Best Places to Visit in Europe with Kids
Traveling with kids can be the most meaningful memory-making times for a family. Though not all cities are kid-centered, some of them are the best places to visit in Europe with kids! With outdoor adventures, hands-on museums and cultural experiences, Europe is the perfect place for a family vacation that children of all ages will enjoy! So read on; explore three of our favorite European spots for you to build lifelong memories with your kids!
If your children are a bit older, check out our suggestions for the best family vacations with teens in Europe.
© Sven Hansche | Dreamstime.com
1) London, England
Long serving as inspiration for classic children’s books such as Peter Rabbit, Paddington Bear, Oliver Twist, Peter Pan and One Hundred and One Dalmatians, London is an encourager of children’s fantastical dreams. With plenty of kid-friendly attractions and family-oriented museums and gardens, London is highly rated as one of the world’s top cities for children!
As a very walkable city, London will have you and your family marching along quite like Mary Poppins, Bert and the Banks children in “Chim Chim Cher-ee.” But, if you know your kids will be pleading for a rest, there are plenty of Hop-on Hop-off buses that can help you get around the city faster!
Some of our recommended stops for younger kids include the London Zoo (it’s amazing), London Eye (kids really get a kick out of riding Europe’s tallest Ferris Wheel), Sea Life London Aquarium, and the unique Cutty Sark ship museum!
If that’s not enough to keep your family moving, there are plenty of kid-friendly parks (Kensington Palace Gardens, Jubilee Gardens Playground or the Serpentine area of Hyde Park) to have some outdoor play time. When your kids are tuckered out from running around, but you still want to see the sights, consider taking the Thames River Cruise to the observatory at Greenwich; you’ll be able to see London’s most iconic sights from the view of a riverboat!
© Denise Jones | Unsplash
2) Barcelona, Spain
Incredibly friendly, safe and fun, Barcelona is one of the best places to visit in Europe with kids. Not only is the weather perfect for Mediterranean beaches, but the architecture, colors and cuisine of Spain will keep your family wide eyed and curious!
The architecture throughout Barcelona is sure to remind kids of their favorite movies, books, or imaginary lands. The colorful paints and tiles of Park Güell inspires creativity, while the Sagrada Familia is straight out of a fairytale! Although this famous Catholic basilica may not be the most interesting part of the trip for kids, a skip across the street for ice cream will do the trick!
Speaking of sweets, the Museu de la Xocolata is a must see if you’re visiting Barcelona with children. Not only do you learn about how chocolate is made, but you’ll wander past impressive sculptures made of the delicious confectionary! A crowd pleaser all around.
For great outdoor adventures, consider taking one of the sky trams in Barcelona: either down to the beautiful shores, or up to the top of the mountain for a beautiful view over the city! Perhaps your youngsters love a little pizzaz; take them to the Magic Fountain where lights, color, motion and music come together to bring you the magic of Barcelona!
© Annavee | Dreamstime.com
3) Puglia, Italy
Beautiful Puglia is not only perfect for couples’ getaways, but it’s ideal for young families too! With fairytale villages, pristine beaches, enchanted caves and, of course, gelato galore, kids are transported to their dream vacation! And yes, you’ll enjoy the nature, architecture and cuisine too!
Starting with one of the most iconic villages in Puglia, we highly recommend Alberobello for families with kids! It’s a quaint town famed for its magical trulli: white-washed homes and businesses with conical roofs that line the cobblestone streets. Some have exotic symbols painted on the roofs, making it feel even more like you’re walking through a storybook village.
For a kid-friendly educational excursion in Puglia, consider visiting one of the local masseria: working farms where kids will learn about making olive oil as well as a wide range of cheeses (hello burrata and ricotta)! For an adventure that really rocks (pun intended), consider taking a tour of the Grotta Zinzulusa or Grotta di Castellana to see the breathtaking stalactites, stalagmites and even ancient fossils!
And if what you’re looking for instead is relaxation in the warm, Italian sunshine, you don’t have to look far. There is no shortage of fantastic beaches for kids in Puglia. Pescoluse is known as the “Maldives of Italy” and Baia delle Zagare is home to white sands national parkland; both have shallow waters and are safe from currents. If your children are ready adventurers, don’t miss Torre Guaceto: a nature reserve and protected marine area that is home to vivid coral reefs and coves to explore (there’s even a small train that winds through the park)!
Featured image: © Nadezhda1906 | Dreamstime.com