Three of the best family-friendly destinations in the world

“Just because kids don’t remember something, does not mean that it is not forming who they are in profound ways. “

We’ve been fortunate enough to travel around the world and see many amazing cities, most of them with our kids. I know it can sound daunting to travel and fly with kids, but I can honestly tell you that it is possible and would even go as far as to say that I would recommend it.

Experts claim that travelling can significantly boost a child’s development. It’s like a classroom without walls. I taught my toddler the “London Bridge is falling down” song as we were navigating our way below it. Every time he hears the song, he remembers that he was actually there although he was only 2.

Seeing places and people they are not used to, teaches them about different cultures and languages. They become little citizens of the world and expand their worldviews.

Dr Robin Hancock, an expert in early childhood education from Bank Street College of Education, suggests that exposing children from birth to approximately three years old to individuals from diverse backgrounds (especially those who don’t look and sound like they do) “normalises” those experiences.

Will they remember everything? Probably not. But just because they don’t remember something, does not mean that it is not forming who they are in profound ways.

What makes a destination family-friendly?

I haven’t travelled to every destination in the world. So I’ve put together a subjective list of three of the best family destinations in the world that we’ve travelled to with our kids. There are three things that I take into account when judging whether a city is suitable for families. Together they form the Family Friendly Trifecta (patent pending).

The Family Friendly Trifecta

Accessibility: How easy is it to get from point A to point B with a stroller? How easy is it to navigate public transport? Is there plenty of open spaces for toddler tantrums?

Sightseeing: Is there something for everyone or is that just a marketing myth? Can the kids be entertained while we do all the normal touristy things? Do they have any interactive exhibits or kid-friendly tours? Are there snack and rest areas?

Challenges: How safe will my kids be at this destination? How clean is it (because chances are that one of them will be eating something off the floor)? How stressful will this location be for parents?

Three of the best family destinations in the world:

These are not the only three family-friendly cities we’ve visited, but they scored the highest on my Family Friendly Trifecta. They are not listed in order, so I recommend visiting any one of these. I should also mention that when I say “kid friendly”, I’m referring to kids under the age of 3 – the tiny humans who nap two times a day, eat consistently and still need your help wiping themselves after going to the bathroom.

1. London with kids

London is by far one of the best family-friendly destinations in the world. It’s got the London Eye, plenty of public parks and the Natural History Museum. What’s not to love?

Accessibility in London with kids

London scores really well in terms of accessibility for families with young children. Most public transport options, like the iconic red double-decker buses (with audio guides especially for kids!) and the London Underground, are stroller-friendly, with many stations equipped with elevators and ramps.

Additionally, there are plenty of open spaces, parks and gardens where toddlers can roam freely and let off steam. Overall, London provides good accessibility for families with strollers and offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities to handle toddler tantrums.

Sightseeing in London with kids

From iconic landmarks like the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace to family-friendly museums like the Science Museum and the London Zoo, there is something for everyone to enjoy in London. Attractions like the National History Museum have a ton of interactive exhibits, dedicated children’s areas, and kid-friendly tours to keep young ones entertained while parents explore.

Boys and girls of all ages, even those over 30, will enjoy cruising along the Thames on an Uber boat while taking in the historic city from a unique perspective.

Challenges in London with kids

London is generally considered a safe destination for travelling families. There’s a visible police presence in tourist areas, contributing to a sense of security for parents and entertainment for kids, because what toddler doesn’t like a police siren?

However, like any major city, London can have very busy streets and crowded tourist attractions. One of the biggest challenges in London will be navigating crowds and traffic delays with testy toddlers. While navigating the city can be hectic at times, especially during peak tourist seasons, careful planning and prepping can limit the risk of mental breakdowns for both adults and kids.

As for cleanliness, London maintains its streets and public facilities well enough, though I would always advise carrying hand sanitiser and wipes when travelling with young children.

2. Florence with kids

Florence is one of my favourite cities in the entire world. It might be because we had to drive through Tuscany to get there, or because of the magnificent Duomo Cathedral dominating the skyline. The gelato adds to the city’s allure too.

Accessibility in Florence with kids

Florence’s historic centre boasts charming cobblestone streets and picturesque alleys. The city is home to outstanding art and architecture, but is generally compact, making it easy to navigate with little legs wreaking havoc along the way.

The city’s centre and piazzas are perfect for wild toddlers who need to stretch their legs and many of the restaurants will cater to children by making a smaller portion of whatever is on the menu or simple pasta with tomato sauce if you ask them in your best Italian.

Sightseeing in Florence with kids

Florence is like an open-air museum so most of the main attractions like the Duomo di Firenze (Florence Cathedral), the Campanile di Giotto and the Ponte Vecchio Bridge part of the city and very child-friendly.

Although children might not be interested in the architectural history of these sights, the towering buildings and the narrow cobblestone alleyways connecting them make for the perfect playground. There are other attractions, like the Accademia Gallery where Michelangelo’s David is exhibited.

This was one of those unmissable things on my list, so we ended up putting the baby in the carrier and gave the toddler a really thorough pep-talk before going inside. All-in-all it went pretty well for a location that doesn’t explicitly cater to kids.

Challenges in Florence with kids

Public transport might not be as easy to understand if you’re not a native Italian speaker. Especially when you’re in a hurry or have a lot of luggage, which is mostly the case we find ourselves in when travelling.

Cobblestones make for a bumpy pram journey and can be hard on prams that are made for easier terrains. I highly suggest bringing a baby carrier for little ones and looking on Google Maps to see whether attractions are accessible with strollers.

3. Cape Town with kids

How can this list be complete if I don’t include my backyard? For South Africans, this might come as a bit of a shock, but I can promise you without a shadow of a doubt, that Cape Town is one of the most kid-friendly places you’ll ever experience.

Families are spoilt for choice when it comes to child-friendly activities. Our favourite Cape Town activity is the Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront, a beach day in the Strand or visiting the iconic Table Mountain.

Accessibility in Cape Town with kids

Cape Town has excellent hop-on hop-off red sightseeing bus tours. They are perfect for a day out with the kids and take you to many of the best attractions in and around Cape Town. Part of the Cape Town charm is also the Cape Winelands in the Stellenbosch and Franschhoek area, which are both an hour’s drive from the city.

When travelling with kids, I would highly suggest hiring a car and driving to your sightseeing destination. Most attractions around Cape Town, like the Simonstown Penguin Colony or the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden will have public parking spaces.

Having your own vehicle allows you to create an itinerary that suits you and your kid’s nap time. Have a serious nappy situation to sort out? Nothing works better than the boot of a rental.

Sightseeing in Cape Town with kids

We’ve visited our fair share of wine farms and have yet to find one that doesn’t have either a kiddies juice pairing, a playground or both. Cape Town is the embodiment of a family-friendly location with many of the main attractions catering to adults, kids and babies.

Furthermore, Cape Town’s vibrant markets, cultural sites, and beaches ensure that there is something for everyone to enjoy, making it one of the best cities to visit with kids. We recently hired bikes at the Sea Point promenade and the kids loved riding in the carriage on the promenade while we took in stunning views of the ocean and Table Mountain.

Challenges in Cape Town with kids

Despite its many attractions, Cape Town does present some challenges for families with young children. Safety is a key concern for visitors, particularly in crime hotspots where criminal activity is likely to occur.

To mitigate these safety risks, I always advise people to be extra cautious when travelling with kids (this counts for all destinations!) and be aware of their surroundings. Try to travel as light as possible and do your research about locations before going there with your tiny tots in tow.

While exploring Cape Town’s diverse landscapes and attractions can be exhilarating, it may also be physically demanding for parents, requiring careful planning and consideration of children’s needs and limitations. The Cape Town weather is about as predictable as a two-year-old, so be prepared for all four seasons in one day (no, seriously).

Apart from all the things that my kids learn when seeing the world, ultimately, travelling with my kids is beneficial to me too. It makes me see the world through their eyes. I’ll never regret spending as much time as possible with my kids.

These experiences that require a little more attention, time and planning, are ultimately the ones that will form our family and create unique, lifelong family bonds.

My kids might not remember the Trevi fountain, the Colosseum or the London Eye, but the way their faces lit up when they got to see what others only dream of, will forever be burned into the mind of their mom.