We are planning a 6 day trip to Lisbon with 12 and 15 year old children. It will be our first time in Portugal, but the we have traveled to many other countries in Europe and around the world. And the kids are good travelers. What would be a good itinerary? We don’t eat pork, will that be challenging? Is late February a good time to go? We want to stay in 1 location for lodging, but are open to day trips.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8413 posts
We were in Lisbon in February of this year. Not very crowded and the weather was okay.
We stayed in the Baixa area downtown and it did not take more than a couple of days until all the restaurant owners and waiters knew who we were. The people are so nice there.
I would probably limit my stay to Lisbon and Porto on your trip--going by train between them.
There are plenty of things to see in Lisbon. We were amazed how large their museums are.
And do not worry about your diet. They will attempt to fish you to death. And plenty of fast food places are available too.
Posted by
Chicago
3791 posts
In March of last year, I spent 8 nights in Lisbon. You might find my trip report helpful.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/solo-in-lisbon-portugal-my-trip-report
Posted by
ATL, USA
642 posts
I was in Lisbon in early February 2024. It was a great time to go, weather wise. Cool in the mornings and evenings, sunny and mild during the day. It was surprisingly crowded, but nothing, I'm sure, like it is during high season.
Posted by
OP
Colorado
10 posts
Thanks for the replies. This is our itinerary. Would love feedback.
Saturday 2/21/26
Arrive LIS 10:15am
· Jeronimos Montastery
· Snack Pasteis de Belem
· Belem Tower
· Monument to Discoveries
· MAAT Museum
· Dinner Time Out Market
Sunday
· Walk around Praca do Comercio
· Elevator de Santa Justa
· Lunch Cafe de Garagem
· Explore Alfama
· 6:15p Sunset Miradouro da Senhora do Monte
· Fado Dinner (recommendation?)
Monday
Sintra
· Hike 60min up
· Moorish Castle
· Pena palace
· Hike villa sassetti trail 45min down
· Quinta da Regaleira
· National Palace outside
· Return to Lisbon
· Dinner Taberna da Rua das Flores
Tuesday
· Shop Avenida da Liberdade
· Embaixada Concept Store
· Jardim do Príncipe Real
· Lunch Comoba
· LX factory
· Ler Devagar bookstore
· Dinner Ultimo Porto
Wednesday
Costa Da Caparica
· Breakfast Fora Bakery
· Surf Lesson
· Lunch Beachfront (recommendation?)
· Boardwalk
· Return to Lisbon
· Dinner Bario Alto
Thursday
Cascais
· Cacais Marina and Town
· Lunch Mar do Inferno
· Boca do Inferno Cliffs
· Sculpture Garden
· Museu Condes de Castro Guimaraes
· Return to Lisbon
· Dinner Sea Me
Friday
· Chiado/Baixa
· Lunch Bifanas do Alfonso
· Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
· National Tile Museum
· Miradouro da Graça
· Dinner Prado
· Get ready for early morning flight on Saturday
Posted by
49 posts
Hi there! I worry about your first day--Lisbon airport is known for being slow with processing arrivals and you have a lot of things planned in Belem that afternoon. I also don't know if you will be feeling jetlagged but something else to consider for Day 1. You also should perhaps think about dropping your bags at your accommodations before going on to Belem. If you are just seeing the outside of some of the things you've listed, it could still work but may feel rushed. We enjoyed lunch at Time Out Market before exploring Belem in the afternoon, so I think that is a great pairing. A thought since you are with teens/pre-teens--we took our 13 year old to the QUAKE Museum in Belem and just looked at the outside of the other things (other than Pastis de Belem--we ate a snack!), and she really enjoyed it.
We didn't do some of the day trips you mention, but I do think that your Sunday looks nicely relaxed. Do you plan to go into the Castelo on that day?