From its museums to the walkable city centers, Europe is a rewarding vacation for families. With convenient public transportation and international airports, families can explore several cities on a multi-week trip. Concentrating on capital cities, here are the top European cities for families to visit this summer.
9 Top European Cities for Families
London
Edinburgh
Amsterdam
Paris
Munich
Brussels
Vienna
Dublin
Zurich
London, England
As the Capital and largest city of England, London is a thoroughly modern city. However, its history dates back to Roman times with an impressive Medieval History. London is an excellent first European Destination for travelers. With its large international airport, many visit it over and over since it is a convenient location to start an extended European vacation.
One of King Charles III’s official residences (there are several), it is the official headquarters of the United Kingdom Monarchy. This Palace is only open for tours from late July until late September. However, most visitors come daily for the Changing of the Guard. Other royal sites include Kensington Palace and the Tower of London.
London’s museums are another must while visiting, since several are free. The British Museum feels a catalog of human existence.
The Victoria and Albert Museum is more than an art museum. It features decorative arts and design from textiles to sculpture to jewelry, metalwork and more. It houses a permanent collection of over 2.8 million objects and is the world’s largest museum of applied arts.
Top Things to Do in London
Edinburgh, Scotland
Steeped in history, the Scottish capital escaped the destruction of WWII, and much of it remains intact. Divided into Old Town and New Town by the Water of Leith, the Edinburgh Castle is the most visible building, sitting on top of an extinct volcano.
With its darkened stone facades, Edinburgh oozes history, which is why it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Highly walkable, Edinburgh brims with history, museums and a haunted past.
Edinburgh Castle has evolved through damage and additions. King David, I built St. Margaret’s Chapel around 1130 and named it for his mother, Queen Margaret. It is the oldest building at the castle and is the oldest in Edinburgh.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official British Royal Residence while in Scotland. Construction started in 1671; it is opposite Edinburgh Castle on the Royal Mile.
Edinburgh is also home to a more recent history. In the port of Leigh, travelers can tour Her Majesty’s Royal Yacht Britannia in service to the queen from 1954 to 1997.
While in Edinburgh, I recommend you walk to its monuments and museums. Its parks are also a good place to explore with families.
Top Things to Do in Edinburgh with Kids
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is steeped in Dutch history, with narrow houses topped with steep gables, and it’s the largest city and capital of the Netherlands. Its canal system is a draw, and many were constructed in the 17th century. Easily walkable,
The Rijksmuseum is one of the top art museums in the world. It is a top destination in Amsterdam and is dedicated to the art of the Netherlands. Amsterdam boasts two rockstar artists: Rembrandt van Rijn and Vincent Van Gogh.
From 1639 to 1658, Rembrandt lived and worked in a house in Jodenbreestraat. It has been turned into a museum and is worth a visit. The Van Gogh Museum is offers the largest collection of his artwork in the world.
Read by students across the world, The Diary of Anne Frank is a poignant diary of a Jewish girl in Amsterdam whose family went into hiding during WWII. Unfortunately, the story did not have a happy ending for the student.
While in Amsterdam, I recommend visiting one of its parks and taking a canal cruise. Its outdoor markets are also a favorite.
Top Things to Do in Amsterdam
Paris, France
The City of Light is a perennial favorite for families, with its sparkling Eiffel Tower and some of the world’s best art museums. Families can sample Parisian pastries and picnic in a park for a family and budget-friendly option to cafe lunches.
The Louvre is the world’s biggest museum with around 35,000 artworks on display at any given time, including the Mona Lisa. Centre Pompidou is a modern art museum, with iconic works by Matisse, Picasso and Frida Kahlo, and home to Galerie des Enfants for younger children and the Studio 13/16 for teenagers.
Paris is home to several fabulous carousels that even the big kids will want to ride. Its gardens, such as the Jardin du Luxembourg, are centrally located in the 6th Arrondissement with toy wooden sailboats for hire and puppet shows. The Champs de Mars is near the Eiffel Tower, with four playgrounds, a carousel and plenty of green space for a picnic.
Munich, Germany
As the capital of Bavaria in Southern Germany, Munich features a walkable Altstadt with cultural sites, museums and parks. Its history dates back to 1158, and to get a taste of it and its architecture, head to Munich’s Marienplatz at the center of the Old Town.
Munich’s Marienplatz is home to a Glockenspiel with 43 bells that plays at 11 a.m. and noon. Another must for the history of Bavarian is the Residenz Museum, the former royal palace of the Wittelsbach monarchs of Bavaria. I recommend you start the day at the museum.
For a taste of Bavaria, you can browse the Viktualienmarkt, its historic open-air market. Better yet, you can grab take-away and head to the English Garden, one of the world’s largest urban parks. It is also home to the river surfers.
For an unforgettable view of Munich, you can climb 300 steps up St. Peter Tower for 360-degree views. After a climb, you can grab a drink at the legendary Hofbräuhaus München, the beerhall. It is kid-friendly and serves food along with steins of beer, plus there is traditional Bavarian music.
Brussels, Belgium
Brussels is the capital of Belgium, with a walkable historic city center and a nearby train station. Travelers can get a dose of Brussels in one day, from Belgian waffles in the morning, a couple of museums, followed by mussels and a Belgian beer.
The Grand Palace or Grote Markt is the central square of Brussels. Opulent buildings on all sides enclose it, offering a large, open area in the center. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates mainly back to the 17th century.
You can stroll through Les Galeries Saint Hubert to go chocolate shopping. The Place de la Bourse is another great pedestrian area.
For museums, the Old Master Museum is in the Royal Quarter of Brussels with European masters. There is also the Musical Instruments Museum.
While in Brussels, I recommend you sample its fries, mussels and beer.
The Top Things to See in Brussels in One Day
Vienna, Austria
One of the most refined capitals in Europe, Vienna offers rich doses of European history, magnificent palaces to explore and delectable food. Located on the Danube River, families can learn about the former Habsburg Dynasty at the Belvedere Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is the location of the Kiss by Gustav Klimt.
Located on the famed Vienna Ring Road, the Kunsthistorisches Museum is the largest art museum in Austria. Ornately decorated, the museum is as much an experience as seeing the art within its walls.
Another museum must, The Sisi Museum, focuses on one of the most memorable queens of Austria, Empress Elizabeth, 1837-1898, the wife of Emperor Franz Joseph. She was assassinated in Geneva, and this museum offers a glimpse into her complex life and personality.
I also recommend sampling Vienna’s most famous cake, the Sacher torte. Wiener schnitzel is another must for Vienna. You can also enjoy a Mozart concert.
Top Things to Do in Vienna in One Day
Dublin Ireland
As the Irish capital, Dublin is known for its jolly pub scene and is home to Guinness Beer and Jameson Whiskey. Although it is more than just a boozy destination, it is a vibrant hub rich in museums and cultural attractions.
First up, Trinity College, founded in 1592, is one of the seven ancient universities of Great Britain and Ireland. Most visitors come for the Book of Kells, an illustrated bible from the 9th century. After that experience, add time to walk around Merrion Square, a rectangular city park flanked by preserved Georgian homes.
The Dublin Castle, a motte-and-bailey castle, was built in 1204 at the highest point of central Dublin. This building is now part of a government complex, and the State Apartments are open for tours. Another interesting stop for history-loving families is the Kilmainham Gaol, or prison, opened in 1796, and which housed the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising.
The National Museum of Ireland is dedicated to antiquities from the Stone Age to the Late Middle Ages. Close by, the National Gallery of Ireland collection features top European artists like Edgar Degas and Pablo Picasso.
The Guinness Storehouse is an immersive experience that traces the beginning of Guinness in Dublin. I learned about the components of the iconic beer, including the rain show that had water droplets forming the Guinness harp (don’t miss this). It is kid-friendly, more so than the Jameson Distillery tour.
Top Things to Do in Dublin
Zurich, Switzerland
The gateway to the Swiss Alps, Zurich, offers families a blend of outdoor-centered activities, an Altstadt with the Limmat River running through it and a rich cheese-and-chocolate culinary heritage.
In the Alstadt, the Bürkliplatz overlooks Lake Zürich with sculptures, and families will find the scenic cruises and weekly markets. The Adliswil-Felsenegg cable car originates in Adliswil, 30 minutes from Zurich’s main train station. Taking passengers 800 metres up to Flesenegg in a 30-person cabin in under five minutes for views of the city centre and Lake Zurich.
Another Zurich favorite is the Lindt Home of Chocolates, a chocolate museum and home to the towering 9-meter chocolate fountain and samples of its truffles. It’s a 20-minute train ride from the Zürich HB. Fondue and Raclette are synonymous with Switzerland, and families will find several restaurants across the Altstadt.
Learn more about Switzerland’s Cheese at St. Gallen
