The best city break holidays for families in 2023

The Best Family Friendly City Breaks

Now is the time that many parents will be getting ahead with their organisation and planning 2023’s family holidays. Although a beach escape with the children sounds like the obvious choice, many cities across Europe are able to offer a perfect and unique getaway for both adults and younger visitors together.

Cascais, Portugal

Historically a refuge for Portuguese nobility during WWII, and now an elegant blend of 19th-century architecture and traditional Portuguese charm, Cascais is a veritable paradise for those seeking endless culture, sun and sand. The historic wealth of Cascais’ royal past is still visible on every winding cobbled street, with grand palaces and extravagant villas dotted in between boutiques and classic eateries. A yet undiscovered region of Portugal that is just 20 minutes by train from Portugal’s capital of Lisbon, the charming cultural town of Cascais and neighbouring palatial Sintra offers a welcome escape for all of the family. 

The all-inclusive West Route package is a great way for families to see Cascais, with a number of different activities included to keep children and adults alike entertained. The West Route is a pedestrian route that links the coastline with the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and is intended to be completed in 3 days and 2 nights, with glamping style accommodation and local Portuguese cuisine.  

Over the 3 days, families can experience many activities along the route including:  

• Meeting a local Beekeeper – visit a beehive, extract the honey and learn about their importance for biodiversity and food production as pollinators  
• Meeting a local Ranger – experience daily tasks, check the fences and gates, feed the horses, sheep and donkeys, learn about their task in maintaining the landscape and encouraging the habitat for other species 
• Meeting a local Farmer – take some time to learn about organic food and the importance of local and seasonal fresh vegetable in our diet, participate in the vegetable garden tasks 
• Meeting a local Biologist – go deep in the wood, learn how the biologist team monitor the fauna, help to set up the trail cameras, learn about the endangered butterfly and look for the birds of prey with the binoculars 
• A Canopy Trail – create some adrenaline by going up to the tree canopy level, you can experience climbing and experience a zip line and an archery trail 
• Horse or Donkey riding – experience a horse ride in the park, or a trail with the company of a friendly donkey

Prices from €500 (approx. £416) per person for 1 night including food and glamping accommodation.

For more information, please visit: www.visitcascais.com

 

Basel, Switzerland

Basel, Switzerland makes for a fantastic city break option for families with children. One of the top activities to enjoy with kids is visiting Basel Zoo. Known affectionately as “Zolli” by Basel's inhabitants, Basel Zoo opened in 1874 and is the oldest and largest zoo in Switzerland, home to a large number of indigenous and exotic animals, including elephants, lions, and monkeys.

Another must-visit spot for families is the Rhine River. You can take a boat tour along the river to admire the picturesque scenery and learn about the history and culture of the region. For a fun and educational experience, families can visit the Rhine Museum, which offers interactive exhibits on the history and environment of the river. In the warmer months, Rhine swimming becomes one of the most popular activities in the city. Families can float down the gentle current along the river through the picturesque Old Town with the floating Wickelfisch (swim bag) available from the tourism board -  helping keep everyone’s belongings dry whilst swimming, splashing and floating along.

For a break from the outdoors, families can visit the Schaulager Museum. It is an innovative museum that showcases contemporary art and offers interactive exhibitions for children. Children can participate in workshops and learn about the creative process of artists. The museum also features a large play area for kids to enjoy.

Whether it's learning about art, exploring the great outdoors, or spending time with animals, there's no shortage of things to do in Basel with children.

For more information, please visit: www.basel.com/en

 

Leipzig, Germany

From spectacular rollercoaster­ rides at BELANTIS, challenging adventures in the climbing­ forest, exciting discovery ­tours through zoological parks and adventurous travels on historic railways – Leipzig, Germany, offers a wide range of activities to keep families with children of all ages entertained.

The "Wild Robert" train is a popular attraction for families – the small steam train runs on a scenic route through the countryside surrounding Leipzig and offers visitors a relaxed and enjoyable way to explore the region. The train is named after a famous character in German folklore, and its route passes through picturesque villages and rolling hills, offering stunning views of the landscape. The train known for its traditional decor and old-fashioned ambiance, is a nostalgic experience for children and adults alike, offering a step back in time to a simpler era when steam trains were a common mode of transportation. Along the way, the train makes stops at historic villages and landmarks, giving passengers the chance to explore and learn about the local culture and history.

The UNIKATUM Children's Museum is a hands-on museum designed specifically for children and families, offering interactive exhibits and activities that promote learning and exploration. The museum's exhibitions cover a wide range of subjects, from science and technology to arts and culture, and are designed to engage and educate children of all ages. At the UNIKATUM Children's Museum, kids can participate in hands-on experiments, explore interactive installations, and play with a variety of educational toys and games. The museum also features a large play area, where children can let their imaginations run wild and engage in imaginative play.

The Panometer Leipzig boasts the world's largest 360° panorama where visitors can immerse themselves in strange and fascinating worlds. The former Gasometer II dating back to 1910 is located in the south of Leipzig and has housed the 360° panoramas by the artist Yadegar Asisi since 2003. At a height of 32 metres and a circumference of 110 metres, the Panometer Leipzig puts you at the centre of the largest 360° panoramas in the world, a captivating experience for little ones and adults alike. The realistic experience is supported by 15-minute day and night variations, which are simulated acoustically with background music and noises as well as various light effects.

For more information, please visit: www.leipzig.travel/en/

 

Martinhal Residences – Luxury Apartments for Families in Lisbon

Opening in late Spring 2023, Martinhal Residences are the new branded hotel residences from the award-winning luxury family hotel and residential resorts brand, Martinhal.  Martinhal Residences provide a luxury city experience for short and long-term family stays in Lisbon, featuring a selection of 5-star fully-equipped studios and apartments with extensive facilities for children including on-site babysitting, childcare concierge, a kid’s pool, and family-friendly dining. A wealth of cultural and sporting options for families are within walking distance from Martinhal’s new development including the Lisbon Oceanarium, Knowledge Pavillion, cable car and Lisbon’s main event venue, Altice Arena.

Families can also extend their stay and add on a couple of nights at Martinhal Chiado to explore old Lisbon, or look to heading South to Portugal’s Algarve where Martinhal has 2 further properties designed for family holidays.

Stays can now be booked from £134 per night for a Studio Apartment from May 2023.

Here’s what you can expect from your stay:

• Carefully detailed and designed accommodation ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments.
• All apartments have a well-equipped kitchen with an array of brands such as Bruma and Smeg, so that guests can take advantage of the local food markets and prepare meals and snacks at home.
• 24hr concierge

• Wellness amenities - indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools, kids’ pools, well-equipped gym
• Childcare facilities - baby concierge service, supervised kid’s club, family room and baby-sitting services
• Family-friendly dining – an all-day café, bar and restaurant, Terrace, takes guests from a cosy café in the morning to a fast paced-grab-and-go at lunchtime, snacks and evening meals.
• Excellent transport links - Lisbon airport is 10 minutes away and Lisbon old town 20 minutes
• Close to the United Lisbon International School, for long stays.
• Business centre with elegant office & co-working spaces with call pods, for parents who need to keep switched on during their holidays.

For more information, please visit: www.martinhalresidences.com/ 

 

The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences, London

The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences – an independent, five-star hotel in the heart of Mayfair – has joined forces with children’s audio platform, Yoto, to broaden its family offering and provide little guests with fun and educational content to keep them entertained during their stay.

The brand-new collaboration will introduce a selection of Yoto audio players, library card content, and accessories that will be made available to families in the comfort of their own hotel rooms.  Referred to as the heartbeat of a family home, Yoto provides more than 1,000 stories as well as a selection of music and activities. Perhaps your little one wants to sing along to Disney’s Encanto? Listen to Frozen on repeat? Wind down at bedtime to the complete collection of Winnie-the-Pooh or Peppa’s Bedtime Stories? Whatever your little one’s go-to is, there is so much choice with Yoto.

And the best thing? The carefully connected speakers are screen-free. They put kids in control of their listening, learning, and play. No microphones. No cameras. No ads.

Colourful accessories allow children to personalise the players during their stay, organise their card collections, and use child-safe headphones. The partnership will also involve a 10% discount being offered exclusively to guests of The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences, as well as exciting social media competitions with prizes to be won. 

In addition to this exciting new partnership, families can enjoy a range of other facilities and activities at the family-run hotel.  The hotel’s private residences, for example, are ideal for families and come complete with views over Green Park or Mayfair, fully-equipped kitchens, dining areas and sitting rooms, plus interconnecting bedrooms, child beds and cots on request (let’s not forget the bunk beds, too!).  The hotel also has a children’s concierge service which offers lots for children, from toys tailored to little ones’ interests, kite-flying in the neighbouring royal parks and milk and biscuits before bedtime.  Additionally, a team of nannies and babysitters are on hand to allow parents some downtime, and when it comes to dining, the hotel’s signature British restaurant, 116 at The Athenaeum, provides special options tailored for little ones. Parents will be delighted to know that breakfast is complimentary for all children, too.

For more information on The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences, please visit: www.athenaeumhotel.com

For more information on Yoto, please visit: uk.yotoplay.com

 

Vienna, Austria

The Austrian capital of Vienna is a city of spectacular art and music, inspiring visitors from all generations, making it the perfect urban break for families. 

Children up to six years old always travel for free on Vienna's public transport services, which is incredibly well connected and allows families to get around the city with ease. During the Vienna school holidays, on Sundays and public holidays, all children under 15 years of age also ride for free on public transport.

The comprehensive and free wienXtra-kinderinfo in the MuseumsQuartier provides information on the current activities available for kids in Vienna. There are also a number of free activities for children visiting Vienna, with the following museums offering free admission to children under 19 years of age:

• Albertina
• Museum of Military History
• Museum of Fine Arts
• MAK - Museum of Applied Art
• mumok - Museum of Modern Art
• Museum of Natural History
• Austrian National Library
• Austrian Theater Museum
• Museum of Technology
• Wien Museum Karlsplatz
• Exhibition at the ZOOM Children's Museum

For families interested in the arts, a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, or Museum of Fine Arts, is a must. This museum has an impressive collection of pieces from all over the world, including masterpieces by famous artists such as Rembrandt, Rubens, and Velázquez. The museum also offers various interactive exhibitions and workshops for children, making it a fun and educational experience for the whole family.

There are also some museums which offer free admission for the whole family: 

• MUSA Museum Start Gallery Artothek
• Free for all on the 1st Sunday of every month: Wien Museum Karlsplatz, Roman Museum, Collection of Clocks and Watches, Wien Museum Hermesvilla in the Lainz Game Reserve and the Museum of Military History

Another must-visit attraction in Vienna is the Prater amusement park, which has been in the city for over 250 years. Offering a wide range of rides, such as gentle carousels for younger children to heart-pumping roller coasters for older kids and adults, as well as a number of food stalls, the park is the ideal day out for families visiting Vienna. 

An exciting day in Vienna can end at the Luftburg adventure world. While the kids burn off energy in the 1,000 m2 bouncy castle adventure world, the adults can restore their strength at Restaurant Luftburg – Kolarik im Prater with Wiener schnitzel, knuckle of pork or spare ribs.

Parents can do a spot of relaxed shopping in the Millennium Tower on the banks of the Danube, while the children play in the Monki Park, an indoor family-oriented park with high-rope climbing garden and jungle trampoline. 

For more information, please visit: www.wien.info/en