Alton Towers Accommodation Options: All You Need To Know
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Linzi Verity-Buck
- Cheap Travel
- Family Travel
- Newcastle
- Scotland
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- Posted: 25/01/2026
Best Family City Breaks – A Complete Guide 2026
Lucy Starrs
Hi, I am Lucy - mum to a 6-year old boy based in Scotland with a passion for travelling and saving money. Check out my blogs and Scotland page for hand-picked recommendations.
Best Family City Breaks – A Complete Guide 2026
City breaks don’t have to end just because you have kids – and they certainly don’t need to be reserved for adults only. In fact, some of my favourite trips with my son have been short weekend breaks spent exploring a brand-new city together. The key is choosing destinations that offer at least one truly magical experience your children will remember, whether that’s a castle, a boat ride, a theme park, or simply somewhere they can run, play, and explore.
Below are my top-rated family city breaks across Europe. Whether you’re travelling with children or planning a grown-ups getaway, the family-friendly accommodations and activities I’ve recommended will come in handy when planning your next city adventure.
Best Family City Breaks – Edinburgh
Ideal for kids who love Harry Potter
Edinburgh is a magical destination for family city breaks, especially if your children are Harry Potter fans. Beyond Potter-themed adventures, Edinburgh offers a wide range of free family-friendly activities – from exploring the National Museum of Scotland to climbing Arthur’s Seat for spectacular city views.
It’s always a good time to visit Edinburgh but key times include:
- August: this means you can catch the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival. This arts festival is full of performances suitable for all ages, from street performers and circus acts to comedy shows. For cheaper accommodation at this time of year, look at staying in Glasgow and commuting on the regular trains.
- November & December: Visiting at Christmas makes for a magical, sparkly experience by visiting the Christmas Markets.
Edinburgh is easily reachable by train from across the UK or by flight from Europe, making it a convenient and captivating choice for a family city break.
Top places to stay with kids:
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Apex Grassmarket Hotel – Family-friendly, central, with a swimming pool
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No1 Apartments – Apartment-style rooms in fantastic location
Top activities for kids:
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Harry Potter Magical Walking Tour – Perfect for fans of the wizarding world
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Camera Obscura – An immersive experience that finishes with rooftop views of Edinburgh
Best Family City Breaks – Barcelona
Ideal for art lovers
Barcelona is one of my favourite cities in the world. I lived here for a year and I am always taken away by the mix of culture, beaches, and outdoor fun. From Gaudí’s colourful architecture to shady parks and sandy beaches, it’s a great destination for family city breaks that works just as well for toddlers as it does for teens, with plenty of opportunities to slow down and relax between sightseeing. Plus being only a short distance from the Costa Brava means this can be the perfect day trip.
Best places to stay with kids
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Novotel Barcelona City – Family rooms, rooftop pool, arcade room, close to parks and attractions
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Aparthotel Silver – Spacious apartments, great for families wanting extra space
Best activities to do with kids
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Park Güell guided tour – Bright colours and open spaces kids love
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Barcelona hop-on hop-off bus tour – Easy sightseeing without tired legs
Best Family City Breaks – Copenhagen
Ideal for families who love fun and adventure
Copenhagen is one of Europe’s most child-friendly cities, making it a perfect family city break for traveling with kids of all ages. The city is easy to navigate with plenty of green spaces, bike-friendly streets, and family-focused attractions. Tivoli Gardens, one of the world’s oldest amusement parks, is a must-visit, offering rides, games, and seasonal shows suitable for toddlers to teens.
Families can also explore interactive museums like the National Museum’s children’s section, or enjoy outdoor fun at Copenhagen Zoo and the Experimentarium science center. Copenhagen’s efficient transport system and compact layout ensures both kids and parents have a stress-free experience. Flights from most European cities are quick and convenient, making Copenhagen an accessible and memorable family destination.
Top places to stay with kids:
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Tivoli Hotel & Congress Center – Pool, play areas, and walking distance to Tivoli Gardens
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Eric Vökel Boutique Apartments– Spacious apartments in the city centre
Top activities for kids:
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IKONO Immersive Experience – An immersive experience combining art and play
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Canal sightseeing cruise – A relaxing way to see the city with children
Best Family City Breaks – Lisbon
Ideal for families who love sun, sea, and learning
Lisbon is a bright, vibrant city that balances culture, history, and family fun. Kids can explore interactive museums like the Pavilion of Knowledge or the Lisbon Oceanarium – one of Europe’s largest aquariums – while parents enjoy strolling through the picturesque streets and enjoy a pastel de nata.
Lisbon is also a gateway to nearby beaches and seaside towns, perfect for a day of sandcastles and swimming and there are Eurocamps nearby if you want to stay outside of the city. The city’s compact size makes it easy to explore on foot, while trams and funiculars add an exciting adventure for younger children. With a mild climate and affordable flights from across Europe, Lisbon is definitely one of the best family city breaks out there.
Top places to stay with kids:
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Martinhal Lisbon Chiado – Designed specifically for families
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Residentas Arco do Bandeira – Central apartments with cooking facilities
- Eurocamp near Lisbon – stunning seaside eurocamp an hour from Lisbon city centre
Top activities for kids:
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Lisbon Oceanarium skip-the-line ticket – One of Europe’s best aquariums
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Historic tram ride tour – A fun way to explore the city streets
Best Family City Breaks – Amsterdam
Ideal for families who enjoy exploring at their own pace
Amsterdam is a strong contender for the crown of family city breaks thanks to its canals and bike-friendly streets. Kids will love boat rides along the waterways, there is everything from Madam Tussauds, to NEMO Science Centre and a Barbie immersive experience. There is also a brilliant Lego Store in the city centre that we spent over an hour exploring. The city is home to plenty of parks and you can hire bikes for longer cycles outside of the city to if you have older children.
Amsterdam’s public transport system is easy to use, and many attractions are within walking distance, making it ideal for families traveling with younger children. Quick flights from most European cities make Amsterdam an accessible and relaxed city break option. There are also many Eurocamps nearby making it a great place to stopover.
Top places to stay with kids:
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Holiday Inn Express North Riverside – Budget-friendly and free breakfast
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Hotel Nova – Fantastic location with large family size rooms
- Duinrell Eurocamp – A brilliant eurocamp within an hour of Amsterdam with onsite theme park
Top activities for kids:
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Amsterdam canal cruise – A must-do with children, I’d recommend a day time over an evening cruise
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Barbie The Dream Experience – A brilliant experience for all Barbie lovers with 12 interactive zones
Best Family City Breaks – Budapest
Ideal for families who love parks and culture
Budapest is a surprisingly family-friendly city that combines grand architecture, riverside views, and plenty of activities kids genuinely enjoy. One of Budapest’s biggest draws for families is its famous thermal baths, despite what you may read, many have outdoor pools suitable for children, however they can’t use the warm baths.
As well as this you can take scenic boat trips along the Danube, perfect for tired legs, or go south of the river to Buda and visit the fairy tale castles with a hop on hop off tour which was a highlight of our trip. The city is compact and easy to get around, with plenty of parks and green spaces that make it perfect for family strolls and picnics.
Top places to stay with kid:
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Ensana Thermal Margaret Island – Family-friendly location with easy access to Margaret Island activities and outdoor pools.
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InterContinental Budapest – Spacious rooms and central location, perfect for exploring on foot.
Top activities for kids:
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Széchenyi Spa Day Ticket – The most famous outdoor baths, perfect for a day of relaxing, children are allowed to enter but they can’t access the warm baths
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Budapest sightseeing cruise on the Danube – A relaxing and scenic way to see major sights from the river with kids onboard
Best Family City Breaks – Prague
Ideal for families who love fairy tales and history
Prague’s magical charm makes it a hit with children of all ages. The city’s stunning castles and storybook architecture feel straight out of a fairy tale, captivating younger and older kids alike. Families can explore Prague Castle, wander across the iconic Charles Bridge, or enjoy a puppet show – a traditional Czech pastime.
Prague is budget-friendly compared to many Western European cities, making it easier to plan family meals, attractions, and accommodations. The city is compact and easy to explore on foot, and many museums offer interactive exhibits perfect for children. Affordable flights from across Europe and convenient train connections make Prague a practical and enchanting choice for a family city break.
Top places to stay with kids:
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Prague Marriott Hotel – Central, spacious rooms, and pool access
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Residence Bologna – Apartment-style accommodation near Old Town with rooms available for large families
Top activities for kids:
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Museum of Fantastic Illusions – A fun and immersive experience for kids
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Vltava River sightseeing cruise – Relaxing and child-friendly
Best Family City Breaks: Overall
You don’t need a long-haul flight or a two-week holiday to make unforgettable memories with your kids. A simple weekend city break can be just as magical. Whether you’re travelling with toddlers, teens, or anyone in between, each of these European cities offers something special for families.
Read about Read about visiting Nantes, France here.
This post contains affiliate links.
Written by: Lucy Starrs
Hi, I am Lucy – mum to a 6-year old boy based in Scotland with a passion for travelling and saving money. Check out my blogs and Scotland page for hand-picked recommendations.
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Don’t miss this one this Easter 🐣🎢
I’ve just spotted Merlin are running this twice the fun deal. If you book a theme park ticket before the 19th April, to visit before the 15th May - you get a second ticket free! That can be for any of the other parks!
I’ve got the links in my linktree - if you want me to send you the links just comment LINKS 💛
The links we share are affiliate links.
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Comment MERLIN and I’ll send you the link. Alternatively you’ll find it in my linktree
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