Top 5 family friendly hostels and ideas for your family vacation

These wallet- and family friendly hostels will make your holiday a memorable one for all family members!

Staying in a hostel is a great way to save money while on a dream vacation – at an affordable price you still have the chance to stay close to the city in a comfortable and safe accommodation. Especially for families, finding a cheap place to stay while on vacation is essential, as providing a nice trip for the entire family can get rather pricy. However, some hostels don't accept children, and hostels can sometimes have the reputation of being just for teenagers and young backpackers who want to explore and party all night. Luckily, there are actually several nice, cheap, family friendly hostels out there, and we have provided you with a list of some top destinations for an enjoyable family vacation, acompanied by selected hostels that will provide you with everything you need to give you a peaceful and relaxed stay with your family.

Berlin

Even though Berlin is known as a capital of never-ending parties and lively nightlife, the city can be perfect for a family vacation. One of the top destinations for families to visit in Berlin is the Tierpark, a zoo with very extensive grounds, where you surely can spend an entire day together with your children. For those who wish to stay in the city center, the aquarium Sealife Centre Berlin is a highly recommended spot, where you can step inside the aquadom lift, a sensational lift ride in the middle of a big aquarium! The city also offers many green areas and markets, perfect for strolling around for a while. If you are seeking something more adventurous, there are several places where you can enjoy a nice view of the city, such as the TV-tower and the parliament, which has a glass cupole construction for you to walk around inside. Nice and cheap food is easily found everywhere, and for children with a sweet tooth, the Ritter Sport store is worth paying a visiit, since kids between 7 and 18 have the chance to create their very own chocolate bars here.

Where to stay in Berlin

The Alcatraz Backpacker's Hostel is a wonderful place to stay with children in the lively area Prenzlauer Berg in Berlin. Children can sleep in their parents' bed for free, and a crib can be provided for free for your baby, If you ask for it in advance. It's a friendly and cozy hostel, perfect for a family stay. Rooms from 13.92 €.

Paris

Paris will be a culinary paradise also for your children! There are many delicious things to taste that never will be turned down, such as the traditional galettes and crepes, the crispy on the outside – soft on the inside croissants, the classic steak with french fries, the excuisit macarons and the lovely cups of hot chocolate. Your children should definitely try the famous, refreshing diabolo menthe, an alien-green, minty ice drink, while you are enjoying a coffee break. If you wish to develop a new skill while tasting the various pastries of the French cuisine, why not visit Sugar daze cupcake boutique for a cupcake decorating workshop?

There are also various interesting museums, famous attractions, green parks and shopping areas in Paris, ensuríng you that no family member will be restless during the vacation. You may get tired from walking around, but there are many nice boat tours along the river Seine that will let you rest your sore feet for a while.

Where to stay in Paris

The Perfect Hostel in Paris offers private rooms at cheap rates, and of course, it is a family friendly hostel. If younger than 2 years, your children can stay for free in your bed. They offer a nice lounge area with a TV for you to relax during the evenings. Rooms from 24.42 €.

London

The home of the beloved Paddington bear is a city packed with fun adventures for children of all ages. Doing some research before visiting London may not be a bad idea, to make sure you don't miss out on any interesting and fun events. Many of the greatest museums, such as the Natural history museum and the Science museum, you can actually visit for free. There are also tons of amazing outdoor adventure parks, that even will make you wish you were still a kid, such as Regent's park with a tree house area, the Diana, Princess of Wales memorial playground with a big pirate ship, and Parliament Hill offering a big paddling pool. For kids that need a lot of action, London is one of the best cities to visit since it offers all kinds of activities you can think of: horsebackriding, cycling, speed boating, ice skating and much more! Of course, the iconic places of London such as the London Eye, Big Ben, Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace are also fabulous places to see with your kids. Taking the red double decker busses around the city is an entertaining way to see most parts of the big city while avoiding tiring your legs and feet all too much.

Where to stay in London

Acacia hostel is a family friendly hostel located in Kensington and Chelsea, where children can stay for free in their parents' beds if up to three years of age. They provide a breakfast room and self-catering kitchen, perfect for families who need to prepare some snacks to bring for the road or don't want to spend to much money on eating out. Rooms from 19.86 €.

Prague

A Toy museum, a zoo, the Prague Planetarium, the Petřín tower and marionettes... Prague certainly has many family-friendly attractions to offer, keeping both children and teenagers active and engaged. The city has many historical sights, and you can spend your time appreciating the beautiful gothic-style St Virtus' Cathedral, the Prague royal castle, or the old town square where you can enjoy a traditional horse-and-carriage ride. The iconic Charles Bridge, connecting the city center and the old town area while offering stunning views of the river, is a perfect place for a stroll, with entertaining musicians and shopping stalls along the way.

Where to stay in Prague

With a great location in the neighborhood Holešovice close to the city center is Sir Toby's, a design hostel that is also family friendly. There are great common areas where you can read, enjoy playing board games and dart, a garden for BBQs on sunny days and a kitchen for you to prepare cheap meals. Children under six years stay in their parents' beds for free. Rooms from 11.07 €.

Olympos

Differing from the city destinations, but the ancient city of Olympos is worth paying a visit – it is a family paradise as it offers an extensive variety of activities. Situated by the Mediterranean Sea, you can enjoy long and relaxing days by the water here, while sunbathing on the white sandy beaches, or take a thrilling jump off one of the cliffs. Should you need some more adventurous activities, there is plenty of exploring to do in the area. The Olympus ruins are a famous attraction that will awaken the explorer and adventurer in any child. The area also features activities such as climbing, paragliding and taking a ride in the cable car, which will offer you an experience contrasting highly from the days at the beach, as the ride takes you to the top of mountains covered with snow!

Where to stay in Olympos

Staying at Kadir's Tree Houses will make your childrens' dreams come true – you will actually be stying in a tree house! For those who prefer a more comfortable option, still offering some of the excitement that a tree house does, there are also bungalows available for booking. The hostel will provide you with many services, and there is a big restaurant and a snack bar. Breakfast and dinner is always included in the price of your room. Rooms from 19.98 €.

Photos by Wing1990hk, PeterTrimming and Sumono on Flickr & Lulla and Spot Cool Stuff on Pinterest.