Family friendly: seven European destinations with a difference
Family travel in Europe is enormously rewarding, and the sheer breadth of experiences on offer is pretty much inexhaustible. It’s often the places that might not seem like obvious family destinations that will surprise you the most: from Unesco-listed old towns and iconic historical sites to fantastic areas for family hiking and cycling, fairytale castles and palaces that evoke a genuine sense of wonder, and beautiful beaches, there’s plenty to discover. Here are some of the best places to enjoy a family holiday in Europe that you might not have thought of yet.
Vienna verve
Few countries do family travel like Austria – whether it’s a fairytale-themed hiking trail in the mountains, a supremely family-friendly museum, or simply the impeccable hospitality. The Austrian capital Vienna is one of the most dazzlingly culture-rich cities on Earth, and is also a fantastic place to spend time as a family. Along with some of the world’s greatest art collections, kids will love the Schönbrunn Zoo (the world’s oldest zoo) with its giant pandas. There’s Vienna’s mind-bending House of Illusions, and the excellent, immersive Haus der Musik, as well as the Children’s Museum in the Schönbrunn Palace, the Natural History Museum and Museum of Science & Technology. Take a Danube cruise or spend a day cycling in the stunning Unesco-listed Wachau valley (home to Austria’s finest Grüner Veltliner, parents will be pleased to know), or visit the world-famous spa town Baden bei Wien.
Where to stay
Next door to the museum of technology and only a five-minute walk from Schönbrunn Palace’s imperial grandeur, Doubletree by Hilton Vienna Schönbrunn is perfectly placed for exploring the Austrian capital. And with interconnecting rooms, the hotel is well suited to families.
Picturesque Prague
Prague charms from above and below, with its castle and skyline bristling with medieval towers, cobbled streets and squares, and sculpture-encrusted bridges spanning the River Vltava. Along with must-see places such as the gothic masterpiece which is the Church of Our Lady before Týn, and the iconic Charles Bridge, make sure you check out the National Marionette Theatre, which is one of the best places to delve into Czechia’s spectacularly rich heritage of puppetry. South-east of the city, Aquapalace Praha is one of the largest aqua parks in central Europe, with 21 water slides (up to 250-metres long), or, for even more of an adrenaline rush, head for the Prosek bobsleigh track (children under the age of eight must be accompanied by an adult). You can even grab a high-speed train from Prague to our next destination, Dresden, to further your family adventure.
Where to stay
The art deco-style Hilton Prague Old Town is just a few minutes’ walk from both the old town and the main railway station and is ideal for a stay with older children. It boasts a health club and spa and an indoor pool, as well as family rooms and suites. Meanwhile, Hilton Prague, on the banks of the River Vltava, also has a spa and indoor swimming pool, with six restaurants to choose from. Children are well catered for – under-10s can eat for free when accompanied by a paying adult at the Cafe & Bistro, on the hotel’s indoor terrace. There’s also the option of enjoying drinks at the Cloud 9 Sky Bar & Lounge rooftop bar, while taking in stunning views of the river.
Dreamy Dresden
On the banks of the Elbe, Dresden remains one of the most impressive cities in Germany, and along with all the magnificent architecture and history, there’s plenty to do here as a family. Don’t miss the Green Vault – the largest treasure collection in Europe – while no one can fail to be impressed by the soaring Frauenkirche. The Erich Kästner House for Literature celebrates the work of this beloved children’s author (best known for Emil and the Detectives), while the miniature steam railway in the Großer Garten will charm younger visitors. Dresden’s surroundings include some of Saxony’s finest vineyards, and the Elbe Cycle Path is a fantastic route for families – head north-west to Meissen’s historic porcelain factory, or east to the extraordinary landscape of Saxon Switzerland national park, with its breathtaking sandstone towers and easy walking trails.
Where to stay
Right in the heart of the old city centre (Altstadt), Hilton Dresden is the perfect base for exploring this magnificent city and its surroundings. The hotel has a splendid coffee house, and a wellness offering including an indoor pool with sauna and an outdoor whirlpool. The junior duplex suite will be a hit with families, while the queen executive family room sleeps three.
Warsaw’s wonders
Poland’s capital city is an awe-inspiring mishmash of modern skyscrapers, gothic cathedrals and baroque palaces that will dazzle kids and adults of all ages. The city is dissected by the mighty Vistula River, whose banks are a veritable playground for children: think urban beaches bustling with volleyball games, boulevards brimming with promenades and restaurants, and boat tours so you see and experience it all. Away from the river, the city’s Be Happy museum is a powder-pink wonderland, filled with eminently Instagrammable unicorns, swings and other fantastical attractions that social-media savvy teens would kill to be snapped playing on. Or, for more retro family fun, head to Pinball Station, a museum of arcade games with more than 100 playable stations to while away the hours on.
Le Petit Chef dinner experience at Hilton Warsaw City features animations projected straight on to the table
Where to stay
Just a 15-minute drive from Warsaw Chopin airport and featuring connecting rooms, Hilton Warsaw City is the ideal base for parents who want convenience and alone time, without being completely cut off from the little ones. A breakfast buffet promises a no-stress start to your day, while the innovative Le Petit Chef dinner experience provides family entertainment in the evening. Menu selections cater to adults and youngsters, and life-like animations are projected straight to your table. The hotel is also a champion of accessibility for disabilities both seen and unseen. As a member of the global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme, if you live with a hidden disability you can rest assured that your Sunflower badge will be recognised immediately upon arrival. The hotel boasts a wide range of accessibility adjustments, from wider-than-standard doors and bathroom grab bars to braille elevators and visual alarms for people with hearing impairments.
Kid-tastic Kraków
The magnificent, Unesco-listed city of Kraków has masses of history and stacks of atmosphere, and there are plenty of things here that kids will absolutely love. Start with the vast main square, Rynek Główny (one of the largest medieval squares in Europe), visit the Wawel Royal Castle and cathedral, explore the old Jewish quarter of Kazimierz, and check out Mocak (one of Poland’s best contemporary art galleries). Perhaps most impressive of all, however – and a genuine show-stealer for kids – is the Unesco-listed Wieliczka salt mine, with a staggering 245km of galleries on multiple levels opening up to vast halls and chambers carved out of rock.
Where to stay
Hotel Saski Kraków, Curio Collection by Hilton occupies a beautiful ornate building in the heart of the old town, just a block from the main square, and offers connecting rooms, an indoor pool, and a bespoke family experience for under-12s, including a dedicated kids’ breakfast experience. Near the Vistula River and the tethered hot air balloon (over-fours only), as well as walking distance to Kazimierz and the castle, Hilton Garden Inn Kraków is child-friendly with connecting rooms. The hotel is also handy for attractions such as the old town, and if you’re staying in, there’s a restaurant and bar as well as an evening room service and 24-hour shop.
Dutch delights
A family holiday in the Netherlands comes with world-class museums, big sandy beaches, and some of the best family cycling in Europe. Explore the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House and the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam. Also, pencil in the Kunsthal artspace in Rotterdam and Escher in the Palace in the Hague. Take a boat tour on the canals, check out the breathtaking Tulip festival, and visit the enormous Beekse Bergen safari park. Travelling by train is a great way to see the Netherlands: you can start out in Amsterdam, jump on the train and be in the Hague in under an hour, finishing up in Rotterdam – another short trip by rail.
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Where to stay
The canalside Hilton Amsterdam is set in a quiet neighbourhood that’s still well-placed to explore the city. The hotel, site of John and Yoko’s famed bed-in peace protest in 1969, offers bike rental to help you get out and about. Or, if you fancy staying closer to home, dine at its Italian restaurant, Roberto’s. Surrounded by woodlands, DoubleTree by Hilton Royal Parc Soestduinen is close to charming Amersfoort as well as the Soestduinen Golf Club and Soester dunes. The hotel itself has an impressive indoor pool at the health club and spa. Hilton Rotterdam is right in the city centre, and is surrounded by bars and restaurants. It’s just 40 minutes by RET metro to the huge sandy beach at Hoek van Holland, with its local surf school. Hilton The Hague has a stunning Peruvian and Japanese restaurant, BlueBlood, with a centre-piece bar for cocktails. The hotel is within easy walking distance of the Royal Noordeinde Palace and the Peace Palace, and Scheveningen beach is just a short tram ride away. All of these hotels have family connecting rooms.
Charming Croatia
Croatia is a fabulous place to travel with kids, in particular the coast – think gorgeous beaches, a seemingly limitless number of islands to explore, hikes in the nearby mountains, national parks with masses of cascading waterfalls, and the chance to see dolphins from a ferry. You’ll also find exquisitely preserved medieval old towns. Dubrovnik was founded circa AD614 by coastal dwellers fleeing the barbarians – so there was plenty of activity before the incredible medieval walls were built (visit them in the morning before it gets too hot). Take a boat over to the island of Lokrum with its botanical garden, wandering peacocks and sandy beach, and enjoy a cable car ride up to Mount Srđ. A trip to Croatia also offers up wonderful food and some of the cleanest waters on the Adriatic.
Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik looks out over the stunning old town
Where to stay
On the outskirts of Rijeka, Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa is a lovely place to stay – stylish, spacious and luxurious, with indoor and outdoor pools, a Michelin-starred restaurant, kids’ club, a 200-metre pebble beach, and some of the finest views of the Kvarner gulf from your balcony. Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik has an excellent location just a five-minute walk from the 15th-century Pile gate. It has stacks of period charm, an indoor pool, and stunning views out across the Unesco-listed old town.
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