Family Fun in Portugal: Lisbon & Porto - 7 Days

Highlights

• Taste your way around Porto and meet local families on a kid-friendly food tour
• Follow in the footsteps of kings and queens with a day trip to enchanting Sintra
• Explore Lisbon's streets and history on a fun private tuk-tuk tour
• Step inside the underground world of the Mire De Aire Caves
• Board a dolphin cruise off the coastline of Arrábida Natural Park

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Porto, Family Food Tour

Welcome to Porto! A private driver will meet your family at the airport for a quick and easy transfer to the city center. Check in to the hotel, and refresh or rest before a big afternoon exploring. You'll kick off your week-long family adventure in Portugal the best way—with a food tour. This is your chance to get off the well-worn tourist path and explore a side of Porto that most travelers rarely see. Your family will be welcomed by local families at small, authentic restaurants, cafés, and bars as you taste a range of traditional dishes, local pastries, and Portuguese wines (for the adults, of course).

Day 2: Porto for Kids Tour, Free Time

With so much to see and do in Portugal's second city, it can be hard to know where to start. That's why your family is joining a kid-friendly guided city tour this morning. Porto is known for its delicious port wine, medieval townhouses stacked up along the beautiful Douro River, and churches adorned with blue-and-white azulejo tiles. A guide will share the city's history and must-see attractions in a fun and informative way as you admire renowned Romanesque, Baroque, and neoclassical highlights such as the São Bento Train Station, the Clérigos Tower, the Livraria Lello bookshop, and much more. 

This afternoon, use your free time to explore the Ribeira neighborhood, set right along the Douro River and famous for its narrow, colorfully-tiled dockside houses and views of the double-decker Dom Luís Bridge. From here, you could return to Livraria Lello, one of the most famous bookstores in the world and said to be an inspiration for a famous scene from the "Harry Potter" books. 

Day 3: Transfer to Lisbon via Mira De Aire Caves

Pack up and hit the road—it's time to journey to Lisbon. There are plenty of cute towns, old churches, and artifacts to explore along the way, but kids are sure to love a stop at the impressive Grutas Mira de Aire. These are the largest underground caves in Portugal, formed during the Middle Jurassic Age more than 150 million years ago. Follow your guide underground, descending 683 man-made steps (about 340 ft/110 m) into a fascinating world of strange mineral formations such as stalagmites and stalactites.

Once you've checked into your hotel in Lisbon, use the rest of the day to explore at your pace. Late afternoon is the perfect time to see the LX Factory, one of Lisbon's coolest destinations. A former cloth and textile factory has been transformed into a buzzing district filled with small shops, restaurants, and bars. Stop for dinner here, or walk down to the waterfront Docas where restaurants and bars line the Tagus River.

Day 4: Lisbon Tuk-Tuk Tour, Free Time

Explore the "City of Seven Hills" in style today with an electric tuk-tuk tour. Your knowledgeable guide and driver will zip you up and down the colorful capital's charming cobbled streets, exploring historic neighborhoods and grand avenues. Learn about the city as you pull to gorgeous viewpoints, such as São Pedro de Alcântara, Parque Eduardo VII, Senhora do Monte, and Santa Luzia. 

This afternoon is yours to dive into family-friendly sights. Step inside the Castelo São Jorge, a commanding Moorish castle with magnificent views, peacocks, and a camera obscura. Head to the Oceanario Aquarium to meet marine life and ride the Lisbon Cable Car along the riverfront nearby. Book a Hippotrip and tour the city on land and by water in an amphibious vehicle. Let kids loose at one of Lisbon's many gardens, from Jardim da Estrela to the Estufa Fria greenhouse in Edward VII Park. Make a pilgrimage to Belém and visit the Jerónimos Monastery and nearby Pasteís de Belém.

Day 5: Family Day Trip to Sintra

No family vacation in Lisbon would be complete without a day trip to Sintra, a charming place where nature, architecture, history, and mystery meet. On a relaxed, kid-friendly private tour, your family will wander through the historic village and visit two incredible palaces: Quinta da Regaleira and the National Palace of Sintra. Get lost in the tunnels and reverse tower of the Quinta, and marvel at the history and details of the National Palace. Learn about the legends and myths of Sintra, and the great authors and artists who passed through and left their marks on this mountainous area.

Day 6: Family Day Trip to Arrábida Natural Park

One of Lisbon's best-kept secrets is the magnificent Arrábida Natural Park, a 108-acre (43 ha) park set on the Sado River Estuary with turquoise blue water, golden sandy beaches, and fresh seafood. Drive through the park, passing the famous 16th-century Convento de Nossa Senhora da Arrábida monastery, and catch glimpses of the sweeping beaches surrounding the Albufeira Lagoon. Visit Cape Espichel and explore the Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel, a pilgrim site since the early 18th century, and take in breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean from the cliffs.

Zip to the quiet fishing town of Sesimbra, then drop by the hilltop Moorish Castle before breaking for a seafood lunch by the water. This afternoon, board a luxury catamaran for a three-hour dolphin cruise in the serene waters off Arrábida Natural Park, or simply kick back on one of Arrábida's hidden beaches. There's no wrong choice when you're in paradise.

Day 7: Depart Lisbon

It's time to say adeus to Portugal! At the appointed time, a driver will transfer you to Lisbon airport for your flight back home. Safe travels!

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