Lisbon is a fantastic city to travel to with kids. It has a lot of kid-friendly attractions and activities to do with the entire family. It’s a colorful city with an abundance of food in different flavors. Lisbon is also a place where you can experience culture and history in various customized tours.
Here is a guide on what to see when traveling to Lisbon with kids.
1 Go on a ride in the Eléctrico 28
Firstly, the no. 28 tram symbolizes Lisbon and is something you should try when in the city with kids. It passes many of the city’s significant landmarks and gives you a unique experience. The yellow vehicle shuttles Graça and Prazeres, a route that slips between historic buildings, structures, cathedrals, and many more famous spots.
2 Eat at the Time Out Market
The Time Out Market is located in the city center. It is an indoor market comprising 26 restaurants, 8 bars, several shops, and a music venue. It is an excellent place to enjoy some great food with kids. Moreover, here you find many unique dishes prepared by Michelin-starred chefs.
3 Visit the Praça do Comércio
The Praça do Comércio is the city’s largest public square located by the waterfront. It provides kids with a lot of space to run around and have a great time. Furthermore, the place has historical significance as it was where Portugal’s royal palace was located until the Great Earthquake in 1755. A Triumphal Arch now commemorates Lisbon’s rebirth after the tragedy. A climb to the top of the arch provides fantastic neighborhood views.
4 Explore the Lisbon Story Center
The Lisbon Story Center, located on the Praça do Comércio, is an interactive center that takes you through the history of Lisbon. It starts with how Ulysses found Lisbon. What’s more, it provides kids with a 60-minute audio guide that speaks about wars, victories, quests, and many more things that formed the city you see today.
5 Roam around the Alfama Neighborhood
Alfama is Lisbon’s oldest and most charming neighborhood. You may even spot the purple house, one of the few houses that survived the 1755 earthquake. It is a traditional village where you can learn about the unique culture and eat traditional meals. You can watch nightly fado performances that are held at Laia Fado. Also, you can learn about a classic Portuguese music genre from this village.
6 Visit the Oceanário De Lisboa
The Oceanário De Lisboa is Europe’s largest aquarium. It is home to hypnotic dragon seahorses, two curious sunfish, sea otters, and large Manta rays. The aquarium contains five million liters of water and is divided into four marine habitats. Some fun activities at the aquarium include the forest underwater exhibition, the classical music concert for babies, and overnight sleeping with the sharks.
7 Explore the Science Museum
The Pavilhão do Conhecimento, or the Pavilion of Knowledge, is Lisbon’s Science Museum next to the aquarium. It is one of the best hands-on museums where children can explore and learn everything from the digestive system to create electrical circuits for robots.
8 Go in the Elevador de Santa Justa
It is a beautiful elevator made from wrought iron and originally constructed to take people up the steep Cambo Hill. Today its polished wood carriages will take you to a viewing terrace that provides stunning panoramic views of the city.
9 Go for a walk in the Jardim da Estrela
One of Lisbon’s largest parks, Jardim da Estrela, sits in front of the Baroque Basilica de Estrela. Kids can spend time running around the park and watching ducks waddling in the pond. In addition, there is a cafe with a kid’s area that hosts various child-friendly summer activities. Summer weekends also include live music events and craft fairs at the park.
10 Explore the Pharmacy Museum
The Pharmacy Museum is a unique experience you and your kids can gain when in Lisbon. This unusual museum is where you can discover the history of medicine in Portugal. The museum has an excellent collection of medicinal potions and lotions dating back to previous centuries. Outside the museum, you can enjoy refreshments at the terrace cafe, which serves medicinal-themed cocktails.
11 Visit the oldest bookstore in the world
Did you know that Lisbon is home to the oldest operating bookstore in the world? The Livraria Bertrand is undoubtedly worth a visit with kids, which consists of a kids’ section and a cafe. The bookstore was opened in 1732 and has been through an extended period, surpassing two world wars. Although it is supposed to be an old bookstore, it does feel like one you find in modern times.
12 Ride on a Funicular
Lisbon has three funiculars that help people tackle the city’s steep slopes. These three are Elevador da Glória, Elevador do Lavra, and Elevador da Bica. They were all designed by Raoul Mesnier de Ponsard, who also happens to be the designer of Elevador de Santa Justa. These are fun to ride and are great for capturing fantastic photographs of Lisbon.
13 Make Portuguese bracelets at Missangas & Co.
Missangas & Co. is a jewelry store with thousands of beads from which you can create necklaces and bracelets. It consists of a wide array of beads, including glass, metal, and Portuguese-inspired beads. Moreover, making Portuguese bracelets and necklaces is a fun activity for kids and a must-do when you are in Lisbon.
14 Enjoy the views from the Castelo de SĂŁo Jorge
The Castelo de SĂŁo Jorge, also known as the Lisbon Castle, sits on top of SĂŁo Jorge hill, the highest hill in the city. This viewpoint offers fantastic views of red-roofed houses in Lisbon. Besides, the Tower of Ulysses camera provides panoramic views of Lisbon.
15 Get your candy fix at Papabubble
Papabubble is a sweet Lisbon store where you can get your candy fix. It is the perfect place to be with your kids, as they love anything to do with candy. If you happen to be at the store between 11 am and 3 pm, you can see Lisbon’s answer to Willy Wonka making rock candy. Moreover, Papabubble has sweets in a wide array of flavors that your kids would love to taste.
16 Visit the LX Factory
LX Factory is Lisbon’s coolest neighborhood and one that you must visit. It is an old industrial area that was home to some of the city’s most flourishing fabric factories. However, these factories were abandoned once Lisbon’s golden industry age finished. Today you can find cafes, bars, shops, art spaces, and tattoo studios. It’s a fun place to hang out with friends and family.
17 See the animals at Lisbon Zoo
A visit to the zoo is a must-do when you travel with kids. The Jardim Zoologico is Lisbon’s zoo that sees many families daily. It may not be the largest zoo you’ve been to, but it is home to many animals. Located to the north of Lisbon, a zoo tour can be completed within several hours.
18 Take a tour with the locals: Lisbon travel with kids
Finally, the best way to experience a new country or city is to speak to the locals, battery yet, tour with them. Many locals offer guided tours in and around Lisbon. Also, these tours will help you get a feel of the city in the best way. You’ll also get a lot of valuable tips from the locals, which you can use during the rest of your tour and any time you come back to Lisbon.
Lisbon should be on your bucket list, especially if you are traveling with kids. It has so many attractions that go under the radar but deserve the attention of tourists.
If you’ve ever been to Lisbon before, let us know what you think. Comment below on any attractions we have missed and that people should visit when in Portugal’s capital city.