12 Excursions with Children in Europe

Anyone traveling through Europe with children quickly realizes: the perfect day is rarely the one with the fullest schedule. It's the trips with children in Europe where travel, budget, and nerves align that are ultimately remembered. That's exactly why I love destinations that offer something for children without parents needing a vacation from their vacation afterward.

For families from the DACH region, Europe is a gift. Many places are reachable without long-haul flights, the distances remain manageable, and you can wonderfully mix cities, nature, and beach days. It gets even better when accommodation doesn't eat up half the travel budget. Especially with children, having a proper apartment – with a kitchen, washing machine, toys, and space – is worth its weight in gold. That's exactly why we now plan many trips around apartment swapping. It makes spontaneous day trips easier, cheaper, and frankly, also more relaxed.

Trips with children in Europe: What really matters

Children don't need constant action, but they do need rhythm. A good family trip in Europe therefore usually has three things: short distances, a clear highlight, and enough breathing room in between. A castle with a park often works better than three museums in one day. A lake with boat rentals beats any rigidly scheduled sightseeing list.

What has proven itself in practice: it's better to choose a place where you can take several short trips, instead of constantly moving on. This is exactly where family-friendly accommodation shows its strength. If you have a leisurely breakfast in the morning, pack provisions, and return to a real home in the evening, you travel differently. Less rushed, more like locals.

12 destinations for trips with children in Europe

1. Copenhagen – Playgrounds, Harbors, and Short Distances

Copenhagen is surprisingly easy to navigate with children. The city is flat, clean, and full of places where families can simply wander. Even a walk along the water, a harbor tour, or an afternoon at a good playground is often enough for a successful day.

The catch is clear: Copenhagen is expensive. That's precisely why accommodation with a kitchen is especially worthwhile here. If you don't have to buy every snack on the go, you can save a lot of money quickly.

2. South Tyrol – Easy Hikes Instead of Summit Stress

South Tyrol is ideal for families who like mountains but don't want to make a major expedition out of it. Many trails are family-friendly, with alpine pastures, cable cars, and lakes that motivate even younger children. The best part: You don't have to be a hardcore hiker to have a great time here.

Depending on the age of the children, I would honestly adjust the route. What looks like a dream hike in photos can quickly turn sour with tired legs. Better to plan shorter and still have time for Kaiserschmarrn.

3. Amsterdam – Canals, Ferries, and Surprisingly Lots of Space

At first glance, Amsterdam doesn't seem like a classic family destination, but it works surprisingly well. Kids love the ferries, the water, the narrow houses, and the little adventures in between. Plus, there are parks and neighborhoods where you can just go with the flow.

With a stroller and many stairs, the city isn't always convenient. If you're traveling with small children, a practical living situation is more important than the prettiest old building apartment right in the center.

4. Slovenia – Bled and Bohinj for Active Families

Slovenia is the right choice for those who love nature but don't want to be completely isolated. Around Bled and Bohinj, you can easily combine a boat trip, an easy hike, a day at the beach, and a visit to a waterfall. It's one of those regions where children naturally end up outdoors instead of needing to be entertained.

In terms of price, Slovenia is often more affordable than many Alpine regions. This is a real advantage, especially for families who want to experience a lot without breaking the bank every day.

5. Lisbon – a direct hit at the right pace

Lisbon is colorful, lively, and even better with children if you don't try to cram everything into one weekend. The old trams, viewpoints, and waterfront promenades make the journey itself an experience. A day trip to the beach then brings in the tranquility that a city trip with children often requires.

Steep alleys, however, are not a detail, but a real factor. Carrying a cumbersome stroller instead can make all the difference here.

6. Brittany – Sea, Tides, and Genuine Outdoor Adventures

Brittany is perfect for families who don't need an overly styled vacation setting. Children will find rocks, crabs, sand, and always something to discover here. Adults get wide coastlines, good air, and places that often still feel pleasant even in high season.

The weather isn't always reliable. But that's part of what makes it special. Those who plan flexibly and don't think of every day as a beach day often have particularly good family vacations here.

7. Vienna – relaxed, green, and very family-friendly

Vienna is one of those cities that shines more quietly with children. There's plenty of green space, good public transport, wide paths, and enough variety between palace parks, the zoo, museums, and coffee house breaks. The city rarely feels stressful, even when you're doing a lot.

For a family trip, that's almost more important than spectacular individual highlights. Vienna simply works reliably.

8. Northern Italian Lakes - Postcard View with Splashing Factor

Lake Garda, Lake Maggiore, or Lake Como – with children, the emphasis here is on the mix of water, promenade, and short boat trips. Many places are well-suited for half-day excursions, which is often much more realistic for younger children than full-day tours.

During peak season, it can get crowded and expensive. If you have the choice, off-peak times are often the better decision. The place is the same, the feeling is entirely different.

9. Krakow – surprisingly family-friendly

Many people don't immediately think of Krakow, yet the city is well-suited for a short family trip. The Old Town is compact, much can be done on foot, and there's enough variety for two to three leisurely day trips. On top of that, there are prices that can noticeably ease family budgets.

The important thing is finding the right mix. Not every program item that interests adults is also suitable for children.

10. Algarve – Cliffs, Coves, and Relaxing Beach Days

The Algarve is at its best when you're not looking for a luxury trip, but rather for uncomplicated days spent mostly outdoors. Many coves are quickly reached, and even a simple beach day often feels like exactly what everyone needed, especially with children.

A rental car makes many things easier. Without a car, you are significantly more limited depending on your accommodation.

11. Black Forest and Alsace – ideal for travel without flying

Not every trip to Europe has to be far away. Especially for Families from Southern Germany or Switzerland The combination of the Black Forest and Alsace is wonderfully close, yet offers a lot of variety. Forests, summer toboggan runs, charming old towns, and good hiking trails ensure days that feel like a true getaway.

The big advantage: little travel stress. And that's often the key to a successful trip with children.

12. Valencia – City, Beach, and Cycling Vibe

For me, Valencia is one of the most well-rounded destinations in Europe for families. You have city life, wide avenues, relaxed parks, and the sea within reach. On top of that, it has an atmosphere that seems less hectic than in some other Spanish cities.

When children like to ride a bike or simply want to be very active, Valencia is particularly pleasant. The city gives families space.

This is how family trips to Europe become cheaper

The biggest cost is almost never the ice on the way or the train ride to the lake, but the accommodation. And that's exactly where the most has changed for us since we started using HomeExchange. When you exchange apartments as a family, you don't just save money. You often also gain a better base for the entire vacation.

Children have their own room or at least space to play. You can eat early, do laundry, and fit in a quiet afternoon. This may sound trivial, but it makes a huge difference on multi-day trips. Especially in expensive cities like Copenhagen, Amsterdam, or Lisbon, a potentially too expensive trip suddenly becomes a realistic journey.

For those who want to try this out, here's how to get started:

Try HomeExchange

I'm not saying this as a theoretical money-saving tip, but because this type of travel is what truly makes many destinations in Europe feasible for families. You plan more relaxed, tend to stay a bit longer, and can focus on what's really important during your outings: experiencing something together.

What type of travel suits which family

Not every family is looking for the same thing, and that's the point. If you have young children, destinations with short travel distances and plenty of outdoor activities are often more rewarding than famous cities with packed itineraries. With school-aged children, places where you can combine history, nature, and activity are perfectly suitable. And with teenagers, a destination that offers enough freedom—like beach plus city or mountains plus lake—is often worthwhile.

That's why I would never ask: What is the best travel destination for children in Europe? The more sensible question is: What fits our current daily life, our budget, and the age of the children? That's when travel becomes more relaxed and usually more enjoyable in the end.

Sometimes, a simple decision is enough – fewer programs, better accommodation, a place with room to grow – and a nice vacation turns into a trip you'll talk about at the kitchen table for a long time.