Top 3 family city breaks

A city break is typically thought off as a holiday choice for young couples or groups of mates looking to explore the local nightlife. But there’s no reason why a few days in a foreign city can’t be an excellent getaway for families, too.

There are several advantages to choosing a city break for a family holiday. For example, being in a major city will mean there’s no shortage of things to keep you and the kids entertained, while with plenty of bargain all inclusive holidays on offer, it’s also a good way to keep costs down. Below are three suggestions for ideal family city break destinations, each offering something a little different.

Marrakech

You don’t have to travel far to find a city that offers a sense of mystery and adventure. The Moroccan city of Marrakech is just three-and-a-half hours away from the UK by plane and is ideal for anyone looking for somewhere completely different to home. With its traditional markets, snake charmers, magicians and fire eaters, Marrakech offers plenty of mystic north-African charm and exploring the winding, mazy streets of the medina is a great way to get a real sense of this ancient city.

The plethora of street entertainment and the wonderful sights, smells and sounds of the market place are likely to catch the attention of both adults and children, while warm weather most of the year round means the region is also ideal for those who just want to enjoy the sunshine by the pool. Slightly older children in particular are likely to find the city a cultural eye-opener and a place that will stay long in the memory.

Athens

For those families that want to combine culture and history with laid-back fun in the sun, Athens is one of the best places in Europe to go on holiday. Fascinating ancient landmarks such as the Acropolis will interest older members of the family and are likely to also capture the imagination of younger visitors – offering a great way to ignite an interest in history in your kids.

But as well as the history, there are plenty of other things to see and do in Athens. In particular, families should take advantage of the beaches both nearby and in the city itself, with the best being in the Kavouri-Vouliagmeni area. Here you will find a number of small beaches and coves ideal for swimming and snorkelling, or for just laying back and relaxing in the sun.

The holiday season generally runs from April to October, but you may want to avoid going in the height of summer when temperatures can soar into the mid 30s.

Prague

For a cultural city break that still offers plenty to keep younger travellers entertained, head to Prague. The Czech capital is home to some of the most stunning medieval streets and architecture in Europe, as well as a strong literary and artistic tradition, which can be explored in the city’s myriad museums and art galleries.
Kids are also likely to enjoy sights such as Prague’s imposing Gothic castles and the famous Astronomical Clock with its hourly display of moving figures.

Meanwhile, activities such as exploring the city’s parks, hiring bikes or taking a boat out on the Vltava river will mean there’s plenty to stop younger members of the family getting bored over a weekend break in the city.

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