Last minute city break for Christmas with preschooler?

[BreakfastGold]

Anyone done this? I have finally been granted annual leave over Christmas and for various reasons would love to get away (including for Christmas Day itself). I am thinking about Amsterdam, Berlin, maybe even Talinn. I am a lone parent and DD is 4, she's very adventurous and likes a lot going on around her. I've just got reservations about whether it would end up being stressful/hard to entertain her.

I used to take mine everywhere as pre schooler so I wouldn’t worry about the travel part.
Biggest thing would be choosing the city to have fun in. I know it’s unseasonably warm but north Europe would be too cold for me to enjoy a city break. All it takes is losing gloves somewhere and a drippy nose and you have a more stressy than intended afternoon ahead.
I love Barcelona pre Christmas. All the decorations and lights are up so Christmassy but because the celebrate on the 6th Jan it’s not manic. Big shop windows to look at in the Exiample area and dark old twisty alleys in Barri Gothic. Lots of excellent hot chocolate places as fitting the colonisers of South America. It’s got a beach and a huge Aquarium by the sea. What child doesn’t love bonkers Gaudi houses and parks.
Also has the Pooing man and the reindeer log. The log you “feed” at advent and it gets bigger ( you replace it every week ) until Christmas. It’s a nice souvenir to buy instead of a elf fir next year. It’s not freezing so you can walk about outside and do things more readily.

Thank you @lightisnotwhite , the temperature was something I'd wondered about but wasn't sure if anywhere warmer would feel Christmassy enough! I'll have a look at Barcelona...I've never heard of pooing man...do I want to know?!

😁It’s different ! Something to do with fertilising the soil for the year that’s coming, I think. They have an absolutely massive one in the Port Vell shopping centre. It’s a sight to behold and utterly bonkers.

They absolutely do Christmas decorations because obviously the country is Catholic but their big celebration the 3 kings in January. So you still get Christmas trees, lights on all the streets etc it’s just not as mad. There’s the big cathedral in the middle of town which is wonderful at Christmas and of course you have the Sagrada Familiar which is incredible. The nativity is literally all over it!

I know what you mean about maybe having snow and ice but after having done freezing Venice with a small child it just seemed hard work going into hot cafes and then cold museums. Weather wise Barcelona like a bright crisp autumn day and it’s still cold and dark at night.

Talking is lovely, the Christmas market is small though. We also went to the film museum which is open for the Christmas season. The day we went Father Christmas was giving chocolate to the children.

Folk museum,not film

If you go to Germany, do your homework. Christmas markets normally stop on the 23rd and as Christmas Eve is the big day, all shops close at lunchtime.

Lots of things are closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day, so you may end up with nothing to do than walks.

Restaurants will often be open for lunch but do require reservations and unless a lot changed since last time I was back home, most settings will be already fully booked.

Been to Edinburgh?

@BreakfastGold

Efteling, an hour from Amsterdam. Will be one of the best things you do with her.
There's a few hotels now , check out tue main one or /and what I think is called puyterhouse which is set in beautiful woodlands.

It's the most magical beautiful but also gentle and slower paced theme park with good food.

Three nights perfect but two would be ok

I looked for you op and Xmas day looks sold out but up to Xmas Eve is open.
I would stay a few nights up to there and /or stay in local hotel nearby or move onto Amsterdam.

I've been to Tallinn for Christmas markers and it was freezing and hard work walking though snow. Amsterdam at Christmas time is lovely - outdoor skating in museumplein, lots of decorations and Efteling would be magical that time of year. It would be a very child friendly holiday - and excellent public transport,

Thank you @Puddywoodycat !@Puddywoodycat

Sorry posted too soon, I'd looked at efterling, gutted it's booked up for Christmas itself, it looks amazing!

My GC birthday is the middle of December and she took her to Amsterdam. They went when she was five. Everyone made a fuss of her, it is very child friendly. The zoo is good and there's lots of play options. Barcelona is nice, but Amsterdam was better.