When you become a parent, there are a lot of things in life that change drastically. Travelling is one of them. Now, instead of just searching for touristic spots and nice restaurants when planning your trip, you may also look for attractions that will include the little ones and try to find out just how kid-friendly your destination is. Indeed, this is probably what you are doing right now. Well, we have good news. If you are thinking of visiting Portugal with kids, you have just landed on the right article.
Is Portugal a Kid-Friendly or a Family-Friendly Country?
From a parent’s perspective, a kid-friendly place is probably one that has some nice child centred attractions and where they are welcome in restaurants and hotels, that will provide some specific infrastructure such as highchairs, a nappy changing station and maybe even a playground.
On that front, Portugal already scores many points. Throughout the country you can find a lot of fun things to do with the little ones. Many will be free like beaches, parks and outdoor playgrounds and others will be paid, such as science museums, aquariums and theme parks.
Also, it is uncommon for restaurants to not have highchairs and changing stations. And even when that happens, the friendly population will probably try to accommodate your kids the best they can. As for playgrounds on restaurants and cafés, there is definitely room for improvement, since this is still not common practice. In big cities like Lisbon, there is an increasing trend to have at least some toys or play areas that will give parents a chance for a calmer meal, but it is not the rule. Hotels and short-rental properties almost always provide cradles or travel cots upon request.
However, there is a broader concept that can be taken into account: is Portugal “family-friendly” rather than just “kid-friendly”? Thinking from this broader perspective brings focus on other important indicators such as safety, the work-life balance parents will have, paid parental leave, the support mothers get for breastfeeding, quality of the paediatric health system and of the education system, to name a few. On that, Portugal was ranked by the U.S. and World Reports the 13th most family friendly country in the world. Surely that concept is more central for families living and raising kids in the country, and not just visiting. However, bear in mind that a family-friendly place has a higher chance of also being kid-friendly, as it shows respect and appreciation for the whole family, including the children.
In sum, Portugal is both a kid-friendly and a family-friendly place, and a top destination for families from all over the world. In this article, we will share some of the most fun things to do in Portugal with kids.
Top Places in Portugal for Families
Lisbon
The country’s capital, Lisbon, has many fun activities for all ages and budgets and is one of the top family destinations in Portugal. The city has a great blend of history, culture, outdoor living and laidback pace that can appeal to many families, no matter what their travel style is. If this is your destination, here are some great things to do in Lisbon with kids.
Oceanário de Lisboa (Lisbon Aquarium)
Home to over 8,000 animals and plants of 500 species, Lisbon’s Oceanarium, or aquarium, offers an alluring immersive experience that will make kids’ (and parents’) jaws drop. You will walk around a giant aquarium that holds over 70 species from four oceans of the world and that is surrounded by four marine habitats.
You will be able to see not only fish of many colours and sizes, but also sharks, sea otters, rays and more. If you are lucky, you can even watch the Penguins being fed. Clear the space in your phone or camera’s memory card, as this is a great spot for taking amazing photos of your kids.
Entry prices range from 15,00€ to 25,00€ and there is no charge for toddlers under the age of 2.
Cable Car at Parque das Nações
Along with your ticket to the Oceanarium, you can also buy – at a discounted price – a ticket to a quick, but nice, cable car ride. The route is just a straight line from one part to another of the Parque das Nações neighbourhood, but one with a stunning view of the huge Tagus River.
Put the kids to search for jellyfishes swimming right beneath them, and they will surely have a great time.
Prices for a round trip range from 6,50€ to 9,50€ and there is no charge for toddlers under the age of 2.
Pavilion of Knowledge - Ciência Viva
Yet another activity to be done in Parque das Nações, which indicates that you can take a whole afternoon dedicated to your little ones there. Ciência Viva, which translates as Alive Science, is located at the Pavillion of Knowledge and it is a mix between a museum and an activity centre, with interactive exhibits and high-quality exhibitions in a wide range of topics. A place that truly sparks kids’ curiosity.
Ticket prices range from 9,00€ to 14,00€ and there is no charge for toddlers under the age of 2.
Nearby Beaches
If your kids love the ocean but you prefer a free-entry option, there are beaches so near to Lisbon that they are considered “Lisbon’s beaches”. Note that the waters are cold, so if the idea is to get a swim, we would advise you to opt for summertime. If making sandcastles is enough, then this attraction can be enjoyed year-round.
We suggest Praia do Tamariz, in Cascais, for its ease of access, calm waters and good sand extension. Carcavelos is another good option, one with way rougher waters, but with a great sand line and a fun playground featuring a wooden boat and a zipline.
Tuk Tuk Ride
Getting into a Tuk Tuk ride might be a good way to cross part of the city, have a guided tour of the city centre and make your kids feel excited and adventurous.
Buckle up for safety reasons and negotiate your trip before the ride starts so the fun does not turn into a headache at the end. You can also hop on a tram or on a funicular as they can be equally fun for the kids, while also being a great – and cheaper – way to get around.
Amphibious Bus
One minute you are on what it seems like a regular tour bus. All of the sudden, the bus makes a turn and start getting inside the Tagus River. Can you imagine your children’s face? Bold adventurous kids will love the unique experience of riding an amphibious vehicle that is both a bus and a boat.
Ticket prices range from 18,00€ to 30,00€ and there is no charge for toddlers under the age of 2.
Outdoor Playgrounds
Spread across the city you will find a great deal of outdoor public playgrounds. This is a great way to take a break from time to time so your kids can enjoy something focused on them, in between your travel plans, and with no need for any major detours.
Some playgrounds will be target at toddlers, others on older children and, some, have options for kids of all ages, except for small babies. In general, public playgrounds are clean and in great conditions.
Lisbon Zoo
Lisbon has a big, beautiful and well-maintained zoo, with over 2000 animals of 300 different species. The idea here is to offer a walk around the world without ever leaving Lisbon. Elephants, tigers, reptiles, and lions are some of the animals that can be spotted.
There is also a great showcase of flowers and plants all around this almost historical place, as it was the first zoo with flora and fauna of the whole Iberian Peninsula. The highlights of the Lisbon Zoo are the surprising dolphin show and birds presentation.
Ticket prices range from 17,10€ to 27,55€ and there is no charge for toddlers under the age of 2.
Day Trip to the Surroundings of Lisbon
For families that wish to explore even further, there are some great family-friendly activities within one hour car, bus or train ride from Lisbon. You can meet the surrounded medieval town of Óbidos, feast your eyes in the beautiful underground – but easily accessible – Mira D’Aire Cave, close to Fátima, have a whimsical walk in the gardens of Quinta da Regaleira, located in Sintra, or visit Portugal do Pequenitos, in Coimbra, a very cute park that is almost as a miniature village, with kid-sized houses inspired by the Portuguese and worldwide architecture.
Porto
The second largest city in Portugal gathers many beauties and offers plenty attractions for kids and adults. Porto has its own aura, that can only be truly understood after you pay a visit to the birth spot of the Douro Valley, one of the most beautiful places in Portugal. Some children may enjoy the supposed link the city has to the Harry Potter books, as the author of the hit series lived in Porto for a couple of years. Others will be drawn to its riverside activities like boat rides or bridge crossings. Check out bellow some of the top activities to do with kids when visiting Porto.
Boat Ride
With a lifestyle that revolves around the river, Porto offers different options of boat rides, one more interesting that the other. For kids, we recommend the classic Six Bridges tour that will take your family to see the six connections points between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. The offer is wide, and you can choose if you want to do it on a classic sailboat, on a typical Rabelo boat or on a luxury yacht.
Lello Bookstore
It is said that the former Lello & Irmão Bookstore – now just Livraria Lello – was J. K. Rowling's inspiration for how she described Dumbledore’s office in the worldly famous Harry Potter books. That has never been confirmed by the author, who actually denied the veracity if the theory, but the rumour was enough to put Lello on the tourists’ maps.
Even if your kids are not Harry Potter fans, the bookstore was also appraised as the third most beautiful bookstore in the world by Lonely Planet, due to not only its iconic red wooden stairs, but also to the unique stained-glass celling. Overall, children should enjoy a visit to this bookstore, even if it is just for the books themselves.
Note that the fame brought so many visitors that Lello now charges the entry and yet, it is almost always full.
Ticket prices range from 8€ to 50€.
Harry Potter Tour
Over the twenty plus years since its launch, the Harry Potter book series has gathered fans of different generations. For families with Potter Heads (Harry Potter fans), just a visit to Lello Bookstore might not be enough.
The author J.K. Rowling has written part of the first book while living in Porto, raising many theories about how the city has inspired costumes, scenarios and more. Some guided tours, both in Portuguese and English, will take you family through these supposed inspirations, which can be truly magical for kids.
Dom Luís I Bridge
This is arguably the most beautiful and iconic of all bridges connecting Porto to its surroundings. The Dom Luís I bridge was built in 1877 by Teófilo Seyrig, business partner of Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, creator of the Eiffel Tower, in Paris.
Hold your kids’ hands and take them to see this amazing structure with an adventurous walk on the lower or top decks of the bridge. They will surely be amazed.
Sea Life Porto
Porto’s Aquarium might not be as big as the one found in Lisbon, but also offers an immersive experience where kids can find themselves surrounded by rays, sharks, turtles and fish of all kinds.
Sea Life is divided in different areas, with a central tank and an underwater tunnel that will place your family as if you were swimming with all the marine creatures.
Ticket prices range from 12,95€ to 29,95€ and there is no charge for toddlers under the age of 2.
Santo Inácio Zoo
Such an important city such as Porto could not go without having its own Zoo. It is a bit outside the city – it is actually located in its neighbour - Vila Nova de Gaia – but in return for your effort of getting there, you will get to visit a place with many green spaces, well-maintained infrastructure and a great array of animal species.
At Santo Inácio Zoo your kids will be able to see snakes, rabbits, birds, zebras, camels, llamas and much more, as well as attend lion and penguins feeding sections, where the keepers will explain more about those animals.
Ticket prices range from 11,75€ to 17,80€ and there is no charge for toddlers under the age of two.
Spiritus Multimedia Show
Right next to one of Porto’s most famous tourist attractions – the Clérigos Tower – you will find the Clérigos Church. The church itself is already beautiful, but probably not enough to convince your kids to pay a visit. However, after 6pm, the temple becomes the perfect backdrop for an immersive multimedia show that fills the ceiling and walls with lights, colours, and music.
Tickets cost 10,00€ and there is no charge for children under the age of 10.
World of Discoveries
The Discovery Era shaped the Portuguese culture, as well as part of the modern world as we know it. The Portuguese conquests during that period were many, at they are the main theme of this interactive museum. On World of Discoveries, you and your kids will be able to hop on a miniature ship to explore different continents.
On “land” your kids will have access to interactive displays and will be able to ask their questions to a friendly staff dressed in costumes inspired by the Discovery Era.
Ticket prices range from 11,00€ to 17,00€ and there is no charge for toddlers under the age of 3.
Daytrip to the Surrounding of Porto
For some extra fun, your family can rent a car, take a train or a bus, to meet the beautiful colourful striped houses of Costa Nova Beach, take a gondola ride in Aveiro – considered the Portuguese Venice -, or go for a splash on the Amarante Water Park, the largest mountain water park of the Iberian Peninsula, located one hour away from Porto.
The Algarve
As the prime beachside spot in Portugal, home to some of best beach towns in Portugal for families, in the Algarve your little ones could simply spend all day everyday building sandcastles or playing on the warmest waters the country has to offer. However, when reading south, there is much more you and your kids can explore for an unforgettable holiday, depending on where you choose as the best place for you to stay in the Algarve.
Caves
The Algarve has some truly mesmerising caves, many of which can be visited through boat tours. They are a feast to the eye and a unique experience for the little (and the big) ones.
Pick a boarding point in cities like Albufeira, Lagos or Portimão, put on your lifejackets and enjoy some pleasant hours in the sea.
Zoo Marine
This oceanographic park is a combination of an oceanarium, zoo, and water park where you can see animals like sealions, turtles and sharks but also swim – upon prior scheduling and extra charge – with dolphins.
Located in Guia, Zoo Marine also has an artificial beach, pools, water jets, an artificial river, water slides and many play areas. Be prepared to spend the whole day there and still leave with your kids begging for more.
Ticket prices for 1 day entrance during the high season range from 24,50€ to 27,00€ if you buy online. Infants under 1,00 meter high have free entrance.
Water Parks
Depending on where on the Algarve you are planning to visit, there are different water park options, and you will almost certainly find one that is close enough to your accommodation.
In Lagoa there is Slide and Splash, in Quarteira there is Aquashow, the biggest theme park in Portugal - that even offers an inside waterpark open from September on -, and there is also Aqualand, in Alcantarilha.
Sand City
Located in Lagoa you will find an entire park dedicated to sand sculptures. Therefore, if your kids love sandcastles but are tiring of building them, this is the place to go.
For extra fun, you can rent an electric buggy to visit the exposition that is, by the way, the largest exhibition of sand sculptures in the world, with over 120 pieces.
Ticket prices range from 4,70€ to 9,50€ and there is no charge for children under the age of 6.
Dolphin Watching
Many boat tours parting from Lagos, Albufeira and Portimão during the summer will make strategic stops in areas where is more likely to spot dolphins making their way from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean ocean.
As nature commands this show, it is not guaranteed that you will cross paths with these beautiful sea creatures, but the boat ride will be fun, nevertheless. And if dolphins do appear, it will be a memory your kids will forever cherish.
Pirate Ship
Did your kid ever dream of experiencing a pirate adventure? In the Algarve, that is possible. You can take a pirate ship from Portimão and Visit the Benagil Caves, as well as part of the coastline of the Algarve. The tour is guided and lasts about 3 hours. There is no food included, but you can either take your own or buy snacks aboard.
Ticket prices range from 20,00€ to 38,00€ and there is no charge for toddlers under the age of 3.
Festivities in Portugal to Go With Your Kids
Portuguese people know how to have a party. And with a strong family driven culture, many of those parties will also be super fun for children. For one thing, they are always food centred and, for another, they are always on the outdoors, where people can enjoy the great weather Portugal has to offer. Here are some activities you can take part in, depending on when you are coming.
Santos Festivities
In June, people take the streets of Lisbon and Porto to eat traditional tapas while listening and dancing to live music during the Santos Populares festivities. Your kids will be able to check this very cultural gathering as well as witnesses the cities gaining colourful and playful decorations.
Medieval Fairs
Close to the end of summer and up until the beginning of Autumm, medieval fairs spread all around the country. Many takes place in actual castles or walled villages, adding authenticity to the atmosphere, like in Óbidos and Palmela.
In Tomar, a templar party takes the whole city in early summer with many activities aimed to bring back a taste of the medieval times.
Carnival
Cities like Loulé, in the Algarve, and Torres Vedras, located around 40 minutes away from Lisbon, have fun street carnivals in February (or march, depending on when carnival happens each year).
Kids can enjoy getting all dressed up in their costumes, dance and play around the upbeat energy this festivity brings. Just plan a warm costume, as weather is a bit cooler this time of year.
Downsizes of Visiting Portugal with Kids
There is virtually no downside of bringing your kids to Portugal, a safe, family-friendly country that has loads of activities for all.
What we could point out is that the famous Portuguese cobblestones can be bumpy, slippery and a bit of a challenge for prams and strollers. Also, the steep hills and narrow pavement of some of the neighbourhoods need extra attention and effort. Still, nothing that will make your family trip to Portugal any less fun and memorable.
5 Tips for Coming to Portugal on a Family Vacation
- Meals in Portugal are well served. If your children are small and do not eat that much, consider sharing the adults’ meal with them for some extra savings.
- As you can notice by our list of activities, most of the paid attractions are free for kids under two, which can also make your travel budget stretch a great deal.
- If in doubt, ask for help. Portuguese people are usually very friendly and are always willing to help kids and their parents.
- If you are going to a popular restaurant, call in advance, make a reservation and ask for a highchair to be reserved as well, in case you need one. Some places only have one or two of them, so it is best to be safe.
- If you are renting a car, be sure to also rent proper safety chairs, according to your kids' weight, as they are required by law when driving with children.
What Happens if You Fall in Love With Portugal?
Portugal is a beautiful, diverse, safe and family-oriented country and there are great changes you and kids will fall in love with it. It that is the case, then bear in mind that moving to Portugal is not only possible, but also quite effortless, with the help of Portugal Homes’ experts.
From advising on which is the best way to get a residency by investment permit, to the application process, searching the perfect home, and making it fully functional for you and your family: we cover all bases. That way you can enjoy everything Portugal has to offer to you and to your children all year long, no worries attached.
