We traveled to Portugal in June 2016 when our twins were almost 6. Here’s what we did in Lisbon with kids:
What to do in Lisbon with kids
Museu Nacional do Azljo
- The buildings in Lisbon are known for their beautiful decorative ceramic tiles.
- Housed in a former convent, this museum has an extensive collection of tiles dating from the 15thCentury.
- The kids liked it too!
Castelo de Sao George
- Since the ruins of this fortress are set on the highest point of the city, you are treated to a magnificent view!
- Allow at least an hour here to enjoy the ruins and visit with the resident peacocks.
- If you get thirsty, do not fret! You can always stop to sample wine at a street cart, or visit the restaurant to taste Ginja, a cherry flavored sherry served in a chocolate shot glass.
Alfama
- Walking through the narrow, winding, hilly streets of this neighborhood, you could easily miss the half street where the Jews of Portugal lived before the inquisition.
- Places to go in Alfama that we didn’t get to: The one synagogue in Lisbon; Corte D’Ingles (a store which may have a small kosher food section) and Fiera de Laudra (an open air market that apparently it isn’t as great as it used to be).
Santa Justa Lift
- We began at the top of the lift in Barrio Alto
- TIP: There is always a line to go up, but there was none for the way down!
- Climbing the spiral staircase for an unbeatable view of the city costs just 1.5 euros or so.
- On the lower end of the elevator is the Chiado neighborhood.
Chiado
- Shop, eat and enjoy the street performers in the pedestrian mall of this area.
Monterio dos Jeronimos
- The architecture of this monestary is amazing!
- It is gorgeous on the inside as well…we especially enjoyed the cloisters.
- The line to get in was short and moved quickly.
Torre de Belem
- This floating mini castle used to be in the middle of the river.
- It is such a beautiful structure! have never seen anything like it.
- We got here too late to enter, but the blogs that I read while researching said that the inside is “missable”.
- You can find special tiny irredescent seashells on the water’s edge!
- My kids enjoyed hunting for shells so much that they didn’t care that we didn’t go in the castle.
Telecabine Lisbon
- On this gondola, you are treated to pretty views of the city.
- Keep in mind that it is not air conditioned, so save it for a cooler day.
- There is an aquarium near the entrance. It looked nice from the outside, but we decided not to go since we had just been to one in Barcelona.
DAY TRIPS
Cascais
- The beach at this sweet village by the sea is small and very crowded.
- Buildings here are beautiful (especially the town hall).
- We ate lunch and walked around a bit; shopping was mostly junky souvenirs ☹️.
- Cascais is nice place to visit, but it could be missed, IMHO.
- It is about a 30 minute drive from Lisbon.
Sintra
- If I could do it again, I would spend a whole day in here.
- The whole town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and it is just gorgeous!
- It is very crowded, so go early and with a plan (like a hop on hop off tour bus or something).
- Parking isn’t nearly as difficult as the Portuguese would have you believe, but then there’s a bit of a hike, and you lose a lot of time if you go in the wrong direction like we did (HINT: go UP the hill if you are in that situation).
- During the walk from your parking spot, you will not only see lush flora, but you will also find many wonderful works of art!
- When you get to the main square, arrange for your transport to the palaces (Pena, Sintra, Monserrat, Castle of the Moors and Quinta).
- Shopping is mostly for touristy stuff, but we did find some nice tiles and cork items there.
- Lisbon is the number one exporter of cork. In a totally “green” process, cork is turned into a leather- like material to create all kinds of things including shoes and umbrellas. It’s quite strange, but interesting.
Queluz Palace
- Known as the Portuguese Versailles, the ornate rooms in this 18thCentury palace still have many original furniture pieces and other items on display.
- The vast manicured English style gardens are stunning, and the tiled walls surrounding the canal where the royal family used to go boating is a spectacular site to see.
- It is about a 20 minute drive from Lisbon and worth the trip!
Grutas De Mira de Aires
- These limestone caves are one of the seven natural wonders of Portugal.
- Walk the 683 steps down and you will find stalagmites, stalactites, water pools…the whole shebang!
- It was a great experience for all of us.
- The caves are about 90 minutes outside of Lisbon
Fatima
- This city became famous in 1917 when three shepherd children reported that they saw the Virgin Mary.
- Worshipers come from all areas of the world to pray at the impressive churches here.
- We were fascinated watching the pilgrims “walk” on their knees to the chapel
- It was also interesting to observe people hurling wax casts of body parts that they wish to be healed into fire pits.
- Fatima has many places to shop for religious items.
- Lunch was meh
- Fatima is about a 15 minute drive from the caves
Monumento Natural das Pegadas dos Dinossauros
- Surrounded by a beautiful landscape, we hiked about a mile (all together) here so that we could find dinosaur tracks.
- Footprints are unmarked and there is no one to ask any questions.
- I took pictures and asked in the shop after our hike if they were actually tracks.
- It was a bit frustrating, but all in all, its a good side trip if you’re in that area.
- The dinosaur park is about a 20 minute drive from Fatima.
Where we stayed: Lapa Palace
- This hotel is GORGEOUS and has a great view of the Tangus River
- The landscaping is lush and the pool is awesome
- The breakfast buffet is extensive and beautifully presented.
- The main restaurant at the hotel is delicious, but they have a dress code: no shorts unless you sit outside (and it gets quite chilly out there).
More notes: Lisbon with kids
- Lisbon is a very hilly city, and the sites are spread out. We took a car tour on our first day so we could get a feel for the various neighborhoods. If I could do it over, I would rather take a tuktuk (like a golf cart). Although it is sometimes difficult to hear a guide speaking in an open air vehicle (plus it can get chilly!), it’s definitely more fun.
- The mangoes in Lisbon as good as they are in Costa Rica!
- The weather in June is hot during the day, but can get chilly in the shade / morning / after dark. (NOTE: It was 100 degrees on our last day in town 😰)
- Getting food after you order seems to take an awfully long time, so bring a game or activity book for kids
- Portuguese law prohibits kids under the age of 8 from attending Fado (soul music) shows, so if you want to go, you will need to find a babysitter. Most theaters begin serving dinner around 8 and shows start after 9.
Food in Lisbon with kids:
Foods to try:
- Pasteis de Nata (see below)
- Salted Cod fish
- Sardines
- local cheeses
- Picky eaters will have no problem: there is plenty of pizza / pasta / burgers / grilled fish / gelato to be found
Restaurants to try
Docas
We found Santos on this strip of restaurants on the water.
- We ate here twice because the food was good, and there was a fenced in playground attached. We could see the kids from our table!
- There is also a gelato café nearby for dessert
Belem
- This very busy neighborhood features Pasteis de Belem, the “factory” that makes the best Pasteis de Nata in town.
- These custard tarts are the specialty of the region.
- Be sure to add powdered sugar and cinnamon…YUM!.
- TIP: If you want table service, DON’T wait on the line in the front..go all the way to the back of the restaurant…the line there moves quickly and the service is super fast.
