Euro city break with 8year old

[lurkingattheback]

I'd like to book a city break for next year, to take my 8 year old abroad. I've travelled very little, can anyone suggest a safe, interesting city to visit? Would like good food, museums and maybe theatre.

Does it have to be properly abroad? DD and I did a week split between Glasgow and Edinburgh and it was brilliant. Good if you haven't travelled much as same language and won't have to worry about Covid tests etc. People were super friendly, travel around and between both cities was very easy.
We had good for the European championships but also fitted in 2 trips to the science centre as DD loved it, We went to Brae head and DD indoor sledging, chocolate factory and a Hugh ropes places, in Edinburgh we climbed Arthers seat and went to Edinburgh zoo. We would love to go back just haven't had the chance. The archetecture in both places but particularly Edinburgh looked very 'foreign' and gothic in that we don't have anything designed like that where we live so gave the holiday vibe

Obviously a rubbish suggest if you already live near either city.

Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm.

Amsterdam has an amazing science museum.

Copenhagen, Paris, Amsterdam or Berlin

At about that age DC loved Rome. Loved the Colisseum and the Forum, and all the Italian food (pizza, pasta and gelati). They also adored Venice - travelling everywhere by boat, the mask shops, the islands and beaches and the food.

Paris is quite good for that age group too but time it to avoid the biggest crowds. Top of Eiffel Tower, boat trip down the seine. If you still can, climbing the tower at Notre Dame means you can get right up close to the gargoyles which is fun. Have a caricature drawn on Montmartre in the artists' square, see some famous paintings - not just Mona Lisa but Van Gogh, Lautrec, Degas and Monet in the Musee d'Orsay. Watch the goats trimming the grass at the Tuileries gardens. You could do a day at Disney or go out to the Science museum too.

Barcelona is amazing if it has to be abroad, but why not start closer to home, London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham are all amazing cities with a huge wealth of culture

I've always found Spain very child friendly. Have taken DD to both Madrid and Barcelona. There are always lots of playgrounds etc in Spanish cities and children are welcome everywhere.

Everything is quite spread out in Rome, while it has absolutely amazing city it wouldn't be a first time abroad type city for me - I had two shameless pick pocket attempts whilst there too. Barcelona and Naples I've also had pickpocket attempts.

Paris is a pretty good first city I think - it was mine! Lots to see and do. A lot of people complain that it is quite dirty though and the people are not the friendliest IMO.

I think old town Palma in Mallorca is fab. It is safe, compact enough to walk all around, the cathedral and Palace next door to it are stunning and it's right on the coast. Great food - try pinchos and I highly recommend the chicken pastillo's at the bakery Forn des theatre - literally the best thing I have ever put in my mouth. You can also get a wooden tourist train across the island to Soller and spend some time there or get the tram on from there (all on one ticket) to a lovely beach called Port de Soller. You can get a day ticket or could do a two centre trip and have a few days at the beach too.

London is a brilliant city to explore with the best museums, attractions and theatres in Europe IMO. Saying that I'd take Palma over London (or and other UK city) any day for a holiday. There's nothing like going abroad especially for some guaranteed sunshine, different food and culture.

Barcelona. Lots of child friendly stuff, as well as more cultural/historical attractions or museums.

Venice

I think London is the best city for that age group though. Children remember very little of travels they do when so young.

@PandoraP

Venice

I think London is the best city for that age group though. Children remember very little of travels they do when so young.

I first went to London when I was about 6 and can still remember everything!

If you want "safe" then definitely Scandinavia.

Tbh, I'd say ANY city is great for a break with kids. Cities have interesting things to do, it's part of their job description.

We've recently done Madrid, Brussels and Rome and they were all great in different ways. All very compact and everything you want to see and do within walking distance of the central areas.

Munich

Between the ages of 7 and 10 I took my son to London, Barcelona and Edinburgh and had fab times in all of them. He's now 12 and we're planning our next October half term adventure! We've also been to Duinrell in Holland and went for day trips to the Hague and Amsterdam.

I would say Rome or Amsterdam .Most major cities are going to have enough for a 9 year old; history, curiosities, new foods etc. Seville has quite a lot to offer as does Stockholm and of course Paris.

Amsterdam, London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Nijmegen, Brussels, Rome, Copenhagen.

DS loved Barcelona. He was 6. Depends what they like but Prague is full of interesting things.

Thanks for all the suggestions. You are all so knowledgeable. I'd love to visit Copenhagen and Edinburgh. Maybe Edinburgh one to get booked quickly whilst deciding everything else. I've been to Amsterdam but didn't realise there was much for kids. Barcelona also sounds like a great option as well.

I was going to suggest London or Barcelona too. DD learnt about London in year 1 I think and really wants to go. Or.paris, she wants to go there because she used to watch Miraculous

If you go to Amsterdam see if you can go to Efteling, it's a theme park which I went to as a child and can still remember snippets