Europe beyond Disneyland: 10 unforgettable family trips

BarcelonaThere's life beyond Mickey Mouse and the Design universe. And not just life: there are smoking volcanoes, trains that cross mountains, beaches where time stands still, fairytale castles that don't appear in fairy tales, and even museums where whispering isn't allowed. In Europe, family adventures aren't limited to lines or princess and superhero costumes. Some make you laugh, others make you think, and even some that, from time to time, smell of salt water, hot chocolate, or a wet forest.

This summer, we invite you to leave the endless lines behind and suggest ten trips that evade clichés, ten vacations with real tastes, calm rhythms, and surprises that don't appear in catalogs. Because traveling with children doesn't mean giving up adult interests or turning vacations into an exhausting scavenger hunt. It simply means looking at the world with your eyes wide open (and your backpack full of stories, food and games, of course!), to share discoveries that we will remember much more than anyone else. fast pass. Grab your compass. Or better yet: let yourself get lost, without fear of improvising. And one last piece of advice: less is more. Fewer stops, more rest… and more moments to treasure.

There are countries that seem made up, and Iceland is one of them. A place where volcanoes smoke, geysers erupt out of nowhere, and waterfalls tumble down as if the sky were breaking apart. Everything is magical for the creatures: walking between tectonic plates in Þingvellir National Park, watching the Strokkur geyser explode, sailing among icebergs in Jökulsárlón Lagoon, or bathing in hot springs like those at Laugarvatn Fontana, overlooking the lake of the same name. A perfect destination for adventurous families eager for wild nature, authentic thrills, and a dose of Viking fantasy.

In Sweden, traveling with children is easy; everything is carefully designed to make them feel welcome: from museums to restaurants, transportation, and accommodations. In Stockholm, there are two must-see stops: the Skansen Museum, the world's first open-air museum showcasing animals, culture, and traditions from all over the country, and the storybook universe of Junibacken, creator of the famous Pippi Longstocking. Additionally, at the Vasa Museum, you'll find a 17th-century boat that will fascinate even the littlest ones. At the Tom Tits Experiment, just outside the capital, science becomes a game with more than 400 interactive experiences. It's an ideal trip for curious families with children of all ages who want to learn through play.

In Denmark, everything invites you to play. From the magical Tivoli Gardens in the heart of Copenhagen to the dream world of Legoland in Billund, where children can build, imagine, and ride roller coasters made (almost) of small bricks. The country is committed to public spaces designed for families, quiet beaches for jogging, and museums with interactive areas that invite you to touch and experiment. It's a perfect destination for families looking for kid-sized fun, but with Nordic charm, thoughtful design, and a friendly pace that makes everyone feel at home.

The Black Forest is a vast natural park that's a dream for families. In addition to dense forests and trails to discover waterfalls and legends, there are fairytale villages like Triberg, with its cascading waterfalls and giant cuckoo clocks. For little explorers, you'll find adventures that will ignite everyone's excitement: tobogganing down the Sommerrodelbahn summer slope in Gutach, climbing trees and sliding down the slide at the Baumwipfelpfad Schwarzwald viewpoint, or challenging vertigo on the Wild suspension bridge. And, to top it all off, Europa-Park offers first-class fun for all ages. A combination of nature, culture, and adrenaline, perfect for families eager to explore and play.

Estonia is like a little northern gem that few families have on their radar. And that's precisely why it's so enchanting. Tallinn is a walled city that seems like something out of a fairy tale, with towers, dragons, and secret passages. Museums like Lennusadam, with submarines and airplanes, or the Proto Invention Factory, where children learn about humanity's greatest inventions through virtual reality, allow them to learn through play. In the south of the country, the Lottemaa theme park turns local cartoons into a real-life adventure, and the Ahhaa Science Museum amazes with its experiments. A peaceful destination full of surprises for experiencing Europe at a different speed.

In the Cyclades, Naxos and Koufonísia make an ideal family tandem. On Naxos, kids can run among ancient temples, search for giants in the Portara, and explore whitewashed villages car-free. Beaches like Agios Georgios and Plaka boast soft sand and shallow waters. Just an hour away by boat, Koufonísia seems like a mirage: virtually car-free, you can swim in turquoise coves and hike the flat paths that border the island. A perfect combination of relaxation, nature, and history to experience Greece through the eyes of a child.

If the Greek islands are a paradise of relaxation, Sicily is its wildest and most fascinating version. In addition to coves with clear waters and charming coastal towns, the island offers unique adventures: climbing the fumaroles of Mount Etna, exploring Greek temples like those in Agrigento, and strolling through cobblestone streets in Erice, Taormina, and Noto. For children, every day is a discovery: fire, stone, sea, and myths. An island with character, perfect for families eager to go beyond the typical sun and sand.

London is a city for pretending to be grown-up... without ceasing to be small. The Natural History Museum is a paradise for little explorers, with giant dinosaurs and earthquake simulators. At the Transport Museum, they can climb onto vintage buses and pretend to be subway drivers. From the London Eye, they can experience the adventure of seeing the city from a cloud, and wizarding fans can experience the world of Harry Potter at the Warner Bros. studios. Nature lovers can go wildlife hunting in Hyde Park, full of squirrels, or in Richmond Park, home to dozens of deer. Don't miss Hamleys toy store, a child's dream turned into seven floors of fun. Free museums, immense parks, and toy-like transportation make London a family destination full of surprises and excitement around every corner.

In Switzerland, the landscapes are so picture-perfect they look like paintings: crystal-clear lakes, endless meadows, and mountains that touch the sky. For children, it's an outdoor adventure playground: they can follow in Heidi's footsteps in Maienfeld, zipline up to the Jungfraujoch, and go down summer toboggan runs surrounded by cows and forests. Mountain trains, paths for toddlers, and charming villages make this country an ideal destination for discovering nature with the family, with excitement and tranquility at the same time.

Istanbul is the most exotic European city you can visit without crossing an ocean. Minarets that outline the horizon, boats that cross the Bosphorus and bring you from Europe to Asia, and markets that feel like a treasure hunt. Children will marvel: they can search for mosaics in Hagia Sophia, see fish underfoot on the Galata Bridge, ride the red Istiklal tram, or visit Asia and Europe in a single day. The Grand Bazaar is a fascinating labyrinth where little ones can conduct their first business negotiations, and the Toy Museum is a delightful surprise. An exotic, cultural, and sensorial adventure to experience as a family.