Lisbon With Kids: Where to Go and What to Do

Visiting Lisbon with kids translates into endless activities and destinations to visit. Use your five senses to explore Portugal’s crowning metropolitan jewel. In the process, savor new flavors and celebrate unique aromas and fragrances. You’ll also scope out impressive sites, interact with your environment through engaging exhibits, and much more.

Picturesque landscapes provide countless opportunities for you and your kids to engage with the city and history through incredible architecture, fantastic food, and warm conversations with locals.

From lush city parks to Europe’s largest aquarium and brightly colored buildings, here are a few options to make your Portugal family holidays unforgettable.

Scope Out Lisbon’s Park of Nations

What to do in Lisbon? Start at the Parque das Nações or Park of Nations, the site of the World Exposition in 1998. Today, it hosts some of Lisbon’s most cutting-edge commercial buildings. The neighborhood has a contemporary and chic feel. Locals and travelers agree it’s one of the city’s trendiest locations. There’s a fascinating contrast between this uber-modern area and the nearby historic buildings, and you’ll find many destinations that will capture your family’s imaginations.

Walk through the Jardim Garcia de Orta (Garcia de Orta Garden) to discover exotic plants and flowers from Brazil, Macau, Goa, and more. After exploring this gorgeous garden, hoof it to one of the many local restaurants, which offer everything from traditional Portuguese fare to Asian food and pizza. Sit outdoors to take in idyllic views of the Tagus River while you savor each bite.

Check out the Pavilhão do Conhecimento (Pavilion of Knowledge), a life-science museum with engaging exhibits. And you won’t want to miss out on selfies in front of the Vasco da Gama Bridge, Europe’s longest. This incredible architectural feat spans 11 miles (17.7 kilometers) and is flanked by viaducts, connecting Portugal from the north to the south.

The Park of Nations is also an incredible spot for a family photoshoot with a professional through flytographer. Find out more about hiring a flytographer for your Portugal family vacation.

Explore Europe’s Largest Aquarium

Heading to the Park of Nations places you in close proximity to another must-see attraction, Oceanário de Lisboa (Lisbon Aquarium), the largest indoor aquarium in Europe. Your family will love scoping out colorful marine life and learning about their dynamic ecosystems.

The main tanks hold roughly 1,320,860 gallons (five million liters) of seawater, allowing visitors to get up close and personal with sunfish, eels, sharks, and hundreds of fish species. Besides underwater ecosystems, the aquarium hosts exhibits showcasing penguins, amphibians, otters, plants, and much more. The central tank alone is the equivalent of four Olympic-sized swimming pools and contains 100 different species from all over the planet.

It’s hands-down one of the best aquariums in the world, offering a mind-boggling variety of ocean animals both iconic and lesser-known. All told, the aquarium boasts more than 25,000 living species under one roof and will make your Portugal family holidays exciting, educational, and unforgettable. But it’s also designed cleverly to enhance the user experience. So, your kids won’t feel overwhelmed.

Gain a New Perspective (and Enjoy an Adrenaline Spike!)

For a bird’s-eye view of the Park of Nations, and more broadly Lisbon, opt for a cable car ride. These cable cars will remind you of a gondola ride at a ski resort and are an ideal way to capture stunning aerial views of the neighborhood and beyond. The cable car route follows the river at a height of 262 feet (80 meters). This translates into sweeping views of Lisbon.

You’ll enjoy many chances to gain a new perspective on the state-of-the-art urban redevelopment of Park of Nations, famed for its futuristic construction. Besides scoping out sky-skimming buildings, savor expansive panoramas of the Vasco da Gama Bridge and the Tagus River. Taking the gondola is an entertaining activity for all ages.

But the new perspectives don’t have to stop there. Discover the Tagus River from the water during a high-speed tour in a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RIB). It’s one of the best ways to explore Lisbon’s waterfront and notable landmarks. What’s more, you’ll get all the vibes of a James Bond flick and a healthy dose of adrenaline. We recommend a zippy RIB tour for tweens, teens, and adults.

Soak Up History in Lisbon’s Old Town

Visit Comércio Plaza to explore the heart of Lisbon’s quaint old town. Begin your visit with a stroll along the river and waterfront. This is an especially lovely trip in the morning or early evening when the sunlight sparkles and glistens over the gentle waves of the Tagus River.

Next, it’s back to the Comércio Plaza where you’ll find Arco da Rua Augusta. Toward Rossio, the Rua Augusta is a pedestrian-only street, making its cobbled stones all the more attractive for families with small children. You’ll also be pleased to find many lovely restaurants welcoming you to stop for a meal, drink, or afternoon snack.

From Praça da Figueira, take tram Number 12 towards São Jorge’s Castle to check out marvelous views of the old city and the Tagus River. Timing your trip with sunset makes for a breathtaking photo op. But make sure you have a Plan B when it comes to dinner. Restaurants around the castle tend to close early, so you’ll need to head back to the Comércio Plaza for dinner. The Rua Augusta contains many excellent options.

Discover the Arts at Palácio Azurara

Lisbon is about much more than ultra-modern buildings and exhibits. You’ll also want to delve into its impressive and expansive heritage at Palácio Azurara, located in Lisbon’s Alfama district. The palace provides stunning views of Portugal’s capital, but don’t let this building’s humble façade fool you.

The building is home to the Museu de Artes Decorativas (Museum of Time Decorative Arts), and it proves an inside glimpse into how the upper crust lived in Lisbon centuries ago. The museum includes more than 1,300 artifacts. The collection ranges from ancient books to tapestries, porcelain to silverware, and plenty of elaborate furniture. The lavish interiors provide inside glimpses into daily life for the 18th-century one percent and will make your family feel as though you’ve stepped back in time.

Taste Lisbon’s Flavors on a family food tour

In the Mercado da Ribeira, discover Time Out Market Lisboa, a local market of fresh and natural products. There you’ll find countless ingredients and products to pique your curiosity. You’ll also learn an abundance about Portuguese culture.

As you explore the colorful myriad of treats and eats, you’ll find your kids (and yourself) asking many engaging questions. For example, which vegetables would you choose to whip up soup? Which types of fish do you find at the market? Why are sardines and cod fish some of the most desired ingredients on Portuguese tables?

One of the best ways to answer these questions is through a taste test! From delectable snacks to starters, typical drinks to sinful desserts, this tour will teach you about the typical foods, smells, and flavors of the city. This way, you can find out why so many say, “If it tastes good, it tastes like Lisbon!”

Sea Heroes Tour in Belém

In Belém, opt for the Sea Heroes Tour. It will teach you about the vast and rich history of the Portuguese Age of Discoveries. The tour provides fascinating insights into what this part of the city was like 500 years ago, as your family unravels amazing stories and curiosities.

The tour includes visiting the Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, the Monastery of Jerónimos, and the Old Quarter of this neighborhood. Along the way, your family will learn more about Portugal’s heroes of the sea as well as rhinos, caravels, navigational instruments, maps, and spices. Best of all, your family will get the inside scoop on the nation’s tasty custard tarts!

Hands-On Experiences in Lisbon

Another incredible way to experience Portuguese culture up-close-and-personal is through hands-on experiences. These experiences let you explore your family’s interests while guaranteeing extra fun in Lisbon.

For example, try a cooking class, where you and your kids will learn to make (and taste!) traditional dishes using the freshest ingredients like ‘bacalhau’ (cod fish). Other recipes include a hearty vegetable soup and, of course, Portugal’s famous custard tarts. If cooking isn’t your thing, consider a more artsy vibe by joining a mosaic or traditional ceramic tile (azulejo) workshop.

Lisbon With Kids

It’s time to get acquainted with Europe’s oldest nation. There’s no better way to do this than with a visit to Portugal’s crowning city, Lisbon, a city that offers many different ways to interact with locals, explore different cultures, and learn about history. Your family will never run out of exciting activities when visiting Lisbon with kids, whether you take to the air on one of its many cable cars, speed across the waters of Tagus River on an RIB tour or spend time learning about marine life at Lisbon Aquarium.

Are you ready to find out more about the perfect itinerary for your Portugal family vacation? We’ve got you covered. Click the link below to schedule a time to discuss our dream vacation, and how we can help you bring it to life.

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