Family city break: 5 family-friendly city pads you can rent in Europe this summer

If you find yourself knee-deep in parenthood but missing your pre-child fun and frivolour city breaks, we have some good news.

City breaks are still tons of fun with kids in tow – trust me. In fact, cities offer endless entertainment and tons of fun things to do and discover around every corner, and chances are you'll discover that exploring new cities with your littles is actually all sorts of fun. Still trying to firm up plans for your summer holidays this year? Why not set off for one of these five great European cities – and if you do, we have rounded up just the five gorgeous – and kid-friendly – homes to rent: 1. London This central Shepherds Bush residence is a short walk to all bus routes and tube stations and has many shops close by. It’s an easy place to base yourself to explore the city. Westfield Shopping Centre is a short walk away. It’s light and bright, with a lovely garden, antique furniture and plenty of top of the range gadgets, plus WiFi. The residence is 30 minutes by Tube from Soho and the West End. It’s an easy place to stay with small children, close to central London attractions but also quiet and with easy access to the garden. There is a children’s music school and café next door. Bar the baby room in the basement, the apartment is all one floor. It is best for babies and small children - the ceiling height in the kids room is around 5ft and beds provided are a crib and toddler bed. The local library is nearby. For more information and to book, click here. 2. Barcelona This modern vintage-styled apartment is near the buzzing cafés and boutiques of the stylish Eixample neighborhood and sleeps up to 5 + 2. The apartment is set up for family living with open plan spaces and a large dining area. Many of the key attractions of Barcelona are within walking distance. The Sagrada Família is 20 minutes away by public transit and the city's main shopping street is a 6-minute walk away. The residence is in a turn-of-the-century apartment block in L'Antiga Esquerra de l'Eixample (“old left side of Eixample”) of Barcelona, now better known as Gaixample. The neighborhood is low-key with wide, tree-lined avenues and grand architecture but has some of the city’s best cafés, galleries and restaurants perfect for lunching, brunching and fashion-watching. Plaza Letamendi park is a 5-minute walk away and Barcelona Aquarium is 30 minutes by public transit. Nova Icaria Beach is 40 minutes away by public transit or 20 minutes by taxi. For more information and to book, click here. 3. Paris This four-bedroom duplex apartment is 30 minutes from the centre of Paris by metro or bus, and sleeps up to six. With views over western Paris and the Eiffel Tower and a large, paved terrace with pot plants and an alfresco dining area, perfect for sundowners, it’s a functional home filled with family touches, including a piano, cute children’s desks and vibrant bookshelves. While the Boulogne-Billancourt district is slightly off the tourist map, it’s a lovely family friendly neighborhood with plenty going on and leafy parks a five-minute walk away, plus the Bois de Boulogne a short car ride away. It offers a leafy alternative to central Paris and a chance to experience life in the city like a local family. The large enclosed paved and child-safe terrace is great, and as well as lots of space for dining and hanging out, it offers panoramic views of west Paris and the Eiffel Tower. For more information and to book, click here. 4. Rome This spacious apartment with a terrace is in one of the greenest areas of Rome and is well connected by bus and tram to the city at large. The beautiful terrace on the penthouse floor is close to the large, modern kitchen and an ideal place for the kids to play while you cook supper. The city views from this terrace, which has a hanging chair, are wonderful. The children’s bedroom is large and spacious, with plenty of toys for little girls plus a number of books. Little EUR park, five minutes away, is a great place to play. The residence has plenty to make the stay easier, including kids dishes and a travel crib. While there is no garden, children can happily play on the terrace. For more information and to book, click here. 5. Berlin This stylish, light and bright apartment in central Berlin has high ceilings, contemporary design and plenty for the kids. It sleeps up to 5. The space is well set up for a family stay with a fully equipped kitchen and dining area. The kids’ room is spacious with lots of toys. There is an additional single bedroom ideal for a nanny, au pair, or older child. The lake, beach and park across the street are perfect in summer when the lake turns into a pool with professional lifeguards and a bistro. This apartment is in the middle of the Composer Quarter (Komponistenviertel) in the Weissensee neighborhood of Berlin. It’s a relatively central area and is family-friendly with a growing selection of restaurants, cute cafés, shops, gyms and yoga places. Children 10 and under are well catered for with plenty of toys, books and games. There’s ample floorspace to run around, too. The apartment is a short walk from local playgrounds. Berlin is a fantastic city to enjoy as a family with attractions that include Berlin Zoo, Tiergarten park with 600 acres, picnic spots and paddleboats, and the German Museum of Technology that features locomotives, airplanes, engines, ships, and more. Berlin also has a Legoland Discovery Centre, which is accessible by public transport. For more information and to book, click here.