A Guide to Slow Travelling with a Toddler

Before becoming parents, our travel style was best described as “go, go, go.” We wanted to see every museum, walk every street, and taste every local dish, packing our itineraries until they burst.

Then came our daughter.

Our first trip with her was, to put it gently, a reality check. We tried to maintain our old pace, which resulted in a very overtired baby, very stressed parents, and a lot of tears (mostly ours). That was when we discovered the magic of slow travelling.

If you are planning your next trip with a little one, here is how we transitioned to slow travel and why we will never go back.

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What is Slow Travel with a Baby?

Slow travel is exactly what it sounds like: slowing down the pace. Instead of ticking off a long list of tourist attractions, you choose one, maybe two, things to do each day. The rest of the time is spent living like locals—wandering through neighborhood parks, sitting at cafes, and letting your toddler explore at their own pace.

The Benefits of Decelerating

Slowing down has completely transformed how we travel. Here are a few reasons why we love it:

• Less Stress, More Joy: Without the pressure of a packed schedule, minor delays (like a diaper blowout or a missed bus) don’t feel like disasters.
• Toddler-Led Exploration: Toddlers learn by exploring. Watching our daughter interact with a simple pile of leaves in a Parisian park or watch pigeons in a town square is incredibly rewarding.
• Deeper Connections: By spending more time in one area, you start to recognize the local baker, find the best quiet playgrounds, and experience the culture in a way that tourists rarely do.

4 Tips for a Successful Slow Trip

If you want to try slow travel, here is our mini guide to making it work:

1. Book Accommodation with Separate Living Space: Hotels can feel like a cage when your baby is napping. Opting for an apartment or an Airbnb with a separate bedroom or a balcony means you can chat, read, or enjoy a glass of wine while they sleep.
2. Stick to a Loose Routine: Try to keep wake-up times and nap schedules relatively consistent. If your baby naps well in a carrier or stroller, that gives you more freedom to wander, but don’t overdo it.
3. Choose One Anchor Activity per Day: Pick one main thing you want to do—whether it’s visiting a museum or walking through a specific botanical garden. Plan everything else around it.
4. Embrace the Playground Tour: Every city has playgrounds. Seeking them out is a great way to let your child burn off energy, and it gives you a chance to chat with local parents.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Slow travel isn’t just about making trips easier with a baby; it’s about appreciating the small moments that make travel so special. By letting go of the checklist, we’ve found a way to travel that is sustainable, enriching, and peaceful for the whole family.

Where is your next destination with your little one? Let us know in the comments!