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Things to do with kids in Lisbon
What to do in Lisbon with kids
Lisbon is a fantastic city to visit with kids, but you may not know where to start. This article will help you make some plans and discover what to do in Lisbon with kids. Fingers crossed, it will help you save time, and your children will love these activities in Lisbon! Let’s discover what to do in Lisbon with kids!
Oceanário de Lisboa
There is no doubt that a visit to the Oceanário de Lisboa is one of the most famous sights to visit with children! The Lisbon aquarium is one of the world’s greatest aquariums, and you get to see more than 8,000 sea creatures! The five-million-litre main tank is a highlight for many, and you’ll spot sharks, many rays, and even a sunfish! The Oceanário’s conservation programs help save our oceans, and your visit will support their good cause.
Including:
✓ Lisbon Oceanarium ticket
✓ Permanent and temporary exhibitions
Open daily from 10 AM until 8 PM. The last admission is 1 hour before closing. Want to read more about the Oceanário de Lisboa? Click here to check an in-depth article about the aquarium.
It gets busy, so ensure you reserve your tickets below!
Telecabine Lisbon
Next to the Oceanário de Lisboa, you can ride on the Telecabine Lisbon! You travel between the south and north station and enjoy a journey between the river and the sky. You get to admire Parque das Nações and have a panoramic view of the Tagus River Estuary and the south bank of Lisbon.
The price for an adult is € 7,00 one way or € 9,00 return. Children up to two years old can enter for free, and children from 3 to 12 years pay € 5,00 for a one-way journey or € 6,00 for a round trip.
From 12th March to 27th May 2022 from 11 AM to 7 PM
From 28th May to 11th September 2022 from 10 AM to 8 PM
From 12th September to 29th October 2022 from 11 AM to 7 PM
From 30th October 2021 to 10th March 2023 from 11 AM to 6 PM
Visit Benfica Stadium and join the Estádio da Luz Tour
Attention to all football lovers! Benfica Stadium is open for visits! During the Estádio da Luz Tour, you’ll walk in the footsteps of S.L. Benfica’s legendary players and take a look backstage. You’ll discover where the 2014 Champions League final occurred, visit the changing rooms, and walk through the player’s tunnel. In the S.L. Benfica Cosme Damião Museum, you’ll learn more about the club and the players.
Including:
✓ Entrance to the stadium
✓ Entrance to the Benfica Museum
✓ Access to VIP areas
✓ Access to the player tunnel and dugouts
✓ Access to the visiting team dressing rooms
✓ Audio guide (as an app on your smartphone)
✓ Guided visit
The tour lasts around 2,5 hours, and guides are available in Chinese, English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish. Estádio da Luz is open daily between 10 AM and 5 PM, and guided tours occur every 30 minutes.
A family photoshoot in Lisbon
Are you looking for a memorable experience in Lisbon? Booking a photographer will help you capture your special time in the city! Discover Portugal offers photoshoots throughout Lisbon and further afield. You can join a group shoot and meet other travellers or decide on a private photo shoot with just you and your children. Read more about photoshoots in Lisbon or fill in the contact form to learn more.
Prices range from € 49,00 per person to € 150,00 for private family shoots in Lisbon. Shoots usually take 1,5 hours, and you’ll receive all high-res images after the shoot.
World of Heroes
Time to grab a bite to eat! There is no more adventurous place than the World of Heroes! The restaurant has a superhero theme, and besides enjoying a meal, you’ll enjoy time with your favourite superhero! Do you want to eat with Spiderman, the Hulk or Captain America? Then it’s best to make a reservation as the restaurant is often fully booked!
The menu consists of pizzas, hamburgers, and salads. And afterwards, you can indulge in some of the tastiest desserts. There is someone on the menu for everyone, including vegans! Will you go for the nachos, the Wonder Wings, the ribs or the Ultimate Crispy Salad?
Enjoy a € 20,00 discount on your next meal! Reserve your table with the code 8362E39E on TheFork.
Castelo de São Jorge
A trip to Lisbon is only complete with a visit to a castle! Castelo de São Jorge is located on top of the hill in the oldest neighbourhood Alfama. You’ll enjoy one of the best views of Lisbon from here! Tip: come early in the day or close to sunset. You’ll spend less time in the queue, and the light is beautiful around this time! Bus 737 stops right in front of the castle, so you don’t have to walk all the way up.
Read more about the castle’s history here, and discover what to see. Your kids will love all the peacocks that live here! It makes it one of the best things to do in Lisbon with kids! Especially during the high season, the waiting time to enter the castle can be extensive. Buy your tickets online to save time! You’ll even receive a self-guided audio tour (English, French, Spanish) on your smartphone. Children under 12 can visit for free.
Winter Schedule (Nov-Feb):
Every Day
9:00 to 19:00 – Last entry at 18:30 (30 mins before closing time)
Summer Schedule (Mar-Oct):
Every Day
9:00 to 21:00 – Last entry at 20:30 (30 mins before closing time)
Tip: discover Miradouro do Recolhimento, a few minutes walk from the castle entrances. This is a gorgeous viewpoint, but there is also a playground in this part of Lisbon.
Jardim Zoológico de Lisboa
The Zoo in Lisbon is known as Jardim Zoológico de Lisboa. Lisbon Zoo helps to protect and preserve species, and they have an extensive conservation program. The zoo is easy to reach by the metros Blue Line, and you’ll get to meet many unique animals during your visit. Take a ride in the Cable Car, visit the Enchanted Forest or discover unique species in the Reptile House. At the Children’s Farm, you’ll find more about domestic animals, and it’s an unforgettable experience for children. You’ll literally be taking a trip around the world in one day!
Open daily! Check out the daily presentations to learn more about the animals.
Summer season: 10 AM until 8 PM
Winter season: 10 AM until 5 PM
The HIPPOtrip: Amphibious Bus and Boat Tour
Ready for an adventure on land AND water? During the Hippotrip, you’ll first discover the highlights of Lisbon by road. You’ll drive along sights like the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower. But then, you’ll go off-road and move onto the River Tagus! The bus turns into a boat, and you enjoy Lisbon from the river. The journey passes by Padrão dos Descobrimentos and the Torre VTS.
Including:
✓ A 90-minute amphibious tour of Lisbon
✓ Live commentary in English and Portuguese
The minimum age to participate is 2. An adult must accompany children between 2-16.
Grab an ice cream!
Especially on warm days, there is nothing better than eating ice cream! Lisbon has many unique places to enjoy gelato, but some are extra special. Take Scoop n Dough, for example! They mastered making the most delicious handmade doughnuts and offer a fantastic range of vegan ice creams! And you don’t have to be a die-hard vegan to enjoy their tasty frozen delights! Happy Cow already awarded them the #1 rated vegan ice cream in the world (2022) and #1 rated vegan doughnuts worldwide (2020). Tripadvisor awarded them the #4 best vegan spot in the world, so don’t miss this place! They are located in Lisbon and Cascais!
Another favourite is Santini, with locations in Chiado and Belém. Their ice creams have the perfect texture and are served in the most diverse flavours! Or indulge in Italian ice cream at Mú, with salons in the neighbourhood Graça and on Campo dos Mártires da Pátria 50. Other places to try the best ice creams in Lisbon are Nannarela, Artisani, Amorino, and Quinta dos Açores.
Take the tram
One of the most adventurous ways to discover Lisbon is by tram! Especially Tram 28 became famous, and a ride is a dream for many. The downside is that the queue can be enormous and no place to sit. Unless you have the Lisboa Card or Viva Viagem card, you’ll also pay a hefty price to use this way of public transportation. Also, please be mindful that this is indeed a way for locals to travel to and from work, not a tourist train. Other routes worth taking are Tram 15 and Tram 12. They are less busy, and often the old wooden carriage will take you from A to B.
An alternative and better one to the busy trams is the Historic Hills Tram Tour. You won’t have to wait long to board this unique vehicle, and there is plenty of places to sit! Above all, your ticket is valid for 24 hours, and you can hop on and off whenever you want! It even includes free access to Lisbon’s Santa Justa Elevator and other traditional funiculars.
Including:
✓ 24-hour access to the red ‘Yellow Bus’ trams
✓ 24-hour access to Bica, Glória and Lavra funiculars
✓ Free access to the Santa Justa elevator
✓ Free access to the regular yellow Carris trams
✓ ‘Yellow Bus’ discount book (request it at the ‘Yellow Bus’ booths on Praça do Comercio)
✓ An audio guide in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, or Swedish
✓ Duration if you stay on the tram: 90 minutes
A sporty activity for families in Lisbon is a bike tour! Baja Bikes offers multilingual guided tours throughout the city, which are very suitable for kids. There are three different tour options, and the route is between Lisbon’s city centre and Belém. The tours take around 3 to 4 hours, and you’ll get to see many highlights along the way. It’s an excellent and eco-friendly to visit the city! Child seats, children’s bikes, and tandems are available on request. The child bikes are perfect for kids aged 7-9 years.
Including:
✓ Bike rental during the tour is included in the price
✓ An English-speaking guide (other languages are also available)
✓ A tasty Portuguese snack and drink
✓ A memorable experience
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Lisbon Bike Tour From €39,50
Most popular, children under 16 years old pay only €27,50, takes 3.5 - 4 hrs, start at Marques de Pombal
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Lisbon Afternoon Bike Tour From €39,50
Start in Belém, children under 16 years old pay only €27,50, afternoon bike tour, takes 3,5 hours
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Private Tour Lisbon From €39,50
Discover the Portuguese capital at your own pace on a bike, decide your time, start at Marques de Pombal
Pavilhão do Conhecimento
On a rainy day, a visit to Pavilhão do Conhecimento is perfect! The Pavilion of Knowledge is an educational science museum with exhibitions and activities. It’s a fun place for kids and adults alike! There is 500 m2 of space to make, create, build, and experience! Perfect for curious geeks and cheeky little ones. The Tinkering area lets you work with your hands, and there are all sorts of challenges to resolve. In the Maker area, you can create things like clothes or print objects with 3D printers.
A boat tour on the Tagus
With good weather, there is nothing better than being outside! And what better way than to spend a few hours on the water? From Belém, many boats depart to enjoy a boat tour along the river Tagus. You’ll sail along the Belém Tower, the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge, and Praça do Comércio. There are tours during the day and sunsets with the best views of Lisbon! Read more about boat tours in Lisbon!
Dolphins in Setúbal
Setúbal is a lovely town just south of Lisbon. The area is known for its natural beauty and dolphins! You can step on board in Setúbal, but there are also full-day tours departing from Lisbon. During the cruise, you can spot the bottlenose dolphins in the Sado Estuary. From the boat, you enjoy views over Arrábida Natural Park and Setúbal. Older children might also like the kayak and snorkelling tours in this area.
The palaces in Sintra
For a day full of fairytales, Sintra is the place to be! Sintra town is located only 40 minutes from Lisbon by train. Here you discover many palaces, such as Quinta da Regaleira, Pena Palace, and Monserrate. You can visit up to two palaces a day, and staying the night is an excellent idea if you want to discover more places in Sintra. Other sights include the Convent of the Capuchos, the Moorish Castle, Palácio Nacional de Sintra, Villa Sassetti, and Palácio e Parque Biester.
Buying tickets in advance is often a must, especially in the high season, as it’s one of the most popular places to visit outside Lisbon. Are you strapped for time, or do you prefer an easy day out in Sintra? Then the daily tours are the best! More tours visit two palaces, stop at Cabo da Roca, and Cascais! Book your spot below.
Quake - Lisbon Earthquake Centre
With older children, it’s interesting to visit Quake – Lisbon Earthquake Centre. In 1755 an enormous earthquake struck Portugal and destroyed many buildings, including Lisbon’s city centre. Quake is a relatively new experience whereby you make an incredible journey back to 1755. You’ll learn not only more about the history but also about the science of earthquakes. Enjoy the 4D immersive experience, the 3 Earthquake Simulators and roam the streets of Lisbon in 1755.
Surf lessons
Adventurous families can also join a surf camp in Portugal! Not far from Lisbon are the perfect beaches to learn how to surf. How about a 7-Day Family Surf Camp in Praia Azul, Lisbon? Or join other mums and their children during the 8-Day Moms and Kids Special Surf and Yoga Camp in Lisbon. There are also family-friendly 2-day and 4-day surf camps nearby!
Family-friendly transportation and getting around Lisbon with kids
Getting around Lisbon with kids is easy with the extensive public transport system, reliable taxis and services like Uber. Arranging transport from the airport to your hotel is advisable to make your arrival easy. This way, you’ll be sure you don’t have to wait long after your flight, and you get welcomed by an experienced staff member.
Hiring a car in Lisbon is unnecessary, and parking can be difficult unless your hotel offers a parking space. If you like venturing out and discovering nearby places in Portugal, renting a car during your holiday is the easiest. Below you can see which cars are available during your stay in Portugal.
Family-friendly hotels
Not all hotels in Lisbon are suitable for families, but thankfully there is a wide range of gorgeous places during your holiday in Lisbon with kids. Examples are Vita Portucale, including a kitchen and children’s beds. Or how about an apartment at LovelyStay, which has sleeping places for up to 4 guests. You’ll also have access to a kitchen, including a washing machine, to get the kids’ clothes presentable again! WHome has many holiday apartments in central locations in Lisbon. Check out this one in Sao Vicente, for example. You’ll stay close to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte with the best views over Lisbon. On the map below, you’ll discover many more family-friendly hotels to suit your specific needs in Lisbon with kids.
Conclusion about Lisbon with kids
Lisbon is an excellent destination for kids and a family holiday adventure! There is plenty to do, and with so many activities, your kids won’t be bored for one moment. Hopefully, this list will help you with ideas and inspire you about things to do in Lisbon with kids.
Written by Marga
Content creator, travel writer and photographer
12 Responses
I love places with far reaching views..I am sure I will love visiting the castle and enjoy the far reaching views. Thanks for sharing all details. Perfect guide for a trip to Lisbon !
Great post! I love you’r content!
Marga, you have made me want to visit Lisbon as soon as possible! Thank you so much for adding info about vegan food options, it’s always the first thing I search about a destination before traveling there. Also, my kids would LOVE the Hippotrip, it looks so fun.
What a magical place! would esp love to see the dophins..thanks for the inspiration!
There’s plenty of things to do with kids in Lisbon! My son would love the ice cream, the tram, seeing the dolphins and the quake centre.
I would definitely consider a photo shoot at a new location for something different and exciting. We are going to do one at the beach in March that will be a change from the mountainous photos we usually take.
I would love to take a boat tour on the Tagus – sounds like such a serene experience!
Great guide on exploring all the best sights in Lisbon with kids. Love all the variety!
I would certainly take kids to Lisbon and know they would find lots to keep them engaged. We missed the Oceanario and the Jardim Zoologic on our visits but they would surely be big draws. And what kid – big or small – would miss a visit to the Sao Jorge Castle?
I love Lisbon! I don’t have kids yet, but if I do someday I’d love to go back there with them.
I can’t wait for our trip to Lisbon this fall!
I went to Lisbon a few years back, and it was indeed very children friendly! Loved this post xx