Planning your first family getaway? Here is a hand-picked collection of the best places to travel with a baby in Europe.
The Best Family Travel Places in Europe for Babies
So, here’s the big question: where are the best places to travel with a baby in Europe?
On some days, let’s be honest, it feels as though the answer is “nowhere.” The tiredness, the packing lists, the changes of clothes and the thought of negotiating a packed airport in the middle of a mind-frazzling meltdown can feel overwhelming.
And that’s before you get to thinking about what you’ll need to bring for the baby ;-)
Looking back, though, I’m so, so glad we decided to pack our bags and travel with baby Lab whenever we could. Everyone warns you that it gets harder during the toddler years – and that is absolutely true.
Now is the time to bundle up your little one and hit the road, before he or she can run off in the other direction.
Why Travel with a Baby if They Won’t Remember It?
Travel brings sanity and a sense of adventure to parents and, from my reckoning, it does the same for children as well, if handled right.
Plus, you’ll all get more from the trip.
I had more authentic interactions with people in New Orleans and on the sun-soaked coast of the Peloponnese when walking around with a baby than ever before or since.
Even the New York subway showed its friendly face as passengers cooed over our baby in a throng of different languages.
Some places in the world are just crying out for visits with babies and young children. Far from them being a place where you can “manage” your extra requirements, these destinations come alive as people greet you differently and embrace the joyful fact that you are nurturing the next generation.
Yes, seriously.
But as enthusiastic as I generally am, some places make it easier than others.
With enough grit and determination, you can make anything work, right?
But why go for grit and determination when you could simply enjoy smiles and tension-free shoulders?
The Best Baby Friendly Destinations in Europe
Here, I’ve put together my own suggestions together with that from some fabulous family travel bloggers and journalists.
If you’re planning your first international trip with a 6 months old bundle or even an 8 months old explorer these are the best places to start.
What Makes a Place Baby-Friendly (Beyond the Brochure)
“Baby friendly” gets used a lot, but in practice it comes down to a few simple things:
- Smooth, pushchair or stroller-friendly streets (cobblestone stop being quaint very quickly) and accommodation that isn’t a battle (leave the pram downstairs or have a lift to go up.)
- Easy access to parks and playgrounds – once they’re old enough to enjoy it.
- Accommodation that actually understands families (cots, high chairs, heating milk, sterilising bottles.)
- A culture that’s friendly and accommodating towards little ones.
- Quiet evenings.
You don’t need kids club resorts or elaborate itineraries. You need somewhere that treats a baby as an actual human being instead of an inconvenience.
As a top tip, museums are usually excellent places for babies. Stimulation – but not too much, a cafe, often a breastfeeding area, changing rooms – plus some mental stimulatino for you! Many in Europe also have breast-feeding areas where you won’t be hurried away and can have some privacy if you’re still getting the hang of it.
City Breaks That Actually Work with a Baby
Copenhagen, Denmark
If there’s a gold standard for travelling with kids, this might be it.
The pavements are wide, the metro works, and you’ll see as many babies napping outside cafés as you will adults inside them. It’s deeply child friendly without making a fuss about it.
There are playgrounds everywhere, and plenty of green space when everyone (kids and the parents) needs a reset.
In the words of photographer and writer Lola Akinmade Åkerström:
“No other place on earth is set up for travelling with small children as perfectly as the Nordics,” she says, in between snapping photos for National Geographic Traveller.
“From child-friendly restaurants, museums, and sights to extras for families like special toilets, changing rooms, accessibility features, and even riding for free on buses in Sweden if you’re pushing a stroller.”
Why it works:
- Exceptionally stroller-friendly
- Calm pace of life
- Easy public transportation
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Compact, flat, and refreshingly manageable.
You can walk or hop on a tram without much thought, and distances are short enough to work around nap schedules. It’s one of those rare city breaks where you don’t feel like you’re constantly negotiating logistics.
“A flight from London to Amsterdam takes less than an hour, so it’s an ideal way to ease in to family travel,” says Char Taylor of Taylor Hearts Travel. “Add a great public transport system into the mix and you’ve got exciting spots like The Hague, Den Bosch and lots of other pretty Dutch towns and cities right in the palm of your hand.”
And the other hidden secret? “There are plenty of buggy-friendly hipster cafes where you can get your much needed caffeine fix!”
Why it works:
- Getting around is easy
- Walkable centre
- Parks like Vondelpark for downtime
Vienna, Austria
Vienna feels built for this stage of life.
There’s space. Wide pavements. Order. Café culture that doesn’t rush you out. You can spend a morning visiting a museum, then retreat to a park while your baby sleeps in the pram.
Why it works:
- Calm, structured environment
- Family-friendly public spaces
- Reliable infrastructure
- Recommended reading: how to spend a summer in Austria
Beach Destinations for Low-Stress Days
Algarve, Portugal
The Algarve offers sandy beaches, calm water, and a rhythm that works with naps and early evenings. Many beach resorts are designed with families in mind, without tipping into chaos.
Why it works:
- Predictable, easy days
- Family friendly accommodation
- Good healthcare access
Majorca, Spain
Short flight, straightforward logistics, and plenty of family-friendly hotels and Airbnb options.
It’s an easy win for a first trip abroad with littles.
Why it works:
- Quick travel time from the UK
- Stroller-friendly towns
- Strong infrastructure for families
Croatia (Dalmatian Coast)
Croatia rewards a slower approach.
Base yourself in one place rather than hopping between islands, and you’ll find clear water, relaxed towns, and a welcoming atmosphere.
Why it works:
- Scenic but manageable
- Friendly and accommodating culture
- Good option if you love to travel but want to slow down
The Peloponnese, Greece
Get all the good parts of travel in Greece (culture, history, glorious beaches and mountains of feta) without the additional challenge of island hopping or party crowds.
Take a road trip through the Peloponnese. We did two with baby Lab and loved each and every one.
Why it works:
- Easy parking and driving once you leave Athens
- Very child friendly culture
- You still get a travel fix with Kalamata, Sparta and Athens
Slow Travel Destinations That Make Sense
Tuscany, Italy
Renting a car opens up countryside stays where hotel rooms (or agriturismos) come with space, fresh air, and room for routines to settle. You can take day trips to Florence and Pisa (there’s something special about bringing a baby to see David) or just relax around the pool. Don’t miss these hidden gems in Tuscany while you’re there.
Why it works:
- Space to breathe
- Flexible days
- Ideal for longer stays with babies and toddlers
Lake Bled, Slovenia
Simple, compact, and calm.
A path circles the lake, meaning you can walk as much or as little as you like. It’s ideal for those early trips when overstimulation is the enemy.
Why it works:
- Quiet environment
- Easy walking routes
- Minimal logistics
Iceland
“Iceland is one big playground for kids, filled with waterfalls, rolling fields, and hiking trails,” says Nellie Huang, author of the award-winning Wild Junket on adventurous travel. “It’s easy to get around by car, and many of the hikes can be done with a baby hiking carrier.”
There are no packed itineraries here unless you create them. Instead, you’ll find open space, fresh air, and a rhythm dictated by nature rather than queues. Waterfalls replace museums. Lava fields stand in for city squares. Here’s my foolproof Iceland with kids itinerary for inspiration.
Why it works:
- Clean, safe, and deeply child friendly
- Quiet roads and low population density
- A culture that’s consistently friendly and accommodating
- You’re not having to convince kids to walk!
Places That Need a Bit More Thought
Some destinations in Europe are undeniably beautiful – but require more planning when travelling with kids.
- Lisbon and Porto: steep, steep hills and cobblestone streets
- Parts of the Greek Islands: steps, heat, and transfers
- Cities that rely heavily on stairs rather than lifts in public transportation
None of these are off-limits. But you may rely more on a baby carrier, and less on a pram.
Practical Tips for Travelling with Babies in Europe
A few things that make all the difference:
- Bring both a stroller/ pushchair and a baby carrier/ sling – you’ll need both
- Choose central accommodation – minimise daily travel
- Check sleeping arrangements carefully – not all cribs/cots are equal. Pack a travel cot yourself, to be honest.
- Consider travel insurance early – especially for a first international trip.
- Plan fewer activities – one main outing per day is enough.
If you’re renting a car, check car seat rules in advance. Rental cars don’t always guarantee availability unless booked early, so I’d advise flying with your own car seat.
And if you’re comparing hotel rooms, Airbnb options, and family-friendly rentals, look beyond photos and read the details carefully. “Child friendly” can mean very different things. Though, that said, with a travel cot, you can manage everything else.
For more top tips, check out:
More on Travel with a Baby
Lola Akinmade Åkerström’s things not to do when travelling with baby.
Nancy Besharah rounds up years of experience with this invaluable guide: top tips for flying with kids. I particularly like the reminder that everyone was a baby once upon a time…
And Nellie Huang has a wonderful section on her site that talks about all kinds of aspects of travelling with children. Start with her article on travelling with a baby and take it from there…
If you fly with a baby, chances are they will need their own passport. Read this handy article on how to take the perfect baby passport photo at home.
And here? We have a whole section on family travel, which includes the baby travel gear you actually need and how to breastfeed on a plane.
We’ve then moved on to toddlers, so check out the perfect toys for flying with a toddler.
Hey, Thanks for sharing these places. But almost all the places you mentioned are from Europe. I am from India, and would like you to suggest some places nearby India if possible.
Ach, you are right, of course, and for years I’ve prided myself on running a (hopefully) truly global blog. As more and more sites have appeared, though, I made the difficult decision to try to focus a little more this year – narrowing down to focus on those who live in the UK.
Now, the tricky thing about travel with babies from a European perspective is that much of the medical advice suggests that vaccinations are required for travel beyond Europe/US/Canada and many of those are not suitable for those under-two. So, it becomes more of an individual approach to risk – and one that people should discuss with their doctor rather than read from a blog!
But with all that said, I certainly know of people who have travelled further afield with babies (I’d actually recommend looking at Nellie’s blog – she’s from Singapore originally and covers far more adventurous travel than most.)
Within India, I’ve heard great things about Goa. Thailand, too, has a great reputation for being baby friendly in terms of people’s attitudes (although, less so things like car seats and seatbelts.)
We met several people with young babies in Oman – again an unhurried place with great facilities, just watch out for the heat. Babies can’t cope with it as much as adults so plan to stay indoors during midday and avoid the hottest months. But the country is beautiful and welcoming with a wide range of beach lounging and cultural activities to boot. https://www.insidethetravellab.com/dune-bashing-travel-oman/
Singapore has every facility you could need plus some quieter spots to get away from city life if you feel like it : https://www.insidethetravellab.com/7-of-the-best-things-to-do-in-singapore/
Hope you have some great adventures with your little one – and do drop back and let us know of any places you would recommend!