Where to go for winter holidays: the best cities in Europe for families with children

New Year in Europe with children can be a bright adventure

In which European cities can you have a fun and interesting time with your child during the winter holidays? We offer the best cities in Europe for families with children

If you want to travel around Europe during the winter holidays, then catch the list of the most “child-oriented” cities in the EU, which will definitely have something to do for you and your child.

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1. Berlin, Germany)

Berlin has repeatedly ranked first in the ranking of the best cities for family holidays. Everything here, from large shopping centers to street cafes, is aimed at children. In every tourist place, there is, if not a children's area, then at least a drawing table. A children's menu in Berlin is always present in all catering establishments.

You will not be bored in Berlin, here you can find entertainment for every taste. You will spend no less than a day visiting Legoland (Legoland Discovery Center), the same amount of time will be needed for the largest zoo in Europe (Zoologischer Garten Berlin) and one of the largest water parks in the world called Tropical Island. Also in this city, there is an amazing Machmit Science Museum, where children do not just look at the exhibits, but take part in real experiments.

The weather in Berlin in winter is usually mild and good for walking. During the day, the air temperature fluctuates at the level of +2-4 degrees, at night light frosts (up to -2 degrees) are possible. Rains here are rare and usually short-lived. And there was practically no snow in January in recent years.

The rules for entering Germany allow travel for tourism purposes, but only if you have a vaccination certificate (the second vaccination must be done no later than 14 days before entry). Children under the age of 12 do not need a COVID-19 passport yet. Four vaccines are recognized: Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson (CoronaVac is not listed). If you are vaccinated with one of them, you do not need to take a PCR test or go into quarantine. The only thing is that before leaving Ukraine, you must register on the website einreiseanmeldung.de.

2. Prague, Czech Republic)

Prague will definitely appeal to children who rave about the Middle Ages and theaters. Every street here breathes with antiquity: it seems that a rider on a noble horse is about to jump out of the corner. Boys can feel like real knights, and girls can feel like romantic princesses. And fans of theatrical art will surely come to the ultra-modern light performances at the Image Black Light Theater and the Black Light Theater Prague Metro.

All the other guys in Prague will also be interested. Firstly, there is a whole Children's Island where - it is located on the Vltava River, and you can get there only by ferry. This is the smallest of the Prague Islands, but it is completely dedicated to children's entertainment. Secondly, you can go to the unique Prague Zoo, along which the funicular runs. By the way, there is the only zoo-cinema in the world. In addition, there are a lot of museums in Prague that will impress any child. What is worth, for example, the Museum of Chocolate with a mandatory tasting, or the Museum of toys with which you can play?

The weather in Prague in winter tends to be colder than in Berlin. During the day there is a slight minus (from 0 to -3 degrees), and at night it can be -7-10. However, in recent years, the Czechs have noticed a warming trend. It often rains and snows in Prague in January, so you should take an umbrella with you. However, in general, chilly winters are rare here, so you are unlikely to freeze

Entry rules: The Czech Republic is open to Ukrainians who have completed a full course of vaccination (children under 12 can travel without vaccinations). Like Germany, it recognizes four vaccines: Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson. Everyone else with a tourist purpose will not be allowed into the country. Before entering the Czech Republic, all tourists must fill out a questionnaire on the site plf.uzis.cz

3. Lodz (Poland)

Many Ukrainians have been to Poland - few people can now be surprised by the old streets of Krakow or the avenues of noisy and elegant Warsaw. But there is a city in this country, where until recently the foot of a Ukrainian tourist almost never set foot. This is Lodz, the third-largest settlement in Poland. It is worth flying here, if only because it is fast, convenient, and inexpensive: SkyUp Airlines has now launched direct flights from Kyiv to Lodz. In addition, this city is very comfortable for families with children: there are many of entertainment, and accommodation and meals cost about the same as in Kyiv, Odesa, and Lviv.

The first place to go in Lodz is Piotrkowska Street. It stretches for 4 km and is considered the longest street in Poland. Here you will find restaurants and kneips at every step, as well as souvenir shops and simply atmospheric establishments. On this street, you can get into the Looking Glass - the unique Passage of the Rose, which is lined with pieces of mirrors. Also here you will find a meeting with a unicorn - this is a monument that, according to popular beliefs, grants wishes.

During the New Year holidays in Łódź, you can skimp profitably - the largest shopping center in Eastern Europe, Manufaktura, is located here. Believe that children will not be bored here: in addition to boutiques, Manufactura has several children's entertainment centers. In addition to shopping, you and your child should visit the EC1 Science and Technology Center, which contains more than 150 achievements of modern science. Finally, the Lodz Zoo will delight children, where you can meet Indian elephants, Malay bears, orangutans, and Anoa buffaloes.

The weather in Lodz is not much different from the weather in Ukraine. Usually, in January there is a slight minus during the day, and frosts down to -5 at night. However, for several years in a row, January pleased the inhabitants of Lodz with positive temperatures. Therefore, it will be necessary to decide whether you need a down jacket immediately before departure.

To date, the rules for entry into Poland allow fully vaccinated tourists to cross the border. Vaccinations are not needed only for children under 12 years of age. You can also enter this country if you have been ill with coronavirus within six months before the date of entry, and you have a document that confirms this. Do not forget that before departure you must fill out a questionnaire on the website plikacje.gov.pl/app/klp/#/home.

4. Valencia (Spain)

The Spanish town of Valencia compares favorably with the noisy Barcelona and Madrid. It is quiet and calm here, you can breathe the sea air (the city is located on the Mediterranean coast) and enjoy the incredibly picturesque nature. There are also plenty of places to go with kids. It is worth going to Valencia just for the Oceanografic Aquarium alone: ​​it is the largest maritime complex in Europe, which is built in such a way that visitors can travel through all the seas and oceans of our planet. In addition, there is the world's largest dolphinarium and an underwater restaurant where you can dine surrounded by marine animals.

The aquarium is located in the City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia. There is also the Prince Phillip Science Museum, where you can touch and feel all the exhibits, and the huge Emispheric planetarium with a dome screen with a diameter of 24 meters. You can take a break from excursions in Gulliver Park, which is built directly on the figure of a sleeping giant. In addition, be sure to visit Bioparc Valencia - a unique place where animals are in natural conditions. Children will definitely enjoy watching jaguars, giraffes, hippos, and rhinos in their natural habitat.

A separate bonus to the rest is the weather in Valencia. In January, it is consistently warm here: during the day, the air temperature is kept at +13-15 degrees, but it may well reach +20. In the evening you will need a windbreaker - a light breeze often blows from the sea. However, you will definitely not see any rain, much less snow here.

The rules for entering Spain for tourists are simple: only vaccinated Ukrainians are allowed into the country. However, along with the four main vaccines, the Spanish side recognizes Coronavac/Sinovac. Vaccination is mandatory for adults and children over 12 years of age. Before departure from Ukraine, it is necessary to fill out a questionnaire on the website spth.gob.es. It is impossible for unvaccinated citizens to enter the country for the purpose of tourism.

P.S. Please note that the rules for entering any of the countries listed may change. In connection with the spread of the new Omicron coronavirus strain around the world, the EU Commission in early December recommended that all EU members review entry rules daily and change them taking into account the epidemiological situation.