Lisbon With Kids: Where to Visit and What to Do

Blessed with over 300 sunny days per year, Lisbon is a great city for families who want to get out and do stuff.

The city’s Mediterranean climate means heading outdoors is nearly always an option, while its comparatively small size makes it easy to get around. Add to that a wealth of attractions – natural and cultural – and you have the recipe for a perfect family stay.

In this guide, we’ll take you through some of the best things to do in Lisbon with kids, as tried and tested by a resident mum.

7 Best Things to Do in Lisbon with Kids 

Lisbon on wheels

You may think that Lisbon’s famous hills, cobbled streets and summer heat would prove a pain for families who like to cycle. And you’d be right – unless you know the workarounds. In fact, the city is a favourite with cyclists of all ages, with flat, well-tended riverside walks and lush parks offering ample space to burn some rubber. 

Monsanto, the forest park that occupies a massive 2,500 acres on the city’s northwest shoulder, provides extensive trails surrounded by pine woods and dotted with miradouros – lookout points framing mesmerising views of the capital. Kids want to ride but you didn’t bring their bikes? Head to Fun Track at the Doca de Alcântara Rocha, where you can hire scooters, cycles and even motorised go-karts, then watch from the shaded shipping-container cafe as your littles take them for a spin.

Cost: Fun Track vehicle rentals from €3-20 per 30 or 60 minutes. Other bicycle hire and repair kiosks are strewn along the Tagus promenade from Alcântara to Belém.
Age Range: All ages

Treetop adventures

Lisboetas tend towards the outdoorsy – and small wonder, when you think of their lack of private gardens and all the natural blessings on their doorstep. This has led to a host of nature-based activities for little ones, including a number of treetop adventure courses for the practice of arborismo.

Our favourites are Azen Park (formerly Troca Tintas) in Azenhas do Mar, 45 minutes northwest of Lisbon, and Adventure Park, located in Parque Urbano do Jamor in the Lisbon suburb of Algés. Both are equipped with ropewalks, zip-lines and climbing challenges, and offer a thrilling experience that helps kids build confidence and develop their motor skills while remaining safe and secure the entire time. Parents can join the fun themselves or watch from below as the youngsters scramble around the canopy.

Cost: Prices vary; check provider websites for details.
Age Range: 5 years and up

Forest fun

Monsanto is not just for biking; it’s also home to some of Lisbon’s best playgrounds. Parque Recreativo do Alvito is one of them – a huge space with climbing frames, swings and spinning contraptions, plus covered tables for picnics and parties. Another is Parque Recreativo do Alto de Serafina, a dog-free space with cute gardens, fountains and several pretty play areas (one of them a fetching shade of pink).

Serafina is also right next door to Hello Park: a local favorite where kids can clamber aboard a pirate ship, jump on a huge bouncy castle, wallow in a ball pond and race go-karts round a dinky track. It’s an ideal spot for kids to burn off energy while parents hike in the woods or relax in the open-air cafe next door. Booking is recommended but not required – we’ve never been refused entry.

Cost: Municipal parks are free; Hello Park starts at €11 per hour per child (accompanying adults go free)
Age Range: All ages

Surf’s up!

Lisbon’s proximity to the Atlantic makes it a prime destination for surfing. Beaches like those at Caparica and Carcavelos are known for their surf schools, where both beginners and experienced surfers can catch some waves. And many schools offer lessons specifically for kids, ensuring they learn the basics in a fun and safe environment. 

Lisbon is also blessed with a huge range of day camps during school holidays – so it’s totally conceivable that you could pop the kids in surf camp for a few days while you enjoy the more grown-up delights of the city (or simply unwind on the sand, free from demands for snacks or toilet breaks). 

Another thing to consider: some of the surf schools also offer skateboarding lessons, if your little ones are so inclined…

Cost: Prices vary by beach, school and session type. Group lessons tend to start around €25-30 per person; private classes from €50; holiday camps from €250 per week.
Age Range: 6 years and up

Horsing around

Barely 30 minutes from central Lisbon, Quinta da Marinha is a sprawling estate adorning a chunk of the western coastline – and is home to a pine-y, sun-dappled equestrian centre that’s as idyllic to wander around as any place I know. 

A number of different stables offer guided rides nearby, perfect for families whose children are just starting to explore their interest in all things equine. More confident riders can opt for more in-depth instruction, or simply head out to enjoy a ride on the many scenic trails.

For those staying in the city, Alma Gitana – a ‘secret gem’ farm and riding school hidden behind a screen of forest in genteel Estoril – offers holiday clubs tailored for kids. Kids spend their days learning about the farm’s resident horses and ponies, feeding chickens and goats, and even taking the occasional ride themselves. More hands-on and relaxed than anything we’ve experienced elsewhere, it proved a firm favourite with our kids – and gave them amazing confidence around all manner of animals in a matter of days.

Cost: Approx. €25-€40 per riding session; a day at an Alma Gitana holiday camp starts at €50 per child.
Age Range: 7 years and up

Seawater swimming

Lisbon’s coastline is dotted with sea pools, providing a safe and fun alternative to the open ocean – especially when the summer wind, the Nortal, makes the breakers a bit too choppy for youngsters.

The promenade at São Pedro do Estoril, about 25 minutes from Lisbon along the picturesque coastal road, features several purpose-built tidal pools, as well as an offshore inflatable assault course for kids during the summer. The pools are often thronged with happy locals, and there are plenty of cafes nearby, as well as sunbeds to hire on the sand – so it’s a convenient way to idle away a sunny morning. 

For an even more picturesque setting, the sea pool at Azenhas do Mar – about 45 minutes’ drive up the coast – offers stunning views of the Atlantic.

Cost: Free
Age Range: All ages

Indoor attractions

Lisbon has a rich culture and history, and while the city’s museums, galleries and other cultural attractions aren’t always on the same scale as the big hitters of London or NYC, the best can still hold their own.

The Oceanário is a firm favourite with visitors both local and global, with a gigantic central tank you can survey from multiple floors – and no captive cetaceans, which is sadly NOT something you can say about Lisbon Zoo (we avoid the latter for that reason). 

For families with older kids, the Centro Cultural de Belém (or CCB) has a great collection of modern art from luminaries including Yves Klein and Alexander Calder (and benefits from having one of Lisbon’s best ice-cream parlours, Gelato Davvero, in its magnificent stone courtyard). And just down the road is the interactive Lisbon Earthquake Experience, telling the dramatic story of the great quake and ensuing tsunami of 1755 – though of course, be cautious with real tinies, who may find the tales of flood and fire a little overwhelming.

For an equally exciting – but less unnerving – experience, try the science museum, or Pavilhao de Conhecimento. Situated next door to the Oceanário, it’s not huge, but its circus-themed rooms of interactive, science-infused exhibits are always a hit with families.

Cost: Prices vary; see individual attraction websites for details.
Age Range: All ages, with a little caution advised for the Lisbon Earthquake Experience!

3-Day Family-Friendly Lisbon Itinerary

Day 1

• Family bike ride along the Tagus River at Parque das Nações 
• A trip in the riverfront cable car takes you to the Oceanário – and the Pavilhão de Conhecimento too, if you have the time and energy.
• Next, take a tram ride to and through the historic Alfama neighbourhood.

Day 2

• Start with a treetop adventure experience in Parque Urbano do Jamor.
• Next, take a short drive to Monsanto for a family picnic at the Anfiteatro Keil do Amaral, with its beautiful views of the river.
• After lunch, parents can hike the Monsanto trails while the kids let off steam at Hello Park.

Day 3

• Begin your day with a sunny stroll along the promenade at São Pedro do Estoril.
• Stop by one of the sea pools for a family dip alongside the locals.
• Drive 15 minutes to the equestrian complex at Quinta da Marinha, for perfect pizza and spritzes at the Polo 1921 restaurant, followed by a peaceful pony trek.

What to Know About Traveling to Lisbon With Kids

When planning your trip to Lisbon with kids, it’s essential to consider a few key factors. 

For one thing, the city’s hilly terrain means that strollers can be challenging to navigate, so bring a lightweight, foldable one if possible. Public transport is efficient and family-friendly, with trams, buses, and trains providing easy access to major attractions – but you’ll definitely need a folding stroller to board the famous trams.

For meals, Lisbon offers a wide range of family-friendly restaurants, many of which have high chairs and kids’ menus. Favourites include neighbourhood Greek restaurant Kefi, on Calçada da Estrela in pretty Lapa, and Italian Leonetta, in buzzing Principe Real.

Plan ahead

Lisbon can get quite busy, especially during the summer months, so it’s wise to book activities and accommodation in advance.

Embrace the local food

Encourage your kids to try local dishes like pastéis de nata (custard tarts) and pastéis de bacalhau (cod cakes). Most restaurants are accommodating to children and offer simplified versions of traditional dishes. 

Don’t stay central

Central Lisbon can feel frenetic, especially in high summer – but the city is small enough that you don’t need to stay at its heart to enjoy all it has to offer. Outer neighbourhoods like Marvila, Lapa, Principe Real, Alcantâra and Belém – as well as satellite towns like Cascais and Estoril – provide easy access to inner-city fun – but also ensure you can make a break for the forests and beaches with no delays.

Use public transport

Lisbon’s public transport is affordable and efficient. The metro, buses, and iconic trams are all family-friendly and a great way to get around.

Where to stay

Kid & Coe have everything you need for a comfortable stay with kids, from classically styled waterfront apartments and spacious urban villas to beach houses that let you start and end your days quite literally on the sands. Read our guide to the entire Atlantic Coast area for more intel.

Planning Your Family’s Trip to Lisbon

Family trips are so often defined by the quality and convenience of the accommodation you choose. Fortunately, Kid & Coe provides a range of family-friendly properties in Lisbon that cater to all needs. From centrally located apartments to spacious homes with outdoor space, you can find the perfect place for your family to relax after a day of exploring the city. 

Visit Kid & Coe’s Lisbon listings to discover your home away from home.

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