WHEN people ask me about city breaks, the question they ask has changed over the years.
It used to be about nightlife, food scenes or ticking off landmarks.
Now, more often than not, it’s parents asking a much more practical version of the same thing. Where is a good place to go with kids?
I’m Rob. I work in travel, I look at holiday pricing and trends every day, and I’ve stayed in more hotels than I can count.
I’m also 32, with a two-year-old and an eight-month-old. That combination has completely reshaped how I think about city breaks.
For me, the right family city break is about timing as much as place.
Sensible weather. Walkable centres. Enough going on without it feeling overwhelming. Somewhere forgiving if the day doesn’t go to plan.
This is my month-by-month guide to where I’d go on a city break with kids, based on value, weather, popularity and what’s actually on.
They’re all places I’d genuinely feel comfortable taking my own family.
January – Budapest, Hungary
January is a month where calm matters. After Christmas, families tend to want somewhere affordable, predictable and easy to manage, and Budapest fits that bill perfectly.
It is cold, usually around 3 to 5C, but that brings real advantages.
The city is quiet, hotel prices drop significantly, and the city moves at a slower pace. That makes it far less stressful with buggies and tired legs.
Budapest is compact, flat and well-connected by trams, which makes getting around simple.
Indoor attractions like cafés and historic bathhouses give you plenty of warm places to dip into throughout the day.
I’ve found January breaks from around £114pp for a family of four, which is exceptional value for a European capital.
February – Venice, Italy
February works for families because it offers spectacle without the chaos you get later in the year.
Venice Carnival brings colour, parades and street performers, particularly during the daytime when it feels surprisingly family-friendly.
Children get the magic of masks and costumes, while parents avoid the summer (and summer prices).
Temperatures hover around 7 to 9C, which keeps days comfortable for walking.
Vaporetto boats also turn everyday transport into part of the experience, which is always a win with younger travellers.
I’ve found February stays from around £130pp for a family of four, especially when staying just outside the historic centre.
March – Amsterdam, Netherlands
March is one of the most reliable months for a family city break, and Amsterdam is one of the easiest cities to do with children.
The weather sits around 10 to 12C, the city starts to feel brighter, and peak tourism is still a few weeks away.
It is flat, organised and designed for everyday life, which makes navigating it with kids feel intuitive rather than stressful.
March is also when parks, canal walks and museums like NEMO Science Museum really come into their own, giving you options that work whether the day is high energy or low key.
I’ve found March breaks from around £140pp for a family of four, before spring demand pushes prices up.
April – Athens, Greece
April is a sweet spot for Athens, especially for families who want warmth without exhaustion.
Temperatures typically range between 18 and 22C, which makes sightseeing genuinely enjoyable.
You can explore historic sites without battling summer heat or shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, and there is more space to take things at a slower pace.
Easter often falls in April, bringing local celebrations, food and atmosphere that make the city feel lived in rather than purely touristic.
It is a good month for mixing big sights with relaxed neighbourhood wandering.
I’ve found April city breaks from around £140pp for a family of four, which is strong value for such a bucket list destination.
May – Istanbul, Turkey
May works brilliantly for families because Istanbul becomes warm and lively without tipping into intense heat.
Temperatures sit around 22C to 25C, which is comfortable for walking, ferry rides and outdoor meals.
The city naturally breaks days into short, varied experiences, which is ideal with children. A boat ride, a park stop, some street food, then a rest.
Public transport is efficient, parks like Gülhane provide breathing space, and the sheer variety of sights keeps everyone engaged without needing a rigid plan.
I’ve found May breaks from around £130pp for a family of four, making it one of the best-value big cities in Europe at that time of year.
June – Stockholm, Sweden
June is when Stockholm really makes sense for families.
Long daylight hours, mild temperatures around 18 to 22C, and a strong outdoor culture mean days feel relaxed rather than rushed.
Parks, islands and waterfront walks are everywhere, and ferries turn getting around into part of the fun.
The city feels calm, clean and safe, with lots of space to pause when needed. Museums are interactive, and many attractions are designed with families in mind.
I’ve found June breaks from around £147pp for a family of four, which is good value considering how expensive Stockholm can be later in the summer.
July – Krakow, Poland
July is peak summer, but Krakow works for families because it combines warmth with value and a very manageable city layout.
Temperatures can reach 25 to 30°C, but the city centre is compact and full of shaded squares where you can slow things down when needed.
Summer festivals and outdoor cafés give the city energy without it feeling overwhelming, and everything is close enough that you are never committing to long days out.
Food prices are low, accommodation is good value, and it is an easy city to dip in and out of at your own pace.
I’ve found July breaks from around £144pp for a family of four, which is strong value for a European city in the heart of the school holidays.
August – Edinburgh, UK
August is Edinburgh at full tilt, but it is one of the rare cities where busyness actually works for families.
The Fringe Festival fills the city with daytime street performers, pop-up shows and family-friendly entertainment that you can stumble across without planning ahead.
That makes it ideal if you want flexibility rather than rigid itineraries.
Temperatures usually sit between 18 and 21C, which is perfect for walking without fatigue, and green spaces are never far away if you need a break.
I’ve found August flight and hotel breaks from around £217pp for a family of four. You could do it cheaper with hotel-only and driving or getting the train, but flights are often so reasonably priced that it still makes sense to fly.
September – Munich, Germany
September is a great time to visit Munich with kids.
Early autumn brings warm but comfortable days around 18 to 22C, and the city feels open and easy to navigate.
Oktoberfest adds colour and atmosphere during the day, with fairground rides and music that children enjoy, while the rest of the city remains calm and spacious.
It is easy to sample the buzz without being consumed by it, which is exactly what families need.
I’ve found September breaks from around £180pp for a family of four, particularly when travelling outside the busiest Oktoberfest weekends.
October – Seville
October is the month Seville really starts to shine for families.
The extreme summer heat has gone, leaving warm, comfortable days that suit walking and exploring.
Crowds thin out significantly, which makes the city feel calmer and easier to enjoy with children.
Public squares, parks and shaded streets give you natural places to pause, and the pace of life slows after peak season.
I’ve found October breaks from around £204pp for a family of four, which is good value for southern Spain at its most comfortable.
November – Naples, Italy
November is ideal for families who want a more relaxed, authentic city break.
Temperatures stay mild, usually between 15 and 18C, and tourist numbers drop sharply. That brings better prices and a much more local feel, with everyday life taking centre stage.
Naples is lively and unapologetically real, which many children find fascinating.
Simple pleasures like waterfront walks and excellent, inexpensive food carry the experience.
I’ve found November breaks from around £140pp for a family of four, making it one of the best-value Italian city breaks of the year.
December – Cologne, Germany
December works for families because everything is concentrated and atmospheric.
Christmas markets cluster around the cathedral and surrounding squares, making the city easy to explore on foot.
Lights, music, hot chocolate and gentle fairground rides deliver festive payoff without long days or complicated planning.
Short days actually suit the experience, as you do not need to do much to feel like you have seen plenty.
I’ve found December breaks from around £180pp for a family of four, outside the busiest Christmas market weekends.
City breaks with kids are not about doing more – they’re about choosing the right place at the right time.
Get the month right, and suddenly the weather cooperates, prices feel fair, crowds ease off, and cities become enjoyable rather than exhausting.
These are the places I would confidently take my own family. Thought-through, well-timed choices that work in real life.