Portugal Family Itinerary: 10 Days with Kids

Planning a family holiday to Portugal? This 10-day itinerary mixes city fun in Lisbon, a fairytale day in Sintra and a week of beach time in the Algarve, at a pace that works for kids. Here’s the plan, day by day.

Quick answer: Days 1 to 3: Lisbon, with the Oceanário, trams, Belém and the riverside. Day 4: Sintra’s palaces and Regaleira’s tunnels. Days 5 to 10: the Algarve, with beaches, boat trips, a water park or Zoomarine. Travel to the Algarve by train or car.

Why this route works

Portugal is easy with children. Distances are short, people are relaxed about kids in restaurants, and the food is simple and familiar. This plan puts the busy city days first, while everyone has energy, and saves the slow beach days for the end. You only change base once, so there’s very little packing and unpacking.

Days 1 to 3: Lisbon

• Day 1: tram 28, the castle and a pastel de nata. The castle walls, cannons and peacocks keep younger kids busy for a couple of hours. Tram 28 gets very crowded, so ride it early in the morning. See São Jorge Castle and the Lisbon trams guide.
• Day 2: the Oceanário, the cable car and the science centre in Parque das Nações. Allow two to three hours for the aquarium. The cable car takes about 10 minutes along the river, and the Pavilhão do Conhecimento science centre is full of hands-on exhibits. The flat riverside paths here are good for buggies and scooters. See the Oceanário and Parque das Nações.
• Day 3: Belém’s monuments and custard tarts, then the riverside. Older kids like climbing the Belém Tower and spotting the explorers on the Discoveries Monument. The tower reopened in May 2026 with timed entry, so book a slot. There’s lots of open space for running around. See Belém.

Lisbon is hilly and the pavements are slippery cobbles, so a light buggy or a baby carrier beats a big pram. The Glória, Bica and Lavra funiculars and the Santa Justa lift have been closed since September 2025, so plan on trams, buses and the metro instead. Under-4s ride the metro free with an adult. See Lisbon with kids.

Day 4: Sintra

Pena Palace’s colours and Quinta da Regaleira’s tunnels and wells are a hit with kids. Take the train from Lisbon’s Rossio station, which takes about 40 minutes. Book timed tickets online and pick two sights at most. Pena tickets are for a set date and time, and private cars can’t drive up to the palace, so allow time for the bus up from town. Pena in the morning and Regaleira after lunch is plenty for small legs. Bring a torch for Regaleira’s tunnels and a jumper, as Sintra is often cooler and mistier than Lisbon. See Sintra with kids.

Day 5: Travel to the Algarve

Fast trains run from Lisbon to the Algarve, reaching Albufeira in about two and a half to three hours and Faro a little later. Albufeira’s station is about 6km outside the town, so book a taxi or catch the local bus for the last stretch. Book a few days ahead for cheaper fares and seats together. Driving takes a similar time on the motorway, with tolls on the A2, and gives you more freedom once you arrive. The A22 across the Algarve itself has been toll-free since January 2025. See Lisbon to the Algarve.

Days 6 to 10: The Algarve

• Beach days on calm, family-friendly beaches. Look for sheltered coves or long sandy bays with lifeguards in summer. See kid-friendly beaches.
• A boat trip to the sea caves or dolphin watching. Shorter cave trips of about an hour suit young children. At Benagil, nobody may swim to the cave or land on its beach, so see it from a boat. See Algarve boat trips.
• A water park or Zoomarine. Zoomarine, near Albufeira, mixes rides, pools and animal shows, and its season usually runs from March into the autumn. Water parks usually open from late spring to early autumn only, so check dates. See Algarve water parks.
• A day out by train: since July 2026, electric trains run the whole Algarve line without a change in Faro, so Lagos or Tavira make easy day trips.
• Rest days by the pool.

For bases, Albufeira and the resorts around it are central for day trips, while Lagos and Tavira are smaller and calmer. See the Algarve with kids and Algarve family resorts.

Food kids usually like

• Frango assado: grilled chicken, often with chips and rice. Ask for it without piri-piri.
• Grilled fish: fresh and simple, such as sea bream or sardines in summer.
• Bitoque: a thin steak with a fried egg and chips.
• Soup: most menus start with a cheap vegetable soup, a handy starter for fussy eaters.
• Sweets: pastel de nata, and ice cream on every seafront.

Many restaurants will do a half portion (meia dose) if you ask, which is often enough for a child.

When to go

June and September are the sweet spot: warm sea, long days and fewer crowds than in July and August. School holidays in summer mean the Algarve is busy and pricier, so book early. Spring and autumn are lovely for Lisbon and Sintra but the sea is chilly.

Tips

• Pace: one big activity a day works best.
• Heat: plan sightseeing for mornings in summer.
• Sun: the sun is strong even on breezy days. Use high-factor sun cream and hats, and find shade from late morning to mid-afternoon.
• Getting around: trains are easy with kids, and car seats are required in cars. If you hire a car, book child seats in advance.
• Babies: see Portugal with a baby.

FAQ

Is Portugal good for a family holiday?

Yes. Distances are short, restaurants welcome children, and you can mix city sights with calm beaches in one trip.

Do children need a car seat in Portugal?

Yes. Children under 12 who are shorter than 135cm must use an approved child seat or booster, so book one with your hire car.

Is Sintra suitable for young children?

Yes, if you keep it to two sights. The paths are steep, so bring a carrier rather than a big pram, and a torch for Regaleira’s tunnels.

Should you take the train or drive to the Algarve with kids?

The train is easy if you’re staying in one resort, though Albufeira’s station is outside the town. A car gives you more freedom for beaches and day trips.

More: Portugal with kids, the best family hotels in Portugal and Portugal with teenagers.

See also: our Zoomarine guide and Lisbon Zoo.

Prices and details change, so please double-check before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the groups.