Taking a vacation with your family is one of life’s greatest experiences and can be a trip you’ll remember forever. With thousands of destinations around Europe that cater to families, it’s not difficult to find a place to visit. The difficult decision will be choosing only one or a few to visit! With beautiful landscapes, cultures, and food, these premier destinations are at the top of the list for kid-friendly vacations. Whether you have infants, kids or teens, you can plan on having the best time of your life at any one of these locations.
London, England
London is a buzzing city full of activity regardless of age. With history, Shakespeare, famous landmarks, this city is always on the top of everyone’s list. Maybe it’s because they want to meet the Queen, but either way, London dazzles every visitor. Kids will especially like the British Museum and Science Museum, both offering free events for children as well as interactive exhibits to keep them entertained. River cruises are also a popular activity, taking in the city from the water. The biggest attractions like the London Eye, the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace are fun for the whole family and make wonderful photo opportunities.
Barcelona, Spain
One of the most beautiful and colourful cities in Europe, Barcelona is a fantastic family holiday option. Park Guell is one of the city’s main attractions, full of crazy art installations and sculptures by the famous artist Gaudi. Shopping, endless tapas, and dancing are all kid-friendly and it’s not uncommon to see children out with their parents until the middle of the night. The main street, Las Ramblas, is a wonderful spot to people watch, catch a street performer and buy overpriced souvenirs.
Bavaria, Germany
Germany is one of the safest countries in the world, and provides for a great family holiday. Bavaria is known for it’s Black Forest, castles, and Oktoberfest. While you may think Oktoberfest is only for adults, think again. With a huge carnival and family events, Oktoberfest draws thousands of families from all over. If eating sausage and dancing to Bryan Adams isn’t your thing, take a scenic train ride to Fussen to tour the famous Neuschwanstein Castle. Known to many as Walt Disney’s biggest inspiration for Disney’s Magic Kingdom, this beautiful castle is a great family activity. If you’re looking to head outdoors, the Black Forest provides stunning landscapes and family-friendly hikes.
Lapland, Finland
All vacations do not have to be during the warmer months, and Lapland is a perfect getaway to celebrate during the snowy winter season. Lapland is popular during Christmas, as it’s considered the home of Santa Claus himself. The Santa Claus Village allows you to see the elves working hard on everyone’s Christmas presents, meet Santa himself, and engage in true Finnish family Christmas traditions. Several villages nearby join in on the fun and showcase Christmas from behind-the-scenes. Visit reindeer, build snowman, and enjoy hot cocoa with your family for a true Finnish vacation.
