I would love any expert Portugal advice for our family trip the last week of March for our spring break. I am hoping the weather will be ok, but we've always wanted to go to Portugal, so we are going! I want my boys to have fun, so we need to plan some active things to do! We would like to take the trains for transportation! I think the North will be too soggy this time of year?
Posted by
North Carolina
2499 posts
The Oceanario (Aquarium) in Lisbon is really wonderful - I think your boys would enjoy it a lot.
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1826 posts
It somewhat depends on what area of Portugal you are visiting. I agree with the Oceanarium in Lisbon. Weather might be ok for beach visiting but not for swimming. They might enjoy riding the trams, going up the Santa Justa Elevador, the funiculars and climbing the hills in Lisbon. There is a Hippotrip that includes driving on the streets of Lisbon then going into the Tejo river for a short cruise. I’ve seen lots of children on it.
RS usually has some info for children in his books but not certain since I don’t have small children. There are definitely a lot of children around and that will be around Easter so there will be more children around as the Spanish love to come to Portugal around Easter. I’m hoping you have your accommodations booked because that is a very busy time.
Posted by
Porto, Portugal
80 posts
Hello @katherineihinson,
I'm Portuguese and I'm glad you're visiting us ;)
Concerning your question(s), if you want to get away from big cities then I believe that your kids would love to get to know a town like Tomar... if they like history and the Knights Templar in particular, this is one of the places to go; the North and Centre may be soggy but on the other hand there are so many beautiful places to see that your kids would love... if they like castles, they could go to Guimarães for example (small but beautiful castle); in Porto you can climb the stairs of Clérigos Tower and admire the view over the city and go to the Sea Life aquarium...
Enjoy your trip ;)
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3293 posts
Some things the kids might enjoy are a ride up the very steep Ascensor da Gloria. It takes you to at a park (Sao Pedro) with a great city view and an easy down hill stroll - one of the 3 walks described in Rick’s guide - to Rua Garrett. From there it’s a short walk to the 19th century Elevador Santa Justa.
They might also enjoy the trip to Belem on one of the old trolleys 🚃 to see the monuments along the river and visit the maritime and carriage museums. The Gulbenkian is an excellent world class museum but I don’t know how interested your boys would find it. All the family might enjoy a day trip to tour the palace and explore Sintra.
When in Lisbon make sure to avail yourself of the convenience and discounts of the Viva Viagem card. With only a week I would just stay in Lisbon.
Posted by
Calgary, AB, Canada
567 posts
With a week of time, and wanting to take trains, I would suggest sticking to Lisbon or Lisbon and Sintra for the week. It might make sense to just get an apartment in Lisbon for your family for a week.
I think Sintra would be great, there is the Moorish and Pena Palaces, as well as the Palace right in the town. The Quinta de Regulara
( ? sp) gardens are great, with tunnels and cool areas to explore if you are a kid. I think you could possibly do 2 days in Sintra, which is why I mention possibly staying there, but it is also easy to train from Lisbon there as a day trip.
If weather is good Cascais is nice with beaches and the Boca do inferno, and an easy train ride. . Obidos is another nice town with walls to walk on( steep though). However it is not that accessible by train. Tomar is also only accessible by a fairly slow train.