16 of the best destinations in Europe to travel with children

Travelling with children changes everything. The routine changes, the pace changes, the costs change, and even the things we look for and prioritize start to shift. In the blink of an eye, kids grow up, develop their own tastes and personalities, and you have to start actively including them in your travel plans. After all, we want them to have fun and create happy memories!

Well, that’s precisely why choosing the right destination becomes especially important, as not all countries or cities are suited for family travel. Luckily, we’re here to help! Perfect for anyone wanting to explore the Old Continent with their little ones, we’ve compiled a list of 16 of the best destinations in Europe to travel with children, focusing on safe cities with plenty of amusement parks, green areas and kid-friendly attractions, but also all the infrastructure required for families to have a comfortable stay. Let’s go!

NOTE: To feature as many different places as possible, we decided to limit the selection to one destination per country. Otherwise, it would all be Spain and Italy, wouldn’t it? 🙂

Top kid-friendly destinations in Europe

Seville, Spain

Let’s start with the country that – if not for our self-imposed restriction – would easily feature the most on this list. Given how easily accessible and somewhat affordable Spain is, coupled with the nation’s vast plethora of beach towns and resorts, it’s no surprise that the country boasts so many great vacation destinations for families.

Beyond the capital of Madrid, home to Parque Warner, and beautiful Barcelona, where you’ll find PortAventura World, beach destinations like Mallorca, Menorca or Tenerife are all extremely welcoming towards families with small children. However, if we had to choose just one, we would go with Seville. The Andalusian capital offers a rich cultural experience with fewer crowds compared to Spain’s two major cities, a more affordable cost of living and it’s just a short drive away from the coast, where you can enjoy the beach in Málaga or along Costa del Sol. Furthermore, the city is also home to Isla Mágica, the most famous amusement park in southern Spain.

London, England

A global city known worldwide, London may be busy, crowded, confusing and expensive, but it more than makes up for that with an extraordinary variety of activities to keep the little ones entertained. In addition to its many green spaces like Hyde Park, where kids can spot squirrels or go pedal boating on the lake, London is home to the iconic Natural History Museum, a place that’s usually a favorite among kids due to its interactive exhibitions and giant dinosaur skeletons. It’s a true classic in the British capital (and best of all, it’s free).

Just outside the city, it’s impossible not to mention the Warner Bros. Studios London, an immersive themed experience through the studios and filming locations of Harry Potter. Needless to say, fans of the saga (young and old) will be in awe! On the other hand, if your kids are football fanatics, you can’t go back home without taking them to a Premier League match. Luckily, London is the most represented city in the league, with clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Fulham, West Ham or Crystal Palace.

Paris, France

Probably the most obvious inclusion on our list of top European destinations to travel with children, there’s simply no way to could ever leave out the home of Disneyland Paris. Possibly the most famous theme park complex in the world, this two-park resort welcomes over 10 million visitors each year, all eager to enjoy the rides and roller coasters, watch the parades and shows, and pose for photo ops with the most beloved Disney characters. Needless to say, kids usually go wild over a visit to Disneyland!

In the more central arrondissements, despite the local’s reputation for being a bit snobbish, Paris is actually quite kid-friendly. Not only is the city slowly favoring pedestrians over car traffic, closing entire neighborhoods to motor vehicles, there are loads of activities children typically love, such as climbing the Eiffel Tower, taking a boat ride on the Seine or reenacting scenes from The Hunchback of Notre-Dame at the city’s most famous cathedral.

Copenhagen, Denmark

It’s no surprise that the capital of the country that gave us one of the most famous children’s storybook authors – Hans Christian Andersen – is a fantastic destination for traveling with kids! In true Nordic fashion, the culture of well-being is highly valued, with Copenhagen standing out for its cleanliness, calm atmosphere and safety. On top of that, it’s one of the best European cities for cycling, making it a great place to rent a bike with a child seat (or even a bike for your little one, if they’re old and experienced enough to ride).

As for kid activities, you can’t miss the Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest amusement parks in Europe, opened in 1843! Keep in mind that the park traditionally operates only in the summer time, during the Halloween season and over the Christmas period. Be that as it may, if happen to visit during its opening months, the atmosphere is absolutely magical! Alternatively, you can hop on a train and take the family to Legoland, a theme park by the iconic Danish brand that is located in Billund.

Transylvania, Romania

For a destination you probably wouldn’t immediately associate with being kid-friendly, we bring you the wonderful Romanian region of Transylvania. Still relatively unknown to mainstream tourism, Transylvania offers charming little towns, safety, affordable prices, beautiful natural landscapes across the Carpathian Mountains and stunning castles. In addition, the train service, though slow and a bit outdated, makes it much easier to travel between cities comfortably.

Besides the Tampa Cable Car in Brasov, kids usually enjoy visiting the Zarnesti Bear Sanctuary (this is one of the only regions in Europe that is home to wild bears), admiring the “houses with eyes” in Sibiu, descending into the Salina Turda salt mines and exploring the legendary Dracula’s Castle in Bran. However, no place in the region is usually more popular with little ones than Dino Parc Rasnov, a dinosaur-themed park with life-sized replicas of these legendary species. If you pass through Bucharest – which is likely where you’ll land and depart from – we recommend taking a day to visit Therme Bucuresti, considered the largest thermal wellness center in Europe!

Vienna, Austria

Often ranked as one of the cities with the highest quality of life in Europe, Vienna is a great destination to visit with children. Sure, you might have to skip the opera or the art museums, but the Austrian capital makes up for it with plenty of parks, palace gardens, exceptionally high safety levels and a very kid-friendly atmosphere.

Moreover, you can also balance the more adult-oriented sights with activities for the younger crowd. For instance, while everyone can enjoy the Natural History Museum or the Spanish Riding School (located within the Hofburg Palace complex), when it’s time to explore Schonbrunn Palace, you can take a very short detour into the gardens to find the Vienna Zoo. In addition, kids usually have a blast riding the giant Ferris wheel at Prater, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, and marveling at the whimsical architecture of the Hundertwasserhaus.

Bavaria, Germany

While this is a destination that works well all-year-round, visiting Bavaria (or any German city/region really) during the advent season brings an extra touch of magic. Needless to say, in true Germanic tradition, this is where you’ll find some of the best Christmas markets in Europe, sending kids into a frenzy with lights, rides, festive decorations and endless sweet treats. If you’re lucky, you might even spot Santa Claus!

Be that as it may, and even outside the holiday season, Bavaria still has a lot going for it. In addition to Munich and its parks, museums and attractions special – like the Allianz Arena (for football fans) and BMW Welt (for car lovers) – the region is also famous for the storybook village of Rothenburg ob der Tauber and the spectacular Neuschwanstein Castle, which little ones will love to recognize as the real-life inspiration for Disney’s Cinderella Castle.

Tuscany, Italy

Was there ever any doubt that an Italian city would make this list? In fact, this pick could easily extend to the entire country, as pretty much all of Italy is well-suited for traveling with children. From the gladiator tales of Rome to the beaches of Sicily, from the fairytale houses of Puglia and the caves of Matera to the lakes of Bergamo and the colorful villages of the Amalfi Coast, there’s no shortage of attractions to capture kids’ imaginations.

Plus, we cannot overlook how Italian cuisine makes it easy for parents to feed their offspring, as every kid loves pasta, pizza and lasagna – it’s hard to go wrong! That said, since we have to choose one, we’re going with Tuscany, famous for the monumental architecture of Florence, the medieval streets of Siena and Lucca, the towers of San Gimignano and the breathtaking landscapes of the Val d’Orcia. Plus, having your kids tag along is the perfect excuse to make those silly poses next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa!

Tallinn, Estonia

Another one of the more unconventional picks on this list, Tallinn is a pocket-sized capital with a welcoming atmosphere that’s great for kids. The walled Old Town is small, charming and completely devoid of car traffic, adding an extra layer of security. Speaking of walls, Kiek in de Kok is a museum perfect for the whole family, as this old watchtower is open to the public and allows everyone (even kids) to explore parts of the city’s fortifications and its network of secret tunnels.

Outside the historical center, be sure to visit the Lennusadam Seaplane Harbor, a maritime museum with historic ships and submarines that everyone can climb aboard and explore. If you’ve got extra time, you can even take a ferry for a day trip to Helsinki, another very kid-friendly city. For an oddly specific tip, if your child never wants to eat their soup, in Tallinn you can take them to Kolmas Draakon, a medieval-themed soup tavern (with décor, costumes, bowls, etc.) that will surely capture their attention – and hopefully help you feed them!

Stockholm, Sweden

It’s no coincidence that IKEA stores are such amazing places to bring kids, as this is deeply ingrained in Swedish culture! So, for our return to Scandinavia, Stockholm is yet another example of a Nordic city perfectly designed for children. In addition to its many green spaces, the city is made up of several islands and cut through by the Norrström and Söderström rivers, offering plenty of boat and ferry rides.

To make things even easier, almost all the attractions popular with kids are concentrated on the island of Djurgarden, with highlights that include the Vasa Museum, a real 17th-century Viking ship; the Skansen, a large open-air museum (and zoo) with traditional houses brought in from all over Sweden to recreate a village from 300–400 years ago; Junibacken, a storybook-themed center dedicated to beloved Swedish children’s characters (like Pippi Longstocking); and Grona Lund, the most famous amusement park in Sweden!

Malta

A tiny island tucked away in the middle of the Mediterranean, just off the Italian “boot”, Malta is a destination with all the conveniences you need for a family holiday. The island is small and easy to get around – whether by rental car or public transport – so you can pick just about any location as your base. That said, we recommend Saint Paul’s Bay and St. Julian’s, since most of the resorts are located in those areas.

When it comes to activities, you’re never too far away from a beach, with the beautiful Blue Lagoon of Comino Island standing out as a safe swimming spot for kids. Moreover, you can also take boat trips, explore walled cities, and, as the cherry on top, visit Popeye Village, a theme park in Mellieha built around the world of Popeye the Sailor Man. Even though the character might not be as well-known to younger generations, the attractions and pools are usually a hit!

Budapest, Hungary

Who would’ve thought that the capital of the country that created the Chimney Cake (locally called “Kürtőskalács”) would be a great destination for kids?! Though often associated with nightlife and partying, Budapest has a very kid-friendly side, usually apparent through the city’s safety index and its variety of cool spots to explore with your little ones. Starting off with the banks of the Danube, along which many of the city’s main sights are located, this is a lovely area for a stroll. Alternatively, you can also hop on a family cruise to explore this legendary European river.

Elsewhere in the city, you can take the kids up the towers of the Fisherman’s Bastion, watch the music-and-light show at the dancing fountain on Margaret Island, ride the funicular to Buda Castle, and of course, relax in one of Budapest’s many thermal baths. While saunas and steam rooms are off-limits for kids, there are plenty of indoor and outdoor pools where children can splash around and enjoy a great time.

Iceland

For yet another Nordic entry, we now take you to the Land of Fire and Ice. Yes, Iceland can be cold, tiring and even physically demanding, but it’s also an excellent way to introduce your child to the joys of camping in nature. With a good network of roads and campsites scattered throughout the country, you can rest assured that the infrastructure is there. Just rent a campervan from one of the many local companies (you’re far from being the only one with this idea) and hit the road!

Needless to say, Iceland’s natural beauty is unmatched, featuring some of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth, made up of volcanoes, mountains, black sand beaches, waterfalls, glaciers and more! Beyond the epic scenery, kids tend to love partaking in whale watching tours in Husavik, splashing in the geothermal pools at the Blue Lagoon and watching the magical northern lights.

Dalmatia, Croatia

One of the rising stars of European tourism, Croatia is another fantastic destination to visit with children. Especially in the region of Dalmatia, home to cities like Dubrovnik, Split and Zadar, along with island gems like Brac and Hvar, you can have an extremely pleasant family experience. To make things even better, distances between towns are relatively short and the cities themselves are compact and perfect to explore on foot, with walled Old Towns often closed to car traffic.

Moreover, the coastal areas are packed with beaches suitable every taste and age! As such, if your little one loves splashing in the sea (let’s face it, most do), just pull over your rental car (another big plus) and let them enjoy. If you want to add Zagreb to the itinerary, we recommend a day trip to the Plitvice Lakes, a fairytale landscape that kids are usually quite fond of. Though not part of Dalmatia, Zagreb Airport is the country’s main international gateway, so you’ll likely go there anyway.

Rovaniemi, Finland

Alongside Paris, Rovaniemi is one of the most obvious inclusions on this list. Hidden away in a remote part of northern Finland, in the heart of Lapland, this small city became famous as the official “Home of Santa Claus”. Unsurprisingly, every winter thousands of families make the trip here to meet Santa at Santa Claus Village, a Christmas-themed amusement park.

Interestingly, and though the Xmas season certainly helps with the atmosphere, you can actually visit the park year-round, where kids can meet Santa, join workshops and activities and see huskies and reindeer up close. A bit outside the center, SantaPark is another great alternative. Last but certainly not least, and since you’ll be inside the Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi is also a fantastic place to witness the northern lights – a truly magical phenomenon for both kids and adults alike!

Edinburgh, Scotland

Finally, we cap off our list with the charming and welcoming city of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland! Especially during the Fringe Festival, held every August, this is a fantastic destination for children, as the streets, theaters and cafés fill with performers of all varieties. Plus, this is also when the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place, a mesmerizing festival of choreographed military parades.

Nonetheless, the city is great for families all-year-round. In addition to several spots connected to the Harry Potter universe, you can take kids to see Dolly the Sheep (the first cloned mammal in history) at the National Museum of Scotland, test their sense of reality at the Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, watch the cannon salute at Edinburgh Castle and have them pat the adorable statue of Greyfriars Bobby.