Europe rewards curious families: centuries of history within short train rides, food markets where kids can graze, and parks that double as open-air museums. This 15-day itinerary links five classic cities—Amsterdam, Berlin, Krakow, Brussels, and Paris—balancing sightseeing with beach time, boating, markets, and hands-on activities.

Expect walkable old towns, reliable public transit, and a mix of iconic highlights and local gems. You’ll cruise UNESCO canals, trace the Berlin Wall, descend into a glittering salt mine, taste world-class chocolate, and glide past Paris by night on the Seine—all with tips to keep costs friendly for a budget around 40/100.

Practical notes: Trains in Europe are easy to book and kid-friendly; many museums offer family discounts. Pack layers and comfortable shoes. For intercity travel, morning departures help maximize each day. Food-wise, you’ll find kid-pleasing staples everywhere alongside regional favorites—pancakes in Amsterdam, pretzels in Berlin, pierogi in Krakow, waffles in Brussels, and crêpes in Paris.

Amsterdam

Golden Age canals, gabled houses, and bicycle bells—Amsterdam is a fairytale that runs on coffee and creativity. Its neighborhoods each have a flavor: Jordaan’s indie shops, De Pijp’s food halls, and Noord’s street art and free ferry rides. Families love its parks, hands-on science at NEMO, and effortless boating.

Arrival options: If you’re flying in from within Europe, compare fares on Omio. From outside Europe, search international flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Schiphol Airport to the center is ~15–20 minutes by train.

Days 1–4: Canals, museums, countryside windmills, and a beach afternoon

• Canal time (boating + city intro): Board a covered saloon boat with cheese and drinks—fun for all ages and a weather-proof way to see the UNESCO canal ring.

  

  Book: Amsterdam Classic Saloon Boat Cruise with Drinks and Cheese
• Art that’s bite-sized for kids: See sunflowers and self-portraits with an engaging audio guide at the Van Gogh Museum (reserve ahead).

  

  Book: Amsterdam Van Gogh Museum with Audio or Guided Tour
• Dutch countryside day trip: Windmills turning, clogs carved, and cheese tasted in Zaanse Schans, plus stops in Edam, Volendam, and Marken—classic family photos incoming.

  

  Book: Day Trip to Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam and Marken
• Anne Frank context walk (ages 10+ recommended): Trace the Jewish Quarter and her story through WWII sites with a sensitive guide.

  

  Book: Anne Frank’s Story – Guided Walking Tour

Free and local gems: Picnic in Vondelpark; ride the free ferry to NDSM for murals and playgrounds; hands-on science at NEMO; and, if it’s sunny, hop a 30-minute train to Zandvoort aan Zee for a sandy North Sea beach afternoon.

Where to stay (family-friendly picks):

• Good-value hotels: The Student Hotel Amsterdam City (now The Social Hub; spacious rooms, tram access), Hotel Estherea (storybook canalside, quiet at night).
• Budget: ClinkNOORD Hostel (private family rooms, ferry to Centraal).
• Search more: Hotels.com – Amsterdam or apartments on VRBO – Amsterdam.

Eat & drink:

• Coffee/breakfast: Back to Black (house-roasted coffee, pastries), Pancakes Amsterdam (Dutch poffertjes for kids).
• Lunch: Foodhallen (street-food court; try Viet View banh mi, Fento veggie bowls), Vlaamsch Broodhuys (soups and sandwiches).
• Dinner: Moeders (home-style Dutch stamppot), De Kas (greenhouse-to-table; book ahead), Sampurna (Indonesian rijsttafel—fun variety).
• Treats: Stroopwafels at Original Stroopwafels stand; fries at Vleminckx with satay sauce.

Next travel: Morning train Amsterdam → Berlin in ~6:00 hours; typical fares ~$45–85 if booked early via Omio Trains.

Berlin

Berlin mixes big-stage history with playground energy. You’ll stroll from Brandenburg Gate to the Reichstag, then snack your way through Markthalle Neun. Parks abound, museums are interactive, and the city’s river and lakes invite boat time.

Days 5–7: Walls, waterways, markets, and museums

• Orientation walk: Hit the essentials—Brandenburg Gate, Holocaust Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie, Museum Island—on a guided stroll that connects eras.

  

  Book: Discover Berlin Half-Day Walking Tour
• Spree river cruise: See the city’s old and new faces from the water—easy on little legs and great for photos.

  

  Book: 1-Hour River Cruise with Tour Guide
• Taste Berlin: Neighborhood food tour with 8+ tastings—think pretzels, Turkish-German bites, and local sweets—while you learn why Berlin cooks from many cultures.

  

  Book: Berlin Center Food Tour

Family extras: Bike Tempelhofer Feld (a former airport turned park), trace murals at the East Side Gallery, and meet pandas at the Berlin Zoo. On rainy days, the Natural History Museum’s dinosaur hall is a hit.

Where to stay:

• Best for families: Novotel Berlin Mitte (kids’ perks, near Museum Island), Scandic Berlin Potsdamer Platz (play areas, eco-forward).
• Budget-chic: Motel One Berlin-Alexanderplatz or Motel One Berlin-Hackescher Markt.
• Social vibe: The Circus Hostel (private rooms available).
• Search more: Hotels.com – Berlin or VRBO – Berlin.

Eat & drink:

• Breakfast: Father Carpenter (Aussie-style coffee, granola), Zeit für Brot (fresh cinnamon rolls).
• Lunch: Markthalle Neun (Thursday street food night), Curry 36 (classic currywurst), Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap (famed veggie-laced döner—go off-peak).
• Dinner: Zur letzten Instanz (since 1621; hearty German), Neni (panoramic views, Middle Eastern plates), LiebesBisschen (cakes for dessert).

Next travel: Berlin → Krakow. Fastest is a 1h15 flight (~$60–140) via Omio Flights. Prefer rails? Expect ~7:00–8:30 hours with a change (~$35–70) via Omio Trains.

Krakow

Poland’s former royal capital pairs a storybook Main Square with sobering, essential history. Planty Park rings the Old Town like a green necklace, Kazimierz brims with cafés, and the Vistula path is perfect for evening strolls.

Days 8–10: Old Town, Auschwitz, salt mine sparkle, and hot springs

• Auschwitz-Birkenau day (best for teens and up): A guided visit offers crucial context; it’s a powerful, educational day—plan an easy evening afterward.

  

  Book: Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour with Transfer
• Wieliczka Salt Mine: Ride down to cathedral-sized chambers carved from salt; chandeliers shimmer and the stories sparkle for kids and adults alike.

  

  Book: Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour
• Schindler’s Factory: A focused museum on wartime Krakow—immersive exhibits bring personal stories to life, suitable for most families (allow 1.5–2 hours).

  

  Book: Schindler’s Factory Guided Tour
• Hot-springs & mountains: For spa time and mountain views, soak at Chochołowskie thermal baths on a Zakopane day trip; ride the funicular and sample smoked oscypek cheese.

  

  Book: Zakopane & Hot Springs Tour

Local strolls: Wawel Castle courtyard, the Cloth Hall for crafts, Kazimierz synagogues and murals, and sunset along the Vistula Boulevards.

Where to stay:

• Great value: Novotel Krakow Centrum (pool; easy to Old Town and Wawel).
• Budget: Ibis Budget Krakow Stare Miasto (by the station/park).
• Splurge: Hotel Stary (design-forward right off the Main Square).
• Search more: Hotels.com – Krakow or VRBO – Krakow.

Eat & drink:

• Breakfast: Charlotte (breads, jams), Wesola Café (specialty coffee, eggs).
• Lunch: Milkbar Tomasza (wallet-friendly Polish classics), Pierogarnia Krakowiacy (pan-fried pierogi sampler).
• Dinner: Pod Aniołami (cellar setting, grilled meats), Hamsa (family-share Middle Eastern plates in Kazimierz).
• Treats: Good Lood (cult-favorite ice cream), Obwarzanek bagels from street carts.

Next travel: Krakow → Brussels: 2:00–2:15 hour direct flights (~$65–160) via Omio Flights.

Brussels (with Bruges)

Belgium’s capital serves grand squares and comic-book whimsy by day, and chocolate and waffles whenever you please. Use Brussels as a base for a fairytale day trip to Bruges, where canals and swans complete the scene.

Days 11–12: Grand Place, chocolate, and a Bruges canal day

• Chocolate + culture walk: See Royal Galeries, Grand Place, and Manneken Pis with tastings en route—excellent for kids and sweet tooths.

  

  Book: Historical Walking Tour with Chocolate & Waffle Tasting
• Foodie focus: Top-rated beer-and-chocolate tour for the grown-ups, with elevated pralines and Belgian brews (parents can trade off while kids hit a nearby park).

  

  Book: Hungry Mary’s Beer & Chocolate Tour
• Bruges day trip: Cobblestones, stepped gables, and canals—plus optional boat ride. Guided buses make logistics easy from Brussels.

  

  Book: Bruges Day Trip from Brussels
• Hands-on chocolate (Bruges): Make your own pralines in a family-friendly workshop—sweet souvenirs included.

  

  Book: Belgian Chocolate Workshop – Bruges

Kid-friendly extras: Comics Art Museum, Parc du Cinquantenaire’s lawns, and Mini-Europe’s tiny landmarks by the Atomium.

Where to stay:

• Central value: Novotel Brussels City Centre (pool, near Grand Place).
• Great for families: MEININGER Hotel Brussels City Center (spacious rooms, budget-friendly).
• Splurge: Hotel Amigo.
• Search more: Hotels.com – Brussels or VRBO – Brussels.

Eat & drink:

• Breakfast: Peck 47 (homemade granola, pancakes), Café Capitale (espresso drinks).
• Lunch: Maison Dandoy (Liege waffles), Frit Flagey (fries with Andalouse sauce), Noordzee Mer du Nord (standing seafood bar).
• Dinner: Nüetnigenough (Belgian classics), Chez Léon (moules-frites), Wolf (modern food hall for picky eaters).
• Bruges treats: Chez Albert waffles; ’t Brugs Beertje (world-class beer list—parents’ treat).

Next travel: Brussels ↔ Bruges trains run ~every 15–30 minutes (~1:00 hour; ~$12–20 each way) via Omio Trains. Brussels → Paris high-speed in ~1:22 (~$35–120) via Omio Trains.

Paris

Paris dazzles in layers—gothic spires, Impressionist light, and café chatter. With smart planning, families can see headline sights, savor parks and pâtisseries, and cruise past illuminated bridges after dark.

Days 13–15: Louvre, Eiffel Tower, neighborhoods, and a Seine send-off

• Louvre highlights: Join a guide to hit masterpieces efficiently (Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory), with stories that keep kids engaged.

  

  Book: Louvre Guided Tour with Reserved Access
• Eiffel Tower: Reserved entry to the 2nd floor or summit keeps the day smooth—combine with a Champ de Mars picnic.

  

  Book: Eiffel Tower Reserved Access
• Hands-on pastry: Bake croissants and pains au chocolat in a small-group class—a delicious, practical souvenir.

  

  Book: Croissant Baking Class
• Seine dinner cruise: A finale of river views and Parisian flavors under glowing bridges—kid-thrilling when the Eiffel sparkles.

  

  Book: Seine River Dinner Cruise

Neighborhood wanderings: Île de la Cité for Notre-Dame’s exterior and Sainte-Chapelle’s stained glass; Le Marais for boutiques and falafel; Luxembourg Gardens for carousel rides and sailboats.

Where to stay:

• High value: Hotel du College de France (Latin Quarter, family rooms), Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (artsy and welcoming).
• Budget: Generator Paris (private family rooms, lively common spaces).
• Splurge: Le Meurice or The Ritz Paris.
• Search more: Hotels.com – Paris or VRBO – Paris.

Eat & drink:

• Breakfast: Du Pain et des Idées (legendary escargot pastries), KB Café Roasters (flat whites, eggs).
• Lunch: Breizh Café (buckwheat galettes and ciders), L’As du Fallafel (fast, flavorful in Le Marais), Frenchie To Go (sandwiches, seasonal salads).
• Dinner: Bouillon Pigalle (classic French at friendly prices), Les Philosophes (bistro staples), Pink Mamma (Italian crowd-pleaser—book ahead).
• Treats: Berthillon ice cream on Île Saint-Louis, macarons at Pierre Hermé.

Departure: Compare flights out of Paris on Omio Flights if returning within Europe, or on Trip.com / Kiwi.com for long-haul.

Budget & logistics tips

• Transit savers: Day tickets in Amsterdam/Berlin; 10-ticket carnets in Paris; kids often ride discounted/free.
• Museum cards: Amsterdam’s Museumplein combo days; Louvre/Tower timed entries save time and stress.
• Food budget: Mix markets (Foodhallen, Markthalle Neun, Wolf) with one sit-down dinner daily. Picnic from local bakeries and supermarkets.
• Packing: Light rain layer, compact umbrella, refillable bottles (free tap water), and comfortable walking shoes.

Travel between cities overview (morning departures): Amsterdam→Berlin train ~6:00h ($45–85); Berlin→Krakow flight 1:15h ($60–140) or train ~7–8.5h ($35–70); Krakow→Brussels flight ~2:00h ($65–160); Brussels→Bruges train ~1:00h ($12–20); Brussels→Paris train ~1:22h ($35–120). Search and book on Omio Trains and Omio Flights.

In 15 days you’ll glide past Amsterdam’s canals, unpack Berlin’s stories, marvel at Krakow’s underground cathedrals of salt, nibble chocolate in Brussels and Bruges, and toast Paris from the Seine. It’s a balanced, family-friendly Europe adventure with smart routes, great food, and moments your crew will talk about for years.