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It’s a query I’m requested on a regular basis: the place’s your favorite place you’ve visited? By no means straightforward to slim down however in the case of cities, Lisbon all the time makes the highest two – and with loads of issues to do in Lisbon with youngsters, it’s positively one to maintain on your loved ones journey radar.
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With hilly cobbled streets, it’s greatest saved till after the child years, however with some nice points of interest alongside the historical past, close by seashores and even enjoyable transport, the one query is what to do in Lisbon first?
So in the event you’re planning a Lisbon metropolis break, listed below are a few of my high issues to do in Lisbon for teenagers.
Conquer the citadel
Castelo de Sao Jorge sits on the hilltop within the Alfama, a commanding Moorish citadel excessive above the twisting slim medieval streets.
Good for letting imaginations run wild as you wander the citadel partitions and simply nearly as good for having fun with some spectacular views over town. You can even get a detailed up within the Black Chamber with the digicam obscura, giving a 360 diploma take a look at town in actual time, from the monuments to the folks.
There are additionally archaeological finds from the location in a everlasting exhibition, the stays of the royal palace which as soon as stood right here earlier than being broken within the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, plus household actions with knights and archers at sure instances.
Maintain an eye fixed out for the peacocks too – get a style with my quick video of a go to to Lisbon’s citadel.
Purchase skip-the-line tickets to Castelo Sao Jorge Lisbon by clicking right here.
Be a part of a strolling tour of Lisbon
Among the finest methods to discover Lisbon is on foot, though with a number of totally different areas to find, it pays to begin with a strolling tour of Lisbon with youngsters to get your bearings.
There are some nice family-friendly excursions to select from too. This four-hour Important Lisbon tour from Little Lisbon is a good place to begin, or the three-hour Real Lisbon household tour. is one other good introduction, as is that this non-public household tour of Lisbon from Withlocals.
For those who’ve obtained one thing particular in thoughts, you’ll be able to even e book an area information and tailor your personal tour. Or in the event you want to go at your personal tempo, do that self-guided tour of Bairro Alto and Bica, fixing a collection of riddles as you discover town’s slim streets and grand squares.
Take a sightseeing tour of Lisbon
Don’t fancy strolling? There’s a enjoyable 90-minute tuk tuk tour, plus this longer eco tuk tuk tour to cowl extra floor – each much more enjoyable than you’re normal tour.
For those who’re visiting Lisbon with older youngsters, this Sitway tour of Belem (assume a sit-down model of a Segway) introduces you to a different facet of town.
You’ll additionally discover hop-on hop-off bus excursions of Lisbon if these are a success together with your youngsters (additionally nice for giving little legs a break). The Lisbon Sightseeing tour has 24h, 48h and 72h tickets, whereas Yellow Bus Excursions has a one-day and a two-day possibility.
You’ll find some enjoyable mixed tickets too, reminiscent of this classic tram, open-top bus and River Tagus sightseeing cruise deal. Or this hop-on hop-off boat tour features a ticket for different public transportation, together with the trams and lifts.
Take pleasure in a meals tour
I all the time discover meals excursions an effective way to discover, as you study concerning the metropolis and its historical past and tradition by way of the meals – plus you get to pattern all of the specialities alongside the way in which.
Whenever you’re travelling with youngsters, it makes a giant distinction having your personal non-public tour, particularly when you’ll be able to personalise it to swimsuit everybody’s tastebuds (significantly for pickier little ones) and stamina ranges on Lisbon’s hilly streets.
Having an area skilled main it’s an added bonus too: the Withlocals web site has a really tempting Lisbon meals tour that simply deserves to be on the checklist of most enjoyable issues to do in Lisbon with youngsters.
Not solely do you get to attempt six several types of meals, which may embrace town’s well-known pasteis de nata, bifana sandwiches and alheira sausages, all the corporate’s excursions and actions are led by Lisboetas to present an additional perception as you discover, they’re non-public so it’s simply your loved ones and the information, and you may even ask to have them customised to swimsuit you.
For a foodie tour with a distinction, be part of a cooking workshop from Cooking Lisbon, beginning with a market tour then whipping up your personal three-course lunch – take a look at my assessment of the Lisbon cooking class with youngsters.
Attempt to make time for a cease within the Mercado da Ribeira (often known as the Time Out Market) too. It’s a very good choice to seize lunch, in addition to being enjoyable to wander round, with an enormous string of meals stalls so there’ll be one thing the entire household will get pleasure from consuming.
Be taught Lisbon’s story
The interactive Lisbon Story Centre transports you thru the historical past of the Portuguese capital, with a 60-minute audio information speaking you thru Lisbon’s origins as much as fashionable instances as you wander from room to room.
Every part is split like a chapter, from town’s earliest days, with the audioguide robotically narrating the part you’re (often, a minimum of!) as you wander by way of the historical past of Lisbon.
It’s additionally an important spot to study extra concerning the 1755 Lisbon earthquake which remodeled town, with a dramatic video to observe – a few of the scenes could also be somewhat distressing for youthful youngsters, though there’s nothing too graphic.
An excellent introduction to town if it’s your first time in Lisbon as effectively.
E-book your ticket prematurely to skip the strains, it’s additionally included with the Lisboa card.
Dive into the aquarium
With greater than 8,000 sea creatures and 500 totally different species, the Lisbon aquarium – or Oceanario Lisboa – is among the most spectacular and largest in Europe, and best if you’re visiting Lisbon with toddlers or are on the lookout for issues to do in Lisbon within the rain (not that that occurs typically).
Learn my full assessment of a time out at Oceanario with youngsters
Set within the Parque das Nacoes, additionally dwelling to a number of different household pleasant locations to go in Lisbon, you’ll be able to spot the one sea otters in Europe, together with sharks and coral reefs, in 4 marine habitats full of a whopping 5 million litres of seawater all set spherical an enormous central tank.
To not point out a complete fascinating string of different marine life contained in the huge Lisbon Oceanarium. Permit loads of time to discover, that is simply among the best aquariums in Europe, if not the world!
Purchase skip-the-line tickets with free cancellation or you too can get a joint ticket with the hop on hop off Lisbon tour which helps you to skip the road – it’s an important one to mix with a Telecabine cable automotive experience too.
Trip the trams
The trams make up a part of the general public transport system within the metropolis, so you’ll be able to simply use them to get round – purchase a cross or ticket for every journey, reminiscent of for journeys from Lisbon to Belem, or to skip the hill as much as Alfama if in case you have younger youngsters.
However the 28 tram Lisbon route is somewhat totally different, appearing extra like a tour route with the added fashion of these conventional little yellow trams.
Heading from Martim Moniz to Campo de Ourique, the tram line passes by way of the favored vacationer districts of Graca, Alfama, Baixa and Estrela alongside the way in which and it’s a implausible method to see Lisbon.
A number of phrases of warning: as a result of it’s so widespread, count on to queue if you would like a seat (or to be squished in standing if not). It’s additionally well-known, sadly, as a hang-out of pickpockets so keep watch over your luggage.
For those who purchase a ticket on board, it’ll additionally price much more than selecting it up prematurely at a metro station – a day cross prices roughly double a single ticket purchased on board, and you should utilize that for limitless journeys throughout 24 hours.
In case you are travelling with a mini tram fan, add in a cease on the tram museum – the Museu Carris is on a number of tram routes itself in addition to buses, and prices a number of Euros, free for beneath sixes.
Take a look at my full information to Portugal with youngsters right here
Use the elevator (and funiculars)
It’s not simply trams that are a transport attraction in Lisbon – with so many steep hills, town has needed to get artistic with its transportation, together with little funiculars and lifts. All a part of the primary transport community, they’ll work with normal public transport passes and it’s a enjoyable method to give little legs a break.
The Ascensor da Glória takes you to Bairro Alto or attempt the picturesque Ascensor da Bica, though the best-known is the Elevador de Santa Justa, or Santa Justa elevate. Sure it’s touristy and you may simply stroll up the hill, however there’s one thing very enjoyable about hopping into the ornamental 19th century elevate.
Head there early or late to keep away from the worst queues as it’s a widespread vacationer attraction, and make time to cease and benefit from the views from the small viewing platform too.
The 24h public transport ticket covers this too (though not the higher viewing platform) and prices lots lower than shopping for a single from the ticket workplace. Journey and the viewing platform are additionally included within the Lisboa card.
The higher viewing platform is presently closed, though you’ll be able to nonetheless see the views as you exit the elevate.
Fly over the Tagus river within the cable automotive
Soar over the water within the Lisbon Cable Automotive, or Telecabine Lisboa, which was constructed for the World Expo within the 90s and runs for round a mile alongside the river at Parque das Nações.
You’ll be able to decide it up close to the Oceanario aquarium and there are some nice views of the Vasco Da Gama bridge as you cruise alongside for the ten minute journey.
Youngsters aged two and beneath journey free, in any other case from 5,50 Euros, whereas a spherical journey will set adults again 9,50 Euros, with a reduction for Lisboa card holders. The cable automotive doesn’t actually take you wherever (besides the opposite finish of the Park of Nations) nevertheless it’s nonetheless value doing for the distinctive view of Lisbon.
You can even purchase joint tickets for the Telecabine and Oceánario de Lisboa.
Get a style with this quick video of a spherical journey in Lisbon’s cable automotive
Go to Belem
That is my very own private should do in Lisbon – and never simply because it’s the spot the place the unique pasteis de nata custard tarts have been made (and are nonetheless made, so do cease by and seize a field).
It’s additionally full of historic websites, together with the Monument to the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos) paying tribute to 33 of Portugal’s most essential explorers, which you see as you wander alongside the waterfront.
A bit of additional alongside is the Torre de Belem, designed to defend the coast though it all the time appears to be like extra like a fairly intricate big chess piece to me. Look out for the stays of the carved stone rhino, together with gargoyles and the dungeons inside – you’ll be able to climb to the highest of this Unesco World Heritage web site too.
The world can also be dwelling to the astonishingly intricate Jerónimos Monastery: if in case you have a Lisboa card, Lisbon’s metropolis cross, you will get in at no cost or you should buy tickets to skip the road, in addition to for the Belém Tower.
With youthful youngsters, I’d head to the shade of the gardens by the river as an alternative. It’s a tram experience from the centre, on route 15 – there’s a mixture of the smaller conventional trams (enjoyable however they’ll get crowded) and extra fashionable trams. Count on lengthy strains in the course of the summer time months specifically.
For concepts of extra issues to do in Belem with youngsters, take a look at my high picks
Take pleasure in a Hippotrip
For those who’ve come throughout Duck excursions earlier than, you’ll have already got an concept of what Lisbon’s Hippotrip amphibious car entails – after a tour on land within the metropolis centre, you trundle out to Belem and drive straight into the River Tagus.
The excursions final round 90 minutes and a couple of third of that’s cruising alongside within the water.
Alongside the way in which you’ll see a few of the metropolis’s key areas together with Praca do Comercio and Avenida da Liberdade, in addition to the Belem Tower and Monument to the Discoveries.
Take a look at my Hippotrip assessment and purchase your ticket prematurely right here.
Meet Lisbon’s seafarers on the Maritime Museum
If the explorers on the Monument to the Discoveries have whetted your urge for food, be sure you go to the Museu de Marinha, or Maritime Museum, additionally in Belem.
Following Portugal’s seafaring historical past from the Age of Discoveries within the 1500s by way of to the current, you’ll be able to see objects belonging to Vasco Da Gama himself in addition to royal barges and complete armadas of mannequin boats amongst round 2,500 objects within the everlasting exhibition.
Set in a wing of the Jeronimos Monastery in Belem, you’ll want a separate ticket to get in.
See stars in Lisbon’s Planetarium
Lisbon’s Planetarium – the Calouste Gulbenkian Planetarium, often known as the Navy Planetarium – can also be situated in Belem, subsequent to the Maritime Museum, designed to undertaking greater than 9,000 stars onto its dome throughout reveals taking you thru the universe.
There are performances in English and it’s best in the event you’re visiting Lisbon with youngsters aged 4 or older. One other nice possibility for a wet day in Lisbon too.
You should buy tickets for the Planetarium alone, or mixed tickets for the Maritime Museum and Planetarium.
Develop your information on the Science Museum
The Pavilion of Information is Lisbon’s science museum, the Pavilhao do Conhecimento, not removed from the Oceanario aquarium within the Parque das Nacoes.
Removed from a dry dusty museum, it’s dwelling to the Circus of Science Expertise with experiments and video games, together with how excessive you’ll be able to climb up a sticky frog tongue.
There’s additionally an exhibition on pets and artwork designed to encourage exploration – excellent for a time out with youngsters in Lisbon, particularly if you end up visiting Lisbon within the rain.
Go gorilla recognizing at Lisbon zoo
Getting the possibility to see animals is bound to be a success for teenagers in Lisbon, particularly with uncommon white tigers and majestic mountain gorillas on the Jardim Zoologico.
A part of a world conservation undertaking, the Lisbon Zoo is an ideal method to see the world by way of its animals, from the rainforest to the African Savannah, lemurs from Madagascar, South American birdlife and dolphins, in addition to smaller livestock that are nice in the event you’re visiting Lisbon with a child.
There are often reveals all through the day plus a cable automotive by way of the forest cover and zoo prepare which takes you previous the reptile home.
Get a reduction on tickets to Lisbon Zoo in the event you purchase utilizing my hyperlink and code MUMMYTRAVELS6
Hit the seaside
Lower than half an hour away from town, you’ll find a few of the greatest seashores close to Lisbon so as to add a twist to your metropolis break.
Each Cascais and Estoril are a straightforward journey, and you may take the quick prepare experience alongside the seafront – the previous is dwelling to Gelados Santini, one of the crucial well-known locations to purchase ice cream in Portugal.
Minnie opted for chocolate and mango once we visited, and even managed to eat many of the huge scoops earlier than it melted – there’s additionally a department in Lisbon itself, not removed from Rossio Sq., so that you don’t must miss out although!
There are quieter sections of coast and even surf too, so that you gained’t be wanting lovely seashores to tempt you out of town. For those who’ve obtained a protracted weekend, it’s very tempting to benefit from the solar and spend one in all your three days in Lisbon lounging by the seafront.
For extra locations to benefit from the sand close to town, take a look at One Tiny Leap’s information to the greatest seashores in Lisbon.
Go dolphin recognizing on a ship tour
A ship journey to identify dolphins may not be the very first thing you’d affiliate with a European metropolis break, however Lisbon’s place on the River Tagus means you’ll be able to simply head out onto the water to attempt your luck.
This dolphin-spotting tour from Belem guarantees a 95% probability of seeing wild dolphins, whereas this three-hour boat tour takes you on a sightseeing tour alongside the coast, with a marine biologist on board as effectively for any dolphin sightings.
There’s additionally a swim cease in-built, however except you’re travelling in peak summer time or a mini heatwave, keep in mind the Atlantic can get fairly chilly!
For those who’re after a extra stress-free expertise, there’s additionally this two-hour sundown cruise on the River Tagus (plus a daytime possibility) in addition to a boat cruise on the River Tagus with brunch – you may not get to see dolphins except you’re fortunate, however you do get to get pleasure from views of town from the water.
Uncover inexperienced Lisbon
For those who’re on the lookout for outside actions in Lisbon, it’s arduous to beat the Jardim da Estrela, one in all Lisbon’s greatest parks in entrance of the Basilica da Estrela. In addition to a playground and duck ponds, there’s a café – internet hosting child-friendly actions in the course of the summer time – and also you’ll typically discover reside music or different occasions happening.
Or head to the Estufa Fria, Lisbon’s Greenhouse in Edward VII Park, round a 10-minute stroll from the Marques de Pombal metro.
The backyard is split up into a chilly home, tropical vegetation within the hothouse and the cacti and succulents of the ‘candy home’, the park is a beautiful inexperienced house in addition to an important possibility on a wet day in Lisbon. There’s a small entrance cost.
You can even discover Lisbon’s official Botanical Backyard, the Jardim Botanico, by the Pure Historical past Museum and never removed from Avenida da Liberdade.
Have an journey on the Journey Park
If town’s hills haven’t burned off all of your youngsters’s power, right here’s one other enjoyable method to attempt in Lisbon for households. The Journey Park on the Jamor Nationwide Sports activities Centre, simply past Belem, options an impediment route within the timber designed for teenagers.
Clamber alongside rope bridges, whizz down a 200m slide and crawl by way of tunnels as you discover your approach between picket platforms within the treetops.
You can even discover a playground for youthful youngsters and mini golf close by in the event you’re on the lookout for one thing rather less adrenaline-fuelled.
Expertise an earthquake at Quake
Lisbon has a number of quirky little museums to think about throughout your go to, particularly if it’s not your first time within the Portuguese capital. And whereas Quake: Lisbon Earthquake Centre gained’t enchantment to everybody, it’s a novel method to be transported again to the disastrous 1755 earthquake.
In addition to info on the science behind earthquakes, there are a string of interactive reveals that can assist you to think about what the medieval metropolis should have been like and the way the earthquake remodeled the face of Lisbon.
Together with 10 themed rooms and 4D immersive expertise, probably the most memorable half is the 2 earthquake simulators.
Unsurprisingly it’s not appropriate for teenagers beneath the age of 6 – youngsters aged 4-5 can enter however can’t go on the earthquake simulators, however because it’s a 90-minute expertise that you just observe from begin to end (there’s no method to depart early), it’s not one for youthful youngsters.
Time out from Lisbon: Go to Sintra
For one more day journey from Lisbon with youngsters, don’t miss Sintra, which is simply over an hour away by prepare – catch it on the station close to Rossio Sq., the Estação de Rossio.
For those who’ve solely obtained sooner or later in Sintra with youngsters throughout your loved ones vacation, you’ll be able to nonetheless match loads in though households will wrestle to see the whole lot in sooner or later.
The Pena Palace is the most important attraction in Sintra, and this fairytale palace is unmissable with its vibrant towers and complex ornament.
One in all my very own favourites is the Castelo dos Mouros, the ruined Moorish Citadel which as soon as defended the world and nonetheless clings to the hillside – excellent for sparking the creativeness.
The identical goes for Quinta da Regaleira: constructed at first of the twentieth century, its gardens are filled with grottos, caves, ruins and twisting paths, to not point out the well-known Initiation Properly. However you may additionally go to the Palacio Nacional amongst different sights – take a look at my suggestions for the whole lot it’s worthwhile to now about visiting Sintra with youngsters.
On the lookout for the most effective locations to remain in Lisbon with youngsters? Take a look at my Plum Information assessment of our nice self-catering residence close to Praca do Comercio and the Arco da Rua Augusta
*first revealed 2019, up to date 2023*
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Disclosure: This publish comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Citadel/Alfama road/Santa Justa elevate/cable automotive/Belem Tower/seaside copyright MummyTravels, all different pictures courtesy Depositphotos
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