Best Places to Travel in Portugal for Families
With mild weather, over 1,000 miles of coastline, and a slower-paced culture, Portugal is the perfect place for a European family trip. This country has so many islands, cities, and villages that it can be difficult to choose the best places to travel in Portugal for families. In this article you will find all the top spots so you can plan the perfect Portugal family itinerary.
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How to Get Around Portugal
It’s super easy to travel to Portugal. There are three international airports (Porto Airport in the north, Lisbon Airport in the center, and Faro Airport in the south) with direct flights to North American airports.
It isn’t so easy to figure out how to get around Portugal once you’re there. Most major cities have a bus and train station. It’s fairly straightforward to take a train ride between Lisbon and Porto, for example.
If you want to travel in regions like the Algarve or Douro Valley, public transport is scarce. Plus, traveling with small children and luggage on buses is not my idea of a relaxing vacation!
Opt for a rental car so you can enjoy a fun family road trip. Villages and cities in the Algarve region are only a short drive away from each other. Portugal isn’t a big country. Driving from Porto to Coimbra takes 90 minutes and the journey from Lisbon to Cascais by road is less than 40 minutes.
Best Places to Visit in Portugal for Families
For those visiting Portugal with younger children, you’re in luck! There is an abundance of amusement parks, beaches, and family-friendly resorts. Those traveling with older children will find historic castles, museums, and other cultural sites, as well as beach activities and hiking. There is no bad choice when it comes to exploring Portugal with kids!
1. Lisbon
If this is your first trip to Portugal and you’re seeking culture, Portugal’s capital city Lisbon is a great place to start. Sitting along the Tagus River, Lisbon is famous for Moorish-influenced architecture covered in colorful tiles and hilly cobblestone streets. There’s no denying the city’s beauty but it’s also ideal for families.
Join one of the great family-friendly city walking tours run by expert local tour guides to see Lisbon’s highlights and learn more about the city’s history.
Head up to the 11th-century medieval castle of São Jorge on a hilltop in the historic Alfama neighborhood. Lisbon Oceanarium and the Pavilhão do Conhecimento Science Museum are two of the best things to do in Lisbon for curious kids.
Take the entire family to Mercado da Ribeira, also known as the Time Out Market, for lunch. You can dine together in the communal seating areas while dining on different delicious dishes.
Hop on a train and take a half-day trip to Lisbon’s Belém neighborhood. Together, the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower are a UNESCO World Heritage Site (book tickets in advance to avoid waiting in a long line!). Be sure to fill up on pastries from Pastéis de Belém.
Sintra is the perfect spot for a full-day trip if you have extra time. Book a train ticket or take a small-group tour to this historic region and visit royal palaces like the National Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira.
Martinhal Resorts is well-known as one of the best collections of luxury family hotels in Portugal and their five-star Lisbon Chiado Luxury Hotel & Apartments is an affordable place to stay.
2. Cascais
If you’re planning a road trip, your next stop after Lisbon could be Cascais, a popular seaside resort town just 32 km/20 miles west of the capital. It’s one of the best spots in Portugal for families looking for beautiful beaches and water sports as well as a historic Old Town to explore.
Enroll your kids in a beginner’s surf lesson with one of the many surf schools in the area. Salty Souls, Surf Cascais, and Moana Surf School are just a few options.
Praia do Guincho and Carcavelos Beach are both known for their ideal surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing conditions.
If you want to relax, Praia da Ribeira de Cascais is a popular beach with families and is within walking distance of the city center.
Don’t forget to check out Jardim Visconde da Luz, a park with a carousel and local market on nights and weekends. Stroll along the marina which has historic structures like the Santa Marta Lighthouse and the 15th-century Citadel of Cascais.
This resort town isn’t cheap, but the five-star Senhora da Guia Cascais Boutique Hotel is surprisingly affordable. It even has a pool!
3. Porto
Porto is the country’s second city and the largest in Northern Portugal. The weather during the summer months in Southern Portugal can be unbearable for young children, so follow the lead of the local Portuguese people and head to the milder north for a city break.
Porto sits on the Douro River and is known for its grand bridges, port wine-making, and medieval streets. Staying in the Porto A.S. 1829 Hotel is a no-brainer as it’s a boutique property in a great location with tons of space.
Head to the Baroque Clerigos Church and Tower where you and your older kids can climb 240 steps to witness beautiful views over Porto. Opposite the church is the serene city park, Jardim da Cordoaria, which provides much-needed shade.
If your kids love Instagrammable spots, you will want to head to Livraria Lello, Dom Luís I Bridge View at sunset, or the colorful buildings of Ribeira.
Porto Cathedral and Sao Bento Railway Station are two buildings you can’t miss, with or without kids. They’re both icons of the city.
Do you have young kids obsessed with trains and vehicles? Hop on streetcar N.1 in the Riberia district and ride it west to Foz (and back!) along the river. Another fun ride is the Gaia Cable Car and there’s also the Porto Tramway Museum.
4. Evora
Évora is a small city in Portugal’s southern region, just east of Lisbon, and is known for its 18th-century white-washed townhouses and relaxed pace. Its entire Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so it’s one of the best places to visit in Portugal for families with older kids seeking historical sites from different periods.
Head to Evora’s historic center to see a 2,000-year-old Roman temple built for Emperor Augustus. The 16th-century Aqueduct is a landmark of the city and there is a path running alongside the structure which makes for a beautiful evening stroll. Kids fascinated by all things weird will love the Chapel of Bones, a church decorated with the skeletons of monks.
If you have a car, stay in the beautiful Octant Evora. It’s family-friendly, has 2 and 3-bedroom villas, indoor and outdoor pools, and a spa. It’s just a 15-minute drive away from the city.
5. Carvoeiro
This charming seaside resort town is in the southern Algarve region. The Algarve was transformed in the 1960s from whitewashed fishing villages to a vacation hotspot with resorts, theme parks, hotels, and villas overlooking sandy coves and some of the best beaches in the country. There are many resort towns on the Algarve coast but Carvoeiro is a great base for a more relaxing vacation.
Of course, you can’t visit Carvoeiro without checking out the beaches. Families love Praia do Carvalho and Praia do Vale de Centeanes. Spend time walking along the Carvoeiro Boardwalk (stroller-friendly!) at sunrise or sunset and exploring the Benagil and Carvoeiro caves on a boat trip.
Vila Vita Parc is nearby luxury resort with spacious, modern suites, multiple pools, 12 restaurants, and a kids’ club.
6. Azores
The Azores is a Portuguese archipelago of nine volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. It sits around 870 miles west of Lisbon, and some airlines have direct seasonal flights from the US. Visiting the Azores is an incredible opportunity to experience a different side of Portuguese culture for your entire family.
The islands are perfect for families seeking the lush, green landscapes and nature reserves by getting outdoors. As the largest island, São Miguel Island is a great base. We recommend a stay at Pedras do Mar Resort, one of the most family-friendly hotels available.
One activity that children of all ages love is a dolphin and whale-watching boat trip. This three-hour excursion is the best way to maximize your chances of seeing as much wildlife as possible!
Warm up in the Poca da Dona Beija Hot Springs or Terra Nostra Hot Springs. Babies and infants can also enter the pools with you, but it’s ideal for children aged six or above.
Sete Cidades is one of the best places to hike with kids for scenic views of the turquoise crater lakes. Hikes to the Miradouro da Boco do Inferno and Miradouro da Vista do Rei viewpoints are doable with kids aged ten or above or little ones in carriers. If you’re not keen hikers, you can rent a car and drive close to the vistas and still have a great experience.
7. Madeira
Another Portuguese archipelago is Madeira, a group of four islands. The main island of Madeira is by far the biggest and most visited. It’s situated off the coast of Morocco. Madeira is known for its year-round nice weather with a subtropical climate and namesake wine production.
Like the Azores, these volcanic islands have dramatic cliffs for hiking and rugged pebbled beaches. Madeira is the perfect destination for families seeking adventure in an idyllic locale.
Wildlife and sea life are abundant along Madeira’s coastlines too. Take this two-hour sealife, turtle, and bird-watching tour to spot as many cool creatures as possible.
Monte Palace Tropical Garden in Funchal is a paradise with waterfalls, fountains, pink flamingos roaming around, and a thick, dense forest. To get to the gardens, take the Funchal-Monte Cable Car which is a fun activity in itself!
Head to the north coast of Madeira to the Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools. These volcanic pools have a children’s swim area and playground so it’s perfect for families.
Madeira’s main city of Funchal is a great base. The Pestana Grand Hotel is a five-star resort on the water surrounded by palm trees with large, cozy rooms and a huge pool. We think it’s one of the best places to stay in Madeira with kids.
8. Coimbra
Want to visit a smaller, historic city overflowing with cultural attractions and activities? Visit the historic city of Coimbra on the River Mondego, one of the best places in Portugal for families.
This was the country’s capital city in the Middle Ages from 1139 until 1260. Today it is home to Portugal’s oldest university which dates back to 1290. It’s incredible how much of the Old Town hasn’t changed in the last 700 years!
Take your kids to the Science Museum of the University of Coimbra which has interactive physics and chemistry exhibits as well as guided tours and workshops. The university’s botanical gardens date back to the 18th century with elegant fountains, greenhouses, and long trails surrounded by bamboo forests.
Visit the 12th-century Santa Cruz Church to see the tombs of two former kings of Portugal. Don’t miss the Old Cathedral and the New Cathedral. The older one dates to the 12th century and the “new” one was completed in the 17th century.
Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas is the perfect five-star hotel for families staying in Coimbra. It even has an outdoor pool!
9. Óbidos
Only a one-hour drive north of Lisbon, the small town of Óbidos could be a fantastic addition to an easy Lisbon – Cascais – Óbidos – Evora road trip. The city’s rich history dates to 1282 when it was gifted to Queen Isabel upon her marriage. Yes, she was gifted an entire town! Óbidos is one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval villages so there’s lots to see.
Walking along the Óbidos City Walls in the Old Town is a must when traveling with kids. You climb them at the 12th-century Castelo de Óbidos which overlooks the entire town.
Don’t miss the beautiful tiles in the old Porta da Vila city gate or the 17th-century Church of Saint Mary. There’s also an old aqueduct, Aqueduto de Usseira, just outside of the Old Town and if you have a car, drive out to Miradouro de Óbidos for the most incredible panoramic view.
You can actually stay at the eco-certified and child-friendly hotel Pousada do Castelo de Óbidos, a four-star hotel at the castle! There are play areas and large suites perfect for families.
10. Douro Valley
Porto isn’t the only ideal place for families to visit in Northern Portugal. Travel east along the Douro River and you will find the Douro Valley, a beautiful expanse of lush Portuguese countryside. Although this area is known for its acres of port wine vineyards, there’s plenty to do here for kids.
A trip to the Douro Valley isn’t complete without a boat ride along the river in a traditional wooden Rabelo boat. Don’t miss the best vistas like the Viewpoint of São Leonardo de Galafura or the nature reserves of Vale do Côa.
If you are traveling with infants, you can absolutely still take them to vineyards! Quinta do Tedo, Quinta da Roêda, and Quinta da Pacheca are noted as being family-friendly. If they’re a little older, take them to the Douro Museum in Peso da Régua instead to learn about the region’s wine-making history.
There are many pockets of communities along the Douro Valley where you can base yourself during your stay, but many activities are close to Pinhão. Hotel Rural Quinta do Pégo is a child-friendly hotel with its own vineyard. It even has a pool and unbeatable views of the river!
11. Faro
Faro is the gateway city to the Algarve region and one of the best places to visit in Portugal for families. While the Western Algarve is less developed, Faro in the east has lots for families to do.
Families planning a beach day in Faro should check out Praia Do Anção and Praia do Barril. They are both long stretches of soft sandy beach with lots of amenities like restaurants, umbrella rentals, and sun loungers.
There are many picturesque, remote beaches in Faro, like Praia de Faro Este and Barrinha Beach, if you just want to catch the sunset or go for a stroll.
Faro also boasts other sea activities like a dolphin and wildlife watching excursion or a surfing lesson if you have older kids.
Don’t skip Faro’s historic center on your trip because it has some gorgeous architecture. The neo-classical archway Arco da Vila, Faro Cathedral, and the marina are all great places to explore on an evening wander.
Stay at the Aquashow Park Hotel just outside of Faro if you’re traveling with small children in the shoulder or peak season. There are water parks onsite with epic water slides and a cool kids’ club!
Plan an Unforgettable Portugal Family Vacation
There is so much to do in Portugal for families. Whether you are dreaming of an island vacation chasing waterfalls in Madeira, building sandcastles on the beach in Faro, sailing along the river in Porto, or climbing hilltop vistas in Lisbon, there are fantastic places on the Iberian Peninsula for the whole family! Hopefully, this curated list has given you some inspiration for planning the perfect family trip to Portugal.
