Best things to do with kids on a trip to Portugal

Many people wonder if Portugal is child friendly, which is basically wondering if it is a good place to visit with children. The answer is undoubtedly yes! Those who travel with children usually want to experience days of rest and fun, without neglecting the issues related to the contact of the little ones with new universes, in an interactive, playful, and didactic way: a component praised by parents, educators, pediatricians, and child psychology specialists.

Nowadays, there is no shortage of cities to visit in Portugal with children, since the diversity of things to do in Portugal with children is such that it becomes difficult to choose. So if you’re looking for things to do in Portugal with the family, however, be sure to take a peek at the list of visit plans that allow you, whether you’re in the North, Center or South of the country, to guarantee magical days out for the whole family.

Pavilion of Knowledge in Lisbon

In the Portuguese capital, in Parque das Nações, you will find the Pavilion of Knowledge – Ciência Viva, a space that combines knowledge and fun, presenting educational and highly interactive activities.

Technology and science are presented here in various ways, inviting the handling of instruments, the observation of phenomena, and moments of fun and excitement that will make children and adults alike fall in love with Portugal. This space opens at 10am and closes at 6pm, with a later closing (7pm) on the weekend. Children up to 2 years old do not pay, and from this age the cost varies, being 8€ for children between 3 and 11 years old and seniors, 9€ for youngsters between 12 and 17 years old, and 11€ for adults. There are tickets for families and groups, with more affordable prices.

Lisbon Oceanarium

Right next to this pavilion, where you can walk around, we find another Lisbon treasure for the little ones, which promises to intoxicate the parents as well: we are talking about the Oceanarium, a giant aquarium, where you can get to know the underwater universe and many marine species in a highly entertaining and educational way.

This aquarium includes marine species such as tropical fish, sharks, and even has a moonfish. In addition, penguins, otters, and other animals also populate this marine theme park, which should be on the itinerary of families visiting the Portuguese capital, and you can visit it from 10am to 8pm. The space costs 22 euros per person, with reduced prices for children under 12 (15 euros) and seniors (17 euros). Children up to 2 years old do not pay.

Portugal dos Pequenitos in Coimbra

We headed to Coimbra to get to know Portugal dos Pequenitos (Little Portugal). This was born in 1940 and is one of the places to visit in Portugal with children, bringing, to everyone’s joy, the whole of Portugal (and even other parts of Europe) condensed into a single park.

Here, everything happens in a small way, tailored to the children, inviting them to get to know the Lusitanian heritage in miniature and explore it in a fun way. Among the national monuments, you can find miniatures as interesting as the University of Coimbra, the Tower of Belém or the Cathedral of Lisbon. You can see all this between 10am and 5pm during the fall and winter, and between 10am and 7pm in the spring and summer. The park is free for children up to the age of 3. Ticket prices vary, with $9 for children under 13, $14 for people between 14 and 64, and $11 for people over 65.

Magikland in Penafiel

Those who visit the North of Portugal cannot fail to offer their children a literally magical day at the Magikland theme park. This amusement park takes families to 6 different spaces that invite them to get to know the Arab world, the Wild West, the pirate universe, magical fantasy, the African continent, and even medieval times.

The park allows the whole family to get involved in dynamic activities, riding carousels and other attractions that will create the most positive emotions in everyone. Magikland is free for children up to the age of 3, seniors 76 and older, and people with reduced mobility. Ticket prices vary, being €12.5 for children under 12, €18.5 for people aged 12 to 64, and €15 for seniors up to 75. The park’s calendar and schedules change frequently, so it is important to check them beforehand on the official website.

Lisbon Zoo

We return to the capital for another family plan in Portugal that no one will want to miss! The Zoo is a space for all ages, where the animal universe gains new life, allowing you to get to know a real jungle in the center of Lisbon (from 10am to 8pm, with ticket offices closing at 6:45pm). Here, there will be free admission for children up to the age of 2, tickets for $16.5 for children between the ages of 3 and 12, and a cost of $26.5 for adults. Seniors or groups of 15 or more are also entitled to reduced prices, between $19 and $22.

This space is home to thousands of distinct species, encompassing fauna and flora from all over the world. Macaw, sea lion, and dolphin shows are also on offer, and it is even possible to interact directly with some of the animals. An incredible way to get your children in touch with Nature, ensuring the best vacation ever.

Dino Park in Lourinhã

The Dinosaur Capital is relatively close to the capital and offers a theme park entirely dedicated to Dinosaurs, a universe that, as we know, all children love! You can visit this theme park between 10 am and 5 pm, and it is free for children up to the age of 3. The cost is 10 euros for children under 12 and 12 euros for adults. There are reduced-price tickets for families.

Entering this Jurassic world is very simple, as the journey into the past is guaranteed by this park and museum. In addition, the park is free for children up to the age of 3 and offers many playful and educational activities that will ensure the child’s fun and development.

KidZânia in Lisbon

It is located in the Amadora region, near Lisbon, and is integrated in the UBBO Shopping Center, a space that invites your children to pretend they are “big people” for a day. At KidZânia, children are invited to learn about and play various professions, with interactive and dynamic strategies that offer moments of great fun.

This fantasy city is one of the things to do in Portugal with kids, and there are several excursions specifically designed to give this experience to the little ones (between the ages of 3 and 15). The space opens between 10am and 2pm or from 3pm to 7pm. The cost varies between $8 and $22.5.

Chocolate Factory Museum in Viana do Castelo

We return to the North, more specifically to Viana do Castelo to present an incredible option for the whole family, especially if all its elements are equally greedy: the Chocolate Factory Museum. This museum is open every day between 10 am and 6 pm, with the last entry at 5 pm. Guided tours are available by appointment and the price of tickets ranges from 5 to 7.5 euros, depending on the age and choices of the visitor. Children up to the age of 3 have free admission.

In this museum – very suitable for children – you can learn more about chocolate, cocoa, and how the process happens until it melts in our mouths. This knowledge is passed on in an interactive and technological way, which makes it appealing to the little ones. Ideal for children, this one is particularly pleasing to the greediest, presenting the history of cocoa, chocolate, and the path taken to the delicious delicacies of our time.

Badoca Safari Park in Vila Nova de Santo André

Not only the North has things to do in Portugal with kids, and the proof is that in the middle of Alentejo, in Vila Nova de Santo André, you will find Badoca Safari Park. This park is open every day between 9:30 am and 6 pm. Tickets cost 18.5€ for adults and 16.5€ for children and seniors. There are also VIP experiences to enjoy starting at 49€ and allowing more direct contact with the animals.

This safari space allows families to experience moments of great fun, meeting dozens of species and hundreds of animals that roam freely over 90 hectares of land. Besides its great beauty and contact with nature and its creatures, this is the ideal place to tell your child about species preservation, as there are some endangered species here.

Zoomarine in Albufeira

Zoomarine is another proof that Portugal is a destination adapted to children, from North to South. In Albufeira, Algarve, this theme park dedicated to the ocean mixes the didactic and the playful, inviting your child to meet several marine species, watch dolphin and macaw shows, and even swim with the dolphins.

It also includes a water park with slides and attractions that guarantee a fun day out for the whole family, which can be visited from 10 in the morning, with closing times varying throughout the year. Tickets vary in cost according to height, age, and time of year, and range from $19 to $45.

NaturWaterPark in Vila Real

We return to the North, to the Transmontana region of Vila Real, to present a must-do plan to do in Portugal with a child. NaturWaterPark is both a theme park and a water park, where adventure takes such diverse forms as tree climbing, rock climbing, slide, and paintball. You can also enjoy jacuzzis, fast water lanes, slides and toboggans.

The more rural side can be explored, too, as this park has an educational mini-farm The park is free for children up to the age of 3, and tickets range from $6 to $16, with the cost varying according to age, time of year, and type of ticket (full day or half day). This can be visited between 9am and 7pm.

World of Discoveries in Porto

The Portuguese “second city” could not fail to be, also, a Portuguese city to visit with children. In fact, in Porto you will find the World of Discoveries: a theme park dedicated to national history and maritime discoveries.

Including an interactive museum, this allows the whole family to enter the epic universe of one of Portugal’s most remarkable historical events using technology, which they can do from Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 6pm, and on weekends and holidays between 10am and 7pm. You will have the opportunity to enjoy this space for between $7 and $15, and the park is free for children under the age of 3.