Travelling with kids and teens doesn't have to mean sticking to traditional family holidays. Some of our favourite memories have come from experiences that we once thought would be far too expensive for a family of six.
Over the years, we've taken the children on a gondola ride through Venice, travelled through the Swiss Alps on the Bernina Express and visited some of Europe's most famous attractions. From the outside, these might look like expensive holidays, but by organising everything ourselves, we've managed to enjoy some incredible experiences without spending a fortune.
I've always been a big believer in spending money on experiences rather than expensive accommodation, and travelling independently means we can choose exactly where we go and what we do. Sometimes that means finding cheap flights and a reasonably priced hotel, then putting more of our budget towards something really memorable.
These are all experiences we've enjoyed on our own travels, some as a family of six and others on trips with just one or two of us, but they're all activities I'd recommend considering for a family bucket list.
Here are 10 bucket list experiences in Europe with kids that don't necessarily have to cost a fortune, along with practical tips for planning them independently and keeping costs down.
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| Bucket List Experience | Destination |
|---|---|
| 1. Gondola Ride | Venice, Italy |
| 2. Eiffel Tower | Paris, France |
| 3. Northern Lights & Geothermal Lagoon | Iceland |
| 4. Bernina Express | Switzerland & Italy |
| 5. Explore the Colosseum | Rome, Italy |
| 6. Meet Santa, Huskies & Reindeer | Finnish Lapland |
| 7. Walk with a Viking | Tønsberg, Norway |
| 8. Disneyland Paris | France |
| 9. Explore Ancient Pompeii | Pompeii, Italy |
| 10. Buda Castle Segway Tour | Budapest, Hungary |
1. Gondola Ride
Venice, Italy
2. Eiffel Tower
Paris, France
3. Northern Lights & Geothermal Lagoon
Iceland
4. Bernina Express
Switzerland & Italy
5. Explore the Colosseum
Rome, Italy
6. Meet Santa, Huskies & Reindeer
Finnish Lapland
7. Walk with a Viking
Tønsberg, Norway
8. Disneyland Paris
France
9. Explore Ancient Pompeii
Pompeii, Italy
10. Buda Castle Segway Tour
Budapest, Hungary
A gondola ride through the canals of Venice is one of those classic bucket-list experiences, and something I'd wanted to do for years. We finally got to experience it during one of our family trips to Italy, and the children absolutely loved it!
At first glance, a private gondola ride might seem expensive, but the price is charged per boat rather than per person, which makes it much more affordable when the cost is shared.
When we visited, all six of us enjoyed a gondola ride together for €80, working out at just over €13 per person. The children were in awe, and it's still one of my favourite memories from our travels around Italy. It certainly didn't feel like a budget experience!
The official gondola prices in Venice are currently:
• Daytime (9am–7pm): €90 per gondola for approximately 30 minutes.
• Evening (from 7pm): €110 per gondola for approximately 35 minutes.
• Maximum passengers: Five people per gondola.
One important thing to know is that when we visited, gondolas could carry six passengers. However, the rules changed in 2020, reducing the maximum to five people per boat.
Unfortunately, that means families of six like ours would now need to split between two gondolas, making the experience considerably more expensive. For a family of five, though, a daytime ride still works out at just €18 per person.
My tip: Head to one of the official gondola stations rather than booking an expensive organised tour. The fares are regulated by the City of Venice, and it's worth agreeing on the route before setting off. Travelling along the smaller canals and beneath the bridges is a lovely way to experience Venice from a completely different perspective.
We've visited Venice several times over the years, and it's a fantastic city to explore with children. If you're thinking of including it as part of a bigger Italian adventure, have a look at our 16-Day Italy Itinerary with Kids, where we travelled by train between Rome, Florence, Pisa, Lake Garda, Verona and Venice, all without hiring a car.
Visiting the Eiffel Tower is one of those classic Paris bucket-list experiences, and it's an attraction that children are likely to recognise long before they visit the city.
While seeing the Eiffel Tower from the ground is impressive enough, taking the lift to the viewing platforms is a completely different experience. There are incredible views across Paris, with famous landmarks including the River Seine, Arc de Triomphe and Sacré-Cœur visible from above.
Visitors can choose to travel to the second floor or continue all the way to the summit, which stands 276 metres above the ground. Both offer fantastic views, although reaching the very top is something particularly special if it's on your family's bucket list.
Official Eiffel Tower ticket prices for 2026 are:
• Second floor by lift: €23.50 per adult.
• Summit by lift: €36.70 per adult.
• Second floor by stairs: €14.80 per adult.
• Summit using stairs and lift: €28 per adult.
There are substantial discounts for children and young people aged 4–24, while children under four can visit for free with a ticket.
For example, a child aged 4–11 can visit the second floor by lift for just €6, or travel all the way to the summit for €9.20. This makes the Eiffel Tower surprisingly affordable for families compared with many other major European attractions.
I'd recommend booking directly through the official Eiffel Tower website, as tickets from third-party operators can be considerably more expensive. Lift tickets are released up to 90 days in advance, and popular dates can sell out quickly, particularly during school holidays.
My tip: If the summit tickets are unavailable or you're trying to keep costs down, the second floor is still a fantastic option. You'll get impressive views across Paris without paying the higher summit price.
For more family-friendly ideas, have a look at our 12 Things to Do in Paris with Kids and Teens guide, which includes more attractions and activities for exploring the city with children.
Iceland is one of those destinations that seems to appear on everyone's travel bucket list, and it's easy to see why. From waterfalls and volcanoes to geothermal lagoons and the Northern Lights, there are some incredible experiences to enjoy, many of which don't cost a penny.
Seeing the Northern Lights is probably one of the biggest bucket-list experiences for families visiting Iceland. What many people don't realise is that you don't actually need to book an expensive Northern Lights tour to see them.
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, so seeing them is completely free. They're most commonly visible between September and April, although sightings depend on solar activity, cloud cover and darkness. Heading away from the bright lights of Reykjavík can improve the chances, but there's never a guarantee of seeing them.
Another experience worth including on an Icelandic adventure is visiting one of the country's geothermal lagoons. There's something quite special about relaxing in naturally heated water while surrounded by Iceland's dramatic landscapes, particularly when it's freezing cold outside!
The Blue Lagoon is probably Iceland's most famous geothermal attraction, with its distinctive milky-blue water. Children aged two and over are welcome, although it's one of the more expensive lagoon experiences.
For a more affordable alternative, the Secret Lagoon in Flúðir is worth considering, particularly if you're exploring the Golden Circle.
Adult admission currently costs 4,500 ISK (£28), while children aged 14 and under pay just 260 ISK (£1.60). This makes it a particularly good-value option for families, although you'll also need to factor in getting there.
The Sky Lagoon, near Reykjavík, is another popular option, but it's only suitable for children aged 12 and over.
We actually visited the Sky Lagoon during one of our extreme day trips to Iceland, after managing to find return flights for around £52 per person. Iceland certainly isn't the cheapest destination, but finding affordable flights meant we could put more of our budget towards the experience itself. We had an incredible day, and I've shared our itinerary, costs and how we managed to fit everything into one day in our Iceland Extreme Day Trip guide.
My tip: If seeing the Northern Lights is a priority, allow a few nights in Iceland rather than relying on one evening. For geothermal bathing, compare lagoon admission prices and transport costs before booking, as the most famous attractions aren't necessarily the best value for families.
Travelling through the Swiss Alps on the Bernina Express is easily one of our favourite family bucket-list experiences. We took all four children during February half term, travelling from Chur in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy, and the scenery was absolutely incredible.
The journey takes around four hours and twenty minutes, crossing spectacular viaducts, passing frozen lakes and climbing through snow-covered mountains before descending into Italy. We travelled in second-class panoramic carriages, and despite initially wondering whether the children would get bored, they spent most of the journey looking out of the windows!
Our children were aged 7, 11, 13 and 17 at the time, and it was one of those rare experiences that genuinely appealed to everyone.
Despite its reputation as a luxury scenic train journey, travelling on the Bernina Express doesn't have to cost a fortune.
The ticket price depends on the route, travel class and season. For 2026, a second-class ticket from Chur to Tirano costs CHF 66 per adult, with a compulsory panoramic seat reservation costing an additional CHF 40–44 depending on the season. Shorter journeys can be cheaper, with tickets starting from CHF 25 and seat reservations costing CHF 32.
The lower ticket prices generally apply to shorter journeys, so check the fare for the full Chur to Tirano route before booking.
Children under six generally travel free, while children aged 6–15 qualify for reduced train fares. Even when travelling free, children who need their own seat in the panoramic carriage require a reservation.
We decided to make the Bernina Express part of a bigger five-day adventure, travelling from Zurich to Chur, crossing the Alps into Italy, then continuing to Lake Como and Milan.
By booking everything independently, our entire trip cost approximately £389 per person, including return flights, accommodation, train travel and Bernina Express reservations. We even managed to fit in an overnight stop in Dublin along the way!
For a family of six travelling during February half term, we thought it was incredible value, particularly considering how much some organised Switzerland rail holidays cost.
My tip: If the panoramic train is outside your budget, regional trains travel along the same railway line without the additional panoramic seat reservation fee. The scenery is just as spectacular, and there's more flexibility to stop along the route.
I've shared our exact route, what the children thought of the journey and our costs in my Bernina Express with Kids: Our Family Review.
For anyone planning to follow the same route, my 5-Day Bernina Express Itinerary also covers where we stayed and how we organised the journey from Switzerland into Italy.
Rome is one of my favourite cities in Europe, and it's a brilliant destination for a family bucket-list trip. There's so much history around every corner, and visiting the Colosseum is one of those experiences that really brings everything you've seen in books and films to life.
We've visited Rome with our children, and the Colosseum is an incredible sight, particularly when you think about the gladiator battles and events that took place here nearly 2,000 years ago.
What makes Rome particularly appealing for families travelling on a budget is that so many of its famous landmarks can be explored without spending a fortune. You can combine a visit to the Colosseum with the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, then spend the rest of the day exploring the city's beautiful squares, fountains and historic streets.
Visiting the Colosseum is surprisingly affordable, particularly when travelling with children, as admission is free for under-18s, regardless of nationality.
The official ticket prices are:
• Standard adult ticket: €18, including the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
• Full Experience Arena ticket: €24 per adult, including access to the reconstructed arena floor and additional archaeological areas.
• Children under 18: Free admission, although they still need an entry ticket.
• EU citizens aged 18–24: Reduced admission of €2 with valid identification.
The standard ticket includes access to the first two levels of the Colosseum, along with the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, making it excellent value for a family day out.
We visited Rome with our children and stayed at Camping Village Fabulous, a holiday park just outside the city. It was a great way to combine exploring Rome's famous sights with a family-friendly place to stay.
I've shared our experience, accommodation details and tips for visiting Rome with children in our Camping Village Fabulous Rome Review.
Lapland has to be one of the ultimate bucket-list destinations for children, and it's somewhere we've been incredibly fortunate to visit three times in the last three years. It's also a destination that I think gets a bit of an unfair reputation for being ridiculously expensive, because it really doesn't have to be!
We've managed to find return flights to Lapland for as little as £52 per person, and on one of our trips, even when we added four nights' accommodation in Levi, our flights and accommodation came to less than £180 per person. Of course, activities and other spending money were extra, but it shows just how affordable a DIY Lapland holiday can be compared with some of the package holidays advertised.
Over our visits, we've experienced more than 20 different activities, from husky and reindeer experiences to exploring snowy forests, visiting ice attractions and enjoying everything that makes Lapland such a special place. It's not just somewhere for younger children either. We've found there's just as much to enjoy with teenagers, particularly if they're into more adventurous activities.
One of the biggest surprises for many families is that meeting Santa Claus at Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi is completely free! There's no charge to visit his office and meet Santa, although professional photographs and videos cost extra.
There are also shorter husky and reindeer experiences available, which can be considerably cheaper than booking a full safari.
Some examples of activity prices at Santa Claus Village include:
• Meet Santa Claus: Free admission.
• Short reindeer sleigh ride: From around €30 per adult and €20 per child, depending on the season.
• Husky Park admission: Around €15 per adult and €10 per child.
• Short 500m husky ride: Around €50 per adult and €35 per child, including Husky Park admission.
Prices can change between seasons, but these shorter experiences are a good way to enjoy some of Lapland's most memorable activities without spending hundreds of pounds on excursions.
After three trips and more than 20 activities, we've learnt quite a lot about planning Lapland independently, including where it's worth spending money and where it's possible to save.
We've now got over 45 Lapland guides on Build a Break, covering everything from organising a DIY holiday and choosing between resorts to where to stay, what to wear, activities for different ages and ways to keep costs down.
My tip: Don't assume a package holiday is the only way to experience Lapland with children. Booking flights, accommodation and activities separately can sometimes work out considerably cheaper, and it gives families much more flexibility to choose the experiences that interest them.
For more help planning a trip, have a look at our Lapland Travel Guides, including Lapland on a Budget in Rovaniemi , Lapland with Teenagers and the Best Age to Visit Lapland, where I've shared lots more ideas, practical advice and our own experiences.
Walking around Norway's oldest city with an actual Viking isn't something that comes up on your average family holiday, but it's a fascinating experience and one I'd definitely recommend adding to a European bucket list.
We visited Tønsberg in September 2026, flying from Manchester to Oslo Torp for just £36.81 per person return. It was my husband and me on this particular trip rather than the children, but after experiencing the Walk with a Viking tour ourselves, I think it would be a brilliant activity for families, particularly those with older children who enjoy history and Norse mythology.
Our guide, Anja from We Are Vikings, took us on a two-hour walking tour through Tønsberg, sharing stories about Viking life, Norse mythology and the city's history. What made it particularly interesting was being able to stand in the places connected to the stories rather than simply reading about them in a museum.
We also visited Vikingodden, where we saw Saga Oseberg, a full-size reconstruction of the famous Oseberg Viking ship. Another highlight was seeing the replica Gokstad ship being built using traditional techniques. It was fascinating to see the craftsmanship involved.
The guided walking tour currently costs 420 NOK per person (around £33) and lasts approximately two hours.
The tour starts at Vikingodden in central Tønsberg and is conducted in English. It's an outdoor walking experience, so comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for the weather are recommended.
For families, I'd suggest checking with the provider about suitability for younger children before booking. Older children and teenagers with an interest in Viking history could find it particularly interesting.
My tip: Tønsberg is only around 20 minutes by train from Oslo Torp Airport, so it's worth considering if you find cheap flights into Norway. We managed to explore the city, enjoy our Viking tour and fit in plenty of other activities during a one-night weekend break, all without hiring a car.
I've shared more about our Viking experience, along with the other attractions we visited, in my Things to Do in Tønsberg, Norway guide.
Disneyland Paris has always been one of our favourite family destinations, and after 19 visits over the years, I think it's safe to say we're rather big Disney fans!
We've been taking our children since they were babies, and even now they're older, they still love going back. We've visited at Christmas, Halloween and throughout the year, sometimes for several days and other times just for an extreme day trip.
What I particularly love about Disneyland Paris is that there's something for every age. Younger children can enjoy the classic Disney rides, characters and parades, while older children and teenagers have plenty of bigger attractions to choose from. Even now, our teenagers still enjoy many of the rides they loved when they were little.
And although Disneyland Paris isn't necessarily somewhere people associate with budget travel, we've managed to visit for far less than you might expect. I've shared our tips for keeping costs down, including affordable tickets, accommodation and travel, in our Disneyland Paris on a Budget guide.
Disneyland Paris ticket prices vary depending on the date, demand and whether you're visiting one or both parks.
There are now two parks to explore: Disneyland Park, home to Sleeping Beauty Castle and many of the classic attractions, and Disney Adventure World, which includes Marvel Avengers Campus, Worlds of Pixar and the new World of Frozen.
Children aged 3–11 qualify for reduced ticket prices, while children under three can enter free of charge.
If you're planning a budget visit, I'd recommend comparing dates using the official Disneyland Paris ticket calendar before booking flights. Ticket prices can vary considerably, and choosing a one-day, one-park ticket can be cheaper than paying for access to both parks.
It's also worth comparing independently booked flights, hotels and tickets against Disney's accommodation packages, as the cheapest option depends on your dates and family size.
My tip: Don't assume that visiting Disneyland Paris means booking an expensive Disney hotel. We've never actually stayed in an official Disney hotel, despite all our visits! We've always preferred finding more affordable accommodation nearby, which has helped us keep the overall cost down considerably.
After 19 visits, we've put together a whole collection of Disneyland Paris guides covering everything from finding cheaper tickets and accommodation to the best rides for children and teenagers.
Our Disneyland Paris Travel Guide brings everything together, including transport, tickets, hotels and practical planning tips.
Exploring Pompeii is one of those bucket-list experiences that's hard to appreciate until you actually visit. We went with all four children during our family trip to Naples in April, and it was easily one of the most fascinating places we've explored in Italy.
The ancient Roman city was buried following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, preserving streets, houses, shops and public buildings for almost 2,000 years. Walking through an entire city that was once full of people going about their everyday lives is quite surreal, particularly when you think about what happened here.
We explored independently rather than booking an organised tour, and despite spending hours wandering around, we didn't come close to seeing everything. Pompeii is absolutely enormous, much bigger than we'd expected, and it's a brilliant experience for children and teenagers interested in history.
One of the things that makes Pompeii particularly affordable for families is that children under 18 can enter completely free of charge, regardless of nationality.
The official admission prices for 2026 are:
• Pompeii Express: €20 per adult, covering the main archaeological city.
• Pompeii Plus: €25 per adult, including access to additional suburban villas.
• Children under 18: Free admission, although proof of age may be required.
• EU citizens aged 18–24: €2 admission with valid identification.
We chose the standard Pompeii Express tickets, which cost us just €40 for admission for all six of us. We didn't pay for a guide or audio tour either, as we were happy exploring at our own pace.
Getting there was surprisingly affordable too. We travelled from Naples using the Circumvesuviana train, which cost €3.30 per person each way from Napoli Garibaldi. The journey takes around 35 minutes, with the station just a short walk from the archaeological site.
My tip: Allow much longer than you think you'll need for Pompeii! There's a huge amount of walking, the ground is uneven and there's very little shade. We visited in April, and by the time we returned to Naples at around 7pm, we were absolutely exhausted. Comfortable shoes, plenty of water and some snacks are essential.
I've shared our exact train route, ticket costs and what we'd do differently in my Pompeii from Naples Guide.
We also spent time exploring Naples and Sorrento during the same holiday, all without hiring a car. Our 3 Days in Naples Itinerary covers the whole trip, including where we stayed and what we spent as a family of six.
If you're looking for something a little different to do with older children or teenagers, a Segway tour around Budapest is a brilliant way to explore the city. We did this during a two-night trip to Budapest in January, and it was one of the highlights of our visit.
I'd travelled to Budapest with my teenage daughter, and we booked a private 90-minute Segway tour around Buda Castle. Neither of us had visited the city before, so it was a great way to see some of the main sights while learning a little about the history along the way.
Our route took us around the Buda Castle area, including Fisherman's Bastion and some fantastic viewpoints overlooking the Danube and Hungarian Parliament Building. We had a brilliant guide, and it made exploring the hilly Buda side of the city so much more enjoyable.
We paid £88 in total for one adult and one teenager, working out at £44 per person for our private 90-minute tour.
Prices vary depending on the route, duration and group size, but it was an experience we thought was well worth the money.
It's particularly good for families with older children who might enjoy something a little more adventurous than a traditional walking tour.
Minimum ages and weight restrictions vary between operators, so these are worth checking before booking.
We absolutely loved Budapest, and managed to fit so much into our two-night trip, including a river cruise, the Budapest Eye and exploring some of the city's most famous sights. Our flights and accommodation cost just £85 per person, making it one of our favourite budget city breaks. I've shared everything we got up to, along with more family-friendly activities, costs and practical tips, in my Budapest with Kids and Teens guide.
One thing I've learnt from travelling with our four children is that some of the most memorable experiences don't have to cost a fortune. We've enjoyed everything from scenic train journeys through the Swiss Alps to exploring ancient Roman cities, and many of these trips have cost considerably less than people might expect.
For us, the biggest saving usually comes from putting our own holidays together. Rather than booking an expensive package or organised excursion, we look for affordable flights, compare accommodation and book the experiences we really want to do separately.
We're also quite happy staying in budget accommodation if it means having more money to spend on activities. After all, the children are far more likely to remember riding a gondola through Venice or exploring Pompeii than what our hotel room looked like!
It's worth checking children's admission prices too, as some of Europe's most famous attractions offer free or heavily discounted entry for younger visitors.
Europe is full of incredible places to explore with children, and these ten experiences are just a small selection of what's possible without spending a fortune.
Some of our favourite family travel memories have come from trips we organised ourselves, often after finding a ridiculously cheap flight and building an itinerary around it. We've also discovered that travelling with teenagers can be just as much fun as travelling with younger children, although the activities we choose have certainly changed over the years!
If you're looking for more inspiration, have a browse through our blogs, where I've shared our own itineraries, accommodation recommendations, costs and practical tips for exploring Europe with children.
Hopefully, this list has given you a few ideas for your own family bucket list, whether that's visiting somewhere new or finally booking an experience you've always wanted to try.
Whenever I spot great-value flights and accommodation for DIY breaks to Europe, I share them with members of the Build a Break Travel Club, with links to book each part independently.
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