Our guide to visting Lisbon with kids

Portugal is a great country to visit with children of all ages.  The Portuguese as a nation are very family orientated and it is not unusual to see children accompanying their parents at restaurants or parties until the small hours of the morning particularly in the summer months. That said, visiting Lisbon with small children is not without its logistical challenges.  The terrain can be tough to navigate with pushchairs due to the traditional cobblestone pavements which can at times be in need of repairs and result in the wheels getting lodged in the gaps between stones. There can also be a lot of staircases and hills to power through particularly in the older districts where pavements might not always be wide enough to accommodate a pram.  If you are visiting higher ground make sure you use the network of funicular elevators, trams and buses to save time and much needed energy. 

Here are some activities and suggestions for keeping your little ones entertained during your visit. 

Parque das Nações  

Once an industrial wasteland this modern side of Lisbon was given a new lease of life in 1998 when Lisbon hosted the World Fair Expo.  Since then it has become a popular district for locals and tourists due to the many leisure activities on offer.  There are trendy bars, restaurants, music and theatre venues, museums, parks and of course the Oceanarium.  The pedestrian promenade runs along the river for 5km and there are places where you can rent a range of bicycles from traditional to electric and even tandems.   Another draw for families is that the restaurants are all located within the pedestrian promenade so there are plenty of outdoor seating options without the worry of any cars passing nearby.  All in all, a great location to entertain the kids for a day.   

Here are our top picks of some kid friendly activities in Parque das Nações: 

Oceanarium  

A highly regarded oceanarium with a large collection of marine species such as penguins, sea otters, sharks, rays, seahorses, coral and much much more.  The main exhibit representing the ‘Global Ocean’ is an enormous central tank with an array of mesmerising and outlandish creatures whilst the other four tanks represent the world’s oceans and house wildlife from each one.   

Pavilhão de Conhecimento  

An interactive science museum with fun displays, exhibits and workshops offering a hands-on learning experience for visitors.  The museum covers a wide range of scientific topics including physics, chemistry, biology and environmental science and presents these topics in a fun and engaging way for children and adults alike.  

Belem 

Quake - Ages 6 and up 

Quake is an immersive museum with cutting-edge simulators that allow you to relive the Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755 and discover how it transformed the face of Lisbon and brought the once thriving Portuguese Empire to its knees.  Visitors travel through a series of rooms which combine interactive technology, video mapping and simulators to bring the science behind earthquakes and tsunamis to life and the devastation that comes with them.  It’s a great day out for the whole family, the exhibits are engaging & informative and the technology used to recreate the various events covered are impressive.  Buy your tickets online before arriving as visits are booked in time slots.

Beaches 

The beaches along Cascais are easily accessible from Lisbon.  The overhead train from Cais do Sodre takes around 30 mins to Cascais and there are plenty of beaches to pick from along the way.  The water tends to be calmer the closer you get to Cascais which is great for smaller children and there are plenty of facilities such as restaurants, bars and sun loungers for rental.  If you are travelling by public transport the closest beaches to their respective station are Praia do Tamariz (Estoril Station) and Praia da Duquesa (Cascais).  At low tide the beaches of São Pedro & Avencas in Parede are great for spotting marine life although the rocks can be slippery.  Beaches are a great source of entertainment all year round and as long as the sun is shining we think they are always worth a visit.  The coastal promenades are great for leisurely walks which can be broken up with some fun in the sand. 

Parks  

There are some great parks in the centre of Lisbon with cafes & playgrounds and it’s not uncommon for there to be some resident poultry running around or a family of peacocks to admire.  Here are our top picks: 

Jardim da Estrela opposite the Estrela Basilica is spread over 4 hectares with two playgrounds, a carp pond, ducks, swans and even peacocks.  The park itself is very well maintained with beautiful boarders, mature trees, shaded areas and a café. 

Jardim da Fundação Gulbenkian is located to the north of the city near Praça de Espanha.  Spread over 7.5 hectares the carefully designed gardens are a true oasis of nature and tranquillity in the middle of the city.  There are paths shrouded in bamboo, a large lake, rivulets and lots of spaces to wander and explore.  The gardens provide a home to over 43 species of birds and more than 230 species of flora.  On site you will also find the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum displaying an impressive private collection of magnificent pieces of art, jewellery, ceramics, books and textiles including paintings by Gainsborough, Turner, Rubens and Rembrandt.  There are 3 cafeterias overlooking the gardens, an ice cream shop and a gift shop to boot! 

Parque Eduardo VII lies at the top of Avenida da Liberdade in the heart of the city.  Occupying an area of 26 hectares, it has a playground, plenty of grass for running around as well as cafés, restaurants and the Estufa Fria, a greenhouse with 3 distinct zones featuring lakes, waterfalls and over 300 plant species from all over the world.  If you make it up to the top of the park you will be rewarded with some fantastic views over the city and down to the river. 

Monsanto Forest Park is referred to as the lung of Lisbon, this large forest covers over 1000 hectares of land and is a great destination for families with kids.  There are plenty of picnic areas, forest trails, playgrounds, sports complexes and even an amusement park for kids between the ages of 4-9.  Bicycles can also be rented for you to explore the park and its many cycle trails. 

Top Tips! 

• Comfortable walking shoes with good grip.  The calçada (cobblestone pavements) although beautiful and characteristic of Lisbon can be slippery in both summer with the high temperatures and in winter when its wet. 
•   If you see this sign and are pregnant or accompanied with a child up to the age of two you have priority in queues.
• Although Lisbon is fairly small make sure you use public transport to get around with small children.  The underground system is quick and efficient and the buses and trams run frequently within the city.  You can purchase travel cards in the underground station and children up to the age of 3 can travel for free.
• Arrive at popular sites early to avoid big crowds.