City break with kids

[Claralou199]

Hi, I have got a big birthday coming up in January and would like to go away for a long weekend as a family of 4. Can anyone recommend any city breaks (not in the UK) with kids in January? They will be 11 & 8. Not too bothered about what the weather will be like, I live in Scotland so am used to rubbish weather 😂 Thanks!

Barcelona or Seville.

Billund (if they are into Lego), Amsterdam (zoo, science museum, boating, min golf at amstel park) are both about a 2 hour flight from Edinburgh

Dublin or barcelona.

or Reykjavík

We went to Copenhagen in February. It’s a city geared towards being active in winter - they claim it’s winter for 10 months of the year there! Outdoor seating at cafes and bars comes with blankets provided and outdoor heaters. Hot chocolate is on sale everywhere. Check the Tivoli Gardens have reopened (they were closed last February). You can watch the changing of the guard, just like at Buckingham Palace, right down to the bearskin-wearing guardsmen. Everyone speaks English. No need to get any Danish currency as everywhere takes contactless, with the exception of the hash dealers in Christiana who had ‘cash only’ signs. Probably best not to take the kids to Christiana, really. The canal cruise was fun, the running commentary from the guide was most amusing. I didn’t think Copenhagen was as expensive as its reputation suggests. Hot chocolate and coffees weren’t noticeably more pricey than here, and the beer was definitely cheaper, especially when you factor in that it’s generally stronger than our mainstream brands.

Malaga - nice weather, beautiful old city, lots to see & do, 15 mins transfer from airport on train for a few euro, great city beach for the kids, amazing food, authenticity Spanish despite being on the Costa ....

Another vote for Amsterdam. It’s brilliant in January as there’s the magical light festival https://winterfestivalamsterdam.com/event/amsterdam-light-festival/
We did an evening cruise on the pancake boat during the light festival https://amsterdam.pannenkoekenboot.nl/en/arrangement/75-minutenvaart/

Rome - you might get lucky and get sun but if not it will be warmer than here anyway. Lots to see and do and the food is ideal.

Marrakech - best chance of warmth short haul and the closest “exotic” break possible, snakes and monkeys and camels, souks and day trips to desert or mountains.

If you look at Barcelona or Seville, also look at Palma.

Thanks for all the suggestions 😀 We have had a look at them all and Reykjavik, Copenhagen and Amsterdam we like the look of. We are going to Spain in the summer and will do a trip into Barcelona then. Me and DH have been to Amsterdam before but not with the kids.. the light festival looks nice, although I have just seen this finishes up before we would be there.
Has anyone been to Vienna? That also came up when looking at the all of the above.

Just got back from Stockholm with the kids which was fab - obviously would be cold in Jan but like Copenhagen, really geared up for it. You can kayak round the archipelago, amazing museums, theme park, nice day trips to nearby islands and not as expensive as you’d think as kids are free/half price everywhere. Food and drink (wine especially) was pricy though.

Vienna is the least child friendly city I've ever been to. Yes, some beautiful places but oh such rude people. Reykavic, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Copenhagen all lovely. I definitely wouldn't go to Marrakech with children at that age for a long weekend because it's quite full on and stressful - maybe wait till they're a bit older. Been twice with children and older was better - it didn't really live up to my expectations though. If you go to Iceland, remember to take plenty of snacks and be prepared to pay a fortune for food and drink because everything's imported. Gorgeous though. I lived in Stockhom for a happy few months when mine were that age and they/we loved it. Would move back tomorrow!! Bergen is also lovely but I haven't been in January.

Berlin and Prague are other options.

We're currently in Vienna with a three year old and a baby and have found everyone very smiley and helpful so far! Admittedly it's only day two but still! 😂

Off to Schonbrunn Palace today.

There are quite a few museums here geared towards kids as well.

Oh and as above I'd also recommend Bergen, Stockholm and even Tromso. All lovely places! I've done Bergen and Tromso in January and though I didn't have kids myself there were lots about.

If you go to Iceland hunt out the local Aldi equivalent for food- eating out is very expensive and so are small shops but in Rejkjavick centre they have a cheap, big supermarket hidden away from the main bit. You can save a lot of money by doing some picnic lunches / snacks (well, prob not ‘cheap’ but cheaper than a meal out)

I’ve just done Rome with DCs aged 10 & 8 - we had the best time! So much to see and do - we walked 25k steps a day and saw all of the major sites. Kids loved the colosseum and the Roman forum. I’d imagine January would be less busy than August and certainly less hot but it’s a must see with kids. Overwhelming in terms of so much to do, but really great and so welcoming.

we also did Bergen, Norway on our way back from skiing last Feb - that’s a great city too and in January there would be lots of snow. A good amount to see in terms of sightseeing, and the tour Norway in a Nutshell takes a day and looks good.

Rome - so much to see, and a lot less crowded than in the summer. Last time I was there in January, it was sunny and pleasant as well.