Western Europe rewards families with history you can touch, food you’ll talk about for years, and trains that make travel feel like part of the adventure. This 10-day itinerary focuses on three icons—London, Paris, and Amsterdam—so you spend more time exploring and less time packing. It’s designed for a family of five (kids 14, 12, and 9), mid-range budget, and a “live-like-a-local” pace balanced with big-ticket sights.

Expect hands-on fun (a Paris cooking class), museum moments tailored to young explorers, and a sand-between-your-toes beach day on the North Sea. Breweries and beer history are woven in thoughtfully, with venues that welcome families during daytime hours. You’ll move between cities by high-speed train—fast, comfortable, and city-center to city-center.

Practical notes: reserve timed-entry tickets ahead for headline attractions (Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House). In London, many museums are free; the Tube is easy (kids under 11 ride free with an adult). In Paris and Amsterdam, consider transit day passes and keep walking shoes handy. Pack layers—even in summer, evenings by the river or sea can be breezy.

London

London marries royal pageantry with playful surprises—dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum, street performers in Covent Garden, and sunset views from the South Bank. History is never far away: the Tower of London’s ravens, Westminster’s Gothic towers, and bridges that frame the Thames like a film set.

Top family moments include the Changing of the Guard (check schedules), a hands-on science afternoon in South Kensington, and a riverfront stroll punctuated by hot chocolate and churros. For your “brewery” interest, opt for daytime craft-beer halls that welcome families or save brewery tours for Amsterdam and Haarlem.

Where to stay (family-friendly neighborhoods): South Bank/Waterloo for walkability and river views; Bloomsbury for museums and leafy squares; South Kensington for easy access to the big three museums. Search stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.

How to arrive: find flights into London (any airport) on Omio. If you’re flying from outside Europe, you can also price-check via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrive in London + South Bank Stroll

Afternoon: Land and settle in. Stretch your legs on the South Bank from the London Eye to Tower Bridge—street performers, skyline views, and wide paths for kids to roam. Grab a pick-me-up at Monmouth Coffee (Borough) and a sweet from Bread Ahead (legendary filled doughnuts).

Evening: Early dinner near Borough Market: Padella (fresh pasta; go early for minimal wait) or El Pastor (family-friendly tacos). If energy allows, cross the Millennium Bridge to see St. Paul’s glowing at dusk, then back to the hotel for an early night.

Day 2: Royal London + Museum Magic

Morning: Start at Westminster Abbey’s exterior for photos, then walk to Buckingham Palace via St. James’s Park. If the Changing of the Guard aligns with your day, secure a spot by the Victoria Memorial. Breakfast near Trafalgar Square at Ole & Steen (Danish pastries) or The Wolseley (classic European cafe; pre-book for speed).

Afternoon: Head to South Kensington for the Natural History Museum. The Hintze Hall blue whale and dinosaur gallery are kid magnets; the Earth Hall escalator is a bonus. Quick lunch options: Muriel’s Kitchen (comfort food) or Comptoir Libanais (colorful Lebanese plates).

Evening: Ride the London Eye at golden hour for city views the kids will remember. Dinner at Dishoom (Covent Garden or Southbank—bacon naan for any meal; order House Black Daal and Chicken Ruby). Post-dinner gelato at Gelupo in Soho.

Day 3: Tower of London, Borough Bites, West End

Morning: Tower of London with a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tour—stories of queens, ravens, and the Crown Jewels keep all ages riveted. Coffee and croissants at WatchHouse Tower Bridge or Kova Patisserie beforehand.

Afternoon: Lunch and grazing at Borough Market: Kappacasein (grilled cheese), Horn OK Please (Indian street snacks), and Turnips (produce-led plates). Walk across Tower Bridge and pop into the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms if curiosity strikes.

Evening: Family-friendly West End show (The Lion King, Matilda, or Wicked). Quick pre-theatre dinner: Flat Iron (great-value steak; free popcorn) or Homeslice (huge 20-inch pizzas to share). If you’d like a casual beer stop earlier in the day, visit BrewDog Waterloo’s vast venue—families welcome in daytime hours.

Day 4: Train to Paris (AM) + Montmartre (PM)

Morning: Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord (~2h20). Book via Omio Trains. Advance fares often run ~$70–150 per adult; kids get discounts. Pick seats together and bring snacks.

Afternoon: Check in, then wander Montmartre’s lanes. Ride the funicular to Sacré-Cœur for city views. Snack at Pain Pain (award-winning baguettes) and browse local artists’ work around Place du Tertre.

Evening: Dine at Bouillon Pigalle or Bouillon Chartier for classic French fare at friendly prices (steak-frites, crème caramel). Optional twilight Seine cruise for sparkling Eiffel Tower views.

Paris

Paris is a living museum with playgrounds, carousels, and riverside promenades made for families. Art is everywhere—from the Louvre’s grand galleries to the Musée d’Orsay’s light-filled former railway station. Food doubles as memory-making: flaky croissants, crêpes to order, and a simple baguette picnic in the Tuileries.

Neighborhoods to target: the Marais for boutiques and falafel; the Latin Quarter for student buzz and bookshops; the 7th for strolling to the Eiffel Tower. Search Paris stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.

Day 5: Louvre, Tuileries Picnic, Le Marais

Morning: Timed-entry Louvre. Focus on a highlight loop (Winged Victory, Mona Lisa, Egyptian Antiquities) and use family audio guides or a scavenger list to keep kids engaged. Breakfast nearby at Café Kitsuné (Tuileries) or Le Petit Cler (buttery omelets).

Afternoon: Picnic in the Tuileries (grab baguettes, cheese, fruit). Then to Le Marais for shopping along Rue des Francs-Bourgeois and kids’ souvenirs at BHV. Lunch option: L’As du Fallafel (go early) or Breizh Café (buckwheat galettes and salted butter caramel crêpes).

Evening: Ice cream on Île Saint-Louis at Berthillon, then sunset on Pont Neuf. Dinner in the Latin Quarter at Le Petit Prince de Paris (cozy, kid-welcoming) or head back to the Marais for Miznon (Mediterranean pitas stuffed to the brim).

Day 6: Family Cooking Class + Orsay + Eiffel Tower

Morning: Family cooking class (macarons or croissants) with a reputable Paris cooking school; kids love piping shells and tasting warm pastries. Coffee beforehand at Du Pain et des Idées (the pistachio-chocolate “escargot” swirl is a keeper).

Afternoon: Musée d’Orsay for Impressionists (Monet, Degas) and the giant clock views. Let the kids run in Jardin du Luxembourg afterward—rent toy sailboats at the fountain and try a crêpe from a kiosk.

Evening: Eiffel Tower time. If tickets sell out, view from Trocadéro or the Champs de Mars picnic lawns. Dinner nearby at Café Constant (classic bistro plates), or go to Bouillon Racine for Belle Époque ambiance and value.

Day 7: Paris to Amsterdam (AM) + Canals & Jordaan (PM)

Morning: High-speed train Paris Gare du Nord to Amsterdam Centraal (~3h20). Book on Omio Trains. Advance fares typically ~$40–130 per adult. Bring a deck of cards and croissants for the ride.

Afternoon: Check in, then take a one-hour canal cruise to get your bearings. Explore the Jordaan’s narrow lanes and houseboats. Coffee at Back to Black; apple pie at Winkel 43 is a rite of passage.

Evening: Dinner at Moeders (“Mothers”) for Dutch comfort food—stamppot, meatballs, and photo-lined walls. Night stroll along the Nine Streets (De 9 Straatjes) for boutique window-shopping.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam charms with gabled canal houses, bikes everywhere, and museums that spark curiosity—Rijksmuseum’s ship models and armor, Van Gogh’s sunflowers, and science you can touch at NEMO. It’s compact, safe-feeling, and easy to navigate by tram or on foot.

For your brewery wish list, this is the place: the Heineken Experience blends brewing history with interactive exhibits (minors welcome with adults), and Brouwerij ’t IJ pours Belgian-style ales beside a photogenic windmill. Day-trip to Haarlem’s Jopenkerk to sip in a former church—memorable for parents and cool for kids to see.

Stay near the Canal Ring or Vondelpark for green space, or in De Pijp for markets and brunch. Search stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.

Day 8: Museums + Vondelpark & A’DAM Views

Morning: Choose Van Gogh Museum (time-slowing portraits, family audio) or the Rijksmuseum (Rembrandt’s Night Watch, dollhouses). Breakfast at Bakers & Roasters (Kiwi-Brazilian brunch; kids’ menu) or Scandinavian Embassy (coffee purists).

Afternoon: Rent bikes for car-free laps around Vondelpark or visit NEMO Science Museum for hands-on experiments and a rooftop view. Quick lunch at De Foodhallen—ramen at Le Big Fish, burgers at The Butcher, and churros for dessert.

Evening: Ferry (free) across the IJ to A’DAM Lookout. Brave the “Over the Edge” swing (height restrictions apply) while the rest enjoy skyline views. Dinner at Pancakes Amsterdam (savory or sweet stacks) or The Seafood Bar (sparklingly fresh and shareable).

Day 9: Beach Day at Zandvoort + Haarlem Brewery

Morning: Train from Amsterdam Centraal to Zandvoort aan Zee (~30 minutes; frequent service—book/check on Omio Trains). Beach time: rent chairs, try a surf lesson in season, or stroll the Zuid-Kennemerland dunes. Family-friendly beach clubs: Ubuntu Beach (laid-back) or Tijn Akersloot (casual, great for kids).

Afternoon: Hop 10 minutes by train to Haarlem. Wander the Grote Markt and step into Jopenkerk, a brewery inside a former church with hearty bar snacks and house ales; minors are welcome with adults by day. Coffee and a stroopwafel stop at Native or Chocolate Company Haarlem.

Evening: Return to Amsterdam. Dinner back at De Foodhallen for variety or Jordaan’s La Perla for wood-fired pizza. If you prefer a windmill backdrop, have an early-evening tasting at Brouwerij ’t IJ (great terrace; families welcome before late evening).

Day 10: Markets, Stroopwafels, and Departure

Morning: Shop De 9 Straatjes for design-forward souvenirs, or browse Albert Cuyp Market for Dutch cheeses, fresh stroopwafels hot off the iron, and affordable gifts. Coffee at Lot Sixty One or Toki.

Afternoon: Depart from Amsterdam. Trains or flights across Europe can be browsed on Omio; for long-haul flights, compare on Trip.com as well.

Practical, Money-Saving Tips (with Kids 14/12/9)

• London transport: Tap contactless; kids under 11 ride free on Tube/DLR/Overground with an adult. Ages 11–15 can get a Young Visitor discount (about 50% off pay-as-you-go fares).
• Paris: Consider a 10-trip carnet on your phone for flexibility, or a weekly Navigo pass if you’ll be in town Monday–Sunday. Walk whenever distances are under 20 minutes—often faster and more fun.
• Amsterdam: GVB day tickets simplify tram/metro travel; kids’ day tickets are discounted. Bikes are great inside parks; ride defensively on city streets with younger kids.
• Reservations: Book Eurostar/Eurostar-to-Netherlands trains 2–3 months out for best prices; reserve Louvre/Van Gogh/Eiffel time slots as soon as they open.
• Breweries: Heineken Experience and Jopenkerk are family-suitable by day; alcohol is not served to minors. Aim for late afternoons before venues get busy.
• Rain plans: London’s free museums, Paris’ covered passages (e.g., Passage des Panoramas), and Amsterdam’s NEMO or micro-museum Our Lord in the Attic keep spirits high.

Getting Between Cities

• London → Paris: Eurostar ~2h20; book on Omio Trains. Typical advance adult fares ~$70–150.
• Paris → Amsterdam: High-speed train ~3h20; book on Omio Trains. Typical advance adult fares ~$40–130.
• Budget backup: Buses (slower but cheap) on Omio Buses.
• Ferries in the region (if you add coastal hops later): browse Omio Ferries.

In ten days, you’ll trace royal corridors in London, picnic beneath Paris paintings, and bike to Dutch canals—plus sip at storied breweries and play on a North Sea beach. This family-friendly, mid-budget route keeps travel time short and experiences big, with space for your own discoveries between the icons.