Travelling with the little ones does not always give the whole "relaxed holiday vibe" for parents.
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From struggling in airport queues, carrying all the extra essentials and dealing with the odd tantrum, even a short one- or two-day trip away can take the stress levels up a notch.
Now that the Easter and summer holidays are on the horizon, many parents will be searching for the ideal place where they can take their kids away for a family break.
With this in mind, travel booking platform LateRooms has created a new “Family Breaks Index”, which ranks the easiest European city breaks for UK travellers with babies, toddlers and young children.
The index examines the factors that matter most for family travel, including average flight times from UK airports, airport transfer times, walkability and accessibility, the number of child-friendly attractions and the availability of family-friendly accommodation.
Copenhagen tops the ranking
According to the LateRooms index, Denmark’s capital Copenhagen was ranked overall as the “easiest and most enjoyable" family city break, thanks to its short flights from the UK, ease of getting around, a varied choice of accommodation, and a host of experiences that families can enjoy.
With flights from the UK taking less than two hours on average, and a Metro ride from the airport to the city centre only around 15 minutes, the journey to Copenhagen is “quick and manageable even with tired toddlers in tow”.
Once there, Copenhagen is easy to explore with the city scoring 99/100 for walkability. This means that many attractions can be “reached on foot without long journeys or complicated transport”.
Copenhagen’s playgrounds and waterfront spaces also make it “one of Europe’s most welcoming destinations for families”, the index said, and the city itself is “full of family experiences”.
Highlights include Tivoli Gardens, “which inspired Disneyland’s design”, and Nyhavn’s colourful harbour which “feels like a picture-book setting for a relaxed afternoon walk”.
Ranked in second, Berlin is best for family attractions and “one of the best destinations in Europe for keeping children entertained”. The German capital has more than 200 activities suitable for families, providing plenty to fill a weekend itinerary.
Families can explore Berlin Zoo, visit interactive museums such as the Deutsches Technikmuseum, or relax in the “sprawling” Tiergarten park.
In third spot on the index, Barcelona is best for beach and city breaks, offering “one of the best combinations of sightseeing and outdoor space for families”. The Spanish city also boasts more than 400 attractions suitable for families, making it one of the most activity-rich destinations in the ranking.
Which cities are ranked in the top 10?
According to the LateRooms Family Breaks Index, the top 10 easiest European city breaks for families are:
- 1. Copenhagen, Denmark: Best overall family city break
- 2. Berlin, Germany: Best for family attractions
- 3. Barcelona, Spain: Best for beach and city breaks
- 4. Florence, Italy: Best for relaxed cultural trips
- 5. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Best for short family trips
- 6. Valencia, Spain: Best for family activities
- 7. Basel, Switzerland: Best compact family destination
- 8. Kraków, Poland: Best for affordable family breaks
- 9. Prague, Czechia: Best for storybook scenery
- 10. Vienna, Austria: Best for kid-friendly museums