Lisbon with children - what to do?

Lisbon has something to offer for visitors of all ages. On this page we’ll hand you some suggestions if you are traveling with children. Don’t forget that Lisbon is a wonderful city to wander around and discover places. Even if you walk around with your family, there is so much to discover. This is a child-friendly city: not only at restaurants you are received hospitably but also at sights that are not necessarily meant for children. So feel free to take your children everywhere.

For children of all ages

Parque das Nações
f you want to escape the heat of the city, Parque das Nações is the ideal place. In this modern suburb of Lisbon there is much to do for children, you can easily have fun for the whole day here.

The largest aquarium in Europe, the Oceanário de Lisboa, is located in this district. Five large basins in which the underwater world of the different oceans has been recreated.

Take a cable car ride along the coastline of the Tagus river, it is a lot of fun to take your children in the Teleférico. But we’d never recommend to come to Parque das Nações just for this. Even though the ride doesn’t last longer than 10 minutes, it does offer you some nice views over the former Expo grounds and the river Tagus.

There are also many beautiful parks and many fountains and playing equipment with water. Fortunately, it is often hot in Lisbon, so when the kids’ clothes get wet, they’ll be dry in a minute!

Castelo de São Jorge
Which kid doesn’t like castles? They either see themselves as a king, queen, prince or princess, or they’re the knight of the story. Even though Castelo de São Jorge is one of the busiest sights in the city, it is well worth it to go with kids. Children under 10 years old can enter for free.

Belém
Just like in Parque das Nações it is nice to stay in Belém fif you are traveling with children. This is mainly because these neighbourhoods have been set up more spaciously, so] you’re not constantly between cars and other traffic. Belém offers many attractions that are great for people of all ages. Don’t forget to visi Pastéis de Belém.

Tram 28
Many websites say that Tram 28 is fun to do with children. Of course it is quite an adventure for both young and old to take a ride on this tram through the narrow and steep streets of Lisbon.

However, I don’t particularly recommend taking Tram 28 with young children. Often there are long lines when entering the car, even though it runs every 10 minutes. The tram is often jam-packed with tourists, which means that you are crammed like sardines and you try to hold on tightly in order not to fall over. A seat is definitely not guaranteed and if you are with children it is not obvious that someone stands up to give up his place. Besides, there is a possibility that there are pickpockets in the tram.

If you are determined to take a tram ride, make sure you go early in the morning (before 10:00 am) so that you can enjoy sitting in peace and quiet.

Rua Augusta en Praça do Comércio
Rua Augusta is one of the most famous streets of Lisbon. The street is wide and there’s always something to see and do. Praça do Comércio is a pedestrian square where children can run and climb up the stairs of the statue of Joseph I.

For children aged 6 – 12 years

Pavilhão do Conhecimento
The Pavilhão do Conhecimento, the science museum for children in Parque das Nações is especially fun for children from 6 years. You can discover how tornadoes grow or they can try lying down on a bed of nails. Perhaps the nicest attraction is being dressed up in a velcro suit and jump against a velcro wall. It is an interactive museum, where the parents can also do various things. The youngest (3-6 years) can build a house – this takes about 45 minutes.

Tickets are valid throughout the day, allowing you to walk in and out, for example to have a bite. The museum is not very big, but you can still have fun here for a day. The texts in the displays in the museum are in Portuguese and English. It can be quite busy in the museum as a result of schools that come to visit the museum.

Address: Largo José Mariano Gago, Parque das Nações
Opening hours: during the week from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and in the weekend from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m..
More info on the website.

Kidzania
Kidzania is a real children’s paradise for children aged 3 to 15, kids sort of become adults here. It is a very interactive place and children can pretend to have different professions, such as teacher, news anchor, model, dentist, policeman or firefighter. With these professions kids can earn KidZos, that’s the currency here with which they can go shopping or rent a car or things like that.

The texts are mainly in Portuguese and not all staff speaks English all that well either, but that shouldn’t spoil the fun for your kids. I think children from the age of 6 really understand what they can do here.

Kidzania is located in the Amadora suburb near the Dolce Vita shopping center.

Address: Dolce Vita Tejo Lj 1054 – Av. Cruzeiro Seixas 7, 2650-504 Amadora, Portugal
Opening hours: closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Wed to Friday from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM and on weekends from 11 AM to 7 PM.
More info: http://www.kidzania.pt/en/atividades//pavconhecimento.pt/home/

Spotting dolphins
At Setúbal, under an hour away from Lisbon, you have the opportunity to spot dolphins. There’s a group of about 25 dolphins living between the natural park Arrábida and Estuário do Sado, or Dolphins Bay. Good chance that you spot these dolphins on an excursion. There’s a boat sailing from the harbor of Setúbal.

Viator.com offers daily dolphin spotting trips. For €90 (£80) per person you are on the road for a day. Check here for more info.

Dolphin spotting might not be cheap but it’s well worth it for a whole day of fun!

Adventure Park
If you want something different from the city and all its beautiful sights, go to Adventure Park. Adventure Park is an outdoor park with different circuits. The park is accessible to all ages, with a minimum height restriction.

Pequena floresta
The Pequena floresta (small forest) is suited for kids between 6 – 12 years, with a minimum height of 1.10 meters. The Mega circuito (mega circuit) has more than 44 activities and 4 different circuits you can only participate if you’re over than 4 feet and 7 inches.

Descobertas (discoveries) is special and unique, it has 25 obstacles and in one hour you can make a circuit with the whole family. The minimum height to participate is 3 feet and 11 inches.

There are 2 locations, Pequena floresta and Mega circuito in Adventure Park Jamor.
Descobertas (discoveries) can be found in Adventure Park Pinhal da Paiã

Address:

Complexo Desportivo do Jamor (Próximo do Campo de Tiro), 1495-751 Cruz Quebrada, Portugal

Avenida Professor Francisco Sá Carneiro (Ao lado dos Bombeiros da Pontinha) Pinhal da Paiã 1675 Pontinha

Opening hours: Every day from 10 am – 5 pm (in summer), in winter: 10 am – 4 pm.
More info: https://adventurepark.pt/en/homepage/

More info:adventurepark.pt

Outside of Lisbon

When you stay in Lisbon longer or have an accommodation in the area then it is certainly worthwhile to visit the following sights outside of the city.

Sintra
Sintra is great with children but make sure you take the time to visit everything in your own time. Sintra is a beautiful place with lots of nature and sights. With (small) children in Sintra, the following sights are definitely worth a visit.

If your child is not yet able to walk by itself, keep in mind that Sintra lies in the hills of Monte da Lua, so leaving the stroller at home and bringing a child carrier is a good idea.

Do not forget to walk past Piriquita in the center, here you can taste the best cake in the city.

Beaches
The good thing about Lisbon is that most beaches are a short distance away and easy to reach, even if you don’t have a rental car. The beaches, such as Praia do Carcavelos or Praia de Santo Amaro de Oeiras along the coastal road zare easy to reach by the train that runs between Cais de Sodré and Cascais. But also the beaches of Costa de Caparica are easily accessible from Lisbon by public transport.

If you have a rental car, then drive to the beaches near Sintra, such as Praia da Adraga, Praia das Maças of Praia Grande. These beaches are rugged and wonderful to spend a day.

Cascais
The beautiful former fishing village of Cascais has something for everyone. It is easily accessible by train from Lisbon, you can have a great lunch or diner here and wander through the village. And next to that there are also nice beaches. Cascais is a perfect day trip if you’re travelling with kids!