhagen is on the pricier side — but with good planning, it’s very doable.

Our hotel picks: Bob W Østerbro and Next House Copenhagen
Our personal tips:

• Definitely get the Copenhagen Card. It’s genuinely worth it with kids — children up to and including age 11 get it for free. You can buy it here, and you’ll find more info in our article Copenhagen with Kids. We really saved a ton of money!
• Everyone’s personal highlight was zooming around the city on a cargo bike. You can easily rent one on-site.
• The science museum Experimentarium is an absolute paradise for kids. Even toddlers will find plenty to explore there.
• The kids’ favorite playground was in Nørrebroparken in the northern part of the Nørrebro neighborhood

London

Why London with kids? Because classic sightseeing in London works really well with kids — watching the horse parade during the Changing of the Guard, riding the giant Ferris wheel, zooming through the city on double-decker buses, or exploring from the water on a boat ride on the Thames.

Our hotel: Wilde Aparthotel in Paddington
Our personal tips:

• Ride the London Eye — there’s a playground right next to it. Book in advance and check our London Eye article first.
• For all Harry Potter fans, a visit to the film sets at Warner Bros. Studios is an absolute must. We recommend this tour, and for more info, read our article on Harry Potter in London.
• Tate Modern, one of our favorite museums in London, has a dedicated area for kids.
• The playground in Holland Park was a real hit with our kids

Florence

Why Florence with kids? Florence is in Italy. And what are Italians known for — besides pizza and pasta? Exactly: they are incredibly family-friendly. The food here is outstanding, and honestly, what kid wouldn’t love that? On top of that, there’s an amazing amount for kids to see and do on a city trip to Florence.

Our hotel pick: Aparthotel Palazzo Alfani
Our personal tips

• Don’t miss the Leonardo da Vinci Interactive Museum and the Museo Stibbert
• Combine a walk through the historic center with a visit to the historic carousel at Piazza della Repubblica
• If possible, pair your Florence city break with a road trip through Tuscany. Also check out our article Tuscany with Kids.

Lisbon

Why Lisbon with kids? One big plus for Lisbon is that the Portuguese are incredibly family-friendly. On top of that, the city is easy to explore without wearing everyone out — the kids actually enjoy it while the adults get to soak up the city too. And there are some real standout attractions that will delight kids of all ages.

Our hotel picks: Family room at The Felix 10 and JAM Lisbon
Our personal tips:

• The absolute favorite attraction in Lisbon for our kids was the science museum
• Definitely explore the city on the old trams. You get to see a lot, and the kids love it.
• Go on a hunt for the best Pastéis de Nata — those little custard-filled pastries you can find on every corner

Paris

Why Paris with kids? Because Paris can easily turn into one big adventure playground. Hunting for the most beautiful carousel in the city or the best crêpes is fun for kids and adults alike. And along the way, you’ll take in the big and small sights of Paris: up the Eiffel Tower, up the Arc de Triomphe, or even a day trip to Disneyland. We’ve done city trips to Paris with our kids multiple times.

Our hotel pick: Meininger Paris Porte de Vincennes
Our personal tips:

• Playground, carousel, and pushing toy sailboats in the Jardin du Luxembourg
• Visit the Eiffel Tower (yes, everyone does it — but it’s a must!)
• Hunt for the coolest carousel and the best crêpe and ice cream in Paris

Important: Book Eiffel Tower tickets as early as possible. We recommend the ticket for the second floor — going all the way to the top often means long wait times, which can get stressful with kids.

Book Eiffel Tower tickets online

Prague

Why Prague with kids? Because Prague is easily reachable by train from many parts of Europe. Kids are always warmly welcomed in Prague, the hearty food of Czech cuisine goes over really well with kids, and it’s a great place for them to pick up a bit of history in a fun way.

Our hotel picks: Grandium Hotel and Old Town Apartments
Our personal tips:

• Combine Prague Castle with the Toy Museum
• Take a boat ride on the Vltava River and admire Prague from the water
• Head to Letná Park with its beer garden, playground, and a great panorama over Prague

Valencia

Why Valencia with kids? Valencia offers a truly special combination of beach vacation and city exploration. You essentially get a destination that has it all: city, sea, and great activities for the whole family.

Our hotel pick: Core Suites Valencia
Our personal tips:

• The Gulliver Park playground is truly special. From above, it looks like an oversized Gulliver figure — there’s so much to climb on and slides everywhere
• Head to the beach. It’s only a 15-minute bus ride from the city center to the sea
• The science museum Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe is an absolute must
• Run wild in the Jardín del Turia, a park in a former riverbed that winds all the way around the old quarter. There are several playgrounds there too, including Gulliver Park

Venice

Why Venice with kids? A city trip with kids to Venice can be a whole lot of fun. That said, we’d recommend it only for toddlers who are happy sitting in a travel stroller or being carried, or for kids aged five and up. On a trip to Venice there’s so much to discover: water buses, gondolas, and countless bridges to cross. Plus police and hospital boats — with flashing lights! Boredom is definitely not on the agenda.

Our hotel pick: Corte dei Santi
Our personal tips:

• A gondola ride in Venice is a must.
• Explore the secret passages and prisons in the Doge’s Palace
• Check out dinosaur fossils at the Natural History Museum

Vienna

Why Vienna with kids? Because Vienna is simply perfect for a city trip with kids. There is an incredible amount to see for kids of all ages, and Vienna and the Viennese are just wonderfully laid-back. Honestly, it’s one of the most underrated family city breaks in Europe.

Our hotel pick: Superbude Wien Prater
Our personal tips:

• Definitely set aside half a day for the Prater — ride the giant Ferris wheel and the roller coaster
• The Technical Museum is very family-friendly and fascinating for kids of all ages
• In summer, definitely head to the car-free Donauinsel for swimming and playing

Great Long-Haul Destinations with Kids

Want to take your kids on a truly big adventure? So cool! We’ve done long-haul trips with our kids too and had an amazing time. Also check out our article Flying with Kids.

These are our top picks for long-haul city vacations with children:

Cape Town

Why Cape Town with kids? Because a road trip along the Garden Route in South Africa with kids is absolutely perfect — and a South Africa road trip starts in Cape Town. Honestly, you could spend several weeks in and around Cape Town without ever getting bored. We spent over four weeks there and can’t recommend it highly enough.

Our hotel pick: Latitude Aparthotel
Our personal tips:

• Take the cable car up Table Mountain. Also read our tips for visiting Table Mountain
• Visit the penguins at Boulders Beach on the Cape Peninsula
• The V&A Waterfront is basically an entertainment district and has plenty to offer for kids as well

New York

Why New York with kids? Because New York is just as impressive for kids as it is for us adults. They will remember this trip forever. Promise! There are countless things to do, and most of the most famous sights in New York are also great to visit with kids.

Our hotel picks: The Gardens Sonesta (Manhattan) and Peachtree Jersey City (New Jersey)

Our personal tips:

• A hop-on/hop-off bus tour in New York is really worth it with kids! There’s so much to see, and you can get your bearings without having to navigate the subway or taxis right away
• Pick one of the observation decks in New York. The Edge is, in our opinion, the best vantage point when you’re in New York with kids
• If your kids can already ride a bike, definitely do a bike tour through Central Park. Also check out our tips for bike rentals in New York

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