The Family Breaks Index: The easiest European city breaks with young kids

Travelling with toddlers can sometimes feel more like a military operation rather than relaxing.

Prams, snacks, nap times and airport queues can quickly turn even a short trip into a stressful experience if the destination isn’t easy to navigate.

But the right city can make things far easier.

To help families plan simpler holidays, we created The Family Breaks Index, a data-led ranking of the easiest European city breaks for travellers with babies, toddlers and young children.

The index looks at the factors that matter most for family travel, including average flight times from UK airports, airport transfer time, walkability and accessibility, the number of child-friendly attractions, and how many accommodation options are suitable for families.

The result highlights destinations where getting around is simple, activities are engaging for children, and the logistics of travelling with little ones feel far less overwhelming.

Whether you're planning a toddler’s first flight or looking for a relaxed weekend adventure with young kids, these are Europe’s easiest family city breaks.

1. Copenhagen, Denmark – Best overall family city break

Copenhagen ranked as the easiest and most enjoyable family city break overall.

Flights from the UK average just under two hours, and the airport metro takes around 15 minutes to reach the city centre, making the journey quick and manageable even with tired toddlers in tow.

Once you arrive, the city is incredibly easy to explore. Copenhagen scored 99 out of 100 for walkability, meaning many attractions can be reached on foot without long journeys or complicated transport.

Families also benefit from a strong choice of accommodation, with more than a quarter of places to stay offering family-friendly facilities such as larger rooms and suitable amenities for travelling with children.

The city itself is full of family experiences. Tivoli Gardens – which inspired Disneyland’s design – combines rides, playgrounds and food stalls in a park setting, while Nyhavn’s colourful harbour feels like a picture-book setting for a relaxed afternoon walk. Copenhagen’s cycling culture, playgrounds and waterfront spaces make it one of Europe’s most welcoming destinations for families.

2. Berlin, Germany – Best for family attractions

Berlin is one of the best destinations in Europe for keeping children entertained.

The city has more than 200 attractions suitable for families, giving parents an enormous range of activities to choose from during a short trip.

Flights from the UK take just over two hours, and the airport train reaches the centre in around 30 minutes.

Berlin also performs strongly for accessibility thanks to its wide pavements, reliable public transport and modern infrastructure, which make travelling with pushchairs far easier than in many older European cities.

Families can explore the famous Berlin Zoo, visit hands-on museums like the Deutsches Technikmuseum, or spend time in the sprawling Tiergarten park. The city’s mix of open space, culture and interactive attractions makes it a surprisingly relaxed destination for travelling with children.

3. Barcelona, Spain – Best for beach and city breaks

Barcelona offers one of the best combinations of sightseeing and outdoor space for families.

Flights from the UK take just over two hours on average, and the airport train reaches the centre in around 25 minutes.

The city also stands out for its huge range of things to see and do, with more than 400 attractions suitable for families.

Barcelona scored highly for walkability too, meaning many of the city’s main sights are easy to reach without long journeys across town.

Families can explore Gaudí’s colourful Park Güell, visit the Sagrada Família, or spend an afternoon relaxing on Barceloneta Beach. The city’s plazas, playgrounds and street performers also make it easy to enjoy time outdoors while children explore their surroundings.

4. Florence, Italy – Best for relaxed cultural trips

Florence proves that historic cities can still work well for families travelling with young children.

Flights from the UK take around two and a half hours, and the airport tram connects travellers to the city centre in about 20 minutes.

The city offers more than 1,200 accommodation options for families, so there’s plenty of choice, even when staying close to major attractions.

Florence also scored strongly for walkability, meaning most landmarks are within comfortable walking distance of one another.

For families with younger children, the city has plenty of hands-on experiences to keep little ones engaged. Interactive museums such as the Leonardo da Vinci Museum allow kids to explore working models of his inventions, while spots like the Galileo Museum bring science and discovery to life.

Between visiting lively piazzas, enjoying riverside walks along the Arno and stopping for gelato along the way, Florence offers a relaxed style of sightseeing that works well when travelling with children.

5. Amsterdam, Netherlands – Best for short family trips

Whilst it may not be the first city to come to mind for a child-friendly break, Amsterdam is one of the quickest and easiest destinations to reach from the UK.

Flights average just over one hour and twenty minutes, making it one of the shortest travel times in the ranking. And the train from Schiphol Airport reaches the city centre in around 17 minutes, allowing families to get settled quickly after landing.

The city also scored highly for walkability, meaning many attractions are easy to reach by foot or short tram rides.

Children often love the canal boat tours, interactive museums like NEMO Science Museum, and the many parks and playgrounds across the city. Amsterdam’s relaxed pace makes it particularly well-suited to short family getaways.

There may be some areas of the city not appropriate for children, but there’s plenty to do as a family.

6. Valencia, Spain – Best for family activities

Valencia stands out for its wide range of family-friendly attractions.

The city is home to the famous City of Arts and Sciences complex, which includes an aquarium, science museum and planetarium that can easily fill an entire day with activities for children.

Flights from the UK average around two hours and thirty-five minutes, and the airport metro reaches the centre in roughly 20 minutes.

Valencia also performs well for walkability, making it easy to explore parks, museums and beaches without long journeys.

The city’s Turia Gardens, a park built in a former riverbed, stretches for miles through the centre and is filled with playgrounds, cycle paths and open spaces where children can run and play.

7. Basel, Switzerland – Best compact family destination

Basel may be smaller than many cities in the ranking, but that’s part of its appeal for families.

The airport tram takes around 25 minutes to reach the centre, and the city ranks among the most walkable destinations in the index.

Basel also performs well for accessibility, meaning public transport and streets are easier to navigate with prams or pushchairs.

Families can spend time along the Rhine riverbanks, explore museums, or enjoy the many playgrounds located across the city’s historic centre. Its compact layout means many attractions can be explored in a single weekend.

8. Kraków, Poland – Best for affordable family breaks

Kraków offers one of the best-value city breaks for families travelling from the UK.

Flights take around two hours and forty-five minutes, and the airport train reaches the centre in about 17 minutes.

The city also offers more than 1,000 family-friendly accommodation options, providing plenty of choice for families looking for affordable places to stay.

Kraków’s walkable Old Town makes exploring easy, with most attractions located close together.

Families can wander around the enormous Main Market Square, visit nearby castles or enjoy horse carriage rides through the historic centre.

9. Prague, Czechia – Best for storybook scenery

Prague’s castle skyline and winding streets feel like something from a fairytale.

Flights from the UK take just over two hours on average, and while the airport transfer can take slightly longer than other cities, the destination still ranks highly thanks to its wide range of attractions.

The city offers more than 300 activities suitable for families and performs well for walkability once visitors reach the centre.

Families can explore Prague Castle, watch the famous Astronomical Clock come to life, or take a boat ride along the Vltava River.

10. Vienna, Austria – Best for kid-friendly museums

Vienna rounds out the top 10 thanks to its balance of cultural attractions and family-friendly infrastructure.

Flights from the UK take around two and a half hours, and the City Airport Train connects travellers to the centre in roughly 16 minutes.

The city also offers more than 1,200 accommodation options, giving families plenty of choice when booking places to stay.

Vienna ranks highly for walkability, making it easy to explore historic streets, parks and museums without long travel times.

Families can visit Schönbrunn Palace and its famous zoo, explore interactive museums or spend time at Prater amusement park, which offers classic fairground rides, family attractions and the iconic Giant Ferris Wheel, giving visitors panoramic views across the city.

Best cities by category

👨‍👩‍👧 Best overall family break: Copenhagen, Denmark

🎡 Best for kids’ attractions: Berlin, Germany

🏖 Best for beach and city: Barcelona, Spain

🚲 Best for quick travel: Amsterdam, Netherlands

🏛 Best for culture with kids: Florence, Italy

🌞 Best for activities: Valencia, Spain

Tips for travelling with toddlers and young children

Plan fewer activities each day. Trying to see too much in one day can quickly overwhelm young children. Planning one or two main activities usually works best.

Build park or playground stops into your plans. Parks give children space to run around and reset between sightseeing. Many European cities have playgrounds located close to major attractions.

Choose accommodation in central areas. Staying close to the main sights makes it easier to return to your hotel for naps or breaks during the day.

Leave room for flexibility. Unexpected delays or tired children can change plans quickly. Leaving space in your schedule for breaks or slower moments can make the trip far more enjoyable for everyone.

Bring more snacks than you think you’ll need. Snacks can quickly solve hunger-related meltdowns when travelling. Easy options like fruit, crackers or snack bars are useful to have during flights, transfers or sightseeing.

Use a lightweight travel stroller. Even if your child usually prefers walking, a compact stroller can be invaluable during long sightseeing days. It provides a place for children to rest when they get tired.