Child-Friendly Cities to Visit with Kids
It can be easy to play it safe when it comes to taking a city break with the kids: will it be London? Rome? Surely not Orlando again? However, while priorities change when you’re traveling with children, it isn’t an excuse to let your destination choices grow stale. Allow iBestTravel Locals to broaden your horizons with this selection of surprisingly child-friendly cities, offering offbeat attractions and unusual activities that will shake up your routine.
Hit the beach in Tel Aviv
Famous for its wild nightlife, hip rooftop bars, and swanky restaurants, Tel Aviv might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of child-friendly cities. However, look closer, and you’ll find that mishpacha (family) is interwoven into the city’s fabric.
If your little ones love the beach, then Tel Aviv will wow. The city sizzles for most of the year, with 15km of sandy, safe-for-swimming beaches, and plenty of ice cream parlours to recharge energy levels. Moreover, the sheer amount of great playgrounds in town, including the seafront-facing Independence Park, provides a perfect spot for a picnic. Engaging museums like the Steinhardt Natural History Museum and Safari Ramat Gan, meanwhile, offer respite from the sun and a chance to slow the pace.
Where to stay: Laid-back northern Tel Aviv is a good bet for families, with close proximity to cafes, parks, and beaches. Although it’s a backpacker hub, Abraham Hostel, in the city centre, is a surprisingly good choice, with friendly staff and well-kept family suites without the hefty price tag.
Dan Savery Raz is a writer based in Tel Aviv. When not eating ice cream, he can be found in parks playing hide-and-seek with his kids. Follow his tweets @dansaveryraz
Climb over giants and cycle through parks in Valencia
In Spain, kids are treated like kings, and Valencia rolls out the royal welcome. Late dinners aren’t only for adults; younger diners are welcomed with a smile and saint-like patience at all but the snootiest establishments.
Valencia is also as flat as a pancake, meaning even little legs can handle a bike ride through Jardines del Turia, a stunning green space that unfurls through the heart of the city. Even more exciting is the Parque Gulliver in the east, where children can climb over a giant model of Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver before sliding down. Round off the day at the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences, featuring spaceship-like buildings and an interactive science museum.
Where to stay: The City of Arts and Sciences is surrounded by numerous accommodations granting easy access to both the futuristic precinct and the nearby sandy beach and Parque Gulliver.
Robert Kidd is a Valencia-based writer on a never-ending search for the perfect paella. Follow his tweets @rob_kidd1
See curiosities, cats, and vintage video games in St Petersburg
As the number-one tourist destination in Russia, St Petersburg caters to every taste imaginable, including families. For starters, getting around the city with children is easy, thanks to a reliable public transport system and the convenience of affordable taxis.
Then there are the attractions: the State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg’s showstopper, is filled with surprises for any child—from life-sized moving birds of the Peacock Clock to spooky ancient Egyptian mummies, plus a team of adorable, rodent-controlling cats. If that doesn’t wow the little ones, the nearby Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines is sure to be a hit, featuring a plethora of fun vintage games.
Where to stay: Families often prefer Solo Sokos Hotel, located in a 19th-century building near Strelka on Vasilyevsky Island, which features a fantastic spa for all family members.
Andrei Muchnik is a journalist based in Moscow who regularly travels around Russia. Follow his tweets @amuchnik.
Pair sword fights with boat tours in Dubrovnik
With a focus on architecture and history, along with hundreds of stairs, Dubrovnik’s Old Town may seem like a tough sell for younger explorers. Nevertheless, there’s much more here for kids than meets the eye. Visit early in the day to beat the heat and explore before cooling down with delicious ice cream from Peppino’s.
Elsewhere, the Uvala Lapad area is favored by local parents for its myriad energy-consuming activities, such as playgrounds and inflatable water parks. For quality family time, hop on a boat to one of the nearby car-free islands: Lopud offers sandy beaches, but leafy Lokrum may be preferable due to its large colony of tame rabbits.
Where to stay: Valamar Club, situated a 10-minute drive from the Old Town on Babin Kuk, is a dedicated family hotel, featuring a decent-sized pool, kids’ clubs, and evening entertainment for teens.
Vesna Čelebić is a copywriter and tour guide based in Dubrovnik, who firmly believes that running up and down the stairs after her children counts as a workout. Follow her tweets @Dubrovnikguided
Sample sweet treats in Chiang Mai’s food markets
Chiang Mai is incredibly affordable, making it easy to stick to a budget even with kids in tow. A luxurious hotel with all the essential amenities, including a swimming pool, won’t break the bank. Additionally, unforgettable excursions to ethical elephant sanctuaries or trips to atmospheric hilltop temples are accessible.
However, it’s the food scene where the city truly shines. Kids will delight in wandering the markets, sampling an array of weird and wonderful sweet treats. Most restaurants warmly welcome children, with friendly staff known to entertain kids while adults enjoy their meals. For an unforgettable experience, visit the city during the vibrant Loi Krathong festival, where temples are illuminated and khom loi lanterns light up the sky.
Where to stay: The best area to stay in Chiang Mai with kids is within the walls of the old city, where you’ll be steps away from restaurants, shops, temples, and local transport.
Originally from Seattle, Alana now resides in Chiang Mai, where she’s fallen head-over-heels for Thai culture. Follow her tweets @alana_morgan
Enjoy outdoor activities in Cape Town
Few travellers would think of Cape Town as a hotspot for family travel, ironic given its nickname as the Mother City. South Africa boasts a family-focused culture, and the country’s legislative capital provides numerous activities to keep kids entertained, whether scrambling to the summit of Table Mountain or participating in virtual rugby at the Springbok Experience. Moreover, several Big Five safari parks are within a two- or three-hour drive, providing exciting opportunities to spot rhinos, elephants, and lions.
Children may overlook Cape Town’s wine focus, but the city’s wineries, breweries, cafes, and restaurants accommodate kids, with outdoor playgrounds and children’s menus offering a range of hands-on activities while older travellers discuss the local Pinotage.
Where to stay: Within sight and earshot of the Simon’s Town penguin colony, Tintswalo at Boulders warmly welcomes families. Request the Penguin Room, which is equipped with books, toys, and giant beanbags.
Lucy Corne is a writer based in Cape Town who enjoys exploring the city with her young family. Follow her tweets at @lucycorne
Blow the kids’ minds in the frenetic souks of Fez
The adoring look on a Moroccan’s face upon seeing a child is priceless, encapsulating the warm welcome children receive in this family-oriented society. In Fez, children often join their parents, falling asleep when they become tired.
For all its architectural and historical grandeur, Fez presents eye-opening experiences for children aged five and up. From visits to the American Fondouk, caring for working animals in the medina, to workshops on bookbinding or brass etching at Craft Draft, there’s much to explore. However, for most young, wide-eyed travellers, the highlight will be experiencing the frenetic souks, scouring market stalls for quirky keepsakes and trying out their bartering skills.
Where to stay: With its cobbled and hilly landscape, carrying little ones in a sling is advisable, and taking breaks is essential. Staying in the medina’s center is recommended: Dar Malika is an excellent family spot, while Riad Laaroussa features a welcoming pool.
Helen Ranger is a travel writer who has lived in Fez for 14 years. Follow her tweets at helenranger
