Portugal Family Itinerary: 10 Days with Kids

Planning a family holiday to Portugal? This 10-day itinerary mixes city fun in Lisbon, a fairytale day in Sintra and a week of beach time in the Algarve, at a pace that works for kids. Here’s the plan, day by day.

Quick answer: Days 1 to 3: Lisbon, with the Oceanário, trams, Belém and the riverside. Day 4: Sintra’s palaces and Regaleira’s tunnels. Days 5 to 10: the Algarve, with beaches, boat trips, a water park or Zoomarine. Travel to the Algarve by train or car.

Days 1 to 3: Lisbon

• Day 1: tram 28, the castle and a pastel de nata. See São Jorge Castle.
• Day 2: the Oceanário, the cable car and the science centre in Parque das Nações. See the Oceanário.
• Day 3: Belém’s monuments and custard tarts, then the riverside. See Belém.

See Lisbon with kids.

Day 4: Sintra

Pena Palace’s colours and Quinta da Regaleira’s tunnels and wells are a hit with kids. See Sintra with kids.

Days 5 to 10: The Algarve

• Beach days on calm, family-friendly beaches. See kid-friendly beaches.
• A boat trip to the sea caves or dolphin watching. See Algarve boat trips.
• A water park or Zoomarine. See Algarve water parks.
• Rest days by the pool.

See the Algarve with kids and Algarve family resorts.

Tips

• Pace: one big activity a day works best.
• Heat: plan sightseeing for mornings in summer.
• Getting around: trains are easy with kids, and car seats are required in cars.
• Babies: see Portugal with a baby.

More: Portugal with kids and the best family hotels in Portugal.

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