5 Underrated Capital Cities in Europe to Travel with Your Toddlers

We all know some popular European capital cities to travel with toddlers, like London, Paris, or Rome. However, the downside of travelling to any of these cities is that they’re so popular that sometimes you end up getting stuck in some crowded place with nothing much to see as there are too many visitors to see some of the most famous landmarks in the world there.

It’s hard enough to travel with your toddlers, but it can be harder when they throw tantrums in a crowded place full of tourists. And that’s how we came up with this post to list some underrated capital cities in Europe that are not only kids-friendly, but also have many great places to visit with your young children.

So, what are the best capital cities in Europe to travel with your toddlers? What kind of family-friendly activities can you do in these less-popular capitals in Europe? Here we go!

1. Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen is not only one of the safest capital cities to visit with toddlers in Europe, but it is also one of the world’s greatest destinations for families with young children. It is so safe that leaving sleeping babies in strollers outside cafes or supermarkets has become a common sight around the city.

Travelling with your toddlers in Copenhagen means that both you and your kids can be in a relaxing environment with numerous family-oriented facilities and services that make your travel easier. The city is pedestrian-friendly, while public transportation is affordable and easy for your family to get around!

Recommended Things to Do with Toddlers in Copenhagen

Everybody loves theme parks, whether you’re the parent or the kid in the family. Add Tivoli Gardens to your itinerary for the trip with toddlers in Copenhagen, as there are plenty of activities suitable for young children in this 20-acre park.

Toddlers can go on various rides at Tivoli Gardens, from the Classic Carousel to the Dragon Boats. On top of that, the entrance ticket is free for children under 3!

When visiting Copenhagen with your toddlers, you’ll never run out of ideas to play with your children, as the city has many indoor and outdoor playgrounds suitable for young kids. You and your toddlers can visit Naturlegepladsen, the largest outdoor playground with a hilly landscape in the capital city of Denmark.

For quality meals with your toddlers, plenty of family-friendly restaurants in Copenhagen offer facilities for parents with young kids. You can also stop by the Torvehallerne, where you can enjoy more than 80 food stalls serving various yummy Danish delicacies. Try Granny’s House’s romkulger, the signature Danish sweet with light rum and chocolate for some delicious treats.

2. Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm boasts numerous parks and green spaces where your children can run, play, and enjoy outdoor activities. The city offers numerous family-friendly attractions tailored to toddlers’ interests, including the world’s first open-air museum dedicated to young kids with a zoo, a fairground, and an aquarium in one spot.

Public transportation in Stockholm is easily accessible, even for families travelling with children. And if you travel with your toddler, you can also take advantage of free bus rides as you can take the bus for free if you’re a parent travelling with a stroller.

Recommended Things to Do with Toddlers in Stockholm

Sweden has the largest number of islands in the world, and the Stockholm archipelago is the biggest of all. With over 30,000 islands in its surrounding, you can take your toddlers on a boat tour to explore a few islands in the archipelago. For a unique experience, you can book a ride on the Ocean bus, an amphibian bus that can run on both land and water!

You’ll never run out of activities with your toddlers in Stockholm, as the city offers kids-friendly infrastructures with numerous well-maintained parks for children to explore. Take your toddler to Bryggartäppan, the public playground in Södermalm where your kids can roleplay with other kids and see the replica of the district from the 19th to early 20th century.

Stop by Lasse i Parken Krog & Kafé for good, quality meals. The cafe has a large garden where you can also bring your baby stroller, and it is also a great open space for your toddlers and young children to stroll around and play. From sandwiches to grilled meats, Lasse i Parken is a great cafe to enjoy your meals for brunch or dinner with your kids in Stockholm!

3. Oslo, Norway

The capital city of Norway is surrounded by natural beauty, with forests, parks, and waterfront areas easily accessible from the city centre of Oslo. You can find ample space for toddlers to go out and play while enjoying the fresh air and having fun.

It’s also easy to commute with public transportation in Oslo. All public transportation is streamlined under the Ruter ticketing system, with just the Bygdøy ferry being an exception. In addition, all children under six can travel for free, so you can save a few bucks when travelling in Oslo with your young kids.

Recommended Things to Do with Toddlers in Oslo

Frogner Park is the largest park in Oslo, with around 45 hectares of land that offers plenty of open spaces for families with toddlers to explore. While the park features several playground areas specifically designed for children like swings and slides, it’s also a great picnic area where you and your families can relax and enjoy meals together.

With Oslo’s reputation for being the world’s winter capital, you can also take your kids to SNØ, where you can enjoy indoor skiing and snowboarding all year round.

To top it all, there are also many family-friendly restaurants where you can take your toddlers to eat with play areas, like Nazar cafe-bar or Kongen Marina Beach Bar & Restaurant. If you want to explore food from different cultures, you can also visit Oslo Street Food, where you can find some food stalls and bars that serve everything from tacos to dim sum!

4. Vilnius, Lithuania

With around 40% green space in Lithuania’s capital city, Vilnius is an underrated European capital that offers plenty of activities for parents travelling with toddlers.

On top of numerous parks suitable to run and play for young children, Vilnius also has several family-friendly museums where your kids can visit to learn and play. Vilnius is a great place with a combination of art and nature, making it a great spot to explore with your toddlers!

Recommended Things to Do with Toddlers in Vilnius

Located in the heart of Vilnius, Lukiškės Square is a great starting point to explore Lithuania’s capital city. Many other attractions in Vilnius are within walking distance from the largest square in the city, and it’s also a great spot for picnics with spacious areas for toddlers to play.

Make a stop at Gediminas Castle Tower, the famous Vilnius landmark where you can take your toddlers for a walk to enjoy the beautiful view of the capital from the top. You can also enter the museum inside the castle, where you and your kids can explore the reconstructions of the castles from the 14th to 17th centuries. While an entrance fee is applicable for adults, toddlers can enter the museum for free.

Vilnius also has some kids-friendly restaurants where you can take your toddlers to eat and play. Visit Nykstuku Pasaulis, the first play cafe in Lithuania where your kids can enjoy delicious, healthy meals with a spacious playground in the centre of the restaurant.

5. Dublin, Ireland

Compared to London, Dublin is so underrated despite offering numerous fun activities for families. From the hop-on hop-off tours, to visiting Phoenix Park which is one of the largest enclosed city parks in Europe, there are so many reasons why Dublin is a great place to visit when you travel with your toddlers!

Dublin is also pedestrian-friendly, making it one of the easiest cities in Europe to navigate, even when travelling with baby strollers. Most buses in Dublin have reserved areas for them, and toddlers can travel for free on public transportation when accompanied by a Leap Card holder.

Recommended Things to Do with Toddlers in Dublin

Phoenix Park is one of the must-visit hot spots in Dublin for families travelling with children. Originally created as a royal deer-hunting spot in the 17th century, the park is now home to many kids-friendly attractions in Dublin.

While the entrance to the park is free 24/7 which offers so many great picnic spots, you can also visit some other places within the Phoenix area, including Dublin Zoo and the residence of the president for the Republic of Ireland, Áras an Uachtarái.

After exploring one of the best city parks in Europe, you can treat your family to delicious meals at The Boathouse Cafe in Farmleigh. Situated around Phoenix Park, the cafe offers a variety of Irish dishes with a kids menu available for your little ones.

Conclusions

Travelling with toddlers can be a delightful experience for both parents and kids, and Europe offers a wealth of destinations that cater to families with many kids-friendly hot spots and activities.

While popular capital cities in Europe like London, Paris, and Rome often dominate travel recommendations, some underrated capital cities in Europe deserve your attention when planning to travel with your toddlers. From the kids-friendly Copenhagen to nature-rich Vilnius, you can explore many European cities with your little ones!