Best 8 Portugal Experiences for Families with Kids

Portugal is an easy country to travel with children: short distances, safe cities, restaurants that welcome kids at any hour. The difficulty is pacing. These eight work because each has something to look at, something to climb or something to eat.

## The eight 1. Pena Palace in Sintra. It looks like a cartoon castle, which does most of the work for you. The terraces and towers are the part children remember. 2. The Lisbon Oceanarium. One of the largest in Europe, and reliable when the weather is not. 3. A boat trip on the Douro river. One hour is the right length, and the locks and bridges keep everyone watching. 4. Cabo da Roca. Wind, cliffs and the idea that there is nothing between you and America. Hold small hands. 5. Obidos. A walled town where the walls are the attraction, plus a chocolate and cherry liqueur culture that children find funny. 6. Nazare. The funicular up to Sitio, the lighthouse and the story of the giant waves offshore. 7. The Algarve caves and coastline by boat, in season, for older children who like the water. 8. A tram ride and a custard tart in Lisbon, which is a small thing and always works.

## Pacing advice that matters more than the list Two stops per day, not four. Build in one hour with nothing scheduled. Portuguese lunch runs late, so eat earlier than the locals if your children cannot wait until two.

Sintra and Lisbon both involve steep cobbled streets. Strollers are hard work in the old quarters; a carrier is easier for toddlers.

## On the private side Travelling with a driver and guide mostly buys you flexibility: leaving early when a child is tired, changing the order of the day, and having the vehicle nearby for bags, coats and snacks. Child seats are provided on request, and we ask for ages when you book so the day is built at the right level.