City breaks with kids: 10 cities in Europe

A city break with children works differently from one for two. Instead of five museums a day, what counts is whether there is a playground in between, how long the walks are and whether the pushchair can cope with the paving. We picked ten European cities where families get on well and explain what makes each one good for kids – and where it gets harder.

The 10 cities at a glance

Flight times: typical direct flights from London, rounded. Paris and Amsterdam are also easy by Eurostar – no security queue with tired kids.

1. Copenhagen Tivoli
2. Amsterdam Vondelpark
3. Vienna Prater
4. London Museums
5. Berlin Dinosaurs
6. Paris Parks
7. Barcelona Beach
8. Rome Gelato
9. Lisbon Oceanarium
10. Prague Zoo

Base map: Natural Earth

The easiest: Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Vienna

Copenhagen is hard to beat for families. The city is flat, distances are short and there are well-designed playgrounds everywhere. Right in the centre is Tivoli, one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, with rides for small and big kids. Add the large aquarium Den Blå Planet and harbour boat tours through the canals.

Amsterdam is flat too and easy to explore on foot, by tram or by bike – many local families ride cargo bikes. Vondelpark has playgrounds and plenty of space, the NEMO science museum is built for hands-on learning, and Artis Zoo is right in the city. A canal boat trip is often the highlight for children.

Vienna is clean, safe and has excellent public transport. The giant Ferris wheel turns in the Prater, surrounded by the rides of the Wurstelprater. Schönbrunn Zoo is considered the oldest existing zoo in the world and lies inside the palace park. The Natural History Museum has dinosaur skeletons, and the ZOOM Children's Museum in the MuseumsQuartier is made entirely for kids.

Lots to see: London, Berlin, Paris

In London, entry to the big national museums is free – ideal with children, because you can leave after an hour without regret. The Natural History Museum with its dinosaurs and the Science Museum stand side by side in South Kensington. In between, the kids can run off steam in Hyde Park or Regent's Park.

Berlin is big but flat and well served by U-Bahn and S-Bahn. The Museum für Naturkunde has one of the largest mounted dinosaur skeletons in the world, the German Museum of Technology has locomotives and aircraft, and Berlin has two zoos. The Großer Tiergarten in the middle of the city is made for running around.

Paris has more for children than many expect: the Jardin du Luxembourg has a big playground, an old carousel and toy sailing boats to push across the fountain. The Cité des sciences et de l'industrie in the north of the city is one of the largest science museums in Europe. Watch out for the metro: many stations only have stairs, so with a pushchair the bus is often easier.

With beach and sunshine: Barcelona

Barcelona combines city and beach: Park Güell with Gaudí's colourful mosaics in the morning, sandcastles at Barceloneta in the afternoon. The aquarium at the old port and the CosmoCaixa science museum are good options in bad weather. In high summer it gets hot – plan the city for mornings and evenings and use midday for a break or the beach.

Barcelona trip planDay by day, with map and tips

Beautiful but harder work: Rome, Lisbon, Prague

Rome wins children over with gladiator stories at the Colosseum and gelato on every corner, and the Villa Borghese park has space to play. The cobbles of the old town are hard going with a pushchair, though – a light buggy or a carrier is better. Lisbon has the Oceanário, one of the largest aquariums in Europe, and the old trams kids love. But the city is built on hills, and the smooth paving stones are steep. Prague is compact and has a large zoo; a funicular runs up Petřín hill. The old town is cobbled, and the way up to the castle is steep.

Rome trip planDay by day, with map and tips Lisbon trip planDay by day, with map and tips Prague trip planDay by day, with map and tips

Practical tips for a city break with kids

• Slower pace: Plan at most one big sight in the morning and a smaller one in the afternoon. Fill the rest with playgrounds, parks and ice cream.
• Regular breaks: Children need regular breaks to eat, sleep and play. A nap at the hotel often saves the evening.
• Short distances: Stay central, even if it costs a little more. Every half hour you don't spend on a bus or train is worth a lot with kids.
• Pushchair or carrier: In flat cities such as Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Vienna and Berlin a pushchair is comfortable. In Rome, Lisbon and Prague, with cobbles, stairs and hills, a light buggy or a carrier is more practical.
• Book tickets ahead: For popular museums, zoos and observation decks, a booked time slot saves you the queue.
• Documents for every child: Children need their own travel document too. Check before you travel that it is still valid.

How YesTrip helps

For all ten cities we have dedicated family plans: less on the programme each day, playgrounds and parks between the sights, and short distances. You take over the plan in YesTrip, adapt it and see everything on the map, offline too. You also get the forecast for your travel days and a packing list that matches the weather. Travelling with grandparents or friends' families? Share the trip and keep track of shared expenses.