General Tips for Traveling to Portugal:
-Bring an umbrella or raincoat if traveling in winter
-Many places only accept cash (Euros)
-Public transit is great here, but dowload the Moovit app (Google maps isn’t as reliable here)
-Roads are not super stroller-friendly, many are cobblestone or narrow so opt for a carrier or other option if you can
Day 1 and 2 Travel and Lisbon
Arrive in the morning if you can! If you have young children you can use the handy “family lines” they have in Portugal airports.
There are so many kid-friendly attractions in Lisbon including: the Oceanarium Aquarium, Lisbon Zoo, KidZania, Jardim da Estrela (park), Pavilhão do Conhecimento (science museum), Belem Tower, and fun streetcars and trams such as Tram 28 which winds through the city.
Take a tuk tuk tour through the city, and then enjoy a Portuguese cooking or baking class!
Also, don’t miss taking a Hippotrip (bus that turns into a boat) to see both land and water in the city.
Check out these Hotels in Lisbon
Day 3 Sintra
A 40 minute train ride, either a day trip or stay overnight in this beautiful place. This fairytale-esque town is known for its castles and palaces. Visit the Pena Palace, Castle of the Moors, Quinta da Regaleira, Montserrate Palace and Sintra National Palace. Take a guided tour to make the most of these amazing sights.
Take a ride on the Sintra Tram for a lovely view of the area.
Day 4 Coimbra
Coimbra is a city in central Portugal (2 hours North from Lisbon by train) and the country’s former capital, is home to a preserved medieval old town and lovely riverfront and so much more to do than you’d expect.
The Coimbra Portugal dos Pequenitos is a miniature park is designed especially for kids, also visit the Portugal dos Pequenitos Mini Zoo and Coimbra Botanical Garden. If you’d like to do some shopping, there is a mall here with great prices called Forum Coimbra that is beautiful and huge.
Day 5-7 Porto
Take train to Porto (about 1 hour)
There is so much to see in Porto, including so many different kinds of tours and food experiences.
Porto, located in northern Portugal, is a vibrant and historic city with plenty of activities and attractions that are suitable for kids. Here are some suggestions for things to do in Porto with kids:
Check out the Sea Life Porto aquarium, the World of Discoveries (interactive museum), Take a Ribeira and Douro River Cruise, ride the Teleferico de Gaia (cable car) for panoramic views, and check out the Museu dos Transportes e Comunicações (transportation and communication museum).
For the adults, there are many kid-friendly food and wine tasting tours.
Finally, fly home from Porto!
