The Best Family City Breaks – 12 Of My Favourite Cities That Kids Will Love
Take the kids on a weekend away and discover amazing family city breaks in Europe and the USA.
City breaks are not just for adults! Cities around the world are increasingly catering for families, with fantastic attractions, interactive museums and hands-on experiences. Family city breaks also offer the chance to see iconic landmarks that your children will recognise from school, books and movies. Ancient Rome suddenly comes to life when you are standing inside the Colosseum. Barcelona becomes much more than just a football club, and tapas become something they actually enjoy eating!
Mention World War Two or the Cold War at home and you may struggle to hold your kids attention, but standing at Checkpoint Charlie is a completely different experience. Seeing Big Ben up close, climbing the Eiffel Tower or feeling like they have stepped onto a movie set in New York or Los Angeles are memories they will treasure for years.
Family weekend breaks are also a wonderful way for children to experience different cultures, taste new foods and broaden their horizons. Best of all, you get uninterrupted quality time together. Without kids’ clubs and pool games, there is more opportunity to chat, explore and make memories together.
Sitting down for dinner after a day of sightseeing and listening to your children talk excitedly about their favourite moments is one of the most rewarding parts of any family city break. Trust me, once you discover family city breaks, you will open your children’s eyes to so much more than beach resorts and theme park holidays.
However, there are only so many museums kids can take. You do need to make sure there are some ‘cool’ things for children to see too. I have some tips for taking kids on city breaks which you might find useful, and in my list below, you will find some of my favourite family city break destinations.
The Best Family City Breaks In Europe
Finding short breaks that kids will love is not always easy, especially when many cities have so much to see and do that you could easily spend a week exploring them. Sometimes it is nice to choose a destination that is compact, easy to get around and can be enjoyed in just a few days.
Below are some of my favourite family city breaks in Europe that are perfect for a family weekend break or a short getaway with children. They are all easy to explore, packed with family-friendly attractions and ideal when you are short on time but still want to create lasting memories together.
1. London, England – One of the best short family breaks
One of my favourite things about London is how easy it is to see many of the city’s top attractions in a short visit. Thanks to its excellent public transport system, getting around is quick and straightforward, making London an ideal destination if you are short on time.
If your children are anything like mine, they will love seeing Big Ben and Tower Bridge up close, taking a ride on the London Eye, cruising along the River Thames and browsing the shops on Carnaby Street, which has become a TikTok sensation!
There are also plenty of free activities to enjoy too, including watching the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, taking in the views from the Sky Garden and exploring some of the city’s world-class museums.
Older kids will love a London city break too. From the Harry Potter Studio Tour – a must-see for true Harry Potter Fans (even more so than Universal Studios in my opinion), to the London Dungeon, Thames Rockets and West End shows.
Read: Top things to do in London with teenagers
I brought my daughter to ABBA Voyage and MAMMA MIA! The Party, and we had the best time! Football fans can catch a match at Wembley Stadium, while families with young children can enjoy many of the family friendly West End shows – Paddington being the latest bit hit!
With iconic landmarks and tons of family-friendly attractions, London is one of the best cities for family short break, and is one that I never tire of returning to.
Read: Top things to do in London with kids and where to stay
2. Barcelona, Spain – One of the best city breaks with teenagers
Barcelona is another fantastic choice for anyone looking for a family short breaks. The city is easy to navigate, making it possible to see many of its top attractions in just one or two days.
Children will love Barcelona’s vibrant atmosphere. They can explore the colourful mosaics and fairytale-like architecture of Park Güell, meet more than 4,000 animals at Barcelona Zoo and enjoy time on the city’s beautiful beaches.
Football fans will also be thrilled to visit Camp Nou, home of FC Barcelona – I went to a match here many years ago and still remember the atmosphere, it was electric! Parents and children will also enjoy sampling delicious tapas in the city’s many cafés and restaurants.
If you have an extra day to spare, take the one-hour train journey to PortAventura – your kids will love it! It is one of Europe’s biggest and best theme parks.
Barcelona really does tick every box for a family city break. It can be extremely busy during July and August, so I recommend visiting in the shoulder season if possible, when the weather is still warm but the crowds are much smaller.
Read: Barcelona travel guide, top things to do and where to stay
3. Berlin, Germany – A surprising family city break
Berlin offers an array of child-friendly activities. So, much so, you could easily spend a week here. The DDR museum is a good choice for families as it is an interactive museum where kids are encouraged to touch things and interact, while Checkpoint Charlie will be popular with teenagers, they can even get their photo taken with armed guards in period uniforms.
Berlin also has plenty more to keep children entertained. The National History Museum has three huge dinosaur skeletons, including the largest skeleton in the world, and there are numerous technology and science museums that are very child friendly.
There is also a LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Berlin, the Berlin Zoological Garden, and if you are visiting in summer, cool off at one of the city’s popular outdoor swimming pools.
There are also plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in Berlin. Stroll along the East Side Gallery to admire its colourful murals and learn about the city’s history, or spend some time in Großer Tiergarten, where small children can run around, enjoy the playgrounds and burn off some energy between sightseeing.
4. Lisbon – Best family city break by the sea
Lisbon is one of my favourite family city breaks, and we had a fantastic time there a few years ago. There is so much to see and do, with plenty of attractions that children will love. I recommend taking a tuk tuk or historic tram tour to see many of the city’s highlights. Lisbon is famously hilly, so it is a great way to explore while giving little legs a rest.
Another great choice for sightseeing is the Hippotrip – this is a 90 minute tour on an amphibious vehicle. Kids love the interactive tour and going from land into the water on a bus, and it is one of the top things to do in Lisbon with kids.
Be sure to visit Europe’s largest Aquarium, one of the city’s top family attractions. It is cleverly designed with indoor and outdoor exhibits so make sure you allow plenty of time to explore it. The cable car is located here too so it is good to combine both in one day.
For most European readers, Lisbon is easily accessible, especially from Ireland, with flights from Aer Lingus, Ryanair and TAP Air Portugal. I love that the city is by the sea, especially as it tends to have good weather, and you have the choice of a beach day as well as exploring its pretty old town.
If your schedule allows, take a day trip to Cascais or hop on the train to Sintra. The colourful Pena Palace looks like it belongs in a Disney movie, while Quinta da Regaleira, with its mysterious tunnels, towers and hidden passages, had my children convinced they had stepped into Hogwarts.
There are plenty of family-friendly places to eat too. Make time to visit TimeOut Market and LX Factory, both of which offer a fantastic choice of food in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.
Read: Top 10 things to do in Lisbon with kids
Read: Where to stay in Lisbon – My top pick of 3, 4 and 5 star hotels and apartments
5. Rome – My favourite European city break destination
Rome is one of my favourite cities for a family city break in Europe, especially with older children and teenagers. From recognising iconic landmarks and historical sites featured in famous movies to discovering the city’s fascinating history and culture, Rome is like one giant open-air museum.
Many of the city’s tours are designed with families in mind. If you are looking for something a little different, a golf cart tour is a fun and relaxing way to explore the city’s highlights. For children aged five and over, a Vespa sidecar guided tour is another fantastic experience that my own kids absolutely loved. It is a brilliant way to see more of the city while keeping young kids entertained.
Read: Where best to stay while visiting Rome
Read: Top things to do in Rome
6. Paris – The best city break for children of all ages
Disneyland Paris alone is enough to earn Paris a place on this list of the best family city breaks. We visited at Christmas and it truly was magical. However, there is so much more to the city than Disney. Children will love seeing the Eiffel Tower up close, taking a cruise along the River Seine and soaking up the atmosphere in one of the world’s most iconic cities.
A Parisian food tour is a great way to see the city on foot, giving children something to look forward to as you stop at chocolate shops and pâtisseries along the way. It is a fun way to discover the city’s famous neighbourhoods while sampling some delicious French treats.
Read My Paris travel guide – top things to do and where to stay in Paris
Read: Top tips for visiting Disneyland Paris at Christmas time
7. Verona – Best for summer family city breaks
Verona is not usually the first destination that comes to mind when planning family city breaks in Europe, but I think it deserves a place on every family’s bucket list.
There is so much to see and do. Children will love visiting Juliet’s House to see the famous balcony from Romeo and Juliet and leave a love note on the wall. The magnificent Verona Arena, one of the world’s best-preserved Roman amphitheatres, is equally impressive and is often compared to the Colosseum.
One of Verona’s biggest advantages is its location. It is the perfect gateway to Lake Garda, making it an excellent choice for families who want to combine a city break with lakeside relaxation and the beautiful Italian countryside.
No family visit to Verona would be complete without a day at Garda Land Resort, which is also home to Peppa Pig Land. Less than 30 minutes from the city, it is one of Italy’s best theme parks, with rollercoasters, family rides, water attractions and live shows to entertain all ages.
Read: Top thing to do in Lake Garda
8. Copenhagen – Best for winter family city breaks
Copenhagen is one of the best family city breaks, especially during the Halloween mid-term break or at Christmas. Tivoli Gardens, one of the world’s oldest amusement parks, is home to thrilling rollercoasters, family rides, beautiful gardens, restaurants and spectacular fireworks displays.
The park closes for a short period before both Halloween and Christmas to transform into a seasonal wonderland. At Christmas, thousands of twinkling lights, festive decorations and Christmas markets create a truly magical atmosphere that the whole family will love.
There is plenty to see and do in Copenhagen throughout the year. Visit The Little Mermaid, take a canal cruise past the colourful houses of Nyhavn, or spend a day at Copenhagen Zoo.
If you have a little extra time, consider combining your city break with a visit to LEGOLAND Billund Resort. Billund is around two hours away by train, making it an easy addition to a family holiday and a dream trip for LEGO fans.
Read: Our city guide to Copenhagen
9. Madrid – The best value city break for families
We booked a last-minute city break to Madrid this year and it completely surprised me. It is one of the best-value city breaks for families and should not be overlooked if you are looking for a short break that is easy to reach.
My teenagers were studying Spanish at school, so I wanted to take them to a Spanish city where they could put their language skills into practice. Because Madrid is less touristy than Barcelona or Málaga, we found it much easier to speak Spanish in cafés, restaurants and shops. It was a win-win – the kids gained confidence speaking the language, and we enjoyed a fantastic value family city break.
Flight prices and hotels are generally good value off-peak, and the direct train service from the airport means you can be at your hotel within half an hour of landing. Football fans will love a tour of Real Madrid’s Bernabéu Stadium, while my teens loved the great-value shopping on the Gran Vía.
We had breakfasts for €2 – €3, and you can take a boat ride in Retiro Park for just €6 midweek or €8 at weekends for 45 minutes. I challenge you to find a better-value family city break!
Read: 17 things to do in Madrid, where to stay, dine and explore
Best City Breaks for Families in the USA
From iconic cities like New York and Los Angeles to the family-friendly attractions of Boston, I have rounded up some of the best family city breaks in America that children of all ages will love.
10. New York – One of the most famous city breaks for families
New York is a city that has something for every member of the family. Older children will love the shopping, younger ones will feel like they have stepped onto a movie set, and as for the adults, you will simply be delighted to be there!
Take in the spectacular views from Top of the Rock or enjoy the immersive experience at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt – this is our favourite observation deck. My kids loved walking across the Brooklyn Bridge before stopping for pizza at the legendary Grimaldi’s Pizzeria.
In summer, hire bikes or join a guided cycle tour through Central Park, while winter is the perfect time for ice skating, visiting the historic Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum or calling into the enormous LEGO Store Rockefeller Center.
These are just a few of the countless experiences that make New York one of the best family city breaks.
Read: 15 things to do with kids in New York
Read: The best family holidays with teenagers
11. Boston – Best family city break for Halloween Mid Term
Boston is one of the most family-friendly cities in the USA, with a fantastic mix of history, outdoor activities and hands-on attractions. A ride on the iconic Boston Duck Tours is one of the best ways to see the city’s highlights, travelling by both road and water. Families will also love the New England Aquarium, while Boston’s waterfront is perfect for harbour cruises, whale-watching tours and watersports during the summer months.
Surprisingly, some of my teenagers’ favourite experiences were actually outside the city centre. We loved visiting Salem, famous for its witch trials and Halloween celebrations, which celebrates the spooky season all year round.
They also enjoyed shopping at the nearby outlet malls and taking a student-led tour of Harvard University, which gave us a fascinating insight into one of the world’s most prestigious universities.
Boston is also a wonderfully walkable city, making it easy to explore with children. Whether you are following the historic Freedom Trail, relaxing in Boston Common or taking a ferry across the harbour, there is something to keep every member of the family entertained.
Read: Boston travel guide, top things to do and where to stay
Read: The best family holidays with teenagers
12. Los Angeles – The most iconic family city break in the USA
When it comes to iconic city breaks with kids, it doesn’t get much better than Los Angeles! If your children love movies, beaches and theme parks, Los Angeles will tick all boxes.
From strolling along the Hollywood Walk of Fame and spotting the famous Hollywood Sign, to spending a day at Universal Studios Hollywood or Disneyland, they will feel like they are inside a movie set at every turn.
One of the things I loved most about Los Angeles is the variety it offers. You can spend the morning exploring world-famous attractions, the afternoon cycling along the beachfront from Santa Monica Pier to Venice Beach, and the evening watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.
Los Angeles may not be the most accessibly city break destination, but it should be considered if planning a family trip to California.
Read: Top things to do in Los Angeles
Read: 12 things to do in California with kids
I hope my favourite family city breaks will help you plan a trip away soon. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, attractions are subject to change. Some of the links in this post contain affiliate links, where I receive a small commission if a booking is made, but at no additional charge to you.
