10 Best City Breaks In Europe For Toddlers 2024!

10 Best City Breaks In Europe For Toddlers

City breaks aren’t just for grown-ups! Thriving cultural capitals across Europe have a rich range of activities and attractions that all ages can enjoy. Plus, with great transport links and welcoming hotels that include fantastic facilities, it’s now easy to find the perfect city break for toddlers in Europe. We’ve checked out the top European city break destinations to discover which cities have the most to offer for families. Read on to find out more in our 10 best European city breaks for toddlers guide. If you click on a link in this piece, we may earn affiliate revenue.

#1. Budapest

Budapest is the majestic capital of Hungary, split into two sides by the mighty Danube River. It’s a top city break for toddlers in Europe, as just travelling around the city is an awe-inspiring experience for everyone. That’s thanks to the grand Millennium Underground Railway – it’s the oldest underground network in mainland Europe! Little ones will also love the Children’s Railway – it’s actually a railway line run by children! All ages are sure to be inspired by the inventions and engineering marvels at the Hungarian Museum of Science, Technology and Transport.

Budapest hotels ideal for a toddler friendly city break in Europe:

Hilton Budapest

The Hilton Budapest gets great reviews from families, and it has an on-site gym and restaurant for added convenience. Plus, you’ll be mere moments from the Fisherman’s Bastion.

Aquaworld Resort Budapest

Stays at the Aquaworld Resort include unlimited access to the on-site Aquaworld, one of the biggest indoor water parks in Europe. It has great transport links to reach the centre of Budapest too.

Radisson Blu Béke Hotel

As expected of the Radisson Blu brand, this hotel has a sleek, refined style. It’s also highly rated by families as all the main attractions are within walking distance with public transport nearby too.

#2. Paris

The capital of France has much to recommend it for families, making it one of the best toddler friendly city breaks in Europe. Children are sure to be just as wowed by iconic sights like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe as the grown-ups. Plus, tasty treats are always on the menu as you’ll find street-side shops serving up just-baked croissants and colourful macaroons. Even better, the centre of Paris has a direct train line to Disneyland Paris. That means you can combine an incredible visit to this world-famous theme park during your city break stay. Toddlers will be amazed by the Sleeping Beauty Castle and the many magical attractions on offer.

Paris hotels ideal for a toddler friendly city break in Europe:

Dream Castle Hotel Marne La Vallee

The Dream Castle Hotel Marne La Vallee offers a free shuttle bus to Disneyland Paris, and it even has a heated indoor swimming pool too. Just hop on the train at the Val d’Europe station to travel to the centre of Paris.

Explorers Hotel

The Explorers hotel is set up for fantastic facilities for children, including an indoor heated splash park and an adventure playground. There’s a free shuttle bus to Disneyland Paris too.

Grand Magic Hotel

The Grand Magic Hotel has a rich range of features including an indoor swimming pool, gym and games room. There’s a free shuttle service to Disneyland Paris every 20 minutes.

#3. Lisbon

Portugal’s cultural capital has lots to recommend it as a European city break for toddlers. Facing the azure waves of the Atlantic, the weather stays comfortably warm here, even in the winter months. Plus, many of the attractions here engage with the seafaring legacy of the city. Check out the Lisbon Oceanarium to see some of the amazing sea creatures local to the Atlantic Ocean and beyond. Hopping on the old trams that connect the city is also quite an event, and a great way to catch up on sightseeing without lugging around a pushchair! It’s also worth checking out the Pavilion of Knowledge, which is an incredible science museum with interactive exhibits.

Lisbon hotels ideal for a toddler friendly city break in Europe:

Martinhal Lisbon Chiado

This Martinhal Lisbon Chiado boasts a range of well-furnished, air-conditioned apartments. It even has a hotel-run kids’ club. It’s mere moments from the main attractions too.

Holiday Inn Lisbon

The Holiday Inn Lisbon is a centrally located hotel has great transport links. Its restaurant is highly rated for its authentic Portuguese dishes too.

Epic Sana Lisboa Hotel

With a breathtakingly modern interior design and very high standards of service, the Epic Sana is located in one of the most popular districts of Lisbon.

#4. Copenhagen

The capital of Denmark is known as the ‘Venice of the North’ for its series of interconnecting canals and waterways. It’s also a fantastic choice for a European city break for toddlers as there are lots of family-friendly attractions here. That includes the famous Tivoli Gardens, one of the world’s oldest theme parks which features vintage wooden rollercoasters along with much more modern attractions. There’s also the amazing Den Bla Planet Aquarium where little ones can see spellbinding rays and sharks up close. Plus, the adventure playground at the Valbyparken park is well worth making the journey to visit.

Copenhagen hotels ideal for a toddler friendly city break in Europe:

Tivoli Hotel

The Tivoli Hotel is perfectly located for making the most of the unique attractions at Tivoli Gardens nearby, one of the oldest theme parks in the world.

Scandic Copenhagen

With its elegant approach to Scandinavian interior design, the Scandic Copenhagen certainly has a suitable name. It also serves up high-quality Danish food with a range of gluten-free options.

Copenhagen Strand

Copenhagen Strand has been stylishly renovated from a historic harbourside building. Its centrally located too, close to Copenhagen’s main street and its most famous attractions.

#5. Barcelona

Barcelona is a supremely creative city that is certain to inspire all ages. The Catalan capital is surprisingly easy to explore on foot too and you can always hop on the Metro to see the intricately detailed spires of La Sagrada Familia. It’s also worth making the journey to the Montjuic Cable Car for spectacular views across the city. Plus, here’s another aspect that makes Barcelona a great European city break for toddlers – this is a city by the beach! Head to Barceloneta Beach for a day spent building sandcastles looking out on the glittering water of the Mediterranean. It’s the perfect way to relax after a long day of sightseeing, especially in the summer months.

Barcelona hotels ideal for a toddler friendly city break in Europe:

Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel GL

Situated in the stylish marina area of Barcelona, the five-star Eurostars hotel has a super-stylish, contemporary design.

Aparthotel Atenea Barcelona

The Aparthotel Atenea Barcelona boasts modern, air-conditioned rooms. It’s also located conveniently close to the Metro stop.

H10 Madison

The H10 Madison is located in the most popular district of Barcelona. It even has an outdoor swimming pool!

#6. Rome

Italy’s capital is like a history museum spread across an entire city. It’s an awe-inspiring place for all visitors and a top city break for toddlers in Europe. Top of the list has to be the Colosseum, where you can now even see the vaults where the gladiators and lions once roamed. There are also a range of elegant parks in Rome, including the Borghese Gardens that even has its own Renaissance art gallery. And you can’t go wrong with the food for children in Italy. There are shops serving delicious slices of pizza on almost every street, along with gelaterias offering authentic gelato.

Rome hotels ideal for a toddler friendly city break in Europe:

Villa Agrippina Gran Melia

The Villa Agrippina Gran Melia is part of the Leading Hotels of the World. It even has a luxurious on-site spa and outdoor swimming pool.

Doubletree by Hilton Rome Monti

The Doubletree by Hilton Rome Monti is placed close to the Santa Maria Basilica. It also has great transport links close to the main metro stops.

H10 Roma Citta

The H10 Roma Citta has an ultra-modern approach to interior design and a brilliant breakfast buffet.

#7. Amsterdam

Amsterdam is one of the most atmospheric cities in Europe. You’ll all be intrigued by the iconic sight of grand townhouses that peer over the water of the main canal in the city. In fact, you can even save the strain on your legs and hop on a Pancake Cruise! It’s the perfect way to fit in sightseeing without having to worry about your pushchair. Plus, you get to enjoy tasty pancakes onboard! It’s also well worth checking out the interactive exhibits at the Nemo Science Museum, with five entire floors focused on energy, innovations and the universe. After that, you can enjoy a relaxing stroll around Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s largest park that includes children’s playgrounds, cafés and even an open-air theatre.

Amsterdam hotels ideal for a toddler friendly city break in Europe:

Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht

The Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht is set in Amsterdam’s former public library. It’s just a 10-minute walk away from the Vondelpark too.

NH Amsterdam Centre

As you may expect from its name, the NH Amsterdam Centre is very centrally located! You’ll be just a few minutes’ walk away from the main attractions, including the Rijksmuseum.

Park Plaza Vondelpark Amsterdam

The Park Plaza Vondelpark is just a two-minute walk away from Vondelpark. The Museum Square is close by too.

#8. Reykjavik

As you might expect of one of Europe’s northernmost capitals, Reykjavik is filled with unique family-friendly attractions, making it one of the best city breaks for toddlers in Europe. Even the city’s zoo has a twist as it has animals native to Iceland, such as Arctic foxes. Plus, Reykjavik is one of the best destinations in the world for whale watching. Hop on a boat directly from the old harbour for a chance to spot many different species of whales. Even if you don’t fancy heading out to the water, you can still see life-size models of local whales at the Whales of Iceland museum too.

Reykjavik hotels ideal for a toddler friendly city break in Europe:

Hilton Reykjavik Nordica

The luxurious Hilton Reykjavik hotel boasts an on-site spa and gym, as well as a very highly rated gourmet restaurant serving authentic Icelandic dishes.

Reykjavik Residence Apartment Hotel

These self-catering apartments are very centrally located, close to the city’s main shopping street.

Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik City Centre

The Canopy by Hilton Reykjavik is an ultra-modern, minimalist design and features an on-site fitness centre. It’s mere moments from the Laugavegur shopping street too.

#9. Krakow

With its compact, UNESCO-Protected Old Town, Krakow is a fantastic city for exploring on foot. Its flat, pedestrianised streets make it easy to get around with a pushchair too. Be sure to check out the famous Main Market Square that faces the iconic Cloth Hall that still hosts a bustling indoor market today. All ages are also certain to be amazed by Wawel Castle, especially the fire-breathing dragon statue placed just outside! And for a truly spellbinding attraction, it’s worth making the journey to the Wieliczka Salt Mines. They date back to the 13th century, and you can learn all about historic salt mining.

Krakow hotels ideal for a toddler friendly city break in Europe:

Novotel Krakow Centrum

The Novotel is located close to Wawel Castle. It also has an on-site restaurant serving classic Polish cuisine.

Mercure Krakow Fabryczna City

The Mercure has great transport links with nearby metro stops to reach the city centre.

Holiday Inn Krakow City Centre

The luxurious, five-star hotel is just a five-minute walk away from the Main Market Square.

#10. Prague

Considering it’s the Czech capital, Prague is surprisingly compact and easy to explore. That’s especially the case for its historic centre where you’ll find most of the main attractions. That includes the magnificent Prague Castle that consists of grand palaces and courtyards. Plus, children are sure to enjoy a visit to Prague Zoo with walking trails to see elephants, hippos, lemurs and more. There’s also a range of open green spaces in the city, including Letna Park and Petrin Hill.

Prague hotels ideal for a toddler friendly city break in Europe:

Hilton Prague Hotel

The five-star, award-winning Hilton Prague hotel has very high standards of service. It also has a renowned restaurant with panoramic views and a heated indoor pool.

Aquapalace Hotel Prague

The Aquapalace Hotel Prague includes unlimited access to the Aquapalace, one of the largest indoor water parks in Europe.

Grandium Hotel Prague

The Grandium Hotel Prague is very centrally located, mere moments away from Wenceslas Square.

Now you’ve found out all about the toddler friendly city breaks in Europe, simply choose your ideal hotel!