Are you trying to plan your summer vacation with your children but not sure where the best location for a family holiday is? We have decided to compile a list of five of the most family friendly cities in Europe – we think you will find something to entertain all ages!
Traveling anywhere in Europe is easy and cheap nowadays, and traveling with HomeExchange makes the experience even better!
1. Dublin
Dublin is one of the most welcoming cities in Europe, thanks to the friendly Irish people who welcome people of all nationalities with a smile and a bit of Irish humour! There is plenty to do with families, a picnic in Stephen’s Green, feeding the ducks or playing in the newly renovated playground – and this popular park is located right in the city centre. Dublin Zoo is just a bus ride away, in Pheonix Park, and it is a great day out which can be enjoyed by all the family – both young and old! Many other attractions surround the city, the beaches in Killiney or Greystones and the aquarium in Bray. Everything is in close proximity so children wont be too restless!
2. Amsterdam
Everything is much more fun when you arrive by boat or by bike – and in Amsterdam there are plenty of paddle boats and bicycle lanes which make these trips much more feasible. The NEMO Science museum is a great interactive sort-of museum, there are experiment labs for those youngsters who have a passion for all things science, and a bubble display that is sure to entice children to get involved and get their hands wet. A day trip to Keukenhof in the Spring sees hundreds of tulips in bloom and its a great location to enjoy the outdoors. One of the oldest zoos in Europe, Artis, has plenty to offer in addition to the animals, and Vondelpark is a beautiful park with plenty of kids playgrounds!
3. London
London has all but everything to offer to families who are visiting with children. Big Ben is a landmark that pretty much everyone has heard of and will recognise, along with the typical red post-boxes and the spectacular London Eye which offers amazing views of the whole city. Madame Tussaud’s is definitely somewhere the kids wont want to miss and undoubtedly the Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio Tour. St James Park is a great location to spend a day, watch the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, feed the pelicans or relax and watch the kids playing in the playgound. There are also a huge range of shows at the various London theatres – from Grease to Billy Elliott and The Lion King.
4. Cologne
This is a hugely child-friendly city, with things to do of all shapes and sizes. Phantasialand is a theme park very close to Cologne, which has various attractions and professional shows on offer. The Hänneschen-Theater, a traditional puppet theatre is hugely popular among children and is known to have them mesmerized for hours! Get a panoramic view of the city by taking a boat trip along the Rhine, take a bicycle tour to explore the city or visit the Cologne zoo or take a trip on the Cologne cable car!
5. Madrid
Madrid, aside from being an amazing city, has tons to offer families who are visiting with young children. The park Mini-Europe is an outstanding artificial representation of the most famous landmarks around Europe. Perfect to show the children the different monuments in a really cool location with a fun atmosphere. There is a park a short train ride from Madrid, for the more adventurous people, Parque Amazonia where there is zip-lining and more thrilling adventures. The park El Retiro provides the perfect place to use bicycles, rollerblades or take a boat-ride in the pond located in the centre of the gardens.
Interested in visiting these places, but don't know where to stay?
