Family-Friendly City Holidays
If you’re backpacking but partying less now that you’ve got a family to take care of, do not fear – the fun doesn’t have to end. Granted you’ll be looking for a very different kind of holiday, but arguably, you now have more options to choose from.
This article goes through five of the best family-friendly city holidays you can take your partner and little ones on.
Berlin
Berlin is famed for its relentless nightlife, so it might not be the first place that comes to mind when considering a city to take your family to. Surprisingly, though, Berlin is actually just great for kids.
If your little ones are particularly young, you should take them to Kollwitz Platz, which features a massive and beautiful playground, with plenty of child-friendly cafés and ice-cream parlours around. Make sure you check out Legoland in Potsdamer Platz, as well as the German Museum of Technology for loads of interactive exhibits.
Paris
On the surface, Paris probably isn’t as kid-friendly as Berlin: the streets aren’t great for pushing strollers around, and most restaurants don’t have highchairs. Still, it doesn’t mean the city doesn’t have plenty of stuff for you and the toddlers to enjoy.
If you don’t fancy queuing all day to see the Eiffel Tower, visit Luxembourg Gardens Playground, The Doll Museum, or the rooftop of Forum des Halles de Paris for themed outdoor eating and exhibitions.
Dubai
Taking your kids to Dubai is a good move: the place will seem akin to heaven to them. You might have a hard time tearing them away from Kidzania, a ‘country’ for kids inside a massive mall, where they will be able to drive fire trucks, pilot planes, and do health check-ups, all with their very own local currency.
If you want to beat the heat when outdoors (all indoor spaces are air-conditioned to the hilt), take your charges skiing in the middle of the desert. If the snow doesn’t appeal and the kids want to splash around, Aquaventure is highly recommended, where they can frolic around in the massive water park.
Amsterdam
Like Berlin, Amsterdam probably doesn’t usually make the list of family-friendly holiday destinations. So it may come as a surprise to you that Amsterdam is also chock full of family-friendly activities. Take a stroll through Vondelpark in the summer where there are all kinds of outdoor activities aimed at kids, or take them on an all-you-can-eat Pancake Cruise. And if you really want to blow their minds, take them to Nemo, a huge science centre for kids.
Barcelona
Barcelona is just great for kids. The museums and galleries are legion and of course there’s the beach. If things get too scorching on the sands, you can cool off with a trip to the aquarium or the zoo. This city is equally great for parents owing to the amount of free things to do for families, including the Ciutadella Park which has a boating lake and a special section for kids and their activities. There are also local fiestas going on across the various neighbourhoods in the city.
