Lisbon is an art city with many layers of colorful structures and artworks on the street. It is a good idea when you would like to plan your next trip to Lisbon with your family. There are many best things to do in Lisbon with kids. Therefore, you can refer to some recommendations below to help you plan your Portugal trip better.
1. Pilar 7 Bridge
One of the best things to do in Lisbon is to visit the Pilar 7 Bridge. There is an observation deck inside the building to help your family see the stunning view of the city. However, the wonderful thing here is the glass observation deck that really challenges your brave. From the observation deck, your kids can see the spectacular view of the river in the bird’s eyes view.
The ticket is free for kids from 0-5 years old, you should bring your kids’ passport to determine their age. Besides that, you can upgrade the experience with Virtual Reality Experience for your kids to enjoy the full challenge here.
2. Rua Augusta arch
Rua Augusta simply just an arch gate with the view toward Terreiro do Paço and the river. However, this arch gate has a magnificent architecture with the history’s meaning behind it. The arch is considered symbolizes the rebirth of a new Lisbon after the tragedy of the earthquake, fire, and tsunami in 1755 that razed what stood before.
This place seems like the viewpoint that you can bring your family to go inside and see the stunning view of Terreiro do Paço and the city along the riverside. Besides that, your kids can climb up to the top to see the sculptures by Célestin Anatole Calmels of Glory crowning Genius and Valour. Don’t forget to bring your camera to grab the bustle moments that happen every day on this street.
3. Lisbon Story Center Museum
Portuguese really prefers to tell their story by the exhibition or museum. Therefore, if you would like to educate your kids about Lisbon or the city’s history, you should bring them to Lisbon Story Center Museum. This is one of the places that most people will come to explore the fascinating tales of this unique city.
The museum was designed as an interactive exhibits and showcases to provide a wonderful experience for the visitors. Besides that, the museum also has the audio guide available in 9 languages: Portuguese (add-in version for kids), Spanish, English, French, Italian, German, Russian, Mandarin, and Japanese. In addition, the location of the museum stays at Terreiro do Paço, it’s quite convenient if your family plans to visit Rua Augusta arch too.
4. Fado show
Fado is a traditional Portuguese music. Nobody knows this melody origin from when, but, it’s really one of a part in Portuguese’s life. It is omission when your family traveling to Portugal without experience the melody of Fado in a show.
At first glance, you may think that the melody is quite slow, sad, and a lot of hums. However, the content of each sentence in the song is quite positive, peaceful, and quiet. Most of the singers are female but there are males sometimes to perform the show. The show is quite suitable for who like to explore the culture, relax places, and enjoy the music.
However, the show is not suitable for kids from 0-3 years old. Meanwhile, if your kids from 4 years old above, they can enjoy this show with you and it is free for kids from 4-6 years old.
5. Tuk-tuk tour in Lisbon
If you are looking for some unique things to do with your kids in Lisbon, you can think about the tour on a tuk-tuk. Tuk-tuk is not only had in Asian countries, but this amazing vehicle was also imported to Portugal many years ago.
Let’s your kids experience the feeling to sit on a tuk-tuk and pass-through the cobbled streets of Lisbon. Your family can choose to visit many iconic monuments, landmarks, and architecture. They have 5 courses on the tour that you can choose base on the destination that they intend to go to.
Depending on the theme of the tour that you choose, the experience time may differ. Your family can enjoy one of the tours or you can book more than one tour to explore the city in your way.
6. Tagus River Yellow Boat Tour
Lisbon is a poetic city that stays beside the Tagus River with the view of faraway hills on beyond. Therefore, you should book a boat tour on the Tagus river to enjoy stunning views of Lisbon from the water.
Let’s start downstream to the river with your lovely kids and show them Belém Tower – one of the oldest fortresses in Lisbon. Meanwhile, the boat tour will run from Cais do Sodré or downtown Lisbon passes under the 25 de Abril bridge to Belém. Along the way, you also can see some of the best monuments in Belém including the Torre de Belém and the Padrão dos Descobrimentos.
There are many time slots of departure that you can choose. Besides that, you should check the weather before booking this tour. The best time for this tour should be from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm that you could enjoy the beauty of sunset too.
7. Jerónimos Monastery
Adding in your list of things to do with kids in Lisbon is visiting the Jerónimos Monastery – a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Jerónimos Monastery s one of the popular sights in Lisbon. The monument is a representative of the 16th-century Manueline architectural style.
This is not simply a notable work of architecture, but also an important part of Portuguese identity and culture. Besides that, the Monastery located near the city of Lisbon, next to the Tagus River. Therefore, your family can combine to visit this place in the morning and enjoy the boat tour on the Tagus river in the afternoon on the same day. That sounds a great arrangement!
8. Belém Tower
One of the most famous iconic in Lisbon is the Belém Tower – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This place always stays on the list of things to do with kids when you traveling with your little ones. Belém Tower is a fortress that was built at the mouth of the River Tagus to defend the city from attack.
When you are here, you should climb on the top of the tower to see the panoramic views of the harbor. However, there is only one way to go up to the top of the tower by climb the narrow stairs. Although, the ticket allows you to enter everywhere around the fortress, but you only can go up to the top by that staircase. Therefore, you should visit this place early to avoid the long queue to go up to the top. You should check the opening hour of the Belém Tower before your visiting.
9. Watching dolphins
Almost the kids love animals and especially the adorable animal like a dolphin. There are many things to do with kids and watching dolphins on a boat tour will be a great experience for your family. You know, downstream on a boat along the Tagus river will be more excited when you can have a chance to watch dolphins and other marine species.
Not only that, but the boat tour will also bring you to pass by under the beautiful monuments such as the Monument of the Discoveries, the Jerónimos, and the Tower of Belém. Hence, you can have 3 hours for sightseeing and your kids will have a chance to see the dolphins. What a great idea for this trip!
10. Day tour to Sintra, Cascais, and Estoril
If you need a trip to go further from Lisbon to exploring more in small towns, a day tour to Sintra, Cascais, and Estoril is quite suitable. Almost people when traveling to Portugal will take this chance to reach these towns in a short time.
Because these towns will bring your kids to explore the fairytale-like castle of the Royal Pena National Palace. Either you can walk through the medieval streets of the old Sintra village and grab some photos here with these antique sights. It takes only 20 minutes to drive from Lisbon by car, you can reach the beach of Cascais and Estoril to relax at the beautiful beach resorts here. You can choose these places to re-energy after a few days exploring the city with your family or take a break before the return home.
Lisbon is a romantic city that provides many best things to do for kids and families. Most people consider Lisbon as a place to rewind their childhood with the architecture, castle, and art style in a vintage wave. If you would like to search for some places in Lisbon to plan for your next trip, you can refer to some tips above.