30 Family-Friendly European Destinations Your Kids Will Adore

This city located on England’s southern shore has a rich history of being a family-oriented destination. As Brighton’s significance as a fishing hub diminished in the 18^th century, it started attracting visitors drawn by a then-rising trend: sea bathing. Initially favored by aristocrats and nobles, the establishment of new railway lines in the 19^th century enabled less affluent visitors to enjoy a day by the sea.

The city’s evolution from a fishing settlement to England’s premier seaside resort can be explored at the Brighton Fishing Museum. One of Brighton’s most renowned landmarks, the Brighton Palace Pier amusement park, opened in 1899 and is particularly delightful on sunny days.

Overlooking the Palace Pier, Sea Life Brighton is the oldest operating aquarium in the world (inaugurated in 1872). The 5,500 inhabitants there—including rays, sharks, turtles, and more—will captivate every aspiring ichthyologist. Transitioning from underwater wonders to aerial views, a visit to Brighton i360, a 531-foot-tall observation tower also situated on the seafront west of the Palace Pier, is recommended.

Much of Brighton’s contemporary history is linked with the royals who helped solidify its allure. The future George IV began visiting Brighton in the 1780s and subsequently commissioned the Royal Pavilion, a magnificent palace influenced by Indian architecture. The Brighton Museum & Art Gallery offers insights into the city’s past and its vibrant cultural scene while the Hove Museum of Creativity showcases an eclectic array focused on crafts, artifacts from early cinema, and, particularly popular with children, the Wizard’s Attic filled with dolls, teddy bears, rocking horses, and various toys. Further toys can be found on display at the Brighton Toy Museum, featuring over 10,000 pieces created by British and European toymakers.

Another relic from the Victorian era, the Volks Electric Railway is among the oldest electric railways in Europe. It was inaugurated in 1883 and continues to ferry families along the Brighton beachfront. While the ocean is Brighton’s primary draw, the city and its vicinity also feature numerous parks and lakes, including the stunning Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens (just 40 minutes north of Brighton), Preston Park, Queen’s Park, and Blakers Park.