Fun European Cities To Visit With Kids

Family-Friendly Europe Vacation Ideas while Traveling with Children of All Ages

By Mary Luz Mejia | Published on August 7, 2023

Here's the great thing about traveling with kids: since there are a ton of fun European cities to visit, your vacation can provide invaluable cultural education, and the teachable moments are endless. Before you journey on this enriching family experience, consider some fun travel ideas that play into your children's interests. My husband and I recently did this with our daughter in northern Italy, and it was a great success. Here are some of my tried and true trip tips on how to make your European vacation fun for the whole family.

Omni-Vacation Cruise Travels With A Baby Or Toddler

Some Royal Caribbean cruise amenity highlights include the complimentary, award-winning Adventure Ocean Youth Program. Your child will be grouped with other children their age and offered exciting activities led by team members who not only have experience working with kids but also hold education or recreation degrees.

When traveling with a toddler, to make life easier, there are onboard clothes washing options if you find outfits that need a refresh mid-trip. (If you're eating pasta in Italy, you'll need it!) And if you want a quiet date night, the Royal Babies & Tots Nursery offers sitting services for children between six and 36 months old for an hourly fee. The various onboard swimming pools, water features, movie theaters, themed meals and events make cruises a feel-good family time. You may also be interested in knowing that there are hundreds of cruising options where children cruise for free!

For older kids, there are onboard teen dance nights, specially designated sun decks, arcades and video game rooms, spa offers (mother-daughter mani-pedis or father-son massages, for example), special fitness classes for older kids and other hangouts that are for teens only. Don't forget the onboard wall climbing options, waterslides and ziplining, too! On a family cruise to Europe, your kids will never be bored.

For our 10-year-old daughter, that meant visiting Milan's Duomo, walking its rooftops for sweeping city views and enjoying local specialties, such as Turin's zabaglione or donuts filled with fresh whipped cream, while dad enjoyed a bicerin (a beverage layered with hot chocolate, Espresso, milk and cream). She also decided a visit to Turin's Egyptian Museum — considered one of the oldest and most important in Europe, second only to the museum in London — was worth the visit. "Coolest museum I've ever been to," was the final commentary on that excursion.

We tapped into what she wanted to do and see and wove it into what dad wanted, too. A little gelato for her, a trip to the Torino soccer store for him, and everyone was happy. Venice gave me the chance to visit an old palazzo-turned-restaurant and hotel, and we also threw in a jaunt to the Rialto Bridge and Piazza San Marco, which my daughter thought was simply stunning. We filled the memory bank with both agreed-upon and spontaneous activities that put a smile on all our faces.

Combine Pop Culture With Real Culture

In London, England, you'll run into a spate of Harry Potter locations. Revisit the books or movies before your trip with your kids, and set the scene for them once on location. Some must-sees include Platform 9¾ at King's Cross Station (the real-life entrance to platforms nine to 11 are on the west side of the station) and the London Zoo's Reptile House, where Harry first realizes he can communicate with snakes. Not a Harry Potter fan? This stop is still perfect for the reptile lover in the family because there are more than 650 species onsite to discover!

Then, head straight to Charing Cross Road in the city's west end where Diagon Alley is located. This London area is known for specialty bookshops and antique shops that give the street its picture-perfect charm. It's insta-worthy at every turn.

Ship-To-Shore Fun Travel Ideas For Your Family Vacation