Five Family-Friendly Cities to Visit with Children
What makes a good family city break? Is it lots of attractions? Plenty of parks to play in? Buggy-friendly streets? Family-friendly restaurants? A hotel with all the mod cons your family needs? Most of us would probably say a combination of all of the above, plus a sprinkling of luck for good measure. Obviously there’s no real way to nail the luck aspect, but picking the right destination can be a huge help in getting the rest of these elements down. So, if you fancy a city break with your family but are stumped about where to go, here are some of the most family-friendly cities to visit with your kids:
San Francisco
San Francisco has a huge amount to recommend it for families. It’s a fun, quirky city with lots of attractions (the streetcars are always popular with kids!), kid-friendly museums, parks with extensive play areas, a strong culture of family-friendly dining, beaches and boats to enjoy, and more. As a bonus, the climate is generally neither too hot thanks to the sea breezes, nor too chilly, so you can spend longer outdoors without having to worry about heatstroke or hypothermia! Getting around the city can take a bit of planning if you’ve got buggies or very young kids whose legs get tired quickly, as the city is quite hilly. However, the public transport is easy enough to navigate and you can easily find inexpensive San Francisco hotels close to the most famous and family-friendly attractions.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the ideal choice for a chilled, low-stress family break. There’s plenty to do, but you don’t have to dash around fitting everything in as the city is compact and the culture is laid-back. You can spend time at Tivoli Gardens, take a boat trip, rent bikes if your children are old enough, or just stroll around the city without having to worry about traffic. There are plenty of food halls and casual cafés dotted around the city, which can make mealtimes a lot easier than booking the family into formal restaurants. If you want a trip with culture but without the stress of negotiating traffic, transport, and a hectic itinerary, Copenhagen is a good choice.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a city of boats, bikes and compact streets. You do need to watch out for bike traffic, especially near tram lines and busy junctions, but otherwise the city is safe and easy to navigate, even with young children. You can take the kids on a canal boat sightseeing trip through the city, head to Vondelpark for a relaxing break from crowds, and explore a new child-friendly museum or historic attraction each day of your stay.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a fantastic option for history-loving families. Wherever you go in Edinburgh you’re completely surrounded by historic sites. The castle dominates the city’s skyline, but you can also visit historic dungeons, Holyrood Palace (the official residence of the Royal family in Edinburgh), a great many ancient churches, architecturally fascinating cemeteries, interactive museums, and more. If you’re all historied out (and don’t mind a climb!) the family can head up Arthur’s Seat to get panoramic views of the city and the Scots countryside and sea beyond. Do bear in mind that much of the city has cobbled streets, and that you often need to climb steep flights of steps to get to different streets – particularly in the Old Town. However, there is a good tram and bus system which can be a great help if you’ve got buggies or if your kids aren’t up to long days on their feet.
Valencia
If you feel like some Spanish sunshine but want to avoid the hustle and bustle of Madrid or Barcelona, Valencia is an excellent choice. You can get a great combination of sunny beaches and fascinating history without having to shuttle back and forth too much on the trains or buses. The old town is beautiful and makes for some great photographs, and the Turia Gardens – which cut through the city on the bed of the old river – are stunning. In general, the city is easy to navigate with a buggy, and there are lots of green spaces where the kids can let off steam and you can catch your breath. Kid-friendly attractions include the Bioparc Valencia (an immersive zoo), Europe’s largest aquarium – the Oceanografic Valencia – Parc Gulliver (known for its massive playground built around and upon a gigantic statue of Gulliver), and the Museo de les Ciences (a very kid-friendly, hands-on science museum).
Enjoy your perfect family city break
These five are far from the only family-friendly city destinations – but they are among the best. Every family will want something slightly different for their holiday so, when picking a destination, think about your particular wants and needs. If you all love history, Edinburgh is a great choice. If you love beaches, Valencia or San Francisco have sea views and beaches as well as lots of other attractions. If a chilled time on the continent is more your style, consider Copenhagen or Amsterdam. Or, if you’re after something else entirely, widen your search to look elsewhere! Wherever you end up, you are destined to make memories and have a great time!
