Portugal with a Baby or Toddler: A Practical Guide

Portugal is one of the easiest countries in Europe to visit with a baby or toddler. The Portuguese adore small children, the food is simple and fresh, the flights from much of Europe are short and the beaches are gentle. Here’s what you need to know.

Quick answer: the Algarve is the easiest choice for a baby, with calm beaches, family resorts and short transfers from Faro. Bring a baby carrier as well as (or instead of) a pram, because of the cobbles and hills in Lisbon and Porto. Pharmacies and supermarkets stock everything you need. Families with babies often get priority in queues. Avoid the midday heat in summer.

Where to go

• The Algarve: calm, warm water on the south coast, resorts with kids’ clubs and baby equipment, and flat promenades in towns like Albufeira, Vilamoura and Monte Gordo. See Algarve family resorts and the Algarve with kids.
• Madeira: mild all year, safe and relaxed, though hilly. Good for winter sun. See Madeira with kids.
• Cascais: a seaside base near Lisbon with easy beaches and promenades, and a direct train into the city. See where to stay in Cascais.
• Lisbon and Porto: very doable, but plan around the hills. See Lisbon with kids and Porto with kids.

For a first trip, one base is easier than moving every two days. A week in one Algarve town, with a day trip or two, suits most babies better than a tour. See kid-friendly Algarve beaches.

Where to stay

• Apartments: a kitchen and washing machine make life much easier. Aparthotels in the Algarve are common and good value outside July and August.
• Ask ahead for a cot: most hotels have cots (berço), but numbers are limited. Confirm it in writing.
• Check for lifts: many old buildings in Lisbon and Porto have steep stairs and no lift.
• Ground floor or a pool fence: worth asking about if you have a toddler on the move.
• Air conditioning and heating: useful in a July heatwave, and in winter too, as older Portuguese buildings can be cold inside.
• Tourist tax: Lisbon charges about €4 per adult per night, but children under 13 don’t pay.

Prams vs carriers

Lisbon and Porto are steep, with slippery stone pavements and lots of steps, and Sintra’s palaces are not pram-friendly. A carrier is much easier. A light, sturdy stroller is useful for the Algarve promenades, Parque das Nações in Lisbon and Porto’s riverside. Note that several of Lisbon’s old funiculars and the Santa Justa lift have been closed since September 2025, so plan for buses, the metro or taxis on hilly routes. A compact stroller that folds with one hand also makes buses and old trams much easier, as they get crowded.

Supplies

• Pharmacies (farmácias, with a green cross) sell formula, baby food, creams and medicines, and the pharmacists are very helpful. At night, a rota of duty pharmacies (farmácia de serviço) stays open; the list is posted on every pharmacy door.
• Supermarkets like Continente and Pingo Doce sell nappies (fraldas), wipes and baby food.
• Baby food: Portuguese soups (sopa) are a great first food, and restaurants will often prepare something simple.
• Formula: brands may differ from home. If your baby is fussy, bring enough for the first few days.
• Medicines: bring any regular medicines in their original packaging, with a copy of the prescription.

Getting around

• Car seats are required by law for children under 12 and under 135cm, using an approved seat that suits their size and weight. These children must also sit in the back. The main exception is a baby under 3 in a rear-facing seat, who can travel in the front only if the passenger airbag is switched off. Rent seats with your car or bring your own. See car rental.
• Taxis and transfers: request a car seat when booking, as most taxis don’t carry one. See Lisbon airport to the city and Faro airport transfers.
• Trains: comfortable and spacious. On CP trains, children up to 3 travel free if they don’t use a seat, and children aged 4 to 12 get up to 50% off, with their own seat. Carry an ID document showing your child’s age, as staff can ask for it. See the train guide.
• Priority: Portuguese law gives priority service to people with a child up to 2 years old, in shops, offices and other places that serve the public. Look for the priority sign at tills and queues.

Eating out

Babies are welcome almost everywhere, and staff will often fuss over them. High chairs are common, though changing tables are less so in older restaurants. Dinner starts late (8pm or later), so many families eat a big lunch instead. Ask for a meia dose (half portion) or plain grilled fish, rice and vegetables for a toddler. Cafés and pastelarias are handy for quick snacks and fresh orange juice.

A sample easy day

• Morning: beach or pool from about 9am, before the sun gets strong.
• Midday: lunch in the shade, then nap time back at your room.
• Late afternoon: a stroll along the promenade or a second beach session after about 5pm.
• Evening: an early dinner at 7pm. Some restaurants open then, especially in resort towns.

Health and safety

• Sun and heat: July and August are very hot inland and in the south. Stay in the shade at midday, and use sun hats and high-factor sunscreen. Keep young babies out of direct sun altogether, and a beach tent or umbrella helps.
• Atlantic waves: the west coast beaches have strong waves and currents. Choose sheltered Algarve beaches for little ones.
• Healthcare: good public and private hospitals. Bring an EHIC/GHIC if you have one, and travel insurance. See healthcare for tourists.
• Health line: SNS 24 (808 24 24 24) gives medical advice by phone.
• Emergency: call 112.

When to go

May, June and September are ideal: warm but not too hot, and less crowded. October is often still mild in the Algarve. See the best time to visit Portugal.

FAQ

Is Portugal good for a holiday with a baby?

Yes. Babies are welcomed almost everywhere, pharmacies and supermarkets stock what you need, and the Algarve has calm beaches and short transfers from Faro.

Do you need a car seat in Portugal?

Yes. Children under 12 and under 135cm must use an approved car seat and sit in the back, unless a baby under 3 is in a rear-facing seat in the front with the airbag switched off.

Do babies pay on trains in Portugal?

No. On CP trains, children up to 3 travel free if they sit on your lap, and children aged 4 to 12 get up to 50% off.

More: Portugal with kids, the Portugal packing list and the best family hotels.

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