Family-Friendly 2-Week Europe Itinerary: Stress-Free Cities for Traveling with Kids

Dreaming of a European adventure with your family but want to avoid the stress of packing too much into too little time? Same here. My wife and I are planning a future trip to Europe with our two daughters, currently 4 and 7. While we feel they’re still a bit young for a full-on international itinerary, we’re mapping out a family-friendly two-week trip for when they’re around 9 and 12—an age when they’ll hopefully appreciate the culture, the sights, and the magic of Europe.

Our Travel Priorities

• Ease of transport: No rental cars—we’re sticking to trains and public transport.

• Balanced pace: We don’t want to rush. Fewer cities, more depth.

• Kid-friendly experiences: Think castles, chocolate, canals, and maybe a palace or two.

• Direct flight flexibility: Flying from Nashville, we expect to connect through major hubs.

Core Cities: Paris, Amsterdam, London (Optional: Edinburgh)

After lots of research, chats with other traveling families, and watching more Rick Steves than I’d like to admit, here’s the rough plan:

Days 1–5: Paris, France

The heart of the trip. Paris has that wow factor for kids and adults alike. With five days here, we plan to:

• Visit Eiffel Tower (with pre-booked tickets to avoid meltdowns in queues)

• Wander the gardens of Versailles—a must for kids who dream of princesses and royalty

• Explore Louvre highlights and the Musée d’Orsay (we’ll skip the long days and focus on kid-friendly parts)

• Picnic in Luxembourg Gardens, ride the carousel, and enjoy some people-watching

• Try delicious pastries at local bakeries—croissants, éclairs, and macarons are always a hit

Optional: Skip the temptation to day trip to Strasbourg unless it’s Christmas market season.

Days 6–10: Amsterdam, Netherlands

A quick high-speed train ride from Paris (about 3.5 hours), Amsterdam is surprisingly fun for families:

• Canal cruises: A relaxing, scenic way to see the city

• NEMO Science Museum: Interactive and perfect for kids

• Vondelpark: Great for a picnic and letting off some steam

• Anne Frank House (for older kids, depending on their maturity)

• Visit a cheese farm or clog workshop for hands-on Dutch culture

If Brussels was on the radar—skip it. Bruges or Ghent is more scenic and enjoyable for kids, but we’d only consider them if adding extra days.

Days 11–14: London, England (Optional Edinburgh)

Hop the Eurostar from Amsterdam to London (~4 hours). London has endless family fun:

• Natural History Museum and Science Museum are world-class and free

• Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and riding a double-decker bus

• Afternoon tea at a family-friendly spot—because who doesn’t want to feel fancy?

• Take a Thames boat cruise or ride the London Eye

If the kids are up for more adventure, a train to Edinburgh (4.5 hours from London) offers castles, legends, and incredible landscapes. But with limited time, we’d likely save this for a second trip.

Tips for a Relaxed Family Trip

• Stay in apartments (Airbnb or VRBO): More space, kitchen access, and a homey vibe.

• Limit moves: Three bases max over two weeks. No living out of a suitcase every other day.

• Slow travel = happy travel: Allow downtime. Not every day needs to be filled with museums and monuments.

• Prep kids in advance: Watch videos (shoutout Rick Steves), read books, and involve them in the planning.

• Train travel is your friend: Use Seat61.com to plan routes, get booking tips, and know where to sit for the best views.

Final Thoughts

Europe is incredibly accessible by train, and there are so many places kids can enjoy without making the trip feel like a never-ending museum crawl. Paris, Amsterdam, and London offer enough variety, culture, and comfort to keep both adults and kids engaged and happy. We’re excited to take it slow, make memories, and show our daughters the joy of travel—without anyone melting down halfway through.