3 Days in Lisbon With Kids: A Realistic Family Itinerary
If you’re planning a trip to Lisbon with kids and wondering how to make the most of the city without burning everyone out, you’re in the right place.
Lisbon was the first stop of our one-week family trip to Portugal, and we quickly fell in love with its colorful streets and tiled buildings, beautiful viewpoints, and delicious food. Lisbon has so much to do with kids, from its aquarium to castles and Tuk Tuk rides.
But we also realized that, compared to other European cities we’ve visited, Lisbon isn’t the easiest city to travel with small kids because of its uphills, narrow streets, lots of stairs, and cobblestones.
Traveling with a 3- and 6-year-old meant we had to be realistic about our plans. We found a pace that worked for our family and gave us enough time to explore without rushing from place to place.
In this guide, I’m sharing how we spent three days in Lisbon with kids, including our favorite activities, what worked well for our family, what we would do differently next time, and practical tips for making Lisbon easier with young children.
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Quick Overview: Our 3 Days in Lisbon with Kids
- Day 1: Oceanarium, first Pastel de Nata & Downtown Lisbon
- Day 2: Tuk Tuk Tour, Lisbon Viewpoints & Exploring Chiado
- Day 3: Sintra Day Trip
- Bonus: Belém and Jerónimos Monastery Before Our Flight
Is Lisbon a Good Family Destination?
Lisbon is a wonderful city for a family trip because it offers a mix of history, culture, food, and beautiful views. There is plenty to explore with kids, from riding the famous trams to wandering colorful neighborhoods and stopping for plenty of pastry breaks along the way.
That said, the city is known for its steep hills, cobblestone streets, and lots of walking.
Our kids were 6 and 3 during our visit, and they walked most of the time as we explored neighborhoods like Chiado and Baixa, but we also booked a Tuk Tuk tour to explore Alfama, to be realistic.
We did bring a small, portable stroller for our 3-year-old. Some parents may prefer to skip the stroller in Lisbon and use just a baby carrier, but if your toddler is older, a portable stroller will definitely help. Just be prepared to carry the stroller on some parts of the city.
Where to Stay in Lisbon with Kids
If you know my travel style, you know that I always prioritize staying in a safe, walkable, and convenient neighborhood when visiting a new city for the first time, especially when traveling with kids.
For our trip, we chose to stay in Chiado, and I think it is one of the best areas to stay in Lisbon with kids. It’s centrally located, making it easy to walk to many of Lisbon’s main attractions, restaurants, cafes, and shops.
After a full day of sightseeing, we loved returning to our hotel without relying on transportation.
The best part was our stay at Martinhal Lisbon Chiado, a family-focused hotel in the heart of the neighborhood that made exploring the city with young children incredibly easy.
Our Experience Staying at Martinhal Lisbon Chiado
Before arriving in Lisbon, we had already spent several days at Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort in the Algarve, so we were excited to experience another Martinhal property in Lisbon.
While the two hotels are very different, one a beachfront resort and the other a city hotel, they both share the same family approach that made traveling with young children so comfortable. If you’re planning to combine Lisbon with the Algarve, you can also read my review of Martinhal Sagres.
Martinhal Lisbon Chiado is designed specifically for families. Our spacious apartment-style accommodation gave us plenty of room to spread out, and the thoughtful amenities made traveling with our kids much less stressful.
The room featured a cozy bunk bed that the kids absolutely loved! The kitchen was fully equipped with everything we needed, including a washer and dryer, and a high chair was already set up for our toddler.
We especially loved how convenient the baby concierge service was. Before your arrival, you can request baby essentials such as a crib, high chair, baby bath, or even a stroller. Being able to pack lighter, knowing everything would be ready when we arrived, is such a huge bonus.
The hotel also has dedicated children’s play areas and complimentary kids’ clubs! It gave them a chance to play while we relaxed for a bit before heading back out to explore the city.
We also loved the on-site cafe, which was perfect for quick breakfasts before sightseeing or an easy meal after a busy day exploring Lisbon.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly hotel in a central location, I would happily recommend Martinhal Lisbon Chiado. Its location, spacious accommodations, and thoughtful family amenities made it an excellent base for exploring Lisbon with kids.
Check price and availability for Martinhal Lisbon Chiado
3 Days in Lisbon With Kids Itinerary
Day 1: Lisbon Oceanarium, Our First Pastel de Nata & Exploring Downtown
After landing in Lisbon, we spent our first day exploring the city before continuing our road trip to the Algarve. That felt right for our family, but you could stay in Lisbon or head to the Algarve right after the airport.
Since it had already been a long travel day, we wanted our first afternoon to be exciting enough for the kids but not so packed that everyone ended up exhausted. After grabbing lunch and taking some time to refresh, we headed to one of the places we were most excited to visit: the Lisbon Oceanarium.
Lisbon Oceanarium: The Kids’ Favorite Experience in Lisbon
The Lisbon Oceanarium quickly became the highlight of our trip, and I don’t think you’ll want to miss it.
Before visiting, we had heard that the Oceanarium was one of the best aquariums in the world, and after experiencing it ourselves, we understood why.
The main aquarium in the center is incredible. Watching sharks, stingrays, and other marine life swim around you felt like stepping into an underwater world.
After a busy travel day, it was the perfect first activity because we could explore at our own pace, take breaks, and let the kids enjoy the exhibits without rushing.
Our First Pastel de Nata Experience
Of course, one of the things our kids were most excited about before our trip to Portugal was trying their first pastel de nata. famous Portuguese egg custard tart.
After the Oceanarium, we headed to Manteigaria in the Chiado neighborhood for our first pastel de nata, and it immediately lived up to the hype. It is served warm, crispy, and oh so creamy!
We tried pastel de nata at a few different places during our trip, including the famous Pastéis de Belém. Another place I highly recommend.
Evening: Exploring Baixa
After our first full afternoon in Lisbon, we kept the evening simple and explored the Baixa neighborhood on foot.
We walked through the famous Pink Street, admired the Arco da Rua Augusta, and ended our day at Praça do Comércio. It was the perfect introduction to Lisbon’s colorful streets and beautiful architecture without exhausting the kids.
Day 2: Exploring Lisbon by Tuk Tuk
After we returned from the Algarve, we felt ready to explore more of the city. Since Lisbon is full of hills, historic streets, and viewpoints, we knew we wanted a way to see more of the city while keeping it manageable with kids.
That is why we booked a private tuk-tuk tour around Alfama, and it ended up being one of our favorite experiences in Lisbon.
Seeing Lisbon by Tuk Tuk with Kids
Exploring Alfama by tuk-tuk was the perfect choice for our family. The kids loved the experience itself, and we loved that we could see more of the city without spending the entire day walking uphill.
The tuk-tuk allowed us to reach some of Lisbon’s famous viewpoints while keeping the day fun and manageable. We chose a shorter tour, with about 10-15 minutes at each location. If you would like more time to explore, you can choose a longer tuk-tuk tour.
If you are visiting Lisbon with younger children, I would highly recommend considering a tuk-tuk tour, especially at the beginning of your trip. It is a great way to get an overview of the city and decide which areas you want to explore more deeply.
Lisbon Viewpoints (Miradouros)
One of the things that makes Lisbon so beautiful is the incredible views throughout the city. The hills can be challenging with kids, but they also create some of the best photo opportunities and memorable moments.
During our tour, we stopped at some of Lisbon’s viewpoints and enjoyed the views of the colorful rooftops, historic neighborhoods, and the city stretching out below us.
Dinner in Chiado
After a full day of sightseeing, we loved returning to Chiado for dinner. Staying in such a central neighborhood made evenings with the kids much easier. We could walk to restaurants, enjoy dinner, and return to our hotel without adding another complicated journey after an already busy day.
Day 3: A Day Trip to Sintra from Lisbon
No trip to Lisbon feels complete without a visit to Sintra. Known for its fairytale palaces, lush gardens, and colorful castles, it’s one of Portugal’s most popular day trips and one that our kids absolutely loved.
Getting to Sintra from Lisbon
Getting from Lisbon to Sintra is easy. The train from Lisbon’s Rossio Station takes about 40–50 minutes and is an affordable, convenient option for most travelers.
We considered taking the train, but since we had an early timed-entry ticket for Pena Palace, we didn’t want to risk delays. Instead, we took an Uber directly from Lisbon, which gave us a little more flexibility and peace of mind on the morning of our visit.
If you don’t have an early reservation or are traveling on a more relaxed schedule, I think the train is an excellent option. You can also explore full-and half-day tour options from Lisbon to Sintra.
Exploring Sintra with Kids
Our first stop in Sintra was Pena Palace, as colorful and magical as we imagined. Seeing the vibrant palace felt like stepping into a fairytale, and our kids loved exploring the castle and taking in the incredible views.
After Pena Palace, we headed to Quinta da Regaleira, and to our surprise, it became our favorite stop of the day.
Like Pena Palace, you can visit on your own and buy the entry ticket, or you can sign up for a guided tour.
While Pena Palace is the iconic landmark everyone associates with Sintra, Quinta da Regaleira felt much more adventurous and engaging for our kids. They loved wandering through the mysterious gardens, discovering hidden tunnels, and exploring the estate’s unique architecture.
The absolute highlight was the Initiation Well. Walking down the spiral staircase into the moss-covered well felt like entering another world, and it quickly became one of the most memorable experiences of our entire trip to Portugal. Our kids were fascinated by it and couldn’t stop talking about it afterward.
If you’re visiting Sintra with children and only have time for two attractions, I would highly recommend combining Pena Palace with Quinta da Regaleira. The two experiences complement each other perfectly.
What We Loved About Sintra
What surprised us most about Sintra was how magical it felt. Walking through the palace grounds and seeing the colorful buildings in person was even more impressive than we expected.
That said, Sintra involves plenty of walking, hills, and crowds, so I wouldn’t try to pack too many attractions into one day when visiting with kids. We found that focusing on one or two major sights made the experience much more enjoyable.
Dinner in Sintra
After a full day exploring Sintra, we ended our visit with dinner at Tascantiga, a charming restaurant located in the historic center of town.
This was exactly what we needed after a busy day of walking and exploring. We sat outside, relaxed, and enjoyed a wonderful meal while taking in Sintra’s atmosphere. The food was delicious, and the service was excellent the perfect way to end our fairytale day.
We loved that Tascantiga offers a tapas-style experience, making it easy to try different Portuguese flavors and share dishes as a family. After exploring Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira, it was the perfect place to slow down, enjoy dinner, and talk about our favorite moments from the day.
Evening in Chiado: A Fun Family Stop, Lisbon’s Oldest Bookstore & Dinner
After a full day exploring Sintra, we returned to our hotel to rest before heading back out to enjoy one more evening in Lisbon.
One thing we loved about staying in Chiado was how easy it was to explore the neighborhood on foot. Even after a busy day trip, we could step outside and find something interesting to do nearby.
On our way out, we stopped at the Museum of Illusions, which turned out to be a fun surprise for the whole family. It was the perfect low-effort activity after a long day of walking, allowing everyone to relax and have fun without following a strict itinerary.
We then continued exploring Chiado and stopped by Livraria Bertrand, the world’s oldest operating bookstore. It was a quick but unique stop and a fun way to experience another side of Lisbon beyond the main tourist attractions.
Our Last Morning in Lisbon: Visiting Belém Before Our Flight
Before heading to the airport, we wanted to squeeze in one more Lisbon experience: a visit to Belém.
Since tickets for Jerónimos Monastery were already sold out for the previous days, we decided to visit on the morning of our flight. Make sure to book tickets for Jerónimos Monastery early!
We arrived early, hoping to make the most of our limited time, but we quickly realized we had underestimated how long the visit would take.
We ended up waiting in line for about 40 minutes to enter the monastery, and with a flight to catch later that day, the waiting started to make us feel rushed and stressed.
Once we finally got inside, we were happy we had visited. Jerónimos Monastery is absolutely beautiful and worth seeing, but if you can, I wouldn’t recommend saving it for your departure day, especially when traveling with kids.
After the monastery, we had limited time left to explore the rest of Belém. We still enjoyed walking around the area, seeing the riverside, and visiting some of the nearby sights, but we definitely wished we had more time to slow down and enjoy it.
Our tips for visiting Lisbon with kids
After spending time in Lisbon with our 3- and 6-year-olds, we learned that a little planning makes a big difference. Lisbon is an amazing family destination, but the hills, cobblestone streets, and busy attractions mean you need to plan your days realistically.
Don’t Try to See Everything
Lisbon has so many beautiful places to explore, but you don’t need to check off every attraction to have an amazing trip. With kids, we found that choosing a few highlights each day and leaving time for breaks made the experience much more enjoyable.
Book Popular Attractions Early
Some of Lisbon’s most popular attractions can sell out, especially during busy travel seasons. We learned this with Jerónimos Monastery, where tickets were no longer available for the days we originally planned to visit. We ended up visiting on the morning of our flight, which worked but made the day feel rushed and left little time to explore nearby attractions.
If you plan to visit the Jerónimos Monastery or other popular sights, reserve your tickets in advance whenever possible.
Be Prepared for Lisbon’s Hills
Lisbon is beautiful because of its hills and viewpoints, but those same hills can be challenging with young kids. Comfortable shoes are a must, and I recommend planning your walking routes carefully instead of trying to cover too much ground in one day.
Consider a Tuk Tuk Tour
A tuk-tuk tour was one of our favorite decisions in Lisbon. The kids loved the experience, and it allowed us to see more of the city without exhausting everyone with constant uphill walking. For families visiting Lisbon for the first time, I think it is a great way to get an overview of the city.
Leave Enough Time for Belém
Belém deserves more time than we gave it. Since we visited Jerónimos Monastery on the morning of our departure, we had to rush through the area. If we visited Lisbon again, we would dedicate at least half a day to exploring Belém, including the monastery, the waterfront, and a stop for the famous pastel de nata.
Enjoy Slow Moments
Some of our favorite memories in Lisbon were not the biggest attractions; they were simple moments like enjoying a pastry, wandering through beautiful streets, or taking breaks at the Martinhal Chiado hotel. Traveling with kids is about finding the right balance between exploring and enjoying the moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need to visit Lisbon with Kids?
If it’s your first time visiting Lisbon with kids, I recommend spending at least three to four days. This gives you enough time to explore Lisbon’s main neighborhoods, enjoy family-friendly attractions, and experience the magic of Sintra without feeling rushed. I would add one more day if you want to do 2 day trips from Lisbon: Sintra and Cascais.
Is Sintra worth visiting with kids?
Yes! I would visit Sintra again with kids, but would not do more than 2 sights at this age. It was absolutely magical, and the kids were happy. Penna and Quinta da Regaleira were a perfect balance for a day trip with kids.
Is Lisbon stroller-friendly?
Lisbon isn’t very stroller-friendly. Its steep hills, cobblestone streets, and narrow sidewalks can make getting around challenging. However, I would not give up on strollers completely. A lightweight, compact stroller is your best option, especially when exploring the city’s flatter areas and main attractions. We brought it. It was better than not having it.
Final Thoughts: 3 Days in Lisbon With Kids
Yes, I would recommend it, but with thoughtful planning. Lisbon has something for everyone in the family. Kids can enjoy the Oceanarium, tuk-tuk rides, castles, and exploring new places, while parents get to enjoy the food, architecture, history, and beautiful views.
If you’re traveling with young children, my biggest advice is to keep your itinerary realistic. Choose a few things you really want to see, leave time for breaks, and don’t be afraid to change your plans when the kids need a slower day.
For us, that balance made all the difference. We didn’t see everything on our Lisbon list, but we had a wonderful time, and we’d happily go back.
