Lisbon with kids – where to spend time in the city and its surroundings: museums, parks, an oceanarium, a zoo, beaches for families with kids.
Lisbon is a great place for the whole family. The Portuguese are generally very child-friendly, and the city has many attractions and activities suitable for children of all ages. My beloved girls live in Lisbon, and they settled in Portugal last February. My niece’s daughter has already tested a bunch of locations where children and their parents will have fun and interest.
In fact, Lisbon and the surrounding area are full of parks, playgrounds, and other family-friendly activities, so there’s always something to keep your kids entertained. А great weather prevails here almost all year round – This is great for those planning a trip to the Portuguese capital with small children. Here you can spend almost 9 months a year outdoors. And if it suddenly rains, you can visit the most interesting museums and the oceanarium to see a lot of interesting things that will appeal to both children and adults.
I offer some ideas from the city’s residents – where they go for a walk in Lisbon, how they relax, where they celebrate children’s birthdays.
Lisbon Zoo
Be sure to go to the Lisbon zoo. In addition to being home to more than 2000 animals, the zoo has its own cable car that leads over the enclosures with all the animals. If you sit in the carriage of the cable car that rides around the perimeter from above (above the enclosures) of the zoo, you will definitely see all the animals – lions, tigers and giraffes and other inhabitants of the zoo. Even if they are hiding in the far corner of the enclosure and are almost invisible from the ground. It’s a really cool idea, and the cable car is included in the price of the zoo ticket.
There are also various interactive shows with animals – you can see a show with dolphins, get to know parrots, feed donkeys and goats, and pet a llama (show announcements are on the zoo’s website).Also visit the aquarium located on the territory of the Lisbon Zoo – there are shows with dolphins. Of course, it is not as big as the Oceanarium, but here you can also see sea creatures and look at the water world.
Aquarium and Oceanarium
Visit the Oceanário de Lisboa, one of the largest oceanariums in Europe and home to more than 8,000 marine creatures, including sharks, rays and penguins. The Oceanarium in Lisbon has several exhibits designed to teach children about the ocean and its inhabitants. There are also several sensory aquariums where children can interact with marine life. Also visit the exhibition – ONE, The Ocean as you have never experienced it. This art installation depicts the deep connection between people and the sea, while also recalling the majesty of the ocean.
Take a ride on an old tram. Lisbon is known for its historic trams that wind through narrow streets. Children will enjoy riding these trams and looking at the city from a different perspective.
It will also be interesting to use the Lisbon funiculars – Bica, Gloria and Anunciada. Each of the funiculars takes you to different hills of the city, offering stunning panoramas of the city.
Tickets for an old tram and funicular – if you buy a day pass, it includes travel by these types of transport.
Museums for children in Lisbon
The Museum of Electricity (Tejo Power Station) is located on the territory of the former Tejo Power Station. This interactive museum explores the history and science of electricity, as well as industrial archaeology, and is ideal for children who love hands-on activities. There are several exhibits that allow children to generate electricity, experiment with circuits, and learn about renewable energy sources.
The Pavilhão do Conhecimento is an experimental, hands-on science museum where children can learn physics, chemistry, and biology through interactive exhibits. Children can learn about space, physics and biology through fun and exciting activities.
The National Museum of Natural History and Science: This museum has several exhibitions designed for children, including an exposition on geology, a collection of dinosaur fossils and a planetarium that shows fascinating shows about the universe.
National Coach Museum with the world’s only collection of carriages that seem to have come out of a fairy tale. In addition to the collection of horse-drawn carriages, the museum has a set of items used in parades and other events related to chivalry and equestrian games, as well as a collection of portraits of the Portuguese royal family.
The Maritime Museum (Museu de Marinha), which features “big toys” such as the airplane that first crossed the South Atlantic and models of ships from the Age of Discovery. Portugal has always been a country of sailors, so there is a good collection of maritime exhibits related to the history of Portuguese navigation.
The ship hall will enchant you with a good collection of boats.
The best beaches for families with children
There are several beaches near Lisbon that are great for families with children rest. Most of them are located in Cascais.
- Praia da Conceição is located directly next to the Cascais train station. There is soft golden sand and calm water, and everyone is resting under the supervision of lifeguards.
- Even better for small children is Praia da Rainha, a small beach with shallow water, separated from Praia da Conceição by a large mansion, which is now an Albatroz hotel.
- A short walk from there, along the promenade that starts at Praia da Conceição, is Praia das Moitas. This is a beach with a saltwater pool that appeals to young children and teenagers. The pool is always open and free of charge.
- On the way to Cascais, you pass by Oeiras, a suburb with another child-friendly beach – Praia de Santo Amaro. It is easily accessible from the Santo Amaro train station on the Lisbon-Cascais line.
Parks in and around Lisbon
Parks where birds roam freely – ducks, swans, geese, roosters, and even hens leading little chickens – I’ve only seen this in Lisbon. This is a very Lisbon theme – feeding birds that are not afraid of people at all. For decades, they have been living in city parks for generations. And the people of Lisbon feed them like Istanbul feeds street cats.
There are many such parks in Lisbon and around the city. Here are some of the best ones:
In the district of Belem, next to the monastery of Geronimos, there is a Tropical Botanical Garden where peacocks, ducks, geese, swans, and chickens roam around palm trees and ponds. In the lower-left corner of the garden is the Magical Garden – Alice, based on the fairy tale Alice in Wonderland. You should come here in the evening because all the installations are illuminated with light. Opposite the monastery is a park with a playground, opposite a row of colorful houses with open restaurants.
Another chicken and goose refuge park is Jardim Braancamp Freire, located in the center of Lisbon.
Marechal Carmona Park in Cascais – this shady park was created in the 1940s and is a place for family picnics. When the children are not running around the lawn, they play near the duck pond, and their parents sit in the sun or in the shade of palm trees and pines in the company of peacocks. You can also hold children’s birthdays here – there are many gazebos where you can arrange a festive table. The park, dotted with sculptures, is also a cultural landmark, and the park is home to various birds. On the park’s trails, it is easy to meet roosters, hens with chickens, geese, and peacocks. Dogs are not allowed in the park.
Interesting places near Lisbon where you can have a good time with children
There are many charming little towns near Lisbon that are perfect for a day trip or weekend getaway with the kids.
Sintra. This picturesque city is located just 40 minutes by train from Lisbon. Here you can see several palaces, castles, and gardens. Children will love exploring the colorful Pen Palace, which looks very similar to Snow White’s castle. And the surrounding park, as well as the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira with its underground tunnels and caves.
Cascais – is the pearl of the Lisbon Rivera. The coastal city is known for its beautiful beaches and charming historic center. Children can play in the sand, swim in the ocean, or explore the Citadel, a fortress-turned cultural center that hosts exhibitions and events throughout the year.
Setúbal: a city located south of Lisbon. Adults can enjoy fresh seafood, visit the castle ruins, or relax on the beach. Children will be interested in taking part in a boat trip to see local dolphins and other marine life.
Obidos: an ancient city located north of Lisbon and surrounded by medieval walls dating back to the 12th century. Children will enjoy walking the cobblestone streets, exploring the castle, and tasting the local sweets. Adults can taste cherry gin and tonic, while children can enjoy non-alcoholic gin and tonic in chocolate glasses.
Mafra: This is the city where one of the largest palaces in Europe, the National Palace of Mafra, is located. Children can visit the impressive library, royal apartments, and see the huge basilica. You can also visit the neighboring Tapada Nacional de Mafra, a wildlife reserve with deer, wild boars and other animals.
Useful articles and links:
- Free Lisbon
- Algarve – the best beaches in Portugal
- 10 indoor water parks in Europe
- Top 20 places to see in Lisbon
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