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6 affordable European cities that are great for kids
February 9, 2024 • 7 min read
In the midst of daily life, the idea of traveling Europe with the kids can feel… impossible. But if you’re smart about how you plan, those buttery croissants and world-class museums could be closer (and cheaper) than you think. Oh, and your kids will love every minute of it. Au revoir!
Points of interest
- Even classically expensive cities have many budget museums & gardens
- Spain offers seaside views and food for less
- Your money goes further in Hungary and Portugal
Visit France for less
France is, in a word, idyllic. When visiting, there’s so much to check out that you won’t even notice you’re keeping spending to a minimum.
Wander budget-friendly museums and gardens in Paris
One of the most intimate ways to see Paris as a family is by adventuring on foot. The city’s museums are often free or come at a discounted rate for kids. For example, admission to the permanent collection at Petit Palais is free for all, kids under 18 can tour Musee D’Orsay without cost, and the Louvre gives you a chance to tour the galleries and practice your best Mona Lisa impression for free on select Friday nights.
Once you’ve checked some famous museums off your list, grab a snack to split at a bakery and wander through the Jardin des Tuileries, climb the picturesque steps of Montmartre, or take in the twinkling lights along the Seine River.
Once you’ve checked some famous museums off your list, grab a snack to split at a bakery and wander through the Jardin des Tuileries, climb the picturesque steps of Montmartre, or take in the twinkling lights along the Seine River.
Vineyards and chateaux on a budget in Bordeaux
Mirrors are even more fun when they’re made of water. Bring the kids to the world’s largest reflecting pool in front of the Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux. Then, enjoy a different kind of visual treat at the budget-friendly Bassins de Lumières, where celebrated art splashes the walls in large-scale projections. For a leisurely afternoon, stroll the picturesque Jardin Public, where you can lunch beside swans, ducks, and flowers.
A vineyard visit can be entertaining for kids when you’re visiting chateaux that feel like a fairytale. Try the family-friendly region of Médoc, one of the most famous regions for wine tasting, or St. Emilion, a quaint, medieval village with buildings straight from storybooks.
A vineyard visit can be entertaining for kids when you’re visiting chateaux that feel like a fairytale. Try the family-friendly region of Médoc, one of the most famous regions for wine tasting, or St. Emilion, a quaint, medieval village with buildings straight from storybooks.
Spend less in Spain
Pair classic European culture with a little seaside R&R on your next family trip.
Go to Barcelona for unbelievable parks and tapas
Barcelona is filled with next-level parks the kids will love. Find a perch above the city at Parc de Montjuïc or deepen your understanding of wild, whimsical architecture while you wander Barcelona’s Park Güell, which offers a budget-friendly ticket price and is free for children under six.
When it’s sunny and warm, grab some fresh seafood at an ocean-front restaurant and lounge around Barceloneta Beach, which is free to visit. If you’re vacationing with your baby, stop by Boqueria Market for a casual, on-the-go bite, then meander some of Barcelona’s best neighborhoods using your baby carrier.
When it’s sunny and warm, grab some fresh seafood at an ocean-front restaurant and lounge around Barceloneta Beach, which is free to visit. If you’re vacationing with your baby, stop by Boqueria Market for a casual, on-the-go bite, then meander some of Barcelona’s best neighborhoods using your baby carrier.
Head for the beach in Majorca
Majorca is all about being near water—whether you’re dipping your toes into the teal blue sea, snorkeling, or going on a boat tour through an underground cave. Other than paying for parking, many beaches here are free. Try Sant Elm or Alcudia beach, which are known for their calm, kid-friendly waters. Sa Dragonera Natural Park is an easy and affordable ferry ride away.
If you want something a little more adventurous, surreal scenery and geological marvels await at Hams’s Caves, which is discounted for kids under twelve. Little ones under seven are also free at Caves d’Arta, featuring stones from the 13th century along the entryway.
If you want something a little more adventurous, surreal scenery and geological marvels await at Hams’s Caves, which is discounted for kids under twelve. Little ones under seven are also free at Caves d’Arta, featuring stones from the 13th century along the entryway.
Hang on the river in Budapest, Hungary
When you’re exploring Europe on a budget, the cost of lodging is a big consideration. Vacation rentals in Budapest are quite affordable compared to similar accommodation in Western Europe. Once you’re all checked in, acclimate yourself with the area by taking one of the walking tours offered for free by numerous local companies. Though the tours are free, keep in mind that it is customary to tip at the end. When you work up an appetite, grab a table at VakVarjú Restaurant, which offers a designated kids corner and even has a babysitter there on the weekends.
City Park is great for families and easy to get to by metro. After checking out the grounds of Vajdahunyad Castle, you can stop by the Budapest Zoo for around $12 USD per ticket. If you’re game for an adventure, walk to Margaret Island or spend a few Euros to take the ferry over. At night, the island has a free water show featuring an enormous musical fountain.
Bring the kids to Gellert Hill for unbeatable views of the city and a chance to check out Budapest’s own Statue of Liberty. The 20-minute hike beginning from Elizabeth Bridge peers over Budapest’s Parliament and the Budapest Castle. There’s an art-themed playground at the top of Gellert Hill called Cerka-firka playground, where kids can swing and slide surrounded by giant colored pencils.
City Park is great for families and easy to get to by metro. After checking out the grounds of Vajdahunyad Castle, you can stop by the Budapest Zoo for around $12 USD per ticket. If you’re game for an adventure, walk to Margaret Island or spend a few Euros to take the ferry over. At night, the island has a free water show featuring an enormous musical fountain.
Bring the kids to Gellert Hill for unbeatable views of the city and a chance to check out Budapest’s own Statue of Liberty. The 20-minute hike beginning from Elizabeth Bridge peers over Budapest’s Parliament and the Budapest Castle. There’s an art-themed playground at the top of Gellert Hill called Cerka-firka playground, where kids can swing and slide surrounded by giant colored pencils.
Feel the rhythm of Porto, Portugal for free
Portugal’s second biggest city, Porto, has plenty of family-friendly things to check out that are 100% free. Dom Luís Bridge is free to stroll and has spectacular views of the city. The ornately tiled São Bento Train Station is another easy and free visit, as well as the Barredo Stairs that ascend Ribeira, one of the oldest and most lively neighborhoods in Porto. There’s no cost to get into the popular Mercado do Bolhão to shop, but you probably won’t be able to resist picking up warm bread and cheese while you’re there.
For a classic afternoon in Porto, grab some Pastel de Nata (egg tart) at a local bakery, take the little ones to the regal Lello & Irmão Bookstore that is rumored to have inspired the story of a famous wizard boy, and ride the historic trams that glide down the city’s slopes.
For a classic afternoon in Porto, grab some Pastel de Nata (egg tart) at a local bakery, take the little ones to the regal Lello & Irmão Bookstore that is rumored to have inspired the story of a famous wizard boy, and ride the historic trams that glide down the city’s slopes.
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