The 10 Most Historic Cities in Europe to Visit with our Children
Europe has an enviable cultural and historical heritage and is home to many of the most beautiful cities in the world. Some of them have what every traveler looks for in a tourist destination: nature, monuments, parks, and incredible old towns.
We have made a selection of some of the most recommended historical cities to go to with the family. Many of them have been the cradle of important peoples and civilizations and, in turn, witnesses of the development and growth of society. The fact of knowing the most emblematic places of these localities, as well as the meaning of their existence, will surely awaken the interest in history in many children.
When it comes to history, no city can compare to Rome. In it, time seems to have stopped, and walking its streets is like going back to the Ancient Age. The foundation of the Eternal City dates from 753 BC. The incredible conservation of its monuments makes this destination an unmissable trip.
Visiting places such as the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon of Agrippa or the Vatican will make you delve into the bowels of history. The Sistine Chapel, the Capitoline Museums, and the Vatican Museums house all the artistic wealth of the Renaissance and the Baroque.
Florence is a true open-air museum. This destination stands out for its incredible works of art, churches, marble buildings, squares, monuments, and incredible sculptures. One of the essential places to enjoy the history of art is the Uffizi Gallery along with the Accademia Gallery. You will admire incredible works such as Michelangelo’s David.
You have to know the Piazza del Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, the Piazza Della Signoria, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Church of Santo Croce, the Church of Santa Maria Novella and watch the sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo.
The history of this ancient Italian city, which was trapped in time, is one of the most striking aspects for its visitors. The violent eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in 79 BC, buried Pompeii under a blanket of lava and ash. For centuries it was abandoned since it was not rediscovered until 1550. 150 years later, the excavation tasks that continue to last today would begin.
Only 60% of the total city has been unearthed and it is one of the most important archaeological sites of Ancient Rome. Some of the essentials of Pompeii are the House of the Faun, the Temple of Apollo, the Villa of the Mysteries, the Forum, the Lupanar, the Large and Small Theater, and the Amphitheater. One of the most emotional visits is that of the Garden of the Fugitives (Orto Dei Fuggiaschi) where you will see thirteen casts of adults and children who tried to flee the eruption. Something that is sure to impress the whole family.
A historical city where one can witness the establishment of the pillars of thought and knowledge is Athens. The Greek capital emerged in the 5th century and it is here that the idea of democracy and the teachings of Plato and Aristotle took root.
The Acropolis and its Parthenon, the Agora, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Mount Lycabettus, and the neighborhoods of Plaka and Monastiraki are places that will undoubtedly make the trip worthwhile. Find the best accommodation for families in Athens here.
For many, Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is one of the most important in the Central European region, it has a historic center and impressive monuments and, in addition, it has been declared a World Heritage City.
Its origins date back to the 8th century and it is considered one of the most important medieval fortresses. Its Cathedral of St. Vitus is one of the Gothic icons of Europe and it is worth visiting the Charles IV Bridge, Prague Castle, the Jewish and Mala Strana neighborhoods, and the Old Square with its spectacular 15th century Astronomical Clock that is embedded in one of the walls of the Town Hall. Find the best accommodation for families in Prague here.
Saint Petersburg is the former capital of the Russian Empire, formerly known as Leningrad is one of the most important historical cities in the country and one of the most beautiful. It is primarily known for being the home of the Hermitage Museum which houses Greek and Roman collections, valuable jewelry, and highlights from the pre-revolutionary Russian era.
It is also world-famous for the story of Anastasia, daughter of Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Imperial Russia. This city is full of museums, palaces, churches and some of its essentials are the St. Petersburg Opera, the Winter Palace, Nevsky Avenue, the subway, or the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. Find the best accommodation for families in St. Petersburg here.
Berlin is one of the historical cities by nature. Known worldwide for what happened during the Second World War, it has managed to rise from its ashes and become a benchmark for Europe.
It presents a wide cultural, historical, and entertainment offer for the traveler as well as a multitude of monuments and places to visit. The most notable are: the Berlin Wall, the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and the one known as Museum Island with collections ranging from antiquity to the nineteenth century. In addition, you can plan a visit to the Holocaust Memorial, after all, these types of places are the most palpable sample of what wars, exterminations, and the biggest mistakes in our most recent history meant, it is important that children know this. Find the best family-friendly accommodation in Berlin here.
The capital of the United Kingdom brings together a multitude of attractions that makes it one of the most visited cities. To visit London is to know and review the history of the British Empire but, at the same time, it is to enter a cosmopolitan and modern environment that combines the best of history with a very wide cultural offer.
The mix of traditional customs with a relaxed atmosphere makes London an ideal destination to go with young people. The best visits to do in the city include Portobello Road, Notting Hill, Camden, the London Eye, the British Parliament, Oxford Street, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, or St. Paul’s Cathedral. Find the best accommodation for families in London here.
Vienna is known for being an imperial city and the cradle of classical music where Mozart and Beethoven composed some of their most important works. Its buildings preserve the exuberance and splendor of the Middle Ages, the Baroque, and the 19th century.
The capital of Austria has many things to see and do like watching an opera show at the Vienna State Opera or tasting the delicious Sacher cake. Some of the most important monuments are the Belvedere Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Schönbrunn Palace, and the Hofburg Palace. Find the best accommodation for families in Vienna here.
Paris will always be on the list of dream trips. The City of Light combines great historical eras since its streets have had Normans, Franks, absolutism, and the famous French Revolution. All this has deeply marked the city, which is inexcusably linked to the artistic and cultural expressions of all those times.
Some examples of the incredible Parisian architecture can be found in the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Basilica of the Sacre Coeur, or the Palace of the Invalides. Of course, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Louvre Museum and see Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Find the best accommodations for families in Paris here.
Yuriy Moshes has spanned several areas of law but his expertise lies in litigation and real estate transactions. Over the years, he has assisted homeowners understand their options and either remain in their home or pursue possible liquidation options. He graduated from Brooklyn College with a Bachelors of Science degree and a Juris Doctor from the Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center.