Helen Bowman is a Lisbon local, mom of 2, freelance writer and lifestyle editor @heliotropism_. She gives us her top picks for where to stay in Lisbon with Kids.
Lisbon is a city unlike any other. More ancient than Rome and prettier, in its unassuming way, than Paris, it remains small-scale compared to other European capitals – and is therefore much easier to get around and get to know.
Yes, Lisbon’s many hills and cobbled streets may test parents with strollers or baby-carriers, particularly at the height of summer, when temperatures can easily top 35° celsius. But there’s usually a cooling breeze off the Atlantic, and the plentiful sunshine makes the city a great base for all manner of fun – from al fresco dining and beach picnics to long coastal hikes just half an hour’s drive from the historic centre. The key is finding a good spot from which to sample all that the city and its surroundings have to offer. So: where to stay in Lisbon with kids?
The 5 Best Kid-Friendly Areas to Stay in Lisbon
- Estoril
- Belem
- Caparica
- São Bento
- Principe Real
1. Estoril
Estoril lies 30 minutes west of Lisbon. An upmarket satellite town with plenty of restaurants and urban beaches, it’s flatter and more walkable than the city – and a great place from which to explore Cascais and the wider Sintra region.
Highlights for families include Polo 1921, a pizzeria set inside the sun-dappled idyll of the Quinta da Marinha equestrian estate. Grab a spritz and soak up the sun while the kids build forts out of haystacks and get to know the horses. Also nearby is Praia da Aldeia, a roadside stop-off featuring street-food vendors, a playground and Musa, a stylish bar in a recommissioned water tower. And if you’re up for a drive, 30 minutes north through the pretty Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais lies Azenhas do Mar, a cute coastal village offering a lovely seawater pool and clifftop hikes.
2. Belém
Belém sits at Lisbon’s western fringe, a museum district where iconic tourist attractions like the Jerónimos Monastery and Torre de Belém sit cheek-by-jowl with modern additions including the Centro Cultural do Belem (CCB) and MAAT, Lisbon’s premier contemporary-art institution.
Thanks to its waterfront location, Belém remains walkable and cyclable, and you can hire bikes or pedal go-karts for a family trip along the river. A short ride or 30-minute walk brings you to LX Factory in neighbouring Alcantara, a converted factory packed with boutiques, cafes, and a busy Sunday market. Later, back in Belem, you can explore more museums or visit Quake (an immersive experience inspired by the catastrophic Lisbon Earthquake of 1755). Round it all off with an ice-cream from local institution Santini – best enjoyed in the shady environs of Belem’s well-kept Jardim Vasco de Gama.
3. Caparica
Caparica isn’t quite Lisbon, but it’s close enough that Lisboetas view it as a home from home. A short hop over the Ponte 25 de Abril – Lisbon’s own version of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge – Caparican life is all about the beaches, which stretch for 30km from the mouth of the River Tejo to the dinky beach town of Fonte da Telha. You’ll need a car to explore and experience Caparica fully – most beaches have ample parking (the exception is Fonte da Telha; you’re advised to get there early during summer holidays).
Best destinations for families wondering where to stay in Lisbon with kids include Casa Reia, a chi-chi beach restaurant with low tables set right on the sand; Mata dos Medos, a beachside woodland with stroller-friendly walking trails and incredible views over the ocean; and Slow Bakery, a great place to grab coffee, cakes and fresh-baked goodies before a lazy stroll along the sands.
4. São Bento
São Bento is a favourite with ex-pats from all over, combining pretty, traditional architecture and shady squares with a rising number of independent shops and cafes – all of which make it an ideal base from which to discover the city.
The Portuguese parliament may define Sao Bento, but the real heart of the neighbourhood is in Praça das Flores, a small, tree-lined square with a tinkling fountain and lots of al fresco dining options. Our favourite local spots are Magnolia (a mini bistrot and wine bar), Marquise (great pastries and brunch) and stylish Cafe São (coffee, deli, food, people-watching). Oh and for the kids? Head to Nanarella, arguably one of the city’s best ice-cream parlours and always, always with a queue winding down the road outside.
5. Príncipe Real
North of Chiado, Lisbon’s central shopping district, lies Príncipe Real – a gently ritzy residential neighbourhood where locals and visitors mingle at the weekend Farmer’s Market, enjoy fish tacos and margaritas from Miami import Coyo Taco, and browse wares from the best Portuguese fashion and beauty brands at Embaixada – a boutique shopping mall housed within a palatial former embassy building.
Thanks to restaurants like Leonetta and Rosamar, Príncipe Real is popular with foodies, so it can get lively at night along the main drag. But it’s also a family favourite, with a lovely miradouro (or viewpoint) overlooking the city and a verdant park. It’s well-situated – you can walk to most of Lisbon’s central attractions within 20-30 minutes and the area is home to a botanical garden and natural history museum.
Booking Your Lisbon Family Vacation
Before deciding where to stay in Lisbon with kids, it’s best to consider your family’s habits and preferences. Looking for the vibrancy and energy of Lisbon life at its best, with great food and shopping within arm’s reach? You’ll love Príncipe Real. Fancy immersing yourself in the city’s history and contemporary cultural life? Base yourself in Belém. Cafe connoisseur? Sao Bento is your go-to. Looking to spend most of your time at the beach, with occasional jaunts into the city? Head to Caparica. Or do you prefer rugged beaches, walks along the shoreline and jaw-dropping sunsets – while still enjoying the comfort and convenience of urban life? Estoril it is!
The truth is, whichever neighbourhood you choose, you can reach the others easily either by walking, jumping on a tram, taking a (relatively inexpensive) taxi, or driving – though parking can be tough in and around the city centre. Key to enjoying Lisbon is to visit when the weather works for you and your brood.
Whatever you do and wherever you’re based, you’re sure to love the mix of healthy outdoor activities and urban excitement in Europe’s westernmost capital. Check out Kid & Coe’s Lisbon properties and find your perfect destination today.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is – Lisboetas (and the Portuguese more generally) love kids and the city offers enough to keep them occupied for a week or so – or more, if they’re into beach days and coastal walks.
Anything from a few days to a few weeks works well. Lisbon is a busy capital but, unlike larger cities (London, Paris, Athens and so on), it typically takes just half an hour to leave the metropolis behind and get a healthy dose of natural beauty: beaches, forest, clifftop hiking trails etc.
Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world and Lisbon is a calm, friendly city. Ten years ago there were many sketchy areas, but Lisbon is on the up and you’ll be very safe anywhere in or around the centre. The usual cautionary advice applies – beware pickpockets on public transport and don’t stray into unknown areas alone at night. But generally, Lisbon allows you to breathe a little easier than elsewhere.
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/lisbon/the-rua-dos-acores-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/lisbon/the-calcada-dos-mestres-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/lisbon/the-rua-doutor-estevao-de-vasconcelos-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/lisbon/the-ivens-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/costa-da-caparica/the-estrada-da-praia-da-mata-residence