7 of the best European destinations for families

With travel springing back into action, Europe may be the perfect place to take your family on an international trip. While you can’t really go wrong with the classics, there are many amazing, family-friendly destinations to visit beyond iconic cities such as London or Paris. In addition to focusing on choosing locations with activities for families, it’s important to consider the distinct cultural aspects of each country in Europe. Mediterranean cultures truly love kids and are used to having them running around everywhere, including in bars and restaurants. Other destinations have history and attractions that are particularly apt for teens or best for those with smaller babies. Many spots have plenty of wide-open space and fresh air for kids to run around or feature family-friendly beaches. Likewise, many European destinations are exceptionally welcoming for LGBTQ+ families. Whether you’re traveling with teens, small children, your infant, grandma and grandpa or beyond, these are some of the best destinations to visit in Europe with your family. Edinburgh has one of the most epic castles in all of Europe. It’s practically a village complete with a royal palace, cathedral, war museum, one of Europe’s largest cannons (Mons Meg) and of course, all the classic castle features that capture a child’s imagination: turrets, dungeons and the like. Kids from little to old and even adults will love exploring all this massive castle has to offer. Afterward, children will love running around the picturesque hills of Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat (make sure to watch “Camelot” with the family before the trip). Arthur’s Seat, which is actually an extinct volcano, is reachable via hikes of varying difficulty, including an easier, more child-friendly route that requires more driving and less walking. Those traveling with a stroller may want to skip this activity, though. In general, Scotland is perfect for families coming from the U.S. or Canada that don’t want to deal with a language barrier. Plus, the country has lots of open space where kids can breathe in fresh air throughout its 900 islands and two national parks. And, of course, the real Harry Potter train also operates in Scotland. *Source:The Point Guy