Planning a trip to Lisbon with kids?
We recently spent 4 nights in Lisbon with our family, and it completely exceeded our expectations. Before visiting, I wasn’t sure how kid-friendly it would be,but Lisbon turned out to be one of the easiest European cities to explore with children.
From parks with cafés where parents can actually relax, to castles overlooking the city, delicious pastries, and scenic tram rides, this itinerary includes everything we loved (and a few things we’d do differently).
Here’s exactly how we spent our four days.
Where We Stayed
We booked a beautiful Airbnb in central Lisbon, and I honestly wouldn’t change a thing.
Being able to walk almost everywhere made traveling with the kids so much easier. We were close to restaurants, shopping, parks, and many of Lisbon’s biggest attractions.
Tip: Stay somewhere central if you’re traveling with children. Lisbon’s hills are no joke, so cutting down on transportation makes a huge difference.
Day 1: Parks, Pastries & Exploring Lisbon
One of the first things that surprised me about Lisbon was how family-friendly the parks are.
We started our morning at Parque Eduardo VII, where the kids ran around at the nearby playground (Parque Infantil).
One thing I absolutely loved? Many Lisbon playgrounds have cafés or bistros attached, so parents can enjoy a coffee, snack, or even a glass of wine while keeping an eye on the kids. Every city should do this.
Afterward we wandered down Avenida da Liberdade, admiring the beautiful mosaic sidewalks, luxury shops, and local street vendors.
By lunchtime everyone was ready for a break, so we headed back to our Airbnb for naps before dinner.
That evening we ate at Bonjardim, and it ended up being one of our favourite meals in Lisbon.
Before heading home, we made one essential stop…
The Best Pastéis de Nata in Lisbon
I know everyone recommends Pastéis de Belém…
But my favourite was actually Fábrica da Nata.
The pastries were warm, flaky, and perfectly creamy, and their milkshakes were incredible. We grabbed a table outside while the kids people-watched, and it was one of those simple travel moments we’ll always remember.
On our walk home we stopped by the famous Lisboa sign in Praça dos Restauradores and strolled through the beautiful gardens along Avenida da Liberdade.
Later that evening my husband and I met friends for dinner at Zazah.
It’s absolutely stunning, but I’d save this one for date night rather than dinner with little kids.
Day 2: A Day Trip to Sintra
Sintra deserves an entire blog post of its own.
Between the colourful palaces, castles, and incredible views, it’s one of the best day trips from Lisbon.
(Coming soon: My complete family guide to Sintra.)
Day 3: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus & Lisbon’s Best Views
We decided to explore more of Lisbon using the Hop-On Hop-Off bus.
My biggest tip? Buy the two-day pass.
Trying to squeeze everything into one day felt rushed.
Some of our favourite stops included:
- Praça Marquês de Pombal
- Santa Maria Maior
- Waterfront area (the kids loved playing near the water while we grabbed drinks)
- Time Out Market for lunch
- Rossio Square
Time Out Market Tip
Go after the lunch rush.
It gets incredibly busy, and finding a table during peak hours can be difficult.
Belém
Later we visited the Planetarium and Museum before finally trying the famous Pastéis de Belém.
They were delicious…
But if I’m being completely honest, I still preferred Fábrica da Nata.
Shopping in Lisbon
Our kids were just as excited about shopping as sightseeing.
We stopped at the world famous Zara in Rossio Square where my daughter happily did some shopping of her own and then walked around the square where my son found a Ronaldo jersey! (His dream)
Don’t Miss St. George’s Castle at Sunset
If you only do one thing in Lisbon…
Make it St. George’s Castle.
Arrive about an hour before sunset so you have time to explore.
Then head up onto the castle walls before they close access in the evening. Watching the sun set over Lisbon from above the city was easily one of the highlights of our entire trip.
The entrance fee was around €15 per adult, and it was worth every euro.
The panoramic views are unforgettable.
Dinner & Dessert
After the castle we went back to Rosio square and wandered through the surrounding streets until we found a lively outdoor restaurant with live music called Marisqueira.
It was the perfect relaxed ending to the day.
Of course, we couldn’t leave without dessert.
We stopped at PAUL Patisserie, ordered far more pastries than we needed, and ended the night walking through Lisbon with tired kids and very happy stomachs.
Sometimes those are the best vacation memories.
Is Lisbon Worth Visiting With Kids?
Absolutely.
Lisbon surprised us in the best possible way.
It has beautiful parks, amazing food, incredible history, walkable neighbourhoods, and plenty of opportunities for both kids and adults to enjoy themselves.
It’s one of those destinations that feels exciting without feeling overwhelming.
We’ll definitely be back.
Save This Lisbon Itinerary
If you’re planning a family trip to Portugal, save this itinerary for later.
And if you have questions about traveling to Lisbon with kids, leave me a comment or send me a message on Instagram @MommaInTraining.
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