Please sign in to post.

Week in Portugal with teenagers

We are starting in Madrid in August but, will spend a week in Portugal with our teenagers (15 and 17). What locations would you suggest for teens? If they involve water, even better! Our last stop will be Lisbon.

Posted by
330 posts

Hello, we are traveling with only one 15 year old teenager and here is our plan.
Our trip starts with 3 full days in Madeira. There really aren't beaches there, but our hotel pool looks amazing. Hiking and going to the CR7 soccer museum make going to the Monte Gardens possible.
Lisbon: Besides the city, we are going to Belem, Cascais (surfing) and Estroil. Sintra too. Plus, in Lisbon, walk part of the aqueduct. My son and husband are both looking forward to this and it costs 3.50 euros.
Then we are traveling south, stopping in Evora for the stone circle and Roman temple.
Lagos beach area. Lots of water activities, several little towns to explore. Listed in the Rick Steves Portugal book.
We are then off to Seville for several days. Day trips to Cordoba, Ronda and Gibraltar.

When we have traveled in the past with both of our kids, another one aged 20 and in college, we would put the kids in charge of there own day of being the tour guide. This has really worked well. We include them on the planning and they learn about the start to finish on figuring out meals, using the metro and buses, asking for help from parents and locals. Figuring out restaurants and snacks they want to try. Besides the Rick Steves books, our family uses the TimeOut series. Has a kids section too.
Our son is planning for the following: 1 day in Madeira, 1 day in Cascais and a visit to the Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra and a stop at Cabo da Roca. 1 day in Lagos and finally 1 day trip to Gibraltar.
Hope this helps.