8 Best European Countries to Visit With Family (Kid-Tested!)
Since we started traveling the world as a family in 2017, we’ve had the incredible opportunity to explore some of Europe best countries to visit. From the vibrant cities to the breathtaking landscapes, there’s no shortage of top places to visit across the continent. Whether you’re seeking adventure, culture, or relaxation, Europe best places to visit offer something for everyone.
This article highlights our favorite European countries to visit. This is just based on our personal experiences as a large family traveling Europe. As time goes on and our family travels continue to new countries, we will update this list.
Number 8 Europe Best Countries To Visit: Belgium
The last on our list is Belgium. This country is home to one of our favorite attractions we have visited, the Chocolate Museum. Our kids loved it and still talk about the way chocolate is made.
Why we think Belgium is one of the best European countries to visit
Belgium is at the bottom of our list. Belgium has tons of attractions and culture to share. The food is amazing, but we did get sick after eating at a restaurant and suspected food poisoning. We were so sick that it ruined a big chunk of our trip. All the other places we ate were amazing.
If you are planning your visit to Belgium during the Christmas period, you are going to love the Christmas shops staggered around Brussels! They really bring the Christmas spirit to the city.
A brief of what we did in Belgium during our family trip to Europe
We visited Brussels in December when they had the Christmas market open. This was a great way to enjoy the holiday time period. If you get a chance I would recommend trying the Glühwein wine. It reminded me of the good old days of hot caramel apple cider.
The day we walked around the city was fun! There was so much that our children got to see and do. They enjoyed the Christmas decor around the city as well. The city had a bunch of small areas where you could get great family photos.
And the best for last, the highlight of the trip was the Chocolate Museum. This is a must if you have children. It was so great we wrote an article specifically about the Chocolate Museum.
What we wish we knew ahead of time for our family trip to Belgium
We went during the Christmas time and visited the Christmas shops all throughout Brussels. We did not see many parks or playgrounds. But there were plenty of open parks with green gardens where you could relax and let the children run around for a bit.
The Atomium Museum was very disappointing. I wish we had gone to the miniature town attraction next to the Atomium. You may want to consider saving your family travel budget and skip the Atomium. You can see more about the activities we did in our Brussels Itinerary blog post.
The city is large and covers a lot of square miles. You and your family will do a lot of walking. And the walking paths are made of bumpy cobblestone. I highly recommend a child carrier over a stroller.
Dad’s top travel tip for Belgium (The No. 8 top country to visit Europe)
Pack comfortable shoes
You will be doing a lot of walking. There are plenty of places to take a break and rest, but you will need comfortable shoes. Don’t go stingy on your shoes in this country.
Belgium Pros
- Waffles
- Food
- Chocolate
Belgium Cons
- Lack of playgrounds
- Kids get bored fast
- Expensive compared to other countries
Number 7 Europe Best Countries To Visit: Portugal
Portugal was our first experience of Europe. And boy were we impressed!! The locals were extremely nice, helpful, and patient. The food was delicious and flavorful. And if you have a large family like ours, you may get a preference for services.
Why we think Portugal is one of the best European countries to visit
I would like to say first of all that Portugal is a must mainly for the food! The culture is great, but man the food is by far some of the best I have had.
The cost of living is very affordable. Portugal is very similar to Spain when it comes to the cost of living. Your money can go very far in Portugal.
If you are not so much of a foodie, don’t worry there is still the culture, architecture, beaches, and people. If you are an Instagram photo professional, you will find amazing backdrops around every corner in Portugal. You can go from amazing street art to historical buildings that maintain their beauty just by turning a corner.
Portugal is one of those countries in Europe that have become an expat hub. Over the last few years thousands have flocked to the affordability of Portugal and now call the country home. It is one of the countries to visit in Europe that makes you think, we could live here.
We have a great post about our 3 day itinerary with kids in Lisbon as well, if you want to read more about it.
A brief of what we did in Portugal during our family trip to Europe
On our way to move to Valencia Spain, a deal was made with my wife that we would stay a few days in Lisbon since we did not make it a home base.
After landing in Lisbon, we went straight to our Airbnb. We found an amazing restaurant about a half mile from the city plaza. And this is when I discovered my love of Portuguese food.
Over the next few days, we visited the Christmas lights in the city plaza and walked around the city to admire the city lights and Christmas decor.
One place you need to see when visiting Lisbon is the Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora. We spent the whole day walking around the monastery. We got to see the roof and church bell, inside the courtyard, and all the chapels.
This was a great introduction to Europe for starting out a family travel journey.
What we wish we knew ahead of time for our family trip to Portugal
The hills in Lisbon were a wake-up call for our out-of-shape American bodies. The hills are steep in places and there are a lot of stairs. Not a very stroller-friendly place. You may want to consider a baby carrier (we recommend the Deuter Kid Comfort).
We did not find very many playgrounds to take breaks and let our kids just play. Being our first country to visit we had a hard time finding somewhere for the kids to run around and play.
Dad’s top travel tip for Portugal (The No. 7 top country to visit Europe)
Watch your step
While walking around the city, we saw tons of dog poop all over the sidewalk. Watch your step and make sure your children are watching theirs as well.
Portugal Pros
- Food
- Families with kids get priority
- Locals
- Cost
Portugal Cons
- Poor heat in winter
- Not many playgrounds
- Lots of hills
- Not stroller friendly
Number 6 Europe Best Countries To Visit: France
The reason this country is so far down on the list is because of our experiences in Southern France and the middle. Paris is one of our favorite cities. We have a whole post dedicated to tips for visiting Southern France that you definitely should check out if traveling there soon.
Why we think France is one of the best European countries to visit
France is one of the most popular countries to visit in Europe. I believe it is mostly because of Paris. This European country is home to some of the most iconic travel sites and buildings. Let’s not forget the delicious pastries and other French food.
In the south of France, you have the famous Instagram hot spot of Provence lavender fields. You have seen them posted on social media, the purple bushes with the blue sky backdrops. Amazing and beautiful! We have a post about our visit to the French lavender fields as well.
A brief of what we did in France during our family trip to Europe
I will start with Paris, an amazing city. I personally was pleasantly surprised with the city. So much so that I told my wife I could live here. The city is an amazing melting pot of diverse people all there to absorb the Paris culture.
We did a lot of the Paris tourist things but missed a lot more due to time. I can’t wait to go back to Paris and explore the city more.
Tip: We have made a post about all the fantastic places to get great photos in Paris.
Just outside of Paris, we did Monet’s garden (check out our top tips for visiting Monet’s gardens). This has to be one of those hidden gems people take for granted. Personally, I found Monet’s garden a better place for family travel over the Palace of Versailles. (check out the tips For visiting Versailles with kids).
We have also done Southern France. We were lucky enough to visit the lavender gardens of Provence. And to be honest, we got some great family pictures! Here is a great blog post if you are planning a family visit.
What we wish we knew ahead of time for our family trip to France
I have recently been diagnosed with celiac disease and found it extremely difficult to find food in Southern France that I could eat. This did stink for me, but not too bad for the children. Pairs had more choices for gluten-free food.
The lack of playgrounds was something we noticed throughout France. The only time we found a playground was at those amazing truck/rest stops on the highways in the south. You may find it difficult to keep your kids entertained at times. We talk more about this in our post of Driving Tips in France as well.
Dad’s top travel tip for France (The No. 6 top country to visit Europe)
The City of Love
All I have to say to husbands and spouses is: don’t let your wife out of your sight for more than a few seconds. She will get hit on right away. DON’T LET HER LEAVE YOUR ARM! This is called the ‘City of Love’ for a reason. On the other hand, my wife was quite flattered. It’s a difference in opinion, I guess.
France Pros
- Local food
- Paris
- Truck/rest stops on the highway
France Cons
- Lack of gluten-free choices
- Not many playgrounds
- Crowds
Number 5 Europe Best Countries To Visit: The Netherlands.
The Netherlands was a favorite with our middle children. They loved the Netherlands for the weather (which was during a heat wave) and the buffet we went to near our AirBnB. When you ask them about the Netherlands the first thing they will mention or say is “remember the buffet with the free slushies”. The Netherlands is a close tie with Italy.
Why we think the Netherlands is one of the best European countries to visit
The Netherlands is home to the Dutch, Holland, and lots of windmills. You may think that the Netherlands might not be child-friendly, but I would disagree.
Besides Amsterdam, which was still kid-friendly just stay away from the red light district, you have the Hague and Rotterdam. Lovely cities and full of tons of things to see and visit.
Let’s not forget about Leiden. Leiden is more like Main Street America and a great place to just simply walk around. If you can get a chance to travel outside the busy cities, this would be one place you need to visit.
A brief of what we did in The Netherlands during our family trip to Europe
We spent a day in Amsterdam and really enjoyed the visit. We booked a boat tour before our vacation. When we got there at our designated time, we were told to wait because they were overbooked. The next boat took an hour to leave. This is common so please don’t worry as the staff was really nice.
Tip: Here is the link to the boat tour we took and had an amazing lesson in Amsterdam history.
We did discover an amazing buffet our first night that we all still talk about. Probably the best buffet we have been in in the world. Slushies, soda, energy drinks, and many more types of drinks were included. And they had stations of food from around the world. To top it off there was a playground inside for the children to play on during the meal.
The Hauge I felt is underrated. We spent a day there and enjoyed all that the city had to offer. We did discover a TJ Maxx. After being in Europe for 6 years, it was really exciting to see something like this store. If you know you know.
And probably our favorite part of the trip (besides the buffet) was Leiden. This was such a beautiful small town. We walked around the city and university. Had lunch near a playground where children enjoyed playing pirates. Not to mention our kids actually ate the food.
I would highly recommend taking a day trip to Leiden if you want a peaceful day with the children.
We are working on our Itinerary post for the trip to The Netherlands. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to get notified once it is posted.
What we wish we knew ahead of time for our family trip to The Netherlands
There are not many playgrounds or areas for children to play. I think the only one we really found was in Leiden near the cafe we ate. But in Amsterdam and the Hague, we did not see any playgrounds to take a break. Maybe we were just too central and the playgrounds are further outside of the center?
The movies make Amsterdam look smaller than in real life. The city of Amsterdam, and the Hauge for that matter, covers a lot of square miles. You will be walking around a lot.
Be careful of bikes as they are everywhere and expect you to be aware of them. In busy areas, you may want to keep your child very close just in case.
In the summer time period, the sun stays out very late and rises up super early. You may lose track of time easily.
Dad’s top travel tip for the Netherlands (The No. 5 top country to visit Europe)
Bring a sleeping mask
During the summer period in the Netherlands, the sun does not set until very late, usually past 10 pm. And the sun will rise very early, like almost 4 am. If your accommodations do not have dark curtains, you may find it hard to sleep with the light.
The Netherlands Pros
- The cultural experience of each city
- The food choices
- And that one buffet
The Netherlands Cons
- The crowds in the major cities
- Large bugs
- Not many playgrounds for kids
Number 4 Europe Best Countries To Visit: Italy
Italy is the boot-shaped country in Europe. Italy has a strong history of Roman civilization. This is one of the many reasons millions visit Italy every year. And not to mention the amazing food culture in the country.
Why we think Italy is one of the best European countries to visit
Two of the biggest reasons to visit Italy (that everyone in the world can relate to) are the Ancient Roman buildings & Italian food.
Rome is home to some of the most famous ancient buildings and architectural wonders. Most of the world knows of the Roman Colosseum and Pompei, but there are many more famous locations to visit, such as the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and the Vatican City.
You could spend about 3 weeks visiting Rome and Naples. Between the historic buildings, museums, shopping, and the many many famous locations. You will be surprised with how far everything is from each other. The movies do not do any of the distance between locations any justice.
A brief of what we did in Italy during our family trip to Europe
We did tons of stuff in Italy! Rome is by far one of my favorite cities to visit. Be prepared to feel very small once you visit the famous Colosseum. We saw as much as we could see of the Ancient Roman locations. It helped to have an expert in the field as a spouse. It made everything there much more intriguing.
We have a whole blog post coming soon about our experience in Rome and Naples. Make sure to join our newsletter to read it as soon as it’s published!
Besides Rome, you will get a chance to visit the Vatican City (the Pope’s home). Worth the visit. And if you have little children, be sure to let the main gate know as they will put you and your family in the fast lane. Italy loves large families!!
It is true what they say about Pizza in Naples. My words can’t do it justice, it is one of those things you have to experience yourself to understand.
What we wish we knew ahead of time for our family trip to Italy
The crowds are packed in Italy! You will be waiting for popular attractions and tourist destinations. You should try to make reservations ahead of time if you are able. And if you are traveling with a large family, check to see if they have a speed line for families with small children.
Restaurants will upcharge you if you are not specific with your order. This can become very expensive if you are traveling with a large family. Keep this in mind when ordering food.
The pick-pocketers are not just the adults. The children can and will pick your pockets if you are not careful. They are smooth and fast. Speaking from experience, secure your cash and valuables. And don’t be flashy in public.
Dad’s top travel tip for Italy (The No. 4 top country to visit Europe)
Ordering food
This is very important when visiting Italy. When you order food at a restaurant, be sure you tell them exactly how much you want. DO NOT let them recommend what to order for you. They will bring you enough food and then some and rack your bill up without letting you know. They will say it is what you wanted so they gave you what you ordered. Be very clear on the amount you want to help prevent bills from getting racked up, especially in the tourist sections.
Italy Pros
- They love large families
- Tons of historic sites
- Authentic Italian food
- Cost
Italy Cons
- Not many playgrounds
- Crowds
- Pick-pocketers
- Very dirty
Number 3 Europe Best Countries To Visit: Spain
Spain is where we made our home base. The cost of living and way of life is perfect for those looking for something more relaxed. The country is so relaxed you may even be agitated by the amount of ‘relaxing’ the Spanish locals can provide.
Why we think Spain is one of the best European countries to visit
Two main reasons everyone visits Spain on their holiday or vacation, are the weather and culture. The weather stays fairly warm all year round. Each region has its own unique culture that is completely different from other regions of Spain.
Oh did I mention the affordability of Spain? Everything is at a reasonable price.
A brief of what we did in Spain during our family trip to Europe
We have been to several cities outside of our home in Valencia, Spain. Each city has its own unique customs and dishes that make it a surprise for every city that we visit.
If you plan on visiting Europe, Spain is definitely one of the best countries to visit Europe.
See more about our life in Spain and why we chose Valencia.
What we wish we knew ahead of time for our family trip to Spain
Since we live here I could write a very long blog post about choosing Spain for family travel. But in general, it is a fantastic place to visit with children!
The country is full of playgrounds everywhere! The one downside to this for traveling with a family is that the playgrounds are made of metal. Metal slides and sun do not mix on your children’s legs. Please beware that the slide and metal get very hot.
When eating at a restaurant you may be waiting a long time to find and pay the bill. If you are used to eating and leaving, like in America, this will not happen. I highly recommend carrying cash just in case you need to leave to get to your next activity on time.
Dad’s top travel tip for Spain (The No. 3 top country to visit Europe)
Catholic Holidays and Sundays.
Spain is a Catholic country and has a ton of Catholic-related holidays. What this means is the stores take those and Sundays off. Be sure you check ahead of time if the store is open or closed for the holiday.
Each autonomous region also has its saints and therefore has different holidays they observe. It may not be the same in all cities.
Spain Pros
- Nice hot weather
- Cultural experience
- Low cost
Spain Cons
- Waiting for service
- Stores being closed when needed
- Nice hot weather
Number 2 Europe Best Countries To Visit: Andorra
Andorra is a very close second to Switzerland on our list. Our children are always asking when we are going back to Andorra. During our trip to Andorra, we spent 2 weeks there to allow for rest and work. This being a small country made it very easy to see most of what the country has to offer. But still big enough to not do everything.
Why we think Andorra is one of the best European countries to visit
Andorra is a very tiny country. And since it is located in the Pyrenees mountain range you get a breathtaking mountain landscape. The cost of living is not too bad, cheaper than in France but a little bit more expensive than in Spain.
We went during the summertime of August to escape the Valencia heat. The weather there during this period was perfect! Chilly enough to wear light pants but warm enough to wear shorts.
This top European country has three main roads that will take you everywhere you may want to go. The mountain driving is not as scary as in Switzerland and was very enjoyable for myself who has a fear of heights.
One of our favorite things we found was the parks for the children. In Andorra la Vella (the capital), there are several parks and playgrounds. And they are very large. We spent a whole day playing at the parks.
This is one of the best places to tour in Europe repeatedly. I can’t wait until we get a chance to visit in the winter!
A brief of what we did in Andorra during our family trip to Europe
We made a last-minute change from southern France to stay two weeks in Andorra. It did cost us a bit more in fees, but was way worth it!
Hiking was one of our favorite things to do there. We were about half a mile (about 1 km) from a trail entrance. The trail we took was beautiful. Fantastic balance of rocky browns and green vegetation. Not as green as Switzerland and not as brown as the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. The younger children loved hiking and collected way too many rocks.
For large families traveling, the playgrounds they had in the capital are some of the best we have been to in Europe. We stopped at what we thought was a fairly large playground and ended up being one of Andorra’s smallest. After about two hours at the playground, we walked around the city and discovered another one that just kept going and going.
During one of our activity days, we visited a ski resort set up for summer fun. They had an alpine slide, cliff drops on a big airbag (pooped my pants a bit on that one), a trampoline, paddle boats, and a ski lift. We spent the whole day there and the kids loved it!!
The best thing we got to do for our 17-year-old’s birthday was ice skating at the Palau de Gel d’Andorra (a local recreation center). The ice skating rink was full-size and as smooth as glass. Our children discovered that they really loved to ice skate. Our 5-year-old is natural at it. This is the one thing they really remember. Highly recommend visiting the recreation center.
What we wish we knew ahead of time for our family trip to Andorra
This is one of those countries that are located in the mountains. There is a lot of walking up and down hills. The hills are steep and would be quite a pain to push a stroller. Andorra is another place I would recommend using a child carrier, for sanity’s sake.
Traffic on the main roads can be congested during peak hours. And our second youngest is very prone to car sickness. I am sure you understand what happened a few times. I will spare you the details. If you plan your activities before rush hour, traffic will be a breeze.
Dad’s top travel tip for Andorra (The No. 2 top country to visit Europe)
Need a Car
Andorra does offer public transportation, but to really enjoy the country on a time constraint, you will need a car. There is the ability to walk to a local food store, but to see everything the country has to offer you will need to drive there. You may not need a car in the capital, but you will miss out on great hiking and the small villages.
Andorra Pros
- Amazing views
- Large playgrounds
- Small crowds
- Ice skating
Andorra Cons
- Traffic
- Smokers
- Need a car
Number 1 Europe Best Countries To Visit: Switzerland
Switzerland is one of our family’s favorite places we have been so far. The small town we stayed in had plenty of activities for our kids, even the teenagers. Switzerland is one of the only places where our children did not complain about not having a television in the AirBnB.
Why we think Switzerland is one of the best European countries to visit
We visited the Crans-Montana location in Switzerland during the summertime. It was a city pretty high up in the mountain range. The locals are extremely friendly and always willing to chat. And if English is not your native language, don’t worry, they know almost all popular European languages.
If you like the outdoors and scenic views of the mountain range, this is a top country to visit in Europe. During the summer period, the temperature is cool enough to wear light jeans or shorts if you prefer.
Throughout the European country of Switzerland, you have the perfect backdrop for all of your family travel photos. The scenic mountains have colorful gradients from light brown to a lushy green. If you are planning a family trip to Switzerland, you will have plenty of perfect family pictures.
One of our bucket list trips is to visit this European country in the wintertime. We can’t wait for this day!
A brief of what we did in Switzerland during our family trip to Europe
We stayed in a ski resort town called Crans-Montana. The city had great views, fantastic foods, friendly people, and great little attractions that were kid-friendly.
We took a trip to a lake in a cave that was phenomenal to see inside. They advertised candlelight concerts in the cave. But we did not get a chance to go as our time was limited in Switzerland.
When traveling with children, you may want to stop by Happy Land. It is a small old-school amusement park. I am not sure if I could call it an amusement park as the stuff there resembles a state fair look. Nonetheless, our children (ages between 5 and 15) loved the place! The cost was not too expensive but they got you with the food. No extremely long wait lines (like at Disney World).
We are working on creating a post about our itinerary in Switzerland and hope to get it posted soon. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified when we post the article!
What we wish we knew ahead of time for our family trip to Switzerland
Switzerland is not cheap. It is expensive and can make you go broke pretty quickly. If you are planning a family trip on a budget, you may want to visit grocery stores and eat out less. With a little planning, you can still enjoy Switzerland on a budget. Our suggestion is to pack some sandwiches and snacks to help ease the cost of restaurants.
Driving up and down the mountainside takes a long time. You will get the dreaded “are we almost there?” And if you are afraid of heights like me, don’t look down as it will most likely be a complete drop off. But the breathtaking views from the top will make the drive worth it!
The country is in the mountains and you will be walking up and down hills. Our kids got tired very quickly when we walked around the town. Taking time to rest will not only benefit your children, but you will have some time to take great scenic photos.
Dad’s top travel tip for Switzerland (The No. 1 top country to visit Europe)
Store hours
Not sure why, but the stores close very early where we stayed. I believe the stores closed at 5pm. So make sure you get what you need in the morning or the first thing you do for the day.
Switzerland Pros
- Amazing landscape
- Plenty of activities for children
- Not crowded
- Great Summertime weather
Switzerland Cons
- Cost
- Mountain driving
- Store hours
Conclusion
This is our personal views on the top countries we have visited in Europe. We plan on visiting many more in the future to add to the list. Subscribe to our newsletter to see where we rank the next country we visit.
We would love to hear about your top European countries to visit list. What would you put as your number 1 European country to visit?
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